Two crazies

So yesterday, my children did not nap. It was a long day. Anyway, here they are on their nap strike wearing nothing but pink headbands and underwear/diapers. I just had to try and get a picture. Unfortunately, none of them really turned out and it only took about 30 seconds for Nora to start crying instead of laughing as her personal space was invaded by her brother ( the saga of her life right now).

Washing the car with Daddy

Myrtle Beach: March 2012

Nora loved the seagulls

Cutie on the beach

Concerned about the waves

Really MAD about getting wet

Aidan jumping right in the frigid water

Having a great time!

My big boy getting warm in the sun

Sweet baby keeping dry

All decked out for the pool!

Our resort

Taking a walk into the sun

I love this man!

Walking with Daddy

Cuddling with Papi and trying to keep warm

Bike riding: Highlight of our trip!

Playing in the sand, safe from the waves

Hopping in the water

Getting his exercise in style

Love this kid!

We had a great time in Myrtle Beach with Seth's family. We drove down on a Thursday and came back late the following Monday night. It was a quick 3 hour (to the exact minute) drive. The weather was definitely on the chilly side and the water was frigid, but we still enjoyed being out on the beach in the sun when the wind wasn't blowing. Aidan got in the water several times, and Seth even tried out some boogie boarding. The hot tubs were very nice and we spent a lot of time warming up in them. The highlight of the trip was renting bikes and spending the day riding. It was so nice outside and the kids loved it too! We definitely want to to do that again soon.

18 months

Nora,

You are so much fun. I have been so blessed to have you for a daughter and you bring such delight to our family.

You are...talking all the time. You repeat everything and are a great communicator. My favorite words: vitamins, oatmeal, no (just because you started saying it all the time when you meant "yes"), yes (just figured that one out), oh man! (LOVE hearing you say this), water (you say it wa-wer), rock, book, duck, bucket (sounds like "buppet") and Mommy (your new name for me). 

You love to play! You gather and carry things around. You love purses ("bags") and pushing things in the doll stroller or shopping cart. You also love carrying around buckets and putting all sorts of odds and ends in them. I love to see what you choose to put in your bags and buckets because it helps me see such personality in you.

You were weaned this month, but not by your choosing. After the stomach bug that hit our family and Mommy going away for the weekend, you were cut off cold turkey from your greatest love in life. But, you survived. We all did. There were some tears and protests, difficult naptimes, and maybe some screams, but you got over it after a week or so. You still loved to be rocked and ask to rock before nap and bed. I love that you let me rock you to sleep still without needing to nurse because that was one thing I wasn't ready to give up. 

You have become obsessed with books. You love to look at them and say, "read book" a lot. You also want to sleep with them. You would probably sleep with lots of things if we let you, but usually it is just books, babies, your stuffed dog, blankies, and a cup. You wanted to take your bucket to bed the other night, but I hid it from you when you weren't looking. 

You do not like any form of water unless it is in the bathtub. We discovered this on our trip to Myrtle Beach. You did not want anything to do with the ocean or pools. If we even suggested to you to walk towards the water you gathered your things and took off the other direction. Not even kidding.

You are a very organized girl. You stack things, you have processes for playing, you  make sure you get your diaper bag before I pick you up at the nursery. You are going to be a lot of help to me when you get older and I can't wait to see that little personality develop. 

Nora, you are a joy. That is what I most often say about you. You make us laugh on a regular basis and your smile is so contagious. You love us all so much and my heart is so full.

Love,

Mommy

Sunny Days

LOVES: blond hair growing longer, sweet baby legs and chubby feet, dresses and sunshine, sweet little girl reading books, little girl no longer a baby.

One of the worst days of my life...

Well, since I last wrote on this blog, a lot has happened. Most specifically, we all got hit with a horrible stomach virus that took us out for a good 36 hours.

I went to bed feeling a little off. Couldn't sleep and then started emptying my stomach contents around 1am. I kept going through the night and Seth joined in around 5am.

I didn't have any sleep the whole night, neither one of us could keep down water, and I didn't have a clue how we were going to take care of the kids. Nora woke up around 8:30 and when I went in her room I found her covered from head to toe in her own vomit. I know, gross. Her bed was even worse. I had to run to the bathroom before I could get her out and get her bathed. Luckily, that was it for her and she was happy and hungry all day.

Seth and I took turns sitting on the couch or lying in bed, while the kids watched tv, ate crackers all day (we were too sick to make them any food), and completely destroyed the living room. I wish I had felt better and took more pictures of the house because it was surely a sight to behold. We couldn't do anything. Even resting made my body and head hurt and it was the most miserable day. I remember looking at the clock at 6pm and thinking, I just have to make it 2 more hours before these kids go to bed. It was a LONG two hours, but they went to sleep and then we collapsed into bed.