Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Happy First Birthday Lily and Lola!

It's my day!!

Mine too!

Let's see what's in here!


You mean there's more than the wrapping?



Lola going to visit somebody




Lily staying close to Mama



Happy girl Lola



Lily forgetting she gets cake, eats the paper instead




Our one year old sweetie pies




Lily, a little unsure of her special hat




Lola waiting on the cake!


I am going to get you with my messy hands!



Lily, a bit more dainty in her cake eating



Sisters





Lola's mess got considerably worse





Gracie blowing so hard her eyes cross



Big sister Gracie gets a special hat too!






Sisters in swim suits





Needless to say, it was a great first birthday for Lily and Lola. We celebrated with a small family party, cake, ice cream and presents.
All the girls continue to do great and we are just so thankful for all three of them.
Have a good week!
Love, Mel













Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Splash Pad, Zoo and Oh Yea-Lily and Lola turn ONE!!!

Gracie loves the splash pad!

Babies love to watch Gracie love the splash pad


I love, love, love this picture


Gracie and her sparkly shoes (she was asleep when prev. photo taken)



I am going to get you!




A frequent sight around here





Gracie and her first zoo trip






Not too hot to enjoy her first cotton candy







Hot fun in the summertime








Children's Zoo



Gracie loves bunnies




Giving a quick hug to a goat


Seriously loved the logs almost as much
as the Children's Zoo animals


Our monkey



Getting a cold drink with Papa while waiting on the train




One tired mama and one never-going-to-admit-she-is tired Gracie





SOOOOOOOOO
excited about her first train ride



This is awesome!
Although today is Lily and Lola's FIRST birthday and we are beyond thrilled to celebrate it, we don't have any b-day pics yet-but there will be some soon.
We wanted to spend some special time with Gracie this week alone, since understanding the whole birthday hoopla for the babies and not for her is going to be hard. We went to the zoo, very hot-but soo fun. She loved, loved, loved the monkeys and of course the train. Not too sure about the elephants, I think because of their size. I think she ran thru the entire zoo, looking back at us yelling " Come on!". It was too cute.
Can't believe that I gave birth to those two sweet babies sleeping in the next room this time last year. Can't believe that this time last year I had nothing but hope that Gracie would ever come home to us. Can't believe that Don and I have made it thru this year of trials and triumphs and will have been married 10 years in October.
Life is full of surprises. I am loving being a mama to these three girls. I could never have survived this past year without the love and support and help from Don. He is an amazing husband and friend and I am thankful for him everyday.
Hope everyone has a good day and at least a little time this week to spend with the ones you love.
Love, Mel


















Saturday, June 6, 2009

Insanely Busy

Lola all smiles in standing

I love my Papa and he loves me (even in OU garb)

Lily crawling everywhere, but mostly to get Gracie!


Me too! I am going to get you Mama!



Oh wait, or maybe I'll get Archie...




Going back for a second look at that book





Lola still for a split second and Gracie loving chasing her



Hello Mama!



Lily loving being mobile!



Sweet cheeks



Ready for Cirque de Soleil



Lola, all smiles- all the time (well, mostly)


Mama, Papa, Gracie at a family wedding


Gracie dancing the night away with cousins



Or was it jumping the night away?




Reception





And there was a giant mirror for Gracie to check
herself out CONSTANTLY!!







Gracie and her twins




Still loving girlie girl clothes




Pretty girl Gracie

Wishing I had more time, like most people. But the above in pictures probably more than explains why I haven't blogged in awhile. Especially the pictures of the babies crawling and standing. As predicted, life will never be the same.
We have had a great time getting out. Gracie, Don and I went to my cousin's wedding at the end of May while the babies stayed with my aunt and cousin. Gracie had an absolute ball, dancing, lemonade, buffet with fun finger foods, ice cream bar etc. etc. She loved the bridesmaids' dresses, and of course the BRIDE! She continues to love to dance and this past week we went to our local library and watched some kiddos dance some of their cultural dances. She was spellbound. She is enjoying the things summer has to offer-planting flowers, bugs, and splash pads at the park. Her English continues to improve and I really feel like most of the time she understands at least a big part of what you are saying to her in English.
Lily is crawling everywhere. Although she prefers commando style, she can do belly off the floor. Loves yogurt and waves "hi" and "good-bye". She even says hi, I think-I am giving her credit for it anyway. Says Mama and has said Papa. She loves, loves, loves any funny trick Gracie or Lola does. She has even made new friends at the church nursery and has made huge gains in not crying every time Mama is out of sight. She is getting in her two front teeth and they are really hurting, but hopefully they will come out soon! She can stand with Mama and has taken a few steps with Mama, but not really too interested at this time.
Miss Lola, or Miss Go-Go-Go is pulling up to standing. She walked from our living room into our kitchen once with my help, but since then is more interested in crawling or just plain standing on her own, thank you very much Mama!!! She always has a smile for you. Giggles when she knows she is about to go to bed, as if "you don't really think that is going to happen do you?" Not enjoying finger foods too much, but does like toast cut up into strips. Loves to make Lily laugh.
I am amazed to think that I ever used the words "I am busy" before I had children. There was no busy before, at least not in comparison to busy now. I feel like some days, I wake up and before I know it is time for baths, dinner and it is 8 pm and it is like "where did the time go?".
So much planning and packing to go anywhere and the cleaning up and cleaning up again.
But of course, so worth it to hear the giggles, smell the baby lotion, brush and fix the hair, read the stories and see those "firsts".
Have a great weekend!
Love, Mel