St. Nicholas Day!

As this was Colette's first "memorable" St. Nick's Day, I was so excited to leave something in her shoes this evening. It worked out that Adam and I put up all the Christmas decorations as well, so we couldn't wait for her to wake up the next day! She slept in so Adam made me promise to videotape her reaction. I'm so glad I did. It is a little blurry and unfocused, but a pure joyous reaction none the less!

Fun at the Cousins'

We are so excited that the Everts live so much closer to us now. Today we met up there with Meema and Beeba and Uncle Kirk and Aunt Sue for the day. With great fall weather, Jets pizza and family what could go wrong?!

CHEESE!

So, Colette, you've learned how to say "cheese" and you know that you do it for pictures...which mommy takes a lot of! Tonight I pulled out the camera to snap a photo of you with your puppets you got from Auntie Kelsey (you were attempting to wake up Maelyn to give her a show!), and you ended up asking to do a few selfies with mom!! You kept saying cheese and pointing to the camera...so mom had some fun!

Mommy's Little Helper

Thanks to a "mom to mom" last week, we are now equipped with a play work bench and tool box, stove and sink, grocery cart and vacuum. Ready to run the house Colette? Oh wait, you already do! Here you are attempting to be a woman of the '20s. Pearls on and everything!

Colette, you silly thing, how I dote on you. You have just been blossoming lately. You are now almost 16 months, and every day, every moment you are discovering something new. You won a Barbie doll at a "Family Fun Day" and are terrified of it up close. I have never seen you like that with a toy. Yesterday you "fed" her some play chocolate milk, but only from far away. You also "fed" it to you stuffed dog (my old dog Toffie) and your little sister. Today you pronounced clearly your first word that I've seen closely associated with its meaning-"shoe". Your daddy thinks you like the sound of it rolling off your tongue because you say it over and over as you pick up shoes. The sound of it coming out of your mouth varies, and sometimes sounds like you're saying sh*t! This morning your Meema and Beeba joined us at your library program. I take you to three library programs a week, full of songs and games, hoping you'll warm up and participate eventually. But, every time we go you never fail to grip my hand and shrink from the little wild thing you normally are into a clingy stone-faced girl! But this morning they had everyone pretend they were asleep...this afternoon your dad and I observed you pretending the same thing! You pulled your little dog (Toffie) close, lay on the ground, and snored!! We look forward to your little antics daily. You dance to your "how much is that doggie in the window" song over and over, wear your rosary on your neck, and smile sweetly snuggling yourself when we say you're beautiful. And my goodness Colette, you really are.

Dear little ladies of mine, Your daddy and I had a date night and by choosing the movie "Men in Tights" your daddy chose his fate. He had to sing you both a song while wearing tights (leggings). See how much he loves you?

Eight weeks old and counting

Ah my sweet Maelyn! You are already 8 weeks old today! You are quickly morphing into quite the little person too. You have begun to coo quite often, and it is absolutely adorable! And in the past few days you have begun to smile, and have been doing it a lot!! It is so nice to see that you're happy, because I really wasn't too sure. You were so crabby with all that gas, but now that I've cut out all dairy (see how much I love you?! I miss my cheese) you are much better. But even without the gas, you still are a finnicky little thing. Poor dad is working a lot right now and only sees you in the evenings, at your crabbiest, and you don't really like when he holds you! But you've been cooing and smiling for him, so he is glad!! WE love you so much and even though everyone says you look just like Colette, daddy and I say not at all! Except when you're sleeping, then you look the exact same! Speaking of Colette, she is really loving on you lately. She shakes the rattle at you, tries to put the pacifier in your mouth (or eye), and sometimes I catch her just fiddling with your toes and finger and staring at you. We all love you so much and look forward to getting to know you more.

Sleeping

Maelyn slept thru the night for the first time last nite. We're staying at my parents while Adam is at his household reunion and she and i just work up (7:00) after going to bed at 10:45! No interruptions!!!! I feel ready to conquer the world.

Cooing

Maelyn began cooing today

Beautiful Chaos

This past Sunday we attempted to get our family photo taken. Wow, what I was thinking trying to get a 15 month old and a 1 month old to cooperate? Only in a perfect world. The whole day was glorious preparing for the shoot. Colette took a great nap, Maelyn ate right before we left...and then we arrived. I guess one day I'll look back and laugh at the half hour (all our photographer could handle) of our girls taking turns screaming. I got some memorable photos myself after the shoot. The title of this post perfectly captures what happened that day, and honestly what composes most of our lives right now. I've been reflecting a lot lately on what it means to be a mother. I feel buried at times by all the menial tasks that make up my day. Does anyone notice or care how many times I do dishes and pick up toys? How does it mean anything when others are clothing the naked, feeding the hungry? Wait a second though, I'm doing that! God has given me such a gift in giving me motherhood. It is such an opportunity to love, to learn humility. I've been finding myself comparing myself to other mothers. Every mommy blogger, or Facebook mother-they have ten children that they homeschool and teach about God and feed all organic, etc. But I don't have to prove that I'm a good mom to them. I am good enough for my children, my husband thinks I'm good enough. God thinks I'm good enough. I have to believe it too. Its not worth it, I'm realizing, trying to live someone else's life. Even if mine is the smallest and most insignificant of lives, if I, I, live it well, than it will have been worth it. God, I give you my life, my chaos, make it and me beautiful.

Saturday just hanging as a family...