When I pictured life with two kids...

When I found out Jack was on his way, I tried to imagine what my life would be like with two kids. These are the kind of moments I dreamed of. (And yes, I feel like this post should have some background music, like Shania Twain's "From This Moment".)

This picture needs an explanation. Jack was crying in his bed and I was in the shower. So Lucy took it upon herself to make Jack happy. She emptied both of his baskets of toys into his bed, and low and behold, he stopped crying. What a good big sister.

To top it all off, I had to include this video of the kids playing togehter. I don't know if a baby can laugh harder then Jack was. It was so cute. Sorry, it is really long, but A- you don't have to watch the whole thing, and B- it is so cute, how was I suppose to stop recording?

St. Patricks Day

Ok, so this wasn't taken on St. Patricks Day, but this is the view from our front porch. We have this mine on the mountain that we are at the bais of. Well about a year ago, the mine collapsed, and you can see how it isn't in perfect levels anymore. Apparently when it collapsed it sounded like a major explosion and scared the neighborhood to death. Well a couple of weeks ago I was chillin in my living room when I heard an explosion. I looked out the window and say smoke coming from the mine. Turns out it really was an explosion, they blew up part of it to prevent further collapse, and you can see the smoke in this picture if you look closely.

Now, onto St. Patricks Day. Life was a little busy for me on St. Patricks Day this year, so we fill the day with festivities, but it was a gorgeous day outside, so I took the kids out, and let them plaster the driveway with sidewalk chalk and do whatever else they wanted. I was able to get a lot done (and luckily I was able to do it outside so I could enjoy the sunshine), and the kids were in heaven.

Lucy colored her little heart out, then she burned some energy as she ran up and down the street (between some boundries I had set of course, so I could see her at all times). I think we are going to have a blast this summer.

Poor little Jack watched Lucy ride this big wheel around that we got from some friends, and he wanted to ride it so bad.

But when he figured out it was too hard, he was perfectly content to push it around the driveway. What do you think of Lucy's art work?

By the time Jack pushed this bike off the driveway he resembled a rainbow. And for those of you who are wondering why he isn't in green on St. Patricks Day, just know that I haven't done laundry in over a week and a half, it's been that kind of a week. I was just greatful to find an outfit for him at all, let alone one of my favorite ones. The only reason that isn't in the dirty clothes pile is because it was still in the dry with the last load of my last batch of laundry, which I might add NEVER gets folded. The last load is usually drying while I am folding and putting away the three loads before it, and by the time it is dry, I am usually gone for the night, and there is the sad story of my laundry. But I am happy to report that it does get folded with the next batch of laundry a week later.

A World of Curiosity

I've decided that without a doubt, 12 months is my favorite age. Jack is learning so much right now and it is so fun to watch. I mentioned in my last update about him that he is learning some new words, and he is so close on others. He almost has "done", "gone", and "book" down. He can say them, I'm just not convinced that he knows what they mean. But as of today, he offically understands, and says (perfectly I might add) "caca". I think he has learned "caca" because since his birthday he loves to help me in the kitchen, and I have really been trying to help him understand that he can't put his hand into the batter, or the bowl of mashed bananas.

He demands to be on the counter, right in the middle of the action, where he can see what is happening.

As a result of "helping" in the kitchen, Jack has learned the joy of licking the beaters.

Good news! I got a new plant! Bad news, Jack found a new sand box.

Jack has really learned to keep himself entertained, like his sister. If I can guide himself in the direction of something that will captivate his attention, he'll sit and work with it for a half an hour, and then move onto something else that catches his eye. It is so nice! I'm already starting to see a little of Lucy's imagination rubbing off on him. Here is was feeding the doggie a bottle. Can you say Lucy?

It's a world of discovery for this little guy lately. Above he found what he thought was a ball, but when he put it in his mouth he decided it tasted good. Discovery: oranges.

Below: Jack looked out the window and what did he see? Snow. He sat and watched it fall for 15 minutes, just amazed. He's also recently discovered the deer that roam around our neighborhood. Yesterday when it was about 70 degrees, Lucy came running inside to inform us that the deer were across the street again. I took Jack out to see them and he kept throwing himself in their direction tryin to make me take him over them so he could pet them. Wonder how that would have turned out for him.

Another discovery: cupboards. Jack loves to open the cupboards and climb inside. He loves it so much that I don't want to put the child locks on them because I know he will be so sad. Maybe I'll just put them on the dangerous or really messy cupboards, but leave some for him to climb in.

I could leave him this cupboard. The only sacrifice I'd have to make is my organization in there, but honestly, he destroyed that a long time ago.

Ok, seriously, look at those checks. I just want to squeeze them!

And the balls. This is what Jack's little world revolves around lately.

Playing tee-ball

He loves his room so much lately because I have little figures of various athletes on his walls, and they all have a ball. Every morning when he wakes up, he is talking to these guys. We usually wake up to the sound of Jack in the other room saying "ba ba ba ba ba ba ba... ba ba ba ba". It is the cutest thing. And since I put so much time into making those little guys for his walls, I am so happy that he loves them so much. I love this little boy.

What has Lucy been up to?

I've officially decided that Lucy is destined to go into acting. I don't know if I have ever met a more dramatic little girl, ever. And I'm not sure this is a good thing yet. But those of you who know Lucy best know how dramatic she is. Unfortunately dramatic and emotional usually go hand in hand. Still Lucy has been so much fun lately. She has recently learned how to melt our hearts. She has gotten very good at saying "Mommy, I love you" or "Daddy, you are the best daddy in the whole world" completely out of the blue. Usually such phrases are accompanied by a hug to the arm or leg (whichever is closest) and a head tilt (as pictured below).

On one particular night when I was gone, Lucy came up to Shawn with a flower and this ring and said "Daddy, will you marry me?" Honestly, she came up with that one completely on her own. Shawn was melted on the spot. He said they "got married" and then they danced. So sad I wasn't there to see it.

Way into dress up. Here she sports the "Sleeping Beauty" ensenble.

The head tilt (mentioned above) in the Minnie Mouse costume with her friend "the chinese man" Ethan.

Lucy just likes to be goofey a lot lately, she has reached that phase. She also loves her dance class so much that this is what she looks like on Tuesdays. She will not let me take her dance clothes off, and just pulls some pants over her tights so she isn't so cold. What am I suppose to do? I've recently decided to pick and choose my battles, and this one just wasn't worth the fight.

This one is for you Tracie! Keep the posts coming on your blog, I'm loving them, and Lucy is too. For anyone who needs help with ideas for their little girl's hair, check out http://mylittleoneshair.blogspot.com/. My aunt is sharing her genius with the world!