Happy Birthday Carter

No Nap!

Abbie's newest terrible two's development has been protesting naptime and bedtime. The child used to get almost excited for a chance to sleep. Suddenly, she is strongly against it, even though she still falls asleep within minutes. She has taken to barricading herself behind her toys. Usually she will try to pull out her kitchen and hide behind it, but rarely is she successful. Then she gets really mad that things aren't going her way and will hide behind anything else. And we can't forget the chants of "NO NAP! NO NAP! NO NAP!"

Pretty in Pink

Yes, the tutu fairy struck again. This boy loves a tutu!

Birthday Cupcakes

Now that Abbie loves "helping" in the kitchen, I let her help make some bday cupcakes for Carter. And, no, I did not bake this batch in the picture. Since the box makes 24 cupcakes, I let Abbie fill her own muffin tin and I did a separate one so that the cupcakes might actually resemble cupcakes after they baked!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today is my 27th Birthday and I am enjoying my favorite time of the day- the kid's naptimes! I was thinking about how profoundly birthdays have changed over the years. My birthday is not about presents and partying this year (and not because it can't be because I do have a sitter and I am not pregnant- hooray for me!) but really thinking about the miracle of life and appreciating it for what it is.

In recent years I have worked with the rich and famous, made huge amounts of money doing it and making some of my greatest friends. After graduating college, I began working with those who have been thrown away by society, giving up the easy money and fun times. However, by having the opportunity the work so closely with those I would previously locked my car door if they approached or walk down the other side of the street, I gained a whole new perspective of life and people. Working with the severely mentally ill, substance abusing, homeless population and loving those considered unlovable gave me my first experiences of unconditional love. I went places I would have never had the courage to go on my own, but would go anywhere (even while enormously pregnant!) to advocate for those without a voice, to stand up for those who had been violated in most every way. I always understood that I was no there to make life changing strides in their lives. Reality is, most of them will probably suffer and live on the streets for the remainder of their lives. My main goal was simple- to be kind. To not turn away, to not point and make fun, to not be scared. It is amazing what eye contact and a friendly smile can do. I miss some of them dearly, but have moved on to my most important work so far- helping my little ones grow and learn. Certainly the most difficult year of my life, but also the most rewarding. I do look forward to what this year will bring and where my path will lead next!

A Work of Art

Thank goodness for Color Wonder paints!

Two Monkeys at the Park

Future Soccer Star?

A Time to Swim

DJ and I took full advantage of the great weather yesterday and took the kids over to Nana and Grandpa Barthelmes' house to barbeque lunch and swim. They love to run around their backyard and play with all their sports equipment (Carter will pick up balls and just walk around in circles with a huge grin on his face) and the pool is always a hit too. We had lunch, went for a swim with Aunt Joy and put the kids down for their naps. DJ got to catch up on the Olympics and some muscle mags while I floated around the pool in total, precious silence. What a great day!

My Little Models

My kids are certainly used to having a camera in their faces, since I literally take hundreds of photos a month. Now that that they are older and a little bit more photogenic and able to do more fun things, I take even more pics so I have tons to post. Carter is usually a more willing subject than Abigail, who now tells me "No cheese," meaning no more pictures mommy!

A Day in the Life....

Carter's Party

Okay, so I have no idea what I managed to do to my slideshow post of Carter's party to make it show up the way it is, but I cannot possibly spend another minute trying to figure it out! The party was great- thanks to all the family and friends that helped us celebrate. So many showed up that I feel like I did not visit with each person in the way I would have liked to, but I certainly tried and appreciated everyone hanging out in the heat with us and for all the help. I can't hardly believe the little monkey is almost a year old!

Carter's 1st Birthday Party

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Abigail helped me with the baking on the day before Carter's birthday party. She was so excited to help fill the cupcake cups, swirl the peanut butter in the brownie mix and drop in chocolate chips. After we were done, I let her play in the peanut butter bowl and gave her all the spare ingredients to make her own creation. Boy, was it special!

Belly Laughs

Carter was especially cranky tonight, but was perfectly happy as long as I let him play in Abigail's crib. I sat next to the crib and made funny noises and he let out the biggest belly laughs- complete with hiccups and screams of delight.

Popsicles

I gave Carter his first popsicle at home tonight because he seems like he is teething and I thought it might make him stop screaming for a few minutes. As luck would have it, the popsicle just made him REALLY mad. Abigail was happy as could be though.

School Time

The kids got to go visit Grandma's classroom today and "helped" her set up. The kids would have stayed all day and played happily with all of the fun stuff in there if I would have let them.

Dinner Time

My Carter, eating his dinner like a little squirrel.