Happy Six Months, Baby Girl!

February 19th, 2012

Blake,

As you can tell very clearly from the photos, you are an incredibly busy little girl. You are busy smiling, watching your brother, smiling, putting your toes in your mouth, smiling, and GRUNTING because you just cannot smile any bigger.

We switched your feeding schedule to every four hours several weeks ago. You don’t seem to mind eating less frequently since you are now getting solids with your first three meals each day. And, I have to congratulate myself since you actually ate your peas. Yes, you ate your peas. You owe your Nana for this one, Blake. She suggested actually warming those things up in the microwave. I not only did that for you but I also tried to mute the flavor a little bit by adding in a little bit of rice cereal. Judging by how wide you opened your mouth as the spoon approached, I would definitely say today was a success just because you ate some green stuff.

This afternoon you were not your normal low-key self. I am afraid that my two favorite kiddos are both getting sick because neither of you seemed as happy as normal. You are just like your older brother in that how you feel can clearly be measured by the number of smiles we see each day. If we are anywhere near the 1,000 smiles a day mark, we’re in trouble. Something is definitely not right. I think we were hovering around the 1,000 smiles a day mark today so I’ll keep my fingers crossed that I missed a few smiles and that you are actually feeling OK.

Quiet is how you like to play the game most days: very little crying and fussing. (Thank you for that.) Laughing at your brother and trying to talk have become more and more frequent. I love watching the relationship blossom between you and Connor. You put up with a lot now so I have been warning him that in a few very short months, you’ll be able to get into a lot more of his things and do a lot more things TO him.

It’s 8:11PM and I am about ready to crash. Today was Presidents Day so your Dad and I are completely exhausted after three days in a row with two of the most busy people I know. Happy, sweet, and definitely busy. And you aren’t even walking yet.

I love you, Blake!

Love,

Mom

XOXO



Happy Valentines Day Dennis

Birthday Weekend

Kelly turned 30 on Saturday.  Dennis turned 34 today.  Connor prepared a birthday message for each of them. 

I especially like the screen shot of Connor in the 2nd video clip. 

Dennis and I celebrated his birthday on Friday with a lunch (and margaritas!) at Dos Amigos.  Then we continued the birthday celebration last night...at another mexican restaurant, Village Taqueria & Tequila Bar.  The margatini's there are fabulous. 

My parents traveled in from Missouri to see their two most favorite grandkids and to celebrate all of the birthdays with us this weekend.  On Saturday, my mom thought that it would be appropriate to make birthday cupcakes for Kelly and Dennis.  In most cases, it would be entirely appropriate and a perfect way to celebrate an important occasion. 

Connor was excited to help Nana cook.  His definition of "helping" is a little different than what I typically of think of when someone offers to help. 

Almost two dozen red velvet cupcakes had been poured into the cupcake pan and ... then it happened.  Connor pulled one dozen cupcakes down on top of himself.  Echo's dreams had just come true. 

Connor, on the other hand, screamed and cried.  He was completely devastated. 

The best part of the ordeal was that a cupcake landed square on his head.  He didn't realize it because he was too busy fussing about the red batter on his hands, his pants, and his shoes.  After he was undressed down to his diaper, we used a rag to wash his hair.  I wish I had been able to grab my camera because that moment was absolutely priceless.  Stressful at the time, yes, but imprinted in my memory forever. 

Blake was asleep so she missed out on the birthday cupcake chaos.  AK and Dennis were there, though, and were able to enjoy every minute of it so I guess that's really what matters.  I hope they both had a wonderful birthday celebration this year.  We love both of you very much!

Point of View

And, well....yeah.