Birthdays!

November we celebrated Logan's birthday and then Carli's birthday.

I actually pulled off surprising Logan this year, something I've never attempted before. It was really fun.

Carli was really excited about her Super Why party, but unfortunately was not feeling very well. Here she is (running away) as Princess Pea.

B. with C. as Super Why.

Her friend H. as Super Why.

J. borrowing a cape and mask to be Super Why.

M. as Super Why.

L. as Princess Pea.

It was a beautiful day, minus the extreme wind which made our craft of Super Why paper bag puppets a little difficult. Here are the kids about to enjoy their storybook cupcakes.

J. looks like he thoroughly enjoyed the cupcake!

The Workings of Carli's Mind

I know I'm due for A LOT of pictures, and I promise I'll get there. I just have to write this stuff down while I'm thinking about it.

* Carli LOVES the American Girl store. As in, she begs to go there daily, if you bring up anything that's "fun" she automatically compares it to the store. For example, going to the park is "just a little bit fun", but going to this store is "sooo much fun". Well, when we asked her what she wanted for Christmas she said she wanted the "princess girl". So, rather than pay the American Girl price, we got the Target knock-off and I made a dress as close to the "princess" dress as I could. Santa was definitely able to pull one over on her at least this once. Her reaction on Christmas morning could be described as awe and reverence when she saw the doll next to its tea party all set out on the footstool. In her mind, the store had been recreated in Grandma's house, and the display should not be touched or messed with. Daddy asked her, "What did Santa bring you?" and she answered in a hushed tone, "It's an American". It took a little while, but she started calling it "My American" and decided it would be okay to play with her. She sleeps with her, makes sure she's wearing her glasses and has tea parties with her. She is mini-Carli. A few days after Christmas from the back seat in Grandpa's truck (out of nowhere), she started to think.

C - "Mom, the other Americans are crying."
M - "Why?"
C - "They miss my American. We have to take her back to the store so they won't miss her."
M - "I think they are so happy for her because she found such a great home with you."
C - Pause "They want to be happy too. We need to go to the store and bring them home so they will be happy too. We'll go to the store and I'll get the bath one next and then the birthday one."
M - "You already have YOUR girl, the other ones like living at the store. Maybe we can make a bath outfit and birthday outfit for your girl."
C - "No, she's the princess girl. I want the bath girl and then the birthday girl."

Not sure what we've started, but she may take some convincing that she only gets ONE girl.

*She is so sweet with Janie. She loves getting her to talk. Janie has started to babble the last few days and is really good with "babababa". So, I repeat it back to her, and I often add in mamamama and dadadada, etc. Carli starts in on those, but always ends up trying to get her to say "Carlicarlicarli" or "sisisisisisis". Good luck with that one!

* She thinks that any social phone call of mine should be hers as well. She begs to talk to my friends and family on the phone, and when I hang up without letting her talk, she says forlornly, "I wanted to talk to (friend's name) because I like her so much!"

* After I explained to her that my sister is her aunt, she exclaimed, "I have an idea! I want her to be my sister too! How about she's both our sisters!"

* I used Carli's Fisher Price nativity to explain the Christmas story to her. She listened intently to everything that happened, but got really concerned when I came to the part about no room in the inn. I could tell it really bothered her. I tried to explain that no one was being mean, it just happened there were a lot of people and that the stable may have been the best place for Mary to have a baby. It still made her visibly concerned. At the end I tried to tie in Santa and how gifts at Christmas time are to remind us of the gifts given to Jesus and the gift He gave us of returning to heaven. She thought for a little while and said, "Is there room there?" I couldn't help but start crying and assured her there was room for EVERYONE there.

* Along the same lines, Carli loves the story and movie "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas". But, it greatly concerns her when the story seems to make the Grinch out to be bad. She always reminds me, "He took the Christmas tree home to fix it, but he's going to bring it right back to Cindy Lou Who." It seems that she doesn't want anyone to be viewed as bad or naughty, everyone is trying to do the right thing and has good motives. I hope she can keep that perception of people throughout her life.

Hard to believe she's a Sunbeam already. She was so excited today and so good! What a beautiful, good, smart little girl!

Logan and His "Calendar Girls"

Can you guess what our theme is this year? Carli really wanted to be a butterfly, so we tried to work the rest of our costumes into that. (Just in case you can't tell, we're the four seasons.)

For past Halloween themes click here: 2007, 2008, 2009.

September and October

Another full couple of months have whizzed by. In September my family came to visit and we did some fun things, mostly Carli's favorite activities. Some highlights were:
* visiting the American Girl doll store
* picking out the girliest big girl bike imaginable
* shopping with my sister
* visiting Bass Pro Shop aka "The Animal Store"

We were able to bless Janie with family here, which made us really happy.

Our first family of four picture.

So grateful for our family who traveled a long way to be part of the special day.

Janie (like Carli) wore a dress I made from the job I had while I was pregnant with Carli.

Logan's parents came the week after the blessing. Some highlights were similar, but here are some others:
* a ride on the trolley downtown
* a visit to the trains
After they left, my brother and his family came to visit. Our highlights with them included:
* Cousins!
* Trip to the museum
* The state fair
* Six Flags (in which I did not partake, but enjoyed time with the kids much more.)
Wish I'd gotten pictures, hopefully I can get some from my sister in-law.
Last week we went to the pumpkin patch with playgroup. Carli so thoroughly enjoyed it that she begged daily to go back with Daddy. I mean, who wouldn't love finding The Little Einsteins and Strawberry Shortcake just your size?!

 Carli was afraid of the bounce houses when I went with her, but her Daddy brings out the fearlessness in her, so here she is going down the slide

 Daddy and Carli on the hayride.

 Carli so thrilled to have all of us on the hayride together. (That's her new thing, we have to do EVERYTHING together.

Me and my girls. Do you know how fun it is to say that?!

Even though life is busy, we love it!

In the mind of an almost-3-year-old

A few things Carli has said lately. I love that I'm getting such fun glimpses into her thoughts and personality.

* I was talking to my brother on the phone when he was visiting, trying to make plans to get together. I had given Carli a chocolate chip cookie before I called. I guess I wasn't saying the things she wanted me to say, because she shoved the last bite of cookie in front of my eyes and said, "Here, you have the cookie, I'll talk to Uncle Jason."

* At dinner we were telling Carli that Janie will make sounds before she can talk. For example, babababa, mamamama, dadadada, etc. I was teasing with Logan and asked Carli, "Do you think Janie will say mamamama or dadadada first?" Without skipping a beat she said, "I think she'll say Carli Carli Carli."

* Today I was changing Janie's diaper on my bed, and as always, Carli was helping. Carli was looking at a pencil drawing of Logan and me from a picture that was taken when we'd been married about a year. In this distant, matter-of-fact voice she said, "That picture was when Mommy and Daddy were vivacious." (I always tell her that she's vivacious, but I can only imagine how she put that thought together.)

Do they look alike?

We're Back

Wow, where do I even begin?! It's been quite a month. I'm finally feeling like things are becoming "normal" for us again. So, I decided it was time for everyone to see some more pictures.

We were so sad to see Auntie Aubrey go. :( We miss her and Carli asks "Is Auntie Aubrey coming back?" on most days. I found Carli like this a couple of days after everyone left. Let me just point out that this was the first time I can remember (since she was a tiny baby) that she fell asleep somewhere other than her bed. She hardly even falls asleep in the car! I guess she was just as exhausted as the rest of us from all our adjustments.
Apparently Janie's seat was not quite comfortable enough, so in true Goldilocks fashion, she practically sleep-walked and opted for a more comfy position.
We went kite-flying for FHE on a night that was quite pleasant, surprisingly enough. Daddy and Carli enjoyed it. . .

and I think Janie did too.

And, of course I had to include some bath pictures.

This one is my favorite. Maybe her nickname should be Betty Boop?

I love the amusement in her eyes. I can't wait to get to know her personality!

Speaking of personality, if it is possible, this little girl has it flowing out of every pore. Lately I'm not really sure if I want to hug her or throw my hands up in frustration. She is so fun, spunky, bright, and vivacious. But a personality like that calls for plenty of tantrums (during one of which, this picture was taken), fights with friends and attitude. She is a force to be reckoned with, and I'm willing to do it, not only because I love her so stinkin' much, but also because she's so darn cute!

And one thing I am incredibly grateful for is her love for her sister. Carli is more than willing to help with any task involving Janie, and is constantly saying things like, "I love my baby sister SO MUCH!" Amazingly enough, she shows no aggression towards her, and I am so relieved by that. I love looking in the rear-view mirror and seeing her staring at Janie with a grin, then giggling with delight at her every movement, sneeze and smile. She could stare at her for hours and loves to get her to coo. What a joy to have these girls!

Janie Lois

Yes, she is here, and we can't contain our excitement!

This is Janie and me the morning of her big debut. Can you tell I can't wait to have her in my arms?

7 hours and 4 pushes later, she joins us in this wonderful world!

7 lbs 2 oz and 20 inches long

One thrilled mama!

Look at those juicy red lips! And she has her daddy's chin, just like her sister. Red hair was quite a surprise to us!
Meeting big sister for the first time. Carli was enthralled, "She's so beautiful!" She loves to touch her hands and give her kisses on the head. She's always talking about her baby sister and is very protective and sweet with her.
Baby Janie brought Carli a present (the purple bean bag chair) and Carli asks most mornings if Janie can come sit next to her in their chairs.

So happy to be a big sister! "I love you, Baby Janie!"

Tired Daddy and Janie Lou.

Daddy and his two girls.

Pretty baby photo shoot.

Things here are happy and hectic for now. We are really grateful to have my sister Shanna here to help for the week. She has been a life saver, has kept us fed and kept Carli busy, and given her a run for her money, while we are getting used to two. We are also so glad Aubrey has been here and has been such a big help too. We are definitely blessed with wonderful families who are willing to do so much for us. We are grateful for the blessings of health and wellness as well. What a beautiful life we have!