The Best of Both Worlds

Boys are so easy to dress. Throw on some pants and a shirt. Complete the outfit with socks and shoes and we are good to go.

Girls... not so easy.

Find a shirt.

with cute frilly jeans and leggings to match.

Time to choose between the bow or hat.

All the effort of finding the perfect outfit is worth it when I see the oh so cute end result.

I love having a little girl and a little boy. The best of both worlds.

Enjoying Some "Me" Time

My journey to not letting myself get stressed over little things is hard. I find it hard not to let those feelings surface. I am getting better and I know it takes time.

It is hard not to stress when you lose your bank card and have searched in every corner. At this point, you are exhausted and just want to lay down. You start to get a headache and beat yourself up that you misplaced the card.

Stop. Remember my own advice. Count to ten.

Must.

Not.

Let.

Myself.

Get.

Stressed.

Must remember little moments. You know like the rare moment you notice both kids fast asleep at the SAME time.

The moment that can be used for "me" time. I can do anything I want. And what do I do? Well blog of course.

Catching Raindrops

Don't you just love the sweet innocence of a child?



How they will make you stop and take in the little things in life



like catching raindrops.



They will make you forget all your troubles.



And the only thing that is wrong in the world is those dirty hands.

When was the last time you stopped to catch the raindrops? Or snow?

Melly Lou Who

The indignities we suffer as babies know no bounds. For example, imagine if your mother, (in this case, the delightful and lovely Mommy Bear) decided to do you up like Cindy Lou Who; what could you do? Nothing! The things these poor children go... through...

Okay, who am I kidding? One look and I was hooked. My little goofball looks even cuter than usual. Maybe those Mommies know what they are doing more than they let on when they put us through this kind of stuff. Because not only do I know she looks cute, Melly Bear Lou Who seems pretty sure she looks adorable, too.

Of course, it does spoil things a bit when she stops to yell at her personal shopper. "Green? Green so does not go with the purple bow!"

Melly Bear's First Christmas

What a precious bundle of joy

You are cute from head to toe

You melt our hearts with your sweetness

Everywhere you go

You're a special gift this Christmas

Sent from heaven above

A perfect little angel

For all of us to love

This is your first Christmas.

A very special one

A nice kind of day

For treats and lots of fun.


From the time you get up

Till you go Nighty night

Hope your first Christmas

Is a special delight.

And for anyone that is interested Little Diva Tutus is having a 25 Days of Giveaways until Christmas. Go HERE to enter. I am hoping to win something for that bundle of cuteness in the photos. Good luck!

Dear Sweet Sunshine,

Happy 7 months sweetheart! I looked at the clock at 4:04 PM this afternoon and smiled. I thought back seven months before at 4:06 PM. The moment you were born. The moment my whole world changed again. This time my world changed to bows and pretty little dresses in addition to the cars and trains that already filled my world.


You bring such a sweet touch to my world. Your smile warms my heart on cold, dreary days.


Oh but I love those bright wide eyed looks too.


And don't ever stopped grabbing at your toes. I don't think that will ever not be cute.

You and your brother are the best Christmas present I could ever ask for. You are my Christmas angel. My bright shining star. Keep shining sweetheart. After all, you are my sunshine.


Love forever and always,
Mommy



To my baby girl,

I start every letter like this I think but I can't believe you are 7 months old already and you are about to have your first Christmas.

I know you are going to love it even though you will not understand half of it; but there will be pretty colors and bright lights and that is usually enough to keep you smiling. Now your brother is an old pro at these, this is going to be his third Christmas. I'm sure he will help set you up. He might even open some of your presents for you if you have difficulties. I'm sure he will be willing to.


You become prettier and sweeter by the day. You have your first tooth already and I know that you will be walking soon. In no time you will be running around playing with your brother. He is going to have a blast, of course. I know that you two will be friends for life even if sometimes you aren't so fond of each other...

because you have such a great bond with him already. I don't think anything is ever going to break that. It's amazing to see that.

(Photo by Jennifer McKinney.)

I treasure it as much as I treasure both of you. I can't wait to see the two of you develop and grow together. I love you and merry early Christmas.

Love,
Daddy

You can read all the letters to our dear sweet children here.

Peek-a-Boo

Basket of Baby

One basket

A few toys



And one happy baby.

Dear Sweet Baby Girl,

I have looked into those beautiful eyes and stared at your cute little grin for the past six months. I have watched you grow and learn. Learn to sit up on your own. Learn to eat your baby food. Learn to truly enjoy how silly your brother is.



You have blessed us with your presence for a half a year. I want to take in every second with you. Enjoy those adorable giggles. Enjoy the way you suck on your bottom lip and smack. Enjoy your constant kicking. Enjoy the way you grab at your feet. Enjoy the way your face lights up when I talk to you.



There is not a day that goes by that you don't amaze me with something. Your determination is what amazes me the most. Your determination to crawl. Determination to feed yourself. Determination to get down and play with your brother.


The love and bond between you and your brother is beautiful. You enjoy spending time with him so much. Love when he pushes you around in your walker or stroller. Loves when he will run to grab something for you when you drop it. Loves when he claps and cheers for you for no reason. And loves when he gets into giggling fits with you. You have some kind of sibling language that I will never understand.

I love you little sunshine,
Mommy



Little Button,

You are halfway to a year already. Time doesn't fly; it vanishes. You are already an old hand at all sorts of things. You amaze me on a regular basis. I think your first tooth will be making an appearance soon. Big brother did have you beat there, but honestly, you could have waited a little longer. I guess today, I am just thinking about the effect you have on Mommy. She can be in the worst mood ever and yet will put all grumpiness on hold for kisses. Your Daddy does not possess this ability, and is jealous. But it's okay. From the moment Mommy found out she was having a precious little girl, has been thrilled. And has been buying dresses as if she had stock in a dress company. You are such an amazing little person, and you have a hold on our hearts that will never be broken. Happy half-birthday, sweet girl.



Love,
Daddy

You can read all the letters to our dear sweet children here.

Little Ray of Sunshine

You are my sunshine

My only sunshine.


You make me happy


When skies are grey.


You'll never know, dear,


How much I love you.


Please don't take my sunshine away.

Dear Miss Melly Bear,

Yesterday you turned four months old. You are growing and learning so fast. Your determination amazes me. You are so determined to sit up and even stand up. Slow down little Miss Priss. You have plenty of time for that.

I love watching you explore the world around you. You are even beginning to explore some toys like a ball or rattle but your favorite is definitely the pink lovey bear.

I am so proud to be your mommy. You are my sunshine. Never forget that.

Love forever and always,
Mommy

Little Button,

4 Months. Already. And you are growing up to be such a little lady. You know when are all prettied up, and you love it. But you are starting to make me a little bit nervous. I can't believe you can already stand up, just holding my fingers. I am very excited to meet the person you'll become, to see my little lady emerge bit by bit from that adorable baby, but I don't want to meet her too soon. So enough standing already. You can stick to being my adorable baby for now, and get to all the rest of that a bit later, okay?

Love,
Daddy

P.S. I do love it that you will sit on my lap and watch the Packers play. Especially when you bless out the other team.