ATTENTION MOMS AND WIVES

As you can imagine my life these days tends to feel a little like groundhog day. We wake up...eat..change diapers...sleep...cook meals...play...bathe...eat...change diapers...sleep again. Every once in awhile we get brave and venture out to the grocery store to stock up on more food we can eat. Needless to say I have been feeling a little cooped up and after talking with several friends, I know I am not the only one. So I have been thinking about some things that I could do to change up our regular routine and maybe some things to look forward to, BUT I need YOUR help! First, I want to start a play group. WHO IS INTERESTED? Please leave a comment and we can figure out the best day and time. I'm pretty flexible on the time and any day would work for me. I figured we could just rotate every week to a different house, where our kids can play for a little while and us ladies can engage in a little stimulating ADULT conversation for a change. Second, I am joining a bowling league (bowling is probably the only "hobby" I truly enjoy) and I need some girlfriends to join my team. I'm still working on getting all the information but wanted to put a feeler out there for who might be interested in a little "girls night out" once a week. Who is with me?

Bath Time

Yesterday we put Maylee in her bath for the first time (we've been using the little pink tub from the hospital) and she loved it! Of course Brooklynn wanted to help mommy, and as always was such a great helper! It is so fun to watch her with Maylee...she loves her so much. I have yet to see a jealous side. She truly is SO good with Maylee! I hope she always remains such a wonderful big sister!

Brookylnn...so happy to be helping.

Adoring her baby sister...

Now mommy...it's my turn!

Brooklynn thought the tub looked like so much fun so she asked to take a bath in "Maylee's tub." I of course complied and then afterward enjoyed cleaning up all the water she had splashed all over the barstools and floor!

(As I am typing this, Brooklynn came and saw the picture and just said, "I wanna take a bath in Maylee's tub!" So cute.)

Girls...girls...girls

What do I think is the most fun about having two girls? Playing dress up and taking pictures of course! Actually it is sometimes more challenging than that. Getting Maylee dressed these days is pretty much IMPOSSIBLE without her spitting up on her outfit and going from a yummy, clean smelling baby to a soaked, spit-up smelling baby...mmm delicious! ha. Brooklynn still doesn't like getting her hair brushed, and needs a distraction while I curl her hair, but other than that she really is pretty easy to get dressed and ready and will behave better for pictures if she gets to hold baby sister!

Now for Paul, he would bypass all that if he could. He is always concerned when I curl Brooklynn's hair...thinks I'm going to burn her. He also doesn't like me having her on the bathroom counter....thinks she is going to fall off! He of course STILL hates the baby headbands.."brain busters"...thinks they are unnecessary and too tight! On the other hand it is so cute to see him TRY to pick out a cute outfit, put tights on the girls, and put a ponytail and clip in Brooklynn's hair. What should I expect..?? He is a guy! And very outnumbered at that! We love our daddy!

Brooklynn's Birthday Bash

On Saturday, we decided to invite a few friends over to celebrate Brooklynn's 2nd birthday with some cake and ice cream. Nothing big...just wanted a little something for our BIG 2 year old. Those who were able to make it included the Alspachs, the Clarks, the Burkes, and Matt Mehr. It was so nice of them all to come! Brooklynn enjoyed her evening with friends.

The birthday girl waiting for her guests to arrive and loving her new table and chairs from Grandpa and Grandma...in California!

LOVE this picture of my sexy husband and beautiful little, I mean BIG, girl!

Her cake...Paul originally said he wanted to make her a cake, so I left it in his hands...needless to say we ended up with a cake from Costco...hmmm.

Her birthday hat, which didn't stay on any longer than 2 seconds!

Getting ready to blow out her candles

Eating away with her friends Archer and Ivy

Baby sister, Maylee Kate, pretty much slept through the ENTIRE party.

Brooklynn and her newest BFF, Ivy...or as Brooklynn says it, "IBY".
These two have quickly become pretty obsessed with each other!

2 Years Ago Today

after 13 hours of labor and with Paul, my mom and Paul's mom present, I became a mother! We welcomed Brooklynn Merie Giddings into this world and our family. Our lives have never been the same and we can't imagine it any different. She is such a joy and we are so grateful she chose to be apart of our family. She has grown so much over the past two years and I just wanted to take note of a few things she does these days that just make me smile.

Phrases she says:
"I want down"... "What!?"... "Dance with me"... "Mommy's gotch you"... "Mommy Scrathed your back?"... "OK mommy...here I come"... "Where's Maylee Kate?"... "OH! So cute mommy...so cute!"... "Oh my goodness!"... "Careful Mommy...careful!"... "RELAX!"

I love the little hand that pats and rubs my back when giving her a hug.
I love the pitter patter sound of her little feet as she is running to come see me!
I love how much she loves her little sister...the kisses she offers her and the concern she has for her.
I love her smile..it will make your day and light up a room.
I love that she is a great sleeper!



Here is the story of the last two years in pictures: Some of my favorites!