Twins!

I still have these moments where I think...TWINS. Never in a million years did I ever think I would have twins and sometimes it doesn't feel real...then I have to buy a 2nd pack n plays, a second booster seat to eat at miss Gia's and a new stroller in one day.  It's truly crazy what you need for 2! We are getting big over here and transitioning out of one thing and into the next.  Goodbye snuggle lamb swing for now, we had a really long run this time at 9 months and same goes the infant car seat ( we still fit but time to move up).  Did I mention the girls tried sippy cups for the first time Saturday?!! It was overall a success, they did well and liked them.  I'm going to be honest I am ready to be done with formula, stinky stuff! Not rushing anything just growing girls!!!

I can't get enough of this picture!! This newborn hat didn't fit all winter.  They didn't want to go to bed so we dressed up! They thought it was pretty funny!

Good for the soul

You know those places you go that make you just feel good.  Saturday we made our first trip this season to the Farmers Market (we have not been home on Saturdays).  I love love fresh flowers, veggies, fruit and all displayed beautifully.  It was a perfect morning, temps in the 60s, Lulu in town and happy girls.  Hoping for many more visits this summer and fall.  The temps have felt like fall, windows open and cool nights, smells like game day! Few more weeks!

Thank you lulu for coming to visit!

Just because

Turning 2 means you count in years now but just because the timing was right I have to give an ek update at 26 months. This girl has a BIG personality these days and quite the dance moves. She had lulu, poppa, and myself almost in tears laughing last night.  Her moves are similar to a Kung fu fighter with shakes and sounds, a must see!! Her talking is non stop and spot on.  I call her CEO (chief Etta) and she is a negotiator and doesn't take the fist no. She loves her Manya Maugie more than anything. She is the best cuddler, full of spunk, and is so much fun!!!

Photo shoot! Side note we found out this weekend that ek loves taking your picture and making noises at you (we may take too many pictures!)!!!  She did it at lulu and then followed with a "good girl lulu"!

Note to Litttles--9 months!

This past week I had one of those moments that reminded me just how blessed we are to be celebrating 9 months of very good health. I was rocking MM and looked down and flashed back to when we would hold you both in our shirts and you both fit.  Today you don't fit in our shirt and alone you fill our chest.  You both are a blessing and your fight is something I will never stop thanking God for.  I know that you both were meant to be here and with the incredible docs and nurses we get to have follow up visits and hear the words "they are perfect", "truly best head shape we have seen" "best patients today".  You both are two of the happiest babes I know.  I am truly blessed to be your momma and because if you I have been working hard to slow down and be thankful for all the things in my life I'm blessed with.  Take what you taught me and use it in your daily life and truly it makes life that much better.  

We were blessed with 2 girls that we love so much!

9 months...

Today was testing and you remain 3 lbs apart, MM 18 and MF 15.

You both love graham crackers and nutrition bars!

Your smiles are huge and you smile all the time.

You have both mastered sitting up.

MF you are always talking and making noise.

MM you are a toy queen, you love to play and you love to take toys from your sister.

You both love water, bath and pool.

You are growing but still fit in 3 months clothes ( this has allowed you to get good wear out of all clothes)

Happy happy girls!

Great sleepers

The time is going fast but we are loving every minute (even when it is chaos)!!  We love you both so much!

Berry Fun

Today I took a little time away from work and joined in on the berry picking tradition with some of our besties.  It was perfect weather for a morning outside.  EK didn't like to put the berries in the bucket but would rather eat them all.  She loves blackberries!!! The kids and us moms enjoyed it! I completed the day with making my first blackberry cobbler (all by myself with the 3 girls to help!)!!! Completed in time for poppa to come home (he has been burning the midnight oil or in simple words working a ton) and lulu to arrive!!! 

Girls clearly out number the boys, but we love Max!!

Yum! Eating from Haddie's bucket!

Beautiful day with bright blue sky and sun!!!

Berry success!!!

This is where poppa has been...once a basement and soon to be 2 bedrooms and 1 bath.

Summertime!!

A few more...

The newly weds got back today from a fabulous honeymoon so I thought only appropriate for one final post...well for this month!

First back up to the pre wedding parties. I'm telling you the weather in STL made these events even more fabulous.

The Rehearsal dinner was held at the Whitmore House.  I would love, love to live in this grand yet cozy house.  The porch off back that opened to the perfectly manicured yard...loved it! The crown molding detail was amazing and the ceiling in the greeting room was incredible.  Every detail was touched when they built this solid brick house way back when.  The party was a perfect pre wedding, best toast by the father of the groom (not a dry eye), history passed down from the mother of groom's family, beautiful flowers, fantastic food and cookies, plus great company.  The littles got to return to the Chase for some snoozing and ek enjoyed her night out.  The bride and groom gave the most thoughtful gifts, so sweet! It was a night to remember.

Sweet girls ready for the party!

Picture says it all!

Proud lulu and poppy! What a year!

Taking it all in!!

Honored to be maid of honor! I kneeled the whole time (I am not the best at kneeling or should I say it's not comfortable!)

The next day we were "ladies that lunch" followed by "ladies that lounge poolside"!

Very fun wedding party! 

Lulu and I enjoyed planning and decorating!

Heaven! Just needed the ocean!

Morning of the BIG day!

Early run for caukee... In ek language 

Tootie had as all set with a perfect summer monogram!

It was an event and left with so many great memories.  Could not have done it without our Gia and Mimi to help behind the scenes...truly takes a village to raise a child and have a family in a wedding! We are so blessed and truly appreciate all the help from everyone.  I need a picture of the 2 loaded carts, loaded arms of the bellman and poppa, double stroller and faces of those we passed as we headed in and checking out of our room.  Thank goodness they provide cribs because we didn't have any room left. Poppa joked about stock in ziplocks but how else do you organize and label, he was so thankful for my planning.  

So that's a wrap...tough work wearing these big dresses! Cheers!

Cue the confetti July 13

Mr. & Mrs.

All the planning and preperation came to life last weekend!!! It was everything I could have dreamed of (yes this was my sister's wedding not mine!). But I love that girl so much that I was just as excited for the day and all the festivities. It could not have gone smoother. The day (weekend) was truly magical. It left me with that feeling, can we start over.

Let me tell you I cried like a baby when my baby walked down that aisle just like a pro. She looked so darn cute and we were so proud.  She was the sweetest flower girl!!  She rode the trolley after, took many pictures, sat at the head table (and loved the food!), and then DANCED the night away.  She was the first on the dance floor and danced until 10:15.  Before falling asleep but not before she had drink breaks at the bar (she had her first Sprite with a straw of course!).  She loved her role as flower girl!!!
 

The Mr. & Mrs. Wiz did not lose these smiles all day long.  I think one of my favorite moments was when I heard the groom say "You look beautiful, how did you pick that dress?" followed by the sweetest smile looking right at his bride.  LOVE. 

This man was an amazing poppa the entire weekend (and during all the planning!).  He gets how important all the details are or how important they are to me.  He was on it with what monogram goes with which kid and what is worn when.  Blessed to have this partner in crime.  I can't tell you how many people came up to me and told me about his patience, yes he kept a 2 year happy in church through the whole wedding.  She may have been laying upside down with her feet in his face, happy and reading her books!! 

Sweet Margaret!  Baby X2 perfection.  I did not get to see them go down with lulu and poppy and can't wait for the photo.  They were all smiles this day as well!! 

Sweet Matilda!  Happy, happy girls. 

Then Tootie...beautiful bride that was full of pure joy.  She was a calm and organized bride.  I have never been part of a smoother picture session (all because of her planning of picture order).  Lets say it went so smooth that the 2 year old made it the whole time and had many pictures taken.  

 It was a celebration of ture love and I was so honored to be part of it. I have pictures that could fill post after post so of course more to come!

July is here

Busy busy life these days but really I would not have it any other way!!! We are coming off of a fun start to July! We headed to the farm and enjoyed all the beauty and the weather!! We tried a new restaurant in town by the farm and the name Hartsburg Grand delivered.  Fabulous food and atmosphere!! You need reservations and we know why!! We were a party of 5 adults and 5 kids under 4, it was a success! We joked and said it was practice weekend for this coming weekend (Tootie's getting married!).  We plan to go back soon!  Another huge success is I have a partner in crime for pool days! We came home and ek asked for pool!!!! Made me so happy, those who know me know nothing makes me happier than a day at the pool! She did not want to come home, littles have loved it as well.  I see many pool days in the summers ahead.  

So finally I get this post posted! Some weeks are just like that and this week is short as we head out!

They can't believe it either!! Big milestone last week, all 3 sit for the bath!

Annual 4th of July at Pops Farm

For this post Poppa requested big pictures so you don't have to squint to see all the fun.  It was a fabulous day so big pictures it is! The annual 4th at the farm was filled with cuteness in the classic firecracker outfits made my Mimi, a game of throwing pops poop patties (dried cow poop!), rides in the model T, Pops stories, water play for ek, and lots of fabulous weather.  We had a great day!!

Annual family picture with 3 new babes this year and 2 new pups.

The littlest firecrackers!! 

Boys =4 Girls =3

Model T ready for rides! Poppy would have loved this classic.  Pops got it all tuned up and it was really cool. 

Not really but loved trying to eat it. 

Tired girls ending a great day!  Happy 4th of July!