HOT.

Oh my goodness, it has been hot!  It has been way too miserable to do anything outside.  I can't even stand to go over to the new house for more than five minutes at a time because there is NO air flow going through there and it is just not pleasant. 

Therefore...we have been playing inside LOTS.  I took these one day this week.  After taking a few pictures, Mallory said, "No Mama, put camera down."  Haha!  I guess she is sick and tired of me taking her picture. 

She was putting 'juice' (it's actually an eggplant) in her baby's bottle

 Giving baby her juice

This afternoon we went to Mason's birthday party.  It rained just enough to cool everything off where the party was perfect.  He loves Mickey just like Mallory does.  His mom, Amanda, made these center pieces.  How creative?!  They were adorable.

They had a slide set up to go into a kiddie pool & it has a hit during the whole party!

See all the boys lined up going down the slide.

Even my extra cautious little girl went down the slide & enjoyed it.

& lastly, this morning we had our pictures done.  These two are my 'sneak peaks'.  I won't get to see the rest of them for about a week.  The one with the hat is my favorite, but I am anxious to see the rest.  I sure hope they will be worth the two hour drive we took.  The photographer specializes in children & she had awesome props.  She had a couple of amazing ideas that Mallory wouldn't go along with...but hey, she's two & how can you get mad with this face?!

Things she says & things on my mind.

I will go ahead & warn whoever is reading - this post is all over the place. 

Mallory is sooo funny to Patrick & I with the things she says.  Half the time, I will try to recall something she said that made me laugh or surprised me & I can never remember!  Therefore, I have started trying to write down some stuff when possible.  Here are a few things she has said the last couple of weeks:

While I was trying to gather her toys out of the tub - NO hippo!!  I got to wash you, little fella!!!

I got an idea!!

We were playing with her sidewalk chalk & she was naming things for me to draw -
sun!
square!
triangle!
heart!
circle!
yo-yo!
I don't know!
A man! (I don't know why, but that really made me laugh!)

What's that mess on my bed?!

Surfs Up!!!  (We think she got that from bible school, it was a surf theme but she now randomly says it all the time)

I've got to color in my diaper!!!

Me:  Here are your ponies to color.
Mallory: Good idea!!

I want a princess party.  With bunnies!

While talking to her granny today, Leroy (who she has always called Papa), wants a piece of apple!

This is something that we as southerners never say, but for some reason Mallory has picked up - you guys.  & sometimes she will refer to me as guy.  For example - where you going guy?

She has a doll that she keeps in my car & usually holds her while she is in her carseat.  One day on the way home I asked her what her baby's name was.  She replied - Patrick!  & ever since that day, that is what she calls that baby. 

She also has gotten really into singing lately.  She sings in a VERY high pitch voice, it is hilarious.  Her favorite songs are Jesus Loves Me (which melts my heart) & Farmer in the Dell.

Now for the things on MY mind-

We are having family pictures made this weekend.  I'm already stressing about it because I expect everything to be perfect & I know in reality that it won't be.  I need to lose ten pounds and get a tan by Saturday morning.  Ahh...I hope I can chill and just go with the flow & actually enjoy the experience.  I am excited about Mallory's outfits though...she has a couple of cute dressy outfits along with these cuties that just came in today:

I'm thinking they would be cute with jeans..maybe rolled up a little & this cute ruffled top:

I don't know how many wardrobe changes she will last through, but I love this top too with a pair of skinny jeans & sandals.

  
In addition to that stress, I am hosting bunco Monday night where I have obligated myself to cooking a meal & dessert for 12 people.  Oh & I volunteered to bake a dessert for a church function Sunday night.  Oh & there is no way I can get off work early Monday, because it will be a super busy day.  If anyone reading is interested in playing, we need a sub.  Get up with me!

Patrick & I have a meeting to get life insurance policies tomorrow night.  New mortgage = life insurance policy needed.  I really do feel all grown up now! 

I am so hooked on Big Brother this season!  I've only watched one other entire season & it was the one where Dick & Danielle were the final two so I was excited to see them back.  Rachel is driving me crazy though...she is annoying & has got to go! 

Pinterest is my new best friend.  In a world where so much ugliness goes on, Pinterest is full of beauty!!  Seriously, if you haven't joined - go do it! 

I want to play

That is Mallory's favorite sentance ever since receiving so many new toys for her birthday last weekend.  So that's what we've been doing!  She has very little interest in watching any tv & she wants someone to play with her at all times, so it's really hard for me to get anything done!

This was taken last Sunday.  Grandaddy Franklin is dying to buy Mallory her first set of golf clubs.  Looks like she may be ready!

These were taken last night while playing in her room (which stays a MESS now).

She looks like she is about 4 years old to me in this picture!

Her lovies

Aunt B bought Mallory this play hut for her birthday which stays at her house.  Mallory loves it, she talks about it quite a bit!  While playing there today, she wanted daddy to get in with her.  It was a tight squeeze!

Daddy getting out of the play hut.  Mallory is like 'what just happened?!'

After lunch, Mallory wanted to go home with Grandmother & Grandaddy to 'play' with her toys there.  It has been a quiet afternoon here waiting for her to get home!

2 year stats

Mallory had her 2 year checkup yesterday afternoon & it was such a different experience than just six short months ago.  She completely entertained herself by watching the movie playing in the waiting room and sitting in the little kiddie chairs.  Once called back, she walked right back there & stepped on the scale.  Then backed up to the wall for the nurse to check her height.  Who needs mom anymore??  I could have cried!  Long gone are the days of me carrying her & laying her on the scale.  I wasn't prepared for such big girl behavior, but I was also proud of her.  Her little personality is coming out more & more each day & it is so entertaining to watch.  While I miss my little baby, it is also so fun to see her grow and blossom into this little person she is becoming. 

Now, onto her stats at two years old- 

Weight: 26.7 lbs (50th percentile)

Height: 34 3/4 inches (75th percentile)

Head: (Between 25th and 50th percentile)

She is still pretty long & lean.  Her Dr always comments 'her growth chart is beautiful', she probably says that about every child, ha.  No questions or concerns though, everything looked great.  She didn't have to get shots, but had her finger pricked to do blood work to check iron.  Her pedi does this routinely at 1 and 2 years old.  She amazed me & never shed a tear with the blood drawing.  She wanted daddy to kiss her boo boo all the way home & kept saying she had 'cut her finger'.  We resisted the urge to go shopping & rushed home instead to see the cabinets put in our new house.  It was a great afternoon, I wish I could work 1/2 days everyday!

The minnie party

First off, today is Patrick's birthday.  Happy birthday Daddy P!!  He does not like to make a big deal of his birthday or even do anything for it so I think he is very happy that Mallory's birthday now overshadows his.  He would much rather all the attention be on her than him.  We did go to his favorite restaurant for lunch (Olive Garden) and we went to Lowe's where I bought him a little refrigerator to go in his building outside.  Then when we got home he had a long nap, so its been a great day for him! 

Now on to the party details from last night.  This year was so much less stressful than last years party.  I am not really sure why...except maybe I just have a few more events under my belt & I am getting a little better at it.  This party was a little smaller than last years also...& next years will be even smaller!  We can't have parties this big every single year.  My family & friends made the party so easy for me...they were all a tremendous help.  I just bought the stuff & made a pasta salad & they did the rest!!  I appreciate all the help SO MUCH! 

My father-in-law bought a cooker and cooked cheeseburgers & hotdogs (Mal's fave).  My mother-in-law and Granny Pat made chili, baked beans & brought watermelon & canteloupe.  My mom brought cucumbers in vinegar along with the lettuce & tomato for the burgers & I made the pasta salad along with buying some chips & cheese doodles.  So that was the menu with birthday cake and red velvet cupcakes for dessert.  Very simple!

Beverage table & party favors

The cake.  Mallory's mouth dropped when she saw it.  Priceless!

Party favors

Jack!  I could eat him up!!

The sink was a big hit with the kids although several went home soaked with water.

My peoples

The birthday girl was way too busy to have her picture taken with mom.

Time to eat!

Tyler Kate.  She is so pretty!

Dessert!

Our attempt to get a group shot of the kids.  Impossible with this age group!

Mallory loved the bouncy house!  It was delivered Friday & it took her a few hours to warm up to it, but when she did we couldn't get her out of there.

'Kiki!'

Jumping with 'Ashy' who was my photographer of the evening.  Thanks Ashley!!!

Going through all her gifts & putting some of them together.

We used to not have any toys in Mallory's room & now it is full since the party.  Every time she goes in there, I think she is amazed.  After her nap this afternoon, she walked in there, looked around & said 'woowww!'  She can't get over how nice all her friends & family were to come to her party & buy her such cool presents!  I know most of the people who came read this blog, so thank you all for making Mallory's party a HUGE success!!