Except it's me...and I'm rarely wordless. So enjoy. And please notice the way Cutie Pie watches Cupcake. It melts me. They are so fond of each other and I love it. Not only do they have something I always longed for (a sister) they seem to already treasure that gift in a way that blows me away every time.
When it came to Christmas gifts for the girls this year...you nailed it. Yup. Totally nailed it. No help from here. Just nailed it. They are both in love with their gifts. You rock.
Love, Us
Dear Everyone Else,
Sorry we didn't get videos of every single gift. We should have. Apology accepted? Your gifts rocked too. We're still soaking them all in and thank yous will come...one day. Our girls felt very very loved this year. Thank you for all the thought that went into each gift!
Christmas with a 2.5 year old has been so much fun! In December we started our advent activity calendar to count down the days. We saw a live nativity, read special Christmas books, made cookies for neighbors, did some preschool Christmas-themed coloring sheets, and so on. Cupcake has really enjoyed her calendar and counting down for her birthday.
One Saturday morning the calendar said we'd do a Christmas craft. Cupcake LOVED making a reindeer family with each of our hands as antlers. Check out her focus:
Even Daddy got in on the action:
Figuring out how it works:
Yay! Our reindeer family has been a fun source of play ever since.
Cutie Pie is 2 months old! Wow...I know I'm a little blurry brained but have the last 2 months been super fast for anyone else?
Cutie Pie is smiling like crazy especially at her sister who will do anything to get a smile out her. She was 10 pounds, 8 ounces at her 2 month check up putting her in the 46% for weight. She is in the 98% for height. Is it fair to be jealous of my two girls that constantly rank in as tall and skinny? She is sleeping one long run in the night giving us 4-6 hours of sleep and we appreciate that. She typically wakes up around 5am and after that feeding, she gets to sleep in bed with us. It is winter, it is cold, and all three of us LOVE the sweet snuggles we get in the morning. Cutie Pie is such a snuggler that she doesn't like for me to put her down at all during the day. Eep! I wind up carrying her in one of my various slings or carriers for bulks of most days. Massages welcome! She is very aware and loves to see her sister. She is figuring her hands out and reaching for toys. Most recently she has taken a fond interest in a tiny baby doll that Great-Grand Uncle Charlie and Great-Grand Aunt Betty sent for her. She will smile and try her hardest to pick the little baby up. It is precious! Of course big sister is right there with her doll to show her the ropes.
Here's her 2 month Owl pic (thanks Nana for the onesie which matches the nursery!):
When I was pregnant with Cutie Pie she very often had her hands in front of her face. I was having ultrasounds each week in the last 10 because of gestational diabetes so I was able to see her often but really I saw her hands in front of her face more than anything. Funny....she does the same thing even still:
Cupcake and Cutie Pie at the same age:Is it strange that the only similar picture of my girls thus far is one of them yawning? By similar I mean the same pose. I don't even think they look alike in these pictures though there are lots of times I do think they look the same. I guess with all our action and adventure comes some serious sleep too!
Cutie Pie is a sensitive sleeper. It is really hard to get her to sleep during the day without being held because any small noise wakes her...but at night when not a creature is stirring, she is a champ. Cupcake still takes an afternoon nap which is nice because I can often have them both napping at once...if only that didn't mean one was in my arms.
Better late than never! Here is Cutie Pie's birth story! I've had the draft since the week of her birth but it's been hectic! Here goes:
She is here! Our cutie pie is here! Yay!!
Here's the birth story for our newest team member:
Sunday morning we were headed to church and in the car I just couldn't wrap my head around getting out of the car, walking into the building, and then having to get back out after the service. I was uncomfortable and so we decided to head home. Cupcake was not thrilled that after getting dressed and ready for church we basically did a car ride and came home. Once home however we let her indulge in a treat, watching Annie. She and I snuggled on the couch and while I didn't feel better, I didn't feel worse.
Monday was uncomfortable as well but I had a feeling the end was near. So, Cupcake and I had a fun morning at home playing games, coloring, doing a little preschool-home school activity and having a tea party. We planned to meet Daddy for a special lunch, her favorite. We picked up Chic-fil-a and met in a park nearby. The weather was fabulous and it was a really sweet family lunch on a lovely Texas-fall day. While I was increasing uncomfortable I also had a surge of "make this count." By dinner that night I was so uncomfortable I was confident that we were not making it to our scheduled induction Thursday. The hubs could sense it too so neither of us slept well.
Tuesday morning I woke up and was so uncomfortable that I didn't know if I could make it to my 2pm specialist appointment (final diabetes check). I called my OB and they asked for me to come see them at 1pm and keep my specialist appointment too. The hubs realized that I was in no condition to drive so we called in our dear friends who arranged a whole plan of how to get Cupcake through the day without us depending on how long we were gone. We got through the morning, packed the final things in our hospital bags, and even warned Cupcake that when she woke up from nap we may be at the hospital. She cried, I cried, but we knew it was best to prepare her. I put her down for nap and tried my hardest not to cry more. I knew deep down that it would be my last time to put her down for nap without a 2nd around. I could have rocked her for hours yet I also felt the clock ticking.
We headed to the Dr. leaving Kristin (thanks again, K!) to be with Cupcake during nap. Once at the OB they determined I was a 3 and with contractions far apart and a smile on my face they said I wasn't really in labor...just in pre-labor. They told us to go up for my 2:00 appointment and come back to sit on the monitor so they could double check my contractions. So we went upstairs to the diabetes doc. I still have a whole post on the journey of gestational diabetes but I have to say that I really enjoyed the Dr and his staff. After they did all of their checks the Hubs and I were feeling a bit defeated that we'd be heading back home and that we weren't in labor. So I asked if the Doc could think of any reason to move my induction up. He was awesome at encouraging me to remember my values and goals. I had always wanted things to be as natural as possible and a part of my struggle in the unveiling of all the complications was that I was facing a 2nd induction. He encouraged us to hang on until Thursday on the small chance we'd still go into labor naturally. While I was defeated, he was right and I appreciate a doctor who will keep you on the track you value even when you are ready to give up.
So, back down to the OB we went. We walked fast....on the final tip of the diabetes Doc. When the hubs opened the door for me to the office a very painful contraction hit like a ton of bricks. Whew! When it passed we signed back in and eventually were called back. When they opened the door to take us back another one hit...equally hard. I got on the monitor and they quickly noticed my contractions were 5 minutes apart in rising intensity. A quick check to see that I was now a 4 and they said I should plan on going to the hospital sometime that evening either now or in a few hours. At first the idea of coming home for a bit to get a few more hugs in with Cupcake was super appealing. However, my ever brilliant hubs ultimately said that since we had all our stuff and had said our good byes once we should just go to the hospital. So off we went.
5:00pm - we checked into the hospital. The nurse assigned to us told us as she lead us to our room that she'd only be there until 7pm so she'd basically get us signed in and then be passing us off. She doesn't know the Crack Team. We like action and adventure. She showed us the room gave me a gown and was off to check on her other patients. By the time she got back I was in even more pain and contractions were getting closer. She hooked me up to the monitor and started asking all the check in questions. She drew blood for the initial blood work and by then my pain level on a scale of 1-10 had gone from a 5 (check in) to an 8. She realized that I would want the epidural sooner than she had imagined so tried her hardest to hurry the process along. In the next hour the pain increased with each contraction and they were coming faster and faster.
At this point the men from the boys are separated. There are those Dads who would watch tv, play on the internet, or sit on the side of the bed and be there without really being there. Luckily there are no boys around here...just a MAN. A strong man who takes his role as coach VERY seriously. He rubbed my legs as I got the shakes. He held my hand when contractions came. He provided a focal point as each contraction peaked. He did the breathing exercises so I'd stay on track. As the contractions increased in intensity his coaching increased in encouragement and keeping me aware of what he was seeing on the monitor. He answered questions for me as the nurse was rushing through the process and ultimately he was the PERFECT coach. Perfect because on top of all these things, he coached me...in ONE HOUR...from a 4ish to a 7 dilation. While that was crazy painful...it is also a blessing to be over the hump and progressing at a super fast pace.
The anesthesiologist came in and got the epidural in fairly fast. GLORY! Seriously! Once the epidural hit I felt some relief. Thank goodness too because I was going to need to regain some energy for the final pushes. I was in no rush at that point....I was feeling good! But, we're the Crack Team...remember? Action. Adventure. Yes! The on-call Doctor came in around 8:15 to introduce herself. She was a great substitute for my own OB whom I love. She checked and I was a 10 but my water had not broken and the baby was still pretty high. So she broke my water to see if that would progress things. The hubs, a former Chemistry major, joked with her about her shoes saying he'd have never been allowed to wear those in lab. She laughed, talked chem shop with him, and then around 8:30 headed off to change her shoes.
The nurse and nurse in training (nothing like having extra people and a newbie to boot on hand while in labor) decided I should push through a few contractions to see if we could get the baby to drop down a little. After pushing through several contractions they were asking me to stop pushing. The baby had dropped faster than they expected (just like Cupcake's birth). The hubs could see her head of hair and the nurses were frantically calling the OB and infant catch nurse in. Action Adventure! The OB literally ran in (thank goodness she had put on the appropriate shoes) and threw on her coat in time to see Cutie Pie basically fall out and into her arms. The nurse was thankful everyone had made it in time, the trainee was emotional (guess the whole child birth thing is still new to the 20 yr old nurse in training!), the Dr. was amazed at how smooth the whole process was and the hubs and I were....TOTALLY IN LOVE!!!
Weighing in at 6 pounds 15 ounces, Cutie Pie was in my arms by 8:55. Talk about action and adventure!
While they were still cleaning up the OB asked if we wanted to see the placenta. Of course we couldn't resist! It was beautiful. It was a bloody, vein-y, balloon ball of beauty! Seriously! We loved getting to see the sack that moments prior was the life source of our baby girl. There were so many veins and the sack was so big. It was amazing to see and seriously made us marvel at The Creator. The human body is truly amazing.
Daddy and Cutie Pie were soon off to the nursery for a bath and the dreaded first heel stick. I was ordered to rest and eventually be moved to postpartum. I could barely relax! I was energized and charged on new baby love. After the craziest, hottest, most exhausting pregnancy I had the fastest and easiest delivery.
So, why is 11 an odd I can love?
Cupcake - born March 11 Cutie Pie - born October 11
While I normally am not a fan of odd numbers....11 is now doubly dear. We love you Cutie Pie. Welcome to the Crack Team. Your entrance to the world shows you were perfectly placed in our family. Get ready for a life of action and adventure.
The picture roll. I'm hooked up and ready:
The first meeting! Soooo in love with my Cutie Pie:
Daddy cuts the cord:
Strong from the start, Cutie pie did not like the nurse suctioning out her mouth so she took matters, and the bulb into her own hands, literally:
Thank you Dr. Collins for a great delivery experience!
After bath, all cleaned up, with a bow, and ready for snuggles with Mom:
The first born cousins are big buddies and we're months away from them being terrors on the go: Cupcake loves her Pac-man and it is so fun to see them play together. They get along so well and the differences in gender only occasionally arise. Here is one such moment: one cousin wanted to tackle, the other wanted to give hugs.
Really though, it was such a fun week and we are so thankful to have cousins close in age!
Cupcake is in the phase of learning what different letters stand for. C is for Cupcake, D is for Daddy, Doggy, or drum, etc. If you ask her what A is for she may say: apple, alligator, angel, or ask. She knows a handful for most letters. She also knows a handful for the letter G but if you ask her about G she will always say or rather yell with enthusiasm: GIGI! She doesn't have a one word preference for any other letter. To say that Cupcake loves her Gigi is obvious! I took about 20 pictures of this pose:
It takes that many when you have 4 kids under the age of three in one picture. However in ALL 20 pictures one thing...a small detail really...remained the same: Cupcake kept her head lovingly pressed on her Gigi's shoulder.
We headed to Houston for Thanksgiving with my family this year. Gigi had a full house with my Aunt Terri and two cousins, Elle & Cassie, from Indiana also joining in the fun. We had several generations represented and naturally chaos ensued. Yet we managed to get out to eat once (table for 9 adults, 3 high chairs, and one infant sling, please!), play a few games, watch Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, demolish a 19 pound turkey, and do a little black Friday shopping. It was a successful and fun week. Here's a few pictures from the fun:
My beautiful cousin, Elle, with Cutie Pie: Big cousins with baby cousins:
My Aunt Terri with the girls:
On Friday my Godparents came for a lasagna dinner...no turkey leftovers were stuck in! Bob was a natural with Cutie Pie. Gigi did a fabulous job of hosting the huge group.
Cutie Pie's one month birthday came and went but luckily we did snap a picture:
She has grown! She weighed in at 9 pounds, 1 ounce for her 1 month checkup. She is also sleeping 4 or 5 hour chunks in the night which makes Mommy oh so happy! She is still a cuddle bug who prefers to be held all day long. She loves her sister and looks towards her when she hears her voice.
Rounding out the Grandparent visits in early Nov. was Nana's trip. She came on the airplane with homemade bread, chocolate chip cookies and several other grocery items for making meals while she was here. She was like a traveling chef!
While she was here we went to a school carnival. Cupcake got to do a cake walk and she won. It was only our family and Nana doing the walk but that's just a small detail. She, of course, picked cupcakes. The rest of the weekend we relaxed at home.
It was great to have the extra help and some more meals made for us. Here is cutie pie's first visit with Nana:
3.5 yrs ago when my time working in the fashion industry was drawing to a close I promised myself that I would not lose touch with the trends. At the time I could have told you the colors, textures, and trends that would hit the market in 6 months to a year. I was always a few steps ahead and was able to find great deals before everyone was buying something. I also LOVED giving gifts because often the recipient wouldn't know what to think only to be amazed a few months later when they were right on trend. I promised myself I would not lose touch.
I continue to do lots of the same things I did back then...I scour the internet, I flip through magazines, I watch movie trailers, I get daily fashion emails, and so on. But somehow the perspective from which I'm doing those has shifted enough that I'm losing it. How do I know?
Next week I'll be seeing my youngest cousins. They are still in high school. Not only that, these teens were forced to get flu shots when they normally don't in order to be around Cutie Pie. I haven't lost it enough to know that in teen world if someone told me to get a shot that wasn't "mandatory" because some "mom" was worried about her baby I'd be a little annoyed. So I decided I owed them a thank you.
That's when it hit. I had NO IDEA where to start when it came to a fun gift for teens. Eep! I jumped online assuming it was just the lack of sleep fog. It wasn't. My palms got sweaty. I went back to things I've been pinning (LOVE YOU PINTREST). Gasp....it's been stuff for my littles not teens or recipes but that's another post. I put the baby down and decided to "focus." Still nothing to be confident about. Tears. Big ugly tears. Went upstairs to put on some earrings and lipstick. Maybe if I got out of Mom mode a little....nothing.
I took a deep breath and went to Etsy. Surely someone on Etsy knows how to craft for teens. Then I find Frillychili. I fall in love with her scrabble piece necklace pendants. If I love them, will my cousin? She loves to sing and has a fabulous voice. So when I found this little songbird I decided I may still be losing it but at least found something to be excited about:
The belly of the songbird is sheet music. Sigh. I love little details.
Will she like it? Who knows? Have I lost it? Probably. But am I giving up and heading to Sears for Mom jeans and comfort shoes? HECK NO. I just need to scour a little more and broaden my pinning when it comes to Pintrest.
In the meantime if you too find yourself at a lost for a gift: Frillychili to the rescue! Check out her other cuteness here. I can't decide which one to buy next....not because I've lost it but because they are all so fun!
It's a funny thing about life stages...people both want to jump ahead for you and "help" you by anticipating the worst. How does this play out?
When I started dating the hubs....people asked if we were serious. When I finally would acknowledge the severity of my burning love for him....people asked when we'd get engaged (as if I knew?!). Once engaged...when we'd get married. Once married....when we'd have kids. It's always been a little pet peeve of mine. I'm not adverse to goals but I do like to enjoy the moment and savor each stage. There were some beautiful things about just dating the hubs. Of course in hindsight it would be devastating had we stalled out there. But in those moments it was nice to just enjoy dating. Flash forward to the postpartum nurse that took me into care just hours after Cutie Pie's birth. She first asked me "Are you going to have a 3rd to try for a boy?" People are always jumping ahead. They want to be in the know about what is next. I've had to deal with knowing that as soon as we hit a life stage, someone would be asking about the next.
The other side of that is people want to "help" you by anticipating the worst. Now I don't think anyone is assuming the worst or wishing the worst on you. In fact I think in some crazy way they really believe they are "helping." If you somehow anticipate the worst case scenario then you'll endure the hard parts better. Surely you know the old ball and chain warning the minute a man puts a ring on gals finger? Or when pregnant for the first time we got the enjoy every last moment BEFORE the baby comes and you suffer social suicide. And finally, the most recent: Your first born is going to have a really hard time with the second. Be prepared for hatred, jealousy, acting out, and so forth.
I think both of these tendencies really do stem from a place of care. We get excited for what is next in people's life and we want to prepare them for the hard things so that it won't discourage them. However, I just don't really like either. I'd prefer to enjoy the moment I am in. I'd also prefer to focus on all the great things about what is to come. I don't want to waste time planning for a worst case scenario that may not happen.
Perfect example: my firstborn. There has been no hatred. There has been no acting out. Jealousy has not reared an ugly head yet. Maybe at 5 short weeks into the second born's life I am naive and deceived but for all the worry that people shoved my way about even these first 5 weeks it ended up being a waste. Cupcake has been fabulous. She's loving. She's helpful. She's curious. She's observant. She's patient. She's independent when I need her to be. She's still cuddly and sweet when I have the space on my lap. She's patient. She's proud. I have fallen in love all over again with my Cupcake as I've watched her take on her new role as a big sister.
I was prepared for all kinds of ugliness based on the warnings of others. Shame on me. I slipped into the stereo types and underestimated her. I'm sorry, Cupcake. I should have known that you'd embrace Cutie Pie like you do everything with grace, flexibility, optimism, and an outpouring of love. I'm snapping pictures of your luscious curls and ridiculous long eye lashes today and thinking of how thankful I am that your Daddy doesn't feel like he's wearing a ball and chain, how you did not create social suicide for us, and how having a second child did not awaken a monster within you. I am continuously in awe of and deeply in love with you my precious girl.
Behind on blogging, thank you note writing, laundry, grocery shopping, call returning, picture uploading, sleep and if I'm honest...showering. I am not however behind in newborn snuggles, tea parties, dress up, or princess play. While I navigate the balance of two it's the first list I'm wiling to let slip. So hang in with me on the learning curve.
Going back to the week leading up to Halloween... Grandma and Grandpa came at the end of October to meet Cutie Pie and help out. Help out is an understatement! Grandpa completed a list I had of things around the house that did not get done before Cutie Pie's arrival. This included ceiling fan installation, winterizing the house, running some errands and more. Grandma meanwhile managed the kitchen. By managaged the kitchen I mean I did not cook, grocery shop, clean, load a dishwasher, or unload a dishwasher for a week. It was such a treat. Not to mention that each meal was fantastic. Grandma does have a gift in the kitchen!! There were nights after dinner when the hubs and I would literally sit on the couch with our feet up holding the baby while they finsihed cleaning the kitchen and putting food away. It was so nice to have a week to just soak up Cutie Pie and know that we had the help and support around us to do that. Grandma and Grandpa also mananged to get plenty of playtime in with Cupcake. I was impressed that Grandpa climbed the highest slide at the park with Cupcake and also took her to storytime by himself. They had a great time and Cupcake still talks about taking her shoes off on the slide with Grandpa.
As I mentioned before we are so blessed to have so much love and support around us. When we watched Grandma and Grandpa pull out I seriously wondered how we'd survive! Thanks for a great week and all of your help!
A couple of Cupcake's sweet friends joined us for trick or treating. Either the girls are getting older or we're getting better with the camera because here are the three girls all looking at the camera! Aren't they precious?!?
Cupcake was thrilled they went trick or treating with us. She even told several people of homes we went to that these were her friends. It was really sweet.
Grandma and Grandpa were in town to meet Cutie Pie and gave us a really sweet gift! They stayed back at our house to hand out candy so that we could trick or treat as a family. It was really selfless of them to offer to miss out on the door to door part so that we could do it together as a family and know that our house would still be fun for our neighbors to visit. They even raided our costume box and set up on the front porch. They are so fun, check out their costumes:
We also managed to get a group shot before heading out. Sorry Cutie Pie...I didn't hold you up high enough.
Here's an action shot. Cupcake really understood the concept of trick or treating this year. She knew to knock and say trick or treat and she rarely missed a thank you after candy was dropped in her pumpkin. She's asked everyday since if she could go trick or treating again!
One cute quote from Cupcake: She had tripped at one house and spilled some candy. I helped her up and put the candy back in her pumpkin. A few houses later she tripped again. This time she picked herself and the candy up. Then she looked at the hubs and I and with complete dismay said: " I just keep falling." It was so funny!
Today we're packing away Halloween and moving on to Thanksgiving....just like that we head into the holidays! Wow!
"There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin."
We read our final Halloween book tonight: The Night Before Halloween. We tucked into bed in our Halloween pajamas...THANKS AUNT TERRI! We are ready. Let the candy eating, costume wearing, insane amount of picture taking, pumpkin carving, trick or treating, and total toddler excitement begin....it'll start at 9am tomorrow morning. Weeeeee!
Pictures to follow. I wonder who is most excited for tomorrow?
It happened today. I was sad, emotional, and trying to make a note of something I found to be incredibly noteworthy. When I told the Hubs about it his response was "that dead thing?" Any guesses?
Today Cutie Pie lost her umbilical cord stump. Sure, it was a dead thing. But it wasn't always. Less than three weeks ago it was her life source. Not only was it her life source it was her connection to me. A day after she was born, I was in the bathroom of our hospital room and I realized that there was no movement in me anymore. The child that had relentlessly kicked my insides for months had permanently removed her residence. In that moment I was sad. Of course I love seeing her, kissing her, holding her, and seeing her Daddy and sister do the same. But part of me missed how close I carried her for so long. Yet when I changed her diaper each time, I'd see that tiny albeit dead thing still clinging to her belly button and it comforted me. It was proof that not too long ago she was all mine tucked inside for only me to fully experience. Crazy? Selfish? Maternal? Probably all of those. But today when I went to change her diaper the last of the "dead thing" laid there ready to be tossed in the trash. What is left is a precious pink belly button. Maybe you all think I'm nuts but maybe there is a Mom out there who understands my sentiment in the last piece of me connected to her and it's passing. She is her own person now. She'll never remember her first residence and yet I'll forever remember it...and even if I temporarily forgot I could always take a peak at my belly because Cutie Pie left a few marks on my tummy that Cupcake did not.
Goodbye dead thing. When you were a live thing you were indispensable for me and for her. Thank you for doing your job well. Sorry I'm tossing you in the trash with dirty diapers. Seems a little underwhelming for such an amazing part of the new life in this house.
Snuggles AND pumpkin seeds...not to be confused as Snuggling pumpkin seeds. In fact, a certain 2 year old prefers to not even touch pumpkin seeds. The hubs and I were certain that getting dirty and digging out some seeds would be a super fun activity for our ever curious 2 year old. It was a perfect Texas-fall Saturday morning with cooler temps and a nice breeze. We picked out the perfect pumpkin and brought it home.
Next, we cut the top off and opened it up to reveal the wonder that is cleaning out the insides. Look closely at this picture. Cupcake is in my lap guiding my hand with hers. Keeping her hand clean while I do the cleaning out. Who would have guessed that pumpkin seeds would be repulsive?! Guess it is kinda gross for a princess!
Later that day when everyone had enough of the pumpkin which meant we got the seeds cleaned out and then gave up, Daddy and Cutie Pie snuggled on the couch while visions of jack-o-lanterns danced in their heads.
I guess half done projects, naps when we can grab them, and random posts like snuggles and pumpkin seeds are our new normal. Can you still hang with the Crack team?
The hubs and I are incredibly blessed to have helpful and loving family on both sides. We have felt supported and encouraged at each turning milestone from marriage, to home buying, to having children, and the list goes on.
For Gigi and Papa, Cutie Pie was not their first rodeo in the grandchild department. In fact, she was number 4! Just three short Christmases ago their annual letter had some sob sentence to the effect of "one day we'll finally get to be Grandparents." 3 years later and they are running in 3 different directions while holding the 4th. Be careful what you wish for!
Of course this also meant that it was the 4th time for them to roll into town to help with a new baby. Although "roll" isn't exactly accurate of the chaos that ensued when Cutie Pie trumped her induction date. They came, they cooked, they cleaned, they played, they answered countless "why" questions of my curious 2 yr old, they took Cupcake for treats, they got up early, they stayed up late, and they did it all with smiles on their faces and endless patience. Whew! I'm not sure how we would have survived the first week without them.
Here are Cutie Pie's first pictures with her well seasoned Gigi and Papa. She isn't quite old enough for her first Callie picture but they were introduced as well and I'll say that 4 babies later Callie, the empathetic chocolate lab, is much more tolerant of infants crying and all the smells they produce. By tolerant, she really just stuck to her first baby and best bud, Cupcake.
It's coming!!! With eager anticipation of the ultimate night of make believe our little cupcake, sometimes princess, sometimes orphan annie, and sometimes fairy has been doing a few practice runs for her hair style for the big night. She still has darling curls naturally but for this particular night, we're taking it up a notch.
She hasn't see her dress....she doesn't know that her beloved Daddy figure has a locket for her...and really she doesn't even have a full concept of how close it is....ONE WEEK AWAY. But, practicing is fun enough for now and I have to say I love how precious she looks running around like a total maniac in prissy little rollers. I imagine a life full of such juxtapositions. Before you go postal on me with loving the rollers and dolling up my 2 year old...we aren't entering any beauty pageants and I wouldn't do this to her if she didn't herself LOVE it. Let the count down begin....7 days.
For those who are newer Crack Addicts and gasping at our excitement for Halloween, here is a post from last year on why we celebrate. Happy Halloween!
Yay! Our reindeer family has been a fun source of play ever since.
Is it strange that the only similar picture of my girls thus far is one of them yawning? By similar I mean the same pose. I don't even think they look alike in these pictures though there are lots of times I do think they look the same. I guess with all our action and adventure comes some serious sleep too!
The first meeting! Soooo in love with my Cutie Pie:
Gigi got to visit the hospital this time:
On Friday my Godparents came for a lasagna dinner...no turkey leftovers were stuck in! Bob was a natural with Cutie Pie. Gigi did a fabulous job of hosting the huge group.
The belly of the songbird is sheet music. Sigh. I love little details.
One cute quote from Cupcake: She had tripped at one house and spilled some candy. I helped her up and put the candy back in her pumpkin. A few houses later she tripped again. This time she picked herself and the candy up. Then she looked at the hubs and I and with complete dismay said: " I just keep falling." It was so funny!
