Things we take for granted

This morning after breakfast and coffee, I took my Saturday morning shower and headed downstairs after getting dressed. My father in law was here to get Ben - they were heading to a car show. Ben asks, "how was your shower" and I quickly said "fine" - without thinking about it, it was a shower, jeesh - what else? Then I thought for a second...it wasn't quick like I washed my hair and let the shampoo rinsing wash the rest of me, I wasn't singing the ABC's or The Itsy Bitsy Spider, I didn't have the pitter patter of clumsy, little feet running through the bathroom, the toilet wasn't flushing 10 times, and I didn't have the luxury of being serenaded with Where is Thumpkin...unlike my weekday showers when Ben is at work. My weekend showers are peaceful and quiet.

Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy all the extra spa treatments Madelyn has to offer -- but when I can take a long, hot, QUIET shower all alone...ahhhh, it's relaxing and rejuvenating. For now, Madelyn likes to take a bath with her little sister -but as they get older, and when the day comes they have children of their own (GASP!!), they'll understand why Mommy use to hide in the bathroom for an hour or so :)

Happy Mother's Day!

What an awesome day we had! The weather was perfect, my girls were in good spirits all day -- it was just such a good day for us!

We packed up this morning and headed to Chesterfield Berry Farm for the day. Madelyn fell asleep on the way but quickly woke when we told her we made it - and Emily pretty much slept the entire time we were there. We only woke her to eat, and then she watched big sister dance during lunch! It was great!

Madelyn rode a pony for the first time, it's name was Twinkle - she thought that was pretty neat. We saw all kinds of farm animals and after lunch Madelyn and I rode the tractor wagon to the strawberry field to pick strawberries! AAH As you can see from the pictures below - she didn't eat ONE strawberry while we were picking!!

Here's my happy little peanut -- and Madelyn feeding her peas from her kitchen!

It's official...I'm tired!

Whew -- yes, everyone, in response to your wonder - I have fallen off the face of the Earth into mommyland. I spent today using toothpicks to keep my eyelids from slamming closed for good! But even though I'm so tired, it's a great feeling being home with Madelyn AND Emily. And we thought we had it rough when Madelyn was a baby...ha!

It's been a wonderful few weeks so far with our new little girl. She's absolutely perfect, we are so thankful she's healthy and beautiful. She has not a care in the world...she eats and sleeps and poos, ALOT!

Madelyn is in love with her new baby sister, sharing her crayons and toys - she's already had a tea party with her! They are sharing now, but we'll see how they share 15 years from now!

I have so many pictures of her already...and I've shared most of them through emails. But I do plan on getting them on our blog. I posted a few with this...but this is just a tiny sampling of what we've taken so far.

Come out and play, Emimy!

The end of this second pregnancy is drawing near! Emily's due date is Tuesday, April 7th. I visited my doctor this morning and we decided that I'll head in Monday to have her. It's a little sad, because Ben doesn't think he wants any more children -- it's a little scary, because we'll instantly have TWO little girls to care for -- it's a sigh of relief, because this second pregnancy came with more aches and pains than the first. It's a lot of things - it's an END and a BEGINNING. We're nervous, thrilled, anxious, curious, a million different feelings all balled up together!

Ben got a few pictures of Madelyn loving on the "belly juice" as he likes to call it:

Bringing home a baby bumble bee...

Madelyn has been very interested in the flower garden we have out front. She loves to pick my pansies - and it didn't bother me for a while. But when she started picking out all the pretty spring colors, I finally told her she needed to stay out.

Well - a few days ago she insisted on picking this one dark purple pansy, she held it in her hand for a second, threw it on the ground and started screaming. Then I saw she also threw down a bumble bee! It was on the flower and stung her finger! My poor girl, she cried for a few minutes and then said, "you don't pick mommy's flowers." Now she stays clear of them!

Day at Maymont

Last Sunday we spent the day together at Maymont Park - we love Maymont. It's beautiful gardens and fun animals keep little ones AND adults captivated all day! It was a windy day there, but most of the animals were out. Even two brand new baby goats! I just wanted to snatch them up and bring them home with us!

Madelyn had fun running free and picking dandelions. It was a great day for us, we had been looking forward to a nice day to spend together, the three of us. Here are a few pictures:

Our new friend

Not only is our family going from three to four...Madelyn's friendship with Peyton is quickly doubling in size! Our friends Brian and Erica welcomed their new daughter, Sophie Ann on March 16th. She's a beautiful little girl! Now Peyton is a big sister and she's been giving Madelyn the scoop on what's to come here in our household! Soon there will be a 4th girl to add to the bunch...it'll be the big sisters against the little sisters!!

Sophie and her GREAT Grandmother!