Exhibit A: The beanstalk.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Beanstalk?
Exhibit A: The beanstalk.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Social Butterflies...
It seems that every day for the past two weeks we have done something social with all our little friends! It has been SO busy and full of fun!!! We are so excited to finally have the space at home to have people over! It is amazing to me how the littlest of changes can bring such great levels of happiness...
Here are some pictures of Molly and Gabe playing with their friends!
Throughout all these little play dates, I am reminded just how difficult it is to be an almost two-year-old. While Molly certainly tries to share her toys and take turns- the day is often filled with Mommy interventions and occasionally- Molly meltdowns. I think it is definitely a little more nerve racking when your child is the most aggressive in her play! She's working on it. This social practice has been so good for the kids...and mommy. If you are home and want to play- give us a call and we'll pencil you in :0)
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Okay...one word
1. Where is your cell phone? desk
2. Significant other? inspiring
3. Your hair? wet
4. Your mother? nurturing
5. Your father? passionate
6. Your favorite thing? Mays
7. Your dream last night? hmmm
8. Your favorite drink? limeade
9. Your dream/goal? happiness
10. Room you're in? dining
11. Your hobby? writing
12. Your fear? Accidents
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? anywhere
14. Where were you last night? Walmart
15. What you're not? Still
16. Muffins? cranberry
17. One of your wish list items? Vacations!
18. Where you grew up? Dallas
19. What are you wearing? Comfiness (made up words count!)
20. Your pets? Milo
21. Your computer? plagued
22. Your life? Mine!
23. Your mood? Peaceful
24. Missing someone? Friends
25. Your car? Stella
26. Something you're not wearing? Deodorant?
27. Favorite store? World-Market (does it count as one if you hyphenate?)
28. Your summer? 102*
29. Your favorite color? Blue
30. Last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? Thursday
Sunday, July 20, 2008
A 5-month-old Tummy...
Gabe agrees...
the following video footage is actually last night and tonight combined...you can tell a difference because tonight we ate dinner in our swimsuits. Happy viewing!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Adios Yaya
I have to admit...I was a bit nervous about how the day would pan out. I have been preparing for this all week. By preparing I mean basically...I child-lifed her. You might be asking yourself what the heck that means...let me explain. I spent the first part of the week teaching Molly the concept of bartering. This meant we practiced "trading" with food, with toys, etc. By Wednesday, she had it down. Then we started to build up the big "trade" of yayas for baby dolls that could go in the bath tub (hard body babies). We talked about big girls and how they don't have yayas. We watched an Elmo movie about babies and read books about being a big girl. She was ready! I know that this sounds a little intense but really...this is what my job is... so when I stay at home it means I now get to use it all on my children. Lucky them.
I am a bit proud to say it was FLAWLESS. Tonight we put her down and she asked Kelly for her yayas (she went for daddy because she knows that he will give her ANYTHING she asks for) It just took one reminding on her days events... her response "okay". And she laid down in bed with her two new naked babies and went to sleep! HOORAY MOLLY! Now, I know that tomorrow we might face the Molly monster...but at least we made it through tonight!
Here are a few pictures to document the trip to Toys R Us...
Let me tell you how wonderful it was to ask the nice African American gentlemen at Toys R Us for white babies. Real smooth.
Friday, July 11, 2008
All you need is love.
This past week has been so special for us. The first thing that Molly does when she wakes up is run into Gabe's room to tell him good morning and at night she has to have her kiss for Gabe. Two nights ago- Gabe was stretching and I guess she took that to mean he wanted a hug. She reached over and clear as day said, "I love you too little brother". Kelly and I both looked at each other with the knowledge that this moment might be the greatest moment in our lives. Please Lord, don't let me ever forget that moment.
I know that there will be days when they want to give each other away, or terrorize each other or maybe even want to date each other' s friends. But right now is wonderful and I will take it forever if I can. It just warms my heart so much to see that they are each other's closest family...even when Kelly and I are gone. Such a wonderful time!
Here is a video of Molly talking to Gabe during our day at home.
After all... how could you not love this sweet, happy little boy!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Wedding Weekend!
I have had this amazing group of six girls (seven if you count me!) my entire life. When people talk about having no friends from childhood in their adult life I am FLOORED. Where would I be without my girls?!?! Weddings are SO fun when it is someone that you have known back when you used to pretend your mom's pajamas were your wedding dresses. Now we have grown up lives with big girl names. I can't begin to tell you how funny it is to now have best friends with totally different last names. And I try to look back at the childhood version of ourselves all crammed in closets reading articles of cricket and see if there was someway that we knew what it would be like back then. Some glimpse in the future to our adult lives.
Apart- you would never be able to match us up in one group. We could not be more different. I think that my most favorite thing is that when we are all together we just make perfect sense. We have a rhythm that only people that have known you on your first day of kindergarten can share. They are my home.
So- to the point of this post. We had a fantastic time celebrating Lauren and Roberts wedding! I am telling you- these two people just might be the best looking people on the planet! I can't wait to see how beautiful their children will be! This picture totally doesn't do them justice...
We were sitting right next to the yummy cake...how tempting is that?!?!? So, as a result about 19 of my pictures are of the cake! I was a reader for the ceremony which meant that we were a part of the rehearsal as well! Molly and Gabriel went with us to Time Tens Cellars in Lakewood. I have absolutely NO pictures because I was having WAY too much fun! It was catered by Matt's and was absolutely delicious! Molly just might be in more pictures than the bride and groom. She was the CENTER of everything. At one point she was dancing in a truck bed in the middle of a circle of people...I see trouble in her teen years! I am sure that I will have some pictures to share soon!
Back to the wedding. Okay, so the reception was at the Arboretum and it was BEAUTIFUL! It was in the room with amazing lights, beautiful flowers had a mashed potato bar and GELATO! Did I die and go to heaven? It was yummy!
Mom and Kelly breakin' in the dance floor!
A couple of us enjoying some nice catching-up! Tara, we can't wait for your wedding!!!
Our Moms love each other too.
So it was a super great end to a BUSY weekend... I will switch out better pictures as I get them!
Congrats Lauren and Robert- we were so happy to share this special time with you!!!Monday, July 7, 2008
Kaboom
I have come to realize that Kelly and I really don't have any pictures together anymore...funny how having kids changes that! So what you can't see in this picture due to my cropping skills is me shoving Molly out of our picture. Sorry Molly.
Gabriel LOVED his first night of fireworks. Although he slept for the majority of the late evening he definitely woke up for the finale... who is he to miss a celebration!
Molly liked the "fire booms" as she put it but her favorite thing of all was the live band inside... She dominated the dance floor... and she literally danced till closing time!
Here is Molly doing her signature move...it is a cross between a clap and monkey arms...we like to pretend she is doing the "what time is it" dance move.
Such a fun fun night! It was SO great to have fireworks two nights in a row! On the fourth we spent the day with family and then at some wonderful wedding festivities...but that is a post for another day!! Hope you all had a happy holiday too!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
A Welcome Home
Yet, throughout all of the times in my life when everything seemed a little foggy- I have come to a few amazing moments of complete grace...a welcoming back to a home I have always known. June 28, 2008 was one of those moments for me.
Gabriel's baptism was such a beautiful moment. The funny this is that I can't pinpoint the exact moment that it happened. Here we are sitting in the church that my first reconciliation, communion, confirmation and marriage all took place. The familiar room where i attended Mass every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday more or less for the past 21 years. And all the sudden...I have this overwhelming feeling of familiarity and happiness- like coming home after a long trip. Perhaps it was the smell of incense on my sweet baby's head that instantly took me to memories of third grade where Lauren passed out during the stations of the cross, maybe it was when I looked around to see everyone I love smiling back at the littlest love of my life supporting this precious moment in his faith journey, or maybe just the knowledge that my son was wearing that same 85 year old baptismal gown that my grandmother, uncle, mother, 3 siblings, myself, two nieces and daughter had all worn too. For whatever catalyst propelled this rush of grace- I have been left with this overwhelming sense of peace... and it is one that I hope to carry with me for always.
It was such a beautiful day.
Here is Gabriel with his godparents Melissa and Chris.
How could you not love these people?!?!? Chris and Melissa are two of the most loving people I have ever met. Their humility and ability to give unconditionally is SO humbling! We love them so much and are SO happy to welcome them to our family!
We had a fantastic cookout at home afterward followed by a day of Dallas favorites. Gabriel was so fantastic letting me take about a million pictures of him. But when he gave me the look of "Come on Mom..."
I knew that "get me out of this dress" was just moments away...
We have been so BUSY this past week and have so many moments to blog about!!! I am going to attempt a post a day until I am caught up so stay tuned!!!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Catching Up
Our doctor was SO impressed with Gabriel's size!!! He is like the polar opposite of Molly. In fact, he is quickly gaining on her. Here are his stats from his check-up
weight: 15 lb 14 oz- 70%
height: 26 1/2 in. - 90 % ---WHAT?!?!?!
head: 16 1/2 - 45%
So wow, almost 16 lbs! No wonder my right bicep is becoming a little mighty. When Molly heard how much he weighed she got a little nervous. The time has come to pack on the pounds. Her cute 22 lb self will not stay in the lead for long!!!
She might have gone a bit overboard with this whole "Project Gain Weight"...
Our little cookie monster.