Saturday

Ramblings

Look how big Norah is! Holy cow. She seriously had a seriously serious growth spurt recently.
{those seriously's were intentional}
Buddies.
Binkie babies. Notice how worn out Norah's is in the front. It's the last one we have and once it's gone - no more bink's!

Isn't it funny how sometimes we think we know what we want but we have no idea? I was thinking about this concept recently. I thought I wanted a boy first for reasons like having a big tough older brother to protect the young. Our appointment came and it was a girl. I thought I wanted another girl for reasons like they could play with the same toys and wear the same clothes. Our appointment came and it was a boy. Of course now I am SO glad and grateful that these two little spirits were sent to us when they were. Little Mommy's helper. Little buddy to kiss on. One of each. Perfect. I'm lovin' it. And hey, shopping for two new wardrobes every season is kind of fun.

ANYWAY,

Every post looks much the same these days. Except Ivan gets a little chubbier in each one. This is pretty much what my days look like. I'm not complainin'.

Have I mentioned how Joe (since April 1st) works from 10am to 11pm? Have I mentioned he works Monday thru Saturday? Have I mentioned we have one car? Have I mentioned I am taking 6 credits? Have I mentioned I have finals this week? Have I mentioned that Ivan doesn't seem to think he needs to sleep at night? Have I mentioned how tired I am?

Ok, maybe I'm complaining.

Luckily, there is hope and a light at the end of the tunnel (a light in the form of a cruise to the Bahamas). Two more months, we can do this! I can't wait to feel like a "normal" family again. You know, that 9-5, home for dinner, tuck the kids in together kinda thing. Huge props to Joe because what he does is not easy and most people would have quit months ago. He works so hard and it's all for us. Of that I am grateful for! Still, this pseudo-single Mom of two-under-two thing is no bueno. It's hard (major respect for my Mom now!) but hey, we're doing it. Because of the lack of sleep, I find that my patience runs thinner with Norah than is typical of me. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or burnt out, all I have to do is sit down and read a blog like this one (which brought me to tears, btw) and remind myself of how I don't want to spend my days doing anything else and I never want to imagine my life without her, tantrums and all. It's sad that we as mother's sometimes need that reminder.

ANYWAY,

I probably have mentioned that I have an addiction to crafts, especially when I'm stressed. Some people drink. Some people eat. I NEED to CREATE. So, look forward to some crafty posts in the near future (or far future, it depends). Because despite the fact that I feel like I wouldn't touch a sewing machine with a ten foot pole for another two years, I have.

Wait for it...









Wait for it...
















Wait for it....











Still workin' on that binocular vision. You can thank me for the laugh later.
Don't you just want to nibble those cheeks? He's getting SO squishy.

Tuesday

I Love My Babies!

The little man! Of course my brother doesn't like that we call him that and thinks we should call him "the big guy" instead. Sorry, he's just too cute. Ivan is the first grandson (#4 grandchild) on my side and #36 on Joe's!
Roarrr..I tried to get a few of the bug, you know, to keep things even but obviously she just tunes me out! Shout out to Daddy for the part-down-the-middle-big-clips-on-each-side-hair-do she's got goin on! (ha ha :) And she wouldn't take that raincoat of for 3 days (regardless of the 90 degree weather). She is so much fun! I need to start doing more Norah updates because she is changing so much and I just want to freeze her in time! She says the cutest things.

Thursday

Ivan is One Month Old!

and he's 9 pounds and 21.5 inches!
we are grateful that he has filled in his forehead wrinkles.

Monday

Recents

Joe's mother has spent the last week with us and gave us a little break Saturday morning with a trip to the temple. It had been too long. It's nice to be just 30 minutes from the DC temple.

Norah loves to stunt with Joe and puts her arms up and yells, "Go Cougars!"

Norah insisted I take this picture of her with her sticker lips. Very serious. After I took the picture and she looked at it she said, "Awesome Momma."


Here we are on the 4th of July waiting for the fireworks to start. I mentioned to Joe on our way home that bringing Owen with us was like having 3 kids. He said it was like having 5. Norah loved the fireworks. Owen barked.

Tuesday

What Pudding?

No explanation needed.




3 Weeks Old

Ivan is growing, growing, growing!

Monkey toes just like his sister.

He's getting cheek-ier! Yum!


Loves to be swaddled.
(and he takes a binkie, hallelujah).

Friday

Recent Bug Happenings

Being really ridiculously goofy (and dressing herself).


Visiting the Air and Space museum - clearly excited.

Enjoying a juice box with her friend Maya.

Getting "owies" almost daily. I'm not sure if we have an extra clumsy girl on our hands or what, but I'm pretty sure 5 legit owies over the course of three days is a little much for an almost 2-year-old?

Melting my heart.

3 Years

June 30, 2007

June 30, 2008

June 30, 2009

Almost June 30, 2010

Three crazy years and two beautiful babies later,
I love you more and more everyday babe!
Happy Anniversary.