Car Wash

Our Honda was in desperate need of a wash. Chris and I thought it would be fun to take the girls through. Hallie had been through before and loved it. And although it would be new for Claire, we hoped it would be exciting. Here are their reactions:



At least they had each other to cling to!

love traditions: first date anniversary and valentine's day

Our family had festivities for two days of love this month. First, Chris and I celebrated for our first date anniversary on February 9. I decorated with pink streamers, candles, pictures of us from our younger days, and our dating scrapbook. Chris brought home a dozen roses! He buys flowers often, but this is the first time I had a dozen roses so that was unique. (I for sure don't need them every time, in fact I love the variety that he picks, but a dozen roses felt very fun and decadent for this day). For dinner, we ordered Chinese food from Pei Wei and ate together with our little girls. Even though a private date would have been fun, Chris pointed out how cool it was that we celebrate along with Hallie and Claire. After all, it was because of our first date that we have them with us now. Chris gave me a sweet letter (he is so good at that). And I made him a mini-scrapbook called "Because of February 9." It had pictures of all the things I have because of our first date (ex. Hallie, Claire, home, romance, travel, etc.).

On Valentine's Day, we made two themed meals. For breakfast, we had sliced strawberries and bananas to go with our chocolate-hazelnut crepes. These are such a Valentine's hit with our family since we did them last year. Claire, particularly loved gumming them!

Hallie opened our gifts to the girls (Sesame Street figurines courtesy of the dollar section at Target). We dressed in red and went to church. For dinner that evening, we had a red-themed dinner. We noshed on feta bruschetta, raspberry pretzel salad, steak (red meat- ha! ha!) and steakhouse mashed potatoes. Our beverage was a cranberry-raspberry spritzer and our dessert was heart-shaped chocolate truffles that Hallie and I made and sugar cookies from our friends, The Rodman's. You know we love a good chance to celebrate anything in this household. It makes for great family traditions and bonds us closer together. I look forward to continuing both celebrations as the years progress.

ten months!

• Claire's official word is still "Dada" but she alternates it with "Daddy." She has said "Mama" several times and tried to say "keys" yesterday and "cookie" today when prompted.
• She is almost crawling. She is currently all about reaching and scooting and stretching. And as always she can roll over to whatever she wants as fast as if she was putting out flames.
• Our baby is getting better at self-feeding. She prefers to pick up a larger item (i.e. toast) and nibble off her own bites. She just started getting better at feeding herself little snacks using her pincer grasp.
• Her favorite food is whatever we are eating. She will still gobble up baby food when I give it to her every couple days. Otherwise she loves yogurt, cheese, pastas, soups, and breads because they are easy to eat. She eats a variety of vegetables and will even munch on peppers and green onions (their taste buds aren't fully developed quite yet). Although, she was not into cilantro lime rice the other day at a restaurant. She clearly thought it was funky and wouldn't open her mouth again for a couple minutes (until I showed her it was a "puff" snack and not another biteful of yucky lime rice).
• She had four teeth come in at once this month (they are taking forever to break through) and she still hasn't given us much hassle over it.
• Claire had her first runny nose and was so confused by snot. What is this stuff? She kindly massaged it into my face by nuzzling her nose into my cheek.
• Claire loves to be silly. She shrieks when she's excited. She flaps her hands around like crazy when she is happy. She loves to make up clever games. Example: How about I grunt three times? You grunted back? Hilarious!
• This silly baby is making up for all the months she never laughed. She is our giggle girl.
• She is tired and in bed by 6. She wakes up in the morning and squeals and chats to herself until I get her up around 7:30-8.
• Claire loves to sit in front of a basket of toys and slowly pull them out one by one. Then she tips the basket over, rolls around with it, and puts the toys back.
• Claire always tries to roll away while I change her diaper. She loves to slap the bag of wipes and listen to the "crinkle-crinkle" sound.

We love our sweet baby girl with all our hearts! Thanks for bringing us so much joy, Claire!

us four

My Dad took family pictures when my parents visited at the beginning of the month. They were impromptu, so we're not all matchy-matchy squared with cute hair. But at least our litte girls are coordinating. I have always wanted to torture little girls by making them dress alike. Thanks, Dad!

fairies

Happy Valentine's Day!

I did my annual Valentine's photo shoot with the girls! Actually, this was Clairey's first time since I was pregnant with her last year. It was also her first time eating a chocolate cookie! She is sooo cute eating it, though. Have a happy Valentine's Day!

bonding while baking

Hallie and I love to bake cookies together. Normally this process can make other kids go crazy but it actually has a soothing effect on Hallie. I'd say it is because she cherishes that time of just Hallie and Mommy. That is why I love to do it with her. It carves out at least an hour together and it is quiet, fun time. Hallie is super focused the entire time. When life has been chaotic or if we have been impatient with each other, I know it's time to get out the baking books. Here are some of my favorite memories of what Hallie does when we bake . . .

• Hallie knows I prefer she doesn't crack the eggs. But, she always gets to pull the egg out of the carton, hold it for awhile, and then hand it to me. She is always so excited and says "I'll get the eggs! Now, I don't break them, Mommy."
• Hallie will hold out the measuring cup and spoon, while I fill it with ingredients. She used to get excited and dump ingredients too early. Now, she is seasoned and more mature. She told me last time "Now, let me know when you're ready for me to dump it, Mommy."
• Hallie can turn the hand mixer on and off herself and has the control to keep the ingredients in the bowl while she mixes. She just waits for my word and she can mix all by herself.
• If either of us accidentally pours flour or sugar on the counter she says "It's okay! We can clean it up later."
• When she was younger she would say "Can I eat it, Mommy? I want some!" seventy eight times while baking. Now she says "Can I just have a little piece?" and "just one more?"
• She without fail says every time "When Daddy comes home he will be so proud of me! He will say 'Oh, Hallie, you made me cookies! Thank you!' Huh, Mommy?"
• When she sees the bag of finished cookies sitting on the counter, instead of asking for them she uses this approach: "I'll only have one cookie, Mommy. Only one!"

sweet realities

Both my sweet daugthers are screaming right now. Claire is in her crib, crestfallen that I would part from her to make her nap. Hallie is on her bed, furious that I am so "mean" to her. She told our store checker "Help! Help me! She keeps yelling at me. She's being mean to me. I need help!" The reality= I had more composure than a Buckingham Palace guard. Another reality= I used every parenting technique I learned in my 28 units of college child development courses. I tried ignoring, distracting, hugging, pep talks, giving her choices, and trust me when I say I tried to get in and out of the store as quick as possible. When her tantrum first broke, I tried to nip it by packing up our shared happy meal and heading straight to the car. But the reality is, Claire needs formula to survive and despite my planning, we were fresh out. So, after ten minutes of getting screamed at in the car, I had to cart my two cuties back into Wal-Mart (an already stressful place in my opinion).

The moral of the story is life is filled with realties, both bitter and sweet. Despite all my techniques and bucket loads of prayers, my babies are their own little people and will make their own choices. But, not a day goes by that I don't burst with love for these kids. I've waited to be their mom my entire life and now their childhood is sweeping by faster than any time in life before. So, I'll take the bitter with the sweet.

Besides, these moments make for great stories!

where the magic began

Nine years ago on February ninth I went on my first date with my guy.

My life changed forever. I hate to sound cliché but it was pure magic.

He hooked me on that first date. And I guess I was pretty magical too.

Celebrating this day is a big deal in our household! I love it because it's a great reminder that magic really exists! Some people are simply meant to be together.

I don't really believe in love at first sight. I don't believe that there is only one person in the world for you. I do believe, however, that there are couples that have absolutely providential timing. That "fate" (a loving Father in Heaven) sees great potential and scoots you together. All we had to do was be at the right place at the right time and sparks flew!

Chris and I are so well-suited for each other. I know God was aware of that.

These nine years have been a beautiful, magical adventure together.

I will always be thankful for February 9, 2001! And for every February 9 after that!

Happy Anniversary to my guy! I'm so happy I'm his girl!

P.S. That really is the first date. I am so happy he brought a camera on the first date. I love him even more for it!

perspective

If I feel this busy with only two kids and a job where I stay at home, I can't imagine what the future holds! Keeping the house clean, feeding people, and keeping the girls and myself somewhat presentable sweeps up so much time. I have been making time to read my scriptures and inspirational books/magazines again (Ensign, old conference talks, self-help/parenting books). This makes me feel loads better. Although, I haven't had much time for literature lately and I could really use some excercise time. I'll figure it out someday and though I will never be able to do it all, I will be able to do more! I need to blog more because this is the main way I am recording my daughters' lives and they are both growing up too fast! Whew!

Has anyone else been feeling overwhelmed lately? The other day, I was able to stop and take pictures of things around my house that I am thankful for. It was great because my heart was filled with love at even the most basic items. It was a great exercise in perspective. Try it! I know if I had more time, I could take a hundred more pictures.