Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Halloween!

Emma's First Halloween...Audrey's Second. 

(Can that even be true??? Crazy!!)

We carved Pumpkins last night...well...Jason carved, Audrey drew and Mama observed. It was fun.

Happy Pumpkin Princess

Drawing! On Pumpkins!

So Happy about Pumpkins!!

Then we tried on Halloween costumes. A few weeks ago..I was talking to Audrey about Halloween and what it's all about. That we get to dress up and go around the neighborhood and collect candy. I asked her what she wanted to be...without hesitation, she answered..."Princess." Wow! We had never even talked about it before, there is no way she got it so quickly. So, I waited a couple of days and I asked her again. Repeatedly, her answer, much to my dismay..."Princess!" I thought I might have at least this year to still pick out costumes..and to avoid princesses as long as possible. (Not that there is anything wrong with Princesses, I just know once they start we're in trouble.) So, I went out to find a princess costume. But, then, I also found the Cowgirl. And Emma was going to be the cutest cow I'd ever seen...so, I couldn't resist. So... after the pumpkin carving, we tried on costumes. Much to my delight....all Audrey said when we tried on the princess costume was "Take it off! Take it off!" :-D hehehehe And, she was crazy about the Cowgirl Hat! So...it was decided and I got to pick for one more year. And, oh how cute she was....

Howdy Partners! Trick or Treat time!!

She wore that hat the entire time too until the very last Trick-or-Treater came to our driveway. Then, we headed inside to watch Gabba Halloween before winding down for bedtime.

ready for some action

not so happy to be a cow...but, oh so cute!

We have tons of families in our neighborhood, so we expected a lot of kids, and we got them. Jason guessed about 150 or so. Also, all around the block, people set up fire pits in their driveways and hung outside. It was great...and gave us an excuse to get a firepit. Now, we'll be ready for next summer too!!

we love our neighborhood. fire pits for passing out candy all around.

It was a fun Halloween and we will have so many more to come.

wiped out on her first halloween

And...both girls still in bed by 9pm. :) Yay Mommy!! :) It just feels so good when that happens. Of course, I still had dinner to clean up, bottles to wash, costumes to hang and toys to put away. Somehow, I still made it here though....blogging. :)

Hope you all also had a fun and safe Halloween!

Update

Here we are again. I recently realized how few pictures I have been taking. It's sad...I swore it wouldn't get this way with #2. But, here we are. So...this past week, I've been taking lots. Here are a couple of my favorites...

Emma is the happiest baby. All you have to do is look at her and you get that giant smile out of her. She is amazing. She is growing so fast too. She is constantly trying to pull herself up into a sitting position to join in on the action...it's amazing how strong babies can get in such a little amount of time. She is babbling and cooing and sleeping through the night...in her own room. Hope I don't jinx it now...but, the past few nights...both girls have been in their respective beds by 9!! :):):) Hooray for us!!
Audrey is still the life of our party. She is so busy and SO fun. Talking up a storm even in sentences too! We laugh so much when she is around. We get our fair share of mini-tantrums too...the girl wants what she wants....mostly when she's tired. And she LOVES her little sister. She gives the most gentle kisses and is saying "I wub you" more and more often. She is also rolling Emma over for tummy-time and gets the biggest kick out of holding her. I am more amazed every day by this little person.
Life is starting to feel normal again. Our routines are all falling into place now that I'm back to work. The girls are doing great with the sitter and even better with Jason. He is amazing with them. I don't know how he does it some days...it's just so calm.
I am once again very excited for fall. This is by far the best time of year. Grammy and Pa are coming this weekend. Jason and I are going to escape to Hocking Hills for a little while and we will all hopefully make it to a pumpkin patch and maybe even get to ride a hay wagon! I've got my fingers crossed that the weather will be just as perfect as it has been these past few days. Hope to post more soon....

Today the girls and I headed out for a little farm fresh air. We met Melissa, Casey and Lucy and enjoyed petting the "nays", feeding the deer and watching the cows. There were also goats, bunnies, chickens, a llama or two and a playground. Audrey loved every minute of it. It was such a pretty day to get out too. Made me really excited for upcoming weekends...oktoberfest...pumpkin patches...fall makes me happy. :)

Good night sweet angel.
Life as you know it ends tomorrow as mama goes back to work. With it comes some wonderful changes. Best of all is quality time with your daddy...and some days spent with new friends. I am certain you are going to love them as much as your sister does.
I am going to miss you and your sister so very much. These last two months have been challenging but oh so worth it. I hope you will know how much I love you every day especially when I am not there. The day will be over before we know it...as if the days didn't go fast enough already.
You are growing so fast and are so fun to watch. Your smile could warm the coldest heart. I melt every time I get to see it. Feels like every time you look at me.
I am so lucky...so very blessed. Just when I thought life couldn't get much better...then there you were.

This makes it almost impossible to get out of my bed in the morning. But here she will sleep until big sis comes to jump on mommy and daddy's bed. Which will be soon...I best get my shower in....

You probably can't tell from this picture...but this cozy girl is having a rough day. Between me trying to put her down in her crib and one very vocal big sister...there probably hasn't been more than 20 minutes of napping all day. It's taking a toll on the poor little bug. I am likely to not move from this very position for as long as possible. The crib and the dishes will wait and Audrey is also having a late much needed nap. It's been a long weekend.

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Good Morning!

Here we are hanging out this morning...taking the day off after a busy, fun, family-filled weekend. Emma is starting to enjoy her little activity mat a little more. And as you can see...Audrey doesn't miss any of the action...she climbs right on in as soon as Emma lays down. Stays for tummy time too! 

 

ah...sisters

Smiles for Daddy!

Watching Mama

Expressions in action. These are from last weekend.  Since then...Emma has become one smiley little girl. When she's fed and rested anyway. Those smiles are the greatest moments...although hard to catch at just the right moment.

I can't believe how fast the days are flying by. It's amazing. Our days have fallen into somewhat of a routine and I thought we might try to venture out a little more often, but before I know it...it's dinner time again. We've been trying though. Today we made it to see J at work and to the park to play and picnic with some friends. Audrey does great on the playground, she has been very cautious with new steps, but is starting to love the slides and even went down one all on her own today! As long as she doesn't get too brave...then I won't get too nervous. Emma does not love her carseat or the stroller too much just yet...but, she'll get there. We went on a walk about our neighborhood a couple of nights ago, and while I ended up carrying Emma, she loved just looking around and taking it all in. It was fun to see some of the neighbors out too.  Two doors down had a baby girl 2 weeks ago, so we got to chat with them a little bit. Emma looked so big next to this tiny one!
Well...sounds like my girls are waking. It is nice when they nap at the same time...until they both wake up and need me at the same time! ahh!! :-)

Smile!

Got it! And it's blurry ...but still totally worth it. :)
They are still few and sometimes far in between but she's getting the hang of it. Makes your heart melt. I am madly in love with this girl.

Almost caught the smile :) someday soon I'm sure...

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Emma likes it out here too :)

Back outside!

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A gift from our sitter and kids...they are really missing Audrey. They came to visit today and brought audrey her own baby. She is a very fast learner...so happy!

Emma's first boat ride! Sitting in the shade and before it gets too hot so its perfect. :)

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Words cannot even express...

Awake!

Hello! Getting my first manicure...my nails are so long already!

Good Morning!
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Asleep...at the same time.

Our sleeping angels

Grandparents

Emma makes 4 grandbabies for my parents (and we got them all together on Monday! SO fun!!) and 2 for J's. It is such an awesome feeling seeing the happiness these kids can bring. I love these pictures...

Sisters

cheeeese

Audrey has been doing great with Emma! She likes holding her (she says "I, I" when she wants to), reading with her and loves bringing her things that belong to her...especially the pacifier. She laughs at every little noise she makes and rocks her very gently. She has even been handling the feeding the baby very well. She often wants to sit right next to me but will bring a book, or tickle Emma's toes and it is so sweet. We are very lucky...and knocking on wood. :) We are also still tag-teaming...Jason goes back to work on Monday. :*(

reading books

gotta have her own turn in the bouncy seat

meeting cousin Lucy

hanging with mommy & emma

daddy with his girls

sisters with babies :)

just 2 weeks between these darling girls. love it!