Abbie is 2

My Abigail. So full of life, so sweet, such a sense of humor. A true mommy's girl.

Happy Birthday Abigail!

My sweet Abigail turned 2 today and we shared a picture perfect day together! My mom watched Carter in the morning so we could share some time as a twosome and I am so thankful that we did. We went to Hart Park for an informal photo shoot, the McDonalds playplace, and then to Toys R Us so that she could pick out her own toys. She came home for a big nap and I had her huge playtent with tunnels and 200 plastic play balls that she picked out from the toy store all set up for her and Carter. We played for a few hours, put Carter to bed, popped some popcorn and hung out together. Today was one of the few days I had all these ideas for things to do and they all happened and as planned. So often with two itty bittys I have grand plans, but they don't go quite as I had envisioned. What a day!

Cinderella

My poor little Cinderella, scrubbing the kitchen floor. No, I did not make her do this- she begs to! Whatever I am cleaning, she desperately wants to help clean. She actually does a pretty good job! What a great help she might be in a couple of years!

Time to Play

Few things excite the kids more than pulling their crib matresses out of their beds and putting them together on the living room floor. They bounce around, wrestle, and "fall" off the edges, giggling and squealing the whole time. Certainly one of their simple pleasures!

Abigail's Birthday Photos

Here are the photos from Abbie's bday photo shoot! I tried to share them through Costco and AOL and neither would let me (so annoying!) so I'll just keep trying!

Playdate

Today the kids and I had a playdate at my dear friend Jenny's house. I just had to post this picture because I still cannot believe that we got all 5 of them to sit together for a picture- of course, there was food involved so that was a little incentive for them to sit still! It is amazing to see how the time I get to spend with Jenny has changed over the years. We were talking about how funny it is to think that we have 5 kids between the two of us now, even though the conversation was quite brief and broken given that we were managing 5 kids, but an interesting thought nonetheless! I look forward to the days that we are able to share more playdates!

Sweet Slumber

I swear, Carter is the sweetest sleeper ever. He sleeps in every position and does it so peacefully. He makes me want to take a nap just looking at him. I open his door and peek at him at some point during every nap because it is always a surprise to see how he is sleeping and brings a smile to my face without fail.

A Special Day

Tonight I took Abigail to have her 2 year picture taken in her birthday outfit before it becomes thrashed at her party. We went to Red Robin to have an ice cream sundae as her reward while we waited for the pictures. Everyone stopped and stared at her as she pranced back through the mall, balloons in hand and waving to her admirers. I loved the way this picture turned out blurry- a nice action shot. The actual pictures from Pic People are fantastic! Will post soon.

TV time with Daddy

Okay, so I try my best to limit TV time at our house because the kids will stare at the TV for hours straight if I let them. Although this is tempting some days, it really bothers me that they would choose TV over all their toys so I turn the TV off in the afternoon and for playtime after dinner. However, Daddy is the worst of the TV monkeys and it was hard to tell the three of them no when they were all having such a nice time. Score one more for the TV!

Playdate

Last week the kids and I got a much needed change of pace. We celebrated my friend Misty's bday at her house, so the kids got to play with eachother (okay, next to eachother- they didn't really play together) and us moms got to snack and have a glass of champagne. Thank goodness this isn't my house!

Waffles

Thanks to my good friend Mahala, I got to enjoy the most peaceful dinner with the kids home that I have had for some time. She discovered that frozen waffles cut into long strips keep him quiet until he eats the whole thing. Hooray!

Busy Days

Carter discovers the joy of pulling things out of drawers
Abigail fingerpaints her face with yogurt then spills her full bowl of cereal in her lap

I give Abbie the packet of dry oatmeal she has been begging for relentlessly for the past few days and forget all about it as I am now dealing with her brother who is screaming like an injured howler monkey. She opens it, finds a bowl to put it in and sprinkles it all over the floor, the cat, and our dog Zeppelin. Our other dog Zoe is hiding because she knows everyone is about to be in trouble. Also in the background is mail that she found somewhere and tore into little pieces.

It is only 8:30 am

Most days, I sit down after putting both kids to bed, feeling totally exhausted. I look around at all of the random items that are strewn around the house, cushions thrown off the couch, food, sippys, & binkys on the floor and wonder what it was that kept me so busy all day. How could I feel as though I have participated in a triathlon but have nothing to show for it besides a messy house and two sleeping babies? Then on mornings like this I stop to capture a few reminders of why nothing ever gets done!

Happy Father's Day

My poor tired husband on Father's Day!

Abbie the Builder

Mom and Roy are building a HUGE playhouse/mechanic shop for Abigail and Carter and Abbie decided to help Roy with the framing on this day!

Our Vacation

DJ and I were fortunate enough to be able to treat ourselves to an early celebration of our 5 year wedding anniversary over the past few days. My mom watched the rugrats for two nights and three days for us- thanks Mom! It was a much needed and appreciated break from the stress and monotony of raising two kids under the age of two. We got to relax, shop, soak up some sun, and eat lots of great food. DJ rode an ATV in the dunes while I had a deep tissue massage and soaked in our hot tub, enjoying a bottle of French champagne and strawberries. We both thought we got the best end of the deal, but we all know that I won that one! The best part was doing everything on our schedule instead of the kids and enjoying eachother's company without constant interupption.

... and my Prince Charming!

My sweet Abigail

Could he sit any closer?