Millie's Reindeer

This deer visits us several times a week, Millie and I have seen her about 5 times so far. She isn't very scared. We can walk out on the porch and watch her, and she doesn't seem to mind the noise that accompanies a two year old. She watches Millie, like she is curious what that little ball of energy is.

Big Girl Bed

We put Millie in her big girl bed on Saturday night. She woke up once that night and went back to sleep after being told to do so. Since then she has slept soundlessly through to 8ish. It is different being awakened by her little hand, but it is precious. Every morning she has been saying "I made it all night in my bed". She took her first nap today in it by herself (Wayne slept with her yesterday). She did great, I put her in her bed at 1:20 and she was out by 1:30 and I woke her up at 3. She has been great with every transition. She was off her bottle at 9 mths, she never took a pacifier, she has never slept in our bed (at night), she switched to cold 2% milk like she had been drinking it her whole life. She even potty trained herself (somewhat). I keep waiting to find something she isn't good at, but so far nothing. I guess I am just going to have to face facts. She is perfect :)

Happy Birthday Debbie (Mammy)

My Sweet Little Fairy

Sometimes when I am sitting here after Millie goes to sleep I have the urge to go to her room, pick her up and just hold her again. I will never do this because that would be breaking the cardinal rule (never wake a sleeping baby). But the thought of how soft, sweet and breathtaking she is breaks my heart. I can't wait to hear her call for me in the morning. "Mommy it's a sunny day". I love it, every minute of it!

Millie's Schedule

Ok so no one told me that Millie would have a social life that would require a date book. BUT she does. This week alone is crazy. Example:
Monday- Toddler Tales


Tuesday- Play Date with Ava in the morning


Lunch with Daddy


Play date with her cousin in the afternoon


Wednesday- Girls day with Nonna and Aunt Maggie


Thursday- I am working but I am sure Daddy will


take her to Mam and Paps for lunch


Friday- I work but she has to come to BG to meet me


for a birthday party at 6


Saturday- Play date with her cousin in the morning


Shew! Was I this busy as a 2 yr old??? I don't know, but I will ask my mom. I can only imagine this will continue to escalate. Watch out world here comes Millie, Miss Social Butterfly!

Dino Island

The Cardwells invaded Dino World today!!! Millie was so excited, she kept saying we are going on a "venture to Dino Island". (Again another reference to Wow Wow Wubbzy). She was the perfect age to experience this. She believed the dinosaurs were real, just extremely still. I loved the look on her face!!! She is the world to Wayne and I and to see her happy made us happy. There was a moment today when she was on Wayne's shoulders and she leaned over and kissed him on his head. I looked at him and he had tears in his eyes and I knew at that moment he was having a "Daddy Moment". It makes tears come to my eyes now, just thinking about how he was made for this job and I am so grateful everyday that he is her Daddy. She adores him and we adore her. There is so much love in our little family!

My sweet baby girls! I love them more than anything. I love that Millie calls Punkin her sister. I love that when Millie pokes Punkin in the ear with her Barbie's feet she just turns her head. I love that sometimes when Millie is watching TV minding her own business Punkin pounces on her and licks her face. I love that Millie calls her Punkin Ann when she is in trouble. I love that Millie says, "we have to go home Punkin is missing me". I love that Punkin is missing Millie. I love my girls!

~~ SARAH ~~

Did you ever meet that person, that person that always knew the right words to say. The person that smiled even when she really didn't feel like it. That person that has just always been there, silently a strong force in your life. Well I have one of those. She is a sweet young lady I met 7 and half years ago. When I started pediatric associates she was the copy girl. But even though we didn't have a lot of interaction it was very obvious that she had too much wisdom for her age and that she had strong faith in Jesus. As she finished college and her role at the office became larger we got closer. I began to see the depths of her wisdom and faith. She has always been what I would describe as an "old soul". By no means do I want you to think this is bad, this to me means that while others her age went to clubs, Sarah ran a bible study group for girls. While others her age got drunk, Sarah learned to be a master baker, and bakes treats for all her coworkers. She is thoughtful and kind. She is the calm in our storm. She is a very classy girl and being around her makes you feel better. A couple of years ago Sarah developed some life altering illnesses. But she has pushed through them to continue to take on more responsibilty at work. A job where she is constantly exposed to illness, illnesses that she very often gets. Well recently she made the wise beyond her years decisions to step away from her job. She is allowing her poor body its much deserved rest and allowing herself the opportunity to heal. While this decision makes alot of sense to me, and while I encourage this, on a selfish note I hate it. I dread what this means for our tiny office. I don't think we will realize the magnitude of this loss until it happens. The silent pillar of strength is leaving and I hope the building doesn't cave in on our heads. I hope we can find someone else to have compassion when we cry or someone else to remember everyone's birthday. Who is going to point me in the right direction when I ask for a form or answer billing questions. Who is going to calm the angry parent or comfort the mother who just lost her health insurance. I hope she knows how much she will be missed. So Sarah, I know you are reading this (my loyal reader), I just want you to know that I appreciate you. I love you and I wish you joy in your life. I hope you heal and thrive and I hope that all your desires are met. You are an amazing friend and I will miss you dreadfully, and you better come see me.


I love you sweet girl!

Fireworks on Mt. Fizzy Pop

Well let us see.... it has been a couple of weeks since my last post and boy have they been busy ones. The weekend before last we headed up to Eastern KY to visit my sister-in-law and her family, and to celebrate little Asher's first birthday. The trip went very well. I could not have asked Millie to be any better. She was the perfect kid all weekend. We exhausted her and she still smiled, we made her ride in a car for hours upon hours and she did so without protesting, even after a little accident with the suitcase and her top lip she was brave and never complained (unless she was fishing for sympathy). She enjoyed the birthday party and really loved meeting her cousin Asher. She slept with me all night for the first time in a big bed, (she has only slept all night in her crib or a pack in play). She never made a peep. She was convince since we were traveling in the mountains that we were going to Mt. Fizzy Pop (a place in her cartoon, WOW WOW Wubbzy). She was very excited and told everyone she was going there. So Cute!!! When we got home I made her a poster of our trip pictures and I had "Millie's Trip To Mt. Fizzy Pop" printed at the top, so we won't forget.

Last weekend was the fourth of July and of course we partied! Friday we went to my Uncle Todd and Aunt Kim's house. They always do a large fireworks display, which they call, Thunder Over Big Reedy. Millie was a little nervous at first, but then she saw her cousin Jacob enjoying them so she jumped down and joined in the fun. Saturday Wayne had to go back to work and Mil and I barely left the house. It was a good recovery time. Sunday was very special to me because my parents got Millie for church and I had breakfast and watched the movie "Eclipse" with my bestie, Mandy. It was a nice break, but I missed my little sidekick. One day she will be accompanying me on my trips to these "girl" movies and I will love every minute of it. Sunday night we had a cookout with my parents and then we headed to the bridge to watch another fireworks display, by the catfish festival. Monday we had lunch with Wayne's parents and spent the rest of the day just relaxing.

All in all it has been busy but wonderful. Everyday I am grateful to have such a precious family. Not just my Wayne and Millie (although they are my world) but a wonderful extended family as well. My parents and in laws are the best and my brother/sister in law and their families are awesome. It is so nice to have such a big support system, but it also gives me great comfort to know that Millie has such a huge support group. Everyone of them treat her like royalty. And every night she names everyone of them in her prayers. She knows love and feels love and that is the biggest blessing of all. Amen.