Mother's Tea

Today was the mother's tea at preschool. Blake and I were both VERY excited! Each child got to stand up in front of all of the mothers, children and teachers and recite a nursery rhyme. Blake's was "Wee Willy Winkie". He was AMAZING! I love Blake's confidence, when the teachers asked who was ready to go Blake immediately raised his hand. When it was his turn he went right up, all smiles, and recited his nursery rhyme. My video is missing the part where he introduces himself (darn it!) but you get the idea.
Bonnie, one of Blake's teachers, had a picture of my mom and I at a Children's Garden function along with a candle holder my mom gave to Bonnie out on the windowsill. She let me know today was a day about moms and how important my mom was to her too.
After the nursery rhymes and songs the moms were treated to cookies and tea and a little time on the playground.
All of the moms also received a picture with a poem from our kids. Mine reads "The Important Thing - The important thing is my mommy gives me good hugs to show she loves me! It is true she has a new computer by the basketball room and she helps me open things when they are hard to open, mommy reads me stories at night before bed. But the important thing is that my mommy gives me good hugs to show she loves me!" Blake, I couldn't love you anymore if I tried!!

Blake and the ladies

Tia & Mia

Lauren had her one year check up last week, she is officially in the 15th percentile for weight! She weighed in at 18.7lbs and 28.5 inches, 50th percentile. Besides the nasty cold Lauren has been fighting, she is a healthy girl! We'll go back at 15 months to check her weight again, maybe we'll be able to turn her carseat around by the end of the summer....

The same morning Blake said to me "mom, I love Lauren".
Me: That's so nice Blake.
B: I want 10 baby sisters
Me: Really, that is a lot of babies, where would they all sleep?
B: Three with Lauren and the rest with me.
Me: Hmm, what would we name them.
B: Tia and Mia, and one would be named turkey.
Me: That would be so many people to feed.
B: That's okay mom, we'll just feed them tacos.

He honestly cracks me up daily. I have no idea where he comes up with this stuff but he is sticking to his wish for 10 baby sisters. Not a chance big guy!

Happy Birthday Lauren

One year ago today my baby girl was born. There are still days I pinch myself I feel so lucky to have a son and a daughter. I was just sure Lauren was going to be a boy! Lauren has been the sweetest baby and a pretty easy baby too. She is a good sleeper with the exception of her teething - then we hang out and snuggle most of the night. Lauren is still a little peanut, but her eating has improved. Her favorite food seems to be watermelon...which isn't really helping my cause. Lauren likes to be held, a lot. She loves to snuggle with her daddy and she'll do pretty much anything to keep up with her brother. Although yesterday I caught her bopping Blake on the head when he was trying to come up the ladder of her new slide.
Happy Birthday Lauren Jean, you are my dream come true!
Here are a few of my favorite pics from the last year:

Lauren's 1st Birthday Party

We celebrated Lauren's birthday Saturday afternoon. I still can't believe she is (almost) one! The year has gone so quickly, it was really fun to see Lauren get in to her cake and presents....not as much as her brother did, but she seem to like her party.

This is obviously not a great picture of my kids, but it's the first time I've realized how much they look alike. People are always telling me how similar they look, but to me Lauren looks just like her Grandad...and her brother I guess :)

This girl is ready to party!

Lauren's birthday cake
Her little "smash" cake

Lauren had many assistants when it came to opening her presents.

Birthday Party Part I

When Georgia was diagnosed with Leukemia and we learned how isolated she would need to be I selfishly shed a few tears knowing my sister and my niece would miss my daughter's first birthday. Obviously quite minor in the big picture, but sad to me none the less. BUT, Georgia has made such amazing progress that her doctors gave her the green light for playdates with her cousins. I was cautiously thrilled, planning a mini party all while showering my children in hand sanitizer to be sure everyone stayed healthy. Blake and I cleaned all of the toys in our play room and got everything decorated. Saturday morning before Lauren's official birthday party we had a mini party upstairs. It was one of the happiest moments for me over the last year. Here are a few pictures from our party:

Georgia showing Lauren how it's done.

Georgia gave Lauren a pair of sparkly pink Toms and the most fluffy pink tutu you've ever seen - I love it!
Lauren, who is extremely selective when it comes to who she lets hold her, was happy to be in her Auntie's arms.

Happily eating her ice cream with the end of her spoon.

Sharing, so cute. (We quickly gave G a clean spoon :)
I still can't believe it - here we are with our girls! (sure wish I could edit out our giant treadmill...)
Blake, who was thrilled to wear a pink butterfly party hat!

Yum

Pretty Pretty Princess??

I was trying to get a couple of pictures of Lauren for a little project I'm putting together for her first birthday. Here is what I ended up with...not such a girly girl today!

She thought attempting to jump out of the wagon was HILARIOUS!