July 2013

 Cousins July 2013

 We have all loved being home this summer. Its been relaxing and filled with time with family and traveling. Mai and Thomas have grown up so much and have really enjoyed all this time together. Thomas has learned how to play with Mailande and loves copying her. He sits on the couch and pretends to read, chases her around the furniture, and they LOVE to jump on and off the bed. The black and white picture, they were jumping and Mai stopped and tackled Thomas for a hug. I just happened to be ready with my camera. They are so sweet! I will miss their sweet faces when I go back to work and I know that they will miss spending so much time with each other.

 Thomas is 17 months and starting to find his "voice". He is beginning to use more words and is quickly picking up sign language. He says "mama", "dada", "milk", "yea", "au revoir", and lots of other things that only we can understand. He proudly does his signs and thinks that when they are used he should be rewarded immediately. He signs "please", "milk", "all done", and "more".

 Mai has turned into a princess this summer. For her birthday Aunt D and J gave her all their old princess dresses and Mai has worn one every. single. day this summer. She has also discovered Disney movies and loves to coordinate her dress with her movie of choice. Thomas on the other hand only wants to watch Mickey Moucse ("Mo Mo").

Mai went to the dentist this month. Dentist says teeth look great but to save up because she'll need braces one day. Unfortunately, Mai was a little too nervous for her cleaning, so it was just a lap visit to get comfortable. January we try again and can hopefully get a cleaning to scrape off all that yucky staining from antibiotics and fluoride.

WE LOVE SUMMER!

Cousins are the best kind of friends

Gainesville Weekend

Fox Weekend

  HAPPY BIRTHDAY COUSIN AUDREY!

              

Sweet sweet summertime

The past few weeks have been an amazing break from the busy schoolyear. I have so many pictures and so much to blog. The kids are amazing and I am overwhelmed every day by my love for them.

 

 Working together. ALL ABOARD!

 Playing with Madi

 Sweet Princess

Since being home, Mai and T have really learned how to play together. I often catch them snuggled on the couch reading a book or in the office playing in the kitchen. Mai leads the games and T is quick to jump in and try to do anything his sissy is doing.

North Carolina

This summer we ventured to McCabin. It was an amazing and relaxing week with Grandma and Grumpy.

 While Thomas was scared, Mai loved riding the 4wheelers and begged to go every day. She was so full of energy and loved going on walks and chasing anyone who would run with her around the deck in the morning.

SUMMER

It is officially summer and we are all looking forward to school-less days. We fully plan on filling our days with playdates, lots of sunshine, fun in the kitchen, and lazy afternoons. This summer will be a nice rest before mommy starts her newest adventure, teaching 5th grade at a new school! I am so excited about the change and even more excited about my 8 weeks of playtime before it.

 

Really?
They are so cute.

 Emily came to visit

 My little man!

 YAY SUMMER TIME!

 Yummmm lunch!

Teamwork

 Work together

 Play together

 Eat together

Cry together

We believe in teamwork in all that you do.

School Pictures and a little mushiness

Are my kids even old enough to have school pictures? Apparently so...

Every night I feel like I'm living in the book I'll Love You Forever, as I sneak in their rooms. I lay in Mai's bed and am amazed by how she no longer looks anything like a baby. I think of the new things she's learning every day and could not be more proud of her. I crawl on Thomas's floor and sit next to the crib, trying to remember how just a few short months ago he was waking up all night long and snuggling in my arms, nursing as he fell back to sleep. He is starting to use words and signs and is such a happy and proud little boy.
I always thought I wanted 3 or 4 kids, but honestly at night, I move from Mai's room to T's and think, how could I ever want anything more than what I have now? I feel so lucky to have the incredible family that calls me mom. I could not ask for sweeter or happier kids or a more supportive and dedicated husband. I am truly a very lucky woman.

Sweetness