Playdates

Over the past week we have enjoyed the warming weather with many playdates! I am so lucky to have found many new friends through the Lake Highlands Early Childhood PTA! And it's even better when our kids get along and play well together! There are at least 1-2 playdates scheduled each week with the toddler playgroup, and we have been pretty good about attending (as long as both babies let me - ha!) A bunch of the girls who have kids Bridgette's age have had or are now having their second... so we have a built in baby playgroup within our toddler group! And it's nice to go through this crazy stage of parenthood together! Karen and I park next to each other at CCDC and watch each others cars while taking turns getting the girls to school (so we don't have to take the babies out too). And then last week, I dropped Bridgette off at Kelly's house so I could go to Target with just one child. Bridgette kept Parker occupied while she held her 4-week old, and I was able to go to the store in peace and grab a few items for her. A win-win! :) Enjoy the pics ...

The onesie says it best...

Who says boy clothes aren't cute?! They aren't the same as a frilly dress, but they are still fun! I've been snapping pics of Aiden in all of his onesies with funny sayings... take a look! {and isn't my boy SMILEY!?}

"Mommy needs a date night"

"I'm happier naked"

"My dad is outta this world"

"Don't be fooled by my size"

Dallas gets 6" of SNOW!

After a few days of ICE and being housebound, last Thursday/Friday we received the mother of all snows! We got an impressive 6" and finally got to get out to PLAY! We started the afternoon by going outside to show Bridgette the snow, pull her and Ayers in the sled, and get some fresh air. Well, that turned into all the neighbors coming out, the adults being pulled in the sled behind Jeff's suburban*, and then happy hour, friendly competitions and dinner at our house! Can I just say once more that I LOVE our street!?!! You should have seen the number of coats, scarves, and boots in the house! It looked like a ski lodge! We had so much fun on that snow day that we're still talking about it! Thanks Jeff for driving us up and down the street a million times and Thanks Mary Nell for making us dinner! The day is best said in pictures, so follow bellow...

*Disclaimer: Acknowledgement by all parties involved that this was not a smart idea. But it sure was fun! :)

Bridgette & Ayers going for a ride

Brrrr! It's COLD!

Bridgette & Daddy

Aiden snoozing the afternoon away while we play

Mommy & Bridgette

Bob going one-handed while video-taping in the other!

Here comes Amy... right before she runs into a parked car!

MaryNell gets ready to ride!

Susan (the Doctor) is off! We made sure to ask her what to do if she crashed! ;)

That is Julie... probably the best wipe-out of the day!

Ayers feeds Bridgette a snack... awww

And the friendly competition begins... first up - the plank!

Next up: Wall Sits

Then a game of "quarters" rounded the evening out.

Our winter wonderland

Snow Days 1, 2, 3 ...

Last week was a crazy weather week here in Dallas! We got a lot of ICE, snow, and FREEZING temperatures! The first few days we were pretty much house bound because of the ice and temperatures. It was just too dangerous to get out and go anywhere! So, we got to have lots of "bonding" time with 2 babies, 2 dogs, and 2 adults inside - HA! Bob and I took turns trying to get some work done, and I pulled out every last toy, activity, and idea to do to keep Bridgette entertained! We baked, painted, played dress up, built things with blocks, and had tea parties while watching the snow outside. Here are some cute pictures of our week indoors:

Double Checkup

My how time flies! On Friday we went in for double duty checkups. Aiden had his 4 month and Bridgette had her 18 month check up (even though she's 19 months now). The whole appointment was pretty funny - both kids were being quite personable and showing off to the doctor and nurses. As the nurse was asking a series of questions for Bridgette, her actions were answering them for us... for example "Does she help undress/dress herself (at that moment she was trying to pull her skirt back on) ... "Does she climb on things?" (she didn't get to finish the sentence before Bridgette climbed onto Bob) ... and then as Dr. Dennison was asking questions and writing notes in their charts, Bridgette was cracking herself up by balling up the paper on the table and throwing it at him! HA! So what was Aiden doing you ask? Well, he showed off his strength by standing on Bob's lap and proving that although he's the second child, he's going to catch up quick! Here are their stats... funny how opposite they are!

Bridgette, 19 months

weight: 24lbs 7oz (50%), length: 31 3/4" (50%), head: 18 3/4" (80%)

...she's finally growing into that head ;)

Aiden, 4 months

weight: 13lbs 7oz (20%), length: 25 1/2" (75%), head: 16" (10%)

...not sure where that height comes from??

Busy Bee in the waiting room ...

Aiden giggling with Daddy ...

... and Bridgette modeling with Mommy.

Life's little moments...

First off let me start by saying being a mom is hard... and being a mom of 2 kiddos under 19 months is H-A-R-D! Things don't ever go as planned, there is never a "break", and some days it takes an hour+ just to get them both out of the house to go to the grocery store. But then there are these {little} moments that happen, and it makes any "hard" day seem like nothing. They remind me of how truly blessed we are, how grateful I am to be at home with my kids, and how happy and proud I am to be a mommy! These moments could be anything from Bridgette smiling at Aiden and him smiling back at her to Bridgette saying a new word for the first time or Aiden giggling at me when I change his diaper. It gives me such joy to watch! Here are a few of these "moments" I've been able to capture over the last week or so...

Christened with SNOW!

This past weekend was a very special one for our little boy! Aiden was baptized on Sunday, January 9th at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. He wore the same beautiful gown that Bridgette wore just a year ago. It has been in Bob's family for almost 100 years! Bob's grandfather, Vovo Zizo, wore it when he was baptized (95 years ago) and Aiden is the 26th to wear it. Since Bridgette, it has traveled to Brazil and back... and is ready to go back for Aiden's 2nd cousin Fernando to use. Aiden was surrounded by his grandparents, godparents, and his church family (and Tia Marthi, Tia Christina, and Uncle Jared in spirit!). Another fun happening: when we walked into church it was raining, and when we left it was SNOWING! So, Sunday was Aiden's first snow too. Thank you Vovo e Vovo and Sandra and Cliff for driving up for the weekend! We are so blessed with a beautiful, healthy family!

Carefully putting the gown on

The girls caught up on some reading

Getting ready for the Baptism with Sandra and Cliff (Madrinha and Padrinho)

Aiden playing with Father Robert's hands

Mimi & Aiden

Bridgette is so over this and Aiden is ready to get out of the gown - haha :)

What a beautiful family we have!

Lindo, lindo, lindo!

..........................................

{And of course the weekend wasn't complete without the girls getting to play!}

Uncle Cliff with the girls

Vovo with her grandchildren