The week before Easter

The kids try on their Easter outfits up in Jake's newly painted room :)

We head to Cape May with the Carrs and enjoy some afternoon ice cream up on the mall.

We spend a great morning outside at the Cape May zoo with Emily and Elizabeth.

Cuddled up in the playroom to watch a movie. So fun watching these kids grow up together and create friendships. I love it.

I'm still in Easter Recovery mode so thats all I got for now. Holidays used to wear me out, but with this new schedule with school and so much travel, they almost kill me.

Do the Zoo

Today was a storybook day. I am so glad that I did not eat one of the children back on Monday or Tuesday, as they both brought me inordinate joy today :)

We left the house at 9 am ~ ready for a morning at the Zoo. We probably visited the zoo a good 8 or 9 times last year, as we tried to take advantage of our membership. As I cruised down 76 I had flashbacks of our first trip to the zoo last year as a Mom/15 mo old/not yet two month old. I sweated, in remembrance. It was hard. We did it, but it was hard. I honestly remember my stomach clenching as we parked, thinking about nursing, walking, feeding, shading, diapering, entertaining, naps and so on.

I am happy to say that today was a blast. I got to catch up with my much loved friend Jenny and her sweet and beautiful Elisabeth, and the kids had a great time.

Oh, the change from a 1 year old at the zoo to a 2 year old at the zoo! I had to laugh as I remembered Luke's very first visit to the zoo, which happened in Norfolk, at the tender age of 7 weeks old, on our first rugby road trip. As Nate got ready for his game, I took Luke to the zoo. He slept through the entire adventure,and I felt like I was again entertaining my cousins "Flat Stanley" as I propped his stroller up against different animals. It was about me, not about Luke.

Today was a whole new game. "More Animals!" Luke kept exclaiming. Jules seemed to catch his excitement, and continually uttered "Dat? Dat! DAT!" as she pointed and watched. The sunshine made me feel joy. My kids made me feel joy.

Luke, you have become a dipper. Every time we eat bread with dinner I hear "Dip Dip Dip!" at least 30 times as he begs for the olive oil. Last night Luke dipped all of his chicken in balsamic creme. The other day, it was hummus, baba ganoush the day before that. Turkey and cheese roll ups get dipped in mustard. Today, they had a sippy cup that proved leaky. It made a generous puddle in the floor of our BOB. Luke dipped his hot dog in the puddle. Not just once. He felt a physical NEED to dip that dog. I was disgusted.

All dirty water dipping aside, it was a glorious day. I love and need my girlfriends, and, Jenny ~ to get to catch up today was a gift. The kids fell asleep in the car, and transferred into cribs/beds seamlessly. They slept for a few hours while I recovered. We went to our little "family Friday happy hour" at the gym, so the kids played, we worked out, and then all ate pizza at home. I bathed our little infidels, and off to bed they went.

Some days are really hard. Some days are really easy. Some days I just kiss on bellies and wonder how on earth I lucked into these wonderful little sunbeams I call my kids.

Julia ~ 1/2 of a year!

Baby girl! I can't even believe that you are 6 months old today. I woke up thinking about what I was doing 6 months ago today.....waking up in labor, going to the hospital, laboring and laughing and giddy with excitement at the prospect of meeting my little surprise. Your birth was amazing ~ truly one of the best experiences of my life. Being the first one to say "It's a girl"! the moment that you entered the world is something that I will treasure forever. You have found your groove within our family with ease and grace. You adore your big brother. You are so big, and healthy, and way ahead of yourself in terms of milestones (slow down, baby girl, slow down). I hate braggy type blog posts, but I would be dishonest were I to act as though I am not so wonderfully proud of you ~ so grateful for you, and so in love with you. You love to laugh. You love to smile. You make our family even more fun.

We celebrated your birthday by kicking off our adventure into the wonderful (and horrible ~ the mess, the baby food making, the diapers!...the work for me. Nursing is so easy.) world of solid foods. You are no longer an exclusively breast fed baby....you have joined the land of the eaters. You were so ready that you ripped the spoon out of my hand, put it into your own mouth, and said THANK YOU! when you were finished. I exaggerate, of course, but you ate your first meal of bananas and oatmeal with a gusto. We spent the day at the zoo with your brother and Mom Mom today ~ it was one of those utterly fabulous September days in Pennsylvania.

I feel as though I am not doing you justice here, baby girl, but after a day at the zoo and then a round of golf with your Dad, I am utterly fried.

Calling you my daughter is a joy and a privilege. Congrats on your very first half-birthday, little Jules. Tomorrow you will be closer to one than to none.......and its all going by much too fast. I love you.

"I did it"

It was a busy, wonderful holiday weekend. Friday we went to the Zoo as a family for the first time. Although I have been there several times this summer with the kids, it was the first time that Nate went with us. We had a great time, and Luke and Jules enjoyed it as usual. When we got in the car, hot and tired, Nate turned to me and said "Holy %&*! I have no idea how on Earth you do that alone with two kids". I didn't tell him that I have no idea how I do it either. I didn't tell him that there is no real choice, you just do it. Nothing like a little real world experience to force a little Mom appreciation.

Saturday we started our festival hopping up in Sburg with Carolyn and Tony. We were treated to a great time and the kids were thrilled to get to spend so much time with their grandparents. We hit up Stroudfest and the Garlic Festival, swam in the pool, ate like Kings, and went to a BBQ at Leigh and Tom's house. We ended the holiday weekend in the burg with some playground time with Leah and Madeline, and got home around 2. Coming home to an empty fridge is the worst. With the help of the cornfield next door, tomatoes and basil from Moms garden, and some kabobs on the grill, we managed to pull together a last minute dinner and Luke got to "drive" his first sports car.

This weekend was also a first for him ~ His first sentence! Yesterday he proclaimed with joy "I DID IT!" in front of Carolyn, Nate and I.

Jules is also in just a beautiful place with her sleeping ~ She goes to bed at 7, wakes only once to nurse, and then sleeps till 8. I love this.

The house is a wreck, the fridge still empty, and I have to get to work. Happy September all!

Linkster Luke

Here is Julia checking out her Daddy and Luke checking out the golf course over at Applebrook.

Both were a hit.

Julia went to the gym for the first time today. Babies have to be 8 weeks, so I only lied a little bit. The weather is horrible and being inside the house all day is just long. Tomorrow the wee one gets to go to her first Phillie's game while big brother Luke stays home with Grandpop. Look for us ~ we will be right behind home plate. Wednesday is Luke and Julia's first trip to the Philly Zoo (Luke took in the Norfolk VA Zoo last year at about 8 weeks old) with playgroup.

My little Luke will be 15 months old tomorrow. Can't believe it.