Stella.

Well, I fought hard to name Charlotte, Stella, but I lost.  That is okay because Ryan bought me my very own beach cruiser.  I named her Stella.

I am on the search for the perfect basket to put on her.  She will be my Farmer's market companion.  I also plan to bring her to the shore so I can ride her everywhere (like I did growing up).  

I see it now, in about 4 years, when the girls are in school, taking Stella to yoga with me.

Little Scotty's First Birthday Party.

The kids had a blast.  Noah's Ark Workshop came and the girls stuffed their own animals and designed shirts for them.  It was a hit!

Yummy food, lots of babies, the family is growing!  

(sorry for the lack of photos; I was preoccupied and left my camera in my bag the whole time)

Props to Pappa.

On our drive to Jersey on Sunday, we passed three billboards and saw one bus with Ryan's work on them.  Kind of strange to be driving on 76 and say, "Hey, Liv, you see that billboard?  I designed it."  or "Look at the back of that bus.  Doesn't it look familiar?  I am sure you were on my lap while I worked on it."

All of daddy's hard work.  But he has alot to show for it.  We are super duper proud of him.

Side note-  Liv has this new obsession in calling Ry, Pappa. She may get it from watching Little Bear on Noggin.

Pool Party.

In true Liv style, she took some time to warm up to the pool idea.  It didn't take long though for her to have some fun with her cousins.  She enjoyed jumping off of the side into Aunt Nichole's arms.  I was pretty darn proud of her!

And Charlotte, didn't shy away from the big pool at all.  She lit up as soon as she got in the water.  I also brought a baby pool to set poolside so she could sit in it and play by herself.

All in all, a great time.

Overheard.

Liv was in the bathroom with Ryan.  She stepped on the scale and Ry told her it said 30.  She ran into my room screaming, "Mommy, my feet are thirty!!!!"

Fridge Worthy.

 

Playtime.

I love you, Sweetie Bug.

Every night when I tuck Liv in, I carry her to her bed.  Right before I put her in, she gives me a kiss on the lips and hugs me.  While hugging me, she pats me on the back and says, "Awwww, I love you, sweetie."  (I hid the camera in my shirt because i wanted to really focus on the sound of her voice.  I want to remember her sweet little whisper forever.)

Pop goes the Weasel.

Fun times with daddy.

Dance Portraits.

Okay, so this year the kids went into the studio by themselves for pictures while the parents stayed outside.  I know this seems pretty standard, but I was a little worried because Liv tends to get pretty shy and takes awhile to warm up.  Not in this picture.....

It literally brought tears to my eyes because she has come such a long way.

New discovery........ears.

How strange is it to discover you have these two protruding discs attached to the side of your head?  I mean, I know this isn't the first time Lo has felt her ears.  But for some strange reason tonight while I nursed her to bed, she repeatedly yanked on her ears as if she wanted to take it off and see it for herself.

TARZAN.

Okay, so I haven't caught it on film yet, but Liv loves the rope swing at grandmom and grandpop's house.  They put it up in the spring and at first, I think Liv was a little hesitant (as she is with most things).  But now, you can't get her off the darn thing.  She doesn't even want to share it with her cousins (although, she knows that is only fair, so she takes turns).  She holds on super tight and begs to be pushed higher and higher.  She would stay on it for hours if she could (but then she may need some gloves because of her tight grip).

Coconut milk.

After drilling a hole in the coconut, we all shared the milk.   Then Liv and Ry sat on the back porch hammering the coconut into pieces to eat the meat.  Liv LOVED it.

Memorial Day Weekend.

What a great weekend.  I took the girls down on Thursday and Ry took the train down on Friday.  The weather was beautiful.  The girls slept super well and Lo took all of her naps on schedule.  She will sleep no matter where you put her.  My mom's crib, her pack and play, etc.

Just like the doctor said.....the salt air and ocean water majorly relieved Charlotte's skin.  Her skin was super soft by the second day.  

Unfortunately, I had a mother of the year moment and didn't reapply Lo's sunscreen.  Her cheeks got rosy and sunburnt.  Good thing is that within 24 hours, the redness faded.  She didn't seem bothered though.

We BBQ'ed every night and played Washers.  Had some good quality family time.  Went for long walks each day.  Had a Full Family Carwash (haha, lined our cars up and dad pressure washed them).  Got a Pedi.  The girls took turns getting alone time with Meem and Jeep (therefore, alone time with us too).

Overall, it was a blast.  And we just have to obey the doctor's orders and get Lo down there alot this summer ;)

Liv's favorite place ever...... the dock.  Her lifejacket might as well be her only wardrobe in SH. 

I think I have a picture identical to this of Liv the first time she went on a boat ride.  The funny thing is, they both had the same reaction to the boat.  It puts them in a trance.
Liv stomping on a sand castle.  There are many other photos in this series.  They are all goofy faces and poses that show her excitement of the beach.  As soon as she stepped her foot on the sand, she turned into this wild, giggly worm.
This year, Liv was cool and calm on the boat.
Lo loved the ocean.  It was great for her skin too.  As soon as I put her feet in the water, her dry skin had some relief.

Liv and mommy jumping the waves.
Lo had to get in on the sand castle stomping, too.
The second we put Lo on the sand, handfuls went from her hand to her mouth.  

Hours on end, I could go out on the pier and see this.  Daddy and Liv, rock skipping.
Eating sand, caught on tape.

Wild Beach Worm, in action.

Liv now rides her big girl bike to and from Meme and G-Pop' s house (which is 6 houses down).

Clapping.

Lo has started imitating us and clapping her hands when she is excited.

Now and Later.

Today Ry went up to Lo's crib after her nap to get her out.  As soon as he walked in she reached out for him.  While reaching out she opened her clenched fist (which stayed clenched her whole naptime).  In her fist was a Cheerio from lunch.  She looked at it and popped it right in her mouth.

This isn't the first time I have caught her hiding snacks for later.  Sometimes they are in her chin, on her shirt, resting at the top of her diaper from sliding down her neck and under her onesie.

Smart girl~

When did this happen?

I am not quite sure when this happened, but when I glance at Liv I see such a mature little girl.  I feel like she is aging at the speed light.  Every minute I turn around, she is becoming more considerate, responsible, loving, genuine, and confident.  

The most heart filling and heart breaking moments I have had are when I watch her with other children.  I see her wanting to be independent.  I watch her branch away from me and want to be with peers.  My first reaction is to want to hold her tight.  Not let her go.  Tell her to stay close.  Be careful of the ladder.  Don't run too fast.  

But, I quickly realize, that I have to let her go.  I want her to meet others.  Have the confidence to approach kids.  Tell them her name  (and how old she is).  Ask them their name.  Share her snack.  

It is so hard to hold back.....Butt in.  Say, "Hey, kid, this is Olivia. Can she play with you?"  I have to admit, I have done that before.  Now I have to fight really hard to hold back.  Let her do it by herself.  

What I notice the most, is the look on her face as she watches other kids or approaches them.  I can't explain the expression.  And I hope to never forget it.  She has always been such an observer.  One to sit back and take everything in.  As she grows, she becomes more confident.  More willing to take risks.  Go out of her comfort zone.

And...

Now that Liv has dropped her nap, she has an 8 pm bedtime and 8ish waking time.  For the past week, she has come out of her room at around 8:30ish completely dressed for the day.  I am usually downstairs already showered and feeing Lo breakfast. 

Has she suddenly become a teenager overnight?  I know she hasn't but I feel like she is getting big WAY too fast.  I still savour those moments of snuggle time.  Or when she comes up to me to reassure me that she loves me (who is the parent and who is the child?)

I love that girl to death.  

We got another....

Her other top tooth has cleared through the gums.  We are at 4 teeth now at 9.5 months.

Ella's Birthday Party.

After the Dogwood, we headed to Reading to celebrate Ella's first birthday.  There were so many kids and babies.  They had alot of fun on the trampoline, the swingset, riding the Big Wheels, and playing with eons of toys.  

After leaving there, Liv discovered the American Dolls and Lo discovered the Push buggy car.  Looks like I know what are on the girls newest "have to have" list.