April 2010

Since I can't seem to post right at special occassions I intend to catch up by each month. Oh, how I wish I had more time to dedicate myself to this blog.

April 2010

The best part about this month was the family mini-vacation we took. We had a great time at Virginia Beach and Busch Gardens over Easter weekend. Thanks to Holly we had a wonderful photo shot with memorable photos to cherish at the conclusion of a couple great days at the beach-good memories, good food, warm weather, most importantly the whole family all together. We celebrated Ellie's second birthday with a dine-in lunch with Elmo and friends. The kids loved it, and so did the adults.

Wow, look at us!

Elmo, Big Bird & the Kids

Emma, Sara and I ventured up to Northern Viriginia with the Campbell's to visit the National Zoo. We had a beautiful day and loved seeing all the animals. Patricia was even brave to drive right down the main streets of Washington D.C. so Riley could see the Washington Monument, the White House, and Lincoln Memorial. Touring Washington D.C. is our next adventure.

My girls

Trip #1

Where do Mommy and Daddy Work?

Emma is such a treat! There is not a day that doesn't go by that she doesn't make me laugh or smile. She has this wonderful part about her that helps me see things of life in a different way. I am guilty to say that sometimes I get caught up in the "busy-non-important" things that when I do just stop and take in my daugther's enthusiasm of life I feel refreshed, and say over and over, "Do this more often because both us of need it and deserve it."

She recently asked me where mommy and daddy work. I told her that Daddy works at Lowes and that I work at a school teaching kids. Of course, she immediately said she needed to go to. I explained that her time would come soon enough (She will begin pre-school in the fall). A few minutes later she asked me what my school was called. I told her I worked at Cassell Elementary School. Her response was, oh you work at a castle. I explained that is wasn't the kind of castle that a princess would live in. Again, a few minutes later she said, Daddy works at Lowes and you work at an Elphantary School. To me this is simply priceless. I am a proud, hard working teacher at an Elphantary School.

What a cutie

Trying on Mommy's heels

Growing Up!

~BABY SARA~

Sara is nearly 5 months old and blossoming everyday. Honestly where does time go! Our Baby Sara, as Emma calls her, amazes us everyday. Recently, she shared her beautiful laugh with us. There is something so peaceful about a child's laugh. We can tickle her under her checks and she just giggles! She wants to roll over so badly, but realizes that she is going to end up on her tummy which is one of her least favorites things to do. The mommy (and teacher) in me is worried that she hasn't mastered the skill yet, but she is my baby and perhaps I should just let life slow down. She will soon roll over! She is loving her food. She is eating cereal and her yellow veggies. Both of which she enjoys. Looking forward to trying out the green beans and peas. She has a favorite toy. Her frog rattle, which needs to be washed up. It doesn't leave her month when she is holding it. Take a look at how beautiful our Baby Sara is...

Sara loves to be in "the big toy" (as Emma says). She bounces up and down when she turns on the music.

Spending a little time on the floor!

Yummy cereal! This was the first time to ate it. She now is a pro and can have it a little more thick. She is even drinking from a sippy cup.

Thumb sucker?!? Depending on how tired she is Sara will take a pacifier or her thumb. She looks like a pro thumb suckers but enjoys her pacifier just a much. A little time in the bumbo! Doesn't she look just like Rob!

Tummy Time! She screamed right after this photo. Two minutes was enough for her.

Yummy!

Emma and I took advantage of baking a cake as the snow fell! As we were putting in all the ingredients and watching the mixer mix it all together she kept saying, "Is it ready yet?" I told her we had to put it in the oven to bake and she announced that it was ready to eat. That being said she grabbed up the mixer part and starting licking away. Her comment to me was, "Mommy we made a good cake!" While we baked Sara was being entertained with her gym. Once the cake was put in the oven Emma and noticed Sara smiling and holding on to the the links above her. I love watching my girls grow!

Chef Emma

Look at me!

Snow Day!

I love snow days! I enjoyed a second day in a row off from work to hang out with my girls. We ventured up the hill to the Campbell's to have an afternoon of sledding. I wasn't quite sure how Emma would do considering she didn't much care for the few inches we got around Christmas, but she loved it once she got into it. Sara slept through most of it until I was ready for a group picture. She will hate me one day for the picture and having in her a winter jumper that was entirely to big. Of course Emma was not ready to go in after an hour of fun. I know what we will be doing tomorrow!

Ready here I come!

My girls

Fun time with the Riley & Bailey

Life at the Lane's

It is amazing how different your life is once you add another little person to the mix. Rob and I thought it was hard to get ready to go somewhere and be on time, console a crying child, manage washing clothes for three, or get one to bed on time, but now having two little angels makes you realize just how easy we had it. Please don't get me wrong~We LOVE having our two babies, but nobody tells you just how exhausted you become. I am sure when our girls our 10 and 12, hopefully not younger, and want nothing to do with us we will wish for these days back. So for now we try our hardest to cuddle with them when we can, play with them when they want, and remain exhausted because we are living for our kids. Well, enough of the sentimental stuff.

Can you believe that it is already the middle of January! Where has the time gone. January 17th I returned to work. With a heavy heart I dropped my girls off at Mrs. Lorlee's (as Emma calls her) and thought, "Geez, I wish I could stay home everyday." Since that is not possible I made the best of my day and enjoyed the moment when I walked in to Mrs. Lorlee's house and had Emma smiling her beautiful smile and wrapping her arms around me, and Sara looking up at me and giving a little grin like, "Where have you been all day."

Emma reading to Sara

Sara continues to grow and grow. We recently took her to her 2 month check up. She weighs almost 13 pounds and is 24 inches long. I wondered why we had to move onto 3-6 months outfits. She is very strong. She holds her head up very well, looks so intensely at things that we wonder what she is thinking about and kicks her legs and waves her arms when laying down like she is ready to jump up and run around. Her smile is beautiful. It simply lights up the room and now she is cooing and giggling at us when we talk to her. If you step away for a moment she follows you with her eyes like, "Where are you going." She is a cuddle bug and loves to be held and walked around. I say she is like her mommy~curious and slightly nosy.

Play time

What a smile

Emma makes us laugh everyday. For two years old it is remarkable how she has developed such a diverse personality. She is funny, lovable, extremely independent, a great helper, a little stubborn at times, and intelligent. We are in full swing of potty training. I can say it is going very well. What a great day it will be to only buy diapers for one. She likes wearing big girl panties and already tells us she can go all by herself. For Christmas she got cute dress up clothes, a magic wand and jewelry , but instead she wants to dress up in her bathing suite, water shoes and use my foot scrubber as her wand. Now that is funny yet creative! Emma is so wonderful with Sara. She wants to always hold her, help feed her, play with her, and even help with diaper changes. Every morning Emma comes running out to say hello, and give hugs and kisses. The hugs and kisses used to be for Rob and I but now they are only for Sara. I hope this sweet love and patience between sisters never ends.

Dress Up

Doing the chicken dance

Our Beautiful Girls

Rob and I needed some pictures for a project we were working on. We dressed the girls in their big and little sister shirts and headed to Emma's cute room (Emma calls her room her cute room that Goddy did). I think the girls did a great job posing for the pictures. Aren't they adorable?!

Emma & Sara

December 2010