Sunday, May 22, 2011

Impromptu Photo Shoot

Little A continues to reveal a myriad of facial expressions that we have come to love…not to mention a party-like hair style (which she has had since birth).

The other night, C worked to capture our littlest one’s expressive side during some of her alert/playtime…

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Happy Weekend.

Be blessed.

Latest Read

C, B and little A gave me this book for mother’s day.  I could hardly put it down as I read it during several middle of the night feedings.

The words in the book reveal God’s hand on the Chapman family’s life…their family has quite a story.  Mary Beth’s transparency is convicting and encouraging on many levels.

It isn’t often that I finish a book within the same calendar month of starting…with that said, I highly recommend reading it!

This is Mary Beth’s blog (the video provides a great glimpse into the book):

http://marybethchapman.com/?page_id=74

Be blessed.

A Glimpse of a Typical Day…

in our neck of the wood!

Little A does a lot of this (though don’t be fooled, she has her fussy moments and also eats ALL the time)…

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And B does a lot of this…

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Just imagine the drying running and this momma folding countless loads of laundry and one would  have a pretty good gage of what we do all day long!!!!

I wouldn’t trade it for anything…but sometimes have to remind myself of this very truth!

Be blessed.

Cuddle Couch

C captured me trying to rest on our family room couch…these days, I can’t say that I feel that rested…but I wouldn’t trade rest for cuddling with these two precious nuggets!

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Happy Sunday.

Be blessed.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Inaugural Swim

This weekend, we made a quick trip over to Gigi and Papa’s where C and B took advantage of their first dip of the season.

Ella even joined in on the fun.  B enjoyed throwing a ball for Ella to retrieve…he thought her splashing in the water was pretty funny as the entire process was repeated over and over again.

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After swimming , we enjoyed lunch together before heading back to our neck of the wood for naptime.

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We love you Gigi and Papa!

Be blessed.

Gaining Speed…

For the big hill ahead!!!!!

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We have found a new pastime, aside from searching out every possible roadside digger and choo choo train… now we have widened our search for big hills!

The other day it was raining too hard to make the transition (with the infant seat) from the car to inside the house…I had planned on sitting in the driveway to wait the mini-monsoon out…when it occurred to me that we could much more fun driving up and down a big hill a few streets over.

As we approached the neighborhood hill, it dawned on me that someday B might find himself on a rollercoaster…riding up up up and down down down…so the over prepared mom that I am taught B how to raise his arms up in the air and say “Whoooooooo!” as we drove up and down the hill. Consequently…B now raises his arms up in the air as we drive up and down any/every hill around town.

Maybe this can satiate our little guy’s need for thrill rides…at least for the time being…not to mention his arms in the air and anticipatory face as we venture up and down are pretty cute!

Happy Saturday.

Be blessed.

B’s Surprise!

C surprised B the other day by picking him up from school.

Since this is a rarity, as school dismisses before the end of a typical work day, B was quite surprised!

I enjoyed taking the surprise in from afar as it was a special moment for the two boys in our neck of the wood!

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Be blessed.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Happy Birthday!

We are celebrating in our neck of the wood today…as my sweet husband…and B and A’s fantastic dad rings in another year.

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C you are truly the best…we love you so much!

Happy to you Daddeee!

Love,

Your three biggest fans!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

B’s Special Big Brother Day

Little A was born during a really busy time at C’s office which meant C wasn’t initially able to take much time off…so this week, C took some much appreciated (by his wife) time off to spend with little A and her big brother, B.

B continues to be a fantastic big brother. He loves to dote on his little sister by giving her kisses,singing the bumble bee song, telling C and I when she is crying, etc.

However, big brotherhood has had its share of ups and downs for our little guy. B has had to learn how to share his mom and dad. He has had to learn that his little sister is almost always hungry and that means that his momma can’t get down on the floor to play with choo choos and diggins as much as he would like.

Consequently, B has taken to gaining our attention in less than favorable ways…our ears have become accustomed to a rather pitiful and grouchy whine…and B’s new filler words are “Mommy cuuumm hewa….Daddy cuuumm hewa! “ even when we are standing or sitting right beside him. 

Knowing that our little guy was craving some good quality attention, we planned a special day in his honor.

C pulled out the camping equipment and started B’s special day by getting our backyard ready to host its first official campout.

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B helped pitch the tent as Ella helped to cheer him on…

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After the tent was set, B helped C “move” in…

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The two tried the tent out in the day light as they both anticipated a great night under the stars.

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Later, B helped me bake some muffins (per his request).  He helped stir the batter and sprinkle the cinnamon on top of the prebaked breakfast treats.

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Later, after it got dark, we headed to the kitchen (since we didn’t have a campfire) to make s’mores.  B was so excited to open the box of graham crackers that he had carried the box around the house all evening.

When it was finally time, B helped break the crackers in half and place the marshmallows and chocolate on the crackers…

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We encouraged B to try the treat after it had melted in the microwave. He took a bite…and then spit the entire bite out into my hand while saying “Dump it out!” (C and I were in stiches)…apparently B’s taste buds lacked interest in prepared s’mores and he felt the need to dump it out of his mouth like a digger would…though he did show us that his taste buds do like each ingredient individually…go figure?!

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After our “midnight” snack, C and B headed to sleep…don’t be fooled…B didn’t fall asleep this easily…the two are playing possum so I could snap a photo.

Little A and I enjoyed the rest of the night inside.

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The next morning (after C surprised me by letting me sleep in) we headed to the bakery for breakfast.

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We then made our way to the zoo to enjoy a simply beautiful day…75 degrees…sunny…not a cloud in the sky! The zoo was crowded due to end of the year field trips…but that didn’t keep our little guy from exploring all the animals.

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He fed the fish…

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Said “Good morin’” to the hippo…

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Watched the elephants…

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(He even showed the elephants to little A)

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Little A seemed to like being included in the action.

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Then it was on to say hello to the tiger…

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And last, but certainly not least…enjoy a train ride!

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After the zoo we enjoyed a quick lunch before getting B home for a nice long (four hour!) afternoon nap.

The entire day was such a gift…probably more for C and I than little B. It was nice to spend some quality time together…all four of us, without an agenda enjoying some good time outside…not to mention, so much fun to experience life through our little guys eyes.

Praise God for big brothers and days like this!

Be blessed.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Frugal Family

In our neck of the wood, some might consider us “cheap”. C and I like to consider ourselves as more “frugal”  than the prior…but it’s true we try to find inexpensive ways to make memories together as a family.

So this weekend,  we hit up the TCU baseball game in true “frugal” fashion.  We waited until the tail end of the game to make our appearance…as the gates are typically open (meaning you don’t need to purchase tickets) after the bottom of the seventh inning.  We woke B up from his nap, packed him a snack and walked to the game to watch the Frogs beat the Utah Utes.

When we arrived, the game was almost over…truly, there was only one out to go…we didn’t care…we were all about the memory (so we tried to tell ourselves), so much so that the three of us shared a ballpark pretzel before the concession stand closed…which B loved.

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After celebrating the Frog’s win…we were pleasantly surprised by the chance to go out on the field (as that is typically only allowed after Sunday games).

B was quick to point out the “TSEEEUUU” sign he found just behind home plate.

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C showed B his former spot in the dugout…

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Before heading out to the bullpen to see where he used to warm up.

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The field was open because TCU was hosting an annual “Sleepover at the Ballpark” where families can come set up camp, enjoy a movie and sleep under the stars over Lupton Stadium.  It was hysterical to watch the loads upon loads of gear that dads hastily carried in to the park…pillows, cokes, chips, blankets, tents, games, coolers…all in effort to make a memory themselves.

C and I couldn’t help but wonder when/if we might make a memory like that?! (I have to admit, it looks like fun, though sleeping anywhere but my bed is less than appealing to me).

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Until then, we’ll savor the memory of a cheap family date together.

Go Frogs!

Be blessed.