Sunday, February 15, 2009
Happy (Belated) Birthday, Mimi!
Mimi had a special milestone birthday a couple of weeks ago but we didn't get to celebrate it because she was crazy-busy at work. So we were super happy she came in and spent the weekend with us-- she even let Emmylou help her blow out the candle on her birthday cake! Happy Birthday, Mimi! We love you!
Emmylou is 35 months old
Dear Lou,
Yesterday, Valentine's Day, marked one more month until you turn 3! You are so excited about your upcoming birthday but you're also pretty excited about just about anything these days.
You thought Valentine's Day was pretty great, probably because you really raked in the gifts and candy. We leave for Mardi Gras on Thursday and you really can't wait to get there. For the last couple of weeks you and I have been taking turns pretending to climb up on a ladder and then catching the beads or stuffed animals we hurl at each other. I can't wait to see you there, I really think you're going to have the time of your life.
What's your favorite thing to do right now at home? Easy: dress-up. Yesterday for Valentine's Day Grammie and Carol brought over a whole slew of crazy outfits they hunted down at Goodwill and the Salvation Army. I actually think we had as much fun as you did just watching you put everything on! Of course you love being a princess the best, despite my best attempts to avoid having anything princess-y in our house. I give up, it really must be in the DNA.
You also love to pretend to be your favorite TV characters, especially Max and Ruby. You always want to be Max and as long as I end every sentence with that name ("Okay, Max, it's time to get in the car and go to school, Max!") you think it's hilarious and almost always do what I say ("Okay, Ruby!").
We have had some really great times this past week, maybe the best ever. Maybe because I came back refreshed from Costa Rica or maybe just because you have become sweeter than ever, but I have been enjoying every second with you. You keep me laughing with the hilarious things you say and I can't get enough of our sappy "No, I love you more" contests.
I couldn't be luckier to have you and your brother.
All my love,
Mommy
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Back from paradise...
We made it back from Costa Rica! Gary and I had a great time on our little vacation. Normally I would've been upset that we never left the resort to explore Costa Rica, but this time it was just fine with me. I basically slept and read and enjoyed the freedom of doing whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted-- a totally foreign concept these days. I laid by the pool, worked out, got a massage and enjoyed getting ready for evening dinners without any rushing at all. I seriously love having time to groom when I'm on vacation.
We were originally supposed to do a zip-line canopy tour of the rain forest on Wednesday, but that got canceled when Gary's customers wanted him to go deep-sea fishing with them instead. They ended up hooking a 200-300 pound sailfish and trying to reel it in for over 2 1/2 hours until it finally broke the line when it was Gary's turn. At least that was the story. I'm still waiting to see a photo for proof... I think there was a lot of cerveza on board.
The timing of the trip was perfect. Four days and three nights didn't sound like much before we left, but I was dying to see the kids by the last day. Also, I forgot some parts to my electric breast pump that I hauled all the way there (idiot) so after 4 days of using my manual hand pump every four hours, my magic boobs were dying to get home too.
I didn't take any photos the first few days because they'd be of either my bed or a lounge chair by the pool, but I did manage to take the camera out on our last day when we decided to rent ATV's on the beach.
Here are a couple of the beaches we saw and what Gary and I might look like if we were bikers:
The black blobs in the tree are monkeys:
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We owe Grammie HUGE thanks for taking such great care of the kids while we were gone. Not only did she keep them dressed and fed (and alive), she got Emmylou to school twice and Miller is now completely sleeping through the night (thanks also, Em!). We should have done this ages ago!
After a day of getting settled back in, we took the kids to Guero's for dinner on Saturday night. Miller looked like he was ready for something other than milk and Emmylou was just happy to be back on her daddy's shoulders.
We were originally supposed to do a zip-line canopy tour of the rain forest on Wednesday, but that got canceled when Gary's customers wanted him to go deep-sea fishing with them instead. They ended up hooking a 200-300 pound sailfish and trying to reel it in for over 2 1/2 hours until it finally broke the line when it was Gary's turn. At least that was the story. I'm still waiting to see a photo for proof... I think there was a lot of cerveza on board.
The timing of the trip was perfect. Four days and three nights didn't sound like much before we left, but I was dying to see the kids by the last day. Also, I forgot some parts to my electric breast pump that I hauled all the way there (idiot) so after 4 days of using my manual hand pump every four hours, my magic boobs were dying to get home too.
I didn't take any photos the first few days because they'd be of either my bed or a lounge chair by the pool, but I did manage to take the camera out on our last day when we decided to rent ATV's on the beach.
Here are a couple of the beaches we saw and what Gary and I might look like if we were bikers:
The black blobs in the tree are monkeys:
.jpg)
We owe Grammie HUGE thanks for taking such great care of the kids while we were gone. Not only did she keep them dressed and fed (and alive), she got Emmylou to school twice and Miller is now completely sleeping through the night (thanks also, Em!). We should have done this ages ago!
After a day of getting settled back in, we took the kids to Guero's for dinner on Saturday night. Miller looked like he was ready for something other than milk and Emmylou was just happy to be back on her daddy's shoulders.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Miller is 5 months!
Hi, Miller!
Happy 5 month birthday, little guy.
I just can't get enough of you these days! You spend the days smiling and laughing or grabbing for your feet and every toy around. You absolutely light up when you see me, which melts my heart. Right now your favorite toy is your Eric Carle elephant that lives at Grammie's and your favorite book is Mrs. Mustard's Baby Faces. You pretty much go bananas whenever you see either one.
You are so cuddly, soft and squishy! Your head is still as soft as ever, your cheeks are perfect for kissing (or, gnawing, yes) and your little body is just the right size for snuggling. You are sturdy and strong but still pudgy and delightful.
You just went to the doctor for your 4 month check-up last week (I know, I was a little late getting you an appointment) and you did great. Here are your latest stats:
Height: 25 3/8 inches (50th percentile)
Weight: 15 lbs., 15 oz. (50th percentile)
Head Circumference: 43.5 cm. (75th percentile)
I guess that means you're getting super smart. And I can't believe you've evened out so much since you came out of the womb! You must have been having a party in there.
I haven't broken the news yet to you that your daddy and I are going to Costa Rica in the morning, but Grammie's going to take good care of you while we're gone! I'm going to miss you and your sister like crazy but I think I'm going to come back a more relaxed, more sane mommy for you two.
I love you, Miller! I can't wait to see what you do this next month!
Love you,
Mommy
Yesterday with Carol during the Super Bowl:
Happy 5 month birthday, little guy.
I just can't get enough of you these days! You spend the days smiling and laughing or grabbing for your feet and every toy around. You absolutely light up when you see me, which melts my heart. Right now your favorite toy is your Eric Carle elephant that lives at Grammie's and your favorite book is Mrs. Mustard's Baby Faces. You pretty much go bananas whenever you see either one.
You are so cuddly, soft and squishy! Your head is still as soft as ever, your cheeks are perfect for kissing (or, gnawing, yes) and your little body is just the right size for snuggling. You are sturdy and strong but still pudgy and delightful.
You just went to the doctor for your 4 month check-up last week (I know, I was a little late getting you an appointment) and you did great. Here are your latest stats:
Height: 25 3/8 inches (50th percentile)
Weight: 15 lbs., 15 oz. (50th percentile)
Head Circumference: 43.5 cm. (75th percentile)
I guess that means you're getting super smart. And I can't believe you've evened out so much since you came out of the womb! You must have been having a party in there.
I haven't broken the news yet to you that your daddy and I are going to Costa Rica in the morning, but Grammie's going to take good care of you while we're gone! I'm going to miss you and your sister like crazy but I think I'm going to come back a more relaxed, more sane mommy for you two.
I love you, Miller! I can't wait to see what you do this next month!
Love you,
Mommy
Yesterday with Carol during the Super Bowl:
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Roommates
About a week and a half ago I moved Emmylou's toddler bed into her room and fixed the crib back up for Miller. They haven't actually shared the space at the same time yet, but Emmylou seems excited for that to happen in the near future. Sorry these photos are so bad, I took them with my iPhone and the room hasn't been neat enough to take another photo since that day!
Yes, that's Emmylou doing her finest impression of a bag lady, according to Gary.
Yes, that's Emmylou doing her finest impression of a bag lady, according to Gary.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Obama, Baby!
While Emmylou was at school today, Miller and I went to Emily's house for her Inauguration Brunch. We had a great time and the food was so yummy!
Here's a photo of Miller and Em with our new president in the background!
Grammie was ever-so-festive in her American flag sweater (and look at Miller trying to hold his bottle already!):
Obama cookies!
As usual, Em's house looked so cute so I thought I'd take a couple photos of her kitchen and living room for those who haven't seen the renovation she did. I think she did an amazing job!
Here's a photo of Miller and Em with our new president in the background!
Grammie was ever-so-festive in her American flag sweater (and look at Miller trying to hold his bottle already!):
Obama cookies!
As usual, Em's house looked so cute so I thought I'd take a couple photos of her kitchen and living room for those who haven't seen the renovation she did. I think she did an amazing job!
Will work for boots
Here's Emmylou helping PawPaw carry a chair I spotted on our street for Spruce (it's bulk collection week in our neighborhood). He came in for dinner last night and to give Emmylou a new pair of pink cowboy boots since she's already outgrown her last pair. Looks like she's gonna love these just as much as she did her old ones!
Le Petite Artiste
Most of you know I started college as an art major, so you can imagine how excited I was to see this:
Emmylou's first representational drawing!
Those lines on the "cheeks" are ears, natch. Then she added whiskers and made it a cat:
Brilliant!
Too bad she did them on a Magna-Doodle so we can't save them and make a fortune when she turns out to be a famous artist.
Emmylou's first representational drawing!
Those lines on the "cheeks" are ears, natch. Then she added whiskers and made it a cat:
Brilliant!
Too bad she did them on a Magna-Doodle so we can't save them and make a fortune when she turns out to be a famous artist.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Digit confusion
Also, the other day when Emmylou showed up from Grammie's with painted nails, Gary asked her what was on her fingernails. Her response: "toenail polish."
Friday, January 16, 2009
First imaginary friend
Emmylou asked me to take a picture of her new parrot, Squawky. She says he sits on her shoulder all day and she likes to share her food with him. His favorite? Why, Pirate's Booty, of course, but he also likes to eat goldfish.
Isn't he an adorable parrot?
Speaking of goldfish, I should report that Daisy (# 2) is no longer with us. According to Emmylou, last week she "stopped swimming." In fact, she stopped swimming for a few days while Mommy waited for Daddy to remove non-swimming Daisy.
Today when Tripp was over and he asked Emmylou where Daisy was, she said, "in the potty." [Cue Elton John belting out, "... and it's the Circle of Life..."]
Isn't he an adorable parrot?Speaking of goldfish, I should report that Daisy (# 2) is no longer with us. According to Emmylou, last week she "stopped swimming." In fact, she stopped swimming for a few days while Mommy waited for Daddy to remove non-swimming Daisy.
Today when Tripp was over and he asked Emmylou where Daisy was, she said, "in the potty." [Cue Elton John belting out, "... and it's the Circle of Life..."]
Putting the moves on
Last week Miller was really putting the moves on his girlfriend Tate. She looks a little apprehensive but he seemed to think there was nothing wrong with showing up in his jammies and getting friendly on the couch.
Those crazy kids!
Oh, and here are the original lovebirds:
Those crazy kids!
Oh, and here are the original lovebirds:
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Catching up
Dear Miller,
Happy belated 4 month birthday! I'm so excited to see you really growing and changing these days!
You are ALL boy. Strong and feisty, you are already 'walking' your walker around and ever since you turned over for the first time the other day, you can't stay on your back for more than 30 seconds without flipping over. You grab everything with gusto and try to force whatever's in front of you straight into your mouth.
How else are you all boy? Well, the other day when Grammie was changing your diaper, you really let one rip. Then you immediately started cracking up. You also LOVE football. Other than your Baby Einstein DVDs (aka 'Baby Crack'), only watching football will have you calm and happy for long periods of time. We've tried other sports but football seems to be The One.
You are still spitting up so much that I wish I'd invested in a ShamWow a few months ago, but I think your acid reflux is pretty much under control now. You are a sweet, happy, snuggly little guy who loves to talk and laugh and be in the middle of things.
Miller, when I found out you were coming along, I was a little nervous having never been around baby boys before. What would I do with you? I only know girls! But now that you're here it seems so natural and right. I think we're managing just fine. You make me so happy and I couldn't imagine my life without you.
Love always,
Mama
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Dear Emmylou,
Time flies! It seems as if I was just writing you your last monthly letter! Wait, I was... Okay, so maybe not much has changed in the past couple of weeks except that your personality seems to keep getting dialed up a notch with each passing month, even when I think it's impossible. We are definitely way past 11 by now.
You are all about dressing up and still love wearing your cowboy outfit the most. Boots, ballet shoes, tutus, boas, hats, scarves and gloves: you can't get enough of them. You still really love to play and sleep in your tent but you're also really starting to like games and puzzles more now.
Lately you've been super sweet to your brother. You love to kiss him and make him laugh, which is easy for you to do. He is so happy when you're near him, unless of course you're screaming and waking him up.
As you get older, I can't help noticing how much more sophisticated your speech and language are getting. Now the only sound you really have trouble with is the typical "r," and your language is so complex that it stops me in my tracks at times. You like to explain things by telling me, "well, sometimes things like that happen but not..." You are always telling me how things are different or the same and it kind of cracks me up how you love to scream answers at Diego or Dora on TV when they ask you a question or tell you to say something in Spanish. Cute. Smart.
In short, you are a HANDFUL. But by now it shouldn't be a surprise to hear me say that. It's fun being your mom and I couldn't love you or be more proud of the sweet and spirited little girl you have become.
Love you, Babe.
Mom(my)
(I love the look on M's face in this one)
Happy belated 4 month birthday! I'm so excited to see you really growing and changing these days!
You are ALL boy. Strong and feisty, you are already 'walking' your walker around and ever since you turned over for the first time the other day, you can't stay on your back for more than 30 seconds without flipping over. You grab everything with gusto and try to force whatever's in front of you straight into your mouth.
How else are you all boy? Well, the other day when Grammie was changing your diaper, you really let one rip. Then you immediately started cracking up. You also LOVE football. Other than your Baby Einstein DVDs (aka 'Baby Crack'), only watching football will have you calm and happy for long periods of time. We've tried other sports but football seems to be The One.
You are still spitting up so much that I wish I'd invested in a ShamWow a few months ago, but I think your acid reflux is pretty much under control now. You are a sweet, happy, snuggly little guy who loves to talk and laugh and be in the middle of things.
Miller, when I found out you were coming along, I was a little nervous having never been around baby boys before. What would I do with you? I only know girls! But now that you're here it seems so natural and right. I think we're managing just fine. You make me so happy and I couldn't imagine my life without you.
Love always,
Mama
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Dear Emmylou,
Time flies! It seems as if I was just writing you your last monthly letter! Wait, I was... Okay, so maybe not much has changed in the past couple of weeks except that your personality seems to keep getting dialed up a notch with each passing month, even when I think it's impossible. We are definitely way past 11 by now.
You are all about dressing up and still love wearing your cowboy outfit the most. Boots, ballet shoes, tutus, boas, hats, scarves and gloves: you can't get enough of them. You still really love to play and sleep in your tent but you're also really starting to like games and puzzles more now.
Lately you've been super sweet to your brother. You love to kiss him and make him laugh, which is easy for you to do. He is so happy when you're near him, unless of course you're screaming and waking him up.
As you get older, I can't help noticing how much more sophisticated your speech and language are getting. Now the only sound you really have trouble with is the typical "r," and your language is so complex that it stops me in my tracks at times. You like to explain things by telling me, "well, sometimes things like that happen but not..." You are always telling me how things are different or the same and it kind of cracks me up how you love to scream answers at Diego or Dora on TV when they ask you a question or tell you to say something in Spanish. Cute. Smart.
In short, you are a HANDFUL. But by now it shouldn't be a surprise to hear me say that. It's fun being your mom and I couldn't love you or be more proud of the sweet and spirited little girl you have become.
Love you, Babe.
Mom(my)
(I love the look on M's face in this one)
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