the SUN!!!!

I ventured to the Zoo today with just the kids and me.

Yes, she wore that tutu there. Choosing my battles, people, choosing those battles.

I normally don't feel like talking on such a feat (going with both kids on an extended outing), but the weather was actually nice.

We needed to get out.

Turned out to not be so bad, but I still don't like going without Cam. It's just so much easier with 2 parents.

After we got home and had lunch, I took a couple shots in the backyard.

Liam doesn't like grass much, so I am trying to get him used to it in small bouts.

Handsome little guy.

Then I remembered I have been trying to get those little lower teeth photographed...here's one (same day after lunch in the kitchen):

Yes, blurry. I thought the uppers were hard to get photographed...lowers are ten times worse.

Easter

We did actually dye Easter eggs this year.

I don't like dealing with messes like that (permanent!). Hence, this being our first year doing such a thing.

Emmy had a lot of fun.

The last photo in the above series was just before she smashed those two eggs together.

She thought that was hilarious.

We also made egg carton flowers.

Her absolute favorite thing I think, was to color, with markers, on the cardboard-table-protector.

It was fun and I'm glad we did it...How was your Easter?!

Sidewalk Chalk

Yesterday morning during Liam's morning nap, Emalyn and I went outside to play with sidewalk chalk.

She got bored quickly. And dried up leaves from last fall filled the void.

But you can see my tiger she asked me to draw....pretty good, no?!? Hahaha!

You can also see that I took her hair out of the ponytail it was in when I realized how bad it made her look.

So silly!

Home Sweet Home II

I guess there are going to be three parts to this tour of my home...some days you just don't feel like taking photos!

Today, I didn't feel like picking up the screened in porch OR taking photos of it, so we'll skip that part today.

However, here I have the kid's rooms!!

First, Emalyn's room (the mirror on top of the bookshelf is actually pink, though it looks orange):

You may have noticed from the living room photo, there is a set of french doors. On the other side of those doors, is Emmy's room. We chose to keep them and not build them out, as a family that is downsizing may prefer to have it a den, or piano room, or some other recreational type room. There is a closet to the right of the french doors...but you never know what people want to do themselves.

Personally, I love those doors and feel like they add a good amount of character to an otherwise typical condo.

I have to talk about some of my favorite things in this room...the fabrics!

The pillow fabric (color theme for the room as well) was actually one big pillow from Home Goods for $20. I cut it in two, attached some backing and sewed some inserts. Viola!

And the chair...I had so much fun seeing that chair come together. (My neighbor was actually getting rid of it, so I took it off her hands!)

This "painting" is actually a canvas I painted orange, then pressed on vinyl images (like the ones that are so popular to put on the wall, right now.) I just LOVE how it turned out.

Liam's room:

His nursery was obviously Emalyn's. Classic Pooh theme. I debated back and forth about changing out the area rug, but we love it so much (and spent so much on it), I just can't do it.

It's actually hilarious how much I have protected this rug from sick kids...when I think of it, I just shake my head at myself. But I'd rather take care of it and have it last a long time (which it should) than have it smell or fall apart from stomach bile!! :)

More to come...again!

Mommy Time

I've been debating whether or not I should start writing more on this blog, or if I should just leave it the way it is.

By more writing I mean, thoughts and feelings of my life in general-not just how much these kiddos are growing, or their (adorable) photos. Although photos will definitely NOT be something I change because all these photos are so, so precious to me.

I think I just need another outlet to my inner thoughts.

In other words, this would be a step toward actually sitting down and writing out things I mull over on a daily basis.

Since college I have had an extremely difficult time writing any kind of real thoughts/emotions down on paper.

And for someone like me, where communication comes somewhat easily, this shift in my abilities has left me feeling stifled. Bound. Mute.

I am really seeing how much I miss that outlet.

I think if I do this right, it will lead to me being a better momma. Because I need to invest in myself in order to be full enough to be giving-giving-giving to these kids of mine.

On that note, I suppose it is kind of late to do some resolutions, however, that's what I'm gonna do. Because instead of considering 1/1/11 as the start of a new year, I will just consider 3/20/11 the start of a new year-my 32nd year to be exact.

I am cleaning house people. Watch Out!

So, without further adieu,

My Resolutions:

(and please don't laugh as some of these may seem trite, but are much needed kick in [my] pants!!)

1) 5 minutes a day in the Bible (Never in my life have I been consistent on a daily basis to read the Bible. Ever. And that needs to change. Even if it is only 5 minutes.)

2) Journaling Blog Posts (At the minimum, 1 journal-type post PUBLISHED a month-however, there may be more, I just may not have published them (shown them to you). Sorry!!)

3) Only one Caribou Coffee trip a week (This was an old rule back when my husband and I got married and I'm bringin' it back)

4) Date night with the Husband. (We've been on 3-count 'em T H R E E-dates since 2008, AKA the year my daughter was born. Apr 2009/May 2010 (Alzheimer's Gala), and one just last week. I have one word for ya S A D!)

5) Make this Faux Chenille Baby Blanket (I quilt (by machine) as I have mentioned before, but this looks so cute I have to give it a try.

That's it for now, but I will be adding to it as time goes on...wish me luck as I endeavor to find mommy time among two small children!!

LJW 9month Well-Check

I would have sworn that this boy of mine weighs 30 pounds. I just look at him and feel like he is H U G E.

But nope, just 23lbs. (And for the record this was the first time he peed on the scale.)

That's the 85th percentile. Nothing to sneeze at.

He does happen to be 30 inches long. That would be the 90th percentile.

And his head, that I also feel is ginormous...only 18 & 1/4 inches. 75th percentile.

I can't even imagine babies at this age with bigger heads than his!

On a happy note, the weather is warming up. Can't wait to get outside more!!

Home Sweet Home

As mentioned, I wanted to show some of you our home...no details here of course, but since most of you will probably never see this place, I thought while it is on the market (and all cleaned up!) I would show it off!

This is the foyer when you enter:

(The entry is on the right; the door on the left is the laundry.)

Immediately on the left when you enter is the Formal Dining room:

And the kitchen is right off the dining room with an eat-in-kitchen:

(There is an entry to the screened in porch to the right of the table. Cameron and Emalyn got me those flowers for my birthday, by the way Happy Belated Birthday Aunt HR!!)

Then we come back out and walk into the Living/Great Room (with Fireplace):

(And yes there is another entry to the screened in porch.)

This is the Hall Bath (full bath):

Since the kids were napping, I didn't get their bedrooms, but here is the Master Bedroom, with our Master (3/4) Bath:

(There is a walk in closet to the left of this photo.)

I will get some more shots of the screened in porch, the kiddo's rooms and the common entry, since this is a Manor Home. I like to have this documented so that we can always remember our first place...more to come, though!

I will admit, we have loved living here but are just out growing it. Cameron and I both agree that if we had a basement and two car garage (there's only a single stall), we'd really have no reason to leave...Please pray for us that this place will sell. Houses seem to be moving quick(er) around here, but condos/town homes are just S.I.T.T.I.N.G.

Have a good week!

Zoo Trip

We just renewed our Zoo membership and decided since the weather is warming up, we should take a trip there....

A lot of other people decided to do the same.

It wasn't horrible, but there were a good amount of groups. Makes being with little kids a tad more exhausting.

But we survived and had a great time.

I was talking to someone a few months back when Emalyn and Liam really started interacting and mentioned how neat it is to see in my kid's faces how much they love each other. I was saying how it is just so evident with their smiles and their happiness when they are bringing each other joy...and their satisfaction in that. I notice also, even in their unhappiness, the child that is not crying looks with worry and concern at the one that is. They want to fix it, or at least let mom and daddy know we need to fix it. I remember pressing the person (since she has 4 kids) that she must have seen this in her kids, and just how cool of a feeling it is.

She said no. She doesn't see that between her kids.

What could I say? I think I said, oh, I thought all kids acted like that, interesting (or something to that effect.) I don't think her kids are strange. I am just glad that my kids have that connection.

I pray they always will.

LJW-9Months

Hey sweetie-boy,

Oh, how you are growing up.

This month FLEW by! You had your first plane ride to your grandma and grandpa's in TX. THe flight there was uneventful, the flight back?! Well, I think it would have gone fine except there was a snow storm here in MN so our flight was delayed an hour...pfffft, an hour, you say. Except that flight was planned to go over your nap time, SO, you basically skipped nap (I think you may have had a 15-20 minute snooze) and then it was time to board. You FINALLY fell asleep while we were taxing into the gate. And you sister screamed her head off because she too, was OVER. IT.

You'll learn pretty early on, I think, that we do not mess with sister's routine/schedule. She is what you call strong willed. Stubborn. I've heard bullheaded a lot too...(She's just like your momma). And there are certain things that we just don't mess with. I'll have you know, she's getting better. But food and sleep-don't keep her waiting on those or the wrath will follow.

But let's get back to you! You crawl/worm around still. You pull yourself up and just started cruising around the furniture. You have two real teeth! Here they are:

I laughed when I saw you were getting the two uppers, before the lowers. I mean of course it happens, but since your sister got the lowers first, I assumed you would too. There is a family from Cameroon at our church and she said that in her country, it is believed that kids who get their upper two teeth first are very intelligent. Let's hope so!!

You've been saying "mama" for a little while. And yes, it is safe to say you are a momma's boy. But early Saturday morning this past weekend, you busted out a "dada." I was still in bed and you were with Daddy in the living room, and oh, my heart smiled.

Last month you moved up in the rooms at school to the older, mobile baby room. I think that is where you got the idea that you can stand and walk. I have spent the last 2 weeks trying to get you to learn how to fall from a standing position (i.e sit down as fast as you can) and you are really getting it. It has definitely led to a diminished amount of head banging on floor and ultimately crying.

You love table food. And basically want to skip the baby mush. I don't blame you but you do need to have more than 2 teeth. And my, oh my, what a sweet tooth you already have! Only fruits! You love dairy, but we are still not out of the woods yet in terms of your dairy sensitivity so we are moving very slow in that catergory.

By the way, you are such a wiggly little worm!! This is how the majority of my photos turned out this month! Active you are, my boy. Just like your sister! Hopefully when you are walking you will be headed the same way as your sister, otherwise I don't know what I'm gonna do!

You are so fun to watch little boy as you grow so big. Hard to believe in three more months you will be 1!! What kind of a party shall we have? I can hardly wait!! (Well, yes I can and don't mind waiting...) :)

Love you,

Your Momma.

Picnic

Last week on Friday, Emalyn and I had an impromptu picnic just the two of us.

In the living room. With good ole Mc Donald's.

Liam had fallen asleep in the car during the drive back home after visiting Daddy at work. I was able to get him to his crib and he slept for about an hour and a half more.

We had some much needed mommy-daughter time.

She loves when I take photos on the timer....obviously in the first one she wasn't ready, but then she got her pose on...

And this? This would be her funny face...I didn't have the heart to tell her it wasn't!