We had a very busy Saturday
this weekend. We took the kids to The Picture People for
professional pictures. I was hoping to get there early and have
a nice relaxed session, but of course we were late and the
whole thing was chaotic. Lex was hungry and rushed and in no
need to participate. Eve was a camera glam girl. The
photographer snapped picture after picture of her while we
negotiated with Lex. We ended up with one nice picture of them
together, a few pictures of him alone, and tons of her :) I’ll
post them all somewhere and put a link here. Alan’s family met
us at the studio (and bought us pictures, thanks!!!) and then
we all went to Chuck E. Cheese for lunch/playtime. Lex was much
happier there, although it took him awhile to get used to the
noise and crowds. He spent the first half of the time in the
pipes on the ceiling, crawling around and just watching the
crowds below, but after awhile he came down and played with the
games and had some lunch. After C.E.C. we all drove down to
Grammy Lynn and Grampy Don’s house for a quick rest (I called
Joyce while Eve napped in the car) and then we went out to
dinner to celebrate their 41st anniversary!! That’s a lot of
years!! :) After a delicious dinner we headed home. It was a
fun, but very long, day.

This afternoon
our neighbor stopped by and asked if we wanted to go bowling.
Lex was talking about bowling a few days ago and seemed
excited, so I thought he’d love to go. Instead he said, “No
thank you.” I suggested Eve and I go and he stays home with
Alan, but he said, “Mom, we all need to stay home today. All
four of us at home.” I think he needed a day to recover!
Honestly, I think we all needed a day to recover :) I’ll get a
link to those professional pictures asap.

Alan opened this curtains this morning and
saw a woodpecker happily pecking at a tree stump in the
backyard. He called us in to see and we all watched for a long
time! After awhile it zipped over to another spot in the yard
and kept going. Squirrels came by, other birds came by, and the
woodpecker just kept at it. We were amused. The kids also liked
getting to stand on the window sill :)

We found the first signs of
spring today. After raking up big piles of leaves we found a
few little purple flowers poking through. Crocus, right? I
should know this, but always doubt myself.

In an area of no doubt… Eve is a thriving baby girl! We
took her in for her 2 year check-up today and the doctors (we
saw our regular pedi and a med student) we both impressed with
her physical and verbal abilities, and even more impressed with
her cooperative nature during the exam! :) She was a champ! She
even took the lead test finger prick without even a grimace.
She weighs 28lbs and is 35″, both about 70th percentile on the
grow charts. She’s an active, happy, thriving little person.
We’re blessed to have her!

We are taking the kids for professional
pictures this weekend and I’ve been talking with Lex a lot
about how nice it would be if he cooperated. We have even
offered to take him to Chuck E. Cheese (right across the
street) for lunch if he acts nice for the photographer. Bribery
is ok, right?? :) Today I thought they looked really cute in
their almost coordinating outfits so I asked Lex if we could
practice for Saturday. This is what we got (with a bunch of
sillier ones in between). I’ll be happy if he does this will on
Saturday :)

I was just sitting here thinking about
this night two years ago. Mema was here and we were patiently
waiting for our little bundle to make her appearance. Some were
waiting more patiently than others. :) About this time we were
watching tv (Monk, perhaps?) and I was quietly watching the
clock on my phone (the wall clock is fancy and a bit
unpredictable) and counting minutes between mild contractions.
Mom is very observant and commented on my quiet clock
watching.

The next morning we were up at
5am with stronger and more regular contractions. Lex decided to
sleep late so we ended up getting him up and feeding him
breakfast (Zone bars, breakfast of champions!) in the car. He
wasn’t even 2yrs old!! Such a baby. Sigh.

Anyway, tomorrow my little girl will be 2yrs old. Such a
big little girl! She is loving the birthday celebrations.
Saturday’s family party, a tea party at the neighbor’s house on
Sunday which wasn’t at all for her, but she got tons of
attention anyway, and today’s bustling activities preparing for
tomorrow’s party with her friends. I planned for a small
playdate party and so far we’re up to 12 kids!!! With parents,
thankfully! :)

Anyway, gotta get some
shut eye. It’s been a long few days! I gave Eve extra snuggles
tonight and will probably hug her to pieces tomorrow!

I’m not sure what’s come over Lex lately,
but I’m not complaining! He is overcome with pure love lately!
He pretty much put himself to bed tonight. We did an early bath
today (playing out in the mud this afternoon) and then had
dinner. I was going to let them play until 7:00pm then start
stories, but at 6:30 he cleaned up his toys and asked me to
read him stories. After the usual two stories he said it was
time for teeth. We brushed and read one more story and then he
said it was time for bed. Just barely 7:00pm! So he and I went
up and he asked me to lay with him for two songs (he still
falls asleep to Barenaked Ladies). I laid down and he grabbed
me and hugged me and grabbed my face (note to self: time to
clip his nails!) and kissed me over and over and over. I
couldn’t stop laughing. Sooo adorable :) Then he asked if I’d
hold his hand, so I did. Who can resist that! Back in the days
of bedtime battles, we went through a phase where he always
wanted me to lay down with him. I did, for a long time, but
usually hated it because after the battle I just wanted to go
downstairs and have “me” time. Now that he goes to bed so
sweetly, on the occaisions that he asks Alan or I to lay down
with him we’re both happy to oblige! It’s nice to spend a few
more minutes with the super sweet boy before he falls asleep.
I’m sure this too is just a phase, but I am loving
it!!!