A Mommy Time-Out

Today I needed to take a time-out.  My favorite 3 year old was a total grump and not listening to a word I was saying and being a major pain (Harper was napping during this time).  I was starting to feel frustrated and I had the urge to kick my child (don't worry, I would never actually do that) so I put her in her bed and I locked my bedroom door and took a nice long bath...in silence.  Well, silence was the plan...except Sawyer decided to bang on the door the entire time and yelled "Let me in! I not sleeping! I AWAKE!" It was hideous.  Sobbing ensued (on her part...although I wanted to sob too) and when I was ready and calmed down, I opened the door and the two of us went on our merry way.  Then of course all of the sobbing and yelling woke Harper up so my plan to get much quiet time was given the big old kibosh.  But it turned out ok.  We had a fine evening, even though Marc was at work from 2AM-8PM tonight and we were missing him like crazy.

Since we are getting ready to go on vacation I have been wanting to get all of my memory cards cleaned off and get my pictures loaded onto the computer.  There isn't anything too exciting, but this is what the last couple of days have looked like.

We went to the park with Grandma.  Both girls love the teeter-totter.   

I think this next picture is funny.  Don't worry, that little boy was able to dodge the swing (why do kids always risk their heads/brains by running behind people swinging anyway?)

Harps snacked on a Rice Krispy at the grandparents'.

After saying goodbye to Grandma & Grandpa we went home and played outside.  

Sawyer was feeling kind of sassy.

And then Sawyer cruised around the cul-de-sac.

Yesterday we played outside in the backyard.  Sawyer really wanted Harper to wear her sunglasses, so there were multiple attempts to get them on her.

Harper toppled over, Sawyer helped her up.

We frequently entertain ourselves with the self-timer.  I am anxious to get some new family photos.  I look tired.  That is what tends to happen at the end of every single day.  This parenting stuff is exhausting.

I miss Marc when he is at work, but at least I have a couple of cute kids to keep me busy and entertained while he is away.

Harper likes scooting and playing under our kitchen table.  She has some spectacular bed head going on in this one.

This girls rarely take baths solo...it is typically a group activity.  Harper was looking to escape.

I love my little bathing beauties.

Sawyer is able to dress and undress herself these days.  She is still in the learning process when it comes to putting her shirt on and taking it off.  She likes to get her jammies on herself...if you try to help "No! I do it!"

Since Sawyer is sleeping in my bed tonight I am going to go upstairs and join her and my hubs.  I am one tired lady this evening and tomorrow night I will be sleeping (or getting whatever rest I possibly can with the two kids) on a plane...so I better get a good night's slumber while I can.

Snow in June

June came and went so fast - but you know what they say, time flies when you are having fun.  And it is so true.


We have been busy getting snow cones, playing in the splash pad, visiting with friends, making new friends, play dates at the park, and just soaking up the sun.  

How good does a little Sno on the Go sound right about now?

Sawyer & Ellie are hilarious together at the park.  It is a perfect way to spend the afternoon because the kids are so tired afterwards...which means a really quiet house.  Sawyer falling off of the spinny thing is kind of funny, she didn't get hurt.

Sawyer only likes Tiffany to push her on the swing, not me.  The girls were "flying".

Jessie and her cute family were in town visiting from Boston.  We met up and had some sushi...yummy.  Harper and Haddie quickly became friends, sharing crackers during lunch and everything.

We love Talega's splash pad...makes for an easy day and the kids enjoy it.

Always a funny pair.

Harps likes to hang out and snack her way through the day.  

Who knew?  It is just as fun to push the swings as it is to be pushed in the swings.  

Harper and Ruby became quick friends and hung out together in the shade while their big sisters swam.

How old do Sawyer & Kate look?  This was their first time playing, I think they liked each other's company.

I feel bad not having pictures of the girls with all of their friends...I know I am missing a couple of key kids in these pictures.  Looks like we will have to hang out lots in July so I can be sure to get some photos ;)

June went by fast but it was great - loving my days as a mommy. 

Living Large | Sawyer's 3rd Birthday

The last month or so I have been super emotional.  No, no, not pregnant.  Just sort of, well, sad, about how fast my little girls are growing.  I have had many private tearful moments and I maybe held back a tear or two during the weekend of Sawyer's birthday.  I worked on Sawyer's birthday, I shot a wedding.  I made the decision awhile back and I knew the wedding was going to be an awesome experience and a job too hard to turn down.  I was excited to shoot it, and it turned out great, I just had a tremendous amount of guilt building up because of it.  I was worried Sawyer would feel less loved or disappointed - turns out she could have cared less.  However, this guilt may have played a role in me sobbing behind my camera as I was photographing the bride and her father dancing..straight up tears pooling in my eyes.  Oh brother.  (Although, I have cried during all but one father/daughter dance.)


Sawyer was lucky to have her grandma and grandpa fly out to spend her birthday weekend with her, and her dad and sister kept her company during the big birthday, June 25th.  We celebrated as a family with a couple of friends on Sunday and presented Sawyer with a new car!  (A few reasons for the swanky ride for her birthday 1.) I always wanted my own set of Power Wheels and never had one 2.) What 3 year old doesn't want to be behind the wheel of a mini Escalade? 3.) I felt like Sawyer needed a rad present to make up for my absence...)

Me and my sweet birthday girl before I headed off to work.  I can't find the words to describe my love for her.

These sisters are my whole world - what on earth did I do before the came along?  Well, their dad kept me company.  He gets some credit for making my life great too.

I wanted to snap a quick family photo.  Harper had other plans.

Sawyer & Marc spent a lot of time swimming.  How fun are these underwater shots Marc took?

I don't really understand how it happened, but Sawyer swam to her dad and then fell asleep on his shoulder.  It might be the cutest thing ever.  The video makes it even cuter (Marc's smile at the end is just too too adorable).

I have a cute husband.  I love him.

Sawyer really wanted a party.  I wasn't planning on doing much but  after Harper's party she wanted the same thing for her own birthday.  I decorated the kitchen and bought her a birthday hat and we had some cupcakes.  The grandparents made an appearance and the girls loved it.  Cousin Mazie was here and Sawyer got to invite a couple friends.  It was small, but it satisfied.  And there is something special about making the birthday girl really happy.  

Of course Sawyer wanted to have her bestie here.  Sawyer & Ellie are the funniest pair.  They love each other, they hate each other, and all they ever do is talk about one another.  I adore their little friendship.

Sawyer has to work on her driving skills (apparently steering is harder than one might suspect?) but she is loving this thing and she is pretty proud of it. 

I am confident that Mazie wants one for her birthday now too...she chased the car around until someone finally gave her a ride (funny enough, Bryt and I both fit in the car and are able to drive it).

Sawyer loves this little cousin of hers.  Mazie seems to love her too.  

I was busy videotaping so I didn't get too many pictures of Sawyer with her birthday hat and cupcake but I am hoping her grandpa did.  For now I am loving this iPhone picture.  Can you believe she is 3?!?!  I can't.

"Little Miss Magic, whatcha gonna be?"

"Little Miss Magic, just can't wait to see..."

And that is my little girl.  Driving off into the distance and Living Large. 

Sawyer, thank you for being mine. 

The Shore

We are getting packed up and ready to head to Virginia to spend the 4th of July with my family and then we are taking a road trip up to the Jersey Shore.  New Jersey gets a bad wrap...I lived there when I was little, and I don't remember it being bad at all.  I am exited to go back :)

Spring Lake, New Jersey

1990ish

Spring Lake Boardwalk

(early 90's...I think)

(Momma, I am not so sure about that skirt?)

This will be out fourth 4th of July as parents.  We spent our first 4th with Sawyer at the Top of the World in Laguna Beach.  We never made it to see fireworks because I ended up with mastitis and felt like poo so we went home...we were also worried the fireworks would be too loud for Bean's little ears.  We were new parents, it kind of explains things.

This was also from Sawyer's first 4th of July when we were laying by the pool.  I remember someone saying "It's a boy, right?"  I remember feeling so insulted.  Looking at this picture I still think she looks like a girl, but I totally get it...she was hanging out in a white onesie in a brown stroller, it was probably a little deceiving.

Our next 4th of July was spent in Virginia at my parents' house.  My sister and husband were there, as well as my brother-in-law's parents, my brother-in-law's brother and my mom's mom.  It was a full house.  My parents watched Sawyer so Marc and I could go into DC to see the fireworks.  It was awesome.  The whole trip was awesome.  Lots of fun memories there.

(I think I need my hair blondish again.  Not this bleachy blonde, but blonder than it is right now.)

Here is me and my Bubbie (my mom's mom).

We spent last 4th of July with my sister and her family at their pool in Irvine and then went to Laguna Hills to watch the fireworks there.  Harper was just a teenie tiny thing, I can't believe how much she has changed and grown. (And I can't believe how white I was for being the middle of summer...clearly I was busy inside taking care of my wee little people.  Geesh.)

For Harper's 4th of July we weren't worried about her ear and we parked our bums on a blanket right under the fireworks and watched the show.  Sawyer loved it, Harper slept through it.  

I really love the 4th of July.  I love that it is a family holiday, and it is festive and fun but you don't have the stress and pressure of buying presents and decorating the whole house (maybe some people do? we don't).  I love it and I am so excited to get to spend an entire week with my family (Marc is skipping out on work, ya!) and just hang out and play and enjoy us some sunshine.

I love the United States too :)