Dear Tavin: 3 years old!

Dear Tavin,

My sweet, sweet boy.  How is that you are 3!?!?!

I have watched you grow in so many ways.  From saying random words here and there to full blown sentences.

From wearing diapers all day to just when you sleep.

From being an only child to an AMAZING big brother!

You are very sensitive and hesitant around new things.

You lend a helping hand whenever asked.

You are funny without trying to be.

 You love to be outside and just go, go, go.

You are my snugglebug and give the greatest hugs.

You love Buzz, Curious George, Annie, Frozen, and Minions.

Your favorite foods are pizza, broccoli/cauliflower, and ice cream.

You are starting to learn your colors, numbers, and alphabet.

You like to go to "mama's work".  I keep reminding you that you'll have plenty of time to work later

Your love/hate relationship with Daisy continues as we weaned you off your wubba in early January.  We told you that Daisy chewed the top off.  You proceeded to say "Daisy spit it out".  You did better than expected with the transition.

You have been mostly healthy this year.  Just a few colds, one bought of strep throat which resulted in a MAJOR rash.



Your birthday celebration was great!  We had mostly family and a couple friends.

You were so excited to hold your new cousin, Griffin, who will have a birthday just 5 days before yours!

And as a surprise, Elmo showed up to your party!

In this picture you are getting ready to bolt it!

You were TERRIFIED of Elmo.  So we had to show you how cool he was.  That he gives high-fives

That he was ticklish.

Finally you warmed up to him and we were able to get a couple pictures,

And another surprise, your cake--Buzz Lightyear!  We (well Dad and Grandma) worked pretty hard at it.  It turned out awesome!

You are the best little man around!  Thank you for being you and coming into our lives!  We love you more than you know.

Love Always,
Mama

Dear Olivia: Month 10

Dear Olivia,


This past month was the "what can I put in my mouth for mom to dig out" month.  I really cannot leave you unattended for long as you will find something to stick in your mouth.

Dog food - check
Packing peanuts - check
too much food - check
some random garbage laying around -

Sure they say the second is easier but that's for like the first 4 months.  After they become more mobile, it's torture!

We finished swimming lessons.  I was sad to see it end because you seemed to be enjoying it.  But part of me was also happy as I do not like swimming!

You've started to find your voice a little more.  Screaming Singing really loudly and doing your little dance.

You are now eating pretty much whatever we eat and are doing great with it.  I have yet to find something that you don't enjoy stuffing in your mouth.

As you explore the house more, you are also starting to pull yourself up a bit more.  Case in point, I found you and Minnie checking out the tub one day...

You also enjoy "beating" up your big brother.  But really most of the time, he is the one trying to pick you up and carry you where he thinks you should be.

You are becoming quite a beauty!  Your hair is getting a little longer, your eyes are stunning, and you have the biggest pouty lip ever!

Gah!  Just two more months before your first birthday!

Love Always,

Mama

Dear Olivia: Month 9

Dear Olivia,

This past month you have taken off with your crawling.  You are starting to realize you can go more places then just the 10 feet around you.

I'm also finding that you get in more trouble than your brother ever did!  Getting into the pets' water dish, chewing on things you shouldn't, and knocking pictures down.

You are still a super sleeper.  You definitely let us know when it's time for a nap/bed and you normally go down without a fuss.

You started saying "mama" and it's the only thing you'll say.  You'll especially remember to say it after Tavin yells "mama"!

We have been experimenting a little bit more with food, noodles, broccoli, cauliflower, eggs.  And you love them all!

Your hair is starting to fill in and in the process tends to spike straight up.  It's pretty cute when you catch it at the right angle.

The month was pretty laid back.  We stayed home for the majority of it.  Just had one big occasion of Keith and Syd's wedding!

and your 9 month pics

You also started swimming lessons.  You've been great in the water and got the hang of kicking and moving your arms pretty fast.  Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures since we were both in the pool with you and Tavin.

You still only have you two bottom teeth.  There are no signs of the top two coming.

I can't believe we are into the last 3 months of your first year!

Love,
Mama

2014: A year in Review

I posted this last year, too, and thought it'd be fun to keep the tradition going.

1. What did you do in 2014 that you’d never done before?  Attempted to raise TWO kids!!

2.  Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next this year?  I don't think I made any resolutions last year because of being pregnant and the chaos that comes after it.  This year I made a couple and am hoping that I stick to them.

3.  Did anyone close to you have a child.  Yep!  Moi!

4.  Did anyone close to you die.  No.  It's been blessed year!

5.  Where did you travel?  Green Bay.  Can't stray too from home with a newborn.

6.  What was the best thing you bought?  Our new kitchen!

7.  Where did most of your money go?  Our new kitchen and daycare!

8.    What did you get really, really excited about?  Our newest bundle of joy.  It still seems surreal that she is here and we are a family of 4.

9.  Compared to this time last year, are you:  a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter?  c) richer or poorer?
a.  Happier, but more stressed.  There's a lot to juggle.
b.  Thinner.  Still have 20 pounds to my goal weight.
c.  Poorer.  Two kids in daycare is seriously a money drainer.

10.  What do you wish you'd done more of?  Getting out of the house more (aka date nights with Shaun)!

11.  What do you wish you'd done less of?  Spending money.  Seems like we are constantly buying something.

12.  What valuable life lesson did you learn in 2013?  Life is good.  We were blessed abundantly with a healthy delivery and baby.