Long weekend in SH>

The girls and I packed the car and headed to SH Wednesday for a change of scenery (and enjoy the rest of summer).  Ry took the train down on Friday and then we enjoyed the rest of the weekend as a Fam.    Saturday was a cozy day.  We hit up the annual Sidewalk Sale (summer wouldn't be the same without it).  But it is bitter sweet, because sidewalk sale means summer is coming to an end.

 We had a great time and especially enjoyed our morning coffee bike ride.  After we got our coffee and some "Watermelon bubble gum" (liv was on a mission), we rode to 110 and watched the surfers enjoy the effects of Friday/Saturday's weather.  Those waves looked like alot of fun.  It was the perfect time of day.  The beach was quiet, lifeguards were just setting up.  

Sorry for the lack of photos.  We spent the week just being in the moment and I kept leaving my flip and camera at the house.  (I didn't even have my cell phone the whole time)

Cousin Jam Out Session.

Popeye.

I was making sauteed spinach the other day for lunch and gave some to Liv.  She liked it and ate quite a bit.  Then I decided to pull up some You Tube clips of popeye (one of my favorite's growing up).  She is hooked.....  That is all she wants to do now.  And now she likes being called Olive ( because of Olive Oil).

Last week, we had a scare.

I don't know how I could have forgotten to post out our little scare we had last week.  My girlfriend Liz was over and Charlotte decided to grab the baby's bottle when we weren't looking and start chugging (or sipping, not sure how much she got).  Well since the formula was milk based, I was just waiting for her to have a reaction.  Almost instantly she starting itching everywhere.   I ran upstairs and gave her some anti-histamine.  

For a moment I thought I was seeing her lips and tongue swell up and I reached for the phone.  And then she started coughing (but later I realized it was from jamming the medicine dropper in her mouth).  

Luckily, that was it......nothing else.  YAY!!

Leo and Lo.

While the big girls (Lucy and Liv) hung out upstairs playing dress up, the two little ones started to have a little playdate on their own.  These two used to be our bellies and then big blobs at playgroup.  Now they are really starting to enjoy each other......

Walk to the park.

My little Artist.

Today we went to Ry's parents to hang out for a bit.  While Ry was helping them with their computers, Liv and Grandmom did a few art projects.  They put together a  model car and made a camera necklace.  She insisted on replicating one that grandpop had on his desk.  I have to say I was pretty darn impressed.

We also had a jam out session to (surprise surprise) her favorite Taylor Swift CD.

Even though Charlotte's nap schedule is off right now (the molars), she had a great time too.  I think she spent most of the time munching on her pretzel rod and asparagus spears.

Ben's Birthday Bash.

The girls had a blast at Smith Playhouse today for Ben's 3rd Birthday Party.  Even though it rained, the kids loved running around the mansion and all of the yummy treats.

Ben and Liv sat on this bench for about 15 minutes (which is a long time for two 3 year olds to sit still) and munched on many munchkins.........they are so going to be boyfriend and girlfriend.

Lo scooted around on some automobiles.
Liv and Ry raced around (and then we realized all of the signs said the tricycles were for children under 10....oops!)

Why do I let her do this?

Why do I allow Liv to pic Charlotte up?  A part of me is just hoping she gets over it and stops doing it on her own....

Pool time at Grandmom's.

Anyone who knows liv good enough, knows she doesn't tolerate being sprayed with a hose.....Even her cousins make the exception.

Testing, Testing, 1, 2, Testing.

This week has been a bit of a change from last (to say the least).  With an "almost 4 year old" who has been testing the waters and pushing me to my limit AND a 1 year old whose 4 molars are making their final ways through the gum, you get a mom who is about 2 seconds away from driving herself to the psych ward.  

Liv usually isn't a bad kid.  What I tell her is she is "a good kid who sometimes makes bad choices".  I am starting to realize her acting up is out of true boredom and this Pennsylvania Heat Wave isn't helping.  As much as I am dreading the day that I send my "little baby" off to preschool, I know it is exactly what we need.  It is only 2 hours, but 2 hours for her to miss me and to tire herself out with all of her new friends.

This week she tested me on an average of 10 times a day (although it may have felt like 10 times an hour).  The one test that tops them all was putting a barbie shoe halfway in Charlotte's mouth and saying, "hey, mom, look at this?"  I am sure I failed that discipline test and didn't handle it up to par according to Supernanny.....

So today, I woke up and wanted to start off fresh.  She had a fantastic day aside from dragging her shoe along the ground while I was pushing the double stroller and making my walk from the mall to the car more difficult then necessary .  I called her friend Lucy and decided to invite her over for a "big girl" playdate.  One where her mommy drops her off and leaves her here to play.  A playdate that didn't involve an unsturdy 1 year old who climbs the perimeter of the room to hunt her big sister down.  Lucy's mommy (my good friend Denise was excited as well because she has been dealing with an "almost 4 year old" who is trapped inside from the heat too).  Lucy has a little brother who is Charlotte's age.  SO while the little ones napped, the older ones weren't chasing their mommy's around and driving them nuts.  

All I can say is, Liv and Lucy were ANGELS.  That is an understatement.  They played for 4 hours and only asked me for something ONCE.  They spent over 1.5 hour playing house and another 1.5 playing some sort of "rescue me game" where they took turns using a bright yellow jump rope to pull the other one off of liv's bed (AKA the boat).

Is it possible that I let a 4 year old babysit my 4 year old today?

Denise and I decided we need to do this OFTEN, like weekly.  So instead of the girls being bored and resorting to acting up while the little ones nap, they can use their imagination and play (AKA babysit each other).  And most importantly, the mom's can start regaining their sanity.

Check out this article that really hit home when I saw Liv and Lucy playing.  http://www.npr.org/templates/text/s.php?sId=19212514&m=1

Vacation is over.....

Today was an ordinary day.  But it reminded me of what it takes to be at home with these girls and stay sane.  If they weren't so darn cute the repetition and noise level could drive me insane.

(a movie edited from about 20 minutes of Liv performing Taylor Swift and Charlotte dancing to the beat)

Poor Meme- Get W-elbow!

Poor Meme, had a fall on Saturday night at the boardwalk.  It could have happened to anyone.  Her flip flop got stuck in the uneven boards.  But she landed on her elbow.  She was a trooper enough to hold out until all of us left before heading to the hospital to get X-Rays.  She kept thinking it could just be a sprain.

 The verdict is in- she broke her elbow.....

Liv wanted her to get a pink cast, but then my mom thought she may have to change her entire wardrobe for the next few weeks to match it.  So Liv will just use a permanent pink marker to sign it...

Family Feast.

We concluded our vacation with a Family Feast at the Lobster House in Cape May.  We had a large party of 16 that included my parents, grandparents, Aunt Laurie, Uncle John, Aunt Susan, Uncle Chuck, Allison, Kevin, Chrissy, Brian, and the 4 of us.  

Liv loves it there because she can scope out all of the big fishermen boats when she gets antsy.  Ry and I love their cedar plank surf and turfs......This year I had salmon, instead, because of the allergies.

Vacation is over for now, but we will be back soon....

Is there any other place that showering at 4pm is the norm or the cars drive almost the same speed as the runners along side of them?

We had an amazing time on our little escape to paradise.  We had enough time to get into a groove and let go of reality for a bit, just enjoy the simplicity of it all.  

Our mornings started with a bike ride to the coffee shop, stop at the playground, then back to the house for Lo's morning nap.  After her nap, we would have lunch and then head to the beach.  Some days we took Charlotte, other days she napped at my parent's so Liv could have mommy and daddy to herself.  We would all go in the water together, build castles, search for shells , etc.  I can't even explain how nostalgic it all was.  To see my daughters in my old stomping grounds.  Just getting lost in nature, water, sand, etc.

After the beach we would shower/bathe and then get ready for dinner.  The rest of the evening would be low key but filled with lots of laughter and snuggle time (and some beverages for the adults).

OH, and Liv surprised us all and didn't flinch when Ry asked her to swim in the bay with him.   Now that was amazing.... I was so proud of her.  I spent so much time splashing in that water as a child.  It was so much fun watching her.

On our ride home, Ry and I felt a little culture shock being on a highway again in a car.  The whole week was spent on our feet or the bike....  Just what we needed.  A time dedicated to be a family and slow down the pace.

On the Move.

My little Lolo has decided to advance her ability in getting around the room.  Up until last week we thought she would never crawl and just go straight to walking.  She still walks along all of the furniture as if she is rock climbing and makes her way around any room.  

But, this past week, she has crawled a bit (but kinda doesn't like it and moans the whole time).  She also mastered going from belly and crawling position to seated.  And she greets me in her crib on her knees and holding onto the railing.

Charlotte has always been my laid back baby (unlike Liv) when it comes to physicality and getting around.  She has been content with just sitting and staying put.  Not now......She really wants to start getting around.

Week of Family.

This week we have had alot of fun just being a family.  We haven't done much other than just enjoy each other.  We have had daily trips to the beach (sometimes two), walks to get ice cream/water ice, and bike rides to the coffee shop.  Liv discovered she loved swimming in the bay. Ry and I had a date night of sushi and drinks.  And most of our meals were either take out or cook ins.  

With all of the hopping around we did, the girls were only in the car for one quick ride to the health food store off shore.  The rest of the week the girls were in the bike trailer while Ry and I biked around town.  We felt like true islanders.

Looks like this week is exactly what we needed.  And we still have a few days left....

More beach time.

Digging to China.

VACATION!!!!!

Basement fun.

Red Wagon.

First Birthday Celebration.

On Sunday we had Charlotte's birthday celebration.  We decided to keep it small and more intimate.  But when the day came, I forgot how big our family is growing....we had 12 kids (which was about one third of the party).  The kids had an amazing time.  Between the swingset and Liv's room and Charlotte's room and the sun room.......By the end of the night I couldn't see one single square inch of Liv's bedroom floor.  

Charlotte was a trooper.  After warming up to the "party" idea she would hop from one person's arms to another.  She loved walking along all of the furniture and walls to mingle.  She was quite the socialist.  

When we sang happy birthday......Well that is a whole story in itself.  I decided to use this Sparkler/Fancy Lotus flower candle that Grandmom gave Lo.  She told me to use it on her real birthday because we were a bit skeptical of how safe this candle was (the directions said to stay 4 feet away from it).  I took the risk....I figured it would either be a disaster or a hit.....  Well, it was a little of both.

"Mother of the year" over here forgot about the "4 feet away rule" and poor Liv was so excited to help Lo blow out this fancy candle....  Until it was about 1 foot in front of her face and the flame was about a foot high in the sky.  Liv lost it. I mean LOST it.  I think I scarred her.

The candle was really fun after the flame calmed down and the flower opened.  Each petal had a candle and it played the happy birthday song.  Thank you, Grandmom!

Charlotte on the other hand wasn't phased by all of the chaos.  After Ry helped her blow out her candle, she delicately and slowly took a few bites of her cupcake.  

We got one of those fun "Pull Apart" cakes that is made up of all cupcakes (it was a hit).  Meme made really good sausage and peppers.  We had some tomato pie and chips, etc.  It was pretty low maintenance.  Less about the frill, but more about the Love.  I could feel the love and support in the air.  

Charlotte got lots of stylish new clothes, a Buggy Car, a Radio Flyer wagon, a turtle planetarium, a doll, a school house to go along with her doll house, money, and gift cards.

Charlie-Bear is one Lucky girl.  Lots of fun new gifts.  But most importantly, Lots of Love.

Hannah's 4th Birthday Party.

Like father, like daughter.

Liv spent over an hour outside with daddy doing yardwork.......She would take a break here and there to pick a few clover flowers ( or whatever you call the white flowers that grow in your grass) for me.  She would run in, put them in my vase on the counter, and then run back out with daddy......

The two Brunette Cousins.

Ava loves playing with Charlotte so much.  She is so sweet with her and loves trying to make her smile.  And Lo just lights up when she sees Ava coming her way to play.

Our new "after breakfast" ritual.

After breakfast, we go into the sunroom and watch some of Liv's favorite music videos on You Tube.  I love watching the girls when they are involved in the same thing.  The older they get, the less their age gap matters.

Over heard.

Ryan left tonight around 6pm to go to the UFC fights with Uncle Kevin and Uncle John.  Liv didn't quite understand where he was going and seemed to think he was leaving and going somewhere far (probably because of his recent business trip).  So when he left she had this obsession with Daddy.  She made him a card and put it on his pillow so he would see it when he gets home.  

She was watching a Taylor Swift video where Taylor goes to a prom.

Liv says, "Mommy, is she getting married?"

I said, "No, she is going to a prom."

"What is that?"

"It is a dance you go to when you are in high school, right around the time that you are old enough to drive.  You can go to one when you get older.  You can go with a nice boy, a friend, or by yourself.  You decide..."

"No I won't.  I want to go with Daddy."

Let's see how she feels about that is about 13 years......

"

My belly button.

Charlotte has this obsession with taking her pointer finger and sticking it as far as she can into my belly button while I lay in bed in the morning.  Now that is a strange and awkward feeling... especially the first thing when you wake up.  It is like chinese water torture.

1 Year Check-up.

Well it looks like my Charlie-Bear is taking after her big sis.  At her 1 year check up she was in the 5-10 percentile for length and weight.  She was 16 pounds and 10 ounces and 27.5 inches long.  The doctor had zero concern and just confirmed that Ryan and I just have small kids.  Genetics.....Ryan was super tiny even when he was in middle school.  So was my brother......Liv didn't hit 20 pounds until she was about 18 months old.

The visit was pretty uneventful. Charlotte got one shot.  And Liv got about 10 Dora stickers for being such a great big sister.  I scheduled the girls next appointment which will be together (4 year and 15 month).  It looks like we will be holding off on the MMR shot for a bit because it contains egg.

Happy 1st Birthday, Charlie-Bear.

Click here for a video taken at 3:08 pm a year ago today (charlotte was 8 minutes old).

Dear Charlotte,

From the very moment, I found out I was pregnant, I knew you would be the missing piece to our puzzle.  We would go to the doctor's and patiently await hearing the beautiful sound of your heartbeat.  At the ultrasound, when we found out you were a girl, we were able to begin daydreaming about having our two little girls.  We would explain to Liv how incredibly lucky she was to be a big sister and have a little sister, a best friend for life.

You decided to join us on your exact due date.  As soon as I opened my eyes on August 3rd 2008, I felt my first little contraction.  I remember the details of that day so vividly.........

I fell completely head over heels in love with you the very first moment that I looked into your eyes.  Having had the experience I had with Liv, I never doubted my love for you.  But I wondered if my second birth experience would be less exciting because I knew what to expect.  I was 100% wrong.  I vividly remember the nurse holding you up over me, you turning bright pink.  The dimple in your chin.  Your dark, long brown hair.  Royal blue eyes.  Wrinkled finger tips.  Quivering lip.  Shaky cry. Surrounded by so much family and love.  Within 15 minutes of entering this world, your big sister sat on my lap and held you.  Daddy stood over us and kissed you.  We were at last, a family of four.  A moment that Daddy and I have talked about for the past 12 years.  

I have taken so many paths in my life to end up where I am at this very moment..... a mommy to the two most beautiful little girls in the world.  There is no place I would rather be. 

 Holding you in my arms, playing with you, watching you discover the world......You have given me my purpose in life.  Throughout the past year, my heart has expanded far beyond I ever imagined.  There is nothing in the world I wouldn't do for you. You will always be my little girl.  I could never hold you tight enough, kiss you long enough, or say," I love you" too much.  

Every day, every moment with you is a gift.  Thank you for completing our family.  We now get to  live our "happily ever after".

I love you and will always be your number one fan.

Happy Birthday my sweet little Charlie Bear.

Love,

Mama xoxoxoxo

  

Play hard...... Sleep hard.

On the ride home, we were hoping Charlotte would take her nap.......Looks like we got a napper, just the wrong one.

Look at this CHEESY Face!

Softball.

I can't even tell you how thankful I was that I brought that random, plastic softball to the beach.  Last minute I threw it in Liv's wagon thinking maybe we would have a little catch.  I had no clue she would spend over 40 minutes digging a hole and burying it over and over and over again.  

The beach fosters so much imagination.  Love it.

Ry and I enjoyed some R and R (Lo was napping at Meme's).

Our bed before 7am.

When the girls are up before 7, they usually sit between us in the bed.  We both take turns giving them random objects, hoping they buy us some more shut eye.  I know the remote will buy me about 4 minutes with Lo (she uses it as a phone and talks into it, then presses buttons and looks at the tv for a response- a great cause and effect lesson) and my laptop will occupy Liv (she is obsessed with looking at her friend's blogs).  

By the time Ry and I give up and get out of bed, there is usually a pile of about 20 random objects between us.

.

Big Debut.