2015 christmas card

You know babies, I REALLY hope that these get easier as the years go! I swear, this was by far the hardest pictures I've ever had to take of you two. Ellie, my precious Ellie.......STAY STILL! These cards are mostly for family, everyone loves to see how fast you're growing. I also LOVE seeing how much you change from one year to the next. We didn't start sending holiday pictures until you were 4 Belly. This year you helped me pick out and style your outfits, and I must say; you did a great job. You two are adorable! We went to Old Town Spring and walked around the holiday fest before taking these. I think that's part of the reason we couldn't get you to focus Ellie. Nevertheless, they came out really good.

This was at Discovery Green. Ellie, you weren't walking then and this is the only good pic I got of you before you crawled away and those socks ended up green. I TRIED to get you two to take pictures together, obviously that didn't work. 

Ahhh...I think these were my favorite! I rarely get in front of the camera, but we had to commemorate that you were on the way baby. These doubled as our maternity pics. How happy do we look that you were almost here?

sass

So I'm showing you these as proof that you are a sassy little thing. I think you'll always be this sassy, and this will be proof that you were this way from the very beginning.

I'm amazed at how many words you're saying. Mostly it's gibberish, but alot of the time they're actual words. Right now, you mostly speak English. Your Tia Gloria talks Spanish, as well as your grandmas, so it's easier for us to just use Spanish around you. You'll pick up English soon enough. Imagine my surprise when I hear you speaking English. Right now, your favorite word is "Why", closely followed by "Hello and Bye".

And just because I thought this was hilarious:

You wanted me to take your picture, and you thought I was; I guess you were over it pretty fast. Look at that sass, rolling those eyes at me!

You run me absolutely ragged and you drive me crazy, but I love you something fierce, kid.

thanksgiving 2015

Today was your annual Thanksgiving school lunch. I worked half a day to meet you at your school and have lunch together, as soon as you saw me,  you were so excited to see me you almost started crying. Your class made these turkeys that said what you were thankful for.

Your dad and I agreed that we'd surprise you by FaceTiming him during lunch. I called him up and told her someone wanted to have lunch with her. When you asked who, this is what happened:

This is by no means how we'd prefer to spend this holiday season, but we're making it work. We're halfway there! After lunch as I was walking you back to your class, you started to cry. You said you missed daddy and that you didn't think you could do this anymore. You gutted me, kid! It's such a lose-lose situation you know? When you don't talk to your dad you get sad because you miss him; when you get to FaceTime him you also end up crying because you miss him. I try to incorporate him into our every day routine because I don't want either of you to miss anything, but moments like this make me feel like I might not be doing the right thing. Who knows what the right thing is, though? We talked it out and by the time you went into your classroom you were fine. 

These days everyone has an opinion about everything. A big thing for us was whether or not to get you an iPad. You're too young, and sometimes you tend to become a bit "obsessed" with it. We try and limit your usage, and sometimes I can somewhat regret getting it for you, then I see things like this and I think maybe we didn't make the wrong decision. When you were younger, it was so hard for you because you would go days without talking to your Dad. You'd get really really emotional, but I think the fact that you have been able to keep in touch with him this time has made it much easier. 

A few days later, it was time for the big day. You're always such a great helper with anything I ask you for. Here we are making mini pumpkin pies:

"Talking" to Daddy

Notice that your new favorite word to say is "Why?" That's your new answer for everything. I'm not quite sure where you got it from, or how I feel about it. But, it sure is cute! (I'll never openly admit that, though).

I am very Thankful for my little family. I love you. Always.

lasts

Every once in a while, something will happen and it just hits you, "This is the last time that (insert whatever last will happen)." We were walking around the lot today, and I needed to get some things done; none of which I could do because you wouldn't go more than 2 feet away from me. I started to get frustrated because I needed to take care of these thing so we could get home, and you just wanted me to hold you the entire time. I kept putting you down, and time and time again, you'd give me your arms to pick you up. Then it hit me, this is the last time that I will get these little moments, the last time I will be at the center of your world. I know I'm being dramatic, but at the heart of it is a realization that you are my baby. Every time that you have a new "first", that will also me by last. This makes me both very happy and sad. I can't wait to see what life has in store for you, kiddo. 

I picked you up, and for the rest of the day I didn't let you go. I will hold you as long as I can, even long after you ask me to put you down. 

thirty one

There, I said it. 31 great, long, hard, beautiful years. Last year when I turned 30, I cannot tell you how scared I was. I felt like I was losing a part of my youth and that I'd suddenly have to become an "adult". My 20's were over, and I was very afraid.

As it turns out, I had nothing to be afraid of. I didn't need to run out and buy a minivan, and I was still "me". One year into my 30's, and I can honestly say, these really are the best years of my life. I am truly blessed to have this life. 31 isn't so bad, in fact; it's great!

I have you two, and that fact alone proves to me that I have a wonderful life. You two are truly my world. You're the first thing I think about in the morning, and the last thing I think about at night. It may sound like alot, but believe me, when you have your own child you'll undertand the magnitude and depth of my love for you.

I have your dad, and even though it hasn't really been easy, I can honestly say that there is no other person that I'd rather have as the father of my children. He is an amazing dad, and you two are lucky to have him in your corner.

 For my 30th, Dad took me to Boston. How awesome is that??

I have a loving and supporting family who steps in to help me out whenever I need them, even when I don't realize I need them. Both of your grandmothers are the types of mothers and grandmothers that I one day aspire to be. Those are some really big shoes, and I hope I can fill them.

I have the most incredible friends, the type of friends that I pray you find. These ladies are just as excited as I am to see you grow up, the kind that I can share anecdotes of some crazy thing you did or said and are genuinely invested in your lives. These women will step in and lend a helping hand with you in a heartbeat.

I am very fortunate to have this life, and believe me, I don't take it for granted not even for a second. I have everything I could ever want, and you're at the very core of it.

Thank you for being all mine.

(no) rainy day blues

This weekend was crummy. It's been raining nonstop.  You're sick, so we've been stuck in the house. So, what is there left to do? Have a makeover session, OF COURSE! Not just any makeover, a Dia de los Muertos makeover. Thank you Belly, for always being up for whatever crazy idea gets stuck in my head. You were totally into it, and I LOVE it! This looks NOTHING like you baby! We had soooo much trouble taking this off, but wasn't it worth it!?