{morning magic}

It's never too early to perform a little magic on your baby brother.


"Ok, Mom. Can I please just have my milk already?"

{brother + sister}

Johnny was hanging in his crib this afternoon...
and Lola, ever the concerned big sister went to check on him.
It's only a matter of time before she climbs in. Mommy is watching her like a hawk.
She did realize she could stand on the mattress and be able to finally scale the bars, but I caught her and advised her otherwise.
And after days of requests, I finally let her hold him. She is starting to feel better and has been on the antibiotics for 24 hours now.
Lola & Mommy went to the library this morning while Grammy spent some time with Johnny. We got loads of new books, including "Clifford's First Valentine's Day", so Lola read to her Baby Johnny.






MOMMY LOVES HAVING THESE TWO! Aren't they the sweetest?

The Art of Make Believe

THANKS Uncle Rich and Aunt Janis--Lola loves playing with her new cupcake set! She thinks it's great that she can decorate the icing in all different colors. Today she was busy "baking" and after they were all decorated she said "Ok, now into the oven." and took them over to the oven in her kitchen. But not before she said "Oh, I need my glove." and put on the red gingham oven mitt the set came with.

{lazy sunday}

It was so nice to just lay around the house all day yesterday. Of course there was laundry, etc. that got done, but there was rest to be had as well. Much needed rest!

Johnny playing with his new gym from the Nash Zics.
Lola cuddling her bitty babies.
Blocks up.
Blocks down!
sweetest. picture. ever.
Sundays were made for this...

sick baby.

Mommy isn't used to having a sick girl, but Lola has been hit with a wicked cold. It's been on the horizon for the last few days but it really hit yesterday. So chicken soup (pastina and broth) it was for lunch. Of course I'm trying like mad to keep her as far away from Johnny as possible. Praying he doesn't get this!

And snuggles with bitty babies while reading her new storybook from Auntie Leah & Uncle Phil help you feel better, too.

New Year's Day

We closed out the Christmas season with New Year's Day over at Dad and Sue's. Indulged in one last gluttonous meal!

Good-bye Christmas

While the Christmas season doesn't officially end until January 6 (Three Kings), it's safe to say it feels like Christmas is over. Almost all the Christmas decorations have been packed away, save for the tree, which will be take down in the next few days. I had to get Lola one last treat before all the fun begins again next year--a Reindeer cupcake (though she thought it was a ladybug!). It was too cute to pass up, don't you think?

The Christmas Bib Collection

Coming full circle...

I really can’t let today pass without reflecting on just what it means. 4 years ago today, John and I found out I was pregnant for the first time. But only a week later, I miscarried. It was devastating. There’s no way to sugar coat it. It was one of those times that you cling to your faith with everything you’ve got left. As always, God’s greater plan for our family was revealed to us in time, with patience. And 4 years later, on Johnny’s original due date, it is beyond evident that He has blessed us. And blessed us ABUNDANTLY.

Today is a special day on the Church’s calendar--the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. So Lola and I decided to get out of the house for a bit and attend Mass. I’ve got to say, for being 2.5 years old, she impresses me with her behavior when we’re there. Yes we have to walk out for a little break. And yes she sometimes bounces around the pew like a ping pong ball. But she’s two, so she can. I was so proud of her this morning when she knelt to pray with me, made the sign of the cross, and said the words to the prayers that she knew. You should have seen her when they started playing “Away in a Manger” (our favorite)--she was so excited!

St. George's altar, dressed for Christmas.

New Years Eve

Give it up for Play-Doh! Who needs a night out on the town when you can be home with your toddler and newborn creating fun colored designs on New Year's Eve! :)

Mimi & Papa gifted Lola with her first Play-Doh set for Christmas and lets just say it's Mommy's new favorite. We literally played for an hour and a half straight last night and it was great. We're headed over to Mimi & Papa's for our traditional New Year's Day celebration and the Play-Doh backpack is sitting at the door to grab on the way out so we can play again today.



Daddy made this for Mommy :)
The set came with "scissors" which Lola was really excited about. Here she is concentrating on her cuts...