These Little Moments...

We had family pictures taken recently and I wanted to share one of Gracie. I have such a hard time getting good pictures of her! I always say she is my toughest "client"! I thought she would surely cooperate for someone else... It wasn't easy, but our photographer was able to capture some very sweet pictures of our girl. :) Thank goodness. These will make some lovely Christmas gifts for the grandparents!

Ethan, how do you really feel about Florida State's loss to Clemson on Saturday? Oh... He's not bitter at all...  ;) Happy Monday!

This morning I woke to a steady rain. Usually, this would be perfect on a Saturday. I'd love nothing more than to start the day off lazy and linger in bed a little too long with my family. But this morning I had a photo session scheduled, so I was disappointed when I looked outside to see rain clouds that looked a little too comfortable overhead, and a sopping wet ground. My spirits were instantly lifted, however, when my little guy decided this was the perfect morning to roll over from belly to back for the first time! He's been working hard at it over the past few days. I think I've mentioned a time or two how much he dislikes being on his belly. I laid him down for tummy time this morning, stepped over to open his blinds, and plop , he pushed himself over! Of course I squealed and clapped, then called for Sean and Gracie. I turned him back over on his belly, praying he would show off his new skill again, and he did! Gracie was just thrilled and wanted ...

I kind of like starting a new post without any intentions. I don't know how interesting these posts really are, but the rambling without much thought is a nice change. :) I woke up grumpy this morning. I guess the lack of sleep is slowly catching up with me, although waking up to a house that already needs cleaning doesn't help much either. I did accidentally take an hour nap yesterday! Gracie woke me up at 4:30. Must have needed it, but oops! Sean bought me the Baby Bullet baby food making system while at the beach, kind of an early birthday present. Even though Ethan won't be eating baby food for a couple more months, I was so excited that I went out and bought fresh fruits and vegetables just so I could try it out. I've made a few of their toddler recipes this week for Gracie and they have been big hits! It's cool because she can help me get the ingredients ready to puree, but doesn't really get that I just added half a squash to her mac 'n cheese! I ...

When I see this smile, I experience this indescribable warmth in my heart. It doesn't matter that I've been smiling back at this boy for weeks. Each smile gets me. I could literally cry looking at his sweet face. I can see a little of me in his eyes... I can see a little of his daddy in that grin. I pray that I can be the kind of mother he deserves. I've only got one shot. I never want to let him down. This little girl... all I want to do is give her the world, protect her from every hurt and every fear. I want to preserve this carefree innocence. I want to keep her safe in our little world where everything is okay , where happiness is found in the simple moments, where there is unconditional love, where fairies  might just exist and fairytales do  come true... Oh, the things you don't know you'll feel until you're watching your own baby grow... Some days I feel doubt creep in... Am I doing it all right ? I don't take this ra...

Gosh, these monthly posts come quickly! My little man turned three months old yesterday. He got to spend this "birthday" at the beach, his very first trip. He spent the majority of our beach time asleep in my arms. It was hot, but he and I stayed shaded under an umbrella and enjoyed a nice breeze. I'm glad we were able to take him out, but I think we all preferred the pool over the sand this year. Even Gracie seemed like less of a sand fan, and she was all about the beach the past two years! Ethan, you are such a happy boy! I am so in love with your smiles. You are such a little "talker" and your whole face just seems to light up when you smile. Recently, I was doing laundry while Gracie laid with you on your play mat... I peeked in the room and found Gracie talking to you, telling you that she loves you sooo much. You responded by grinning and cooing at her. She really does adore you. She will even pop out of a really bad mood to tell you hello and plant kiss...

Baby C just turned one! A pool party seemed like the perfect way to celebrate this "end of summer" baby! It was fun to watch the little ones swim. We even dipped Ethan's feet in the water. He'll be ready for his own float next year. :)

I've been sick for the past few days. I'm not sure if it's a cold or sinus infection, but I'm doing my best to not pass it along to the rest of the family. I don't really remember the last time I was sick like this... the most frustrating part is that I cannot smell anything, or taste my food. I got a free Dove chocolate bar at CVS this week and I ate it, knowing it was delicious, even though I couldn't taste it. At one time, Ethan had about six pacifiers. Somehow, over the past 12 weeks, six has become one, and today, one has become none. I don't really get this... He literally had one in his mouth and 10 minutes later I realize not only is it not in his mouth, but it's completely vanished! Weird and problematic. We went to a pool party over Labor Day weekend, celebrating the first birthday of a special baby boy. It was the perfect way to say good-bye to a really great summer. I'm ready for cooler weather and all the fun that comes along with t...

Gracie, Ethan, and I met my mom and Austin at the park today, along with a friend of my mom's who has a two year old little boy. It was hot, we were sweaty, but the kids had a great time, so it was good. :) Little Brother slept the entire time. I parked his stroller in the shade and he enjoyed a nice little nap during our playtime. You can't really see it, but he's wearing his "Biggest Little Seminole Fan" shirt today, showing a little support for FSU. This is the same shirt Gracie wore at this age. I'll have to get a better picture and find the one I have with Gracie wearing it. They look a lot alike!

Within the last year or so, Gracie has really fallen in love with dancing. She loves nothing more than to leap throughout the house in her tutus, stopping to perform some pretty impressive moves, ranging from tip toe ballet steps to some serious hip hop inspired jumps, spins, and wiggles. It's always so fun to watch her express herself through dance. Between what she's seen while watching Angelina Ballerina and The Backyardigans (her two favorite shows), she can put together an entertaining show. Yesterday was a special day for her, and for me. She went to her very first dance class... On Wednesday, she and I went on a Mommy/Gracie date to have her fitted for her tap and ballet shoes. Just being in the studio store was enough to get her moving. She broke out into her own creative ballet dance, providing entertainment to the other customers, while I paid. As soon as we arrived home, she was begging me to let her try on her new shoes. I let her try on her whole dance ou...