Mother's Day 2013

 

Happy Mother's Day!! I had a lovely day celebrating together with my loves. We started the day off with a 5 mile run called "Run This Mother" (so NJ right?) which raised money for an epilepsy non-profit. It was a beautiful day, and the course ran through Mercer Park which has gorgeous tree-lined paths and a lake. It wasn't too crowded, and the best part was getting to see my sweet loves at the finish line!

Off to a good start...

Sprint to the finish line...

Just made it under 51 minutes, 5th in my age group ;)

Jarrett and the girls had fun at the park playground, and made some friends while waiting for me to finish. I got a little misty-eyed when I saw a Mother-Daughter team running together and encouraging each other... maybe Lulu or Maddie will run with their slow Mama someday  :)

We spent the rest of the day hanging out, eating ice cream and turkey sandwiches with chips and dip. If you haven't tried Honeybaked Ham's Turkey (just discovered they also made turkeys) it is delicious!! I got to Skype with my Mama, Sister and Nonna and played with the girls. So blessed to spend another year celebrating being the Mama of my sweet ladies!

Lulu, 3 years

Madison, 15 months

The two sweet reasons I get to celebrate Mother's Day!!

Ice Cream Truck

"Look Mama!! There's an ice cream on top of that car?!?!"

We were outside playing in the backyard a few days ago, and Lindsay told me, "Mama I hear music!" Hearing the tinkling of what I know was an ice cream truck, I grabbed Madison and said, "Hurry! Let's go out front and get an ice cream!!" Lindsay was puzzled, but followed her crazy Mama, and saw a van with a giant ice cream cone on top. Needless to say, she was pretty excited. After surveying the ice cream pictures on the side, she chose a cherry flavored icee. And a Chocolate Chip Ice Cream sandwich for Maddie. And an Oreo sandwich for Daddy.  Yum!

Sweet Treat... Enjoying their 1st ice cream truck experience on the front step.

Want to try some Sis?

Cherry Icee.... Always reminds me of Kmart ;)

The more messy it is, it will taste better!

Sticky, Icky Sweet Girls!!

When I was a little girl, we lived out in the country where there were no ice cream trucks. It was pretty cool to have our very own ice cream truck go down our street on hot afternoons. I also asked the driver what days he comes to our neighborhood, and so next Saturday we will be keeping him busy when Daddy is home to pick his own ice cream :)

Fifteen Months

Miss Madison Grace turned 15 months a few days ago... and let me tell you, she is simply irrestistable. With those big brown eyes, and toothy smile, that girl has got us wrapped around her tiny finger.

Peek-a-Boo!

Nice try making me wear a hat Mama.

Here's what she's been up to:

*Big Talker' Betty Crocker'.... Madison has made leaps and strides in the language department the past couple of months. Here is her word list: Mama, Dada, Pup Pup (puppy), No, Baaa (ball), Baba (balloon or bubble), Car Car (car), Go Go (let's go Mama!), Duc (duck), Papa, Nan Na (Nonna), Mi (Grammie), Pak (park), Ball, Wat tat (what's that?) and of course, Elmo. She isn't into signing as much as Lindsay was, but can sign us "All Done" and "Eat".

*Physical... Maddie is a cruisin', crawlin' machine. She has teased us by taking a few steps every day to either her Daddy or her Sissy, but prefers crawling as her favorite mode of transportation. She is our climber, and will attempt to climb anything that moves, which includes: table and chairs, baskets, stroller, stairs, beds, legs, drawers etc... Our girl has also had the bumps and bruises to prove her adventurous spirit.

*Emotional... Always my little cuddler, she gives us big hugs and will lay her little head on our shoulder and grab on tight. Recently she decided she didn't want to rock before bed anymore, and will just give me a hug, and point to her crib to go night-night. I miss the snuggling! She has been sleeping through the night for a few months, and will go to bed around 7-7:30pm and wake up around 6:30 or 7am. Nice!

Love that little peanut!

*Feisty... Although pint-sized, she will defend herself and also packs quite the punch of sassy when prompted. I had a friend and her son over for a play date who is a few months younger than Maddie, but bigger in size. He happened to be playing with a toy she fancied, and she crawled right over and grabbed it. The little guy wouldn't let go, and so Little Ms. began pushing and shoving him in the FACE until he let go. I was so embarassed, and luckily the little guy (and his Mama) were pretty laid back and let it slide.  We are working on not hitting (and recently kicking), and she has already thrown a few tantrums. Yikes!

*Dancin'... Maddie loves music with a beat, and will clap and dance in the car when a song comes on. Sissy has been taking ballet lessons on Mondays, and Madison wants to watch so badly. She hears the music in the gym where they practice and will stand and bounce her little legs.

*Pretty Girl... Madison has been teething up a storm, and now has 2 molars, 4 teeth on top, and 3 on the bottom. Her hair is light brown, and is SO long in the back. She has been rocking a mullet, but I have no idea how to cut it evenly. I am hoping the top catches up soon, or we will be making a trip to the hairdresser. She has the most gorgeous eyelashes, and big browny eyes.

Already trying to use Daddy's plastic...lol.

*Eating...I think eating is her favorite thing to do. Boy, this little lady can put it away. I don't know where she puts it... it's not in her skinny little legs. She LOVES Kraft Mac n' Cheese, turkey, blueberries, strawberries, yogurt, cheerios, oatmeal, pancakes, scrambled eggs, cheese, spaghetti, mashed potatos & gravy. She is not into veggies lately... but we are still trying!! Madison will frequently eat all her meal, and then finish off Lindsay's.

Lindsay feeding Maddie ice cream

*Funnies & Favorites... Playing with Naked Baby Doll, Reading, Lifting up her shirt and patting her tummy, lifting up your shirt and poking your belly button to see if you laugh.

Playing Baby Doll... she prefers her baby au natural.

Reading up a storm. She has been known to look at books for an hour! She loves to be read to, and will bring us books.

Love you Peanut Butter!! xo

Hello Spring!

No one wanted to smile for the camera... too busy playing!

This past week we had some weather in the 70's, and two days in the 80's!! It was fabulous... you really appreciate the warm weather days when you've had so many cold ones! We were so excited that the weather was warm enough for our new water table!

"Thank you Nonna!!"

My big girls... all of a sudden they are both looking so grown-up. Everyone always says, "Enjoy this time, it goes by so fast". I can say that is so true, and I am honestly enjoying every minute of it. (Even with sick babies..more on that later).

 Madison was interested in testing the water quality...

This is her "I'm not doing anything Mama" look...

Pretty girl was all about tasting that water. MMMmm.

Lulu let her imagination roll when she saw the pink tub and filled it with water. Once she figured out how to work the  spout, she would turn the water flow on and off. She told me "I'm making coffee." LOL. Guess our morning routines don't go unnoticed :)

This was right before the stomach bug swept through our house. Later that night Madison got sick, followed by Lindsay a couple of days later. After the girls were well, guess who got it: ME! Jarrett hasn't shown any signs yet.. so we are hoping he was spared! Is it wrong a little part of me enjoyed that the girls just wanted to snuggle? I feel horrible that they were sick, but Mama enjoyed babying and loving on them! Everyone is feeling better, and the girls are both chowing down to make up the days they weren't hungry. Hope you are enjoying your spring days!

Easter 2013

Happy Easter!! We had a wonderful first Easter in New Jersey filled with good friends, yummy food and happy girls! 

 This year we attempted to make Resurrection Cookies. We had fun making 2 batches, mostly because I didn't read the directions correctly... but, hey, she got to hear the Easter story twice!

"Sealing" the tomb with tape...

Here's what they were suppose to look like... Ours didn't turn out well, but were still tasty!

Spring has officially 'sprung' at our house! We discovered daffodils growing on the side of our house last week. We picked a cheerful bunch and set them on our table!

Pretty Daffodils

The Easter bunny brought the girls all sorts of fun things: books, bubbles and a little bit of candy :)

 The Easter Bunny left a trail of eggs to the girls' baskets...

Lindsay was so excited when she woke up and saw the eggs!

Still trying to figure out this Easter egg thing.

Madison discovering her basket

"Daddy!! A pink BALL"

Whoa! What's in there?

A Barbie "camera"... say "Cheeseburger"!

 After opening baskets, the girls and J feasted on Dunkin' Donuts...

Chocolate Glazed Donuts. Try them. A-MAZING!

Maddie got to sit at the "Big Girl" table with Sissy... she thought she was hot stuff!

 After their donuts we got ready for church. We are thrilled to finally find our new church home, Westerly Road Church. The girls couldn't wait to put on their matching dresses! Thanks, Nonna!

Lindsay, 3 yrs and Madison, 14 months

 After a beautiful service, we were invited to lunch by the Vickerman family! They are also California transplants and have a sweet daughter, Lila, who has become Lindsay's best friend. Dave is a music professor at The College of New Jersey, and Kristy is a former teacher and amazing hostess!

Our little Ladies!!

Egg Hunting

Madison really got into hunting eggs, and although we didn't let her crawl through the mud after them, she did would pick them up and drop them in the basket with a little help from Daddy.

Rain Boots optional... it rained the day before and was a little muddy. Rain Boots with poufy dress = adorable.

Daddy and his Maddie girl.

We missed our family and the warm weather, but we are so grateful for our sweet friends and new church for making our first Easter in NJ a special one!