Day Seventy Two and Counting...

Today was a great day! Grace and I had a ridiculously early start, but we really enjoyed our 'alone' time.  We don't have many opportunities for just the two of us to be together, and if I have to get up early with her just so we can, well, so be it.
Grace and Olivia decided to share some light reading this morning - not the morning paper, but still!

And, as it was Saturday, Grace had swimming lessons!  And Livie and Daddy had a chance to goof off, too!

Livie in her sling, waiting for Grace to get in the pool!

(*I just wanna dip my toes in...*)

She walked back and forth across the mezzanine all through Grace's lesson!

Her tights, after all that walking! Next time, shoes!!

Grace and co., singing and blowing bubbles!

No teacher-hands!  

Go, Grace, go!

 Putting her face in the water...

Swimming without her life jacket!

Pool noodles...? Fun!

Teacher is telling her she is doing a great job... by herself!

Just playing...

Olivia and Daddy, just playing, too...!

Day Seventy One and Counting...

My girls just love Fridays... they know when they get home, Daddy will be waiting for them!  And the short time they have before going to bed will be all about them, and Daddy being a goof!

Hooray for Daddy!

I see you peeking, Miss O!

Kissy-face!

Mine and Grace's hands...

One of the creepiest pictures I have ever taken... Grace's eyes

are all evil... and Jeremy's are rolling up in his head!

Day Seventy and Counting...

It was pickles for snack again today, while the girls waited for Chef Mommy to get busy.  Never fails to please, and amuse the heck out of all of us!

Just a little sour...

Note that despite the sour, she still has her lady-like pinkie finger!

Just look at those cheeks!

Olivia has been able to say "Uh-oh!" for quite some time, and thinks the dropping game is just the best thing ever.  She has now suddenly figured out how to say "Bye-bye!" and I managed to catch it on video!  It is so adorable... she just beams at you!

Grace has developed a new 'personality'... Robot Grace.  She and Jeremy like to talk like robots back and forth, and refer to each other as Robot Daddy and Robot Grace.  It is hilarious to listen to them, as they are just so serious and into it!  She won't do it for me and the camera (yet!), but I did manage to get a cute photo of her dressed up as a robot!

And just one more photo...

Hey Livie!  Where's Grace?

Day Sixty Nine and Counting...

Every day, I learn something new about my girls...  something new that they have learned to do, or have suddenly discovered that they can do.  I think that is part of what keeps me wanting to try and learn something new myself -- I just have to find the time to do it!
Lately, Olivia has been learning to use a spoon to feed herself.  She as been 'playing' with one at meals for quite some time already, but she has been making some real progress in the last few days!

Oops... need to try again!

Dig... dig... dig...

Sweet (and saucy!) success!  Hooray for Olivia!

Grace has been learning different ways to express herself.  Jeremy and I have always been big on giving her the words she needs to describe how she is feeling or what she thinks.  It just might backfire in the near future...

Grace simply oozed attitude today... quite the 3 going on 13 sort of day.  Right from when she woke up, til she went to bed... with just  few short breaks in between!  

Dinner time was not one of those breaks... 

Really, this photo says it all.

Day Sixty Eight and Counting...

I read something interesting in a magazine the other day, about feeling blessed rather than stressed.  And taking  a quick second to breathe a little more deeply, just revel in the moment.  The article made a point about how all too often we are running from one activity or responsibility to the next, with barely a breath in between.  A sort of stop and smell the roses lesson.  For some reason, it really hit home. 
For me, I think, doing my blog everyday helps me to stop and appreciate my girls just that little bit more.  Watching them for the ideal photo op, or a special interaction makes me just stop... and enjoy.
My girls are the most incredible people - as I am sure everyone would say about their own children, too.  And just taking a moment to observe all the subtle little changes in them - their appearance, behaviour or whatever - and appreciate them for who they are right now helps me realize just how lucky I am to be a part of their lives, and how blessed I am to have them in mine.
I love my girls.

There is something on my finger, Mommy...

Can you see it, Mommy?  Is it a Who?

Day Sixty Seven and Counting...

My girls had a wonderful day at school!  Both of them were so happy to see me at the end of the day, too!  I just love their relieved, happy smiles when they see me and they know it is time to go home and just be a family again for a while.

Dinner tonight was just about as simple as could be... grilled cheese!  The girls were so pleased!

Mmmm... ketchup!

Gonna spread a little on my chin, and save it for later...

Ketchup kiss, Mommy?

How could I not want to kiss that little face?

Day Sixty Six and Counting...

What an incredibly relaxing Sunday!  It was so nice to get all the things done that we wanted to, but not feel rushed or that we didn't spend enough time with the girls.

Grace was inspired by the sunshine, and decided she needed to wear her newest dress...

 

She looks like she stepped out of an ad!

One thing we have really noticed about Sundays... we are all so tired, but Grace is the only one who is unwilling to take a nap!  And the result of no nap for Grace is...

The saddest little face I have ever seen!

And the result of Olivia desperately trying to be like Grace, putting her nap off as long as she possibly can...

 

Exhaustion wins!

Out cold!