Vignettes

Audrey was crying as we were leaving my parents house this past weekend. She was not happy that we had woken her up to put her in the car seat. We drove the Mustang that night, so it was close quarters. As I put Charlotte in her car seat, she leaned over to the crying Audrey and said, "Audrey, what's wrong? You need me hold your hand? Okay." And she held her hand as we backed out of the driveway. It was so sweet.

Audrey now loves to shake her head back and forth. Every question you ask her has "no" as the non-verbal answer. It is adorable.

Audrey is an eating machine. She eats and eats and eats. The girl can put down peas like there is no tomorrow. Tonight she put down almost an entire mango and then cried for more. I had to give her bottle RIGHTNOW before she'd stop crying. She was recently introduced to the wonderful world of Cheerios. She dumped her bowl out on the floor and decided that there was only one good way to get them:

It is far easier to shovel them in your mouth quickly if you don't waste all that time picking them up and bringing them to your mouth. Why not bring your mouth to the Cheerios?

See that Cheerio under her forehead? She ended up scratching her forehead with that Cheerio as she rolled around trying to get her mouth closer to the food.

And a final thought that I heard last week that made quite an impression on me:

A professor stood in front of his class and filled an empty jar with golf balls. He asked his class, "Is the jar full?" Most of the class nodded. He then pulled out a container of pebbles and poured it into the jar, filling in the gaps around the golf balls. "What about now? Is it full?" The class agreed again that it was now full. He then pulled out a container of sand and poured it in, filling the gaps around the golf balls an pebbles. "An now?" he asks his class. Absolutely, the class believes. He then pulls out a beer and pours it into the jar. The students laughed. He told his class that the golf balls represent important things- your family, health, children, passions. The pebbles are other things that matter, like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else, the small things. If you put the sand in first, there would be no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

These vignettes are my golf balls. The things that really matter. I think I forget sometimes that I need to worry more about the golf balls in my jar than the sand. It's always nice to get a reminder. I've been visualizing those golf balls this past week as I go through my days, keeping in mind that no matter how irritating my clients have been or how messy my house is, it is all just sand. I need to focus on my family, my golf balls.

Oh, and the beer? After one of his students asked about it, he told them that no matter how full your life may be, there is always room for a beer with a good friend (or a coffee, soda, hot chocolate- pick your poison). :)

A Little Reflection

I'm sitting at my desk, not working, and thinking about babies. Some good friends just welcomed their son into the world (Welcome, Noah!) and it has me aching for another baby. What is it about babies? They are so amazing- cuddly, dependent, smell fresh from heaven. I love it. Why do our children grow up so fast? I've been looking at our blog's archives and find myself sad that I can't remember all those little moments we shared as we started our adventure as parents with Charlotte. I see this amazing, wonderful, little girl that has developed and can't believe she was the infant in those pictures just two short years ago (two and a half- ahh!). It so easy to want those days back, to have them last forever. It's true that the bad memories definitely fade- the late night feedings, the nursing disaster with Charlotte, the "sleep training", the first time she was sick. Newborns are challenging, but so so worth it.

When did I become this woman? When did I become the mommy who just wants to breed? I didn't see it coming. Children change you, and almost always for the best. Charlotte and Audrey have made me want to be a better person for them. To be the mom that they can look up to and depend on. They have taught me that there is no limit to love. They have taught me that children are a blessing straight from God, a blessing that continues to fulfill and enrich your life as long as you are willing to let it.

What do I remember from my pregnancies? Swollen feet? Absolutely. Heartburn? Heck yes, with Audrey. Discomfort? Trouble sleeping? An incredible expanding stomach? Yes, yes, and yes. But you know what else I remember? That first flutter of life. That feeling that only I will ever know. I am the only one who will ever know what Charlotte and Audrey's movement felt like. It was like our own private conversation as each girl grew and moved in my belly. The incredibly emotional moment when you hear that first beautiful sound of life, the heart beat on the ultrasound. Or the tiny (or loud, if you're Charlotte) first cry as you welcome your child to the world. That sound that I will remember forever. That feeling of overwhelming love only a parent can have for a child. Truly the greatest gift.

Matt says we're done. I don't really feel it. I find myself jealous of our friends right now (but also incredibly excited and happy for them- yay, Pleimanns!), wanting to feel that joy again. I know it is definitely not in the cards right now, but I miss my babies! Charlotte and Audrey are just growing up too fast! I love watching them turn into people, but I miss holding those "little" nine pound babies close to me, having them fall asleep on my chest. Bliss.

I'm just thinking through my fingers. Lucky you (if you're reading) that you walked into my virtual diary entry. Funny what new babies make you do. :)

And the cuteness continues...

This morning Audrey woke up earlier than I wanted to wake up, so I left her upstairs in her crib, waiting to see if she'd cry. She didn't. She sang to herself (or the animals on her bumper) for about 15 minutes or so and then put herself back to sleep. She's such a sweet child. And that was after sleeping a solid twelve hours prior! Heaven, I tell you. Pure bliss.

Matthew and I were recently talking about how different our girls are. Charlotte is a total goofball and has been since very early on. She'd make silly faces and would totally cheese it up for the camera. Still does. But Audrey is much more quiet and chill about things. I remember the moment she was born. We heard the sweet sound of her first cry, but then she was quiet, watching the people in the room and just observing. She never cried much, only when wet or hungry. Such a sweet baby. She's the same way now, watching us, her sister, the world. She smiles and laughs, but not in the goofy way her sister did (does). It's calmer in some way. Hard to articulate, I suppose. It's so neat to see their personalities develop, and to see them develop so differently. Same environment, same parenting (we think), but different girls. So fun.

And in closing, another example of the goofball that is my oldest child. Every night when she goes to bed, her daddy or I will read two books to her. Then I lay down with her for two songs that Tad sings to her. I lean over to kiss her, she whines a little and I stay for "one more". Then I kiss her goodnight, tell her I love her, and then as I get up to leave, she blows kisses. I blow them back and this continues until I start to go down the stairs and she can't see me anymore. And then she goes to bed. I love hearing her "mwah! mwah!" as I head down the stairs. Such a goof and so so sweet. I just love these girls!

A Charlotte-ism

Charlotte isn't too big on talking to strangers. It usually takes her awhile to warm up to people she knows before she starts jabbering away. But last night we went to 54th Street Diner with my dad for dinner and when the waitress came to the table and asked "What can I get for you", Charlotte piped up in her little voice, "I like fries, please." I was going to order her broccoli, but after I recovered from the cuteness, I ok-ed the order with the server. She was so polite yet firm about her order! It was hilarious. I love her.

Bath Time!

I love giving the girls a bath. They have so much fun together. Now that Audrey can sit up on her own, she loves watching Charlotte splash and in turn, splashes Charlotte! It's great fun.

Why do kids like to drink bath water? I just don't understand.

Matt decided to keep Audrey warm with a wash cloth cape. It actually looked pretty cute.

Our own little caped crusader!

Bananas and Pigtails

I just thought she was about the cutest thing ever. That is all.

Super Bowl!

As we do every year, we went to my parents for the Super Bowl. My aunt Robbie, uncle Scott and their girls, Paige and Morgan, were there along with my cousin Laura and her boyfriend Ryan. It was a lot of fun! Charlotte adores Morgan. She talked about seeing her for days. Once we got to my parents house it was all, Mommy who? She loves her cousin!

Having fun, Audrey? Like the football game?

Go Packers!

Did you see that play?!

You got to hold the guy like this.

The Packers won???

Charlotte's First Movie Theater Movie!

Tangled! It was so cute. We took Charlotte a couple of Saturdays ago for a late morning show (only $4!). She did so great! She sat and watched the whole thing. Even Audrey behaved herself during the movie. :) I remember my first movie theater movie (Aladdin) and don't want to forget Charlotte's! And technically Audrey's, but she slept through the first half.

Like Mommy, Like Daughter

Lately Charlotte has been all about sorting and grouping her toys by shape and color. Crayons, paper, blocks- you name it, she sorts it. The other night we found her doing this:

She lined up her cups and then set to matching the plates, but found that when the cups are lined up next to each other, there wasn't room for the plates. When she set a plate in front of the appropriate cup, there wasn't room for the next plate. She then decided to line up the plates and then match the cups to the plates. Such a problem solver! Now there was room! So much room, she decided to stack the cups on the plates. I love watching her figure things out. Such a smartie!

The Best Part of Our So-Called "Blizzard"

Icicles!

Sunday Dinners

Ever since Matt and I got married, we've gone to my parents house for dinner every Sunday. My mother went to her grandparents house for Sunday dinner and wanted to continue the tradition. Nearly five years later, we only miss when we're out of town! Charlotte loves going. Even at her grumpiest, she perks up when we tell her we're going to Grandma and Grandpa's house. She recognizes the turn off the highway and cheers as we exit. It's too cute. Here are a couple of pictures from last Sunday. It was unseasonably warm (before the big blizzard warnings) so we had a fun day before we left.

Getting ready to go

Yay! Grandma and Grandpa's house!

Can I take this one with me?

Playing with the four wheeler before we left

Weather starts to change. "Mama, I so cold!"

Loving on her (undressed) Snow White. Why does she feel the need to take the clothes off of her dolls?

Checking out Grandpa's fire

Coloring on special giant paper from Grandma.

Such concentration.

Coloring on paper bigger than you is such fun!

My little cheeser.

Audrey enjoying her dinner- strawberry yogurt.

I must get every last bite!

What? There's still some in the corners.

Grandma always has the best yogurt!

The Sweetest Face in the World

Audrey fell asleep in her Daddy's lap while eating her favorite treat, a Mum-mum. The girl loves her food. Such a sweet little face!

Audrey's First Pancakes!

Mommy made the mistake of taking a shower Saturday morning and came out to her youngest daughter, who has only just recently mastered mashed bananas, peas and rice cereal, enjoying pancakes with her older sister. Sigh. I guess Daddy thought she was ready! She ate a ton, despite Mommy's suggestion that she may have had enough, enjoyed them, and then puked the majority up since her stomach isn't large enough to hold two pancakes. Duh. All, well. At least she enjoyed them going down!

The first, tasty bites.

I don't know why you wanted me to wait, Mom. These are great!

Maybe I can squish one last bite in there.

My parents gave Matt these fun pancake molds for Christmas so we have been enjoying Star Wars shaped pancakes!

That is one tasty Yoda.

Darth Vader, anyone?