Liam giggled...

...enough said!

Seth and I were playing with him on the front porch last night and got to hear it together. Made us both grin from ear to ear. Oh, what special times! We are so blessed! :)

Sweet, Sweet Summertime

As I've just recently gotten home from the county fair, reality sets in that the summer most certainly is coming to a close. It is so hard to believe. It seems like yesterday I was wrapping up one school year, but am now getting ready to start another. However, it seems like little Liam has been a part of our family for much longer than two months. As summer fades into fall, there are many things that I will miss.

* time with my precious children.


* the beach



*dramatic play

* playing dress up


* story time at the library

Makayla loved to bring home a ton of books, puppets, and videos each week!

* visiting with friends

* reading good books

(Thanks "Mr. Wilber!")

* summer birthdays


* frozen coffees

(decaf. of course!)

* rain and rainbows


* playing in the yard


* pool time

* coming up with creative ways to soothe the baby

Liam's new favorite place to hang out is under the hood on the stove...ah, white noise!

* late nights and sleeping in

* hearing Makayla "play music" and make up her own songs



* naps


* lunch dates with Mimi

* ice cream


* watching Makayla try new things

Thanks Grandpa for the crabs and the cute picture!

* being a full time Momma


I am looking forward to the challenges that a new school year will bring, but am sad that I won't be spending every day with my babies. I will miss them dearly. I am so thankful for a wonderful sitter though, and the experiences they will have with her.

Two Month Crib Shots

Again, I love to compare what the children look like...

Liam Jackson

13 lbs. 12 oz
24 1/4 inches

Makayla Rose
13 lbs. 5 oz.
24 1/4 inches

The "twos" check-up

On Friday, Seth and I took the children for their well baby check-ups. Makayla went for her two-year and Liam went for his two month. Both children are BIG and healthy. Both children got shots. Makayla HATES bandaids, so she cried when they put the bandaid on her finger prick. Liam did great as well, but was weepy Friday evening.

Updates on the little (or should I say BIG) ones:

Makayla:
*37 inches tall (they say you can double that for an adult height estimate...you do the math!)
*32 pounds
*takes off and puts on her own shoes
*makes up her own songs to familiar tunes (sounds like her mama!)
*can come down our steps on her own now
*loves, loves, LOVES to pretend play (puppets, babies, etc.)

Liam:
*24 1/4 inches long
*13 lbs. 12 oz.
*is beginning to grow out of his colic...a little ;)
*loves kisses on the cheek
*smiles and coos

I love my babies!

Turning Two

It's so hard to believe that my "baby" turned two yesterday! Where does the time go? We had a great time celebrating with family at her carnival themed party on Saturday.

Warning: There are a lot of pictures! I had a hard time weeding them out! Enjoy!!!

Chocolate dinosaur cake with pink icing...special request from my favorite little lady.

Daddy borrowed a jumping house from work...Makayla was a little nervous to play in it, but her cousins sure enjoyed it!

Big girl birthday cup

Bring on the clowns!

Pinata time!
Burning off energy from cake



Just for fun...

Daddy and his little man

After such a wonderful day, I hate to end on such a note, but now more than ever, I feel that we are starting to experience some of the "terrible twos." We work so hard to raise our children the best way we know how, but I'm shocked at the behavior that has come from our precious little lady over the past few weeks. I know (or at least hope) that it is a phase, but could really use some advice and encouragement to make this "phase" less painful...tears at a mother's heart...and patience!

Sand, Sun, and Ice Cream...oh, my!

Mom and I just got back Friday afternoon from our trip to VA Beach with the kids. We headed down Tuesday...let the giggles begin! We had so much fun talking with each other and spending some great quality time with the kids.

Some highlights:

We arrived around 10:00PM...just in time for a walk down the strip and some play time before bed time.


Wednesday morning we took the kids down to the beach. Liam slept...Makayla played! After being in calm waters at the lake for a week, it took Makayla a little to warm up to playing in the ocean waves.



Wednesday evening, we took a ride on a surrey bike. We were serenaded by thunder and watched the lightning illuminate the sky. We were determined to get ice cream and return the bike before the rain began...we were close, but we did it! Not sure ice cream ever tasted so good. Note to self...giving a toddler ice cream before bed...not a good idea!

The storm Wednesday evening really cooled things off, making the weather perfect for mini golf Thursday morning. Makayla quickly grasped the concept of getting the ball in the hole, and ran around like she owned the place. We headed to Ben and Jerry's for yes, more ice cream! Note to self...giving a toddler ice cream before nap time...not a good idea!!!



Thursday afternoon it stormed again. Instead of heading to the beach, we headed to the indoor pool. I wasn't sure how Liam would react. He actually enjoyed the water. It must have been soothing...he fell asleep while we played in the water!



Our trip ended too soon, as we headed out Friday morning. I loved all of our time spent together and the memories we made...plans for next year...in the making! :) We LOVE the beach!