Photo Shoot with Johanna

Unnapped baby, 113 degree weather, late afternoon photo shoot just following a sweaty soccer game... conditions were all against us. Yet, Johanna Superphotographer came to the rescue. She managed to capture these beautiful photos that bring a tear to my eye reminding me just what a perfect family I have.

Katie the Soccer Star

Katie joined AYSO this year and what else can I say, but "Wow--what a star!" With just a few team practices under her belt and few days of kicking around the front yard with Daddy, in the first soccer game of the season, Katie scored the first goal! The team won 3-2 (though ridiculously enough, AYSO does not keep score for kids under 8 years old). Katie was extremely giddy with excitement after the game and decided soccer is her new favorite activity.

Aiden is Crawling!!!

At six months old, Aiden is mobile! He started with baby push-ups lifting his hips high up in the air and twisting his feet around in an effort to move (so darn cute to watch!). Katie would cheer at every little movement forward, "Yay, Aiden! Super-Aiden!" Then literally overnight, he went from moving an inch or two to moving feet at a time. Super-Aiden is right!

A Month of Firsts

At five months old, Aiden in the month of August has crossed several milestones of firsts: first foods (peas--gross of course :), sweet potatoes, carrots--a favorite, and apples), first big laughs, and even sitting up on his own. One of the most wonderful moments for me was watching him laugh hysterically as his sister ran across the living room over and over ending with a jump right next to him on the couch. She'd shout, "Again, Bubbers?" and run across the living room as he giggled uncontrollably just anticipating her next run across the living room and bounce onto the couch. So darn cute!

Katie's First Solo Performance

Katie and her Auntie Chelsea wrote a fantastic song titled "When I'm Fifteen". Katie rocked it out of the park on August 6 at Delphi when she song the song by herself in front of her school! I couldn't be more proud of my darling girl and her wonderful newly discovered talent. After all of the massive congratulations she has gotten from everyone who saw the show, she now belts songs freely in the car, on the playground...really anywhere. I love it! She's a super star!

Fun in the Sun

We had such a blast at Luke's
pirate themed birthday party. Splish splashing around in the pool at the LeBaron's new house, Katie didn't want to leave. She said when it was time to go "I don't want to go unless you let me stay for 5 minutes and have a sleepover with Isabella." Hmmm. Where does she get this deal making from, I wonder? I couldn't help but smile. (and, for the record, she did end up leaving, and later I did get suckered in to the sleepover with Isabella).

Four Months Old with Two Teeth

Yes, it's true, my four month old has two teeth! He is developing and growing up so well, and I can't believe how proud I am of him. I love him more and more every day. I love his chomp on my finger to ease his discomfort from teething. I love the drool dripping all over my clothes as I carry him. But most of all, I love his big grin that spreads throughout his whole body when I congratulate him on doing such a great job growing up. Love you, Bubba Bear!

Sisterly Love Letter

There's something about sibling love, especially of course, with my own children, that touches me so deeply. When I found a note in Katie's room titled "Katie's Songs" with the following lyrics, I couldn't help but tear up with proud Mommy tears:


Baby Aiden is so handsome.
I love him and I will forever.
I will never forget him.
He is so nice to me.
He is so nice to me.
He is so nice to me.
And some day he will give me kisses, and kisses, and kisses.
And he loves me. He loves me. He loves me.
And he loves you Mama.
And he loves himself.
Yeah, himself.
He loves us, yeah us.

Crazy Mommy Songs

I don't know if this happens to all moms, but I find myself singing the craziest songs! Today I was singing "Good job on your big poop, Bubba Bear. Ooh, ooh, ooh. Good thing we have lots of wipes, Bubba Bear. Ooh, ooh, ooh." Is this normal? :)

Katie's Perm

Katie's recent perm is adorable. She dances in front of the mirror while looking at herself admiringly. She scrunches it up at every opportunity. And when she leans down to kiss her baby brother, her crimson locks tickle all over his face. When she wakes up in the morning, the curls are extremely unruly, so when she makes a crazy monster face, why-she actually LOOKS like a monster (OK, a beautiful monster). :)

What is a friend?

My best friend, Allie helps me to define what a true friend is:

A friend is one you can always talk to no matter what the topic.
You may not talk for months, and when you do, it is as if you were never apart.
A friend is one you can trust with anything...including your children.
A friend is stable terminal for you that can help you smile when you need a boost, and help you face reality when you are running from it.
I love my dear friend, Allie. You are a true friend.

Made with Love

What a gift. While I was pregnant with Aiden, KK was hard at work knitting a blanket for Aiden. Two weeks before my due date, I told her of my braxton hicks and my prediction he would come early. She knitted away as fast as her little fingers would work and just days before his birth gave him the kindest, most beautiful gift. These are some of my favorite photos and certainly my most treasured baby items.

Aiden's Smile--4 weeks old

Doctors told me babies don't smile before they are six weeks old--before that, what looks like smiles is actually only passing gas. Does this look like passing gas? I think not!

My Family

I decided to start a blog to document the wonderful memories I have and am creating with my dear family. Katie is now 6 years old and her brother, Aiden is 3 months old. Their absolute love for each other is the most touching affinity I've ever seen!

Katie insists on two minutes of snuggle time every morning before school and every evening before bed. When she tells Aiden how handsome he is, he offers a wide grin up to her in response. Watching this just makes my heart melt.

My husband is the epitome of perfection as a husband and a father for our children. He is the role model I've always dreamed of for my children and the adoring husband most women can only fantasize about, which are characteristics that NEVER go together. Yet, I am the lucky one.

So, at this moment in my life, a time of great happiness where only greater happiness is to come, I decided to begin a journal of our lives....