ONE is so FUN!

We had the Bug's first Birthday party last weekend when we were home in Charleston and it was a fantastic time. You'll have to forgive me that some of the pictures got out of order, oh well...anyway, it was so fantastic. We had so many fantastic friends and family that attended. Of course there was Gigi and Papa, Uncle Matt, Aunt Cynthia, Macy and Colby. Tara and Jameson, Tiffany and Brooklyn, Paul , Michele, Tyler and Spencer, my friend Andrea with her two kids Daniel and Hannah, My friend Rachel, Great-Grandpa Merle and very dear friends Cece Robison and Colleen and Kelly Peterlich. It was definitely a house full, but we wouldn't have it any other way.

Kiersten had perfect timing. The party was scheduled to start at 4PM and she woke up at 3:40, we brought her down stairs and she got so happy like she knew it was all for her. You can see that in the picture of her and her daddy while she still has her jammies on. We got her dressed in her birthday party dress...actually it was a party onesie, customized just for her with her red pettiskirt from Christmas. I put the adorable red bow in her hair but of course she didn't want to keep it there.

We started out just letting the kids play, followed by lots of yummy goodness. Gigi and Papa ordered Pizza's for us all, we had the ladybug marshmallow pops that daddy and I worked on all morning, a huge fruit platter and a veggie tray. It all went over pretty well with this crowd. after that the kids played a little longer while the grown-ups visited and then it was time for cake. Her expressions were just priceless. She couldn't figure out what everyone was singing about. That's the picture with her in the high-chair with no cake. And then of course she was adorable giving her cake the taste test. She got a little cranky when we tried to take her cake away, but other than that there were no tears from our little bug on her birthday!!! We got her cleaned up and headed into the living room to open gifts. She was so attentive and got so excited opening the packages. She would clap her hands and make happy noises, then she would get worked up and start yelling when we couldn't get the toys out of the packages quick enough. She got so many adorable outfits, a few stuffed animals a baby doll, a mermaid, some bath toys, a coupe riding toy from Gigi and papa, and an Elmo from Mommy and Daddy. It was a great day for Kiersten and for all of us who love her...can't believe she will be one in 6 days!

Playing Dress Up

We had some very special visitors this past Monday. My sister's husbands, mother and sister. In other words my sister's in-laws...or Uncle Jeff's mom and sister. Leah was so excited for our company to arrive. She talked to Uncle Jeff on skype the day before and told him they were coming. We told her that Valerie was Uncle Jeff's little sister. So when Valerie arrived Leah was shocked to find that she was a full-fledged grown up, she kept looking around and saying "You're not the sister, You're too big." I think Leah was expecting a little playmate, but honestly...no one could have filled the role better than Valerie on that day.

Susan had been going through boxes and such and decided to share Valerie's old dance costumes with Leah. Leah LOVES to play dress-up so this was a very special treat. She was so excited she couldn't wait to get into the bags and see what all was in store. There was so much stuff, the kid was in heaven. I think the easter bonnets and the faux fur coat were big hits, but then we got to the costumes...oh, the costumes! Valerie was such a good sport helping her get in and out of all of them. And Leah relished every one for a whole 2 minutes before having to move on to the next one. I have included pictures of most of them. What fun!

After trying on all her new fabulous outfits we moved on the kitchen. Susan and Valerie had brought some delicious cheesecake, cupcakes and chocolate chip cookies to share...they were great! Cheesecake is Mitch's favorite so he was excited. Leah and I both indulged in a cupcake and I even let her have a cookie too. It was a great afternoon and made us wish that we got to visit more often.

Poor Kiersten, she didn't get to partake in much of the visit. She was down for about 5 days with fever. Like the 102, 103 variety. I took her to the doctor on Thursday thinking she had ear infection and they said she was just fine. Well Monday when she woke up and it was 103.6 we called the doctor back. Mitch took her in and like I though, she had an ear infection. She is doing much better after starting the meds and her fever broke on Tuesday. Leah CRASHED after Susan and Valerie left on Monday. She took a good nap, and woke up to play dress up all over again. And then all over again a few times on Tuesday and Wednesday and of course, even first thing this morning. Her favorite by far is the purple flapper dress with the black and purple fringe skirt and the gold sequins...she loves it and has the hip shake down. It's too cute. Tonight we are taking off for Illinois, lots to do...a 1st birthday party included. So look for that post next week when we get back.

Spring Cleaning

I know it's not technically spring yet, but there were a few days last week that felt like it. We had temps in the 60's last week believe it or not, and it's only mid February. Of course this weekend we were back in the 30's and actually got a little snow but that is beside the point. While it was nice, Mitch and Daddy's little helper took advantage of the nice weather and got some outside work on the house done. The front of the house got powerwashed, all the windows on our screened in porch got washed and a lot of brush that was knocked down in winter storms was finally hauled to the curb. The house looks great. I forgot that the trim was white and not "dingy" colored!!! Mitch worked super hard, but Leah did too. Look at her with her rag wiping down all the window seals...what a hard worker. Of course she tried to sneak a few opportunities with the hose as well, but didn't get too far. She is so ready for summer. Last year we put her inflatible pool up on the deck so it wouldn't kill all the grass. So everytime the snow melts from our deck and the sun is shining she asks if it is summer yet and time to go swimming. I guess in some ways she is like me, definitely a warm weather gal...in other ways she it totally her daddy's girl. Wants to be with him, wants to do everything that he is doing. I tell you, she is getting pretty handy with the tools!

They're figurin' on biggerin' and biggerin' and biggerin'

Dr. Seuss' The Lorax is one of our favorite books and the old Onceler says to the Lorax "For your information you Lorax I'm Figurin' on biggerin' and biggerin' and biggerin' and biggerin'. Well, that's exactly how I felt when we returned from Mexico last week. I looked at my girls and I could have sworn that they both grew a few inches. Plus, while we were gone Leah learned how to pronounce her "S" so she sounded so much more grown up. Grandma Tootie shared a few stories from her time with the girls. For the most part they were good. They loved the aquarium of course and it went extra smooth because the hippos were sleeping, otherwise Leah can be a little skittish around them. But my favorite story involves what Grandma Tootie refers to as East Windsor's finest...meaning the police, uh oh! Yes, the cops had to come to my house. It seems that Leah has discovered the locks on the doors. Grandma Tootie let the dogs out back, put the girls in their coats and hats and headed out front to let them get some fresh air. When it came time to come in though, there was a problem. Apparently Leah had turned the lock on the front door locking them out. So Grandma Tootie went around to the back door, but Leah had gotten to that door too. Not sure what to do, they took a stroll down the street, found a neighbor outside and she let them use the phone to contact the police. So officer Tim met them at the house. He took notice of a window on our screened in porch that opens to the garage. Of course these are normally screwed shut so he managed to pry it open, got in the house and saved the day. Just to keep things interesting...later when Grandma Tootie went out to the garage to start the car Leah locked her in the garage. Thankfully she was able to just go around and walk in the front door. After that Grandma took keys and a cell phone with her whenever she left the house :)

While we were gone Grandma Tootie got the girls these Valentine shirts. Kiersten's says "I love Mommy," and Leah's says "I love Daddy." Too cute, but they didn't want to sit still and let me take their picture. That's okay because the ones with them tickling each other and giggling are so adorable and you can't stage that kind of love. The girls are truly becoming best friends. They are playing so nice together (except when it comes to the iPad, which they fight over). They love to snuggle in the reclining chair. They dance like rock stars to the Laurie Berkner band and they love to give each other hugs and kisses. It makes my heart so happy. This morning I actually woke up to find Leah in Kiersten's room. She was sitting in the glider singing "You are my Sunshine" to her. That is the song that I sing to my girls when I am trying to soothe them. Not sure if Leah woke up and went into Kiersten's room and woke her up or if Kiersten woke up and then Leah heard her crying but either way, it was so precious and made me see how much my cup runneth over. I don't think it would be possible for me to love and adore them anymore than I already do...so Happy Valentines everyday to my baby girls.

Playing in Playa

Mitch and I went on a much needed, well deserved vacation last week. We went to Playa Del Carmen...again. This time we went with a group. Mitch sister, Lori and her husband Todd, as well as his brother Brian and wife Lisa joined us. There were also 2 other couples from their hometown along for the trip. Initially we were all booked to stay at the Barcelo Maya Tropical, but 3 of the 5 couples were upgraded to the Palace...the 3 couples that had all stayed their previously. Mitch and I were excited to be going back to the Palace. That is where we had our honeymoon, and with some smooth talking from Chad (local friend) the other 2 couples were upgraded as well. It was a fantastic vacation.

We arrived around 11 am on Saturday and so we were able to get checked-in changed and we hit the beach. Just about everyone controlled themselves with the open bar the first day...everyone but Uncle Todd. Needless to say, Todd was "sleeping" in his room by 7pm and didn't make it to dinner with us that night. The backstory on poor Uncle Todd: 2 years ago he and Lori went for the anniversary and on the 2nd day there he ended up in the hospital where he had to have his gallbladder removed. He got out of the hospital just in time to enjoy his last day in Playa...so the way I see it, One wild and crazy night was well deserved! Anyway, Lori ended up going to dinner with Mitch and I and then we relaxed with a cocktail at the lobby piano bar. Brian and Lisa arrived around noon on Sunday. We showed them around the resort got them settled in and hit the beach. Mitch ended up having a "rough" night a few days later and Aunt Lori has a priceless picture of him resting by the pool the next day.

The weather could not have been more perfect the entire time we were there. The forecast called for rain everyday, thankfully that didn't happen. We only had rain one day and it didn't start until almost 4 in the afternoon. It provided us all the perfect opportunity to get in a quick nap, and then meet up for dinner. We went to the Brazilian restaurant, went to the theatre at the Tropical and then on to the Discotech...what a fun night. Mitch and his sister Lori were both smiling these incredible huge smiles. They were certainly enjoying themselves. There were a few rounds of shots and a lot of dancing. Even Brian...Yes, Brian got out on the dance floor for a song or two. Lori and I tried to capture some pictures, but they just wouldn't turn out with the smoke machines and strobe lights in full force, but I swear HE WAS there and HE DID dance, ha ha!

The guys spent a lot of time out in the ocean. Brian, Lisa, Lori and Todd all brought their own snorkeling gear. They were kind enough to share with Mitch and I and you wouldn't believe all the sea life that just swam right up to you. I couldn't even list all the different types of fish that they saw but I know they were pretty excited, especially by the large sea turtles and the stingrays.

Most of our days were spent relaxing at the pool and the beach. The sound of the waves rolling up on the shore were so relaxing, it could have put me to sleep and to say that I LOVE the cabanas and loungers in the water would be an understatement. I was so content just relaxing with a book and a beverage. Mitch and I had wanted to vacation with his brother and sister for some time and it totally exceeded our expectations...we would love to do it again sometime and hopefully will!

11 months

Bug is 11 months old. So I guess this afternoon I can put the "month" blocks away and start searching for the letters to spell out "1 YEAR"...I think I might cry doing so. This past year just flew by. But one thing has stayed the same. Kiersten is still the same angel of a baby she was the day we brought her home. Only nowadays she is running all over the place and her appetite has increased greatly. Grandma Tootie and Grandpa Dave were here babysitting the past week while we were on vacation. They said they took the girls to McDonalds and Kiersten ate a WHOLE cheeseburger AND some fries all by herself...MY GOODNESS! I have got here weaned down to 2 bottles a day and she is pretty much doing great. She is taking whole milk occasionally and hasn't had any problems adjusting so far. An boy, oh boy does my girl smile. She is always so happy, I can't get enough of that grin.

Right now she is practicing giving kisses, only its more along the lines of her putting my entire chin in her mouth. I don't mind. She has become fascinated with hitting too. Although, she thinks it's a game...something we will have to work on, since she loves to go right for your face with a toy. She probably learned it from Leah, ha ha! One of her top teeth finally popped through on the 8th as well. So that gives her three total. I'm guessing she is hovering around 20 lbs and she is wearing her 9 month size clothes. Once in a while I put 12 month on her and they fit but are a bit big. So she is a walking, smiling, eating, kissing, hitting, grinning bundle of joy. Stay tuned for one year post coming up faster than I am ready for.