Valentine's Weekend

We had a really nice Valentine's this weekend. Friday, Nana came to pick up Emily and take her home for the NIGHT. Emily was happy and excited to get in the car with Nana (that may be because Barney was playing on the DVD player.) Andy and I were able to have a fun night with Sarah. We had a yummy dinner and of course dessert at The Cheesecake Factory and walked around the mall. We actually ran into some friends from church and ate with them. Lots of fun!

Saturday morning we woke up to a quiet house. We really didn't get to sleep in because of Sarah, but it was still a very relaxing morning. Andy suggested we go minivan shopping. I didn't know we were ready to make that step (and we may not be), but it was still fun. Then we went to meet Mom and Larry to pick up Emily. However there was a slight misunderstanding between mom and I. We were on HWY 64, while Mom and Larry were on HWY 264. OOPS! After dealing with 2 upset husbands, we met in the middle and had a nice Valentine's dinner with them. Thanks Mom and Larry (for dinner and taking Emily for the night.)

Here are some pictures of Emily's trip to Nana's:

She played outside (for a very long time) and loved pulling bark off the trees

Took her baby for a walkGot to ride on all of Nana's 8 riding toys without having to take turn with cousins
Cleaned Nana's plants with a bowl of water and paintbrush. Mom came up with this activity and Emily loves it!

Played with Nana's jewelry (love this cheesy grin)

Arranged Nana's decorative rocks

Played with Nana's toys and made a complete mess of the place

Acted just plain SILLY

Colored

And won the hearts of Nana and Pappy!!

I am so glad my mom lives so close and enjoys having a close relationship with each one of her grandchildren. I think this should definitely become a monthly ritual.

3 months!!!

Sarah is 3 months today! Time is flying!!! She is a dream baby. She is wonderful when we are out and about. She sleeps and eats great and hardly ever cries.

Here are some highlights of her 3 month mark:

- Sleeps from 9 pm - 8 am, waking up once between 4 -6 am.

- Stares at Emily all day long

- Has started to laugh a lot (sweetest sound!)

- Ticklish under her chin and cheeks

- Enjoys Pat-a-Cake and having her hands clapped together

- Loves to get attention and to be talked to
- Cries out if she is in her swing and Emily and I are in the kitchen. (She wants to be where action is)

- Has a BLOWOUT EVERY SINGLE DAY (I have to do SO much laundry)
- Enjoys sucking on her hands

- Loves to be rocked to sleep

- Sleeps in the bassinett (in the office), but takes naps in her swing (I need to figure out a better sleeping situation for her)

I can hear her laugh just looking at these pictures!!!

SWEET SISTERS!

"Play Outside"

For those in NC, you know what great weather we have been having. For those not in NC, you should be jealous. I think was in the 70's on Sunday. Emily has been loving the nice weather and wants to "play outside" all day long. We have to explain to her that we can't go outside to play at 7 pm when it is dark.

On Saturday, Andy took Emily out on the pond in our backyard. He has an inflatable fishing boat that he takes out on the pond. Emily had a lot of fun rowing around the pond with him. When they came to shore, she said "One more time. Boat, "so they went back around some more. While out on the pond, she asked for George, so I had to bring Curious George out so he could enjoy the nice weather too.

These 2 pictures are my favorites!!

And, I feel like a horrible mother since I didn't really think about Emily needing a life jacket. My poor mom had nightmares all night about Em drowning. So rest assured Mom, I will get a life jacket before her next boat ride. And Mom I am sure you also think her bangs need a trim. I'll get on that one too!

Valentine's Party!!

Yesterday we went to a fun Valentine's party with our playgroup from church. Emily was so excited about the party. I think she was really excited about the cupcakes that I told her she would be getting.

The party started out with cute Valentine stories and songs.

Then we decorated a bag for the Valentine's.

Then we decorated and ATE the cupcakes!

Passed out Valentine's and even got a group picture.

I think Emily was most excited when she got home and realized there was CANDY in her bag. At one point she came running into the room screaming "Chocolate Candy!" I realized later (after she didn't take a nap and was still running 90 mph at 8:30) that she probably was on a major sugar high!

Here are my VALENTINES!

The Good With The Bad

First the good news...
Sarah is sleeping through the night!!! I know I am pressing my luck by blogging this, but we have had over a week of at least 6 - 8 hours a night and more recently 8 - 12 hours. Yes, one night I feed her at 8 pm and then not again until 8 the next morning. I am in shock and one happy momma. Well, I would be a happy momma except...

For the bad news....
Emily has suddenly become afraid of the dark. She cries for the light to be on when she goes to bed at night. So we started leaving a lamp on for her and then turning it off when we go to bed. However last night she woke up at 4:30 screaming for the light. I was able to calm her down and get her back to bed. However an hour later she woke up again crying. This time I just brought her in bed with us. Even though I do not want it to happen every night, it was kind of nice to have her cuddle up next to me.

Wish us luck tonight!

Smiles!

I promise, underneath those cheeks and above those chins, there is a smile in there.

Lowes Food Tour

Friday we went on a tour of Lowes Food grocery store with our joy school group. They talked about heathly snacks and smart eating. Ironically, Emily was asking me for a "pop pop" (lollipop) the whole time because that is what I give her while I am grocery shopping. It was a really cute tour and they had healthy snacks for them in the different departments. Then they got to go in the freezer in the back of the store that was 10 degrees below zero. Brrrr!

Obviously Emily was used to getting so many snacks on the tour, that she thought she was supposed to eat the sign too! Gross!

Thanks Erin for setting up all these fun tours. We look forward to them!