Paging Dr. Stiff.....

I suppose if you're going to be sick in this household, you might as well learn to self diagnose. Much like mom does on WebMD, to dad's chagrin.
Hats off to the makers of this little gem, works like a charm and doesn't require a straight jacket, vasoline and an unwilling little baby bum.
Product placement in a blog with about 6 loyal followers:

Bad hair day....

Or ridiculously-so-stinkin'-cute-I-could-kiss-her-face-off hair day? You be the judge.
Pardon the picture quality, apparently for $49 you get the grainy camera phone version.

21st century blogger

Hi.  I'm Leslie and I now have an iPhone.  First order of business, asking my trusty partner to do a little posing for the camera.  Which, let's all be honest here, is really the only reason I wanted to take the plunge.  Taking pics of my two little subjects on a whim, sign me up!  And with Grant already being part of the Steve Jobs family, my newest toy is only costing us an extra $25 a month.

Ryan, how excited are you mom got an iPhone? So excited you'll use your socks as gloves?

I wub you...

There's nothing like a toddler professing her love...especially when it comes out sounding like "wub". The last two nights in a row, as we lay in her bed as part of our bedtime routine, Ryan has turned to me and said "Mama, I wub you. You are my best friend. Can I have a hug?". I'll give you a moment to soak that in and recompose yourselves.

Okay now? I know, too cute for words, right? Granted she probably lifted a twenty from my back pocket while she said it but for now, it'll be permanently planted in my mind as quite possibly the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. Minus the moment Grant gave the okay for new appliances.

And another person she wubs....good ole' Ronnie:
and of course, dad, for taking her to see Ronnie on a dreary Friday morning before school. Our little fashionista has a thing for scarves, should you be wondering.

The Barbara post....

Well, apparently the sister is a little peeved at the lack of mention lately.  Granted, she was in town and therefore I should have blogged about it, but hey, it's only Tuesday for heaven's sake.  Give the blogger a break and some time!  The pregnancy hormones must be raging - so without further adieu, the Barbara post.

Uncle Bo and Aunt Barbara came in town for the last time as a family of two - next time we see our favorite peeps they will have a new bambino in tow.  Not only did they help celebrate Reese's birthday, but our lovely cousins and Aunt threw Babs a precious little baby luncheon at fancy schmancy Neiman Marcus.

And before we dive into some baby shots, let's soak in the yummy goodness that was this little pastry number that started the meal; move over bread and butter:
Anywho, back to the mission at hand....
Since they have elected to keep the baby's sex a surprise (although we all know that babe is a boy), one of each:
And Babs, let's think twice before spewing all the hateful anger from your keyboard after not being mentioned in the previous posts, mainly it's because I don't really have any photos of you in your gloriously prego state. This is about it.
So next time, let's consider your blogging potential and rev up the camera time, alrighty?

Spring Fever!

Spring has sprung, for the time being anyway....You know what that means: playing outside, barbecues, Reesey in shoes and dresses. My little tomboy Ryan has turned the corner and be still my heart is enjoying dressing up these days. Anything 'princess' oriented passes the test, so thankfully her wardrobe can expand to include dresses and skirts. Don't be fooled though, the girl is still extremely picky about her fashion and only an amateur parent would think you could simply lay out clothes and have that be the end of it. She has a preference for black pants, her princess dress, purple shirts (of which, she only has one) and her new sparkly shoes. Rest assured this will all change next week.
Is there anything cuter in life than little girl's bloomers?
Lovin' Pa-Pa
Somebody tied my baby up.....let a lesson be learned (Uncle John), the girl has abs of steel and can break through even the toughest of painters tape.
Ryan and Jack

Party Pics!

Here we go, be forewarned - lots o' pics!
Not so sure what she thinks of this '1' business
Party Planning Commitee(PPC)contemplating balloon placement
This should work:
What's that? You hear there's a birthday girl in da house?
Here's lookin' at you kid
Hey dad, off the phone already, I've got my party outfit on and am ready to party
The PPC decided the cups and hats should be laid out on the only table in the house available for food. Priorities mom, priorities.
So happy to start the gift opening process, not that we're greedy or anything....
I think I'll just take a break and start perusing my new book
So smug you are, you and your loot
This is fun and all, but the kids in my class weave tales of birthday cakes gone wild, can we cut to the chase and get to the really good stuff mom?
Family photo op
Taste testing the icing, such a good helper....that's what sisters are for
Diggin' in
RIP cake
mmmmmmmmmmm
What? Is there something on my face?

Sunday Spencers Series

Special guest star this week....
Ella! Grant's mom came in town to celebrate the Reeser's birthday and spend some quality time with the girls. We thoroughly enjoyed your visit!
Party pics to come tomorrow...

1

Happy Birthday Reese Bentley!

Today officially marks one year for Ms. Reese. It seems like yesterday when we were rushing off to the hospital for what proved to be her fast and furious arrival. Thank you sweet baby for that, at the hospital by 9:00pm, out and about for your first meet and greet by 11:45pm. That should have been a sign of things to come, we have been blessed with an 'easy' baby - laid back, loves her sleep and certainly won't turn down a meal (thighs of the century).

From Reese

And here we are, 365 days later celebrating an unforgettable and truly enjoyable year - you are a super sweet little angel (minus the 4pm-5pm hour of the day) and we are all blessed to have you in our lives. Even Ryan would agree!
Party pics to come, just as soon as I can get Ryan the Party Planning Committee to go through them all and deem them 'blog worthy'.

Party planning committee....

Consists of Ryan, Ryan and Ryan.
Apparently bananas and lemons in cake batter is the newest thang - or so the pre-school kids tell me:

From March 2011

Taste testing.....which may explain the achy belly at 10pm

From March 2011

Rest assured, every lemon in our house quickly found a home in a cupcake liner

From March 2011

Top of the morning to you!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day from the partially Irish Stiff girls:

From March 2011

They haven't had their coffee yet, so pardon the lack of enthusiasm for a pre-sunrise photo shoot.

From March 2011

Handy Manny was on, clearly they had priorities...

From March 2011

'Adult' potty humor

Somebody at Diapers.com (and/or their shipping department) has a sense of humor, our latest shipment arrived with a bit of a tweak:

From March 2011

and since we're on the subject of potties...

From March 2011

Artistic expression

Ryan isn't the only one with a fondness for markers:

From ryan and reese

Life happens...

Pardon the blog facelift - working to bring pics of your favorite ladies in a bigger size.

Again, the love of anything that is technically not a toy. Ryan has a special place in her heart for real purses and party supplies. As we get ready for Reese's big day, Ryan has been in party planning mode all week. It's all the girl can talk about: guest list, food, toys, and music selection as apparently this is a 'dancey-dance party'....stay tuned.

From ryan and reese

From ryan and reese

From ryan and reese

PS - nothing says 'master suite' like a kids chair and a mailbox.