Happy Parenting

I have been sick for about 4 days now so I thought I might blog to keep me from going stir crazy!
Someone asked me the other day what was the hardest part of parenting.  I have been thinking about this since day one and my answer stays the same.
No it is not lack of sleep (although that is up there).  I believe it is knowing that EVERY decision we make as parents affect the future of our children.  From birth to death we make them who they are.  I personally look as some of the things I have done and think, "Well she will have something to talk about in therapy when she grows up!"  All we can do is trust in the lord and raise our kids the way He wants us to.  Although some personality types like mine obsese over everything from what she eats, toxic enviroment and energy to raising her God's way.
So that my friends is my answer...The hardest part of parenting is wondering if you are screwing up your kids!
Happy Parenting from me to you!

M&M's Closet

Hello Everyone!  I have posted an album on facebook with some of Maddie's smocked and speciality clothing that is for sale.  Most items have been worn once or twice, some just for pictures, and some never at all!  If you are interested and do not have facebook I will be more than happy to email you pictures and descriptions of the clothing.  Tell all your friends and family!  After 18 months of hanging on to all of her "special" items in hopes that I will have another girl that is born in the same season as M&M is just unrealist with our lack of closet space so we are making room! 

Words Words Oh My!

Over the last two weeks or so Maddie has just had words falling out of her mouth!  Chris and I look at each other in shock and we ask each other if we both heard that!  Tonight she said Thank you, cheese, bath, school...all of these are new.  The past few weeks she has said Mimi, Poppa, shoe, sock, sis (for Sister..Prissy), cup, and of course dada and moma!  We have used baby sign to comunicate up till this point but now she does the sign and says the word!  Chris has always said that once she finally starts talking she will not be quite!  It is so much fun but so scary at the same time!  Are we ready for this?  It also makes me sad :(  She is growing up too fast!  She can brush her own teeth (not as good as we do so we try to do it for her)  and starting to talk!  Oh My!!  Although I am sad she is growing up so fast, this age is my favorite!!!  She is so much fun and loving!

update from Nashville!

I thought I needed to give everyone an update.  I will share our Christmas and post pictures as soon as we get back from Nashville.

Maddie and I flew to Nashville last Monday.  Maddie showed off her skills while we drove home from the airport.  She said Poppa!  We worked on it during the flight!  I knew she could do it because she says Pap (short for Papaw- my grandfather). 

Maddie was great on the plane.  She has flown before but not being this active so I was a little nervous.  It was a   full flight and not much room for anyone.  I have to confess that after going through security I did call Chris in tears (tears of stress) and declare that I wasn't ever doing this again by myself!  Don't get me wrong it had nothing to do with her but traveling with a little one and all that the airline requires of you plus keeping up with an 18 mo old and all of your stuff is just too much!  

We are having a great time and had a wonderful Christmas with my Dad and Lisa.  (Maddie's fourth christmas this season!)  

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas and has a great New Year!  I will be sharing our Christmas memories from this year soon!

Number 2

Everyone told me this was going to happen it was just a matter of time.  Well we went 16 months without Madelyn pooping in the tub so I think we did pretty well!  Yep it happened!  It just so happen to be the night we were having a slumber party with Claire.  Yep you guessed it...Claire and Madelyn were in the tub together!  I was in the kitchen when Claire started screaming, "She is pooping!!!"  I ran in there and poor Claire was sitting in brown bath water!  She was such a good sport about it.  After everyone got clean and the bath toys and tub got disinfected we laughed about it.  It will be a great story some day for Claire to tell Madelyn.  Making memories is sure fun!
Other than the poop filled bath our slumber party was a great night.  We did christmas crafts, played, ate pizza, and did a little shopping!  We sure love our girl time! 

Thankful November

okay still playing catch up!  Let me finish with what I am thankful for.

13. My MOPS group!  Such an amazing group of ladies.

14. Prissy.  My nine and 1/2 year old maltese.  She has been the best dog, roomate, and friend a girl could ask for. 

15. Shalac nail polish system!  Nail polish last for 2 weeks:)  need I say more!

16. My Girls!  Angela, Sheri, Jodi and Lindsey!  We have all been friends for a VERY long time!!  We have all gone our separate ways but still try and find time for each other.  We have so much fun when we are together.  These girls are like my sisters!

17. Forgiveness...I have done many things in need of forgiveness

18. Hair Dryer..yep have you seen this mop with out it?

19. The Health of my Grandparents.  They are 79 and 80 and still full of life.  For that I am Thankful!  They are an active part of Madelyn's life and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

20.  Skpe and American Airlines...They both make the many miles between my Dad and my little family seem not so far.

21. My Mom instilling in me how important it is to be well rounded.  From ballet to football and hunting to shopping...I appreciate it all.  I may enjoy some things more than other but have an appreciation  for it all and can hold a conversation about football to politics.  I hope to pass this on to Madelyn.  Thanks Mom!

22.  Teething Tablets...we wouldn't have survived without them :)

23.  I am thankful that most of my family live close.  I have been blessed to watch my nieces, nephews, and cousins grow up!

24.  My Aunt Melba.  She passed away not long ago but left me with wonderful memories.  She taught me the art of listening.  She never interupted, always made me feel like I was the most important one in the room and always was there to listen.  I hope to master the sweet art of listening like she. 

25.  Chiropractic!  My life and that of my family wouldn't be the same without it!  It has taught me what true health is all about!

26.  Michelle Chesley.  She has been the best aunt I could ask for.  She listens, gives great advice, and has always been there for me!  Thank you for being the big sister I never had.

27.  My mother in law and father in law for having one more child.  Chris is number four.  Thank you for not stopping at three. 

28.  Hair color:)  As I get older/wiser my hair gets gray...but you will never know :)

29. online shopping ...who has time to go to a mall?

30.  last but not least...Unconditional LOVE..
from my husband, daughter, family ...it truly is a blessing!

November a month of thankfulness!

I saw this idea going around facebook and thought it was brilliant!  For everyday in November you say something that you are thankful for.  I am about 15 days behind but I am catching up NOW!

1.  My little M&M (Mary Madelyn Thiem)  she is truly an answered prayer!

2. My amazing family!  I know some people find it strange that we all LOVE spending time together and that we do spend so much time together but I think it is a blessing!

3.  That God gave his one and only son for MY Salvation! 

4. I know this falls under family but ...My Husband.  He keeps me balanced and makes me feel like his Queen daily. :)  He is also the most AMAZING father to M&M.

5. Smart phones...Go ahead and laugh!  But my iphone keeps me organized and I have email, music, internet and EVERYTHING at my finger or in my purse!

6. My friend Randi Jones!!  We are so different but yet so much a like.  Motherhood has boned us into a whole new depth of friendship.  We do not live close but we make an effort to text, TALK (yes Talk does anyone do that anymore?), send encourgaging cards, and see each other as much as possible.  I call her aleast once a week to laugh, cry, vent or tell her I feel like a rock star!  Our friendship is not competitive, judgemental, nor shallow.  Thank you Randi for being my friend!!  I love you!

7.  I am thankful for all of our soliders who have made the sacrifice to be away from there families to fight for our country.  GOD BLESS the USA!

8.  video baby monitors.  Can't image hearing her cry and not being able to see if something is REALLY wronge and sometimes I just like to watch her sleep:)

9.  I am thankful that Chris and I both have jobs we love!

10. DVR.  I promise I am not all about electronics but I can't remember life without it. 

11.  Trinity Mother Frances NICU.  It wasn't that long ago that Tyler didn't have a NICU.  ( just a few years)  If it wasn't for the NICU at Trinity Mother Frances on July 1st 2010, then Maddie would have been taken to Dallas or Shreveport when she was born.  It was hard enough having her down the hall and not bringing her home when I was released but I CAN NOT image having her so many miles away!

12. Facebook...yep crazy but I feel like it is such a great way to keep up with everyone with such ease.

okay ill continue catching up later...this is much harder than you think!  I dare you to try it!