They Grow Up So Quickly, Part 2

Or, this should be entitled: "A Warning to Anna". Bill's cousin, Anna, is getting married this weekend and has honored Reina by asking her to be the flower girl in her wedding. Reina. Is. Beside. Herself. She has been practicing all day. Up the aisle. Down the aisle. Fiddling with her gait. Fiddling with her demure smile. Hopefully getting all the fiddling out before needing to behave on Saturday. The warning to Anna is merely this; Reina is a ham. H-A-double M. And as lovely and confident of a bride as I am sure Anna will be I can't help but think she might be better off with a flower girl who was, I don't know, a little more shy? Maybe that would backfire too. No, I'm sure all will be fine and Reina will discharge her duties with style and grace. Or, maybe she'll flake out and refuse at go time. Maybe not...the evidence:

Ok kids, smile. No, smile normal Reina. Nice smiles now. C'mon! Oh whatever.

Passport photo attempt

PGa and Reina, ready for prom or EVIL flower girl? Go Reds.

Case in point...no goggles in church though.

This picture alone has Bill locking Reina up in her room until she is 38.

Will keep you posted on the outcome of this wedding weekend. On a side note, my cousin John got married last weekend and Reina was paying very close attention to the 3 adorable girls and their petal throwing. Good Luck Anna! You can handle this little chick. She thinks you're a princess anyway.

They Grow Up So Quickly, Part 1

This week, Liam, the 14.5 month old, has been taking steps independently. At last. Liam the Late Bloomer. Granted, that means the diaper boxes currently stacked up at the bottom of the stairs to prevent his egress upward will shortly no longer be effective. How DID Bill's grandmother keep 9 kids alive in this house?!? Needless to say, we are proud of his achievement but not nearly as proud as he is. I think it may only be socially acceptable to clap for yourself until you're about, what, 5 or 6 years old? Maybe more...Reina is also encouraging, mimicking a very high pitched "good job buddy!" with each attempt he makes to cross a room "no hands." He may or may not be running by the end of the month but we can be sure of this, Swiper's swiping will only increase. Kids, hide your toys.

Passport photo? Or mugshot?

A smoke and a beer with Daddy. And goldfish crackers.

Inspiration

Spring is the start of all new things, a time for renewal, blooming and reinvention. Right? I could be making that up, I have a family history of such. In any case, with the slow but increasingly green growth of grass over our new septic tanks and the memories of our recent visit with family, I'm working to enjoy more of the little things instead of getting bogged down with details. We're not talking drastic changes here, just a slight mental shift. (Save your commentary on that, if you please.) No, I'm not getting my hair dyed red or starting a new career path, just stopping to smell the roses a bit more.

Reina has been excelling (!) in swimming lessons. Apparently she is very strong and fast for a girl her age, who knew? She loves wearing her pink goggles to lessons, in the car, to Target, the kennel. No fear. Ballet is still a favorite past-time as well, but a little more regimented and therefore a challenge.

Liam is still not walking, but can stand and wants to get from here to there so badly he can taste it. Soon...His temper is short these days with the walking frustrations and three molars working their way out. He still greets me each morning with a smile and a giggle and pats me on the back as I lay him down at night. He says: Daddy, Doggie, Go go!

Bill and his brothers survived with their lives and possibly dignity intact at yet another NASCAR event. Somehow a tiny baby alligator snapping turtle smuggled itself home in Bill's sleeping bag, however. To be found in front of the washing machine the next day. SALMONELLA! He was released into his natural habitat down by the creek to let nature take its course.

While the daddies were away, the kids and I had a lovely weekend with Lauren, Milo and Oliver. Zoo, homemade french toast, peanut butter brownies and playing pirate were almost more fun than we could handle in such a short time. Thanks for everything Lauren.

So, home again, again. Next week we're hosting a (take out) dinner for 40 or so of Bill's colleagues followed by attending back to back family weddings. And I'm looking forward to it. All of it. Summer seems just around the corner already despite Spring having just begun. Answering Reina's daily question "where are we going today?" is seeming less and less daunting with two kids and the options are endless.

Eggplant Head and Cabbage Head

Reina commandeered the hose after an accidental squirting. Then proceeded to "accidentally" soak Milo. Hence, underpants.

Open house today, so much to do, no time for clothes.

Requisite "1st time eating spaghetti by myself" photo.

Mermaid

Time Warp

Dude, where've you been?!? I've been waiting to show you all these pictures since Bill and I got back from our Canada ski trip last month. I can't keep checking back to see if you're watching you know. I've got stuff to do. I mean, we've had a lot going on, you know? Hosting Easter brunch and egg hunt for Bill's extended family...visiting with friends from out of town and their cute and age-compatible children...enjoying a pretty beautiful spring...zoo TWO times in one week. Next time let's try to coordinate this better, shall we? Let's try this, I'll go ahead and blog, WITH pictures, and THEN you read it. Comment if desired, or not. And please, try to stop dropping the ball like this. Sheesh.

"Mommy, where do babies come from?"

Dude with the new 'tude

Post egg hunt loot tally

Different day, same shirt. Gorgeous zoo blooms.

Liam, sorry about the hat. SPF 50.

4 BFFs, well, 3 and one cooperative boy.

Emma H and Reina K

Liam and Leah. Knuffle Buddies.

Brownie Domination

(Almost) Birthday Boy

Liam had his 1 year portraits done today...something which I have done for him with less regularity than with Reina. Our preferred kid photo studio seems to have gone out of business as well, coincidence?

Here he is, looking oh so grown up in his collared shirt and "Robert Redford hair" according to the photographer lady. Reina, despite not being quite camera ready, managed to sneak into one shot.

Still not walking yet, and unwilling to let go of steadying surfaces, he DID say "Mama" for the first time today, I swear I heard it!

Just When

Just when you think your head is about to explode from a three day headache and your body about to give up the fight against diseases shared by your little germ factories, your three-year-old creates an Ode to Banana Bread:

"Banana bread is so nice, it makes me so happy. Mmmmmmmmmm. I love yummy. It feels nice."


And then, as a final blow, your almost-one-year-old blows you a kiss.







And then poops his pants.