Be-Dazzled Pumpkin

This is our latest art project. Chloe and I be-dazzled a pumpkin with some colorful gemstones.

33 Weeks

Here is the only shot of me pregnant. I personally hate being in photos and hate asking Chad to take a picture of me, so this is it, probably the only shot that will exist of Little Miss Donnelly #2 in my belly. 7 weeks to go, maybe less, I am hoping, although we are still waiting on furniture to come in and don't have her room set up yet. I really don't feel ready for her to be here yet, but I am ready to be done with this pregnancy. It seems as if I have been pregnant forever and ever.

And I will apologize to her and Chloe everyday if either inherits that chin!

First Day of School

Chloe had her first day of "school" today! Well, really, it isn't school. It is called Parents Day Out and it is at St. Ann's Catholic Church which is about 20 minutes from our house. Chad calls it "educational daycare." She will go Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9-2pm.

I really really stressed over this decision to sign her up for "school." She hasn't done well in any situation so far when I have had to leave her. She has never done well with any babysitter or stayed at the gym daycares at the YMCA. I am usually called to come get her or come home because she just gets so upset. I was just unsure if she was ready this year. I contemplated just waiting until next year when she was 3.

I decided to sign her up because our social situation here in TN isn't the best. We haven't met many people, so Chloe and I haven't made too many friends, and our neighborhood is very quiet. I really felt like she needed to play with some kids her own age. I am pretty sure she was getting bored hanging out with me all day.

Here she is dressed and ready for her first day.

She did absolutely great her first day. Chad dropped her off because we thought it would be less traumatic that way. She cried a little when he left and didn't cry at all the rest of the day. I really expected to be called within an hour or two of her being dropped off. This is her report from the first day. I am so happy she did so well.

These are photos from her orientation day.

The crown and wand were her presents for doing so well on her first day of school. She came home and was so excited about school and her teacher. Let's just hope that continues and next week goes just as well.

Best. Dog. Ever.

Fourth of July

We had a nice long weekend for the 4th. We did some things around the house and then headed off to the fireworks on base on Saturday evening. Chloe was a little nervous about the fireworks at first, but she was fine sitting in my lap. On Sunday we had a party at our house with some Navy friends, then in the evening we set off some of our own fireworks since they are legal here. Chloe and Bailey really didn't like that, they were too loud and too close for their comfort.

Heading to our spot to watch the firework show

Chloe and her glow bracelets

Chloe's first firework show

Dressing Herself in 95 degree weather

I swear on the bible that she did this completely on her own. She got up from nap and only had a t-shirt and diaper on. Chad and I were off doing something and the next thing we know she comes out of her room in this get-up, a heavy winter jacket, ugg boots on the wrong feet, her Abby Cadabby bucket hat that is too big, and a top to her water bottle that she substitutes for her binky because she isn't allowed to have it during the daytime. She said she wanted to go outside.

Shopping

We ran a few errands and hit the mall yesterday. Chloe choose to wear her cowboy hat all day. She was a huge hit with the locals! I had to ask her to take it off for her nap. She absolutely will not let me do anything to her hair, but she LOVES her hats.


We got her her first pair of Crocs today. I haven't really been a big fan of the shoes until now. Chloe can put them on herself and I can hose them off when she plays in the muddy yard. Perfect!

Chloe goes to Ocean City

While in Maryland we took a little detour and visited the beach for a few days. Being landlocked in TN has me longing for the coast. We have taken Chloe to the beach before, but she was not a beach baby. She didn't like the sand on her feet, she broke out in a rash from the sunscreen, and she was scared of the water. Luckily this time, she was much more interested. She liked playing in the sand and finally on the third day she got into the water. The weather was just perfect, not too hot and a little wind. It was a great trip.

Introducing Chloe to Candy Kitchen

picking out her "pop-pop"

making a trip to the boardwalk

Going to pick out her decal for her OC Sweatshirt

Sad, but true!

Chloe's new OC sweatshirt

A little cotton candy on the boardwalk

Playing skeeball

YUM!!!!! Eating out, lots of seafood, I was in HEAVEN

Hanging out at the beach

Finally, on the last day, we got her in the water

Jumping the waves with Dad

All wet and she wanted to go back for more!