A Birthday is Upon us........

Almost four years have passed, and I’m still drunk with love every time I look at him, smell him, touch him...........drink him up. He’s all eyelashes and fuzzy butter-soft skin, contented smiles, still such small feet and hands, bruised legs. I can’t remember how I breathed before him? The day we celebrate his birth is upon us and I know my first born. I know his needs, his loves, his dislikes, all of his precious quirks. I would do anything for this precious boy and his sister and for the man who made them possible. But somewhere along the way I lost myself.

I’m not the same person I was 4 years ago. Everything is different, easier and harder. Fifty pounds smaller on the outside, with a heavier heart on the inside. I’m happier and richer and poorer and so much more exhausted. I have two children and I feel like a child. I’m all grown up and responsible and clueless. I have a purpose and a reason, but less direction. I’m thirsty and I’m full. Everything is different and I don’t know where it’s going or where I’m going, but I know that it’s all for these two babes, my husband, for our family. I’ll figure it out, I’m figuring it out as I go..........one step at a time.

I’m not the same person I was 4 years ago.

A Wish Came TRUE

wish

look carefully, can you guess what he is wishing for?

Connecting the d.o.t.s.

I never realized connect the dot worksheets were number practice,

truly,

I didn't!

I always looked at them as a fun and unique way of learning to draw a picture. It was not until B had an entire page of connect the dot pictures in his new dry erase number book that I finally put two and two together.

Call me crazy!

Whatever the case, I am loving this new world Ben is opening up for me, it is fun to see the world of education through the lens of my own kids. By the way, my almost 4 year old son can recognize all of his ABC's and his numbers 1-10 and on occasion 11-20, what a SMART boy!!!!!

Less is More?

New Life

Today I had the pleasure of photographing a friend of mine who has a precious new life growing inside of her. I believe it is one of the most amazing things to behold on this earth. She is already the mother to two beautiful girls, and carries a third bit of sunshine waiting for her debut. A reminder of how breath-taking motherhood is. Thank you Christine for trusting me to capture this beautiful moment in your life!

I am in love with TWO boys..............

Gloomy

The sun finally broke through the clouds yesterday. It was the first day that was not gloomy in what feels like weeks. The kids have been pretty good sports about the weather keeping us indoors. After all, they love to be naked and they love to jump on pillows. This week it was high time we remove the slip covers from their overstuffed anywhere chairs from Pottery Barn and have them cleaned. This meant four more cushions a piece to jump on and build forts with. It was so great to get them outside yesterday, but I think they slightly missed the gloomy weather keeping them naked and indoors, jumping on and building with pillow to hearts content.

An Official Girly-GIRL

I think when your little girl can turn an oven mitt into a purse, she has become an official GiRlY GiRl!!!

A Haircut

We both got haircuts today, how beautiful is my baby girl?

The Things They Say

B- "Mommy, when I get bigger, can I sit in the front seat with you?"

MomBE- "Yes, baby, but you have to get much bigger than you are now."

B- "When I get bigger, I will be able to reach the Horchata (drink of choice right now) Right?"

MomBE- "Yes, B, that is right"

B- "Mommy, will my bottom get bigger too?"

MomBE- "Yes, B, as you get bigger, so will your bottom"

B- "ok, just checkin"

A REAL Man

Bathing Beauties

You ever go SO long without bathing your kids, you feel in need of a chisel to remove the dirt?

Not sure how I ever loose motivation to bath them, they are too cute when they are wet!!!!

Wouldn't you agree?????

Positively HOT Pink

What to do on the third snow day of the week? Pretend there is a sandy beach awaiting and get that much needed pedicure on those poor piggies you have been neglecting. And who better to do it with that my sweet little princess. The Dad-O and I like to split the kids up and take them on individual dates when we can. Having two this close together means they have no memory of having mom and dad to themselves. The parents don't remember much about that either. Oh, how I love alone time with my babes. Emme stole the show at our local Spa walking in with the perfect shade of green bow in her slightly to the left swept hair. For those who do not know her well, the child is a HAM (see last joke post) so her lean toward convincing anyone she just met that she is shy can be somewhat annoying. Emme put on her own shy show and said very little during her mani-pedi! The little turkey! It was still a very memorable experience, one that we will surely do again. I let her pick her own color and she had an opinion about what color I was to wear as well. We matched in a Positively HOT pink. It really is a pretty dreadful color, but as long as she wants to match her mommy.......................well, I am in.

A New Humor

It has been a while since I have laughed SO hard! Ben is learning how to tell a joke and is thrilled with his ability to make others laugh. I love that he is even recognizing that timing is everything. How I would love to get in that head of his and know if he really even understands the concept of joke telling, but that would probably take all the fun away, wouldn't it?

Whatever the case is with Ben, it seems that all Emme knows is that she wants in on the action, and she is willing to try anything to get a laugh. She truly does have the ability to make just about anything funny! Even if it is combining 3 different questions and one punch line! OH how I LOVE this life!!!!!

WOW check out this giveaway!!!!!

Gilligan's Tour

Staying home is an amazing gift! But there are some challenges that come along with it. Living in a fairly small town with limited options for entertainment and being on a one income budget can be difficult at times. These challenges are also a wonderful help for me to be creative with our time and money and for my kids to learn to appreciate the littlest things. ENTER: our two dollar tour of the mall. {sing it with me.......a two dollar tour, a two dollar tour......}

This is pretty much a weekly event in our home, and when we do it, my kids think their MomBE hung the moon! I am such a proud Mama to see my kids take joy in such small things.

A break down of our tour:

1) the escalator at JCPenney free

2) 10 pennies a piece to put on the "coin rollercoaster" 0.20

3) a visit to Tilt the arcade where they have no idea it takes $ to play the games:) free

4) a walk around the glow in the dark mini golf track pointing out the way they glow in the dark and watching other kids play golf, which they know we will do when they get a bit older free

5) small ice waters at the cookie company 0.52

6) If we are a good little boy and good little girl, a small scoop of mini gummies for E and sixlets for B at the candy store {roughly $2}

This takes a little over an hour, and the kids have a great time! If the budget allows, we get a 12 pack of chicken nuggets on our way out the door. We typically go when the mall opens at 10am and eat lunch when we get home. By that time, it is almost nap time and the kids are tuckered out. If the mall is not busy and I am in a brave mood, I do let them get out of the stroller and run around me a bit { I use the visit to the candy store at the end to bribe them to get back in the stroller or listen to me if needed}

Tino La Frosto

A Snowman with the Dad-O

Furry Friends a Furry Clothes

Rounding out our Christmas, we spent another evening of unwrapping and refueling at Mickey and DeeDee's house. We made another wonderful bunch of Christmas memories in their cozy home too! The food was phenomenal and the presents were unique......to put it lightly. E's new digs included a black furry vest with matching furry boots, something every girl needs, and leave it to DeeDee to make sure E gets. B's clothes included a rugby shirt straight out of the 80's with the white rubbery buttons and everything, I can't wait to put him in it. They both got these "Fur Real" stuffed animals that I guess are all the rage in some parts, but because we are so unplugged from commercials, I had never heard of them. E especially loved her kitty cat, and B is still not quite sure about his monkey. I find them a bit creepy, but its not about me, is it?

An Airport and A Vanity

After a beautiful morning full of snow and new toys to play with, we headed over the river and through the woods to Nonni and Poppy' s house. Awaiting us was a "traditional" meal for Christmas day of Turkey, sweet potatoes, corn and all the fixin's. We also had the option of the snackies that my mother has become quite famous for in our family......so famous in fact, that we have come assume they be a part of all celebrations as well. My husband actually said at one point in the eating escapades that he would like to fill the bathtub with my mother's sweet potatoes. Rolling out of Nonni's house is the only way you leave if she has her way. But, aside from the amazing food, there was an airport and a vanity for the elves to enjoy! Benjamin had this airport on his list and never let us forget is was one of his wants. In the sweetest voice before laying down for his nap on Christmas afternoon he asked, "Do you think Santa remembered to bring the airport to Nonni and Poppy's house?" Oh, yes, sweet boy, he remembered! As for Emme, she did not know it until she got it, but santa knew she needed a vanity of her own, after seeing her spend hours at Allie's vanity. And from the expression on her face, santa certainly did know best!