Getting ready for summer...

It's starting to get warm around here, which only means that summer is right around the corner! I'm definitely not ready for the Texas heat to hit! Today after nap time we played outside in our makeshift kiddie pool...basically I was too lazy to get the real kiddie pool out of the shed! Nonetheless, Lucy (and Chloe) had a great time! A quick reminder that it really doesn't take much to entertain a busy toddler (for a little while, at least)...

Stroller Racing with Dad...

How we get all of her energy out before bedtime...

Josh's 30th...

Josh turned THIRTY yesterday! We had such a fun weekend celebrating! We started on Friday night with a birthday dinner with Josh's grandparents at J Macklin's, on Saturday night we grilled out with our close friends and on Sunday we had dinner at PF Changs with Josh's family. Needless to say, we are stuffed from eating very well all weekend. Happy 30th to my best friend and the most amazing husband and father I could ever ask for! I love you, babe!!

Unfortunately, I did not take pictures of Friday or Sunday night, but here are a few pictures from the party on Saturday night...

A little party decor for the birthday boy...

Instead of a cake, I make some of Josh's favorite cookies! Oreo Chocolate Chip, Snickerdoodles, and No-Bakes...

The boys hanging out by the grill...

Yummy food...

Happy birthday Josh!!!

Karen and BJ...

Jordan and Elizabeth...

Chris and Marina...

Mr. Brent Baker (minus his better half, Alison, who was working a wedding on Saturday night)...

Me and the birthday boy!

The girls...

After dinner we played a mean game of "Celebrity"...and I got some great pictures...most of which are not blog appropriate! What a fun night celebrating the one and only Joshua Wray Rives!!

18 Months...

Weight: 24 lbs. (58%)

Height: 34 in. (97%)

Head Circumference: 47.50 cm. (77%)

Hands down, fastest year and a half of my life. I can't believe my baby girl is 18 months old and in just 4 months, she'll be a big sister! Slow down time...slow down! Lucy's "spirited" personality has really evolved over the last month. We've had a rough few weeks with tantrums....tantrums...and more tantrums. She definitely has strong opinions...and she knows what she likes (and doesn't like). Which is not always a bad thing (at least I keep telling myself that!). We're really working with her on "trying" to control her emotions. She can get worked up over the silliest things. And she can turn those big crocodile tears on as quick as she can turn them off! We've learned that time out is not always the best option for her....sometimes she just needs some quiet time in her crib or a little spank on the hand or leg to get her attention. My patience has definitely been tested over the past month or so....but, I'm trying my best to love her through this phase...and embracing the personality that God perfectly designed her with. Lucy's vocabulary has really evolved over the past month....she knows so many words and each day she surprises me with new ones! She has started combining 2 or 3 words together....momma's keys, daddy's shoes, hi Chloe, etc. I love hearing her talk and learning to communicate with us. And after 6 WEEKS of battling bath time, she has finally come around and is enjoying her bath again! Wow, this was a battle. I'm so thankful that this phase is over (and I hope it doesn't come back for a very long time)! Over the past few days, Lucy has started saying "poop" right before she goes poop...hopefully this is a sign that potty training will be easy??!! I sure hope so! She is still a great eater (although we're struggling a bit with green veggies) and sleeper...12 hours at night (typically 8pm-8am) and a 2-3 hour nap during the day (typically 1pm-3/4pm). Lucy is wearing size 4 diapers, 18-24 months clothes and size 5 shoes. We love you Lucy girl...more than you will ever know. Happy 18 months precious one!!

Moo, Ruff, Neigh, Quack....Distracted.

Last night we were practicing our animal noises. Lucy knows cow, dog, horse and duck....thanks to her favorite song "Old MacDonald Had a Farm." As you can see, she was slightly distracted by her toothbrush and the fact that she could see herself on the camera! Funny girl...

E's Water Table...

Eleanor and Lucy had a blast playing with E's water table last weekend! We went to The Rector's unprepared for the activity, obviously. But who needs a swimsuit when you look this cute in your diaper and panties?!

Her future is bright...

It was a rainy and gloomy day in Dallas, but we made the most of it and had fun trying on sun glasses! How cool is she?!

Easter 2012...

We had a wonderful Easter celebrating with our family and friends! After church, we came home for a quick egg hunt before the rain came!

Kisses for daddy first...
Now it's time to hunt!

Chloe was busy hunting squirrels while Lucy was hunting eggs! Chloe was not as successful as Lucy!

Yummy Starburst!

And Peanut Butter M&M's!

Sharing with Chloe...

Stickers!

Daddy and Lucy...

Mommy and (a not so thrilled about this picture) Lucy...

After our egg hunt, we headed to Uncle Julio's in Grapevine for brunch with Josh's family and my mom and brother. Jill and the kids were in Temple visiting Jill's parents.

Checking out her Easter basket from Jewelz...

Lucy with her GG and Jewelz...

GG, Lucy and Pops...

Now with Uncle Jake and Uncle Wes...

Uncle Jimmy and Jewelz...

Carrying her basket to our table!

After brunch, we all enjoyed a 3 hour nap...It was wonderful! Then we went to The Rector's for dinner, more egg hunting and playing!

Attempting to get a picture of the girls...

Yummy marshmallows!!

Every bucket head needs a bow!

Silly girls!