Sock Glove Phase

At some point in time...Saela moved from the "Bib Phase" into the "Sock Glove Phase." For whatever reason, she loves to wear socks on hands. Here are just a couple of pictures capturing this phase for posterity.

Peek-A-Boo

Hey, what are you guys doing?

Perturbed, why yes I am perturbed that I am not included in your activity.

Hmmm...looks like you're working.

I'll just lie here and look cute instead.

Happy Birthday Jilly!

Jilly is FOUR years old today. She is probably one of the lazier labs that you'll ever meet. Cuddling up by us or by the fire in Steve's office are among her favorite pastimes. She will occasionally steal a ball for Jax to chase her and that is about the extent of her exercise on any given day. As cuddly as she is...she is ornery and stubborn as well. She likes things her way. Funny, sometimes Steve says that about me. We love her anyway...Happy Birthday Jilly Girl!

NINE months!

How can my baby be nine months old?
It just doesn't seem possible...

My time...

...in a basket. I think mom may have been doing some laundry?!?

All tuckered out.

What's up?

Come on Mom - I just want to play with my truck already!

Asher is nine months old. This time has gone lightening fast. It's hard to believe that he has been here as long as I was pregnant with him. (If only pregnancy went that fast!) He has been wearing his helmet for just about three months. We will have his head re-scanned at the end of this week to see his progress via computer. We can visually tell that it is working. His physical therapist is also noting improvements in his head movements and strength of the left arm which is delayed due to his torticollis.

He is a joy and delight and adds so much to our days. He lights up when he sees big Sis Saela and that is heartwarming to witness. At the end of the night, when I lie him down to sleep - I am reminded of how God has blessed us with his life and Saela's and I am overwhelmed with gratefulness every.single.day.

Snow Days

Getting Ready

Checking Things Out

Surveying Daddy's Work

Watching Dora With Her Baby
(note the snow pants)

Saela had a ball playing in the snow a couple of weeks ago while Steve cleared the driveway. She did not want to come in...but I bribed her with Dora the Explorer. Funny, she does not want to "walk in the snow" to get into school. Hmmm...a little tomfoolery I think!

Better in 2010

So, I recently came across some thank you notes that I wrote.............uhhh.................last July. I'm not sure on the timeline...I know you get a year to send out thank you notes from a wedding...does that pertain to all other gifts? At this rate - if you are one of those that I somehow missed over the last -oh- six months...you may get that by the time the kids graduate.

I also know that Christmas is long past and those thank yous have also not been sent. I really need to get on those kids - slackers.

So what I'm sayin' here is your gifts have not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. Sleepers, dresses (especially with hearts), books, CDs, puzzles, monkey socks etc...have all been put to great use and the kids, Steve and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity.

I really do hope to be better in 2010 about this...one can always hope, right?

P.S. My baby girl is 2.5 years old today - here's a pic from yesterday...a little messy with a boo-boo on her nose...kind of like life - a little messy with a boo-boo here and there.

Saela Catherine 2.5 years bringing joy to our hearts!

Everyday Life

So often I find myself waiting for "the perfect" picture to put on the blog...when sometimes it's the everyday moments that really capture who we are and, really, that is fitting since life is not perfect. Here are some snapshots of our "everyday life" lately.

I love these two babies more and more everyday. Saela has become a bit camera shy...so capturing an actual smile has become difficult...I often have to fool her by saying, "I'm getting Asher, not you." She is constantly surprising us with what she knows, has recently mastered her colors and continues to love her babies including her baby brother. Speaking of baby brother - he recently turned EIGHT months old? Where did that time go? His first tooth (bottom left) has emerged and in the last month he has started sleeping THROUGH the night!! Smiles are a constant for him unless he is hungry or tired. Solid foods are a hit if they are orange or fruity. Peas have been a gigantic fail on multiple trials. I am a bit biased - but they are the sweetest babies I know...I love them so so very much. I thank God everyday for giving them to Steve and me as they bring such joy and sweetness to this side of heaven.