Grandma in the ATL

The last few times we've seen Grandma have been in Hillsdale. Cutie Face LOVES visiting Grandma's house because of her lake, swing, and puppies.

We, however, were thrilled to welcome her back to the ATL for a week-long visit that coincided with her birthday, Cutie Face's birthday, and Cutie Cakes' baptsim. Talk about a full week!

As if all of those events weren't enough, we still managed to go to the zoo, the doctor's and out to dinner. Thanks for tagging along with us, Grandma!

the birthday girl ordered a fun TV dinner tray--complete with lemon cupcake!

a day after all the birthday and baptism celebrations, Grandma accompanied us to the 2-year and 6-month doctor's appointments.

(six-month sitter)

(two-year sorter)

Cutie Face was weighed and measured
and found to be in the 99th percentile for height (37.5")

Cutie Cakes is our "petite" kiddo, 

measuring in the 69th percentile for both height and weight

We LOVE our PA! She's great and examined Cutie Face's new doll from Grandma before she performed any "tricks" on Cutie Face. 

we were very thankful that Grandma was with us, especially after the vaccine shots!

post-doctor, we headed to the zoo. Grandma bought us our zoo membership but she'd never been with us. We were very glad to share the animals with her!

it was a bit steamy at the panda exhibit

Despite the heat, there were SO MANY animals playing or lounging

the highlight was seeing the newborn, 4-week old giraffe

she barely stopped running. It was adorable!

we even saw two elephants--seriously, we've never seen more animals at one time before--they must have known that Grandma was coming to see them!

Grandma is a minister in the Episcopalian church so we decided to take her to one of the most beautiful Episcoplain cathedrals we've ever seen--The Cathedral of St. Philips. 

We first discovered this church when we started attending their weekly Saturday farmers' market (the best in the ATL!). One Saturday, we sought cover from the rain, and stumbled upon their incredible bookstore. So that's where we took Grandma...

The girls were a little antsy so we played on both of their playgrounds (yes! they have TWO!)

and Cutie Face practiced for preschool

It now appears that it isn't a visit to the Cutie household
without a Move it Move it dance party
...of which Grandma was happy to partake!

Thanks for coming to visit us, Grandma!

we love you!

Baptizing the Cutie Cakester

A year and a half ago, Cutie Face was baptized on Super Bowl Sunday--exactly one week before she hit the 6-month mark.

This year, Cutie Cakes was baptized on her sister's birthday, 2 days after turning 6-months. It was fun to see the similarities/differences at the same age, stage and, more importantly event (BAPTISM!).

While our invitation might seem casual, this day in Cutie Cakes' life is a HUGE deal to us...

As mentioned before, we belong to a PCA church and baptize our kiddos as infants. We do not believe this is a saving sacrament but, rather, an act where a child enters the Covenant Family. Much like circumcision was (is!) used as a sign to set infant (males) apart for God, PCAers (Presbyterian Church of America) view baptism as the New Testament mark of the covenant. Again, feel free to check out this link posted a few months ago when Sweet Pea was baptized--it makes more sense than I do!

The whole gang headed back down to our neck of the woods for this special event...

Cutie Cakes was a little nervous about being in front of so many people so she gnawed on Mimi's hand for a bit.

The older cousins were the sweetest. The held hands in the service and sat quietly while we sang, prayed, and listened to the Word. The best part came after we finished a song--Lil Miss exclaimed, "YAY!" and started clapping. Then Cutie Face said (very loudly), "Lil Miss said 'YAY'!" It was too much.

Cutie Cakes big moment finally came and we stood up in front of the church body as a family. The charge that our pastor gives us as parents is so incredible. I wish I had a video of it so I could remind myself of what my true calling as a mother should be and to draw encouragement from it when the day-to-day begins to wear on me.

You can see my dad in the picture on the right. He is an elder at our parent church (we're a church plant from a larger church in the suburbs) and held the baptism bowl for us.  You don't know how neat that is to me that he was able to do that. Thanks Poppy!

pictures by Bob Schellhammer

Cutie Cakes did GREAT up in front of everyone--

smiling, gurgling, and distracting (!). 

picture by Bob Schellhammer

The official baptism moment

picture by Bob Schellhammer

Post church, all the cousins had a quick photo-op in their matching outfits

picture by Bob Schellhammer

Then we headed inside for a lavish brunch casserole spread. 

Many many thanks to all the hands that prepared it!

After brunch and before naps, the cousins played

picture by Bob Schellhammer

 When the cousins said goodbye, the Cuties had bonding time with Gramps and Jen-Gram before they headed back home

beautiful Jen-Gram

picture by Bob Schellhammer

sharing blankie-love with Gramps

picture by Jen Schellhammer

Movin'Movin' it with Gramps!

can't get enough

Cutie Cakes takes it all in

picture by Bob Schellhammer

What a great celebration to share with family!

Cutie Face is...TWO?!

how is it possible?

I cannot tell you

but I can tell you that, on the calendar, it proves our Cutie Face is TWO. 

i know, i can't believe it either.

In some ways, she seems much much older than two. In her speech, comprehension, and height she appears to an outsider to be at least three. In our eyes, we still see her like this:

but seeing pictures like this, taken just a year ago,

prove she's growing up quickly!

Now, be prepared for a TON of pictures of the birthday bash 

(and keep in mind that this blog is our family scrapbook so it will most likely be boring to all but us!)

Keeping in Cutie Family tradition, we procrastinated on birthday prep until Thursday. While we ordered the "real" cupcakes from Publix (can't be beat!) we counted the RSVPs and found that we were expecting more than the original count. So we whipped up a batch of carrot cupcakes...Cutie Face definitely liked helping us!

J cleaned the Little Tykes playset we found on the side of the road...back in January...and also cleaned a free rug...also found on the side of the road...that we placed under the playset. Have I mentioned we're frugal (some might say...cheapskates :0 but i prefer "eco-friendly"--we are recycling after all!)

Cutie Cakes helped me make an awning that would shield our guests from the blinding sun and hopefully lend shade and a cooler outdoor environ:

Grandma came to town and we put her to work making puff balls! She is now a pro!

The day of the party dawned bright and early. Thankfully we had amazing reinforcements come help us finish (START!) the party prep--Mimi, Poppy, Gramps and Jen-Gram came bearing gifts, props, and talent to pull all the loose strings together (seriously and truly can't thank you guys enough!)

Streamers were strung

puff balls were hung

party food was laid out

and made! (thanks Mountain Man for manning the grill and seeing J's vision of a grilled breakfast brunch played out in reality)

the first guests arrived

and even the cool, hip couple graced Cutie Face's party! (shout out!)

and the party got under way!

 (photo by Bob Schellhammer)

 

It appeared the play-doh table was the biggest hit of the day

with the bubble station (and favors) following close behind

 

J's cleaning efforts were not wasted, either, as the playset was also well used!

the Grandpas were finally fed

and guests seemed happy

(i hope!)

it wasn't a party to Cutie Face, though, unless there were cupcakes

That was, afterall, the unofficial theme of the party

Cutie Face has been talking about cupcakes at her "happy birthday party" since her cousin's birthday party--in March (no lie). With a custom-made cupcake dress...

...all she was missing was the real deal

 (photo by Bob Schellhammer)

it was finally CUPCAKE TIME!

Cutie Face was hoisted into J's arms

 (photo by Bob Schellhammer)

the guests started singing

someone turned very shy

but, with J's help, managed to blow out her "2" candle

we think she thoroughly enjoyed that "happy birthday cupcake" (as she called it)

 (photo by Bob Schellhammer)

other guests seemed to enjoy the cupcakes as well

all that partying wore sweet Cutie Face out...and off she went to take a nap!

 (photo by Bob Schellhammer)

meanwhile, the party wrapped up with car rides...

...and a little Cutie Cakes time!

 (both photos by Bob Schellhammer)
 
with the last of the guests gone, Cutie Face finally awoke to a roomful of presents

 (photo by Bob Schellhammer)

thankfully, she had her cousins to help her!

 (photo on left by Bob Schellhammer)

boots, (chair +) umbrellas, My Little Pony, Melissa & Doug, tutus, books, baby dolls and a play kitchen (complete with play food!) ruled the day...

 (photo on left by Bob Schellhammer)

 (photos by Bob Schellhammer)

PHEW!

 (photo by Bob Schellhammer)

After all that merriment, can you believe it was barely even time for dinner? The family stayed for a bratwurst cookout on the grill...and the cousins had an ice chip party!

finally, oh finally, it was time for a quadruple bath--all four cousins in the tub!

 (photo by Bob Schellhammer)

 

oh wow. What a funtabulous way to turn TWO!