Bop comes for a visit

Bop can not stay away...in a good way. My Dad loves his Emma & Stokes! Since my Mom is down in Long Boat Key for her annual time down there, my Dad decided to take a drive down after work on Saturday. We think Emma's favorite word is MOP aka Bop! She gets so excited, way more excited to see her Bop, than she does for either Courtney or I. I know he is in heaven every time he visits. And also, is a big help with the kids and around the house too! Thanks Dad...



Darling picture of the two matching guys...




Daddy & Stokes reading the paper


She loves her tablet!


Sweet

Stokes 6 months old!!

Oh where do I start. As I tell Stokes before bed every night, he is my miracle. He came into our lives all on his own, and surprised us all with his sweet self. I know my life is much better every day because of Stokes. He brings so much joy to our lives.

Stokes weighed in at 18 lbs 11 oz (50-75%), and is 26 1/2 inches (50%). He feels a lot of bigger than 18 pounds when you hold him! He is solid as a rock. He is just one happy guy!











After we got home from the doctor, still smiling after all his shots!

New front door

For Christmas, my parents gave us a new storm door. A Richmond door, ironically. We had one on our old house, and had been missing it. It always put good light in the house, plus Maggie (oh, we miss her!!) and Emma enjoyed looking out the door and watching the world go by. Hopefully, Emma and Stokes will enjoy watching the world go by at our new house!

Double time!

After much debate, we decided to suck it up and get a double stroller. We have this fabulous (single) stroller and another great jogger, but it just was not working out to have two strollers when there is only one me! Since I am off earlier in the day, it will be a 'nice to have'. We purchased the stroller from my friend, Caroline Wall. Already, we have been on several walks in this crazy, warm winter we are having. Already, it has been money spent well! I am looking forward to walks this spring & summer! If you are up for a walk, let me know...




Prepping for the first walk


Snacks make all walks better

A...B...C...

Miss Emma LOVES LOVES LOVES for you to sing her the ABCs. When in doubt when she gets upset, if you break out in song of the ABCs, she will end up in a smile. Same goes with the song, Row Your Boat (which she sings 'Row Row Row'). :-) For Christmas Auntie Lori, a wonderful Preschool teacher, gave Emma ABC Fridge toy, and boy does Emma love it. Here is a glimpse of our daily activity in the kitchen...

http://youtu.be/RLu63bs17D4 (copy & paste into URL)

Baby love

We feel so lucky every day the way that God has blessed us with our children. I still can't believe I even wondered how I could handle two babies at the same time. I am so glad everything has worked out as it has!! Sure it was very crazy in our house for a while, but things really fell into place. I am sure it helps that we are also blessed with two VERY good children.

Emma and Stokes really love one another. Every day they crack each other up, it is the best feeling seeing the two of them laughing together. Emma really never was quote-on-quote jealous of the attention we had to give to Stokes. Thankfully she has become a good little helper, sure we still have our moments as she is human. But all-in-all these pictures sum it up. You can just see the love in these pictures.






cracking up




trying to pick up Stokes


Emma loves to push around her baby in her stroller, as most little girls do. I am sure she wishes she could push Stokes. If she could lift him up that is! ;)

Shades and cell phones

Miss Emma is one cool girl, today she decided to pretend to be Mommy. If you know our child, she loves to be on the phone (any object is a phone, including her fingers) and chats away. She is so funny. Also, I included some pictures of Courtney & Emma out playing in the yard. Other than talking on the phone, the girl loves to be outside. And she plays hard too! Nearly every single time it is time to go inside, she will throw a fit because she just loves being outside. I can hear her in my head now, 'outside peas....'. ;-)


Emma and her top accessories!


They always go around her neck!




Our hair has really started coming in!!








Smooches..


Love this picture! Daddy and his girl.

New Year!

I apologize over and over again for my huge gap in posting on our blog!! Since I went back to work in November, I have struggled with how to do it all. I feel like I am just now starting to come to grasp handling 2 active babies, a busy load at work, traveling for work, running a household, and trying to be a good wife, friend, and family member and the holidays all at the same time. It makes me tired just thinking about it...

I am very sad to report, our memory card is corrupt. I found out over the weekend, as I went to download our pictures. Supposedly this is a fluke thing, but needless to say, I am very saddened by it. I came home from having the nice people at Ritz Camera try to help me with tears in my eyes, and Emma told me 'it okay'. (such a sweet girl she is!) Yes, it is okay but all those pictures are lost from the day Stokes was born. BUT don't fret too much, because in December I did go and physically print most the of the pictures from our card so at least we have physical prints at home. Whew! Lesson learned here for all of us, once you take pictures put them on your desktop and do not leave them on your memory card. Also, a good thing that I had been going back over the past few months during a 30 minutes here and there, and catching up downloading so I am not completely lost. Over the next few weeks I will do my best to back date as best as I can.

I have missed updating the blog, I too enjoy glancing back from time to time and viewing all the updates, pictures. Both Courtney and I know how lucky we are to have two darling, healthy children who bring so much joy to our daily lives. Stay tuned!!!

BB and Gene come for a visit

Courtney's Dad, Gene, and BB, Court's wonderful grandmother, came for a visit today. It is always a enjoyable visit. If you know Courtney, you know how much he loves his BB! Such a neat lady.

Here are some pictures.