The Zoo

Another day at the zoo...this one different though because my sister came with us! Blakely & Elle had so much fun! It was really really nice to have a day out of the house and free from whining! I definitely need to get out more =)

Nope, it wasn't raining-I let Blakely dress herself most days-pick my battles, right?

Here we have Blakely saying "HEY GIRAFFE..This is Raffe, Look giraffe!"

Feeding Caroline like a big girl

holding hands walking together...this made my heart smile!

Such a great day...Best day I've had in such a long time =) Thanks Alli, we love you!

SPRING!

I cannot explain just how excited I am for spring & the warmer weather that comes with it.  We have been cooped up inside for way to long! & I am SO excited because this year I will have a YARD to play in! YAY!

Sunday, (St. Patty's day) was extremely beautiful! I couldn't get enough of just being outside so we headed to the playground!

 These two were taken before church with my man in his church attire!

 He isn't used to wearing shoes & is fascinated with them.

our normal

Our normal around here looks a lot different than I ever imagined. I don't honestly know exactly what I imagined raising two kids to be like-but this is way different. I will start by saying that I absolutely love my children with all of my heart and couldn't see my life any other way, but this is hard.

Really really hard.

Parker is at an age where he isn't advanced enough to do all the exploring he wants to do and I stop him from basically all his attempts. I'll sum up 95% of my day looking after Parker: screaming. Blakely is still whining non-stop. I have tried everything I can think of and it doesn't end. The whining might as well be nails on a chalkboard. Blakely doesn't like to share and claims every single toy as hers. They both want me to carry them around 100% of every day and scream when they are the one being left out.

Then sometimes things like this happen...

 and this...

 and this...

 and this...

 and they crawl all over me...

 and crawl all over daddy...

and I am reminded that there are so much good that outweighs the bad.  These are God's children and he chose me to watch after them while on this Earth. 

so when something like this happens from a grumpy yucky moody 3 year old...

yes those are teeth marks

I just have to stay focused and realize that I am doing the best that I can do. So don't let them fool you! (you know all those gals out there pretending like everything is perfect and they have it all together)

Birthday Parties

Blakely LOVES birthdays and gets super excited whenever there is a party! I am always hearing that her birthday is soon and that she will be 3. She also asks when other kid's birthdays are after she meets them. Her friend Nolan turned two the other week and Blakely talked about going to his Elmo party for weeks before the big day arrived!

She is so excited about Parker's party this week & keeps telling him happy birthday! We will have to see what happens when he is opening gifts...

11 Months Old

11 MONTHS! I cannot believe that I am having to plan your FIRST birthday party! I really have to think every time I get asked how old you are--I just want to instantly reply '5 months'...it is just not clicking that you are in fact weeks away from being ONE!

 You have grown SO much this month intellectually as well as physically. You are a crawling machine! You are already pulling up on chairs and toys-I fear walking is in our near future!

 You are still in size 4 diapers and eating the exact same as last month & seem pretty content with that schedule. You are taking about 2 naps a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. I don't have you on a strict schedule at all so the timing varies day to day.

 You are such a handsome little man! I love looking into your deep blue eyes and that contagious smile! Oh how I LOVE your smile! =)

 You say 'Mamma' pretty well and that is about it. You love watching your sister. You LOVE the TV! You love food!

More than anything, you love your lovies!

 You had your first serious sickness this month. It all started Feb. 17-just a yucky cold. Feb. 21 (Mimi's bday) we had to go to the doc since your temp spiked to 104. She diagnosed you with asthma and a double ear infection.

 a few breathing treatments later & some antibiotics, you were feeling better!

much better =)

 My sweet Parker, I love you with all my heart! It brings me so much joy to get to hold you and play with you each and every day. God has blessed me so much by choosing me to be your mommy!

 You think so many things are funny and will laugh this amazing laugh! I wish I could bottle it up and listen to it all day long! I have never heard anything sweeter than that sound! You are such a content and happy baby! THANK YOU for that!!!

 You love playing and will entertain yourself (something sister has yet to learn!)

 You two are just starting to play together! Sister is pretty grouchy most of the time, but for now you are content with being bullied--I keep telling her one day you'll be bigger....

I cannot believe it is time for your birthday big boy! Here it is though-the invite! Daddy & I decided on only inviting family to your big celebration since Daddy is turning the big 30 & Blakely will be having a big bash for turning 3 all within the next month! It will be super special nonetheless! 

I LOVE YOU...More than More!