Crawler!!!

Well, that didn't take long! Our little Emma has decided she needs to be able to get around better so she can keep up with Connell. And looks so cute doing it!

Birthday Fun!

Our friend Julianna invited us to celebrate her 4th birthday...hello kitty style!

Here are some pics from the festivities!

I guess I'm not such a cool mom...my son has never had cotton candy. And still hasn't! He thought it looked like hair and wouldn't eat it! :) Goofy boy!

Crazy balloon-animal hat

I am sure you've noticed, we go to alot of parties at this playroom. This is the first time Connell has been interested in having his face painted.

Birthday girl!

Look who got out and played too?! She is getting ready for upcoming parties we will be attending here...Jackson and then Connell!

Just a bit...

Well I enjoyed being caught up on my blog for a whole day. Then this weekend hit, and we had a VERY full day Saturday. Lots of fun and lots of pictures. So until I have time to post like I really need to, here is a peek!

Their little hairs blowing in the wind makes me laugh!

Random/Catch-Up Post

It's getting on my nerves how behind I am with my blog. So I am going to throw together one post full of pictures to catch up!

Watching big brother play...don't worry Emma, it will be your turn soon!Enjoying what seems to be a rare pretty day at the playground. Praying for LOTS more like this! Irresistible smile! Decked out in Tiger gear for the game! I think we may have jinxed them. Oh well! There is always next year! Love Emma's expression...

Emma is loving carrots and also got to try a little pinwheel treat!

Emma does the most adorable thing in her crib. She pushes the bumper down so she can "peek" and then when she sees me come in, gives me a huge smile...it is so stinkin cute!

Tuesday it was absolutely beautiful, so we surprised Taylor & Reagan after school to come home and play with us! How fun...Connell wants to pick them up everyday now. That's sweet, but don't think I can handle 4 kids everyday.

Bathtime fun! There is no end to their cuteness.

Yep, more cuteness.

Lowes. Now when we go, he will want to ride the mower and push all the buttons on the bubble machines (washers/dryers).

My New Best Friend...

So I happened upon a new blog/website recently. I marked it as a favorite, but just really got a chance to check it out. WOW!!!

I have been struggling with "organization" since I gave birth to Connell. I guess I thought that being a stay-at-home Mom would lend me the time to have a neat, well-organized life and home. Well, Connell is almost 3 and guess what??? It didn't take me long to see that it's not as easy as it seems.

Hence, my excitement with this website www.orgjunkie.com/getting-started. Organizing junkie! Love it! I am looking forward to trying some of her tips/suggestions. But let me clarify my motivation: I don't strive to be that all-together, perfect all the time housewife. I would rather be with my kids and enjoy each and every moment as I am realizing now just how quickly they are growing up. I would like to create a sense of order and stick to it so that I can use my time the way I would enjoy...rather than looking at the pile of junkmail, papers, etc around here that constantly call my name.

**Note to my Mom** who checks this blog 8 times daily: I apologize that there are no pics of your "grands" in this entry. Tomorrow, I will take a photo of them helping me "organize"! :)

St. Patrick's Birthday...

...or at least that's what Connell kept saying all day! Oh well! He got the general idea!

Me and my little leprechauns!

Coloring a shamrock for Daddy!

An Irish Prayer
May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.

Visitors!

This past weekend, Tim went on an extended "weekend" trip to Vegas with his Dad and brothers to do a little golfing. They usually do this every spring and have a great time. I was a little nervous about having both kids ALL by myself for 5 days...I mean, I can handle it, but I knew it would be extra exhausting without my helpful hubby around and I knew Connell especially would be really missing Daddy. Sooooooo, imagine how excited I was when I found out that my parents were coming to hang with us for the whole time!!! Yay!
We had so much fun. Thursday Dad had to fly to Chicago for the day for a meeting, and Connell went to school while Mom and I took Emma for her six month portraits. We had girl's lunch after that and while we were certainly missing the guys, it was nice to be just us girls for a day! the weather was great that afternoon so Connell and Grandma took a nice walk around the "turtle pond" and then went to play at the playground.
Friday the weather was cold and yuck, so we all piled in the truck and headed to Opry Mills Mall. We ate lunch at the Aquarium Restaurant which is super cool! Connell loved "the fishy place" and keeps talking about taking Daddy there. After we ate, we shopped and shopped, and then shopped some more. We had cooperative kids, and a patient Grandpa! And everyone got something, so that made it fun!


Saturday I had Weight Watchers so the kids hung with G'ma and G'pa and then we took Connell to swimming lessons. He is doing better and better and it's so neat to watch! I can't wait for summer to get here so we can spend some time in the pool!
Sunday we went to church and Emma wanted to make a joyful noise, but that's okay. God must especially love the little (noisy) children! ;) Then, of course, we had to hit the Cracker Barrel!!!
We had a wonderful visit and I was so thankful that I had the opportunity to have an extra long weekend with my parents and they were a HUGE help to me! If it weren't for them, Timmy's trips might be done! (haha - just kidding)!
Sunday afternoon when Connell woke from his nap, I told him he could decide where we go to eat before we go to the airport to pick up Daddy. He chose....Pizza Hut at Target. BIG surprise. Then when we got to the airport, he thought we were in Las Vegas. I think he was a little confused...I love how his mind works!

Target.

Apparently, we have another Target fan in our home. No, not Emma. She is too young to know how cool Target is...but she will!!!! A few minutes ago, I was sitting on the couch feeding Emma, and Connell said "I am going to Target." Kissed Emma on the head, and said "Love you guys." He then walked away with his hands in his pockets like he is a big boy or something. I love him.

Emma's Six Month Portraits

Wow! I love this sweet girl, and I love that we always leave Tucker's studio so happy!

Go to www.tuckerphotography.com to see all of her pics. Click on portrait photography, then customers, and the password is oleary.

"I need no help!"

Connell started swimming lessons earlier this month. He has had 2 lessons so far, and seems to be doing really well and even enjoying it! He took lessons back when he was 18 months old, and at that time, one of us had to be in the water with him. This time, it's just Connell and Ms. Angela, and one other little boy. That's great because it's really almost like private lessons.

Here are some pictures and videos from his first lesson. I'll be sure to take some more later so we can see how he's improving. During his first lesson, he proudly told his teacher "I need no help!" Bet she hears that alot at this age of independence!

Camera Happy

Mommy got a little camera happy recently. Emma is sitting now and she seems to love to have her picture taken. Here are some (many) of my favorites.

Me.

I don't really blog about myself. I guess in a way I do, since my life is my family. But I have been wanting to share some things that have been going on with me lately.

I am not big on resolutions at New Years. Probably because if I make them, they almost NEVER happen. So this year, I decided to resolve to do some things, and I started in February. Shortly after the year began, I was sitting in Emma's room feeding her while Connell played in the floor. I suddenly was struck by the fact that I am their Mommy, for life, and that needs to be a long, healthy life. This wasn't any big revelation...but for some reason on that day, it really hit me. After I gave birth to Connell, someone told me "You know Connell really belongs to God. He is just trusting you to love him and care for him." Now God has given us two beautiful, healthy and happy children and I don't feel like I am keeping up my end of the deal. I had finally realized that I need to make myself a priority and work on changing (improving) some things about myself.

Tim and I will celebrate ten years of marriage in the spring. During those ten years, we've moved away from everyone we know, moved again, built a home, changed jobs, lost a baby, had two babies and a whole lot more! I know (since I watch Dr. Oz and he talks about this almost everyday :) ) that sometimes as a wife/mommy/friend/woman, that we do all sorts of other things and then not much for ourselves. A friend of mine had started Weight Watchers back in November and has had wonderful success. So I decided, why not? Couldn't come up with a reason not to.

It's been great. And not nearly as bad/hard as I thought it would be. In my first 4 weeks, I have lost 10 pounds. I haven't been hungry. I don't feel like I am dieting at all. I have just made some positive changes and changed some "habits" and feel so much better as a result. I don't feel that yucky stuffed miserable feeling after I eat. I have more energy and a spring in my step. I also have started exercising again (my body is probably freaking out!) and it feels awesome.

It's exciting to be wearing clothes that haven't fit in a loooooong time. It's exciting to see the scale move down. But what's really exciting is to know that I am making my body more healthy so I can be around for my babies and my hubby for the long haul. I have a wonderful support system in my family and friends and that makes a HUGE difference. I find myself wishing I had done this a long time ago...but can't change the past. And really, reflecting on the last ten years, I wouldn't change a thing.

If you are still reading, (ha!) thank you. I will continue to post updates on my progress. I also have another GOAL in mind for the near future, but that's for another post! :)

Me with one of my "reasons"

Happy Birthday, Dr. Suess!

Six Months.

Each month, when Emma turns another month older, I take some pictures and choose one to share on the blog. Not this time! Too many precious pictures to choose only one! So you get a bunch this month! Sweet little-girly pose!
Connell wanted in on the photo shoot
We even did a wardrobe change since she was having so much fun! Look at those teeth!
Just cute!
Even cuter!

I will have a truly difficult time putting into words what this baby girl has brought to our family these past 6 months, and how much we love her. She is a joy. Simply a joy.

We took Emma to the pediatrician for her 6 month visit. She now weighs 16.8 pounds and is

26-1/4 inches long. She is doing everything she should be and then some!

Emma, here is what you are up to at 6 months:

• You are wearing size 2-3 diapers. It's a huge challenge to get a diaper on you these days, as you would prefer to just roll and roll and squirm away from me. Which is interesting, because now when I try to dress Connell, he imitates you and rolls around and makes "Emma" sounds. He loves you to pieces.
  
• Your two bottom teeth are almost fully in. You smile so big all the time, so we see them alot!
  
• You can still squeeze into some 3-6 month clothes, but more and more, you need 6-12.
  
• You are loving eating cereal in the morning. The first few times, you weren't so sure, but now, you attack the spoon. It's hilarious. You really get silly when Connell feeds you. You give him a hard time because you always try to grab the spoon.
  
• Not that you will ever care to know, but you are a great eater and have been nursed in so many different locations, it's almost comical! Guess that's a second child thing...
  
• You have the cutest laugh I've ever heard, well, along with your big brother's laugh. We are so happy that you are so happy.
  
• BIG NEWS - you started sitting on your own right after turning 6 months old. You and Connell both think it's cool!
  
• I can tell that you love me, and that you love Connell, but let's just go ahead and say, you are already a DADDY'S GIRL!
  Connell at 6 months!