Vacation 2013

Just last week we returned from our annual family trip to the Outer Banks, NC. We've been going there with my family for several years now, and we always look forward to it. It marks one of the only times a year that my entire family is under the same roof for a week, parents, brothers, sisters, hubby and kids! This always makes for a rowdy time!

No matter how excited I was about the trip, I was still a little nervous going into it. You see, we haven't had the best track record with children who enjoy the beach. I was a little worried that Abbott might follow in Laurelei's 18 months footsteps! Much to my surprise and delight, it couldn't have been better! We packed up the first day, baby pool and wagon in tow, and both kids LOVED it! At first I was pretty sure that day one would be the 'honeymoon period' and that on day two all hell would break loose, but I was wrong! We had a nearly perfect week, making it to the beach every single day!

Matt was awesome, playing with both kids in the ocean and sand the entire time. He rarely got a break, but never even complained. How did I get so lucky? Looking back, I feel a little diva-ish, realizing that while he did all that, I did this...

Oh well, we can't all be perfect, so I'll just leave the super dad stuff to him! :) Plus, quality time with family was what this trip was all about!

It really was an amazing week. Breakfasts on the porch, dinners at our favorite local spots, and ice cream on the pier sealed the deal. I am already longing for next year!

Hoping you get a little summer relaxation too, no matter what form it takes!

Happy Friday!

Dear Abbott on my lap...

You probably won't remember this, but we are sitting here on the beach, and you are asleep on my lap. For a long time I sat just memorizing everything about you at this very moment. The way your hair smells of a mixture of baby shampoo, sunscreen, and salt water. All of the little scars on your face, the way you are wearing your favorite hat. How you sat up wide awake from a dead sleep just to retrieve your bucket, worried you were missing out on play time, only to grab the bucket tight and fall immediately back to sleep. 

This vacation has been close to perfect. You and your sister are having so much fun! And while I've loved every second of it,  I can't help but admit that it is a little terrifying too. 

Have you ever heard that sappy country song, 'You're gonna miss this?' Well I have, and I'm terrified that its true. These times are so sweet and precious. Your chubby little cheeks and sandy feet. The way you run around in circles until your dizzy and then fall down on the floor, the result of which was most of your scars. If I could just freeze you and Laurelei right where you are, raising the eternal toddler forever I would do it.

But I can't, and I'm left here holding your realizing that you will grow and explore and have a family of your own someday. You'll hold your own children and watch them grow, just like I am holding you. I guess all I can do is soak up every moment of this sleeping baby you are right now. Take lots of pictures and write down lots of memories. All the while, praying you become a wonderful man, just like your daddy. And somehow, hoping we figure out how to do this whole parenting thing right along the way.

Love you to the moon and back little one.

Xo,

Mommy

 

Our little ballerina...

Laurelei has had sort of a love/ hate relationship with organized activities this year, meaning, she has hated t-ball, but loved dance. She is all girl! (The fact that the most exciting part of t-ball for her was the 'costume' should have been a dead giveaway.)

We signed Laurelei up for dance in the fall once she became obsessed with being on stage just like her cousin Kaitlyn. At first, she was extremely disappointed that it would take nearly a whole year to get on stage at her recital, but in time she bought into the weekly classes, practice, and waiting.

When recital time came around this spring, it all proved to be worth the wait. The anticipation she felt every time we talked about being on stage was contagious. She beamed every time we mentioned it. It helped that her recital was at the local Opera House. In her words, "She got to be a princess on stage in the castle." I love that she felt that way!

The rehearsals with her were so much fun. Sure they took up some time, but she loved it. It was great seeing her in her element and watching her do something that she loved! It's hard to explain, but it really did become a special time for us!

When the big recital night came she was ready to go! She didn't blink an eye at the 200+ people in the audience or the bright lights. She loved every second of it. She did about as well as you'd expect any 4 year old to do in memorizing her routine, and was of course absolutely perfect!

After both of her dances were complete, she sat in the audience and watched the older dancers, mesmerized, despite the fact that it was past 10:00 pm during a 4 hour recital! She was gleaming. She felt proud of herself and I loved that.

I am very aware of the fact that she is only 4, I promise, and I know that some people roll their eyes at little girls in big costumes and makeup. That said, it brought her happiness and a sense of accomplishment, and I wouldn't take any of it back in a heart beat (even if her number unfortunately ended up being 'Happy Helpers' and her costume resembled that of a french maid, just saying.)

It was the perfect night celebrating our little ballerina!

Abbott at&around 18 months

It's been too long since I have updated on my sweet little Abbott. He is incredible. All boy. Messy, playful, giggly, cuddly, smiley, sometimes whiny, and quite simply the sweetest. I can't even begin to explain what a blessing he is to our family. It's hard to believe that just two years ago I was writing this post, fretting over his little life. Now all I see is a healthy, happy baby boy. God is so good.

The first thing you should know about Abbott is that he is always, I mean always, hungry. Matt and I sort of refer to him like a gas tank. You have to fill him all the way up to get the best performance. When he wakes up in the morning he is one grumpy boy. We have developed a pretty successful morning routine though of putting him immediately on the couch and providing some kind of breakfast before we attempt to talk to him. This usually gives us all the best results.

 He is a bit of a stinker too. This is one of my favorite faces of his. Usually I get this face when he has been asked not to do something, and he is going to do it anyway, or if he has been caught in the act. It's like his own little way of saying, "who, me?" But really, how can you not give into that sweet smile? I am still working on that myself.

Abbott is a cuddly little mommy's boy. Laurelei was all go, go, go from the time she could walk. It took a few years for her to get back into a cuddly spirit. Abbott has never let it go. He'll be playing and suddenly stop, run over to give me hugs and kisses, and return to his activity. He can't go to bed without being held and rocked. It's so sweet, and I don't hate it all!

He is also quite the little dancer. Abbott has a dance that goes with Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and Itsy Bitsy Spider. If he hears music is is all over. I am sure he will wish he had better rhythm as he gets older, but I am totally okay with it, because it is the cutest.

This little boy is so much fun. Matt and I always wondered how it would be different to have a little boy after our three years with just Laurelei.  I love the dance and bows and ruffles and pure sweetness that comes with Laurelei. I just never imagined it could be so perfect to have one of each.

Love you little Abby Rabbit.

miscellany monday, and a promise to myself...

Why hello lovely monday. I can't say that I am usually very excited to see you, but the summer changes many things. A bowl of cheerios and diet coke in hand, kids playing joyfully in the background, bread baking in the oven...these are things I could get used to on a Monday morning.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I dare say things have been busy around here. With the end of the school year, the t-ball season, and dance we have had a lot going on! Luckily with only one night of recital left to go, things are looking a little more peaceful for us very soon!

In the meantime, here is a bit of what we've been up too...

one... The end of the school year brought two big things for me, the graduations of BOTH of my brothers. I cannot believe that they are all grown, heading to college in the fall. It was great to celebrate both of them, but a little bitter sweet as I look towards august and realize how quiet my house will seem without Harrison's frequent visits.

two... We have tried really hard to spruce up our backyard lately. Our 1950's house has a great big backyard, but its been in a great state of disrepair since we moved in 5 years ago. It definitely has a way to go, but for the first time in a long time I can say I actually enjoy my time sitting on the porch back there. We added a brick patio to an little area that just couldn't grow grass effectively, and planted some of my favorites, hydrangeas!

three... With the start of summer, we've been trying to have a lot of play-dates. Laurelei and Abbott are just getting to the age where they play really well together, so I've been so excited to bring some new friends into the mix as well! Last week we were able to play with all kinds of friends! Connor was able to come over Sunday night, Harper on Monday, and on Friday we headed over to Leighton and Brooks' house for some fun too. Somewhere in the middle there we traveled up to Cincinnati for a little shopping, lunch, and fun with Mathis and Eleanor too. It was great for L and A, and I can't complain either. I quite enjoyed talking to their mommy's as well!

 

 four... Laurelei is finishing up her dance season with a big recital. That has meant a lot of rehearsing for L and a lot of trying not to become a dance mom for me. This of course will deserve an entire post just to itself because of the cuteness it entails, but for now here is a sneak peak of how we have been spending our days for the last week. Did I mention I love having a little girl?

five... I am promising myself that I will try to catch up on all of the important things (to me anyways) here this summer. Abbott has become a completely different baby. L is growing up so ridiculously fast. I don't want to lose track of those memories! I've also decided that I need to get the 'big' camera out more often. I've been using it a lot lately to get pictures of other people, but missing out on some sweet shots of my own kids, I must do better at that.

Happy Summer!

miscellany monday

So this is what blogging boils down to lately. A series of miscellaneous posts about this and that. It's okay with me though, that's a bit of what our life is these days anyway!

one..I think I am still recovering from our fabulous 4H trip last week. While I enjoyed my students, I am in much need of sleep!

two... My dear friends Katharine and Andy, and now Emma-Kate came to visit this weekend. It was so fun for the kids to meet! It melted my heart to see them roll around together on Friday night!

 three...Laurelei has a love/ hate relationship with t-ball at the moment. She loves the uniform, and accessories, and hates to actually play. Hmmm. It's a conundrum for us. While we dont want to start at the young age of 4 letting her quit something she is commited too, I also remind myself daily that she is only 4. What would you do? I am stuck on this one.

 four...There has been a whole lot of this recently. Abbott, sleeping, on my chest, and not in his bed. How do you break those habits? He is my little cuddler!

five...I am so ready for summer. I can't quite put into words what makes me long for school to be out so much this year! I thinik it is a multitude of things. All I know is that I am dreaming of those lazy days with two precious babies this summer!

Easter 2013

Happy Spring! While I might have been crazy enough to believe that time would slow down this spring, I was sorely wrong. It has been full of lots of fun things, but also lots of not-so-fun-things. In the interest of reader enjoyment, as well as my sanity, I'll stick to the fun things.

So, Easter. We had a lovely Easter, even considering Matt's gall stones. I hate to make this short and sweet, but I desperately want to share some Easter-related pictures, even with just a tiny bit of time to type tonight! So here we go...

We hunted eggs,

decorated eggs,

found treats left by the Easter bunny,

and celebrated together as a family. Oh how I love them so!

Happy Spring!