Cool Lyla

Lyla Brooke is one cool chic! She would not take off these sunglasses this morning.

She will be 17 months in two days. She is so sweet, sassy, and crazy all at the same time. She loves her sister Eme. So much so that she bites her every now and then. She says please, thank you, mommy daddy Eme, and a few more. 

I 

I just bought her big girl bedding yesterday. I'm excited to decorate her room! We are getting her a full or queen bed that way if the girls want to sleep together they can ;) 

We are having fun with these girls! I'm starting them in a school like program in August. I'm so nervous about this but I know it's what they need. It is just so scary because they have been with Tracey since they were born. Summerfield is closer to our home so it is more convenient and Emery needs more activities. Lyla just goes with the flow so I know she won't have a problem adjusting. I think I'm more nervous than anyone! 

Hope your days are super!

Let it out!

Here are a few things I just feel the need to write down.  This is not me looking for sympathy or compliment,  just venting....  being real

I feel we as Moms put so much pressure on ourselves.  Maybe it's just me but I think a lot of us feel this way.  The pressure, stress is daunting.  We, my family, Archie and I are very busy.  Sometimes I don't think our family and friends truly realize how busy we are.  BUT we have made our lives this way.  Our "to-do" lists are always full.  I try to cram AS MUCH AS I can in one day.  

Every day I work, run errands, deal with the hut, think about the clothes i must fold as soon as they get out the dryer, empty the dishwasher, what is for dinner, can we hang out with so and so this week, spend quality time with my girls for the three hours i see them in the afternoon, need to run because i feel guilty for eating donut holes with the girls, make sure my house is clean, Finish the house, order furniture, paint?, did i feed the dogs, who is working the hut this weekend, try to "teach" Emery something like a color or letter, stay in touch with friends so they don't get mad, call mom, try and sell more drugs so i can get a bonus, do expenses, order samples, order lunch/breakfast for my offices, Fathers Day gifts, whose birthday did I just miss, Love on my hubby, make sure I put on my anti wrinkle cream at night, do a few squats....

IT IS EXHAUSTING!!!!!!!

I think there are too many of you Perfect moms out there!  Im not mad, just a tad jealous that I don't have a home cooked meal every night, time to go to the gym every day, don't look awesome next to you skinny bitches at the pool (toned, tan, size zero freaks of nature), have well mannered/disciplined children.  

I yell.  I spank.  I eat frozen chicken nuggets and hot dogs most nights.  I love those frozen veggie packs. I go days without feeding the dogs.  I constantly feel guilty for not working out every day.  I feel guilty for not going to LC more often.  I feel guilty for getting a sitter for a much needed date night.  I feel guilty for working.  I feel guilty for knowing I probably couldn't handle being a stay at home mom (that is work!!!!!) 

The truth is I do this to myself.  I make a list every morning when I get in my car and what doesn't get done that day moves to the next day.  I try to multitask to the absolute Fullest.  I have read many articles  recently on FB about the pressure we put on ourselves as parents.  And I always walk away thinking I have got to let some things go.  

So I am not perfect!  But I stress myself out to be as close as I can. I wish/hope/will try to take a step back.  Who cares if there are dishes in my sink?  Judge me.  Who cares about my laundry?  Who cares if my thighs are a little thick?  Who cares if there is no dining room furniture in the house?  You know who doesn't care?  Emery and Lyla and Archie.  And folks they are who I need to focus More on.  They are who I WANT to focus more on.  This is my new "to-do" list.  

I am writing this down so I can reread it over and over and over and over when I feel my limit is being topped off.  If I offended you sorry, Just don't tell me because I will stress over it.  

So it's been a while!

It has been a bit since I posted and I feel like so much has changed!  My baby is no longer a baby.  She is her own little self and oh so adorable.  Emery is growing up before my eyes and I want to press Pause SOOO badly. She says the most random things and surprises me with words she knows.  Lyla is trying her best to say a million words at once.  She knows what she wants, and tries to say it.  And whether you understand or not she is very persistent.  Lyla likes for you to hold her sippy cup for her.  It reminds me of bottle feeding a goat, but with a sippy cup.  It's funny.

Archie is in France now for work for two weeks straight.  And in those two weeks away we just "happen" to have the biggest catering jobs of the year.  (which is why I didnt tag along for this ONCE IN A LIFETIME trip :((()  This Friday and Next Friday.  My parents have weddings both weekends so I am counting on my brother to come help this weekend and hoping none of our boys skip out on me these next two weekends.  Luckily Tracey can keep the girls both Thursday nights since I need to be prepping for the boils and leaving super early Friday morning(s).  It's safe to say I am Super Stressed.  I know I can do it all but I just don't want to mess up ya know?  I don't want to forget to order crawfish, or get change for the drawer, or get to the catering job and have forgotten the seasoning, or trays, or scoops, or water hose....... etc. etc.

In that same breath I wonder if it's worth all the stress.  Does it make enough extra cash to justify all the stress?  All the time away from family for 6 months?  I guess we will have to decide after this season.  A big, Huge part of me wants to walk away.  But a tiny part of me enjoys the extra moolah....... Decisions decisions!  It is 200 percent busier than last year so I know it's really growing.
But at the end of the day Time together is worth a million times more in my eyes....  And we are ready for number three :)  SO we have a lot to think about!

Over these last few months I am very thankful for those close to our hearts.  We have some amazing friends to lean on who have become like family to us.  Of course our family is always there for us but you need people here you can call on and we are fortunate to have that.  Old friends, New friends, Bible study friends, have all been awesome to us and we truly appreciate them.

One year pics

And just like that, without my permission, my baby turned one.

Lyla, you are SO fun.  SO different yet similar to your sister.  You are afraid of nothing.  You do not take a pacifier (unlike E), You easily transitioned to whole milk and a sippy cup (unlike E), and You love to have a lovey (unlike E).  

You are full of personality and love love love your mommy.  And you Adore your daddy.  SO much so that you want to be with us 24/7 and in our arms.  You know what you want and will point to it until we get it.  You say Momma, daddy, eme, and baby.  

When you say Baby you want to dance to Justin Bieber's song Baby.  You LOVE TO DANCE.  You can dance in circles and from time to time you drop it low.  You love to dance with the Ohair girls and love you some Jenners.  Which is great because We love the Ohair's too :)

I also think you are super smart.  I don't remember Emery being this intelligent at your age.  It is as if you are a two year old already.....maybe even older but just can't talk as much.  

You are such a Joy.  I love you SO much.  And I love seeing you and your sister together.  It melts my heart.  You make me want One more baby.... one day.  You girls are my world.  It is true what they say, You will never know a love like a mother's love!

My Sweet Emery :0) But that is now only 20 percent of the time.  

The other 80 is full blown attitude.

Happy New Year!

This New Year we were all under the weather (still are) SO we were asleep by nine all tucked in bed.  Of course I heard the fireworks going off and thought how fun it will be in the next few years to do fireworks with the girls.  Emery is still scared of them right now.  New Years Day we had the traditional foods with Our Friends the Ohair's.  Lets hope those food meanings work! 

What are you going to do different in 2013??

Of course there is always Lose weight on my list but this year at the top of my list is
To be Thankful Everyday.  No Matter what.  We have so much to be thankful for but we often are all caught up in our busy lives to stop and think of one thing we are thankful for that day.  SO I am going to focus on this.  Mainly this... and hopefully lose a pound along the way :0
Our 2012 was packed with New baby, New house, Archie got a new job and turned 30.  Emery turned 2.  And Lots of other exciting things!  2013 is sure to be memorable as well!  Lyla will be one soon... Crawfish hut is about to open and life will get a tad more busy.  We are ready for another wonderful year!

May your 2013 be AWESOME!!!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas From Archie, Candice, Emery, & Lyla!

We are so blessed and have so much to be thankful for.  We wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

This and That

Here is a quick update on whats been going on in Hebert land.

We traveled to Lake Charles for Thanksgiving, 

while we were there Lyla mainly did this :

We attempted to go out in public and she was only 

happy eating what we were eating so she got to try some new foods.

Then after lots of crying and whining and momma going crazy and daddy hunting once AGAIN we headed home to deck the halls.  This year is our first Christmas in the new house so we decided to put the tree upstairs on the landing.  Perfect spot so that Lyla can not get to it.  But Emery sure can and she LOVES to throw the ornaments down the stairs!!! So after rehanging ornaments several times I just started placing them under the tree.  I bet by Christmas the top part of the tree will be the only part still decorated.  But Here is proof that it was pretty....even if it was just for a day...

Lots of "Sister Time" 

 Below you see a little sweet playtime with a tad bit of attempted strangulation 

 I just got the girls stockings in today.  I had three matching ones, Me Archie,  and Emery's.  But when I went to order a matching one for Lyla from Pottery Barn there were no longer there :((.  I even looked on Ebay.  Nothing.  So I decided to just get matching ones for the girls that coordinated with ours.  Buy Two new ones or Four?  I chose two.  I think they look Ok together.  And so this wont happen again, I ordered one more striped one just in case... :)

Halloween

This weekend Archie went hunting so It was just me and my girls.  Saturday it rained all day long so we were cooped up in the house but had SO much fun and I got a lot of laundry done and other things around the house.  The pic above is Lyla passed out after I nursed her in the afternoon.  She played hard with sister all day!  

I truly enjoyed my time with the girls.  We had tons of fun and made memories :0)

While horse playing with Emery, Lyla went head first off the arm of the couch.  I just could not catch her fast enough :( Poor baby cried a bit and got a bruised eye.  She is one tough cookie though!!

And then Halloween pics. 

 Lyla was a grape and Emery was a Strawberry.  Both costumes were borrowed from my awesome neighbor (score!) we strolled the hood in the golf cart and got eaten up by mosquitos.  Emery would go up to the door and say "more candy Thank you" It was too cute :)  Can't say I am a big fan of Halloween but the kids had fun :)

Emery Turns 2!

Today Emery turned 2!  And we celebrated all weekend! 

 This year she understood that it was her day and she got presents. 

My parents came in Friday night and of course Honey

 Let her open some presents :)

This may be hard to believe but my child is a tad bit Shy and does not like it when attention is on her.  Crazy I know but i think it's just a phase.  All of her friends came over to play and sing Happy Birthday.  I didnt take enough pictures but I promise my house and back yard was overflowing with friends and family.  The weather was perfect and everyone had a Super fun time!

My friend Kristin offered to make Emerys cupcakes and cake.  I told her the Theme was Elmo and she brought these AWESOME cupcakes!!  They could not have been more perfect.  Thank you Kristin!

Emery I can't believe you are 2 years old.  You bring me such joy and make me laugh all day.  You are a true Daddy's girl but still loves her momma bunches.  You are surprising me everyday with something new and remind me to always be on my toes with you.  Thank you for making me stop and smell the roses and soak you up as much as I can.  You are so loved my sweet girl!

Lyla 8 months

Lyla turned eight months on Saturday. And Friday we went to the doctor for her "6month" shots. Yes I'm always behind on shots.
Her stats:
19.8 lbs (50th percentile)
27.5 inches (75th percentile)
She is pulling up on EVERYTHING!! I bet she walks in the next two months. Which AHhh I never thought that day would be so close. Emery is starting to have fun playing with her sister and is always saying "come on Yieya" she's not good with the "L" :) she thinks Lyla can chase her and loves rough housing around with daddy and Lyla. Oh Archie is going to make sure his girls are tough whether it scares mommy or not. And sadly Lyla loves every second so I have no excuse for him to stop throwing her on top of Emery or tossing her high in the air onto the couch....
It makes my heart melt watching my girls play and laugh together. Emery will be two in two weeks. I'm in denial that this milestone will actually have to take place :( I know I say it all the time but man it goes by so fast.

Rambling

 We have been traveling the past two weekends and let me tell you my girls are not the best travelers!  We start out the road trip like the picture above..... and then some where we end up like the picture below.... I KNOW I KNOW its sooooo bad but, well there is no excuse but my sanity I guess.

The girls are growing too fast!  Emery will be 2 in three short weeks.  I already cry when I think of this.  HOW CAN SHE ALREADY BE 2??!!  Where does the time go and how can I stop it? She has such a personality that it cracks us up.  And Lyla is learning the ropes all to quickly herself.  She is pulling up on everything and is miss nosey rosy!  Lyla does not want to miss a thing.  Poor baby has 4 top teeth coming in at once and her mama wishes they would hurry up already because we are losing sleep over here.  Lylas hair is coming in blonde and her eyes are still between a blue and a green.  She is full of cushion and 19 pounds :)

We have been battling allergies/snotty noses and etc for the past couple of months.  We started a breathing treatment with Lyla and an inhaler with Emery and we also cut out Dairy with Emery.  The result: NO runny nose for Emery!  Not sure if it's the inhaler or the dairy but I suspect it's the dairy..... which sucks but hey if it works we will adjust.  And she doesn't seem to mind the soy milk too much.  

Ok enough rambling.

Check out this article from a friends blog, good read mama's!

Those three little words...

Remember when you were falling in love with your significant other? And how it gave you butterflies the first time he said those three little words to you? Well hearing them from your child is a whole other set of butterflies that is followed by a few hidden tears. Emery's vocabulary is expanding by the day and this weekend out of nowhere she's screamed "mommy!!! I love you!!!" from across the house. Melts my heart. She's starting to understand and use words in the right circumstances. She's also using her newfound smartness to be testy with us too ;).
And Lyla, my sweet baby, please stop growing up so fast!!!! She is crawling everywhere and is reminding me daily how fast this time goes. So fast that sometimes we forget how truly blessed we are. And we are blessed for sure! A

Just call me Annie Sloan!

This is my first post from my phone so i apologize if it turns out yucky.
I have done a few more Annie Sloan projects. This is a vase from my bathroom that was green (forgot to take before pic). I used the color Louis Blue which was borrowed from my friend Mandy. She introduced me to chalk paint and now it's safe to say I'm obsessed!
Then there is my awesome, beautiful, fabulous door in Duck egg Blue. I got the idea from a blog post I saw while googling Annie Sloan chalk paint. The door in the blog was yellow and was gorgeous but not my taste so I went with the duck egg blue, which I also borrowed from Mandy. My entire house is very neutral, greys, tans, etc. So this door is just the pop of color I need. It's the door in the laundry room that goes into the garage so it is used a lot. The picture was taken right after I finished clear waxing it. It makes me smile every time I see it! I just LOVE it!!!
And then the other pictures are my best attempt at getting a picture with Emery. And as you can see its impossible :)

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Projects 1&2

 Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  I LOVE IT!!!  You do not have to prime, prepare the furniture or anything. Just Paint!  There is NO odor either.  And you simply wash your brush in hot soapy water.  DO yourself a favor and google it.  You will find so many things you can do with it and better instructions.  I watched many videos during the waxing process to make sure I was doing it right.  

So The pic Above Is the white bench before.  It was given to me by my mom and it was given to her so cost of bench $0.  

Paint Color "Paris Grey", clear wax and dark wax $118

Close up of bench before

One coat of Paris Grey.  This stuff dries quick! I only put one coat but I wish I would have done two.  Those spindles on the arms were a pain.

close up

One coat of clear wax.  I used a brush for this but you are suppose to press the wax into the paint.  Watch a video on it.

Then to get the antique look you paint the dark wax on then rub it off with the clear wax.  So I used a brush and painted the dark wax on while my helpful hubby wiped it off with an old tshirt that he dipped in the clear wax.  Notice how dark the leg is, he had not wiped it yet.  You can make this how you want it,  Rub off or leave on as much as you want. Depends on what look you are going for.

Finished product!  Now just imagine it with a cream cushion and matching headboard (i am recovering this one since I can not find pillows to match it)  and yes I have tried everywhere.  

Emery's Headboard: Old Fence slats my parents collected from Hurricane Rita.  They have been sitting in a pile on there property just getting weathered and my dad is about to burn the pile.  But I said wait!  I am sure we could do something with this.  SO First project with the fence is Emerys headboard.  (Cant wait to show you the other things)

One coat Of Duck Egg blue.  Then I put a coat of clear wax on it which darkens the color a bit.

Then I sanded it down so that the fence wood would show through.  Then I waxed it one more time.  This time I just rubbed the clear wax on with a tshirt.

Yes her room is a mess but when its all picked up its super cute!  I love the headboard and cant wait to paint those white shelves and bench you see there to the left :))))