week fifty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This week I've been so busy with Christmas preparations and fun I didn't get a lot of individual pictures of the kids. I post a lot of our out-and-about pictures on Instagram. These pictures were so cute I had to share. We ended up using the last one for this years Christmas Card. 

Both kids are really into the holidays this year which makes it a million times more fun. They love telling random people at the grocery store, "Merry Christmas" or "It's almost Christmas!" We've been singing a lot of Christmas carols, drinking hot cocoa, watching Elf and finding Buddy Chachski, our newly adopted Elf on the Shelf, every morning. We visited Santa, decorated the tree, hung the stockings, and made the cookies. I think it's going to be our best Christmas yet.

Mabel: Every night at bedtime she says, "I wonder what Buddy Chachski will be up to in the morning?" And I say "I don't know, we'll see" Her response is always, "I bet he's gonna be up to no good!"

Gus: When we ask him what he wants for Christmas he rambles off a bunch of different things and it's always changing. He'll make his squinty-thinking face and his response goes something like this "Ummm, a fire engine, super hero things, and a dinosaur and a rescue machine and a monster truck...."

week forty seven.

 

 

Mabel: She turned four years old today! Each year she becomes more AMAZING! I love her spirit, her crazy imagination and her love for chocolate.

Gus: He is loving being in North Dakota. He saw a "real live snowman!"

week forty five.

 

 

With Sam's schedule and Mabel in school we haven't had a whole day together as a family in awhile. Everyone was home for Vetrans Day so we decided to take the kids into the canyon and hike West Fork. It's truly one of the most beautiful places in the Sedona area especially this time of year with the leaves turning and falling. We are so lucky to live in such a place. We packed a picnic and took our sweet time. It was such a lovely day. 

Mabel: A couple of times on the hike you have to cross the creek. Each time she insisted on doing it on her own. It was so cute to watch her hopping from rock to rock or balancing on a fallen log. 

Gus: He had a blast exploring the old chicken coop and whats left of the historic houses in the area.

week forty three. happy halloween.

 

Mabel: She has known she was going to be Elsa since January. I loved that she stuck to it for so long. Even when I tried to steer her in other directions she was determined. 

Gus: He changed his mind every day for weeks. Eventually (the day of Halloween) was satisfied going as Jon Lennon most likely because of Yellow Submarine. 

Happy Valentines Day 2013

Polar Express 2012

In the spirit of continuing traditions, last night we headed to Williams, Arizona to board the Polar Express, aka the Grand Canyon Railroad, en route to the North Pole. This year with an extra baby in tow of course.

  

Gus didn't really say much about the experience other than a few moans and cries when it was well past his bedtime. If I had to speak for him I would say he mostly enjoyed the sugar cookie he stole from his sister that I was too preoccupied to take away from him.

Mabel on the other hand enjoyed herself so much this year, she's still talking about it. It's quite an experience really. Santa, kids, cookies, hot cocoa, Christmas carols, dancing chefs, kids, and more kids. She was adorable and I cant wait until next year when both of them will be able to understand and enjoy it. It's such a great kickoff into the Christmas Season for us.

Both babies came away with their very own Polar Express bell from Santa himself (that's the point of the whole thing really, see photo above) and of course we bought Gus his very own Polar Express ornament so that he'll remember it always :) Tis the Season!

 

Breakfast with Santa & not one tear was shed!

Sam and I took the kids to a "Breakfast with Santa" event this morning. To my surprise both kids sat perfectly on Santa's lap. Gus was in complete shock when I handed him off to the big guy in red. Mabel told Santa she wanted, "a piano, OK!?" She also said, "Thank you Santa, see you soon" right before she jumped off his lap and ran to me. They are both so cute.

Happy Mothers Day and My Motherly Inspiration

For me, becoming a mother has been the best thing that has happened in my life. It has also been the most fulfilling accomplishment for me personally. I was born to be a Mom, I feel it in the depths of my soul. Nothing I have ever done has felt so right.

I work really hard to do the best job for my 2 babies because being a Mother takes work. We look for inspiration everywhere and are influenced by so many different things. Books, television, internet, social media, magazines, other parents and doctors just to name a few. For me the most important influence has been my own Mother. I like to believe that long ago when I was a baby I was learning to be the Mother I would one day become. I have a wonderful Mother. I have many memories of her being just that, wonderful. I don't remember every moment of my childhood but the moments that I was too young to remember are relived by watching my Mom with my babies.  

 About a year and a half ago, when Mabel was born my Mom was there. It was the most exciting time of my life yet I was terrified. As a new Mom you second guess yourself constantly especially in those first moments. Is she eating enough? Is she too hot or cold? Why is she crying like that? My Mom stayed with us for 4 days helping to calm my nerves and reassure me I was doing OK. The day she left I broke down into tears. While crying I said to her in complete sincerity, "I'm scared" and she calmly replied, "you will be fine" and she meant it. And I was fine. It wasn't because of the books I read or the classes they say you are supposed to take, it was because of her. My Mom also had an awesome Mother who probably had a lot to do with her being so great.

My Grandma Rosemary and I. Another amazing Mother that inspires me.

I dreamed of becoming a Mom my entire life. Being an older sister was so wonderful for me. I have many memories of playing with my baby sisters. I loved dressing them up and doing there hair. They were like life size dolls.

Mother in training. Ali, Ivy and I almost 16 years ago.

I already see a little Mama in Mabel. She loves to feed and burp her baby doll and rock her to sleep. She is such a sweet big sister to Gus and loves to help me take care of him. I know she is emulating what she sees in me and that makes me proud.

 Happy Mothers Day to anyone who has ever loved a baby or a Mother. And especially to my Mom, thanks for inspiring me every day. 

Back to the blog and a few flash backs.

Wow, where to begin. As the mother of 2 babies it's been so hard to find the time to update. I keep a notebook in the kitchen where I write down things I think of to mention or want to remember, and I have about 3 pages worth.

To start, Life is Good.We are finally starting to get into a groove as a new family of 4. Having 2 kids under the age of 2 is no joke...we are TIRED! Let me re-affirm though, it's the good kind of tired. Whether it's when I am awake at 3:00 a.m listening to the soothing sounds of the bathroom fan with a wide awake 7 week old, or at 3:00 p.m. entertaining a 17 month old that just woke up from her nap and wants to unfold 5 piles of laundry I finally managed to fold, I am constantly reminding myself how fast this time is flying by.

I am really trying to take it all in. Yesterday I told Sam, "Come here for a second". When he did I said "Give Gus a kiss on the lips". He did and then looked at me like, OK...now what? I tried explaining  myself, how we should be taking mental notes of what a new baby feels like. Yesterday I had a bazillion things I could have done while Mabel was napping instead I decided to hold Gus while he slept and breathe my little guy in. There is nothing better than newborn skin or little tiny hands and feet. I love this age. I also love Mabel's age. I think it's The contrast between them that gets me all emotional.

Don't we look tired...yikes.

Flash back time... My Mom was here for an entire week to meet Gus. Originally she was supposed to be here when Gus arrived but those things never work out do they now. And in true Grandma fashion both babies were spoiled and snuggled like crazy.

My Mom and her very first Grandson.

It was especially nice to have her here to entertain Mabel. If you can believe it three weeks later,  I hadn't yet gotten a chance to recover from everything. I actually got to lay around a bit and get some much needed rest.

Gus has been so alert since the day he way born. He is definitely an observer and very curious.

Easter rolled around and it was Ali and Ivy's turn to meet Gus. Of course that meant more snuggles and more spoiling. I swear my Mom and sisters never stop shopping for my babies.

Ali claimed to have the magic touch with Gus. She held him for hours on end and was concerned he wouldn't be properly taken care of (held 24 hours straight) when she left.

Ivy teaching Mabel about fashion.

I finally caved in and got Mabel's bangs cut. My intentions were to let it grow forever but sisters hair did not cooperate. All the cute clips I made for her from pinterest dyi's, yeah they were cute, but never stayed in long.

Thankfully Ivy was there to snap some photos while I held Mabel. I was very proud of her, she didn't cry at all. I was a little sad after because she looked so grown up. Still adorable though, obviously.  

After church on Easter we decided to head to the park while dinner was in the works. Mabel loves her "Occa Ball" from Grandma.

Hello Mama :)

Baby Gus loves being outside. He and I hung out under a shaded tree and watched all the fun go down.

It was awesome to have my sisters here for a few days, though time flew quickly. We didn't do much but we  had a lot of fun just hanging out taking care of babies. Through out there stay Sam and I said numerous times, "If only Ali and Ivy lived here" One word...babysitters.

After all of the visitors we were so ready to get back to normal, get into our new rhythm, and adjust. There are still some kinks to work out as far as sleep goes, baby schedules, and finding time to ourselves but it's happening and it's all good.

Get a load of these two.  

Mabel loves when I come in to get her after a nap with Gus. She holds out her hands and gets so excited when I put him in her crib. To Mabel, Gus is right up there with Piggy and Lammy and that is top honor.

More to come this weekend. We've got lots going on around here, someone is smiling and someone got a  new potty chair...Exciting stuff I tell you!