New pics

I really have no fascinating thoughts to share with you all today. It's amazing how being around two small children all day every day can suck all intelligent and interesting thoughts right out of your head. Poor J.C.... He actually still likes to talk to me, even though our conversations these days often revolve around either poop, breastfeeding, or the kids' napping successes/failures of the day . It's amazing, really.

So, this post is basically going to be a bunch of pictures of our awesome kiddos. You're welcome, grandparents. Everyone else - I'm very sorry...

Look who's smiling! (She has been for awhile, but I think these are the first pics of that cute grin that I've posted)

Eli has a renewed obsession with all his old baby toys. If Tessa is in it, then it must be the greatest thing ever. I've had a tough time lately keeping him from stealing her paci, and getting in the swing, bouncy seat, bumbo, and now the exersaucer...

Quick! Snap the picture before he runs away!

My sweet boy. Please don't grow up. Pretty please? Thanks.

Post-face plant pic.

I assure you that this isn't what it looks like.

My loves.

Argh! I'm a pirate!

Eli was definitely "in character" during our church's trunk 'n treat event. Several times I had to stop him from stealing other kids' loot. :)

Take a closer look, please.

Take a look at this picture:

Let me describe it to you since the colors didn't show up well on my camera phone. Pink socks, flowery jeans. pink and purple butterflies on the top (oh, and a pink elephant toy hanging on the carseat).

Now, if you were a random person in Chick-Fil-A and you saw a baby dressed like this, what gender would you guess this baby is?

Hhmmmm.....

And, if you happened to guess incorrectly, would you be utterly shocked when told that she is, in fact, a girl?

Come on, people.....

Do I see a Peruvian Pan Flute Band in Our Future?

Spoon Training

Hello my three loyal visitors! I know it's been awhile, but life is pretty busy with the kiddos. I plan to keep the posts coming (albeit sporadically), so keep checking back.

I recently decided that the time has come to teach Eli to feed himself with a spoon. Recently he has become very independent and doesn't like for me to feed him, and since we're both getting bored with all the finger food options (and not everything I cook is finger food and he will be eating what I cook!), it's time for him to learn the skill. Needless to say, our first attempt was.... well... See for yourself.

Perhaps chocolate pudding wasn't the wisest choice to start with. Any tips from the mamas on how to make this process go smoothly?

Tessa's not really doing anything cute yet, so I often forget to take pictures of her (poor thing... Think she might have issues about this one day?). But she's still pretty cute, so here are a couple of pics of her. I think we've gotten a few genuine smiles (not the gassy grins) out of her recently, so I'll try to catch some on camera to post soon.

I really hadn't thought that Eli and Tessa looked much alike, but now I don't know... What do you think?

Tessa

Eli

Definitely a resemblance :).

I tried to get a few shots with the kids together. Eli wasn't interested in sitting still, so this was the best I could do.

Creeks, Country and Cupcakes

Life with a newborn and one year old has put quite a damper on my ability to blog regularly, so I've got lots of pics to share from the last couple of weeks.

We went to Tannehill a couple of weeks ago to hike and Eli got to ride the train and play in the creek! Tannehill is one of our favorite places to spend a pretty day. There's one hiking trail in particular that J.C. and I love. I have vivid memories of us walking this trail at different points through our relationship - while we were dating/engaged and were dreaming about our future together, right after we moved back from Florida and were wondering where we would end up with our jobs and house, when we were pregnant with Eli and were trying to imagine what our life would be like when it wasn't just the two of us, when we had Eli and were pregnant with Tessa, and now with both our kiddos! I get sentimental sometimes when we're on the trail because I can imagine us walking down it one day with our grandkids! Here are a couple of pictures of Eli from the day. (Unfortunately I didn't think to get any of Tessa. She was strapped to me the whole time and I'm not a fan of getting pictures of myself :)).

Riding on the train with Daddy

Splashing in the creek

Eli had his first cupcake the other day, compliments of Aunt Rachel. He seemed to enjoy it much more than he did his birthday cake a couple of months ago.

This is what Tessa was doing while Eli enjoyed his cupcake. I think she was jealous. Can't say I blame her.

Here are some pictures of Eli playing outside at Gramamma and Pop's (which we call "the country").

And here are some random pics of my cuties!

One month old!

Happy one month birthday, Tessa! I already can't imagine our life without you.

Survived Week 1? Check.

So we have made it for a little more than a week now with no major crises or meltdowns and are doing really well! Tessa has been a great baby so far. She mostly just eats and sleeps right now, so my main task has been to keep Eli from "loving" on her too much. I think I've said the sentences "Be gentle with the baby", "Don't touch the baby" and "Don't catapult the baby out of the bouncy seat" about 6,492 times since we came home last Wednesday :). He hasn't really shown any signs of jealousy, though. I think he's too young to really "get it" and has rolled with it beautifully.

But, I know the real reason you're all here is to see the pics, so here you go!

Got Eli from the grandparents and we're headed home! Tessa's not too thrilled about it at the moment.

I have to say that I'm lovin' all the pink stuff.



Layla's already lookin' out for her little sis.



Eli being "gentle".

Enough with this gentle business. Time to tackle Layla!

Eli has recently started snuggling with his stuffed lion when he's sleeping. This melts my heart!

and this laugh does, too.

(and yes, my baby generally does wear just a t-shirt and diaper when we're home. Pretty ghetto, I know, but it makes diaper changes a lot easier! Don't judge me... :))

I debated whether to post this on my blog, but it was an amazing moment that I want to be able to look back on when I go through my blog later. So, you get to see it, too. Don't worry - nothing innapropriate is showing, but you do get to see a slimey baby :)