Becoming a Big Girl

Our Jackie Jacks is growing up too fast. I want it to stop... but not really. We are doing the best we can to soak up every ounce of this gals babydome, because it is just so stinkin fun. She loves to help around the house by putting away clean dishes and tupperware (and I try to get to the knives quickly before she reaches for those), at times she prefers to read to herself (and she knows her books), loves to throw trash away, and gets into her carseat completely by herself (schedule about 5 minutes or so for this process).
Just finished helping Daddy peel shells off hardboiled eggs. This pair made green deviled eggs for the St. Pat's party we attended Saturday.

I know, how many close up shots can I take of her. I can't help that I love this face, so therefore, everyone else must as well. :-) I was going to take a ton of pictures at the zoo last weekend, but my camera is on the fritz. I feel naked without it. Colin's taking it in today to see what button I pushed by mistake. So, until then, we are limited on good action shots.

Baby 2 is doing really great! He or she reminds me of their presence all of the time. This kiddo likes to squirm and I love it. We've made it to the 27 week mark, so we are soon bringing the second trimester to a close. Can't believe that! The baby should be about 2 lbs. and about 14 1/2 inches long. Still skinny as a rail and starting to fatten up. He or she may be able to open and close eyes now. It's so amazing knowing that all of this is taking place inside of me while we go on about our daily lives.

Jackie likes to kiss my belly and still thinks she has one growing inside of her as well. I'm so curious to know how she will do. The other day I picked up my nephew Jason and she ran over to me and lifted her arms and shouted, "My Mommy!" Just a preview, perhaps. :-)

Saying Goodbye to our Sweet Ella Beaner

It is with a heavy heart that I write this. It's taken me 3 days to work up the energy to share this news on the blog. No one likes reading about sad things, but this is a blog about the lives of the Mannings and for years to come we will think about this year and the tough decision we made.

It's a controversial one and through countless discussions, making up our minds, then back tracking and so on, we decided it was time for our sweet Ella to go on to her next adventure. She's now living in Conway, Arkansas with another family. We met them this past Sunday and they are the sweetest people with 2 children and a black lab.

We realize to some, this seems very cruel, and that is why making this decision was painful and arduous for us. We love Ella and wanted the best life for her. When we come home, it is really hard to not see her sweet face and wagging tail. The house seems so very quiet without the occasional bark outside.

She brought so much joy to our lives 3 years ago and we have wonderful memories with her and feel so lucky to have been a part of her loving life. Her spunky personality is going to be adored by her new family.

Ella, you are a beautiful dog with a loving heart, sweet face, and joyous run. We will miss you always and know you spread joy wherever you are.

The Choices We Make

Jackie was insistent on wearing this hat to school. Even though I explained to her that this was for the heads of children 3 years and up. For older children or for those 18 - 24 month kids with abnormally large heads. But, then again, most kids have big heads. She was peaceful for about a song or two on the way to school, staring at the pink fleece before her eyes.

Then, the curiosity began...

And then the frustration...
And the lack of understanding that Mommy can't do anything about this dillema while driving. We enjoy our short commute to work and school. :-)

Love Your Face.

Jackie reading animals book

Thanks Aunt Julia and Uncle Cason

Publish Post

A look inside the Mind of a Little Girl

While our little one's vocabulary expands day after day, it has been so fun to hear the combination of words she puts together. Delightful really. We've been blessed with a girl that likes to talk, repeat and learn new things. She's getting pretty amazing with puzzles: picking out the right peices for the right space, recognizing most colors and animals. Colin's planning on posting a video to illustrate her knowledge of animals. But, I could go on about how "brilliant" my kid is. Don't we all think our kids are the smartest? That's the beauty of parenthood. My kid is the best!! :-)

Yesterday, Jackie and I were leaving for work and school. We routinely hold hands and go down some rather dangerous stairs on our way to the garage. On this day, she decided she didn't need to hold my hand. I gave her two choices. "Jackie, either you hold Mommy's hand or Mommy will carry you down the stairs." She just looked at me with a half smile like, I'm just going to stall and see what her next move is. I was running late, so I scooped her up, knowing it wouldn't make her happy. She stiffened, and began to scream, "My stairs!! My stairs!! My stairs!!"

Made it to the garage with no problems other than a screaming kiddo, opened the car door and plopped her in her carseat. Jackie immediately stood up in her carseat. "Jackie, sit down please, so I can buckle you up." The same grin in return. Therefore, I began forcefully bending her legs to a sitting position. And Jackie screamed, "My stand up!! My stand up!! My stand up!!"

Then began the laughing. I couldn't stop. Something about that phrase just got me. Poor kid. Here she is, trying to assert her independence with so much emotion and her mommy is laughing at her. I get it from my Dad. He found the most absurd moments funny when I was a kid. Moments that were monumental for me. Moments that I was finally standing up for myself. It was infuriating then, and now I get it.

Oh dear.

Pigtails Schmigtails

My dear friend Kim inspired me to attempt pigtails in Jackie's hair this morning. She posted a darling picture of baby Dillan with pigtails in her hair. We thought we'd give it a try and I thought they turned out pretty cute on Jackie.

Other evidence of this girl growing up is her ability to brush her own teeth. More accurately, she's sucking the water from the brush. Mom still has to grab the brush and get after those teethies for her while making "aaaaahhh" and "eeeeeehh" sounds. She does pretty great with it as long as she can have the brush back for a little sucking.

Notice the crazy outfit. I know what you are thinking, "Kathleen must have let Jackie pick this out." The answer is no. I picked it out. It's insane and where did I get the idea that stripes and polka dots go together. Not sure, but I'm into an "anything goes" phase. I just think there is something so cute about little girls in wild mismatched stuff. Surely I'll grow out of this before she turns 5 or so to save her from true embarrassment with her peers in kindergarten. By then, she really will be picking out the mismatched outfits for herself and I'll know that I am the cause for her fashion nonsensical behavior.

I digress - Back to pigtails. Now, we were so proud of them and drove all the way to Grandma and Grandpa's house to show them off. We get in the house, look at the back of her head and there wasn't even a trace of this girly cuteness. Just Jackie's cute head looking a little disheveled from a night's sleep. Oh well, they were joyous while they lasted.