Author: Dania

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>One of the many funny faces of Bean. I just happened to be able to catch this one on camera (she usually clams up…shocker). I am not sure what she’s trying to do here. Maybe wink, maybe raise her eyebrows, but either way, it is just the cutest darn thing.

>Second day of school went even better than the first. No hesitation this time and barely even glanced at me as I stole a kiss on my way out the door. When I walked in to pick her up, she ran over and gave me the greatest bear hug and said “miss mommy!”. I’m not one to often brag {snicker}, but Bean was given the best of compliments today from the one and only Miss Becky. I was informed that she “is at the top of the class” in terms of behavior, attitude and her ability to follow directions. I was mildly surprised by this statement since I can’t begin to tell you how many times a day I start the same old routine of “Kennedy! Five, four, three…”. Needless to say, I was glad that all of our heavy conversations about being a good girl for Miss Becky seem to have paid off and she’s clearly adored by her teacher.

Today is a proud day for a very pleased momma…and Kennedy went down for her nap licking the salt off hands from her much deserved fry fry treat.

>Do you think 118 pictures for the first day of pre-school is too much? How to narrow down…well, I did the best I could.

Can you tell?

And how stinkin’ cute is her backpack?!

Can’t forget our bear project

Her “hook” just added to the excitement. She loves seeing her name!

Held onto little McKenna for dear life. I see who her favorite really is now…

Jumped in pretty darn quick though!

And soon had a happy celebration dance outside

before calling daddy to tell him all about our kick ass morning…

>I almost fell over when I downloaded this random shot from the car this morning. a) how amazing do her eyes look (and no, the color was not photoshoped even in the slightest) and b) she looks like such a big girl…what happened to my baby??

I may be a bit nostalgic as well given that she’s headed off to a 2 year old pre-school tomorrow. Stay tuned for loads ‘o pics to come of my not so little girl…

>Kennedy has now been asking many mornings for breakfast in the car. And given how late we were running on this particular day, I took full advantage of this request (much to John’s chagrin). She was like a kid at Christmas last week when I let her take her milk and french toast into the back seat after she promised “no make a mess in mommy’s favorite car”…

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>I think Kennedy is finally calming down around McKenna. I don’t know whether the novelty of her has worn off some or if she’s learning…or a combo of both, but it’s nice to see them able to interact together without worrying that Kennedy is going to crush the poor little newborn.

>My first official (I’m realizing I use this word too frequent) 5k run since the Boo was born. I was more than pleased to have finally broken my previous PR by a whole 7 seconds…coming in at 25:42, which translates into an 8:18 mile. This would have been more of a victory had my Polar watch not gotten my hopes up by informing me throughout the race that my pace was more like a 7:45…which clearly, it was not. Nonetheless, a good day for racing. We hit up daddy’s office afterwards so Bean could finally see the place that swollows him whole each and every weekday.

These pictures are also a good reminder that I have quite a ways to go to shed this dang baby weight. Hello chubalub arms! Watch it wiggle…see it jiggle…yikes.

>So my clumbsy butt falls down the last 3 steps coming down from getting into comfy’s this evening…and as I’m at the bottom recovering, a truly concerned Bean runs over and, head cocked, says: “momma, ok?”. After acknowledging that I was indeed fine, she sternly points her finger at me and says: “No do that again mom. Just be careful!”. Boy I adore that kid…

And on a happy Boo related note, she let out her first official belly laugh today while playing. And despite my husband’s silly inquiry, no–there was no little man in a top hat and tails handing out “official” blue ribbons, though I would have given her one myself if I happened to be the crafy type. I am not sure who laughed harder, her or I, but it was one fine moment in a weekend I was convinced couldn’t get much better.

>What a perfect day for the zoo with the “Piros”. Kennedy hasn’t had that much fun in a long time and I just adored watching her squeal in delight bouncing between all the animal attractions. We were able to get up close and personal to so many of them and I think I may have loved it just as much, if not more than the girls (especially that giraffe..awesome!). What a fantastic way to end one of the fastest summer of our lives!

That is one happy little lady…

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Who knew two year olds were so darn active and self-absorbed. Hello?? Mommy needs some camera time here please. Boo hiss.

>I was reading one of my favorite blogs by Mollie the other day and her post about Lily’s funny and embarrassing moments reminded me that I had been keeping track of some of the awesome things Bean has spit out recently and had yet to blog them. Here are a few treasured favorites…

Dad: “Kennedy, who’s team are you on?”
Kennedy: “team dad!!”
Kennedy: “me and you dad!”

Dad: “Kennedy, who’s better than you?”
Kennedy: “Nobody!”
(one of my personal favorites…)

Kennedy’s version of the Barney song: “I love you, I love me, happy family!”

After falling down for the gazillionth time in a day, Kennedy get up, muscles flexed and yells: “I’m tough!”

Me: Starts to rap Twinkle Twinkle Little Star…
Kennedy (shaking her head): “not a good song mom.”

She has now taken to collecting everything she can grab in the car, putting it on her lap and looking at me all suspicious declaring: “that’s my stuff mom”, like I’m gonna steal it.

At two, apparently, everything is incredibly urgent at all times, because we now have to end every sentence in “right now!”

Kennedy: “mom, whattcha doin‘?”
Me: “Driving Kennedy, what are you doing?”
Kennedy: “I’m in the car.”

Kennedy: “mom, whattcha doin‘?”

And a few of my other favorites that are said multiple times throughout the day…
“hear dat?”, “see dat?”, “right there!”

Also, a sincere thanks to Bubble, for leading Kennedy to believe that there is a cow in her belly. So every day, and to everyone we meet, we are always being reintroduced to the “cow in my belly…MOOOO!”

And a little video for your enjoyment. She sings Twinkle, Twinkle much better than I. (please excuse my uber annoying voice in this)…

>I just found this text while going through my phone this evening. Its things like this that make me fall in love with that man all over again…

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Did life really ever exisit without you?

>It was a family filled weekend, and we all loved every second of spending some quality time with the best of people…

Of course, we had to get a little playtime in at the playground during it all. Bean would have it no other way.

Hope everyone’s weekend was filled with as much joy and love as ours was!

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>Someones getting awfully big, awfully quick these days!

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>Since McKenna was born, I had this crazy goal of needing to run in miles how old she was in weeks. Today, I finally reached that goal…and good thing because it was really the last week it would have been feasible. So even though I was half limping on the way home, though still managing to keep a somewhat respectable pace, I happily completed 9 full miles. Despite most of my joints feeling broken and my numerous prayers for rain denied, today was a good day. And on her official 2 month birthday nonetheless.

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Does this look like the face of someone afraid of a big girl bed? She likes to sleep sideways and up and down so I thought it was time to get out of her tiny toddler bed and into her full size bed. I’d like to say it’s going well, but for the second day in a row, she has instead decided to nap in her rocker. I had to go in last night, carry her back to her bed and laid down with her as she fell back asleep…all the while whispering “mom, mom, mom” over and over again while slinging her arm around my neck and rubbing my left earlobe. As sad as I felt for her as I fear she feels lost in her new bed, it was one of the softest and sweetest moments we’ve had in months…and I took a somewhat guilty pleasure in being with her for those few moments.

We just hope that like almost everything else our Bean has encountered in her short 2 years, this too will pass…

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8 weeks

My, how much has changed in just 8 short weeks. I guess I see her every day and notice the small changes, like the smiles and cooing, but looking back at these pictures makes me realize just how much she is changing. 8 short weeks has gone too fast. Can someone give me the secret to freezing time, just even just for a little while?

I’ve noticed that this time, and maybe to Bean’s misfortune, I am truly enjoying this newborn stage so much more. Maybe it’s due to the fact that I’m not scared out of my mind anymore, or maybe it’s just that I know these fleeting moments will be gone in the blink of an eye. This is not to say I wished these moments with Bean away, but I was so focused on what was to come next…the solid foods, the sitting up, the talking, the walking, etc., I rarely stopped to think that with each new phase, something just as precious was left behind. I know her warm cuddles won’t last forever and she won’t always fit so snugly in my arms. I know she’ll stop nursing and no longer need me in that way. I know she’ll grow up…and while each stage brings with it a new joy, I need to take a moment to truly appreciate the joys that are here and now. So whenever I get frustrated by her 1am cries, I try to remember that this too will end, and that it’s important to soak up all the small quiet moments we have together, for I will undoutably miss them when they are soon gone.

>What a great Saturday afternoon. Friends of ours recently bought a horse ranch in Saratoga and invited us up to Willow Stables for their first annual BBQ. I have to say, it was much more than a BBQ! Wonderful food and plenty of drinks and activities. It was fantastic. Kennedy initially was scared to death of the horses (even the miniture one), which was so foreign to us since the kid isn’t scared of anything. She quickly warmed up, much like with most things she encounters and we had a wonderful day despite the sweltering heat.

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>Tuesdays have become one of my favorite days of the week, many of them spent with the Shapiro girls. While it’s taken Kennedy and Molly almost a full year of us pushing friendship on them, I think they are really starting to come around and love each other…even giving departing hugs. Victory for friend pushing moms everywhere.

>Meet the many sides of our little seven week old McKenna…

Devilish McKennaand sweet, can do nothing wrong, McKenna

Even at seven weeks, it’s clear that she’s got a kick ass personality, much like her older sister. I fear we are really in for it when these two grow up…

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Then the man came home and it was all about “me and you dad” and some seriously daddy lovin’. Could they be any sweeter?

>Bean just kept getting the best smiles out of this little one today. Somebunny adores their big sister and can finally begin to show it!

>We finally made it to a nice enough day given this rainy season to get Bean up to the Great Escape (I guess now called Six Flags). Despite haven forgotten my camera (the unthinkable), I was lucky to have stashed my old point and shoot in my bag for an occasion such as this. I think even semi-blurry pictures still managed to capture how much fun the Bean had.

Exhausting! Miss McKenna spent the majority of her day snuggled up nice and cozy…

>We finally bit the bullet and moved Boo into her own room Sunday night. It’s been a mixed bag. I miss having her so close, but know it’s good for her to have her own space (and probably good for me too I suppose). She goes down like an angel without a peep. However, after the first feeding around 3am, refuses to go back down without a fight..despite rocking or our fancy new mobile with the remote (though it pains me it doesn’t match the room). I am thankful our rocker/recliner nursery chair is actually quite comfortable to sleep in for hours at at time. She’s a good girl and I have no doubt that we’ll get through this soon. Slow and steady wins the race right?

A few shots from her first night all by her lonesome…

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Without going into the gory details, lets just say a few days ago, I walked into Kennedy’s room in the morning to find quite a “mess”. She was quite upset and stood sadly in the corner while I cleaned up. As I’m finishing, she looks up at me with those big beautiful eyes and sadly mutters “Thank you so much mommy…”

It was heartbreaking and the first time she uttered this sentence. It was said so incredibly sincerely I almost broke into tears while squeezing her adorable little self.

I had to catch it on video, and while it doesn’t produce quite the same effect at her acceptance of a simple apple, it’s still pretty darn cute if you ask me.

>…just barely a month old. Some jackhole pulled a u-turn from the far right lane right in front of us. Thank god all the “peeps” (as Bean would say) are ok. The car was not so lucky.

Boo.

>The more things change, the more they stay the same…

>And for those of you who thought that smile was just a fluke….

>Kennedy refused to be left out and I’d have it no other way. I love how she adores her little sister…

>It started out fun enough just hangin’ out on her back…

Thought I saw a hint of a smile, but wasn’t quite sure.

Moved onto tummy time and it got serious again.
But wait for it…

Oh yeah, that is not just gas my friend. That, is a happy Boo.

See hun? It isn’t always a bad thing to have this thing strapped to my neck twenty.four/seven.

Booya.

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Not so shy when she’s got a treat in hand now is she?!

She doesn’t love ice cream, but had no problem devouring the cone it otherwise would have been served in.Want some?!

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Bean was too busy looking for bugs to look up and smile…

Miss Molly Lounger on the other hand…

Finally! A smile from the grumpett.

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Bean’s famous fishy kiss…

Quality cuddle time with the Boo is always a nice way to wrap up a fun sunny day!

>It’s the week of new friends and we got to meet sweet baby Ella this morning. Just shy of 3 weeks old. What a cutie. I just adore all that hair! And how great does her mommy look?!

It’s so interesting to watch Kennedy with babies other than McKenna. She is so shy and cautious with them and never tries to touch them…unlike with her sister, who she showers with kisses and hugs (sometimes a bit rough) whenever possible. I love to see her little mind work and sort out what’s what. She’s been so excited alll morning to meet Ella, even though I had to explain that Ella wouldn’t be able to “play games outside” with her. She just kept saying “meet baby Ella…I like Ella.” She couldn’t be more adorable…

I love watching moms feed their babies…it’s just such a peaceful moment of bonding.

Fully belly = happy sleepy baby…

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>Kennedy could not have been more excited to meet the DeLorenzo girls today. I first thought she was saying “sit the fence” all morning, which I thought was odd since it’s not an expression I often use, but after yelling it in the car for 20 minutes, I finally figured out she was excited for “new friends”. Silly toddler language…

Not my best pictures by far given I had a newbie strapped around my neck, but I think they still express what a great time we all had!

Thanks for a wonderful morning girls! We can’t wait to play again soon.

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>This is it days. I could not live without my baby k’tan.
I’d like to land a big ol’ smooch on the creator for making my life so easy.

>Dinner is so much fun these days. Our conversation goes a little something like this:

Bean: I want somma dat.
Dad: Kennedy, it’s hot sauce, you can’t have some…it’s too hot.
Bean: Too hot.
Dad: Yes, too hot.
Bean: I want somma dat.

This happens pretty much non-stop with every item on the table at least 10 times every evening now. It’s gotten her to try so many new things though, it’s great. The lastest is corn on the cob. And god forbid we cut some corn off and gave it to her…nope. It’s gotta be the whole stalk. God love this kid.

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So this is why toddlers should never be left alone with newborns…

>Our little Boo kicking butt holding that big ol’ head up.
So proud.

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You did a fantastic job rocking fussy mgee to sleep…

Just because my new crazed photo obsession is with reflections…which all stems from Chick’s rock star aviators…

>Anyone who has had a newborn knows how loud their “business” can often be. McKenna let one go in the car this morning and Kennedy promptly turned to her and exclaimed “McKenna, wash your hands!”

Glad we are instilling good bathroom etiquette at such a young age.

>My kid is awesome. After being asked to stop shaking poor sleeping McKennas car seat for the 4th time, John begins “the countdown” and Kennedy promptly turns around, points at him, and with a straight face says: “Dad, stop counting”.

Had I been drinking milk, I would have spit it out. Instead, my attempt to not giggle came out instead in the form of tears running down my cheeks. I so wish I could have caught that on video…

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>Thank you Rachel for helping me practice using my k‘tan with Baby Sarah before potentially injuring poor Boo trying it by my lonesome (you can see I’ve got some work to do). Of course, Kennedy had a tip or two to show me herself…

Ps. Seriously, what am I to do with this child’s hair? It’s out of control and worse if I cut it…and she refuses the piggys and clips all together now. {sigh}

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She was certainly skeptical of her first official bath, but hopefully she’ll be a water baby in no time!

>Whoever said Crocs are the most comfortable shoes ever clearly has not yet met my daughters poor tortured footsies…

>9:30am

• Sleeping in till 7:30 without a peep from the girls – Check
• Shower (hair included) – Check
• McKenna fed and changed – Check
• Kennedy dressed and fed – Check

So far, so good. And no major breakdowns on anyones part (so far). I love that my girls are clearly taking pity on me today.

1:45pm

• Target trip without any hysterics (myself included) – Check
• One additional unnamed errand that could have been disastrous – Check
• Both girls napping peacefully without a fight – Check

I could get used to this…but I know better.

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And I can’t forget sweet sleepy McKenna…

>Someone went pee-pee on the potty this morning! She’s been interested for some time, but we haven’t pushed it with McKennas arrival on the way since we’ve heard horror stories about regression back into diapers. However, from time to time, we will put her on the potty when she asked, but she has never done anything before for I think she always told us about 5 minutes too late. This morning, she asked for the potty, John put her on and she immediately went pee! I don’t recall the last time we all squealed with such delight and the look of pride on her face was just too precious. If it wasn’t such a private matter, I would have whipped out the camera, but figured it was better to simply blog sans a picture that would likely torture her in the later years…

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