And just like that...

Our baby girl is 2.

It's hard to believe it! Mark and I were able to share some wonderful pictures together of the past 2 years with Claire, and we talked about how different our lives have are, now that we are parents. We just have trouble putting it into words!

I'll post b-day pics, cake and activity pics later this week, but I just thought I'd leave today with the things I love most about this girl right now... at 2.

1. She is so talkative. This girl says it all, and I love it... and her accent.
- "I do it by self."
- "Yahren. Wan me to read it Yahren. Brow bear, brow bear. Wha you see? I see puuhple cat oooking ah me."
- "I uv oo Mommy. I uv oo Daddy."
- "Is berry hot." (Talking about her new play kitchen)
- I nee go potty.

2. She is currently a "lap sitter." She wants to sit in one of our laps to do puzzles, eat dinner, read a book, watch "foooball." It's just precious. Even though there are times when we just want our personal space, we just eat up the times when she wants to sit in our laps.

3. "Aaaaamen." Claire says  "Amen" so adorably at the end of her prayers, but it's the funniest because she says it every time she closes a book. I'm not sure if it's because she thinks it means "the end," or what, but it's hilarious.

4. Potty training- this kid took about 3 days to potty train the 2 weeks before she turned 2. She was such a fast learner and now we are one step closer to being a "no diaper" family. :)

5. She loves life. Claire is a lover or life. She loves playing outside, playing with her sister, going to the grocery store. She even loves taking a nap sometimes. She is just a pure joy. Anyone who is around her can see that little things make her ecstatic. Coloring, "dwahing," playing games on the ipad, chasing the dog, playing with her sister... She just has a ball, and I find myself wishing I could remember a time when life as that fun. When seeing a bubble made your world brighter. Do we ever get as excited as a 2 year old, when they are being pushed in a swing? If I can just hold on to an ounce of it, and remember that this is the life that God gave us. Uh. Special. Love it.

We could not be more thankful to God for this gift. Sometimes I think how undeserving we are to have her as our child. I can only hope that we remember that she is first and always belonging to the Lord. Thank you Jesus for letting us have these glimpses of time with her. She is such a joy.

Celebrating A Marriage

I started writing this post back in August, but for some reason, in never posted...

I helped host a shower for my college friend, and post-college roommate, Kimberly, back in April at my house, and we had a lot of fun. I had some of Kimberly's dear friends and family bring recipes from their families and put them in an apron which had her new name, "Mrs. McNamara," embroirdered on it. Kimberly got each of the hostesses an apron as a gift as well. This was HILARIOUS because Kimberly and I always do this to each other. One year for Christmas, we got each other the same Anthropologie hand towel. So funny. Love her.

In May, we were able to get a sitter to go to a couple's shower at Kimberly's dear friend, Ashley's mom's house. They played a really fun "back to back" game with Kimberly and Kevin where they had to lift up their oven mits with the answer. It's hard to explain, but it was really fun to watch. It was fun to see them laughing and having so much fun. Also in May, I got to spend a weekend in Granbury with all of her best friends for her Bachelorette Party. It was very relaxing, girlie, and a ton of fun. Kimberly's sister-in-law, Nicole, did a fantastic job planning everything. I helped her out by videoing Kimberly's husband, Kevin, answering a ton of questions. It was great to hear his answer everything. It was such a fantastic time, and I am so happy that I could be there.

June was an exciting month! Kimberly's Aunt Jamie hosted a bridal luncheon at the Mansion on Turtle Creek, was just lovely. I've never been there before, but I will have to go back because I was impressed! (I don't have any picture of this that I can find... hmmm).We had a great time at the rehearsal, and then we headed to Pappasitos for the dinner. There was a really cute slideshow and of course the fajitas were amazing. :)

Kimberly is such a dear friend to me, and I was so happy to be one of her bridesmaids. She was a bridesmaid in our wedding, and it was extra special to see her walk down the aisle this summer. The wedding was just beautiful, and the reception was a lot of fun. I know that she (and many others) did a lot of planning to make that day extra special, and we were very thankful to be a part of it. Mark and I were blessed to celebrate the marriage of Kimberly and Kevin. 

 (Apologies for the quality on some of the pics... I used my phone instead of a "real" camera!) 

Of course with all weddings we go to, Mark and I are reminded of how important the bond of marriage is, and how special that bond is.

We wish Kimberly and Kevin all the best, and we are excited to call them our friends: The McNamaras. Congratulations! We love you both!

Lauren Months 6,7, and 8

Hopefully I can stay caught up after this post!

Lauren has been growing so quickly. I cannot believe we've already enjoyed 8 months with our sweet Lauren. Here are some fun things about L right now... and this is a combination of things from months 6-8.

  - sleeps from 8-8 in your own crib in the room she shares with sister!
- still taking breastmilk (although, as of this week, L is no longer using a bottle if she takes milk. She is on a sippy!)
- eats finger foods (puffs, diced fruit, diced sweet potatoes, peas, yogurt bites, pieces of bread)
- eats cereal and 1/2 a banana at breakfast, 2 veggies at lunch with a few finger foods, and 1 fruit, 2 veggies, and cereal at dinner (she is a BIG eater!) Mommy has made all of her food in the BabyCook.
- she does NOT like broccoli. She seriously cries when we give it to her. She can keep crying. We eat broccoli, a lot. Sorry sister. Get used to it!
- She doesn't really cry. She "screams" or "grunts." It's really quite funny.
- still no teeth.
- her motor skills are amazing... have we mentioned she is crawling everywhere and pulling up on everything?
- she isn't a talker. She says, "duh duh duh duh" and mumbles, but we think she's our "listener"while sister is our "talker." :)
- She is seriously one of the happiest babies you'll ever meet. I often say, "She's not a 'real' baby," because people will ask why she'll just sit quietly and play or never make a sound. We just love her.



- She is a snuggler. We love this, especially since our oldest isn't. :)
- She takes 2 small naps and one long nap a day, but she's pretty flexible. She is a "tummy sleeper."
- her favorite toys are: mommy's iPhone, a ball, clifford the big red dog, her animal book, and her bouncer
- she is over 20 lbs., in size 4 diapers, and (prepare yourself) she is in 9-12 month clothes, and most of the 9 month pants are too short. Such a big girl!
- she LOVES taking a bath. Unlike her big sister, she gets on her hands and knees and tries to crawl all over the bathtub. It's scary and hilarious all at the same time.
- Her big sister makes her laugh more than anyone else. I. Love. This.
- She is a sweet blessing.

Sister Kim and Brooke's Visit

A few weeks ago, my frister (friend/ sister in law) came in town for a work conference and I was able to spend a few days with my niece, Brooke, and the sisters.

We had a fun time running around in the backyard, around the house, and playing with the ducks. I am so excited that our kids are so close in age. I took the sisters over to my mother-in-law's house while Kim was at work, and we had a fun cousin photo shoot. It was craaaazzzzy. But so fun.

Brooke taught Claire how to "row row row your boat."

 They watched a little bit of Nick Jr, so I could capture a picture. I think they watched Wonder Pets.

  

 Playing at the sandtable...

 Feeding the ducks...

 Lauren and Brooke at the duck pond...

 Photo shoot at Grams's house

 It was crazy! We could hardly get them to sit still!

 Cookies, anyone?

 and we're done here...

For my 30th Birthday, Sister Kim and Stephanie (my other wonderful sis-in-law) got me a make over with a stylist at Neiman Marcus/ Laura Mercier counter. It was so much fun, and I got to pick out some makeup to take home. We wish Steph could've joined us, but we did have a lovely break from mommy time while Mark watched all 3 girls. I think he is wondering how my July Birthday has still gone well into September. Ha! Thanks Panda! I can't wait to see Kim and Brooke again. We had a great time!

Claire's First Day of Butterfly School

In September, Claire started Butterfly School (a 2 day a week preschool/MDO for toddlers-PreK). She is having a wonderful time. She loves playing with all of her new friends and eating lunch at the big table. We couldn't believe what a big girl she as become. Daddy made toast with egg in the middle for her first day, I got her a butterfly cookie to celebrate her first week. I have to admit, it's been really fun making her lunch everyday. I get to be creative, which I love. I have made her sandwiches into butterflies and one day she had a duck. She may not notice, but one of the teachers did, and she told me how fun it was to see what was in her lunch everyday. If only we could get C to nap everyday. She's the only one not napping, but most days she'll nap when she gets home, which works for me. Ha! 

Here's a funny conversation that C and I had after her first week of no naps, to prepare for the following week:

Me: "Claire, I am so proud of you. You are doing such a great job at school. You know how your teachers tell you at naptime, 'Claire, it's time to lay down and go nite nite' Well, you need to lay down on your monkey mat and obey Miss Carrie and go nite nite. Okay."

Claire: Go Nite nite. Lay down.

Me: That's right

The next day.....

Me: Claire, are you excited to go to school today?

C: Yeah.

Me: Well, what are you going to do at school?

C: I go nite nite.

Me: Well, let's hope.

*** Nope. :) A good effort, though. We'll see!