Marlee Turns Three

Every Girl Deserves Birthday Flowers

Happy Birthday Marlee Jo!

Three years ago, I was holding my greatest accomplishment, my sweetest gift, and the biggest challenge of my life, all swaddled in a blanket on my chest. Today, she wakes up and while she does not want to be cuddled on my chest, she continues to be the sweetest gift that God has given me. 

I say this as she demands chocolate milk without a bother to say hello. 

How do I sum up three year old Marlee into one blog post? Marlee is my strong willed child. A "three-nager" if you will. She knows exactly what she wants and exactly when she wants it. She can be shy at times but once she is warmed up, she is non-stop action and giggles. Marlee is a good mix of girlie girl and superhero. I am not sure where she gets it from but she loves anything pink, adores playing with make-up (especially Grandmas), and is convinced that she is a princess. I can blame her father for the last one. On the other side, Marlee loves to wrestle, run "super fast", and play baseball. I could watch her and Nicky run around in the backyard all day. Until one of them starts screaming of course...

Marlee is also quite the entertainer. She loves to sing and dance. She often makes up songs depending on what is going on around her. Her new song "I Am Sorry So Don't Cry Nicky" is sure to be a big hit. She also loves to color, draw, build blocks, and play her "Ohdoe" - which is just a Kindle that she has mysteriously named Ohdoe. Marlee is incredibly smart (I know all moms say that) and has a huge vocabulary with the cutest hint of a lisp. I love to ask her questions about her day because she remembers everything and in such great detail. 

I did a little interview of Miss Marlee of some of her favorite things:

What is your favorite color? PINK!

What is your favorite toy? My bear

What is your favorite food? Applesauce

What is your least favorite food? Seeds in the apple ("I don't like those.")

What is your favorite TV show? Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Peanut butter sandwich

What is your favorite snack? Fruit snacks

What is your favorite animal? Bear

What is your favorite song? "You Are My Sunshine"

What is your favorite book? Baby animal book (I have no idea what book that is)

Who is your best friend? "You! And Isaac and Nicky and Daddy!"

What is your favorite cereal? "The ones with the marshmallows in there"

What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play!

What is your favorite drink? Juice

What is your favorite store? Target! (That's my girl)

What do you want to be when you grow up? "A big girl!"

Hopefully I can remember to 'interview' her every year because she was so cute answering all the questions with such concentration. 

We are getting the house ready for Marlee's party tomorrow and are so excited to have everyone over to celebrate my baby girls third birthday. I am having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that I will have a three year old! Where does the the time go? 

Happy Birthday Marlee! You truly are my sunshine! Your smile brightens my day and watching you grow has made me so proud to be your mom. I hope today and everyday is amazing because you deserve the world. 

We love you to the moon and back!

Moving Day!

We waited three and a half months to move into our new house.

The day came and went like all exciting days do. I feel like I blinked and here we are, one week later, all moved in and calling it our home. 

It was so worth the wait. 

It is hard to even try to explain the amount of happiness I have since moving. Like this house and neighborhood was made for us. I feel productive and motivated and carefree. We have so much room and storage. It's amazing. The kids just run around all day long, laughing, playing, and wrestling. We walk multiple times a week and I even joined a walking group. Me! Anti-social, introverted me! Everything is more convenient. Parks, grocery stores, quick trips to the gas station, work. Everything is around us. It feels like home, even after one week. 

We have done so many little projects so far around the house but there is so much more to come. Removing wallpaper and painting is next. No I lied. Weeding the yard is next. We have to get the house ready for Marlee's birthday party at the end of the month. My baby girl is going to be three! While the painting is not extensive, the kitchen involves a lot of trimming. Not something that can be done while two mischievous toddlers run around. I can see the paint footstep all over the hardwood floors now...

There are so many things to love about the house; all the kids have their own bedrooms, three car garage, beautiful patio with a huge backyard, a basement for the kids to play. I have to admit that my favorite feature is the office. I can close the door and do bills, make phone calls, fill in my bullet journal, and drink a cup of coffee in peace. It is wonderful. I love this house. 

The kids are doing great with the adjustment too. Nicky struggled sleeping in his new bed for the first couple days but Issac, Marlee, and Nicky are all troopers. They have been sleeping like angels and while Marlee regressed a little with potty training, she is back on track. Her first poop on the potty in the new house is in the books! She was just excited to get a chocolate chip cookie. "Mom! They are so good and crunchy!" Thanks Mar. My favorite little cookie lover. 

Well it is now movie night with Isaac and Nick. Better run before he starts banning me from the office. 

Have I mentioned how much I love this house?

Nicky's First Haircut

We finally did it.

We chopped off all of Nicky's luxurious curls.

And if the gut wretching feeling of your baby getting older on a daily basis wasnt bad enough, getting his haircut was enough to make me cry (on the inside). Its like another little man is walking around the house. So handsome. Men are handsome. Not babies.

I will say he did amazing. No crying or screaming. Just lots of curiousity. He looked around every second that he could. Mike (excellent barber and cousin) kept right up with him though. Clipping and buzzing my baby into a little boy. I cannot believe how much older he looks!

Slow down little Nicky! You are still my baby!

A very handsome baby.