On the go!

Our lives (same as everyone else) have been on the go the past few weekends and the weekends ahead. I would rather be busy than bored!! So off to KC this past weekend to celebrate a dear friend and her baby to boy due in June, dedication of our nephews at their church, and brunch with family to celebrate -aunt Laurie's birthday (and postponed due to snow Palm Sunday). The sun finally came out Sunday and it was a beautiful day!! We loved seeing family and friends!

Busy week that starts with a big Tootie birthday, the big 25! And ends with a trip to Dallas!

23 months -note to ek

EK I almost started this note the same as the last one but it is so true...you are a talker! Today on the way to KC we spent a good 30 min answering 'what's that's that?' You are so observant and love learning. Everyday we are amazed at the new things you have learned. My message to you this month is stay aware of what's around you and stay hungry to learn.  Knowing what is going on around you will help you learn the good and stay away from the bad.  Learning is something that you will never out grow.

EK at 22 months:
You want to do it all and you do!  You favorite snack is (honest mom moment!) fruit snacks which you call Mooska Meeskas (from Mickey Mouse), you love 'juice', goldfish, yogurt with sprinkles, and pancakes for breakfast.

You want to give every kid a 'ug'.  You don't really get the concept of personal space so you may 'ug' them all!  Your favorite friends at school Lily and Milo get lots of 'ugs'.  You love your Miss Kia and Bahs, you know your daily routine with them that starts most days making pancakes.

You are a happy and funny little girl.  You love to read books, sing, and be outside.  Your laugh is just contagious and makes anyone around you smile!

Almost 2 years old...your momma and poppa love you so big!!

Momma

6 months -Amazing Littles

How can we be a half (poppas favorite age to say!)?!!! You both are AMAZING! You have come so far and amaze us everyday with your strength and growth. Thoughtful life you will continue to bring this amazement to us and yourself. When you think about this time in your life (you won't remember) so take your mommas word...you are strong, independent and happy girls. With those qualities you can do and be anything. Look what you fought through the last 6 months.

Love big,
Momma

MM 6 days

MM 6 weeks

MM 6 months

MF 6 days

6 weeks

6 months

                                                                         
6 months~
You both love bath time, your laughs are contagious, you both have started playing with toys and bringing things to your mouth, stroller runs were new this month and you approve, you love your big sis, still just drink formula, stats will come in a few weeks at doc appointment, you both love to smile and are happy babes!

Cousin Love

One of the downfalls of having babes early during cold and flu season is you don't see family and friends often in the start. This past weekend we had many aunts and uncles meeting for the first time face to face not in a hospital and now able to get in those snugs. When I think man that was hard,I think of those with kids that have terminal illnesses for long periods of time, I truly can't imagine and always say prayers for them. My time was short compared to that and had an end. One end we completed this weekend was the littles meeting all their cousins, 4 boys!! Best part is Hank and the girls are just 1month apart. 5 under 2!! Lots of fun to be had when the Manda boys and the Manda girls get together!

Very Blessed

This past Sunday we baptized 2 very special miracles. It was truly a very special day. A day that brought both side of the family in town, many meeting the girls for the first time, and a day to reflect on how far our littles have come in almost 6 months. Truly a day to thank God for all the guidance and support and baptize Mary Matilda and Margaret Frances. As I listened to the Father speak and all the family and friends surrounded us I truly felt so lucky to have so much love in one place for 2 sweet girls. They are fighters and have come so far. God bless.

New Look!

So you now have seen the change! New blog look courtesy of Aubrey Kinch, courtesy of my good friend Rachel! She was so fabulous to work with and made the process so easy. I told her a few simple things and she pulled together this new look, I love it!!!

One day late on this post because I was hit with a flu bug in the middle of the night, quick nasty bug that I hope has left my house. Cleaned, aired out and back in business.

Thanks again to Aubrey!!!

Big Change coming soon!

Post #3, Day at the Races

Builder spent the weekend with family in one of his favorite spots, Lexington,KY. He has attended the horse races at Keenland the past 2 years, boys showers. Yes he and friends had wedding shower for friend the first year and then baby shower for builder. He really wanted to return and planned a family event. Auntie Sarah took it from there planning an all out KY horse experience. First stop was to Auntie S new home in KY! Then on to Lexington where they rode in style in a 15 passenger van, saw amazing horse farms, ate great food (including a caesar salad with fried black eyes peas), drank whiskey, and bet on horses. All around great weekend in KY!

Baby Ott reveal....

King and Queen will welcome.....

Big weekend post #1

You know what is the best Sunday feeling? Coming home from an action packed family weekend in STL to all clean laundry in the bags! Best lulu ever! We enjoyed great company, awesome help, and good times!

Spring!

Thank goodness for the return of the sun and oh my all the green! I love it so much!! Amazing what this weather does for the mood. Everyone is happy, happy, happy!! So happy that the littles are sleeping through the night!! So sun and sleep= life is good!!

Weekend of friends!

It was a fabulous weekend full of good friends, good eats, and lots of laughs!! My favorite part of seeing old friends, you pick right up where you left off as if we hung out everyday. The second best part is my girls are becoming great friends with my friends kids. Ek loved her some George this weekend! We had a great celebration for Baby Callahan, one of the cutest baby showers I have been part of; Shake, Rattle, and Roll! Along with friends our moms joined in on this fun, a tradition we all love. We continued with a night at the ChiO Centennial. Lets just say lots of laughs at this event! We ended the weekend with brunch at the farm. Perfect ending to a great weekend! Come back friends, we miss you!

You're going to miss this...

I try to remind myself of this often with 3 little ones. I even try when they are all crying and want their momma because someday they may all be yelling not happy at momma (holy cow I have to stop thinking of that!). Life just flies by and it's nights like tonight I have to soak in my girls especially after such a blessed weekend. Of course there are things that I will not miss (formula smell top on list) but the good out weighs the bad. EK's 'pleeese' and 'ank you'. MM your sweet smile and MF smirk. The sound of you all peacefully sleeping and snuggles. You all are the best, the dead weight of a babe makes for the best sleep even if you wake with a neck ache. I will miss these days when you all love are happy to wear anything and I can take your picture all day. Bath time is the best time of the day, a lot of work but the outcome of three clean babes all snug in jams is the best! Yes there are days that require a Whitney pep talk to get this done and I'm always thankful in the end. The smell of the lotion will always remind me of this time. I truly have to keep stopping and soaking in the good and bad, as it all will pass and it all makes up the story of my life.

So much love for these 4! (Still days I can't believe 3 kids, I have to stop and remember I'm not 21 anymore, ha!!) Ok no more from me tonight!