6-23-12

A new date to remember.

But how could you possibly forget it?  These two tied the knot. 
The day was just too perfect and my camera did not capture it well at all. The images just don't do it justice.  I think other folks have some really great shots that I want to share-so below are some of my favorites mixed in with others shots.

 We were both honored to stand up in this wedding.  I was in awe of the ceremony and the vows they created for each other were amazing. 

 My sister did a great speech-and there she is -looking beautiful.  I saw many crying and heard a lot of laughter.  I was so proud of her-I was just too shy.  Thank you Sarah for speaking on my behalf. It was rather special.  There were other speeches too, and they were also really good. And I think that says it all about this new husband and wife.  It's not often you go to a wedding and hear 5 really great, touching speeches. 

I wanted to capture so many of the special, little touches they worked so hard on.  But after the dinner I just put my camera away and celebrated.  I'm glad I did.  I captured the memories in my head and hoped that someone else was capturing them on film. 



Wish this one above wasn't blurry....



Thanks to all who helped wrangle this little boy!

I guess Liz hasn't played croquet before.

I've asked Andy what his favorite moments of the wedding are and when he asks me I start listing it all: The first dance, Liz singing at the beginning, the kids walking down, the speeches, the music, the dance/reception, the place, ....I can't come up with a favorite. 

I loved so many of the words they spoke to each other during the ceremony.  I am in awe of the emotion it evoked in so many in the audience and even more, myself.  I wish I had the guts and the confidence to have done that.  I liked the parts of "promising to keep" and the weekends on the couch alternated with the many places that they have traveled. The hide in seek in the dark, climbing trees, too many crepes, too many popcorn dinners and "You do the counters while I do the dishes".  The endless support they hand each other for all their endeavors. 

Congratulations Greg and Liz.  I am so excited for this part of your life.  I am truly happy you had perfect weather and everything pulled together so well.  I am really delighted and blessed to gain an aunt for my kiddos, a sister in law to play Pictionary with and a wife for my brother. 

Tomorrow

Tomorrow....he turns 3.

So he's already had some cake.  He's practicing holding up the 3 fingers-man is that hard. 

This is last year when Eli turned 2!

I can't wrap my head around this.  I feel like he was just born.  Only I don't feel like he was just born.  I'm a ball of emotions.  I hope hope hope he feels that tomorrow is different.  I hope he feels like the star.  I want him to feel really special-even if we don't do much.  I can't wait to give him 3 million kisses.  More to come.....

No.....not 4 Eli!!  You'll get it-maybe tomorrow!!!

Eli

Dear Eli, Today I left you outside. Dad says you need to "get rid of your juice" out there and this mig take away some of those whiney moments. It was quiet...meaning you were not yelling at or to Bailee. I stepped out on the deck because 10 minutes went by. "Eli" I yelled. Guess what I saw? You were squatting in the pool. You were finding (what else) dead bugs you had so gently placed in there. After I yelled your name you stood up. And there you were. Shin deep in your little blue pool. Socks and shoes still on. Oh dear Eli, what I wouldn't give to feel that. That carefree-ness. That -I'm gonna step in the pool without a care in the world. Squishy shoes and socks? No worries. Those bugs...gotta get 'em. I didn't yell at you too much because inside I was laughing at you in the pool with brown shoes on. And I want to let you do your thing. Especially if it means 10 minutes of quiet. Someday you might be on my end of things, and this will be a reminder that you once were completely, madly, exquisitely in your own world. I love you bubs, Mom

Zoom

Time is going fast.....I don't have time for creative posts. So today we are lucky that I am producing a few words.  Zoom.




What is wrong with this photo?



Eli has been attempting to dress himself.  The pants and shorts often end up backwards.

Caught wearing Hugh's leg warmers!  His legs are longer than Hughies...but not chunkier. 

 We made it to one of the local pools but Eli was pretty cold the whole time. It took a while for him to get into it.

We had some fun playing with the camera on the deck.

oh and I know this might stir up some controversy...but I cannot resist.

Have a wonderful Wednesday. I know I will!

Blessing

Our little Hughie got baptised a few weeks ago.  He was blessed with a whole gaggle of family members to share the day with. 

His godparents are Uncle Kj and cousin Emma.  These 2 were chosen because we know they will be important people in his life and would aways be able to help guide him in his faith, no matter the twists and turns.  Kj-a math teacher, Andy's oldest brother, who has raised 3 beautiful, faith filled children of his own.  Andy is the God father to his first born.  Emma-just graduated high school and about to embark on an exciting journey in Madison.  She is a talented inspiration to me who I've watched grow up into a mature but fun adult.  Hughie sure is lucky.

Eli was in his glory playing with his cousins and seeing all his grandparents.  The day went by very fast and was a great distraction for me since I went back to work the next day. 

Baptism is just a beginning. As Hughie grows up we will allow him to develop his own beliefs in the important walk towards having a faith, any faith he desires.  It was a blessing to spend this memorable day together. 

Hugh Robert and me on the deck after the celebration

Just Sayin' ....on a Friday

I'm stealing the phrase from my sister- Just sayin'.

Today it's Friday and I haven't blogged for over a week.  I've been working, sleeping, nursing, playing, hosting, running, reading, listening, disciplining, planning, calling, paying, smiling...just sayin'.

Hughie is getting so big, long and strong.  He can officially sit in the bumbo, the exosaucer and the swing outside.  Oh yeah and he also is spending time in the jumperoo in the doorway by our kitchen.  He actually jumps and I think he loves to be looking forward instead of up. 

I can't believe all of this.  I have a friend who has a daughter almost 3 weeks older than Hughie.  I love it, she keeps me on track when she tells me which milestones her daughter is accomplishing and we can share in the highs and lows of being a mother to a second lil babe.  The fun texts and the "I'm struggling" today texts...misery loves company in those situations- just sayin'. 

Hughie is looking less and less like his older brother.  I have a tough time saying "big brother" these days because Hughie is chunking up just enough that Eli may soon be his smaller big brother.  Just sayin'.

Eli is still having a tough time at bedtime and I'm still working on choosing my battles with him.  But he sure is saying the cutest things.  He is really "in" to ants and bugs.  He likes to squish them between his 2 fingers and then show me.  He likes to stare out the window and shout when he finds an ant.  Not my thing-just sayin'.  He's all boy when it comes to those things.   But this morning at breakfast (15 minutes after Andy left the house) Eli said "Where is papa?  Maybe he's hungry".  When he talks sometimes it's just a stream of thoughts, without a breath.  It's almost like he is figuring out what he wants to say while he's saying it.  He also won't stop talking about trains.  I think it's an obsession.  He has to interrupt me when I talk to anyone to ask or tell about trains.  It's time for this boy to get on a real train to take a ride.  Just sayin'.  Yesterday we had on Mickey Mouse Club House-who knows the Hot Dog Dance? Yes-I was doing the hot dog dance, trying to get a smile out of him, and trying to get him to get up and do it with me.  But he interrupted me very seriously and said "But mom is Pluto small?".  Right now he's doing the alphabet puzzle.  He has all the letters lined up in a straight line and he is pointing at them and saying what they are and every few letters he says "I don't know that one. I don't know that one. T!"  Makes me smile.  He also just did a 35 piece puzzle, quietly and alone.  BLISS. Just sayin'.

And yesterday...oh yesterday!  A new milestone (Yes T you accomplished this one AND posted about it well before me) I caught my boys together.  Yes-interacting together.  Finally Eli makes an effort to spend a moment with his little brother.  It made my heart swell.  Just sayin'.



What are you doing this Friday?  Working?  Leaving early?  Big plans tonight? Laying low?
Today we will:
Go get my bridesmaid dress
Attempt to get wedding outfit for Eli
Pick up Bailee from Aunt Pat's house
Play in the backyard (more ants?)
Maybe a glass of wine on the deck after kiddos in bed, or a little earlier if needed.  Just sayin'