Peek-a-boo pull it through

We watch a lot of Daniel Tiger in our house. The cartoon spin off of Mr Rogers Neighborhood with it's quirky songs and sayings can really get to a person. But we tolerate as much as we can because we know the lessons learned are valuable. 

Lately Grace has been chanting the button lesson of peek a boo, pull it through. Tonight while getting ready for bed, Grace wanted to try and do her buttons and she did it! I know it's simple but it was neat to watch her learn that new skill. Our little girl is growing up!

Meanwhile Lydia has figured how to crawl on her hands and knees. She was doing an army crawl for the longest time and now she's a lady on a mission! 

I just love watching them learn new skills! 

Happy New Year!

It has been far too long since I have written.  Life has been crazy busy and shows no signs of letting up. I never realized how chaotic, stressful and amazing having two little girls would be. Two kids is a game changer and I am hoping this new year to learn how to cope a bit better.  

Grace is precocious and getting smarter everyday. She challenges us with her wit, humor and stubborn streak. But her heart is gold and all she wants is for us to be happy (especially with her) 

Lydia is 7+ months now really developing a personality of her own. What a happy sweet girl she is full of laughter. It doesn't take much to get her to smile and giggle. 

She rolls all over the place and it won't be long until she learns to crawl. Lots of babbles but not words yet, it likely won't be long before that either. 

In 30 short days we leave for Disney World. We are very excited! It should be an interesting adventure. 

2015 has a lot in store for us and I'm looking forward to what each week brings.

 

Milestones

It has been a very busy last week in our house. Last Thursday August 21 our Lydia turned three months old! It's hard to believe that a quarter of a year has already passed since this bouncy baby has joined our family. She brings us, including her sister Grace, such great joy. 

          Lydia- three months old. 

Shortly after Lydia turned three months, Grace acheived something not everyone gets to experience. She was able to be a flower girl in her God-father's wedding. AKA= Uncle Chris and Aunt Aubrey. HBetter known as Nate's best friend. It was a beautiful ceremony and Grace did an amazing job carrying out her duty. 

What an exciting time! While she likely will never remember what an adorable perfect flower girl she was, we have some fantastic memories to share. 

Just tonight our Lydia met a new milestone I will always cherish. While changing her diaper and her clothes earlier I got to hear her laugh for the first time. She may have possibly done this wonderful sound prior to today, but it was the first time I know for sure that she laughed. What a glorious sound it was. Her adorable toothless smile and little giggle bring such great joy to my heart. I look forward to many more milestones over the next few years. These are the moments I hold close to my memory and my heart. 

       Grace wanted to hold her sister 

                  Beautiful baby girl 

Things to remember

Two is a tough age, but so far it's my favorite age. It's the little things that are done and the sweet things that are said. Most of all, for me, it's the innocence of a child who needs her mommy. 

As I walk into her room tonight to put Lydia in her bed, Grace is grunting and moving around in her crib. I'm careful not to wake her but I also want to check on her. She is uncovered but seems to be sleeping so I grab one of her blankets and cover her up. In her sweet little voice I hear "thank you momma". All I want to do is swoop her up and hold her tight. She is so sweet and loving and I just want to hug her all day everyday. 

Two months old

My how time flies! Our sweet lovey Lydia is two months old today. She has morphed over the the last few weeks from newborn to baby. More of her hours are spent awake and she is falling into a nice routine. This couldn't have happened at a better time as I'm going back to work this week. She is a good sleeper, only getting up once in the night. We have mastered our time to minimize how long I'm up and it's all coming together nicely. She is such a happy and content baby never make much of a fuss unless she's hungry, tired, or needs to be changed. Sometimes she cries in her swing but as soon as I pick her up she's settled. Sometimes she just wants to be held. I think she might be a cuddler. She is really beginning to smile more and it's just the cutest thing. I could hold her and watch her all day. I love to see how she changes every day as she's more alert, you can tell she's soaking everything in observing the world around her. 

Grace is starting to learn to be gentile with her little sister but still needs to be closely watched, I see the love Grace has for Lydia and I hope it continues through their kids. I know it won't always be sweet between them, I just pray they come back together as they are today ❤️

Lydia 2 months 

Grace 28 months 

 

It's been three years.

Three years ago today, July 17, 2011 we finally got the good news that I was pregnant. We had been trying for about six months. I was beginning to get very frustrated and had gotten to the point where I couldn't put my whole heart into it. Of course that's when we hit the jackpot. July 17 2011 our lives forever changed and I wouldn't trade it for anything. 

Summer Adventure: Camping!

Way back in the depths of the cold dark winter we started dreaming of summer. I think it was in February that I dared to make camping reservations for the end of June. While I was 5/6 months pregnant we had no idea what we were asking ourselves to do. 

Once our Lydia was born I seriously contemplated canceling our reservations at Holland State Park, but decided not to. I'm so glad that I trusted my hesitation and that we dared to tent camp with a two year toddler and a five week old. Had anyone else told me they had the same plans I would have thought them crazy (and we probably are a tad nuts for doing it). 

Being on this side of the experience I'm so happy we experimented with the unthinkable. We had our melt down moments but overall it was a great experience filled with memories I will carry with me always. Grace thought it was just so fun sleeping in a tent with her camping bag. She played with friends who came out to enjoy the evening, went to the beach and for a few walks. She had her first S'more and got really dirty. Lydia slept better than she ever has and we enjoyed a number of smiles from her. 

Above all of the wonderful experiences for our girls, Nate and I had the opportunity to really relax. Once the girls were in bed we could sit by the fire without care. There was no pressure or guilt for needing to do anything around the house: fold laundry, dishes, or cleaning of any sort. We were able to sit, talk and enjoy each other's company by campfire. 

As crazy as the whole thing sounded and still does even though we already did it. I'm  so happy we took this opportunity. It was more fun than I could have imagined and I can't wait to do it again.