++Double Duty++

This is what life is like now that we have two. My apologies to dear Mark for the early morning glasses pics.

++3 Months++

Already? Where has the time gone. Our little ray of sunshine sure brightens our days.

We have a few more things to report this month. We have lots and lots of smiles all the time. Talking and cooing galore. We continue to marvel at how happy and easy-going this little one is. Is it because she is our second child? is it because she is a girl? is it because that's her personality? We kind of think it might just be a combination of the three.
This is the face we are greeted by each morning. You should see mine at the other side of the camera. A couple of weeks ago she started treating us to ten hour stretches. That's the most sleep I have had in a long time (did I mention I had crazy pregnancy insomnia?)

As much as we (ok--probably Mark more than me) pushed Wyatt towards all the physical milestones making sure to keep him ahead of the curve (as if it would mean he was more likely to play professional sports later in life), we decided that we would let Claire take her own sweet time. She has other plans. She started rolling over at two-and-a-half months. The funny part is that she rolled over before she was able to hold her head up well so the end result is kind of a face plant. She is getting better though. She loves her play gym. She is doing lots of hands in the mouth and starting to bring things to her mouth. She is also batting at things. Sometimes you just find her laying there and smiling. Not sure at what. It is so fun to watch this sleepy baby turn into her own little person.

++Loot!++

A while back I ordered a pair of shoes for Claire from the Bobux website. Just an aside: they were on clearance and I got a free pair of babylegs with my order so I figured I couldn't lose. Somewhere along the line they solicited volunteers for some market research and I signed up (now that I'm no longer in the industry I'm eligible again...albeit probably a little too wise to their methodology but they don't have to know that). I got picked! In exchange for a 45 minute phone conversation about kids clothes (which is soooo easy for me to share my opinion on) and keeping a photo diary of Claire's outfits for a week (don't I kind of do that anyway?), I got all this! How fun! Now I just need to figure out how to get them to use me again...

++On Broadway++

Wyatt's school had it's Spring program (a prelude to the end of the school year which is fast approaching--sniff sniff). Sadly, Mark could not be there so I had to go it alone with the two kiddos. It took some of my parenting A-game to get him there, with the treat we were asked to bring, dressed appropriately (down to the shoes which were a bit of a battle) on time. Did I mention that both of the kids decided it was time to poop just as I was loading the car? Phew. We made it though.

I was excited to finally get the complete versions of the songs that Wyatt has been blurting lyrics to for a few months now" "Sing, sing, shout shout" and "Jump for Joy". As expected, they were not made up. Wyatt's participation was marginal, as were my photos. (I love the video camera hands in the shot...they truly capture what these events are like. One video and one still camera per child. Not sure anyone really just watches they are so concerned with capturing the moment.)

He did cooperate for these great shots out in the back of his school. It almost looks like some bad fake backdrop---but it's real!

We don't get this face in photos very often. This is 100% Wyatt right here.

We took a couple of shots with his friend Sydney who also goes to the same school.Wyatt takes a few minutes to warm up to new people, but once you are in, you are in. Wyatt is mighty fond of Mr. Tom, Sydney's dad.

And, this is how Claire spent the entire evening. Thank You Claire.

++Reality Check++

It just hit me that if I were working I would probably be going back to work this week, if not very soon. Some days I really miss my life in advertising. I miss being around smart, creative people and feeling like I am contributing to something. Then I stop to think that I am around two smart and creative kids...and I am contributing to something far bigger.
I do miss the parties though. Mark once told me I should ask if I can be an unpaid employee who only shows up for the fun events. Do you think they would go for that?

++Who needs toys?++

Why would any kid need toys when you could have a caulk gun?

A shade from a baby pool floater (and some stir sticks, and an old rubber mallet)?

Or an empty spray bottle filled with water?

These, my friends, have provided our dear little one with hours of entertainment.

Some things to note: It rained for two weekends in a row here so we were forced to get creative. In the top photo we finally just sent Wyatt out in the rain (notice he dressed himself hence the boots on the wrong feet).
In the second photo he played in the empty garage for a few hours. Dad hooked him up with some cool variations to his vehicle. This one was an airplane, I think. The best addition he found on his own. That rubber mallet swivels---making a door for him.
Finally, the spray bottle has made it's rounds throughout our yard. It sprays weeds, and bugs and plants and sand. I think I may invest in a better one as this one keeps clogging.
It is so fun to follow the imagination of a two-year-old. These days, nothing is what it is supposed to be. My favorite comment (said while watching Dora and drinking juice): "This is my coffee and that's my news."

++Is there anything sweeter?++

This was actually an accident. I was making Mark stand in for me to test the light for the photo of the two of us. I didn't end up getting a keeper, but I got this instead. It just melts my heart (whoa, I'm starting to sound a little southern saying things like that, aren't I?)

++A little Mommy Lovin'++

My Mother's Day wish list went like this:
++A new pair of running shoes (check! because I kind of just buy what I want when I want it).
++A morning of shopping all to myself (check! I got a few things at the Macy's sale Saturday)
++A nap (check! I was zonked out on Saturday afternoon until Wyatt HAD to see what was happening behind the closed door).
++The requisite flowers and cards (check! A beautiful hydrangea was delivered during my nap--but I didn't even hear the doorbell, and Wyatt and Dad went card shopping and Wyatt just couldn't keep the secret as he walked in the door an immediately told me "We bought you a card, Mommy!").
++And finally, the toughest order, a nice picture of me with my kids. As you can see, some things are easier said than done:

As if getting two kids to cooperate wasn't bad enough. I have been working on teaching Mark how to take pictures but never seem to foresee the pitfalls until after the entire shoot is over. Today's lesson: make sure the door handles aren't sticking out of my head.

Wyatt decided he was tired of being photographed and it was time for him to play photographer!

This is what we get in response to "Give us your biggest smile."

And finally...this one always seems to cooperate. A little Mommy and baby lovin'

Wishing all the moms out there a Happy Mother's Day especially my mom, my mom-in-law and Busha. We love you!

++Let's talk my day++

Every day when Wyatt sits down at the dinner table (or at any table for any reason, recently) he turns to us and says "Let's talk my day." Actually, I think recently he has been adding in the missing "about" but the first phrase was so cute I didn't want to forget it. We then have to go through the details of what we have done for the day. I think this started when his dad would ask him about his day at dinner. Now he doesn't wait to be asked, he requests it. The best part is the little head tilt that comes along with it.

I usually don't think to get up from dinner to take a picture so this doesn't really go with the post. Just a cute photo of my little day talker.

++Stuff like this++

It's stuff like this that makes having a little girl oh-so-fun:

I made it look all vintage-y just to try it out.