Daddy's balloons

Cutie Pie is in LOVE with Daddy's birthday balloons. Each morning when we come downstairs she is frantic looking around until she spots them. Once she sees them, she smiles, relaxes a bit, but keeps an eye on her beloved helium friends. When Cupcake runs around with them in hand, Cutie Pie giggles with glee. I'm sure she thinks they are dancing for her.

One afternoon when Cupcake was taking a particularly long nap Cutie Pie and I were playing. I decided that she should have her own time with the balloons. I tied a tiny loop and placed it on her finger.

Gasp - horror - I know. Before you leave a comment with the lecture about strings, choking, helium balloons, and all the warnings I WAS RIGHT THERE THE WHOLE TIME! I know the risks. I'm not a fool. It was just a few minutes of fun. Glorious fun might I add.

At first, she was in awe. She just couldn't believe the balloons were that close to her:


Then she went nuts with joy! Kicking, flailing, grunting, and giggling all ensued. I only caught some of it on tape:



Shortly later Sissy woke up and the balloon loop was removed. She still watches those balloons from a distance and I'm not quite sure what will happen the day they no longer sail. But for now, I think she relishes in the moment, albeit brief, that they were hers....all hers.

Happy 60th Dad!

Today my first love, hero, advice giver, and advocate turns 60! He's a son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandpa, team mate, dog owner, boss, salesman, and friend to many. Lots of people have worn similar hats in their life but a fewer number have done it with the integrity and loyalty that my Dad has. Driven in his early years by a strict father, later becoming a strict father, and ultimately pushing himself even still to do the right thing even when it's hard, he's a man surrounded by success. He is kind and gentle yet firm and fierce. He is friendly to everyone but has no problem standing up for something when you are out of line. He loves his family and his dog. He has run marathons, traveled around the world, played instruments, given more blood to the blood bank than any person I know, recycles religiously, gives generously, loves music, cars, and swimming in the ocean. He will talk to a stranger, friend the friendless, and be family to those who have none. He takes care of the elderly and has impressed the importance of doing so on others too. His cholesterol is ridiculously low yet he is an ice cream king. He never missed a dance recital or competition...even when the other Dads were playing golf. He loves my Mom and modeled romance well. He was tough on my boyfriends, until I met the right one. When he holds my daughters....I remember what it was like to be his little girl. The first 60 years have been more than admirable and I can't wait to see what the next decades look like for my beloved Daddy!

Happy Birthday....we love you Dad, Father-in-law, and Papa.

Crack team takes a hike

Since our winter is like spring we figure we might as well be outside as much as possible in early anticipation (dread) for what the summer will look like if we're in the 70's in January/February.

This weekend we headed out for a hike. Cupcake was THRILLED! She could barely wait to hit the trail as we unloaded our lunch from the car and got Cutie Pie strapped into her carrier. Once we hit the trails she was a little chatter box pointing out all the nature finds. She also melted my heart in one key moment when I was walking a little cautiously over some wet stones. I was mildly concerned that if I took a slip Cutie Pie would not be so trusting in her carrier. Cupcake turned around extended her hand to me and in full confidence said "Come on Mommy. You can do it!"

Melt.

Total Melt.

Reality check....I probably shouldn't take her out too so while I took her sweet extended hand I realized I better plant my feet firmly.

Anyway, we had a fun hike, a nice lunch, and then played at the park too. Sure it was warm for winter but at least I didn't have a pedicure to ruin!

She likes to help

Cupcake LOVES to help. She'll help with anything....laundry, sweeping, diaper changing, eating M&Ms (not that we do that) counting things, putting stamps on mail, and even getting toilet paper for someone who has just used the loo. If you don't want such "help" you'd be wise to lock the bathroom door while in our home.

I'll try to get some videos of all the help I get around here because A) she's sooooo cute! and B) when CPS asks why I thought it was ok to go on a date night and leave my 3 yr old in charge this will hopefully prove I'm not insane.



Just kidding on part B, Mom. Don't worry.

The big girl bed

A few weeks ago we ripped the band-aid. Cupcake is now in the big girl bed.

Why do I say ripped the band-aid? Yours truly was.not.ready. Cupcake was.

Cupcake really did love her crib. In three years she never once tried to climb out. She would sing, read, and play with babies happily in there for up to 30 minutes if we needed. She has been to this point an excellent sleeper still clocking close to 11hours at night and 2-3 at nap. There was freedom each day and night when I put her in the crib and closed the door. I knew she'd sleep and happily play regardless of what was going on in the rest of the house (so long as we were reasonably quiet). But Cutie Pie wants a room! Cupcake wanted her big girl bed. Mom had to rip the old your-baby-continues-to-be-less-a-baby band-aid.

So, here are the first pictures and video of Cupcake moving to her big girl bed.






And, why did I underestimate my girl? Maybe because true to every other part of Motherhood people prepare you for the worst. When will I quit listening to all the worst case scenarios? We put her in her bed and she did what she always does: sleeps happily, plays in bed happily, until we come and get her. I held my breath for a few days but at this point I'm pretty trusting that we've made the flip and it was seamless.

If you are a Mom about to make the switch...here's one for the positive side: Maybe the only difference will be that your baby is now in a big girl/boy bed. It doesn't always have to be drama. But you do have to swallow that when you open that door to retrieve your precious one...they won't be grabbing their toes in their crib...they'll probably be singing "The Sun will Come out Tomorrow" at the top of their lungs to one of their dolls with their feet on the wall like a wanna-be-teenager. For that, I have no words....

A little dip

Remember when you first got married and everyone would ask "How's married life?" Well now that we have two girls the question I always get is "How are they the same or different?" They are the same. They are different. They are both.

Here's a difference:

Cupcake's first dip in the pool:



Cutie pie's first dip in the pool:



Same totally hot Dad to do the dip....completely different reactions. In regards to their first pool trip: DIFFERENT

Happy Birthday Hubby-love

The Hub's birthday is actually the week before Valentine's Day but as soon as his birthday is over we launch into Valentine's day, our nieces birthday and then my Dad's birthday. Whew. So this picture is a little late but here are the girls helping to make Dad's birthday cake:


This year he had a brownie cake with ice cream in the middle and m&ms around the edge (Thank you, Pintrest). A certain girl LOVED helping...the other was just relaxing!