Some Photos, If You Will

Not much to write, but more to show because it's been a while since I've posted photos.

First of all, change. I got a new vehicle, but we still have the minivan, as you can see here. The car on the right, it's mine for the most part. Sorry for just the little snippet of it, but I haven't taken a real photo yet. It's "Mommy's Big Truck" (aka FORD EXPEDITION complete with DVD player for long car rides):


Second, we got our first adult piece of furniture, you know, the kind that is delivered already put together and is real wood? It's an entertainment center. But first, we had to clear out the old. Can you say clutter? Yuck (but I do think that little smiley kid in the second picture is cute):



And now we have this little jewel (yeah, the TV is pretty brand new, too, and so are the painted walls):


A couple of weeks ago we also went to the pumpkin patch...I don't want you to think we replaced our stroller with a wheelbarrow:


Making sure her new friend "Moonica" takes her for a nice little ride:


Let's hear it for "Riblet" and its passengers hamming up the smiles:


Covering every inch of the pumpkin patch is Livey:


Mommy made her do it:


Someone was in a horrible mood, but you can't see it much here as we get ready to ride the train:


Cuteness:


More cuteness:


And just a little more, ok:


And in other news, here's one of Bea in the fort that never seems to die:


Yes, we put on our toy thinking caps every now and then:


Bea: Oh, crap! The paparazzi is at it again!
Livey: STOP! STOP! You cannot take a picture of us in the BATHTUB!

**This Image Has Been Removed Due to Google Images Activity.

And just because some kids in our house love to wear their bathing suits over their clothes because it is "so cool":


And that is all I have...

Pause

I was getting ready for a wedding on Saturday, and as I got out of the shower, I threw on my robe. It brought back a moment, or moments, that I remember so well to this very day, of when both my daughters were newborns. For each of them, the scenario plays out the same:

It's two in the morning, and I'm torn from deep sleep to the sound of a baby crying. I jump out of bed as quickly as I can in order to stop that sound in the silent of night. As I dash out of the bedroom I grab my robe and throw it on. It's my long, blue robe that feels like a soft, cuddly blanket. As I reach for my child, I hold her for a minute before putting her down and changing her diaper.

I then pull her up to me and sit down in our rocking chair. As she begins to eat, I rock back and forth in the chair. It's now silent. Outside, the wind is more than likely blowing, and there might be rain. It might be soft rain, or rain that is coming down hard on the roof and on the ground. Whatever the sound - rain, wind or silence - it is the most peaceful sound. We sit in the rocking chair, skin on skin, and in that particular moment, it is my daughter, me, and the entire world around us. And I can't stop looking at you. I can't stop loving this moment.

Fifteen minutes go by. Or it could be a half an hour or an hour depending how much sleep is being fought this particular time. But as sleep overcomes, I put her down and make sure that she is in the land of nod. I make my way back to my bed, take off my robe and crawl back into bed, thinking that I really could hold that ball of preciousness all night long, but I do need some sleep. Instead of falling back asleep, I lay awake thinking about how much I love this child I just spent a moment with...until the next time she wakes and we do it all over again.

Life is about moments. Some of them you want to fast forward, and some of them you want to rewind. This is the moment I pause, because this very moment that I experienced countless times is now gone. But, it is one that I will never forget, nor want to forget, for the rest of my life.

Framing It

Just shy of twenty months, I can't believe how much older Olivia is starting to look. This is without a doubt the best photo she has taken, and look at all them teeth! This picture instantly puts a smile on my face. The girls always go haywire whenever Josh builds them a fort, and you can see such excitement in their faces. Love it.

Neglect

Someone just told me that it has been WEEKS since I have done a post. And, yes, it is true. I didn't do it on purpose, I promise. And I honestly haven't forgot about this blog. In fact, at the end of every single day I think about writing, but I am preoccupied with life and not spending even more time on the computer at the end of my day.

So, what happened during the last, oh, month? I was sick. Twice. Bea was sick. Twice. Olivia was sick. Twice. Josh was sick. Once. I was on antibiotics for ten days. Bea has been on antibiotics for 20+ days now. Olivia has been on antibiotics for 18 days now (she'll be done at 20). We've had ear infections, sinus infections, colds, and croup. Let's not forget fevers. So, yeah, we've been real healthy around here.

In addition to all of that, because believe me, that is PLENTY for us to deal with, we've had a number of changes in our household. That was going to be the basis of my next post, so maybe you can wait? The hint is that it involves a new vehicle and adult furniture. Well, I spoiled it, but I will share pictures in my next post.

Olivia's putting words together (Hi, Dada! All done. Get down.) while Bea is questioning anything and everything (Why? How come? What's that?) and has said the following phrase that I am guessing she learned at daycare: Shake your booty!

Halloween costumes HAVE NOT come together. I have one on standby for Bea, but she's not overwhelmed with it. Shoot, if anyone knows where I can get a PONY costume (yeah, that is what Olivia was for Halloween last year) in a size 3T or 4T, I need to know, because that is what she is telling everyone she is for Halloween. And secondly, I NEED an Orphan Annie RED DRESS in size 18M for you know who. I spoiled the surprise, but people, help me out a little here!