Happy Bday Little Man

I'm sorry

Today, Mailande was mad at mommy for trying to help her with something, when she very much wanted her daddy's help. She told me "NO MOMMY! I want my daddy! I do not like you!" Daddy had a talk with M and when I was tucking her into bed she gave me a huge hug and said
"Mommy. I am sooooo sorry. I made bad choices. I love you and I will make good choices tomorrow."

I would never ever in a million years give up even the roughest moment of being a mom, because at the end of the day these moments still exist. And these moments are what make life worth living.

I am so in love with my sweet baby girl and so lucky to be her mom.

Sweetest Little Valentine's

 A year ago today I was walking the mall with Grandma Jane hoping for Thomas to be a Valentine's Day baby. Its so hard to believe that in such a short time he has changed so drastically. This week he has started running everywhere. He isn't quite stable on his feet, but that doesn't slow him down. Why walk when you can run? The boy obviously has places to go and dreams to chase.

 Mailande had a blast today at school having her 1st Valentine's day party with friends. She loved tearing through all the goodies at home and even saved a special piece of daddy's favorite candy for him. Sometimes I just sit and look at my family and wonder, what did I do to be so lucky? I could not have dreamed for a more perfect life.

 

Mailande LOVES reading, memorizing, and rereading her books. She has recently started playing teacher. "No mom, sit crisscross applesauce and put your hands in your lap." This past weekend she was reading to me in bed. I had to videotape her cuteness. This particular video may be a little long but she is reciting the book perfectly and also being an incredible active 2 year old at the same time. I love her silly self.

Littlest details

As you've probably noticed, I have become obsessed lately with the tiniest details. I love everything about my children from the way T's scraggly (in need of a haircut) hair curls around his ear to the tips of Mai's electric painted blue toenails. I've been in love with capturing these special little details. They are changing so rapidly, everytime I swear I'll never forget this one thing she said or this one thing he did, they've gone off and done something new and entirely different.

I love the way she sleeps...

 "Mom I can do it myself."

 Mai has always been a bookworm and I"m happy that it seems to be a habit that is sticking with her, at least for a little while longer. She loves to be read to, she loves listening to her books on cd, and she has become exceptionally good at memorizing and reciting her favorite books to herself or anyone who will listen.

Little Miss

Eeekk!

I love them!
They are getting bigger every day. Mai is memorizing every book in the house and Thomas is day by day and step by step closer to being a big boy. He loves eating at the table with us and enjoys real food. At daycare they began the transition today to the 1s room. Thomas tested out his cot (versus crib) and enjoyed drinking from a big kid cup. Good thing Grandpa Dorn gave him lots of practice this past weekend. We are awaiting news on the house and hopefully getting ready to plan our move-in/1st birthday party!

Big kids

I don't think I could possible love them more.

Mai -2.5

Thomas 11 month

I was talking to Mai last night:

Me: Mai, do you think you could just stay a little girl forever and be mommy's baby?

Mai: No mom. I want to be a big girl (picks up toy phone). I'm textin'

Oh excuse me Little Ms 2 going on 16.

80 degree January, I'll take it

We moved into my in-laws house with the intention of taking over their house for a mere month or 2, at most 3. Here we are 6 months later still hogging up their house. We are so fortunate for their generosity as they've shared their space and endured our noise and clutter.

We are happy to report 2013 looks like it'll be giving us a house...one day....maybe in the near future. We have been waiting, some days more patiently than others, to close on the ridiculous short sale we 1st viewed back in August.

In the meantime, we are doing our best to enjoy these beautiful 80 degree January days, filling our weekends with yard work, afternoons at the park, and just being silly.

 Can you believe my sweet little baby boy is going to be 1 in one short month?!? 

I know, neither can I. He has been doing his best to practice walking and is loving his towards freedom. Thomas has also been exploring with new foods and has now kicked baby food at daycare and eats all the big kid foods. He has recently developed an overwhelming love for his grandma and grandpa and WILL NOT stand to see them walk into the room and not pick him up. He is funny, happy, and is already proving to be our littlest dare devil.

          Mai had her 1st dentist appointment this past week and was such a big girl. She told all her friends at daycare "The dentist is SOOO MUCH FUN!" as she proudly showcased her special bag of tricks (toothbrush, floss, all the usuals that excite a 2 year old). She has also come into her own at school. She talks to the other kids and reminds them of all the rules "Did you hear Ms. Brenda? She said go clean up home living?" and she has even taken one of the younger girls under her wing and serves as her speaker and "big sister type". We are so proud of our confident, enthusiastic, and maybe a tad bossy little girl. She spent several days of the past week testing out the 3s room for her transition coming so soon. 3?! Again, how did this happen so quickly?

Back to Work

For as overwhelming as life as a teacher can be, I am so unbelievable thankful for all the extended holidays. I have spent so much time the past 2 weeks snuggling, reading books, and just being silly with my 2 favorite little people. Today's gorgeous weather was a perfect sendoff to the holiday break. We were able to go to the park, play outside, and just enjoy each other before we're all back to the grind.

 Enjoying her new books from the library. Grandma gave Mai a cd player with headphones, she picked out a book and cd and has been "reading" to herself. At night she lays in bed and recites the stories of Curious George and Clifford to herself. She is so incredible sweet.

 Thomas LOVED being driven around by Mai,

Mai LOVED being in charge. 

:)

 Silly kids

 Crosses his feet like his big sister

I am so glad I was able to be home (12.5) to see Thomas take his first steps. He was so proud of himself taking 3-4 steps back and forth between myself and Grandpa. Both kids are starting to socialize and have had a blast on playdates with friends and even with strangers at the Science Center. I'm amazed every single day by all their changes and couldn't be more proud of the little people they are becoming.

Merry Christmas

We are incredible fortunate to be surrounded by such amazing and friends. We are so thankful for the large village we have supporting us in raising out children. They have no idea how lucky they are to have such a diverse mix of people supporting their every need and helping in making all their dreams come true. Joel and I couldn't be more lucky or blessed.

 The joy and excitement of Christmas

 Mommy and the kids went to St. Augustine for a few days before Christmas. 

Mai was so happy to see her dad when he showed up on Christmas Eve.

 The Dorns

Audrey's 1st Christmas

 My best Christmas presents

 Mai and Nana

Thomas relaxing with Grandpa

 T and J

 T and Great Grandma, Ma

 Grandbabies

 Big T and babies

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

to all and to all a 

GOOD NIGHT