Nails

Hot pink is THE choice color.  The only way I can get this kid to let me clip her finger nails, is if I promise to paint them for her.  Everything's a compromise. I'm so proud of her for facing her hands nail-out when I asked to see her pretty nails.  Usually if you ask to see them, she holds her hands up palm-out so SHE can see her pretty nails; makes sense.

Lasagna. Made With Love.

Juliet learned how to make her Mama's lasagna tonight.  She helped make the cheese sauce (while sneaking cheese taste tests) of Ricotta, Mozzarella and a pinch of Parmesan all mixed together with egg.  Then she helped with the layers; nothing is more fun then feeling warm cooked pasta mush in between your fingers.  After waiting patiently for the lasagna to cook (an hour is a long time for a two year old to wait) we made salad.  Finally she was able to enjoy the meal she helped put together. 

Full Tub

The girls had their first ever bath together tonight.  Who knew you could use a Bumbo in the tub?  If there's not picture proof of it on the box it came in, I'm usually not creative enough to think of new ways to use a product; I just assume there is a different, better gadget I need to purchase for that specific need.  Anyway, it goes without saying that I was very proud of myself to have thought of it.  Until the day my pink Bumbo turns green with mold from water damage, I'll brag to every mother I know that it works extremely well in the tub.  Violet being belly deep in the water, was able to stay warm and was sitting up just enough that Juliet could pour a little water on her and help me wash her hair.  Not one melt down occurred from either child in 20 minutes; a record for these girls.  They both just seemed so tickled to be in the tub together.  Success!

Apple Art

The theme was APPLES this week at Juliet's art class.  They did apple stamps with a cut up apple dipped in paint.  They finger painted an apple tree (the teacher was out of red paint so they used yellow for the apples).  They picked out seeds from their apples and glued them on a counting sheet and finished off the day with an Apple Jack necklace Juliet beaded all herself (she used about half the cereal and helped herself to the rest).  Those parents were probably thinking I starve my poor child the way she was scarfing her crafts down left and right.  All I have to say about that is, hey ... at least my kid's eating the edibles; I saw a couple kids in there testing out the glue.  Eww.  Other than getting green paint all over her dress, cheeks, hair and ears it was a very successful day of apple art.

Pajama Storytime

Pajama story time with bestie Avery ... always a good time.  After chasing each other around and around in the kids area, they sat down side by side to listen to stories.  Well, Avery sat down and Juliet just played with both their "babies".  This was one of the only shots I got of her actually paying attention.

Loving Two

I walk along holding your 2-year-old hand, basking in the glow of our magical relationship. Suddenly I feel a kick from within, as if to remind me that our time alone is limited. And I wonder: how could I ever love another child as I love you?

Then she is born, and I watch you. I watch the pain you feel at having to share me as you’ve never shared me before.

I hear you telling me in your own way, “Please love only me”. And I hear myself telling you in mine, “I can’t”, knowing, in fact, that I never can again.

You cry. I cry with you. I almost see our new baby as an intruder on the precious relationship we once shared. A relationship we can never quite have again.

But then, barely noticing, I find myself attached to that new being, and feeling almost guilty. I’m afraid to let you see me enjoying her, as though I am betraying you.

But then I notice your resentment change, first to curiosity, then to protectiveness, finally to genuine affection.

More days pass, and we are settling into a new routine. The memory of days with just the two of us is fading fast.

But something else is replacing those wonderful times we shared, just we two. There are new times – only now, we are three. I watch the love between you grow, the way you look at each other, touch each other.

I watch how she adores you – as I have for so long. I see how excited you are by each of her new accomplishments. And I begin to realize that I haven’t taken something from you, I’ve given something to you. I notice that I am no longer afraid to share my love openly with both of you.

I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are, but equally strong. And my question is finally answered, to my amazement. Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you – only differently.

And although I realize that you may have to share my time, I now know you’ll never share my love. There’s enough of that for both of you – you each have your own supply.

I love you – both. And I thank you both for blessing my life.

Author Unknown

I found this poem online and it spoke to me. I couldn't have written it better myself. I use to worry I could never love another baby as much as my first, but I guess your heart just gets bigger the more children you have.  Love both my girls and feel incredibly lucky everyday.
 

Baby Girl Number Two

My little baby will be 11 weeks in just a couple days.  I can't believe how much she's grown.  She's able to sit up in her bumbo, trying desperately to roll over and is now facing forward in her Bjorn.  Oh Violet, please stop growing. 

Our New Ride

Our new ride.  Baby Trend Sit & Stand.  Took that bad boy out for it's first stroll at the fair today.  IT. IS. AWESOME.  Even Juliet's prize, a bug eyed squirel/chipmunk got to test it out.

Did The Puyallup

We survived the Puyallup Fair today.  I didn't over eat too badly (just a krusty pup, part of an elephant ear, curly fries and a roasted corn on the cob ... this reminiscing is making my mouth water) and didn't loose any children in the chaos; my new double stroller was a lifesaver.  Besides inhaling food all day, I taught Juliet how to fish and pop balloons.  No, I didn't let her throw any darts.  She won a goofy looking, cheaply made stuffed animal every time.  Everyone's a winner!  That's somehow not how I remember it when I was young playing games at the fair ... but I'm not bitter.

Fair Animals

The dairy barns at the fair are always a big hit. This sweet sheep in particular caught Juliet’s eye. They were giving sheep haircuts in the middle of the barn for people to watch but somehow this one seemed to be the only one that got away without getting a proper trim. He was sleeping (I think … hard to tell if his eyes were closed or open) when we first walked up and Juliet just stared and stared. As soon as he noticed her, the cute sheep got up and walked right over to the gate. Scared the heck out of Juliet but she warmed up to him (or her) real fast.


Besides the sheep, the pigs were Juliet’s other favorite. She watched this Momma feed her babies for a long time (like 3 whole minutes). There was a mob of people around this sweet little family; I bet that Mamma pig wished she’d had a Hooter Hider. No one gets offended by her when she has to nurse in public … they crowd around and take pictures instead.

Sneak Peek: Daudet Photo Session

Little Joe: charming; funny and full of energy.  He has some of the most beautiful big blue eyes along with the best pebble tossing warm up I've ever seen.  It was such a pleasure to take your picture sweet Joe ... I'm just so glad it didn't rain on our picture snapping parade. 

Final edits to come later this week.

Favorite Color

As of today it's official that Juliet's favorite color is Pink.  She chose the pink paint in art class, along with the bright pink play-doh and while coloring at Nana's, she picked every crayon that even remotely resembled the color.  These seven shades of pink/orange/red were the first to come out of the crayon box; the rest were soon to follow.  She never did end up actually coloring on her paper. 

No Room For Groceries

Ever since accidentally running into a not so friendly face while trying to maneuver one of those ridiculous car buggies, the regular grocery cart/buggy have served us just fine.  One in front; one in back.  Yet, somehow it's no longer the "it" place to toss my food and boxed wine before checking out.  It is now become a convenient place to place my kids and keep them out of trouble.  I know the little sign on the cart shows a big X through the picture of the child in the back of the basket, but what the heck is one supposed to do when you're outnumbered by your own children and refuse to push around a sticky cart posing as a race car the size of a bus, whose front wheels only touch the ground on corners?  Sometimes you just have to break the rules.  Well that and shop more frequently so you have less groceries per visit and more room for kids.

Don't Test Me

Take one more picture Mamma, and I'll knock you're lights out.

Personality

My daughter has had the biggest personality since the day she was born.  "She's such a character" is what her GG has always said about her.  Her expressive face is without a doubt what started my picture taking career.  Keep up those corky faces girl; I'll always think you're adorable!