More Milestones . . .

These days, months feel like weeks to me.  I simply can't keep up with this fast-paced world of motherhood.  My children are literally growing like weeds - no more babies in this house.  Now I have a couple of little ladies who are quickly mastering some new skills in their "big kid" worlds.

Although I have been reluctant to share my Junie time with anyone else, she is not willing to miss out on some great new pastimes.  Firstly, June has started taking violin lessons.  You should see her itty-bitty fiddle!   She practices very often and intensely, and is currently playing a mean "Hot Cross Buns."

She's also swimming like a fish now that she's taking lessons at the Y.  The only girl in her group, this little mermaid definitely shows those boys what's up.

Winn's big news is also mom's salvation - no more diapers for this bum!  That's right, those are big girl princess panties!

Leave it to Witty Win to come up with some nifty names for her underpants.  I got some of those hefty, cotton training pants in order to prevent nappy-time leakage and she started calling them her "boys."

Winn has trained like a dream with very few accidents.  She's even staying dry at night.  Well, most of the time.  Gotta keep her boys dry, you know? 

And let's not forget about our big boy, Toods.  This ton-a-loader is currently weighing in at 30 pounds!  The biggest wiener dog the world has ever seen!  Poor Tooder took a trip to the vet this week for, well let's just say he lost a couple of his best pals.  But he seems to be as spry as ever!  You can't keep a good dog down.   

It's Great to be Eight!

Good news, Kolby and I successfully made it through the seven year itch!  On April 28th we celebrated our 8 year anniversary.  I really love this man.  My favorite thing about being married to Kolby is secretly knowing that I found the best husband in the world!  Even in the thick of med school with so much on his plate, he finds ways every day to show me that he loves me, he genuinely cares about the things that are important to me, and always makes me feel beautiful.

  

It's difficult to find a family picture with me in it, so I had Auntie Tish come over with her sweet new camera and take some shots of us to mark the occasion.  8 years, two beautiful girls, and one giant wiener dog later, and we're still in love!

    

Kolby always manages to throw together the most lovely bouquets of flowers.  I was particularly fond of the peacock feathers in this one!

He also surprised me with the oh-so-romantic gift of a new plunger.  Who says the magic has to die?  Happy eight years love shicks!

2009 Spring Adventures . . .

Couch Potatoes?

I am a wiz at yearly pediatric check-ups.  I mean it - I ace every question!  Do my girls brush their teeth?  Yes.  Do my girls get enough calcium? For sure.  Are they safely secured in their car seats every time we load into the car?  You bet.  Do they eat enough fruits and vegetables?  At least four servings a day!  The lengthy medical interrogation usually puts my mind at ease, confirming my status as a good mother.  

However, I was recently asked one question that caught me off guard.  "How much television does your child watch every day?"  My reply?  "Um, usually just some morning cartoons on Disney and an occasional movie."  I'll be honest, as a busy mom who's list of "to-do's" always exceeds the number of hours in a day, I often do pop in a movie or turn on cartoons to distract my girls long enough to get a few things done around the house.

But ever since June's last well-check, I can't get that question out of my mind.  In fact, I have become ultra-fixated on my girls' t.v.-viewing habits.  My findings have not been ideal.  So, how do you know if your children are watching too much t.v.?  Ask yourself a few questions:

1.  Does your child regularly ask you if you are "18 or older?" 

2.  Does your child use vocabulary well beyond their years, such as:  "Mom, why are you so skeptical?" (thanks Scooby Doo!) 

3.  Can your child sell you on a infomercial product, such as an Aqua-Globe?  "Seriously Dad, they will work in any plant, and they come in three beautiful colors!"  

4.  Does your child attempt to solve your financial problems by suggesting you turn your "Gold into Cash." (Wish I could take credit, but this one was from a friend!)

5.  When asked what they are waving around in their hand to chase off the monsters, does your child calmly reply, "It's the money you could be saving with Geico." and flash you the cute little cash bundle himself?

Are you worried yet?  I am.

         

 

June turns 5!

The Big 5!

I blinked my eyes and my baby is a big girl.  June is my first baby and, over the past five years, we have spent almost every moment by each others' side.

It breaks my heart to think that I have to send this little bug off to school this year, so for now, I just want to look back on her first five years of life and feel warm inside thinking of all the great times we have had together.

Dear Junie, 

For five years, we have learned to be a mother and a daughter together.  At times, we have had some showdowns.  I guess those stem from us being so alike and stubborn.  But there exists a love and friendship between us that can't be shaken.  You are my best friend.  Nothing thrills me more than watching you grow, discover, and enjoy the world around you.  I feel like you are so wise beyond your years and worry I will have to work very hard to keep up with you.  Your zest for life and thirst for knowledge inspires me and makes me want to enjoy every minute.  

No other girl could be a bigger help to her mom and for that I am grateful.  Even though I am terrified of giving you wings, I am so excited to watch you grow.  Just never forget where your nest is.  You will always be my best girl.

I love you,

Mom

Celebrate?

June made me promise I would post this picture on the blog.  She had to share her work of art entitled "Swinging with Friends."  From top left:  June, Caulder, and Winnie.  Bottom left:  Kazzy, Arlee, and Jordan.  Yeah, Caulder's quite the ladies man.

 

Here comes the angry bride.  This face pretty much sums up the week Winnie's been having.  I swear, she endured a week of a rotten cold, only to end up with a terrible stomach flu the very next week!  I'm sure you fellow moms know exactly where I'm coming from when I say that we have been sick at our house since January! 

 

Here's Kolby celebrating his 32nd birthday on Friday.  What could be more fun than blowing out candles while holding a bucket for your baby to spew into?  Happy birthday babe - we'll celebrate for real when everyone's healthy.  

Cousin Lyra celebrated her first birthday this week too.  I can't believe it!  Sadly, she was battling the very same stinking flu.  She was a trooper though, and ripped into every delightful, girly present.  We sure do love you little L.P. and we hope you get feeling well enough to enjoy your new loot!

Right now I'm crossing my fingers and toes, praying that the rest of us can avoid the plague for just one more day.  June is turning five tomorrow.  We've planned a wonderful day full of fun surprises and it will be totally awesome if we can spend the day partying and not with our heads (or bottoms) glued to the toilet.  We need all the luck we can get so cross your fingers too!