Baby Love

So I'm pretty sure with all this birthday celebrating that I'm posting way more Addie pictures than little girl pictures.

So to make up for that...

One morning while Addie was at school a few weeks ago, and I'm sure I was supposed to be cleaning or doing laundry or catching up on something

I decided to grab my camera and follow the girls around in their room.

And what I walked away with are priceless smiles and sweet memories of just an average ordinary day.

Life.

What I'm greeted with each morning and after most naps.

How I adore these little girls. Adore watching them grow.

Explore.

Laugh.

Play.

And what a tremendous gift to be able to capture a small glimpse of that on camera.

I love you {Addie's} baby sisters.

The twins. The little girls.

Our angels. 

Anne Perry & Audrey Kate

Addie's Birthday Day

Addie's actual birthday was March 19th.

It was a Saturday, and a perfect day to celebrate.

Well, except we were treating 3 ear infections, 2 sets of goopy green eyes, fevers, and strep.

So we knew we'd be staying home.

Paul and I had talked about birthday traditions that we wanted to start with the girls.

We have no idea how long they will want to do any of this...but it was perfect for this year:

a special breakfast, lunch out, a special dinner celebration, and a favorite movie pick that night.

It would be their day.

With everyone sick, lunch out...was, er, out.

But we weren't going to let it ruin our big girl's special day!

So we started it with this:

Toughest pancake I've ever made. Yes, I broke it; but I don't think Addie noticed because she was too busy begging for more syrup!

Then we had a laid back morning with naps for the girls and playing with Addie while a special surprise was being built in our backyard!

After lunch in, it was nap time for all and a promise of that something special in our backyard to be complete when she woke up.

Shortest nap ever!

But thankfully the timing was perfect and so was the weather!

The little girls were still asleep so we brought Addie outside...

Her reaction was like no other, nothing we'd expected. I think she was so completely shocked that she had no idea what to think or do!

But it quickly turned to huge smiles and pleas for playing!

And play we did.

After about 5 minutes of playing, she looked up at us and said thank you for my beautiful playground!

Well, that thanks needed to be spread to grandparents who had helped fund it; so I put my new iphone to good use and emails and text pictures were sent!

The little girls enjoyed themselves too!

Anne Perry felt much better holding on while swinging but laughed and laughed!

Audrey Kate enjoyed her turn, but she was much more interested in standing in the soft leaves and dirt and proclaiming her love for, um, something.

We were so thankful RieRie could come celebrate with us!

After we could play no more, it was time for Addie's birthday dinner.

With the choice of mac-n-cheese, poppyseed chicken, and pizza; Addie had chosen pizza for her special dinner.

So we sat outside and Daddy brought out this!

The 3 slid a little but it was still fairly visible! love it!

This is the only picture I have of the new playset, but I think you can see it even though it's blurred: 3 swings, a slide, and covered area with Addie's favorite: a telescope, wheel, and periscope!

We ate cupcakes and enjoyed our girl's special day.

I'm pretty sure she was pretty tired by then!

After the little girls were in bed, we all piled on the sofa with popcorn sprinkled with reese's (yum!) to watch Dumbo. 

Have you seen that movie recently? You know, the one with the flying baby elephant that ends happily ever after? I sure am thankful that I didn't remember it as it actually is. Intoxicated little elephants, psychedelic hallucinations, and waking up in a tree? Goodness! ;)

We're pretty sure that Addie enjoyed her day, and we sure did too!

I think this picture might just sum up our day!

We love you Addie-boo!

More posts to come with pictures from the past and birthday party pictures!

Birthday Girl

Today was Addie's 3rd Birthday Party.

She was surrounded by many who love her dearly.

About 46 manys.

We had lunch, pulled piñatas, played on her playground, ate cake, and got lots of sweets.

I could not have asked for a more perfect day:

the rain held off until well after the party {answer to prayers}.

{almost} everyone was able to attend this twice scheduled day.

I had the most amazing {help} preparing for it...family, extended family, and friends.

Everything flowed. Went as planned. Good food. Fun times.

Precious friends.

And this is one tired, grateful, thankful Mama writing this post.

But I had to share a picture with you that pretty much sums up the day:

(yes. she is smiling. she is letting me take her picture. and I think she's pretty adorable!)

love {love} love this girl!

All Good

Everyone is on the mend.

I think.

We're practically living in our backyard with the new playground (post to come).

My car is a beautiful shade of yellow. How about yours?

And I'm preparing for Addie's "redo" birthday party

which means our house is in that disaster stage

right before it becomes perfect (ha) neatness!

So I promise to update soon...

...with a birthday girl post and a birthday day post and a birthday party post.

And all the wonderfulness in between :)

Happy Thursday friends!

Playing in the Park

We have had some gorgeous weather recently.

Then it rained and got all chilly again.

And Addie developed a double ear infection (one in each ear) and a fever and pink eye

Anne Perry developed an ear infection and fever and pink eye

And Audrey Kate developed upwards of 102 degree fever...

and strep!!!!

But before all the snotty-fever-sickness started, we spent some awesome time outside.

We often times put the babies in the wagon and just go for a walk.

We have a little park down at the end of our street.

Otherwise known as {the triangle park}

Because, you guessed it, it has 3 sides!

It has a few benches, a little fountain and some beautiful trees.

And plenty of space to kick/throw around a soccer ball!

She actually wanted me to take her picture! I was thrilled! She even smiled and posed for me!

The little girls had fun watching their big sister and Daddy play around...

Now I must put a disclaimer on this next picture.

To me, it looks like she's actually kicking/kneeing the ball.

And while I do believe her gross motor skills are more her size appropriate than her age appropriate, she does not in fact have the coordination to knee a soccer ball!

I'm pretty sure I don't either.

But it looks like she does here...and I was pretty impressed with the picture at least!

What I love the most about these pictures though is that Addie is smiling.

Smiling because the weather is gor-geous.

Smiling because she's playing soccer with her daddy.

Smiling because she's joyful and happy and loved.

Smiling at the camera, allowing me to capture her utter happiness.

Thankful.

Thankful for a joyful child. Thankful for her {overall} health and {developing} talents. Thankful to be her Mama.

And in complete disbelief that she just turned three years old on Saturday!

Let's Go!

Saturday was gorgeous!

Paul had been up half the night with a call from work.

So after he let me sleep late, he took a nap.

We knew we wanted to do something outside

but I had no idea we could move so quickly!

Within 30 minutes, we were all 5 up and dressed.

Babies' lunch packed.

Drinks and snacks packed.

Diapers, wipes, jackets, lovies, pacies, phones, camera, keys...

And off we went to pick up c-f-a for lunch and on to the zoo!

After unpacking everyone and everything from the car, Paul got another call.

Nothing big, but as he was trying to hold the phone and a drink while pushing Addie up the curb, he spilled his drink.

More on that later.

We had a blast. It wasn't too crowded. Everyone cooperated.

And we have pictures to prove it!

The little girls loved strolling around the zoo and being able to see so much.

Addie loved walking around and seeing all the animals!

I even attempted a picture of all 3 together.

Can you imagine what Addie is saying here?

It begins with DON'T...

Fortunately I got some cute ones of her when she wasn't looking.

 

I love Audrey Kate's little coyness here

And Anne Perry's serious little face here

After hitting the main attractions, we headed to the train.

The line was long and a few little {and big} ones started protesting.

I all of a sudden started looking for my phone.

I had Paul call it, and it went straight to voicemail. Not a good sign.

And then I remembered I'd tucked it inside Addie's stroller sunshade.

You know, the waterproof sunshade on the stroller Paul was pushing up a curb while holding a drink and talking on the phone?

Well, apparently unbeknownst to us some of that spilled coke managed to collect in the folds of the waterproof sunshade

And my phone apparently sat in said puddle of coke for over an hour.

No amount of time sitting in rice, begging, pleading, hoping, anything

would turn my good 'ole blackberry back on.

So in addition to a child with a double ear infection, another with a single one, and yet another with strep throat, and all 3 girls with snotty noses and gunky eyes...

...I got this for my birthday!

It did not in fact negate the immense levels of sickness, crankiness, and all around no fun in our house

but a little bubble blaster, drop 7 and so many sweet calls, emails, texts, and facebook messages

might have sweetened it just a little!

...but the Wisteria isn't Blooming Yet

We started going to a local library for story time on {some} Fridays.

Mr. Wes started his welcome last week with an...

isn't the weather beautiful, spring is coming, grass is green, flowers are blooming talk.

And my {shy} child who rarely leaves my side and often times sits in my lap during story time

pipes up...

Mr. Wes. Mr. Wes.

{waving her hand in the air}

I hold my breath

the...the...the...wisteria 

the wisteria isn't blooming yet.

Completely taken off guard. Completely shocked my child is talking in a group of 15+ kids and 10+ adults. Completely floored that she's actually sharing an

appropriate, on topic, relevant comment

All I could do was {smile}

Mr. Wes graciously tells Addie that she must make sure to tell him when the wisteria does bloom.

{big grin and nodding of her head}

Immediately followed by:

and I have an owie but it's all better now.

My how I love that little girl!

My grandmother's favorite flower was Wisteria.

Beautiful shades of purple and lilac and lavender.  

As Addie has spent time with my mom recently, they have discussed trees and flowers that are or will be blooming:

dogwood, bradford pears, azaleas

and Wisteria.

And as we discovered a few days ago

the Wisteria is in fact now blooming!

We'll have to make sure Addie informs Mr. Wes of this on Friday!

Wordless Wednesday

9 Months

As of about a week and a half ago, the babies are now officially 10 months old.

That doesn't mean I've managed to do their 8 or 9 month posts though.

I posted the fewest times in the month of February since I started this blog when Addie was born. 

That says a lot about our month.

So I'm going to combine them.

Nine {and eight} months people.

I know I say it each month, but it's flying by!

These past 2 months:

Anne Perry

Anne Perry has decided clapping and giving high-fives are the best things ever and loves to put things on/over her head! She's great at "saying" more and is finally eating solid foods as well as she was eating baby food! Her fine motor skills are rather extraordinary (to me at least :).

 

After her bout with the flu, she managed to develop not one but two ear infections; and the second antibiotic did not agree with her! She had quite the intense reaction to a cousin of penicillin but is finally back to her happy, laughing self!

 

Her two teeth still remain her only teeth. Not crawling hasn't bothered her until recently. She could bend at the waste and reach so far that she never needed to move from her little spot in the middle of all the toys.

 

That is until now. She gets so frustrated when Audrey Kate crawls away and doesn't hesitate to let us know it! She's just started flopping over to her belly and swimming by kicking her legs and waving her arms. The up on all fours rocking has just started too. I have a feeling this girl will be crawling before we know it!

She is typically all smiles and lots of (loud) talking. When we're out, she loves to make eye contact with people and breaks into a huge grin when they acknowledge her. She much prefers to be in Mommy's arms, especially when I'm holding someone else, and lets me know with a big poked out bottom lip! I love her passionate disposition and strong reactions to her surroundings. It's become more and more apparent to me why she was one (of three) survivors last October. We are so thankful that God has blessed us with this little girl!

 

Anne Perry has managed to almost keep up with her big sister's head size. It doesn't look to be on the large size, but I can certainly tell a difference when I try to put clothes over it! Her weight and length seem to have evened out in the 50th%ile for now. But even with that, carrying the two little ones is the equivalent of carrying one Addie (very near 40 lbs)!

weight: 19lbs 6 oz/50th%ile     (from 17lbs 9.5oz/75th%ile at 6 months)

length: 28cm/50th%ile     (from 26.8 inches/75th-90th%ile at 6 months)
head circumference: 46.7cm/90th%ile     (from 44.2cm/90th%ile at 6 months)

Audrey Kate

 

Audrey Kate is on.the.move! She pretty much took off on February 5th! There is no keeping this girl in one place.

 

By the end of the day, the little tops of her feet are red from crawling, but she is not a fan of socks. She is excellent at pulling herself up to her knees but has just now started sticking her leg out to balance on a foot. She isn't pulling up yet; but when you stand her up, she will stay steady holding onto something, especially the side of her crib.  Her gross motor skills are rather extraordinary (to me at least!).

She has finally convinced me that jarred baby food (or any baby food for that matter) is yucky and that an entire diet of table food is completely appropriate for her (at 8 months!). She eats and eats and eats and hardly spills anything! I think her sweet little cheeks are proof of that!

We've discovered a more, let's say, determine side of Audrey Kate. Surprisingly, she's got some pretty significant stranger anxiety and will tear up if she isn't sure of someone or doesn't like a loud noise. She just wants to be near the familiar or to be able to reach out and hold your hand for that reassuring touch.

Audrey Kate is such a happy baby! She adores her big sister and loves to be kissed on! It has also become more apparent to me why this little girl is also a surviver. Her go-with-the-flow self will usually adjust and adapt to her surroundings, as long as Mommy or Daddy are near. One of my favorite things about Audrey Kate is that when I pick her up, she wraps her little arms around my neck and holds on. What a precious blessing she is to our family!

While Audrey Kate's head seems to be getting larger by the numbers, it's still smaller than her sisters; but most people would guess that her's is the larger of the two. I'm pretty sure her sweet squishy cheeks play a role in that. She's managed to stay right about average in weight and height (but just enough ahead of her twin sister in weight to see a difference).

weight:  19 lbs 10.5 oz/50th %ile      (from 16lbs 8.5oz/50th-75th%ile at 6 months

length: 27.375 inches/50th%ile     (from 27.2 inches/90th%ile at 6 months...I think this was over measured then)

head circumference:  44.6cm/75th%ile    (from 42.5cm/50th%ile at 6 months)

Between the two of them, we managed to visit the doctor 4 (legitimate too) times in only 8 days due to so much yuckiness! We love our Dr. B, but that's a little excessive. Spring and summer, where art thou?

These sweet baby girls are now in big girl convertible car seats and love having more room! Addie sits in between them and is a huge help replacing paci's and handing off toys. Of course, she never takes anything from them or gets frustrated when they bother her or grab her arm! They are attending Kindermusik each week with me, and we all three love it! Their newest foods are cheese and yogurt, and they love both! Their new favorite is a sundried tomato or spinach tortilla "sandwich" spread with cream cheese.

It's been so much fun to start seeing the little girls interact with each other and with Addie more. I learned quickly not to sit them too close to each other when toys are involved. Riding in the Publix cart proved to be a little challenging because there was always one who wanted what the other had (yes, I'm seeing a trend here already). Addie loves to make them laugh, but I'm afraid she loves to hear them scream too. Much of the time she's super sweet and helpful.

I know I've already posted the pictures below, but I think they sum up our little girls nicely! As unique and different at they are, there is a sweet bond there, more than sisters...more like twins.

We love you Anne Perry and Audrey Kate. We pray daily for your sweet hearts and continue to be amazed and honored to be your parents!

We love because he first loved us.

I John 4:19