{this moment} Sibling Love

{this moment} A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

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Texas Adventure

 

Two weekends ago we flew to Texas for two very special occasions.  My sister's baby, Hattie, was baptized and her oldest daughter, Olivia, celebrated her third birthday!  This was our first time meeting Hattie and she was such a cutie sweetie.

We flew down on a Thursday.  It was Julia's first flight and Philip's first time in a seat by himself.  They both did pretty well even though we sat on the plane for almost an hour before taking off.  Philip had run through almost all of his surprise treats (new books, stickers, a lollipop) before we even took off. About an hour before landing we were all wishing the flight had left on time, but we made it through. Sorry, no plane or airport photos this time.  We were a bit preoccupied

We drove to my sister's house and enjoyed dinner from one of our favorite local places, Freddies. Afterwards Olivia grabbed Philip by the hand to show him her room. She first opened her toy box and then she went over to a little box full of her new big girl princess panties. She held up each one and told him which princess was on it and then tried to give him one to hold.  My little boy just stood there with a blank look on his face.

The next morning we got up and took the kiddos to a Children's Museum followed by lunch at another Texas favorite, Taco Cabana. We came home for "naps" and then my parents arrived. The kids had a great time playing with bubbles that evening in the backyard. Uncle Tim arrived home from work as did his parents and we enjoyed an evening with our families.

You know you live in a townhouse when your son calls the

backyard of a regular-sized house a park

The next morning was Hattie's baptism.  Such a beautiful little angel baby. 

 

 

 

 

These two look innocent enough, right?

 

Afterwards we enjoyed a lunch at my sister's and the kids played in Olivia's new swimming pool.  Hours and hours of fun.

 

What the rest of us did

 

The next morning we all went to Mass. Philip got the award for worst-behaved and Hattie was the best, of course, being fresh off a baptism.

 

In the afternoon we went to Olivia's birthday party at a bounce house place. They had lots of other fun things to do there as well. It was a great time!

Back at home Olivia opened her presents and the kids had fun playing with all the new stuff. That night we found out that Philip had just learned Andy and I's first names.  We were outside playing when he stopped, got a mischievous smile on his face, and said, "Kristen. Kristen. Kristen, Andy."

 

 Philip picked the biggest spoon in the house to use for dessert

 

On our last night the little ones had a blast running around with party balloons. It reminded me of the kids running laps around our house a year ago when Olivia was in town for Andy's graduation.

 

All the fun ended when we said the balloons had to go away for the night. The drama was incredible as they played off of one another. I'm not sure how people with twins do it!

 

 

 

Getting some advice from Uncle Tim on his last night

 

We spent one last morning together and then headed off to the airport.

The kids did amazing on the return flight. I think Philip really wore himself out. He has been sleeping in every day since we returned. I am loving it!

Two favorite Olivia quotes:
To Andy while trying to mooch food: I think I love you.
To Julia: You're my best friend ever!

Favorite Philip travel quotes:
In the car on the way to the airport: I ready a check my nuggage now!

On the rental car shuttle back to the airport: We gonna have a be real pashion (patient).

During that awkward quiet time when you are waiting to deboard the plane.
Philip talking about his rather large lollipop: Cut it.
Andy: We would need a hatchet to cut that thing.
Me: Cringing because I know what is coming.
Philip: We need a hatchen! We need a hatchen! We need a hatchen!

We never got a picture of the four kids together - they were never awake and happy at the same time. This is the best picture we got of our families together.

Having examined this picture closely, I can assure you

that my son is scratching his nose - not picking it!

What Happens When I Leave Philip Alone...

while *trying* to put Julia down for a nap.

Usually I leave him under the trusty watch of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and he stays out of trouble.  Yesterday I thought he was sufficiently engaged in Playdough that perhaps I could just sneak off  without him noticing.

Did I mention the cereal is placed up high on a shelf in the panty - out of reach?

 

"Construcken site," he tells me as I walk into the room.

 

Julia hadn't had lunch yet so I brought her in to help clean up.

 

Of course as with everything, the Cheerios eventually turned into a train track. 

Life Right Now - A Photo Essay

This set of pictures perfectly depicts what life is like at our house right now.

 

  

Here is Julia. 

 

She is happily playing with a blade of grass. Notice Philip under the tree. He is also happily playing, but he notices that Julia is holding something.

 

 

 Sometimes Julia is okay with it, like here.

 

Other times she is not as happy about it:

 

All day. Every day.

 

 P.S. - And yes, we're working on it.

A Day Late, but Worth the Post

To those who gave birth this year to their first child—we celebrate with you.

To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains – we appreciate you.

To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms – we need you.

To those who have warm and close relationships with your children – we celebrate with you.

To those who experienced loss this year through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away—we mourn with you.

To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment – we walk with you. Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don’t mean to make this harder than it is.

To those who have disappointment, heart ache, and distance with your children – we sit with you.

To those who lost a child this year – we mourn with you.

To those who lost their mothers this year – we grieve with you.

To those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and the overall testing of motherhood – we are better for having you in our midst.

And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising – we anticipate with you.

This Mother’s Day, we walk with you. Mothering is not for the faint of heart and we have real warriors in our midst. We remember you.

 

 - Amy Young

8 Months

Julia is 8 months old now!  Can I just say that she is such a joy to have in our home.  Her sweet, easy-going, and happy disposition lights up our days.

 

Well, that sitting up stage that I love so much didn't last very long. Last month Julia wanted to be on the move so badly. I seem to remember Philip being on his hands and knees a lot, rocking back and forth before trying to move forward, but not Julia. She was always trying to be in motion which meant she spent most of her days laying flat out on her belly as her efforts to crawl caused her to fall forward. She did a bit of army crawling, pulling herself forward while laying on her belly. And yikes! She already pulled herself up to standing!

In other news her first two teeth came in.  I couldn't figure out why she was so fussy and refusing to fall to sleep one night.  Then I let her mouth my fingers when she clamped down - ouch!  One pearly white had broken through and the second came the following day.

 

Check out those teeth pushing up