Monday, January 7, 2013

What's Miss Nat Reading?

 ...well, she's not really reading anything, but she has an opinion on what is read to her!
(this kid has an opinion on most everything nowadays!)
 
I thought I would try a little something different with this post. Natalie has really been showing favoritism with some of her books/toys lately. Thankfully they are all ones that I really enjoy reading & playing with as well hehe!
These books (& puzzle) are great b/c they are interactive, & she LOVES them!
 
I have no shame when it comes to making silly voices & funny faces to tell a story. I swear this kid gets me! Her & I can look at each other and just crack up laughing. She starts showing off & being a little ham everytime I get to Grandma's to pick her up!
What can I say, she gets it honest!
Here are some of our "don't leave the house," without books. I always toss one of these in the diaper bag if we go anywhere!  Sadly, I have them all memorized, so if I am driving I will just tell her the story & she will laugh along with me.
 
 
I will get started with this guy first. Her Granny & Opa got her this last Christmas. The big wooden knobs are perfect for those little hands, & she is slowly figuring out how to place them back in their slots. She enjoys hearing me make the animal noises more than anything. Again, no shame!
I can "QuAcK" like a duck, & "mOOO" like a cow with the best of 'em!
 
Now for the books!
A friend of ours got her this for her 1st birthday. It has really helped in her learning "touch!" Having her learn that has made it click for her when we tell her "no touch," when it's something no bueno...like mommy's chocolate dog food bowls!
 
She flips back to this page constantly b/c she we call the dog "Ribby," b/c he kind of looks like our own beagle boy! She adores her fur brothers!


This book tricked me. I didn't grow up reading this book (which makes me sad b/c little me would have loved it I'm sure.) I bought this at a T.J.MAXX for like 3$. It is a little hard back book. Pefect for crazy baby animals that like to chew on everything. However, I was ShOcKED! to find out that there is more to this book. I saw it at Target in a full paper back version & the story is crazy LONG! Ours just ends at **spoiler alert** when they chicka chicka BOOM BOOM fall outta the tree! Hmph! Now I have to get the big version too!


I picked this book up at a children's thrift store one day. I love Mermaids & I love that the last mermaid of the book has "red/orange" hair like my little Mermaid Natalie!
She loves touching all the mermaid's fancy accessories!
 
I will let this book speak for itself!! I believe they carry it at Target. We may be needing to purchase another one soon. Aunt April bought her this, & OH MY has it been LOVED!
 
(Side Note: Blue duct tape does not come with purchase!!)
 
 
I will end this post with the book we end every day with! A must have in every child's library! Thanks again Aunt April!
My sis bought me this book when she found out we were preggo!
It may need duct tape soon as well ;)
 
I hope if you don't have any of these books for your little ones that you definetely pick them up!
OH & please recommend any books that you think we will love! We are building our library up!
 
 
puzzle: Melissa & Doug
books: Baby's very first touchy-feely animals book by Stella Baggott
            Chicka Chicka ABC by Bill Martin Jr & John Archambault
            That's not my mermaid by  Fiona Watt
            Peek-a-Who by Nina Laden
            Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
           
 

LATA
ALLIGATA-
~MELISSA
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Friday, January 4, 2013

Reindeer Games!

Every New Year is a New beginning, & what better way to wash away the past year of crazy than takin' a little POLAR PLUNGE in the Atlantic Ocean!
This will be our 3rd Annual Freezin' for Reason!
Kelly & I have dressed as Polar Bears the past 2 years, but we decided to switch it up.
 I found this adorbale "deer" make-up tutorial on pinterest/youtube.
Hopefully we accomplished this look somewhat!
 
Check it out below!
 
I absolutely HATE cold water, but this has been so much fun each year that I can't imagine us not doing it every JANUARY 1st!
 
I will let the pictures do the talkin' now!
 
 
 
 
 


OUR CLASSIC ACTION SHOT!



SLEEPY BABY W/ DIRTY FEET & SOME HUNGRY BUTTS BEHIND US! EEK!


 
 
& THEN THE PLUNGE!!!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
& THAT MY FRIENDS IS HOW IT'S DONE!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR YA'LL!
 
"CHEERS TO A NEW YEAR, & ANOTHER CHANCE FOR US TO GET IT RIGHT!"
-oprah winfrey
 
 
LATA ALLIGATA-
MELISSA~


Wednesday, January 2, 2013

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...is over!

Is it just me or do you get the post Christmas blues?!!
 
I will miss walking through the stores hearing the holiday music playing, seeing all the red & green, & watching all the helpless men looking lost as they try to figure out what to get their lady friends!
 
Now that the holidays have quickly passed, I can sit down and post a few pics of our mini-"staycation!"
 
Here are a few pics of our visit to Santa! It was a dream visit! Miss Natalie acted like she knew that old man forever! I WAS SHOCKED!
 
 
 
 
 
 
FLASHBACK: ANDY PANTS & NAT AT SANTA LAST YEAR!
(look at that little tongue hehe)
 
 
 
& Now Andy Pants & Nat this year!
 
 
 
Christmas morning was pefect. It was the three of us, & a few prezzies! It sometimes seems so surreal looking at these pictures that this is my life. When I was younger I always daydreamed about what my own family would look like, & to see this amazing little red-head with a personality that will knock your socks off is more than I could have ever dreamed about. I have a hubby that not only puts up with all my crazy, but is THE BEST father!
I am beyond blessed!
Here is few fun pictures from our morning!
 
 ANOTHER FLASHBACK OF MISS NATALIE'S 1ST CHRISTMAS FIRST!
 
 
 
 
 
PRESENTS!!
 
THIS IS THE LIGHT UP DO-DAD WE PUT IN HER STOCKING!
 
 
THIS WAS HER BABY STELLA WE GAVE HER. SHE HAS A MAGNETIC PACIFIER I KNEW NATALIE WOULD LOVE....& SHE DOES!
 
 
 
 
 
 
HER OPA, GRANNY, & AUNTIE KABOOM GOT HER THIS PHONE!
 SHE WAS VERY IMPRESSED!!
 
 
EVERY PRESENT SHE OPENED SHE RAN OFF WITH IT TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT ALONE. YOU WOULD THINK THIS KID HAD 5 OTHER SIBLINGS TRYING TO HIDE EVERYTHING!
 
 
THIS WAS HER DOING TWIRLS AFTER SHE OPENED EVERYTHING!
SHE WAS ON A CHRISTMAS HIGH!
 
 I've added a little video of our Christmas morning w/ Natalie. The beginning of the video is a quick snipit of her & Grandma (my momma) playing the piano!
ENJOY!
 
 
 
 
I hope everyone had a beautiful Christmas! I am getting together my New Years post & New Year resolutions! What's yours?!
 
 
 
LATA ALLIGATA,
 
MELISSA~