Lack of posts

I apologize for my lack of posts. Every weekend we pack up and "move" to Zach's parents house. I guess we haven't really had a lot going on to blog about. Our 4th was firework~less. It rained. My mom and dad came over to Zach's mom and dad's as usual. We always all get together for the 4th and have lots of fun. Since my parents live an hour and a half away they don't stay for the fireworks anyway and since it rained Saturday night and the ones the neighbors set off were totally freaking Bailey out, we didn't buy any anyway.

We are STILL waiting on the appraisal to be set up on our house. We are still set to close on July 31st. However, we have packed NOTHING but Bailey's closet. Yes, I got it ALL cleaned out and have SO many tubs of clothes she has outgrown it is not even funny. I took pictures but I'm not posting them because who really wants to see a closet FILLED with a bunch of tubs. But, I have them labeled and ready for the move. We still don't know if we will build or buy. I personally am leaning towards buying because the neighborhood where we would build is a little farther out than I'd like to live. But, I haven't ruled out the possibility. I just want a new house!

We also found out this week that we WILL be getting our stipend in August. The school district tries to pay everyone a % stipend each year but this year we weren't sure if funds would be available. But, they were and together, we will get about 12 hundred! So, I was excited to hear about that.

In other news, Bailey is COMPLETELY obsessed with "Mok" (milk). She CONSTANTLY asks for it. I'm like DUDE! Where are you putting all of this milk? I don't give her more than a few cups a day but she would drink it ALL the time if I let her. I, personally hate milk so I'm glad she likes it. I hope she continues to like it because I know it's good for her. Believe me, my child is NOT lacking calcium. She has her 18 month check-up and shots on Monday. It was supposed to be this past Monday but I forgot and had to call and re-schedule. They usually call to remind us but since it was a holiday we missed each other. I am really nervous about this set of shots. She is supposed to get her MMR. For all of you mom's or soon to be, you have probably heard that the MMR is sometimes associated with Autism. You will hear BOTH sides from different people. Some believe that YES, most definitely the shots caused their child's autism and others (mostly physicians) believe the shots are unrelated to Autism. However, I used to work at a place that helped kids with Autism and the common reason of all the parents was that it was the MMR. Recently, Zach's mom told us about a little boy she used to babysit who was COMPLETELY fine until his 18 month check up when he had his shots. He has now been diagnosed with Autism. So, I'm just unsure what I want to do. We asked to have her shots split up and they said it was fine but now I'm told they don't make them that way anymore. So, we are debating.

Also, tomorrow is my and Zach's 4th anniversary. We were going to stay in a hotel but we decided to use the money to go to the Casino or dinner, or something fun. We are actually going to leave Bailey overnight with his mom. I am not worried about her but it is just so sad to leave her. I've never left her before! Since she was born, I have spent EVERY night with her. For 549 nights she has slept with us or in her room next to us. AHH! I just don't know if I can do it!

Before Bailey

Before Bailey:

A 1/2 gallon of milk would always go bad

There was no one to drink it

It really was sad!

I never bought spray and wash!

What was the need?

Now we go through a bottle per week!

I slept when I wanted

We went where we pleased

But I would have given anything to buy baby food peas.

I had no idea

what new songs I'd learn

A mommy sings ALL day long

My life was great ,

but missing something

Then came the girl, with 2 tiny feet.

Dear Bailey,

You are growing up WAY too fast!

Today, as you turn 18 months old, I want you to know how much daddy and I love you!

We wanted you for a LONG time and are thankful EVERY day that we have you.

God gave us a WONDERFUL gift and we couldn't be happier!

Happy 1/2 birthday baby girl!

Love,

Mommy

We decided to get her a little cake to celebrate her 1/2 birthday. I know it's kind of silly but 18 months is a big deal to me! I'm so thankful to have her! She really means the world to us!

Look what I got...

Now that Summer school is over, I used some of the money I made to get a pedicure! I realize this is not the most attractive picture of my feet. But, you get the idea. They are really cute and I'm SO excited to have them done. Zach will tell you I don't ever spend money unless I have to (or rarely) so this was a big treat for me.

The Vietnamese woman I went to asked, "Do you want flowa" I said, "How much?" She said, "Fi dolla." I said, "No thank you." She said, "for you, I do 2 flowas for 2 dolla, OK?" So, I agreed to 2 flowers for 2 dollars instead of one flower for 5 dollars. I LOVE the Vietnamese place because even though it is a little hard to understand them, they always do a GREAT job! And she did this ALL by hand! She didn't use the spray brush or anything.

When I got back, Bailey wanted a "sower" (she can't quite pronounce the F sound yet) but this was the best I could do, and she was happy with it. :)

After I finished my Pedi (which also included massage, AND sea-salt scrub, AND cool foot wrap) I went to CATO to see if I could find a new purse and some new tank tops. 5 straight days of over 100 degrees takes a toll on us! And, look what I found...

The bag on the right is my new purse (I have been using my old one for AT LEAST 2 years now. I think I was pregnant with B when I got it).

And, the bag on the left, was on CLEARANCE and I thought it would just make the most adorable new diaper bag. :) Both bags together were only 21 dollars! My mom is going to sew some elastic into Baileys new bag because since it's not actually a diaper bag it doesn't have any place for a sippy cup and I would like to have one. I also did find a few cute tanks and a new skirt ALL for less than 50 dollars!

(skirt not pictured) :)

This morning, Bailey and I got up and went to wal-mart to get these:

So that we can TAME THIS:

Bailey's closet number one

Bailey's Dresser

Bailey's Armoire drawers

And, finally, Bailey's Armoire (closet number 2)

I know, it's BAD! I need to really get in there and organize. We don't want to throw any of it away because we would like another baby someday and they grow SO fast that it's almost impossible to keep only the clothes she can currently wear, in her drawers.

I'll post my CLEAN pictures later. I hope to have this finished today!

One last thing, Zach and I are moving (I HOPE). We are in the process of selling our very small house and building a new one. We are going to have to live with his mom and dad for a while while ours is being built. Also, because we need to get some student loan and credit card debt paid off. Please pray for us. We are REALLY excited to have a new home where our kids can grow up but the whole process is really stressful for me because I always worry about what if we cant afford the new house. I believe we are making the right decision and I really think this will work out. Here is a picture of the house we are hoping to build.

SPECIAL 101st Post (By Bailey)

Dear Daddy,

I love you SO SO SO much! You make me laugh a lot when you play with me. I love to hide from you and let you chase me. You are a really good daddy! Mommy said she is SO glad I have you in my life and I am too! I know that you will always take care of me and love me more than anything. Thank you for everything you do!

Happy Father's Day! I hope you like the cereal bowl I painted for you. Mommy helped only a tiny bit to show me what to do. Daddy, the paint didn't taste very good but it sure looks pretty on your bowl.

I love you daddy!

Love,
~Bailey Grace

100th post!!!!!

OK, I'll post more later, but for now you have GOT to check this giveaway out!!!!!!


http://thepiferfamily.blogspot.com/2009/06/giveaway.html

Lazy Sunday...

If this doesn't make you smile... NOTHING will :)

It has come to my attention (ahem, thanks honey) that it looks like Bailey is holding a bottle. I didn't even think about the fact that it looks like a bottle. But, it's not. Luckily her sippy nipples fit on her bottles so she is actually drinking from a sippy cup. She hasn't had a bottle since the day of her first birthday :) (one thing I did right) :)

On this episode of estesfamilyof3...

My baby is napping. If I'm lucky I have one hour to myself. I know, Zach thinks I should nap while she does and he's right. However, I LOVE my afternoons when she sleeps just a bit and I can do something ADULT like check my e-mail, write a new blog, look for a new recipe (I'll post tonight's below, I made it up) or just sit and listen to R & B Soul, lol. Ok, dont usually do the last one but today I just wanted some music while I sit and sip my water and enjoy my hour. If I'm REALLY lucky she will sleep for 2 hours. But, since that happens MAYBE once a month, I will not press my luck and will GET ON with this post!

OK, we visited my parents in Arkansas this past weekend. It was a lot of fun and we took Bailey to see the horses at the place my little sister, Monica, volunteers. One of the miniature horses bit Zach and it was funny because he told the horse "you bite my baby and I'll bite you." Zach is so protective of Bailey. He loves her so much and it is so sweet. I will have to post pictures later because we didn't have our camera and I'm waiting for my mom to send the pictures to me (which means I should probably ask her for them). HAHA.

Looks like I'm going to Arkansas again this weekend because Zach's principal asked him to go to a conference in Saint Louis tomorrow through Saturday. So, after I sub his afternoon class on Thursday, we are headed back to mamaw and papa's house. Later, she will call them grandma and grandpa I'm sure. But for now that's what she can pronounce :)

Feels like I have so much to say. I guess I'll keep going. I downed almost an entire tube of orajel last night. My tongue and throat have been hurting for almost a week and I have actually been a little concerned because it's not a pain I've ever felt before. However, I feel really silly talking about it so I haven't said anything here. But, it feels like I inhaled bug spray or something. My throat is my main concern because it doesn't feel like a cold but the more I drink, the more it hurts and I DON'T mean Alcohol. I don't drink! I just mean anything I drink really hurts it more. I think I burned my tongue on some coffee the other day. Usually though the pain doesn't last a week. I'm going to give it a few more days and if it doesn't go away, I'm going to the doctor. It's just strange and I have a weird feeling about it.

My child is still "testing" me. I have started time-out because when I spank her she growls at me. I ADORE my baby. All of you know that. But she has DEFINITELY hit her "terrible twos" about 7 months early. She's VERY trying right now. I feel lost and discouraged. I know it's just a phase but it's so hard for me to know what to do. As an educator of older kids, it's easy to discipline. They know what they can and can't do and they know what happens if they break the rules. Bailey doesn't even know the rules yet. She still doesn't sleep through the night. Last night she was awake THREE times. And, this is NOT unusual. I think I would be a better mom and be able to cope with her new discoveries of "defying" me if I could get more sleep. Again, I adore her. She is by NO means a bad kid. She's fun, playful, sweet, and adorable. But, she has discovered how to irritate mommy. She LOVES to put the dog food into the dog water and watch it "grow." Yeah, I know, funny that my 17 month old has figured this out. She also will run from you if you need to take something away from her. AND if she wants something she can't have, she SCREAMS. I've learned to ignore it and she will stop after about 30 seconds. So, I know she is doing normal toddler stuff I'm just always too tired to know what to do. Please pray for me. Before school was out I HONESTLY felt like I was going to lose it. My mind, I mean. I honestly was scared because I was becomming so depressed, tired, moody, emotional, and not myself. Then, we had a weekend and summer school started. If Bailey doesn't start sleeping better I just don't know what I will do. Physically I am having a hard time. I love her so much and it's not her fault she won't sleep. I'm going to try again, Lillie, to put her in her own bed. Crying won't hurt her but it breaks my heart to do that to my child who I wanted and prayed for for so long. Ok, I am going to get off of here. Thanks for "listening" to me.

Here's the recipe:
What to do with Stew meat when it's too hot for stew:
Boil the meat until all the pink is gone
drain water
pour into baking dish
add 1 yellow squash (chopped)
one bell pepper (I used orange/gold chopped)
2 red potatoes chopped (WITH skins)
1/2 bottle of steak marinade (NOT A1 but actual Heinz marinade)
1/2 stick melted butter or margarine
season with steak seasoning
cook at 250 for an hour or 2

~MELODY ELAINE