Pre terrible twos

Reese has really been testing us lately. Hitting, biting and completely melting down have become the norm. 90% of the time she's the most precious, smart and amazing toddler and the other 10% she is really testing our patience. I think we need a parenting class on exactly how to handle these situations and how to be consistent when you are juggling two. I love her so much and want to be doing what it takes for her to grow up to be an amazing little girl/woman.

This is an adorable picture of her brushing her teeth while "practicing" going pee-pee on the potty last night. I love this little girl with all of my heart.

2 weeks

We close in only 2 weeks and 2 days!!! I could not be more excited. A few picture updates below.

Back to work

My first day back to work was last Monday. It has been nice to be around adults more, to be able to take a bathroom break anytime I need to (not have to hold it until I'm done nursing or until I've gotten her completely asleep by bouncing her), to get a shower in at least once a day and to be back to more of a schedule/routine. I LOVE our day care and fully trust that my girls are well taken care of. BUT, I miss them so much. I do love my job but maybe one day I can find something that requires a few less hours so that I can feel that I have more of a balance between work and home.

These are the super sweet and pretty flowers that Neal, Reese & Ella sent me my 1st day back to work.

a new home for Baxter?

Well my Inlaws came up this weekend and took Baxter home with them because they have a potential new home for our little guy. We are feeling pretty good about the situation & hoping that it all works out. Neal worked at a country club when he was going to community college in central Arkansas & one of the members that he knew goes to church with his mom. His mom mentioned to this man that we are having to find a new home for Bax and he said he has a shih tzu and they were wanting o get theirs a friend. His kids are grown and we fully explained Baxter's moody personality. So, he is going to have an overnight interview tonight, mainly to see if he gets along with their current dog. Now we just have to wait & see if this new home works out. We are really hoping this works out!

Needless to say we were a mess yesterday afternoon when it was time to say goodbye to him. We will miss him so much but we think he will be happy in this home. We got a couple of photos with him before he left.

baby talk

Today was my last day of maternity leave. I will be so sad not to get to spend so much time with Ella but we have had a great three months together. There are things that I look forward to about being back at work next week but I will really miss my precious girls. We are so blessed to have two amazing little girls and my heart swells with joy, pride and awe when I look at or think about them.

This morning Ella had a lot to say about starting day care on Monday. I assured her that the day care we have chosen is great one and her teacher is so good with little babies.

House

Disclaimer- I'm uploading all of this from my phone app so I have no idea how it will all turn out but I thought I may as well try it at some point.

The house has reached the exciting point! Cabinets, built ins, brick, closets, trim & flooring is what I've been waiting for. Although I know they are incredibly important slab, framing & insulation just haven't been nearly as exciting. I forgot to get an exterior shot with the brick on but I'll do that soon. They should be painting and putting down hardwoods next week. I just cannot wait to move in. Below are some pictures:

a sad end to a great Christmas break

This year we spent Christmas with Neal's family in Little Rock. This year was really fun because even though Reese doesn't fully understand she is more into opening presents and gets really excited about certain things. Below are some pictures of some fun memories of a great Christmas. Visiting Santa (the amazing elves convinced her that it was okay):

Christmas jammies:

Papa & Reese:

Mimi & Ella:

My sweet family:

Papa & Ella:

I LOVE this one:

Sweet Sisters:

Her reaction when 1st seeing Santa:

Fun with cousins:

We have always alternated each Christmas between my family and Neal's. Although it wears us out to travel for every single Thanksgiving and Christmas it has worked well. We have always known that once we have kids we wanted to spend some holidays at our own house. Next year is the year that we start this and we are going to do both Thanksgiving and Christmas at home. I am hoping that my family will come up for Christmas some years, maybe every other which would make it every 6 years for them. I know that Neal's family will come to our house for Christmas since he is an only child. Even if my family decides not to come, I will miss them greatly, but I am so looking forward to getting to stay home. Traveling with kids is tough and it will be nice not to have to use up so much of our vacation time.

On to the sad part. Baxter bit Reese pretty bad the day that we got home from Christmas. Maybe he was mad at us for being gone? We have always wondered if this day would come since he is a pretty moody guy. He has done so great the past 20 months and avoided so many fights. He got so good at just walking away when she tried to bother him. BUT we know that we are going to have to find him a new home now that this has happened. We don't want to constantly live in fear of what might happen as we know that it could be worse next time, that would make us bad parents. He is making it harder on us and being ultra sweet the past couple of days. He's given me lots of kisses and been extra cuddly. We are so sad and have cried many tears in the past few days while trying to find him a home. Let me know if you know of a good kid free home!