First Steps - 6/4/13

Here they are ladies and gentleman -- Ms. Elphie's first steps!  Last night Mark was stuck at work latish and when he came up to see us after baths Elphie decided to do a little walking.  She took a few more than this at one point but of course we didn't catch that on video.  We will see where she goes from here.  It's a start!

A Few Self Portraits (with mommy and iphone's help)

Love these babes -


Elphie self portraits  -

 

Self portrait of Timmy's bed time (yes, I get it can't be a self portrait if there are 3 "selfs" in it)

 

 

And wrapping up with Timmy and mommy - 

 



Happy Birthday Hunter!

Our adorable nephew Hunter turned the big ONE on May 6th and we were fortunate to head up to Maryland to celebrate with him.  He had quite the bash - it was in an awesome open park where the kids could run free (and Timothy did) and where the adults could hang out and enjoy each other's company.  Bridget and Tony provided some delicious food and in addition to having a fabulous birthday cake also had an awesome ice cream sundae bar.  How cool.  I want to steal that idea for one of the kids bdays in the future:)  Oh and did I mention that the park had a carousel.  The kiddos loved it.  I think it may have been Elphie's first time on the carousel -- success!

Happy Birthday Hunter -- we love you!

Check out this face -- how cute is he?

 Yum - Cake!

 

The kiddos playing! 

Hunter seemed to love the swings -- Tim liked them for 2 min.

Cousins!

 

Soon Hunter and Elphie will be up there with Tim!
 

 The Carousel --

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was also a train but it was too rainy for the conductor to let the kids go on it - next time.

 



Baptism

We finally got the kiddos baptized!  Both Elphie and Timothy were baptized on May 12, 2013 (mother's day).  When Timothy was born we did not belong to a church.  A few months after he was born we started to attend Christ's Church Episcopal per the recommendation of Alevia.  Thanks so much to Alevia and TJ for introducing us to this church.  It is very family friendly and feels like home.  I really like it.  Looking forward to enjoying the community that it offers. 

 

The kids were a bit rowdy at the baptism.  Shocker - I know.  Following the baptism Elphie was especially rowdy considering she is usually the good one.  We figured she was just moved by the Holy Spirit.  Ha!  Also special thanks to our family and friends who agreed to be Elphie and Timothy's Godparents.  It really means a lot to us!  Timothy's Godparents are Amanda and Kim.  Elphie's Godparents are Kristin and Tony.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

Tried to catch a few pictures of the babes all dressed up but they would not cooperate.  Oh well.  Below is what we got.

"Sad Choices"

Timothy is pretty good at repeating what he hears and doing so in context. I've heard one of his favorite teachers telling the kids at school that they are making "sad choices" when they are doing something bad -- i.e. coloring on the table or not listening, etc.  The other morning I was trying to get Timothy dressed for the day and he wasn't into it.  (What's new?)  Anyway, I had his clothes picked out and they were in my room ready to be put on him.  Since Timothy decided he did not want to get dressed, he picked up all of his clothes (shorts, shirts, shoes, socks) and took them into his room where he threw them on the floor the whole time repeatedly saying "No, no. Sad choices, mommy, sad choices mommy."  I, of course, had to laugh out loud.

His same favorite teacher also started speaking a few words of Spanish to him -- especially after learning that his Brazilian grandmother has taught him some Portuguese phrases.  The other day I wanted him to do something -- who knows what now -- and it lead to a melt down.  Amongst the tears, screams and general whining you could hear the phrase "non gracias, non gracias, non gracias."  At least the kid is polite.

Don't have a picture of any tantrums -- so here's one of the kiddos playing nicely together this morning before work.

Like Elphaba's

Timothy is all boy, all the time.  We are currently going through a trucks, digger, etc. phase.  As part of this phase we have a new bedtime book.  Goodnight Construction Site.  It's a really cute book.  The other night we were reading it and I pointed out to Timothy that when the cement mixer truck goes to bed it has a blanket.  After I pointed to the blanket Timothy said "like Elphaba's."  And he's right.  The cement mixer has a taggie blankie just like Elphie's!  Good eye, Tim!

Elphie's taggie -- waiting for her in her carseat

Tim's book!

Daddy

These kiddos love their daddy.  And their mommy loves to make them pose with daddy.  Frequently.  One day we will capture the perfect picture.  We are getting close.... we just need those darn pacis as a crutch!




Timothy loves to wear socks on his hands - just go with it.  We do.

Love Elphie's stare at Tim



And the winner -- Daddy and kiddos!

 

 

Lovely Evenings

I love it when evenings just fall into place.  Nothing extraordinary happened tonight but we just had such a nice relaxing time getting the kids ready for bed.  Maybe that's because I wasn't up for a fight and let Timothy pass on his bath.  Maybe it's because Mark and I both had to leave work a bit early for a meeting at the house so we weren't rushed walking in the door.  Maybe it's because we all hung out together upstairs during Elphie's bath time instead of being scattered throughout the house.  Who knows why, but we'll take it!

 

This little lady loves her baths! If only I could keep her in there longer to tire her out more. Unfortunatley, usually I'm trying to juggle both Tim and Elphie during bath time so she is the first to come out since she cannot be trusted not to stand up while my back is turned:)

 

As I said I gave Timothy a pass on his bath because I just didn't want to fight. Besides Timothy had other things in mind (as he often does) -- he was all about his fireman costume. But if only you could see what was underneath the costume ....

 

 

That's our boy --

 

And after Elphie went to bed, Timothy and I watched a bit of the Polar Express. This was his face during the part where the train is on the ice. He stayed like this for a good 5 minutes. Then when the train made it off the ice he told me "all better mommy." What a sweetheart that kid! And yes I know he is wearing Halloween PJs in May. But when can you do?

 

 

 

 

 

Little Lady

Here are some cute pictures of Elphie just because.  We can so many awesome hand me downs -- thank you cousins! 

Looking anywhere but at the camera

Hi Guys!

One happy girl -- this was seconds before she then fell of the chair  (I caught her).

Primrose Spring Fling

Timothy and Elphie's school had their annual spring fling.  Both of the kids had a great time (and a great nap after).  Timothy really enjoyed riding the horse.  We were about to leave and he decided he wanted to ride it again.  We waited in a very long line for him to do so and he was practically asleep in my arms.  But it was so worth it!  Below are lots of pics.

Go Timothy go!

Checking out the animals

Elphie loves the swings!



Timothy and his best bud Christopher on swings

Elphie's picnic

Waiting in line for the last horse ride -- Elphie was wide awake in the stroller.