.day 168: ladybug's name picks.

Ever since we found out Jelly Bean is a "she" bean, Hubs and I have been throwing around girl names trying to find one that fells "right." So far we've had no real luck.

Yesterday, I asked Ladybug what she thought we should name her baby sister. She thought for a moment (even saying, "Ummmmm..." to my utter amusement) and then told me, very matter-of-factly, "Carrot." I laughed and asked if she could think of any more names. She came back with, "Dinosaur."

And then you have today's name idea addition: Kermit

So, including the name that she offered up earlier in the pregnancy, here is Ladybug's list of names for her sister:

     -Heart
     -Carrot
     -Dinosaur
     -Kermit


I'll update more as she comes up with them. I have a feeling we might end up with a long list of very unusual baby names by the time Jelly Bean actually makes her big arrival.

*happy sigh* Gee whiz, I love that silly, creative kid!

.faces of ladybug.

And now, I proudly present: 

The Many Faces of Ladybug.

The angry face...

the thinking face...

the "princess face..."

the crazy face...

the silly face...

the sad face...

and my personal favorite, the happy face...

 I love my kid.

.ladybug's first fat lip.

Yesterday, Ladybug got her first fat lip. She stepped on a ball, which rolled out from under her, and then face planted our bed frame. Despite oodles of blood, the cuts were not bad.

The swelling, however, was.

Today, she has been insisting that it doesn't hurt, but the swelling is worse than when it initially happened. It makes my heart ache a little to see her little inflated lip. My poor baby.

Since it wasn't hurting anymore, I had to take a picture of that poor, puffy lip. When I asked her to show me her lip, she, of course, did her "kissy face."

.day 96: baby "heart".

After recapping our appointment for my family at Sunday dinner, my mom asked Ladybug what she wanted to name the baby. Ladybug answered, "Heart." I figured she was just referring to hearing the baby's heartbeat at the appointment, but when we asked her again a little while later, her response was again, "Heart."

It makes me wonder if "Heart" is more of a boy name or a girl name...

.mommy's little helper.

Today, Ladybug came out of the bathroom downstairs saying, "Garbage! Hon! Garbage!" 

I was confused. Worried she had made a huge mess by either unrolling all the toilet paper or meticulously sorting the trash from the can to the floor, I hurried to the bathroom.  

This is what greeted me:

Yes. That is a diaper.

Yes. It's in the toilet.

My girl. Always wanting to help "clean up." Bless her little heart.

Pretty Girl

I took this with the new camera Hubs got me for my birthday (Thanks again, hon! I love it!). Our little girl is stunning... even with spaghettiOs all over her face!

.the replacements.

Since the passing of Tut earlier this week, his tank has stood empty and lonely. That is, until today, when Hubs surprised Ladybug (and me) with four little goldfish from Walmart. 

Each cost a whopping 28 cents and, though not as frilly as Tut, who was a fan tail goldfish, Ladybug thinks they are wonderful. She even pretends to feed them, something that is made cuter by the fact that she picked it up all on her own from watching us feed the fish.

You make be thinking that it is too soon to get replacement fish, but I think Tut would want us to move on and be happy with these little fish... as long as 28 cent fish will last.

.poor tut: we hardly knew ye.

Today, Ladybug's first "pet," her fish, Tut (yes, she picked that name) passed away. He lasted a whole 2 and half months, not bad for a wee goldfish. In memory of Tut, I would like to offer a few words...

Tut the fish: we found Tut at PetCo. one chill autumn evening and knew he was the fish for Ladybug. Small, cute, and only $2.95. He was a good fish, quiet and pleasant to watch as he ambled around his fluorescent pink tank. He was a happy and lively little guy.

Tut loved fish flakes and could often be found hanging around the glittery, purple tiara he was so fond of.

So, we bid thee farewell, sweet Tut. You will be missed.

Happy Birthday, Ladybug! (Part 2)

For Ladybug's first birthday party, I planned a "Ladybug Luncheon." Of course I had to have a ladybug cake and I thought, "Why buy when I can create?" So, I set about my planning to make not one, but two ladybug cakes: one to share and one for Ladybug to destroy, of course.

I ended up making a 12 inch, triple layer, hand-carved, fondant covered cake for all of our birthday guests and a little ladybug cake with non-dairy frosting for Ladybug to enjoy all by herself. It took a long time (especially coloring and kneading the fondant), but it was so worth it! Check 'em out!

Happy Birthday, Ladybug!

Today is our daughter's very first birthday! I can't believe a year has come and gone so quickly! Being a mommy has been such a great adventure. It has been a million times better than I thought it could be. Our little Ladybug has been such a blessing in our lives and what better way to celebrate the anniversary of her arrival into our family than, you guessed it, cake!

I posted on here a while ago that I was trying a master the art of fondant so I could make Ladybug's cake myself. Over the past couple of months, I have made a few trial cakes, tried different icing recipes, and purchased a few cake decorating do-dads. I think all the practice paid off quite nicely. I may not have mastered the art of fondant (yet... practice makes perfect), but the result was pretty darn cute, if I do say so myself!

Happy Birthday, Ladybug!

A Trip To "The Goon!"

On Friday, we got a call from Hubs' sister, M'Kenzie, who said she had some free tickets to Lagoon for us if we wanted to go. Of course, we jumped at the chance to take Ladybug to Lagoon for the first time, so packed up the diaper bag, piled in the car, and headed to Farmington.  

We didn't get to ride many "grown-up" rides (Ben did get to go on Wicked, which he loved), but we did get to ride the carousel and the train with Ladybug. Ladybug also had her first taste of Dippin' Dots! We had a wonderful time! 

Thanks Derek and 'Kenzie!