2013

As much as it ends, it begins. A fitting saying for New Year's Eve as well as a summation of my 2012. With every bitter sweet ending, (the newborn stage, the chubby toddlerhood, the solo coffee and cookie dates) came a new beginning (the talker, the cuddler, the double dates, the double stroller). I must admit that having 2 was not always easy, but it was always full. Full of possiblity, full of love and light and sheer joy. Full always to my heart's brim. Void of sleep perhaps, but full of midnight cuddles and kisses that wiped away sunset tears. Full too, sometimes of self-doubt, of dirty diapers, and overflowing dishes. Of bumps and scrapes to the skin and the soul. Full of learning how to pick yourself up and brush it off. Remembering that not only is tomorrow another day, but this is another moment. Full of new experiences, new words and phrases, new touches and sights and sighs and loves. Full of dimply baby hands and cheeks, tubby tummies, newborn skin and new found confidence. So, no it wasn't always easy, but I'll tell you what, I will take full over easy any day of the week. Any year. Cheers to the new year, my friends! May someone always refill your life as well as your glass.

 

Here's to the 3 someone's who have refilled mine.

 

 

"I Get All Wishy Washy" - Frosty the Snowman

Sometimes I get a little sentimental over the holidays. In honor of that :) here is a comparison of my 2 little munchkins. I am obsessed with both of them - I could eat them up I love them so!

 

Belle at 10 months

 

Colin at 10 months

 

 

Christmas 2010 - 13 months

 

The camera went into panoramic mode a bit here, but I love Colin reaching for the train! He would be holding the ball just like big sister if the ornaments were out yet. The ball is still Belle's favorite.

 

 

Belle said "angel" for the 1st time while putting the angel on top of Grammy and Grampy's Christmas tree in 2010. This year, Colin said, "Angel" after I handed him an angel ornament while decorating their tree. Both were the sweetest little sounds I've heard.

 

But just to show their individuality, this is Colin doing something Belle would NEVER do at his age! Digging into sand & getting insanely dirty. Dainty Belle would have had her hands in the air, saying, "no no", but not our guy!

 

The Latest

This happy little guy is quite the talker! He can say "mama", "dad", "mo' (more)", "Ah Dah (all done)", and last night he said "ni ni (night night)" to daddy! He has said "belle" once but mostly he calls big sis "blah". haha!

 

This big girl is learning to read!! I purchased the "Bob" books for her & she practiced reading the 1st 2 this morning! She is a little nervous & shy about it, but boy was I impressed with her! Knock on wood but I think she'll be reading in no time!

 

 

Smart and cute to boot, in a mother's humble opinion!

 

Sweeter Than Pie

 

I made them! What did you bake today?

Call The Guards!

This little boy has stolen my heart

 

 

And this big girl has run away with it.

 

 

 

Time

Time is running away from me! I just want to grab it and hold because this little man and this little lady are growing way too fast!

 

On the other hand, they are funnier every day. Yesterday Belle was a "baby alien named Rabby." Her new favorite book is Amelia Bedelia (which reminds me of being a kid). She also loves to play moore elaborate "pretend" games. The other day, Belle was the Princess Swan and Daddy was the Prince. But my favorite thing of all? Hearing her sing.. especially to her baby brother.

 

 

We love to bake together and Belle loves playdough of course, so what better way to spend the morning than making homemade playdough? (if you're thinking of trying this, throw it out after the first day - ends up in a sticky mess!)

 

 

My little bookworm loves to go to and "play" storytime. Here she is in a "nook" at the library.

 

 

She is also becoming quite the artist - she especially loves painting and proudly displays her pictures on the fridge.

 

 

The sweetest activity for mommy is watching Disney movies before bed while cuddling on the couch with my 2 sweet guys. Belle's current fav? Peter Pan.

 

 

And what of this nearly 8 month old Moose? Well, he has long outgrown this bouncer...

 

 

And though football season is keeping him very busy,

 

 

He's still found time to perfect the art of sitting,

 

 

And grow some teeth so he can enjoy Mum Mums!

 

 

Ever inquisitive, (Belle calls him Captain Hook in this outfit)

 

 

He nevertheless finds time for a quick snooze.

 

 

This is Colin enjoying bubbles for the 1st time! About which he had to say, "yum"!

 

 

Couldn't have said it better myself!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday to Moo! Happy Birthday to Moo! Happy Birthday to Moo-ooo!

Mr. C - Rex is 6 months old!! Where in the world did half a year go? I am already nostalgic! He can say "mom" and "mama". He "sings" himself to sleep (sometimes with me sometimes by himself). He looooves his big sister; he always greets her with a big gummy smile in the morning as she is the first one to hear him and run into his room. And speaking of gummy smiles, he has his 2 bottom teeth now! He quite enjoys biting. He wants to eat everything! He can really grab too, so no small toys for this household anymore. His favorite food is carrots (peas and carrots!). He is just the most easy going, happiest little guy ever. He got 3 shots today and didn't let out a peep until the 3rd one. He yelped, just once. Then he went happily into his carseat and sat through a McDonald's drive-through (sometimes mommies need coffee) and getting gas with a smile. If Colin ever is fussy, he will cheer right up with a little music, game of peek-a-boo or bouncing. .. oh and lest I forget, we started sleep training & night #3 he slept from 10:30pm -7:30am - and woke up with some cooing and smiles. As Katie R. said, "Carrie, your kids make post-menopausal women ovulate!"

Just preparing for the beach!

Colin's 6 month stats:

Weight: 18.5lbs (50-75%)

Height: 28" (90-95%)

Adorable-ness: 100%

And shall we discuss the big sister? Big Sister Wendy Darling (from Peter Pan) as she likes to be called these days! And Colin is baby Michael. (Lova Baby is John) She is just hilarious! She makes up full imaginary games now. The latest is flying to Never Land, which of course leads to flying to Disneyland and then San Francisco. Her favorite thing in all the world is swimming - and she is becoming sooo good at it! She can swim around the pool in her life jacket and now she can swim to the edge or get her head up without it! We're just working on staying afloat. She listens to everything - you definitely can't pull one over on this little girl! She is intuitive, creative and oh -so- smart! And she cannot get enough of "little Collie".

Belle also loves to play beach - which is where we are going on Sat! For one whole week! SO an update on Sea World and the ocean will be coming shortly! We can't wait! Even Daddy gets to join us for 5 days!

I imagine we'll see a lot more of her in Grammy's hat :)

So close to sitting up!

And some photos of our recent trip to SeaLife

Truly engrossed

Pointing to the Sting Ray under the floor. She thought she would step right into the tank, even after she saw me step on the glass. She tentatively put one toe out and then both feet before believing she wasn't going to "swim with the fishes".

In the mouth of a shark

Loved looking through the tank bubbles

Eh... fish are boring. Wake me when we get to the dogs.

Petting a Starfish

Getting some Aunt Mary loves on July 4th

and sometimes this happens...

...aaand sometimes this happens.

Pretty Glamorous!

The Moose

Although he was born near groundhog day, somehow that tiny animal just doesn't suit Mr C. Rex.

You see why we must revert back to moose ;)

Bookworm

This little peanut, seen here all set for her "pinkalicious" party, said "mommy, what's an illustrator?" to which i replied "the person who drew the pictures in the book"

i was answered with a confused look "but we don't draw in books!"

Because Sometimes...

I pick my nose ...

And eat it.