One of THOSE days

The girls and I were well on our way to a rough day this morning. V was up at 2:15 fighting sleep until I finally got her rocked down at 2:45 only for the dog to wake up with an upset stomach at 2:50. It took every bit of half an hour to clean up during which V woke back up and wanted to see what all the fuss was about and I had to start all over with her. Add in an extremely persistent neighbor dog, a fire siren, and the monster truck that evidently lives on our street and you have one grumpy daddy and mama. I woke up exhausted, Vada woke up screaming, and Lucy hates mornings.

 

I didn't want that to be how our day went. I am a firm believer in doing something special with my girls everyday, even if its just laying a quilt down in the back yard to read together. I really wasn't feeling like getting us all dressed and in the car but knew it would be best for everyone. After Lucy had watched far too much TV and belle caught a quick nap, we headed out to lunch. Just us girls. Turns out it was exactly what we all needed. And we even made it home before the rain started.

Lucy made friends with the little girls sitting outside.

A quick lunch, one ice cream cone and some cheddar bunnies... it is going to be a  good day.

An afternoon outside and some pictures...because my daughters are beautiful

Lions, Tigers and Panda Bears

Lucy's buddy Lane turned three and his mom asked us to come to the zoo to help celebrate. James took off work and came with us for the girl's first trip.

 

We went to the National Zoo in DC and all loved it. I am excited to get back there and see some of the things we didn't get to show the girls. They both passed out as soon as we got back to the car. Lucy's answer when people asked her what her favorite thing was is "animals."

Fathers' Day

Fathers' Day 2013

 

James asked for a Crawfish Boil in the backyard to celebrate Fathers' Day this year. We had both of our families over and I hope everyone had as much fun as he and I did.

 He boiled...

 



She danced...

She ran the show...

They chatted...

They were all naked...

Except for him...

She laughed, they hugged...

She ate...

They supervised...

They ate...

 

She loved..

She swung...

They cuddled...

They relaxed...

She picked...

We gathered.

 

What a perfect day to celebrate the Dads' in our lives. We loved having everyone over and hanging out together. James and I have amazing fathers who have not only physically helped pull this home together but have helped us know how our own daughters should be fathered.

James, I love you more than ever seeing how much you love our girls.

a new love...

Here is a little eye candy for your tuesday brought to you by seychelles...and yes i would buy the same shoe in every color when they look like these

 dear james, 

here is my birthday, christmas, mothers day, just because you love me list for eternity.

Xoxo,

Me

Dear Lucille, You are starting to scare me...

Daddy and I swear we can see exactly what you are going to look like when you are older in these pictures... ugh. Everyone thinks their kid is cute. Well, we think you are dangerously beautiful and are starting to worry about our Friday and Saturday nights about 16 years from now. Yes, that's right. 2 + 16 = 18, and not a day before. People make it a point to talk to you and tell me how pretty you are all the time. One time a lady gave me the best compliment I ever heard about children... you are the kind of beautiful you only think your own kids are. Had me choked up for days. 

I tell you all the time that you are going to make some man very miserable one day. Because no matter how tempermental, impatient, impulsive, and psychotic at times you are, people just love you. You are the sweetest, most evil little lady to ever walk the world. One minute you are smiling and hugging someone only to pinch their skin the minute they are really reveling in your sweetness. You tell me go then in the next breath beg me to rock you. Never have I seen so much life in one little 2 year old woman. 

I am not telling you this to make you arrogant or stuck up. I am telling you because people notice you. They watch what you do. What an opportunity and awesome responsibility. Use what you have been given, not just physically, but all that tenacity, and do good. Be kind. Show people your love. And please, stop pinching.  

xoxo,

Mama

Vada at 10 Months

Basically I could just leave the photos above with no words and remember Vada Belle at ten months exactly... smiling, goofy, and ornery. Somehow in the last month she switched from my sweet baby girl who just wanted to be held and snuggle to this little terror who likes nothing better than getting into the dog's water bowl, chewing on the rugs, racing to the stairs, and pulling up in the bath tub. But always with a smile. Just in the last week she has started dancing, when she hears music, or just because she feels like it. I need to get it on video but she puts her arms by her side and twists side to side. She also initiates games of peek a boo by putting her hand over her face and saying something remotely resembling boo. She now has five teeth and her hair is really starting to get thick, with little curls at the back of her head. Her first word was duck (the same as Lucy's) followed closely by NO (taught by Lucy.) She has been eating a lot more food and is down to nursing three times a day and once at night. We have introduced almost everything except milk and shellfish and she seems to like anything we offer. Or anything her sister may happen to leave within reach... peanut butter and jelly, wasabi peas. We have transitioned to one nap a day so that she and Lucy can lay down at the same time but she will fall asleep in the car before we are out of the driveway. She demands to be in her crib around 8pm after being rocked to sleep by Daddy.

 She truly is just a happy baby and rarely fusses when we go places. We are all having so much fun seeing her turn into a little girl and become a playmate with her sister.

We love you beautiful Vada Belle!