blatent display

So, if you can't tell already, I love taking pictures of my babies in their cute clothes.

Here is today's little number- we call it: spring chic

but while I was focused on the lovely subject before me
I hear this sweet little "cheeeese" behind me.
Never to be forgotten my dear boy! Yes you are still just as cute to me.
especially when only subtly seeking attention

Sunny days sweepin' the clouds away

Horray for sunshine! and green grass! and flip flops!
and not a moment too soon. I was aching to put Lilly in this little summer outfit before she was too big for it and we just made it. Barely...

And my big boy is finally starting to figure out pedals!
Let the games begin :)

Our Haldeman Easter

(Sorry I just slapped up some pictures without an explanation.

I finally have a moment to sit so here I go...)
For Easter weekend we drove down to Saint Louis to visit my Haldeman family.
Doug; my Mother's youngest brother, and Angela have five darlings kids all under 10!
Dakota fit right in between the two youngest and had a great time keeping up with all the action.
I'll admit the drive was a bit arduous but he's been talking about his "cousins" and their toys ever since. We had such a great time. Not only did the Easter Bunny find us there but there were two Easter Birthdays! Nathan 3 (though he insisted he was still 2) and Pa (the new Thai Nanny).
What is easter candy without birthday cake anyway!

The jugger is Doug. He used to throw swords & fire but after a "minor mishap" he has been forbade his wreckless ways.

As our going away gift we were showered with little boy clothes and a whole Thomas the train set (table too!)
Thanks for everything Doug, Angela, Garrett, Ashleigh, Evan, Nathan & Morgan
We love you soooooo much!

Happy Easter (a few days later)

There will be a lot more updating on this weekend later when I have time to sit. Until then, here is a sneak peak at my little Easter bunny. I will likely re-do this photo shoot in a couple months when she fits in the suit better and I can take her outside for better lighting.

Dakota had to have three shoots for his first Easter just cause he was a stinker!
(click here to see them)
I do this now because I dont want a broken hearted little girl someday to ask me why I took so many dress-up pictures of her brother and not of her. It's only fair right? besides, I love it!

See more here

Pretty purple Easter dress

Here is my little Easter Princess

thanks to Lisa & Dad for the froofy froof

Here is my cute picture of the day.
gotta love it

One L or two ?

Alright, this has been bothering me for a while now.
Why don't I just listen to my first inclinations
rather than be swayed and second guess my desires?

When I chose Lily's name, I wrote it out several times with many different middle name alternatives. In the end I love her name and am very happy with it (unlike Dakota who I desperately wanted to name Charlie -but that's another subject)
Well, I always wrote it out L-i-l-l-y (two middle Ls rather than one)
I changed it at the last minute to Lily
because that's how the flower is spelled.
According to the census it is divided about 50/50 in preference on how to spell it. I never feel irritated or anything when people misspell her name because one should not expect others to automatically know.
But, when I see it written out with 2 middle Ls
I know deep down I like it better!
I've been told that it doesn't matter and to just leave it.
Is it really so small an issue?
If it bugs me this much then why not simply change it now before it become harder to do so?
I guess I have decided to do this. So there it is.
I will bit by bit change all the silly forms and certificates that make her official

and her name will be
Lilly

Butterflies & IHop

Yesterday I took the kids to Meijer Gardens to see the butterflies

I dressed up Lil' in her granny-high butterfly pants
and tortured 'kota with another family love photo

He was much more into the "tunnel"

So I let him run in & out while we had a little girl time

Hi butterflies!

Afterwards we just didn't feel ready to go home so decided
to stop at the local IHop for some kids friendly food in a booth.
(note to self: there is no healthy adult food in that place)

I have 50 dollars saved up

and I want to buy a blessing gown for Lily
but it's kind of hard to find something right.
Most of them in the stores have crosses all over them
which I think is cheesy.
and surprisingly, they are outrageously expensive.
I was going to use the gown that I was blessed in, which would be so very sweet, but when I tried it on her it looked really weird because it is just one sheer piece of fabric so you just see diaper and socks - not to mention it's very cold. Even with a onesie underneath it looks odd so....
this is my special splurge (call it a birthday present for myself)
I am having trouble deciding though.
Maybe you can help?
Click the link on the pictures and tell me what you think in the Poll to the side.

A: This dress has a ver similar version at babies r us for $50. (different bonnet)


B: This one has a v neck and bow in front but I wonder if the lace is just too much

C: This one is a simple cotton with eyelet trim

D: This one in a poly dupioni fabric which is a little fancier

E: This dress is my very favorite and comes with matching booties!
but it is way too much for me - alas :_(

First smiles :)

Move that Bus!

In this episode my little guy is playing the part of crazy loud Ty (not a far stretch)
and the fireman hat is really supposed to be a red construction hat.
I am simply the interpreter.

Tip # 367

Don't leave your two year old alone with the paint even for one minute!

Tip #368
Always remember his smock.....

What a little bribery can do

Dakota Jack has not shown a bit of interest in his little sister yet.
To say the least, he is quite irritated by her presence.
In fact, if I am holding her and he wants a hug too he will go to the other side of me and shrug his shoulder as far from her as possible so as not to let even their clothes touch.
So this Sunday was very special. Not only was it Lily's first time to church (and mine with two kids and no husband) but I convinced Dakota (with the promise of a lollipop) to actually sit next to his sister for a little picture.

You can see his reluctance here

Then I begged for one step closer; an arm around her.

Here are his true feelings about that!

A quick reminder of his reward awaiting and I am treated with this:

Yoga & underwear: not at the same time, though that is nice too

Sleeping babes

This is what happens after I put him back into bed several times in the night then decide to give up and let him play until he poops out.

These are my little Lily lips!

Noodle Art & music apprectiation time~

It is snippets like this where I fool my viewers into thinking

I'm a mother who has it all together.
Structure, obedience, culture and creativity.


My biggest scam: quiet kids -

Mommy's little helper

if only this were typical....

Tribute to my donors~

The only problem with having so many cute outfits at this age

is not having anyone to see them!
Lily goes through at least two or three darling ensembles a day
and has even outgrown a some!
(she gained two pounds in two weeks)
So to make sure the cuteness doesn't go unnoticed,
nor my great appreciation to those who have been so generous,
(I have not had to buy a single article of clothing yet)
I've decided to try to document as many outfits as possible
before it's too late.

Thank you
Joanne, Angela, Tracie, Ma (Deb),
Sandrine, Mary-Dawn, Bree, Lisa,
Liz & her kids: Elsa & Anika, and Dr VanHoose of cooose!
There are other fabulous friends and gifts of course
but these are my main sources of clothing.
Oh I hope I didn't forget anyone!
If I did then it's purely due to sleep deprivation!

Shhhh..... Don't tell daddy!

~Just a little fun with toes~

Quick Dakota- Put on your socks before daddy gets home!
;)

My wild child

No I haven't forgotten about you little guy. You are my number little boy.

I know it's been hard sharing me with your new sister. I can tell by the way you are constantly telling me "baby nap! baby nap!" as you point to her bed. Oh and the stamping and kicking and demanding that I watch you every second gives it away too. Not to mention the evil glares you dart her way. (yes I saw them). It's rough I know but things will get better as she gets bigger.

So even though I can hardly keep my eyes open, lets have a little fun.
How about some finger-painting?
We could put some extra bubbles in your bath?

Or better yet, a little outing to the gardens, just you and me! (big thanks to the bishop's wife, sis Robinaugh for babysitting). We can see butterflies, turtles, flowers & have lunch in the playhouse. Hang in there buddy - Mommy loves you!

One tiring vacation nowhere~

Well, this is it. Keith's last day of vacation. Tomorrow I will officially be on my own! And wouldn't you know it, his first day back is an "on call" day. (that means a 30ish hr shift)
Of course, now we can both complain about being "post call" since we'll get about the same amount of sleep ;) I love you honey - Thanks for all your help!