The Ballard Bunch

I didn't blog every day this month. It's officially official. Almost made it, but mama life caught up with me. It's been fun trying, though!

Here's a quick wrap up of the last few days in the life Ballard:

Tatum pretending to be a bride (notice the backwards dance costume aka "wedding dress")

Wedding is her favorite game ever and Hayden usually ends up as "the man". She's a good sport now - not sure how long it'll last. And, after getting a small grasp on the ribbon around the toss bouquet at Ashley and Jake's wedding, Tatum was sent home with this amazing bouquet. Thanks again to the cute little girl who really caught it but informed us that it was her third catch this year. She stands in the same place every time. She was awesome and so sweet - gave it to Tatum because she saw how much Tate wanted it.

Speaking of Hayden, here she is in one of her many dress ups. Again, backwards clothes. Maybe my girls should start a rap group - Kris Kross make you wanna Jump! Jump!

Layne being cute as ever, but with a rash in full form again. For the record, today it's almost cleared up. The belly button is doing great and he's starting to get up on all fours - he wants to crawl, I can see it in his eyes.

Almost old bananas made me think to modify my grandma's AMAZING zucchini bread recipe (see picture if you want to try it). Modified recipe was delicious!

Tomorrow is Beau's birthday - watch for updates after that. I still have some shopping to do and I'll be making a crock pot cake for his birthday (recipe found @ cjane).

loves, ego

As soon as I find the cord for my camrea. I love my children. :)

2) Where you live

3) Place you want to travel

4) Favorite food

5) Where you grew up

6) Favorite Animal

7) Something you used to love

8) First name

9) Middle name
(Honestly, the first picture that came up with full on naked lady, so we went with Gayle King)

10) Last name

Tag! You're it!

Check it out: http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/

When Layne first came home from the hospital, after a week-long stint in the NICU, I left him in the car while shopping at Wal-Mart.

My mom had the girls and, because I hadn't had him with me for a week of running around, I totally spaced that I had a brand new sweet babe in the back seat sleeping away. About 15 minutes into my shopping trip, while in the checkout line, I panicked. Visions of stolen vehicle, missing baby and exposure to the elements haunted my mind. Luckily it was March (cool outside), I was parked near the entrance (quick access to my baby after realization), and he slept peacefully (so no added guilt of a crying baby found).

*Whew* Glad to have that off my chest. Please tell me I'm not the only mom to drop the ball.

p.s. I didn't blog yesterday, and I totally feel guilty about dropping the ball so close to the end of my month-long goal. I'll just have to get over it, I guess.

p.p.s. Layne's incision/belly button are now infected so we took another jaunt up to PCMC for a look at it and an Rx for a heavy dose of antibiotics. I have a picture, but it's kind of grossy to posty.

I've gone back and forth with the idea.

I love reconnecting w/ old friends and family members via my blog and would hate to lose that accessibility. There is nothing more frustrating for me, a totally non creepy blog stalker, to try and access a blog to find that I'm not authorized. Especially when I don't have an email address for said blog holder. Dead end road.

BUT, I have kiddies to worry about and don't know that going private is all too bad of an idea. I post lots of pics about my children and our goings on. But how private is private, really? Am I kidding myself to think that those who want access to my personal information don't alreay know ways around the blogger sign in? Or, is it creep free? Ugh.

Anyway, totally curious about what you think.

p.s. If I do go private, I am happy to add you, your friends, your friend's friends, you mom, her dog and your aunt Millie - as long as I have email addresses sent to me. I trust those I know and love and have faith that they, in turn, trust those around them. Just afraid of the total strangers with interest in things not-so-great. I'm happy to share, just want to play it safe...possibly.

Another actual conversation with Tatum today.

"Mom, I have a boyfriend."

"Really? A boyfriend? What's his name?"

"Russ. He's in my room. Want to meet him?"

"I'd love to meet him. How long has Russ been your boyfriend?"

"Since I thought of him."

"Well that makes sense. What do you do with your boyfriend?"

"Pretty much we just play - puzzles, polly pockets. Sometimes we hold hands but that's all. Hayden has a boyfriend, too but I don't remember his name."

"Wow. I'm so glad you made a new friend!"

"He's not my friend, mom. He's my boyfriend. Dad can be your boyfriend if you want."

And Russ has been with us every since.

Pretty much I'm screwed when she's a teenager. Imagining boyfriends...when she wants to do drive-by's, then we know we're in trouble.

p.s. Surgery tomorrow - we have to be up at Primary's at 6:30am. I'll post after it's all over.

I watched Oprah the other day, too. And now, I'm more paranoid than ever.

This little girl wants to play outside with her friends. She's only three. Her friends roam the neighborhood regularly, have friendships, ride bikes. Is my paranoia ruining that experience for her?




I wish I felt safe letting her ride her bike without me hovering. I'm happy to let them all play in my backyard (that's fenced in and has a "guard dog" present at all times). They can all come over to play anytime they want - I have fruit snacks and juice cups ready.

Just before writing this, after already knowing I wanted to post on this subject, I sat in the doorway watching the girls play and taking the above pictures. A car slowed approaching our house, only to speed up once I was noticed watching. Maybe not, maybe the two men were searching for an address or visiting a friend - but I panicked. I've just come to the conclusion that I'd rather be the overprotective mom who has her kids home safe tucked in at night than the mom who trusted too much and something happened.

I just don't trust other people with my kids. Not yet, anyway.

Am I crazy?

Actual conversation w/ Tatum about 10 minutes ago after getting caught red-handed pushing her sister.

"Tatum, we don't push! Why did you do that?"
"Because, mom, she was going to push me tomorrow."

I guess the logic is to beat Hayden to the punch? Literally? Ugh.

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Hayden can climb up the slide in our back yard faster than anyone I've ever seen. These two pics were taken, literally, one right after the other with a pretty fast shooting finger.




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Since mastering food on a spoon, Layne's enjoyed venturing out into the unknown world of biter biscuits.




Side note 1: You can't notice in the pics much, but the rash is back with a vengance. So much for the Zinc theory, I guess. We go back in on the 22nd to meet w/ the dermotologist. Keep on keepin' on.

Side note 2: Layne will be going in for surgery this Friday to figure out what the deal is with his still-oozing belly button. The doctor isn't really sure what's causing it, so the surgery is being labeled as "exploratory". Let's hope this exploration leads to a fix. My poor little boyfriend.

I'm pretty happy with the Halloween blocks. I might look into some other ribbons/fabrics, but I don't think they need much more.


The Thanksgiving blocks need something more, but I don't want to do that fray yarn on every block - I need more variety.


The Christmas blocks need something more, too - I haven't even started to add to these yet. I'm thinking I want to bring in some other shades of red and green with ribbon & fabric.

Tatum, yearbooked.