Tuesday, December 14, 2010

It's been awhile!

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 Bad Blogger...I know...I haven't updated in quite some time! Be prepared for picture overload!


So...over 2 weeks ago...almost 3 weeks ago... Tessa and I ventured to the great up north to celebrate Thanksgiving and Tessa's birthday. Casey had to stay home and work...not too easy to get the busiest shopping time of the year off when you work in retail.

Our drive 5 hour drive went great! Tessa took a quick 30 minute nap the beginning of the drive. When she fell asleep I totally thought she would sleep for a good hour or so, when she woke up after only 30 short minutes I thought for sure the drive was going to be a disaster. THANKFULLY it went great! We read books, ate a lot of snacks, played a lot of peek-a-boo and passed the time. It was night not having to drive too. I think she stayed in a good mood because I was in the back seat keeping her occupied.


We stopped in Mackinaw City to say a quick hello to my Grandma Red! She was happy to see us and of course give Tessa a big dose of Grandma Red love!
After eating some cheese cake we were on our way across the Mighty Mac and into St.Ignace! I just love being home. Its crazy driving through town and not passing a SINGLE car! Big change when your used to people cutting you off and running stop lights!

The first couple of days were nice and relaxing. The boys (Dad and Jason) were out at hunting camp so it was nice and quiet! When they got home we had a pre-Thanksgiving dinner! My parents got a free Turkey from the grocery store so on Monday we had a pre-Thanksgiving dinner! It was super yummy! Tessa was NOT a fan of her Uncle Jason at first. Every time she looked at him she would cry! Right before he had to leave she started to warm up to him.

Tessa really hasn't seen snow before since she was just a little baby last winter! She was always looking out the door...mostly because Mom and the dog were outside but I think she was also interested in the white stuff out side! My parents bought Tessa some blocks for her birthday! Tessa wasn't too big of a fan at the time but we play with them all the time now! She loves them! She always hands them to me over and over and over and over...and over again. :-)



My parents have this big mirror in there bedroom. As soon as Tessa had a chance to scoot away she would crawl into their bedroom and kiss and talk to herself in the mirror! It was the cutest thing!

On Thanksgiving we went out to my Grandma Red's. It was packed like always but also nice to see everyone. A lot of my family hasn't seen Tessa yet since we didn't come home for Christmas last year. My cousin Lisa was probably the most excited to see Tessa...maybe a little too excited. I had to ask her to please not eat my daughter!


Tessa stayed in a pretty good mood most of the day!


Tessa again LOVES when you play the guitar for her! :-)

The day of her birthday party finally arrived! I was so excited for Tessa's big day!
Here are a bunch of pictures from the party! We didn't get too many because everyone was just so busy with the party!
The Wall of Tessa!

Trying to get a picture of Nana and the birthday girl..Tessa wasn't cooperating!

Yay! A good picture!

She is getting sooo big! :-(

I think this is what she was thinking "LACY! MY PRESENTS! GET AWAY!" We are going to have to work on her attitude.....

Hmm...not too sure about the cake...

I put her hand in it since she was just poking at it!

Okay Mom...I'm done...

SHE WAS DONE!!!! She almost put her face right up to it but then everyone oooh and ahhhed and she was DONE!

Casey's family that came to the party! Tessa was playing with her toys during this picture :)

At the end of the day I realized I didn't get a picture with the birthday girl!

Its hard work being ONE!

It was a great time up north! We always have a lot of fun! A couple days later we packed up the Jeep and tackled the long drive once again! This time my parents came back down with us! Dad will be here until the end of December and my mom will be here until she gets sick of us :-)

Here are a couple more pictures of Tessa...just in case you haven't seen enough!
At Hayden's 4th Birthday bash!

She LOVES this!!! She opens and closes the door, window, and mailbox!


Eating some ymmy cookies! She is starting to get some hair too! A lot more in the back than on top...she may be sporting a mullet soon!

BIG SMILES! I love those cheeks!!
See ya later!!!!!

We have an appointment soon with a professional photographer (after having to cancel the first session bc the power went out...yes...wonderful luck). Can't wait to share those pictures with you!

Until next time....Peace, Love, and TESSA!

ps...I know I won't get another post in before Christmas so...
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Tessa's a Big Girl!

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I can't believe how big my "baby" girl is! She is the big ONE! Now that she has turned one I feel like she has already grown so much. :-( I am so excited to watch her learn new things but I also want her to stay just the size she is for lots of extra cuddles. The video below is so cute! She is just so much fun!

I as soon as I get an extra minute (ha!) I will upload some more pictures of Tessa!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Special Date: 11-28

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Tessa is ONE! I have a beautiful daughter that is one. I am so blessed and thankful to have my amazing Tessa in my life.

Many people don't know the significance of Tessa's birthdate. Today 11/28/98 Casey and I officially began dating 12 years ago! I was a little ol' Freshman in high school and Casey was a senior! Never thought anything would ever come out of the high school fling! Fast forward 10 years on 11/28/2008...it was the last day I felt my sweet Alyssa kicking...sometime over night she was gone. Exactly one year later on 11/28/2009 our little rainbow Tessa was born. She truly is the rainbow after the storm. This date 11/28 hold such significance in our lives.

Won't post much more right now, I need to try and get some sleep tonight. Tessa, My parents and I are headed back home tomorrow and I haven't packed at all.

Will post more when I can!

Until then...Peace, Love, and Tessa!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Friday, November 26, 2010

Cake Wreck 101

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Tried making my own little smash cake for Tessa. Talk about a disaster!!!! Cake kept falling apart. Frosting was a whole different story. It was all frosted and one side fell off. I was suuuuper stressed!!!! Headed to the grocery store hoping to find a little cake for Tessa. The ones we looked for a walmart the other day all had hard candies on them. Wish me luck.......
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Up North Fun

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Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! I have so much to be thankful for this year. I have a fantastic family and amazing friends. But most of all I am thankful for Tessa. She just lights up my life! The past two years have been really tough on me. You all know me as the happy ol' Jen. 95% of the time the happiness is genuine. But there is always the time I have to force the smiles because I'm hurting inside. Tessa thankfully helps me get through the hard times. There isn't much a Tessa snuggle can't cure. I'm so grateful she is in my life. I miss Alyssa so so so much, but I know Tessa is here to make things so much better...and so far she has! Spending so much time with her this week has been great...tiring but great! Its going to be tough going back to work next week! Thankfully my parents will be visiting and the extra help is going to be great!
Speaking of the parents...being home has been great. We have been visiting with family a lot and also eating a lot! I have really missed my moms cooking! Tessa has been chasing my parents dog around a lot as you can see in the picture. She loves lacy so much. Lacy loves Tess too! So glad she is a great dog!
Its reallllllllly cold here though. Silly me brought my winter boots but forgot a winter coat! Just packed my fleece...oops! I can't handle the cold like I used to! I think I'm losing my yooperhood and becoming a troll! Eeeeks!
Headed to bed now. Tessa hasn't been sleeping the greatest here. She usually wakes up around 12:30 every night for a cry fest. She has also been a little crabbier than usual at times during the day so I'm thinking she might be Teething.

Busy day tomorrow! I need to make 26 billion cupcakes (or 40) and a smash cake for Tessa's party! Can't wait to post lots of pics from my trip when we get home!
Until next time...Peace, Love, and TESSA!!!!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Saturday, November 20, 2010

UP BOUND!!!!

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All packed up and headed to da up eh :-) I'm so excited!!!! We have a busy week ahead of us though! Lots of visiting with friends and family. Thanksgiving at Grandma's should be fun. I haven't been there the last couple of years because I've been busy having babies :) there should be a lot of family there that I haven't seen in quite a while! ALSO Tessa is turning one next Sunday!!!!!!! We have a party planned for next Saturday! Its going to be a blast!!!!

When I get back I will have a ton of pictures to upload!!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Monday, November 15, 2010

Less than two weeks...

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AND TESSA WILL BE ONE!!!!

Sunday, November 7, 2010

2 Steps!!!!

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For weeks now I have been standing Tessa up and trying to get her to take a step. She would always just sit right down and start crawling! BUT TODAY (11/7) SHE TOOK 2 STEPS!!! I wasn't able to catch it on video but I did get to snap a couple pictures! My little girl is growing up! Before I know it she will be walking everywhere!!! Eeeek! I am kind of scared of that idea!!!

I love how she looks so determined in this picture!

I am so glad I was able to see her take her first steps!!!!!
Until next time.... Peace, Love, and TESSA!!!!

Tessa's 1st Halloween!

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Tessa was a Tulip Fairy for Halloween! I have been looking at this costume ever since I was pregnant with Alyssa. I think its just the cutest thing ever! I had my doubts this year because it was soooo big on Tessa. It was still pretty big around the neck but I was able to sew a lot of it to fit her better. I brought her into my work for "Boo Day" and then we dressed her up again on Halloween. We didn't go trick-or-treating since she is too young but we did take a TON of pictures! I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I do!!!!

 Such a cutie!
 Beginning of a melt down!!!!

 she wouldn't leave the headband on!

 and....another melt down! I think she was over me taking pictures!
 happy again!


 Nana...why are you wearing my headband?
 such a cutie pie!!!!
 I love her soooo much!

You can really see in this picture how big the costume was around her neck!

I can't wait until next year!!! She is going to be almost 2 and so much fun!!!!