1st Matching Outfits

Today was the first time that I had the pleasure of putting the girls in matching dresses.  We went to Church and I loved that they were wearing the same thing. I am sure that there will be many more matching outfits in their future. Such cute girls.

 I love my beautiful girls!!

 Mommy and her daughters.

 I can't get over how big Brylie is getting.  It is amazing to me how quickly they are both growing up.

 Life with 2 is always an adventure.

Daddy and his girls. We love him so much. 

Fun with my Girls

Most days are spent leisurely doing crafts, playing with toys, exploring, playing hide and go seek, duck duck goose and playing outside.  Brylie loves to be outside and we make it a point to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible.   I got a new wrap to wear little Gracie more often so I can still run around and play with Brylie.  It makes things a lot easier and I love being able to have her near me.

The first picture of her in the wrap.  She didn't look too thrilled to be in it, but warmed up to it after a few minutes.  This one is comfortable and easy for around the house, but she prefers to be in the Ergo.

Enjoying the beautiful weather outside. Brylie loves to play with bubbles.

Doesn't get much cuter than my little toddler in big girl underwear and rain boots.

Giving my baby kisses.

Brylie is always eager to take pictures with her little sister.

Gracie Meets Mymouse

On our way home from Fresno we stoppped by Mymouse's, so that we could see her and she could meet Gracie for the 1st time.  I am always filled with such love when I get to introduce my girls to Mymouse who is the matriarch of our family.  It leaves a lasting impression on my heart and I am so glad I was able to capture it on camera.

Brylie having a chat with Mymouse.  

My girls with their great grandmother.

4 Generations!!

Austin's Shower in Fresno

We decided to take a trip in our Motorhome for Austin's wedding shower in Fresno. Mom joined us for the drive up and it was so fun to be able to play games and spend time together. Nick was able to play a round of golf while we went to the shower and meet us later in the evening for dinner. It was great to be able to join Austin in the celebration and meet some of her soon to be family. Such a fun weekend!!

Somehow I didn't mamage to get very many pictures from the weekend. It may have had something to do with figuring out how to travel and take care of two girls.  In any case I am really disappointed I didn't get more pictures to capture the fun and celebratory weekend for Austin and Jeff.

Graceyn's 1st drive in the motorhome.  She lasted a few minutes before she was sound asleep.

Mima and Brylie working on puzzles and lacing cards.

The girls with Aunt Kathy at the shower.  Brylie was helping to give her sister her 1st bottle.

The beautiful bride to be unwrapping some gifts with her little helper. Brylie loves to help open presents.

Shelden and Gracie. Love them.

Later on that evening we went to the Boos home for dinner on the Lake.  It was beautiful and relaxing. Shelden and Brylie were making handprints by dipping them in the pool.  Such a cute picture. 

April Visits

We were lucky enough to have 3 separate visits during April.  It was so much fun to see some of our family members and to have them meet Gracie for the 1st time. We are very thankful for the efforts that people make to see us and share in the love of our little girls.

April 6th: Austin and Jeff came over to the house to see Gracie and talk about their upcoming wedding.    I am so excited to participate in their special day.

April 11th: Aunt Lisa and cousin Chelsea came to visit us and meet Gracie.  Brylie was very excited to play and show off her little sister. It was very fun to see them.

April 14th: Becky came from Santa Barbara for her first introduction to Gracie and play with Brylie.  It was so great to see her and we are so appreciative that she made the long drive for us.

Gracie 1 Month

It is hard to believe that Graceyn has already been in our world for a month.  She fits into our family so perfectly.  We are all in love with her and showering her with lots of loves, hugs and kisses.  She has changed so much in one month.    Most of her days consist of sleeping and eating but she is starting to become more alert, putting on weight and seems more aware of the people around her.

It is amazing to experience the 1st month of having a baby in the house again.  It is a time of adjustments, transition and working together as a team.  This time around I have a quiet confidence in mothering that I didn't have the 1st time.  The confidence that comes from knowing that I have done this before.  Confidence that comes from the pride of who I have helped to raise in Brylie and who I have become as a mother.  Confidence that comes from knowing that sleepless nights, unfamiliar cries, projectile vomit, and blowouts will not last forever.  I realize that these moments although often times chaotic and are to be treasured because they go by quickly.  I am not saying that is always easy or without struggles but it is an absolutely wonderful ride.  It is exhilarating and exhausting, rewarding and challenging, heart warming and gut wrenching and filled with immeasurable amounts of laughter and love. I thank God everyday for the blessing of these little girls and the incredible husband who gave them to me.

Likes: Gracie likes to be held and feel the closeness of others.  She is quick to fall asleep on someones chest or shoulder.  She also likes to nurse and enjoys cluster feeds at night.

Dislikes: Gracie much like her older sister at this age does not like pacifiers.  There was a brief period of time that I had thought that there was a chance that she would take them, but now when I try she gags, gives me a face and spits it out.

Tender moments:  There is something to be said about the bond between sisters.  It seemed that almost instantly Brylie was drawn to Gracie and had a nurturing and protecting feeling towards her.  On our way to our first family dinner out to a restaurant Gracie got a little fussy in the car.  To help settle her Brylie has come up with a "Crying song" and it is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen.  The song is something that Brylie makes up with words to help calm down her sister.  Some of the adorable lyrics include "Don't cry Gracie today is the day" "Your mommy is here, your daddy is here, and Brylie is here" "We are right here" "It will be ok" "Just be happy little Gracie" To our surprise Gracie stopped crying when Brylie sang this song.  I just imagine that Gracie felt the security of her big sister.  This little interaction seriously melts my heart.  I know that they will be lifelong friends.

Pee Pee Party

Disclaimer: Before having kids I never thought I would be writing about and further more celebrating pee pee, but let me tell you it is a BIG Deal.  Feel free to skip over this posting if this subject matter is less than interesting for you, but I have learned that pee pee in the potty is a huge milestone.

I know the title may be a bit surprising, but let me elaborate.  Both Nick and I have tried without much luck to encourage Brylie to use the big girl potty. I have bought numerous potty books, princess potty seat, stepping stools,  singing toilet and Elmo DVD.  I had thought that this would really spark an interest months ago, but to my surprise she wanted nothing to do with any of it.  She enjoyed reading the books, but when it came to sitting on the potty or trying her response was "Maybe in a couple of months" or "No thank you" We told her that in order for her to attend school she had to be able to go to the bathroom. I have been told by many not to push potty training and to let kids wait until they were ready.  Well this advice was well taken and so accurate with our Brylie.  On Tuesday after her nap I asked Brylie if she could please put on a pull up while I went to go check on her sister.  Brylie came running into see me jumping up and down with excitement saying that she went peep pee on the potty.  I was thrilled and hesitant since I didn't actually witness it first hand. She had decided that she would prefer big girl underwear instead of pull-ups.  So this was the beginning of her self led potty training.  Later on while playing with play-doh she told me she needed to go potty.  This is where things get tricky with 2 kids.  I was nursing Gracie, but didn't want to miss the opportunity to continue working on the potty training.  I picked Brylie up in one arm while holding and nursing Gracie in the other and helped her onto the toilet.  Unfortunately I wasn't much help because the angle at which I placed her tiny little buns on the toilet caused her to fall in.  I was worried that this would hinder the whole process but she just looked at me and laughed "Mommy you dropped me in the toilet" while she went pee pee in the potty.  The whole experience made me laugh and realize that life with two is definitely a balancing act.  In hindsight I probably could have set Gracie down for a few minutes, but time was of the essence.  That day Brylie went 4 times on the potty.  I sent text messages to my Dad, Barbara, Mom, and Ally keeping them informed of her progress.  I had mentioned that if she could go again we would be making a trip to get frozen yogurt that evening.  Dad/Barbara and John/Ally wanted to join in on the Potty Party and decided to go get ice cream as well to celebrate Brylie's success.  It was so fun to have a bi coastal Pee Pee party over our phones.  Needless to say Pee Pee in the Potty is absolutely something to celebrate and hence the reason for a Pee Pee Party.

Brylie using the big girl potty.

Enjoying some celebratory frozen yogurt.

Granbrad and GranB made a trip for ice cream for Brylie.

 John and Ally enjoying the excuse for ice cream in New Jersey.