Didn't make the cut...

So, after trying to figure out an economical way to make Christmas pictures, I've decided that it is always best just to pay someone when you have a 2 and 1 year old!!! While I'm saving the few good ones I got for the Christmas cards...here are some outtakes (sp?) from the Christmas pictures I took with the kids! I am most def. not a photographer, but the attitudes on these pictures are too hilarious not to share!!!

Things to be thankful for...

What an awesome Thanksgiving we've had. Last Saturday, we had lunch with Kevin's side of the family. On Thanksgiving Day we had lunch with Gincy's side of the family. While we were at Poppy's house (Gincy's Grandfather), I took some pictures of two of the things in my life I am most thankful for.....

I am also thankful for my family and friends and the blessed life that God has allowed me to have. Thank God for the blessings in your life each day.....

Fall Fun

We had our fall festival at church this weekend. I didn't take any pictures during the festival (too busy chasing toddlers) but I did get some cute pictures of our Dalmation and Fireman before we left!

my #1 reason for not blogging...

I'm pretty sure my eyes are closed and that this is a horrible picture of me--but it's not all about me :) The reason I've been MIA from blogging is because it's "marching season" (for some..football) and I've been spending my time with the Heritage Drumline! That time paid off this past weekend when we were awarded the Best in Class and Best Overall Drumline in the Heart of Georgia Band Competition. It wasn't an easy competition either. There were 7 bands in our class and quite a bit in the entire competition. While I am a very proud "mama" to these kids and very happy that they did so well this season, I'm also very happy to have more time to spend with my kids! (and catch up with life!)

Where do the months go?

Wow..it's been a month since I've posted. I apologize for my abesence! We've had a wonderful time with Fall Football and marching band and have been super busy lately!

Carter turned 14 months last week! He's jabbering away and finally getting some teeth (two on top, one on bottom).

Liliana is potty training...not mommy's favorite thing AT ALL!!! There's just nothing fun about it! But hopefully we can get it down and this stage will be over. It is pretty cute to hear and see Carter try to use the potty and say "peepee" every time Liliana goes to the potty! I think he might be a little easier to train with such a good role model! :)

Catching up!

Wow.. the start of school has gotten me behind with blogging. I am back! I've got to do a better job of it! :) Life is a little crazy with two toddlers..but I'm loving every minute of it! (well ..most of them... :))

Big Girl Bed

Liliana has moved up to a "big girl bed". Kevin changed her crib into a day bed-with a little bit of help from Liliana of course. She's slept in it every night since then without any trouble! We knew it was time to change the bed over because she had been asking to sleep on the floor for the past week or so. After she slept on the mattress on the floor for a week, we decided she was ready!

Such a Big Girl! She's growing up so fast and turning into a beautiful little girl!

These shoes are made for....

Liliana has been busy the past month. She started taking dance classes! Her class is titled "Creative Movement" and she is having a great time!

She also went bowling for the first time this month. I had a Bunco night with the girls and Kevin and another dad took the kids bowling! From the report from dad and Liliana-she had an awesome time!

Kevin's statement was "the ball went down the aisle so slow that she laid down to watch it, and I had time to take 2-3 pictures of it before it hit the pins!" This is one of the most adorable pictures!!!!

Birthday Bash

Okay..I know that I'm over a month behind on posts--so WATCH OUT...here they come..

Here are some pictures from Carter's first birthday party! It was all about Elmo and he had a blast! He didn't get too messy with the cake-but he sure did enjoy eating it..and his big sis helped too!

Happy 1st Birthday!

Happy First Birthday to Carter!!

Here are some pictures from a year ago....




More to come after the party this weekend! :)

Happy Birthday Kevin!

Happy Birthday to my absolutely amazing husband! He is such a wonderful light in my life and I love every moment spent with him. I love to talking, laughing, and sharing life with him, but most of all I love to see him be such a wonderful daddy!!!

Summer Fun

One of the cutest pictures we've gotten of the kids playing .......

where did the baby go?

Carter turned 11 months old on the 18th... Where did my baby go? All of a sudden, I have two toddlers (YIKES!) He's such a cutey pie and great kid. He's been walking so much more and loves to push his Mickey Mouse toy around everywhere. He LOVES the water. I think he's secretly a tadpole. When we were at the beach, his favorite time was in the pool. He would go underwater and doggy paddle to Kevin! It's crazy..never seen any kid love the water so much! He has become a lot more vocal the past few weeks. He and Liliana have "conversations"...too bad mommy and daddy aren't privy to what their talking about!!!! Guess I should start planning that 1st birthday party-it'll be here before I know it!

Greetings from the Sand and Surf

We are having a blast at the beach this week! Liliana loves the sand. Carter loves the water! Mommy and Daddy are adjusting to having two kids at the beach. I haven't had a chance to pull out my book and read or take a nap by the pool.. but watching them have a blast is totally worth it!!! more pictures to come...

Happy 10 months!

Carter is 10 months old today! Can you believe that my silly boy is almost a year old? It seems like just yesterday I found out that I was pregnant!
Some notable things about Carter:
1. he is a HAM! He has the cutest facial expressions and can be very silly.
2. he's so close to walking but not quite there- yesterday, he stood up in the middle of the floor all by himself! He loves to walk with any toys that he can push... now...just to let go and he'll be on his way!
3. he's talking up a storm. He'll say "mama", "dada", and I'm pretty sure he's calling Liliana "Ana", which is adorable!
4. Oh.. am I in for it-Carter and Liliana are already "fussing". I hear more than once a day.. "mommy, Carter hit me!" Well--at least he can take up for himself?! No, seriously, most of the time he loves his sister..but the more they interact, the more lessons in sharing that have to occur!
5. did I mention that I can't get enough of this cutie?!?! He loves to snuggle and mommy takes full advantage of rocking him to sleep and cuddling (all the things that Liliana doesn't like--she'd rather be left alone in her bed.)
6. What an awesome blessing from God! :)

Two years ago , I became a mommy! There's not a day that goes by that I don't thank Liliana's birthmother for allowing Kevin and I to be her parents. I have NO idea how I could live life without this sweet baby girl. I am constantly reminded of God' s grace and mercy in our lives through Liliana. She's growing so fast and becoming such a beautiful little girl. I love seeing her grow and learn each and everyday. I thank God for allowing her to be a part of our lives and family!

TWO

Happy 2nd Birthday Liliana!!!!!!!!! I can't believe it's been 2 years since you joined our life! I can't imagine a day without you. I love you so much! I will post pictures tomorrow after her party!!

Need to Update!

I'm such a slacker..well, not really. I have come here to update several times and then I think- OH.. I still need to upload those pictures for the blog. So, I'm posting with no pictures! :) Things that have been going on lately:

• Liliana's almost TWO!! Only 1.5 weeks to go! I can't believe it! Where did my little girl go! She's at such a fun age! Love it! Her language skills are developing so much each day. She'll throw out sentences and sometimes I have NO clue what she's saying but most of the time I'm like "how in the world did she know that?!!?"
• Carter is 9.5 months- This Sunday he woke up from his nap with a 104 temp. YIKES! Mommy was more than a little concerned. After several phone calls, we headed to an after hours pediatritian to find out that he has Croup. It's a nasty cough. The fever seems to be gone--but baby Carter has not been a happy camper lately!
• Only 20 days (18 student days and 2 post planning) until I'm a "Summer Stay at Home Mommy"! I can't wait! :) I love hanging out with the kids and getting to spend time with them. I hope we can take a few day trips to the zoo, museums, etc this summer as well as our vaca to the beach (which we're PRAYING that there won't be oil everywhere!)
• Our friends Holli and Scott are expecting!!! I can't tell you how excited I am for them. I know that their road to parenthood hasn't been smooth but the blessings are on their way!!! :)
• Did I mention Vacation was in less than a month! ?!!?!?
• Carter's "Cruising" everywhere and I expect him to walk soon! He doesn't like to walk though--he'll stand up, move over a little and then drop down and crawl at incredible speeds to wherever he wants to go. He's still in the "I'd rather just crawl " state!
• Okay.. guess that's about it! I promise to stay in touch more often! :)

Hanging Out!

We were playing outside with Liliana and Carter over the weekend when Carter reached up for the tree. We decided to see how much arm strength he had-- He LOVED it... I let COMPLETELY go of him and he just laughed and laughed...Liliana wanted a turn too but wasn't quite sure of it all!
Carter turned 9 months old today! Liliana turned 23 months this week!

Mommy and Me...at the Zoo!

Liliana and I took a "Mommy and Me" trip to the zoo today during my Spring Break. While ALOT of other people had the same great idea, we still had a lot of fun too! She LOVES animals so she was super excited about seeing all of them. :)

Crawling into 8

Well, Carter turned 8 months old last week (sorry..a little behind because he was sick and pictures didn't look quite "up to par" ) and he's all over the place. He LOVES to crawl after his sister throughout the entire house. Liliana will get down and crawl with him and they will laugh and laugh at one another. (you can see her chasing him in the back of this picture). He's eating puffs and cheerios and drinks from a sippy cup, says mama and daddy and waves (although it's not always at the right time yet!) OH..and he's pulling up on EVERYTHING! He loves to crawl to the bathtub and pull up and just stare into the tub-I guess it's just the right height for him?! :) Gotta love those big blue eyes!

22 months

Liliana turned 22 months on Sunday! We're getting so close to two. For some reason, being 2 makes it seem like she's no longer a baby and has hit the toddler years!! (and believe me...we've experienced a few of those "terrible two" moments already :) ) She's talking up a storm! I told Kevin the other day that she's a walking ad for Apple! Instead of putting "Me" in front of her words like most toddlers I know..she uses "I" . Her favorite sentences are "I eat", "I bath", "I outside", "I wash", "I do it" ...can we say independent!!!

One of her new favorite things to do (which just makes my day) is that she LOVES to sit up on the counter while I cook dinner (I promise I keep her far away from any hot stuff). She will sit and talk, color, draw, etc. and it's such a nice "Mommy and Me" time. Tonight, we had a little "Drum" lesson ! :) May be a little biased...but I think she's got some talent!

And He's Off...

Yep..It's official! Carter's crawling! He's finally stopped "lurching" forward and actually figured out how to do the "official" crawl moves! He's all over the place! I love to watch him grow and can't believe he's already on the move! And yes...he did just crawl across the room...turn over the basket of toys I JUST picked up and started playing so contently. I'm so blessed to have such wonderful, healthy children! I'll have to try to get some video of the crawling asap! :)

These are a few of my favorite things...

My kids, sunshine, and sand in my toes...doesn't get much better than that! Today was a gorgeous day- so we took advantage of it and spent some time playing outside! Oh... it made me want spring/summer to get here! Both kids had a blast and so did mommy!!!

Happy 7 months!

Carter turned 7 months old on Thursday! He's getting so big! He's sitting on his own--all the time! He's even trying to get into the sitting position by himself (from laying/without someone sitting him up). He says mama, dada, baba quite well ...and loves to just babble all the time! Crawling...well, we're not quite there yet- He loves to get up on all fours and rock back and forth...then he just lunges forward and usually hits his face on the floor.. he'll get there soon! He loves to eat-he's even started feeding himself yogurt melts and puffs!
And he's definitely a Mama's Boy..which makes me very happy!

Inching Closer....

to TWO! Liliana turned 21 months old yesterday! I can't believe she'll be two in just a few short months! I love her so much! I've gotten bad about updating..so I'll try to list some things she's up to...
1. I love her faces.... she's def. has her almost "terrible two" moments when she whines and cries-- mostly because she can't figure out how to tell us how she feels...but they are still adorable.
2. She's talking up a storm. There are so many new words every day that I can't keep up with them!
3. She loves her little brother. Just today at the Pizza place she was trying to share her pizza with him, and her sippy cup! She's such a loving sister and always lets us know if "Tarter" isn't happy. However, as he gets more mobile, she things he can play and doesn't always know to play "easy" with him. She has "tackled" him a few times...we're working on it!
4. She can run, jump (LOVES to do this), has mastered stairs, and has absolutely no fear in the world when it comes to heights, jumping, climbing, etc. We're still in the crib..but I know that it will probably need to go soon...
5. Potty training...not really starting this until the summer probably, but she knows what it is and loves to sit on it...hey, that's a start right!
6. There's nothing better than your baby looking at you and saying "love you mommy"!!!!!!!!!!