Funnies (from the past few days)

1) Quinnie "Hey Mommy. Did you know ...."
Hassie Clare butts in "the shunshine is shiny."
Quinnie "Hey Mommy, I was thinking ....."
Hassie Clare butts in again "I'm going to take my umbrella today like Mary Poppins."
Quinnie "Hey Mommy, the early day I was ...."
Hassie Clare butts in yet again "Sometimes when I hold my head like this I ...."
Quinnie screams bloody murder "HAS ... STOP RENTERRUPTING ME!!!"
**I think this might be the largest word in Quinnie's vocabulary, even though she doesn't say it quite right. And I love the way HC says sunshine ... I never correct her.**

2) Hassie Clare "My poo poo's look like acorns. I think that means I'm a squirrel."
**for some reason we have always looked in the potty afterwards and picked out animal shapes (for the record I don't do it personally - only with the girls). Weird none the less... I know (sorry Penney ... I know this topic grosses you out:)!

3) Quinnie "Hey. You know what Sayyyra (she means Sarah but she says it with her best Mississippi southern drawl). I had boogers in my eyes this morning."
Sarah "Did the Sand Man come visit you last night?"
Quinnie "No. He was the Booger Man."
**I overheard this conversation as they were walking out the door to go to Kroger to get supplies to make letter cookies today. Quinnie Ray is so literal ... ALL THE TIME.**

4) As I was walking out of the girls room after our nightly ritual, Hassie Clare said, "I love you Mommy. You're my best friend." Quinnie said "You're my best friend too Mommy."
**Boy do they know how to warm my heart up. Sniff. Sniff. I'm blogging about this so in 12 years I have proof and can show them that at one point in their life they DID like me:)**

My Mommy is my best friend too. Even though I like to call her Billy Bob sometimes:)

Woo Hoo

Hassie Clare and Quinn had their very first weekend trip away from Mommy and Daddy. Granted it was only 5 miles down the road to Nana and Paw Paw's house but .... it was still two nights away from the comforts of their own home and their parents.  Of course my mom always makes it special with different presents and treats. They played outside in the little kiddie pool, watched movies and played with all of Nana's toys until their little hearts were content. I'm sure they ate way too much sugar and ate anything they wanted. Hassie Clare probably convinced them that I feed them ice cream for breakfast:) They are so lucky to have such wonderful grandparents that cater to their every need and love them unconditionally.

As for Jamie and I, we headed down south to spend the weekend at the lake. A good friend of mine invited us to stay on their boat at Pickwick Lake. I can't provide too many details because A) my kids will read this someday and there are just some things your kids should not have to read about you and B) what happens at Pickwick stays at Pickwick. No cameras were allowed because as Penney says, "The memories you make will forever be embedded in your mind... you don't need pictures for that."  Boy was she right. Jamie and I will remember this weekend for many years to come. It was the first time in 5 years that we have had a totally "worry-free" weekend. It cleansed our souls and rejuvenated our minds. I felt smitten about my husband again and I think he felt the same. I'm so thankful to our good friends Penney and Tim for sharing their lovely boat, cooking our delicious meals (everything taste better on a boat in the middle of a lake), but most of all I'm thankful for the time we had with our friends and the laughs we shared. We could have fun with those crazy kats anywhere!

PS - Their boat's name is Woo Hoo. The waves of the lake made me sleep like a baby.
PSS - My body is burnt to a crisp. Evidently SPF15 is not strong enough for this big, white body of mine.
PSSS - We missed our little girls like crazy but Jamie and I are already thinking about our next "grown up only" getaway. I wonder where we will go? I'm 100% convinced that these little trips make us better parents. At least I keep telling myself this:)
PSSSS - The only possible picture I have to share is of Jamie and I on the jet ski, hauling butt down the river next to the Woo Hoo after trying to see goats on Goat Island. I think I saw Penney trying to take a picture but I'll have to confirm that with her!

Gym Rat

So .... I'm waiting to hear back from the doctor on some of Hassie Clare's blood work. Frustrating, especially since I called the lab and they sent the results on Friday to her pediatrician. I'm sticking with the philosophy that no news is good news. My hopes are that the lab results come back with just a small minor problem that we can fix by altering something in her diet. That way we know what is causing her wrinkly burns (aka foot cramps) but it will be nothing serious. FINGERS CROSSED.

I finally got my closet cleaned out. HALLELUJAH. AMEN. 2 large garbage bags for Goodwill and 2 extra large plastic bins for re-sale. Of course my closet looks naked. But I've decided that I will not buy anymore clothes until I drop another size. Okay ... maybe just not anymore clothes this summer. Cause it might be a long while until I go down another size:)

Speaking of diet ... I'm still at a standstill on weight loss. I'm working my hiney off in the gym. Jamie called me a "gym rat" the other day. Best compliment ever. My body is getting strong and I'm in the best shape I've been in since college volleyball. But I'm not losing any weight. Here is the problem - I'm eating and drinking whatever I want on the weekends. During the week .... I follow a low calorie diet perfectly. I work out 4 or 5 times a week. Working out has been great for me ... physically and mentally. Sure I have aches and pains that I never had before but the overall benefits have been great. In fact, I have an ice pack on my knee as I'm typing this. My total weight loss to date is 52 pounds. My goal was to lose 80 pounds. So ... I need to decide if I want to reach my goal and lose another 30 pounds or just maintain the comfortable weight I am right now. Ahhh what the heck  ... I'll just go for it. What do I have to lose (no pun intended)?

My mom officially saved my butt last week. Our nanny Sarah went on a (much deserved) vacation. Of course this left me without child care. So my wonderful mother took my kids in for the week. Each day I would drop them off after breakfast and pick them up in the late afternoon after I left the gym. It actually made my week very easy. She fed them special snacks and healthy meals (except one day they ordered pizza for lunch and ate waffles and doughnuts for breakfast:). They did fun projects some days and were lazy on other days. I wonder what they will remember about spending time at their Grandparent's house? I'm not sure what I would do without her. She helps me in so many ways. I've relied on her mentally for years but I'm starting to rely on her physical help now and I must admit ... it feels pretty darn good. I had no idea how comforting it would be to have them live so close and be such a big part of my family. It is almost like she carries some of my life "weight" around for me. Priceless.

Jamie and I are hoping for a little (much needed) get-a-way to the lake with friends this weekend. It will be so nice to have some adult time with no worries. If it doesn't work out then I'm going to plan a weekend trip for us sometime in the near future. I feel it all the way to my bones that we need to step away from our lovely, crazy life and be selfish for a day or two.

Sometimes I wish I could follow Hassie Clare and Quinn around with a microphone. They are freakishly hilarious. The stuff they come up with is seriously funny stuff. I need to keep a notebook out to write down some of this stuff.  Hassie Clare drops one liners constantly - mostly quotes from movies. She is starting to use them appropriately. Quinn is so gullible and naive so her humor is usually at her own expense. I love how they tickle me to my core on a daily basis.

That is all I got for right now. Life is good.

Way back When-esday: HC & Nana

DATE:  first week of July 2006

LOCATION:  changing table in the nursery

I think this is when my mom and Hassie Clare's special bond first started.  For the record, it is still going strong. Hassie Clare is 3.5 weeks old and weighed 4.9 pounds. The straps with the cords are the sleep apnea monitor that both the girls wore for 6 months. Something about his picture just warms my heart and makes me feel all fuzzy.

Independence Day 2010 - Cape

For the third year in a row, we went to Cape Girardeau, MO for a family gathering at Aunt Caryn's and cousin's Debbie & John. They are incredible gracious hosts and they go out of their way to make sure fun is had by all.
We stayed in our bathing suits all weekend, ate LOTS and LOTS of good food, played poker every night, drank just enough not to feel bad the next day, kicked some booty at water volleyball and swam until our hearts were content.
I think we brought the camera but it never made it out of the suitcase. Luckily, Maema took some pics with her phone and emailed them to me.

Quinnie Ray is serious about water safety. She stays cautious all times.

Not surprisingly, Hassie Clare is not afraid of ANYTHING and has to be watched at all times in the water. Thankfully she can swim just enough to get herself out of trouble.

Way Back When-esday: First Rodeo - BFF Cowgirls

Sept. 2009 - 2.3 years old

This picture was taken right after we got home from our first rodeo. It was really late and way past our bedtime but we were all having such a good time. The girls LOVED every part of the rodeo and afterwards we went and ate their favorite (still their favorite to this day) - Messkigen food.

I love how happy they both look in this picture. Quinn carried her BB (still would if I let her) everywhere she went and that little yellow Volkswagon car. And Hassie Clare with her little banged up knees. I just want to reach into this picture and pinch their little chubby, toddler cheeks!

Wrinkly Burns

Hassie Clare has been having massive foot cramps for about 6 months. They come on quick and fierce. Her calf muscle turns into a giant know and her foot twists in ways that I didn't think are possible. When she first starting having them she would scream so loud you would have thought we were pulling her toenails out with tweezers and dipping her toes in rubbing alcohol. When they first started my mom asked her if it felt like wiggly worms under her skin in her foot. She said "Yes. It feels like wrinkly burns." So we call them wrinkly burns.

Some other weird things that have gone on with her is constant thirst, gets tired very easily - especially in the heat (she can handle about 30 mins and then she just lays down), little appetite, craves fruit (watermelon, oranges, grapes - anything that is juicy) and sleeps VERY hard. A few months ago, her pediatrician was convinced she had a magnesium deficiency. He told me to keep her hydrated (give her as much to drink as she wants), don't let her get over heated, etc. She shows all the signs of being slightly dehydrated so ..... keep her hydrated.

Let me back up a bit ... have you ever let a 3 or 4 your old drink as much as they want at night? Needless to say, she has to wear a pull up at night and sometimes even that can't stop all the peepee. But her wetting the bed isn't a concern for us. As our doctor said, "you won't be sending her off to college with a suit case of pull-ups."  Her cramps first started when I started limiting her fluid intake to keep her from having to go potty so much at night.

As soon as we let her start drinking as much H20 as she wanted we noticed a big difference. Her wrinkly burns only happened once or twice a week and I could usually predict when she would have them (if I didn't keep her hydrated well that day or if we were out and about).

Fast forward 5 months and it has become a HUGE problem again recently. Keeping her hydrated no longer works. The past few days she has been getting them all day and night. She is miserable and so am I.

So ... we go see her doctor in the morning and I'm a little nervous. For the first time ever, she is scared about going to the doctor. For some reason, she thinks they are going to cut her wrinkly burns out of her. I probably should stop letting her watch Gray's Anatomy re-runs with me:) I assured her that they aren't going to cut her open. Now if someone could assure me that she is okay then we will all be happy:)

Happy Monday - and all things unrelated

Hassie Clare is swimming. No doggie paddling but full on "under the water" swimming. She is a fish. Every time we go swimming she swims further and further without assistance.
Quinn doesn't mind getting her face wet once of twice when we go swimming but she doesn't want the top of her head to get wet. Shocker.

The girls are falling in love with their lovely new nanny Sarah. She is so patient and loving. They still use and abuse her but she is learning their tricks and handles the challenge well. On Fridays she always brings something special for them to make. One week it was gummy worms and dirt (Oreos) pudding. Last week they made a fish tank (blue jello with gummy fish). I can't believe the summer is almost half over and we will be losing her:(

My "get healthy challenge" is still going well...kind of. I've been at a standstill for about 5 weeks. My workouts are going great but my diet is slacking. I eat perfectly all week, drink tons of water, etc. On the weekends, I splurge. I don't eat bad all weekend but we have started eating out again and I pretty much order whatever I want. So I'm balancing everything out. I gain 2-5 pounds every weekend and lose it during the week. One of these weekends I'm going to stick to my diet and hopefully drop some more weight. I can't imagine not working out. I still hit the gym 4 to 5 times a week. I love it. I feel so strong. I weigh what I weighed in my mid 20's and that is a comfortable weight for me - even though I have plenty more weight to lose. I think that is why I've been living it up on the weekends. I'm content. Hopefully I'll get sick of being content and want to start working toward my goal again:)

Speaking of splurging on the weekends - We went to dinner Saturday night with my mom and Fred to this fabulous "hole in the wall" steak house down in Mississippi. It was one of the best steaks I've ever eaten and the best Bloody Mary's I ever drank. The football size baked potatoes probably had more real butter in them then actual potato. My jaws are watering as I type this!

On Father's Day, Jamie wanted to take the girls to a movie (he originally wanted to go to The Pink Palace Museum but they are closed on Sundays). So we loaded up and met mom and Fred at the movies to watch Toy Story III in 3d. It was a great movie. And boy oh boy do I love to hear Fred laugh. It tickles my soul. I took on potty duty so I missed a bunch of the movie. Quinn is in love with Jessie and has asked that we call her Jessie. Hassie Clare loves Woody but she still wants us to call her Alice with a bleeding boo boo ... but we can just call her Alice for short (she is referring to the part in the spooky Alice in Wonderland when Alice cuts her arm. I think HC likes the dress Alice was wearing during that part of the movie:).  We rewarded Jamie with an air conditioner for his garage and some ice cream for being such a good Daddy:) All and all ... a great family day.

I'm getting a new iphone 4 and Jamie is reaaalllllyyy excited:) I'm excited about having a decent camera on my phone and being able to pull up work info while I'm on the go. I'm sure by the time my girls read this they will laugh at how "old school" the iphone 4 was back in the day.

Here are a few recent pics from Jamie's old, ratty iphone (hehehehe) -

HC in the Alice dress Maema got her.

Maema, Kevin and some crazy lady:)

Jessie and Alice with a bleeding boo boo (wearing Woody PJ's)

8 years of bliss

June 22, 2010

A love letter for my love.


Eight years is a long time but not long enough. I’ve realized in the past few years that you are the person I was meant to be with for all of time. The first few years were consumed with love, lust and all the good things that come from early relationships. The middle few years were a little more complicated spent routing out our future together as a family. The last few years have been extremely comfortable. I’ve settled into my role as your wife and a mother to our children. It all feels exactly right and I realize now that this is EXACTLY where I’m supposed to be. In your arms … forever and always.

Our love is unique in so many ways. It is unyielding, trusting, unquestioning, fairly original and so very, very sweet. And I know you feel the same way because you show me in special ways all the time.

I’m grateful that I’m your wife. You chose me and that makes me the luckiest woman in the world. At the time of our wedding, I didn’t think it would be possible to love you anymore then I did on that day. Boy was I wrong. I love you just as I did 8 years ago today but I love you so much more in so many different ways.

You are my everything. Without you, I could exist but my life would be unfilled. Without your touch, my heart would ache. Without your laugh, my soul would be bare. Without your love, I would be empty.

Your wife of 8 years,
Kristi

Fashion Divas

The #1 most popular activity in our house is playing dress up. My kids clothes come off the second they walk in the door or wake up. They have a trunk full of princess dresses, ballet outfits, gymnastics gear - courtesy of Maema. They are most fond of their shoes. They have an extra large bin full of every shoe you can imagine. Tap shoes are popular and bright, sparkly shoes are also a hit. Also courtesy of Maema.

I have a deal with the girls. I pick their outfits, shoes and hair accessories when we leave the house and they pick their clothes, shoes and hair accessories when we are at the house.

Here is why:

Please note that Quinn is wearing a fur lined coat and it is 100 degrees outside.

Leotard, Cooking apron, black tap shoes with some Hello Kitty undies poking out:)

Kimono, head band and something lacy

This is a hot mess. I'm not sure what is going on here. I think they were having a fashion show with some friends.

This look isn't that bad but something tells me she had on some wild shoes!

Quarter of the way to driving - 4th birthday

"So when you drive and the years go passing by.

I hope you smile, if I ever cross your mind.

It was a pleasure of my life.

And I cherished every time.

And my whole world,

it begins and ends with you."

These lyrics from the Zac Brown Band kept me in tears on the girls birthday. I was driving home from work  and I was bawling like a baby. Of course I listened to it over and over again. And of course I cried harder and harder each time. I can't believe how fast the past 4 years have gone by and it makes me crazy sad to think about how fast the next 14 years will go by.

It is amazing how much your kids pick up on your emotional state. The night before their official birthday we were all sitting in their room getting ready for bed and we were discussing all the neat things that happened when they were 3 years old and all the cool things that will happen when they are 4. Hassie Clare said "Mommy, I'm sorry." Jamie and I looked at each other and I said "why are you sorry sweet girl." She said "I'm sorry for turning 4. I know that makes you sad." GOOD LORD ... what is wrong with me. So .... I changed my attitude to 100% positive ... but I was still weeping just a little bit on the inside.

And then something happened at their birthday party. I was watching them run around The Little Gym with all their friends, laughing, playing, acting like monkey's and then suddenly I became emotional again only it was with excitement about all the things we have to look forward to as they get older. Turning 4 years old has opened up a whole new window of opportunities for us as a family. Each year it will get easier and easier to travel with them and do adventurous things. Our options are endless. So ... I grieved the fact that their baby and toddler years are over and now I'm excited about moving on to the future. Plus both of the girls agreed that they would forever and always be my baby!

Enough of my emotional mumbo jumbo ....

On Friday, June 11, 2010 we woke the girls up just like we do every year with the video recorder in our hand and singing happy birthday. The girls woke up smiling and very excited. Sarah made them blueberry pancakes for breakfast - their favorite. Afterwards, the girls opened up the very special and thoughtful birthday presents from Sarah (she probably spent a week of pay on them).  Maema and Kevin (Maema's long time boyfriend) got into town around the same time I got off work. Of course her car was loaded down with presents (more on the presents for me and Jamie in another post).
The girls eagerly opened up all their presents from Maema and Kevin. She has a way of always knowing what they will like!

Coincidence .... I don't think so (look at TV in background)! Instead of Hassie she should have put DOROFEE as the name on the poncho towel!

The girls got to pick out where we ate dinner so of course we went to Mexican. The restaurant we went to was the first place we ever took the girls (Rancho Grande). The place is a few miles from our house and we eat there a little more then I'd like to admit. Aunt Karrie and Uncle Brent met us up there and we had a nice dinner.

The girls were not sure what to think about the whip cream in the face. Jamie and I held our breathe and waited for Quinn to explode. Much to our surprise ... she rolled with it and even smiled. It was a nervous smile but a smile none the less. I guess turning 4 will bring us all kinds of surprises!

We went home and crashed. We had to get lots of sleep for the nest day ... the party day. More details in another post I promise.

Diamonds and cars and gifts ... oh my

Here is a run down of all the gifts my mother in law (AKA Maema) gave us during the 3 days she was here last weekend:
1) She brought her work car (she retired in March) and gave it to Jamie as a past and future birthday present (we were suppose to buy it from her). His current work car is baked. No air, the driver side window won't go up, it smokes horribly and leaks oil. Jamie is totally pumped about his new wheels. On top of that, she gave him a used generator in the trunk. And we all know it is BS about the future birthday presents ... she always says that and always forgets!
2) She bought me a bunch of new work out clothes because she knows none of my clothes fit. She bought me larges .... God bless her. So very thoughtful and sweet of her. I have to take a few of them back but I love her anyway for thinking I could wear an L instead of an XL.
3) She loaded the girls up with all kinds of birthday presents. They love everything.
4) She bought the girls at least 3 or 4 pair of new shoes each and some new outfits.
4) Before they left town after a fun filled weekend, she treated us to IHOP. We had a huge, Delicious breakfast.
5) As we were pulling out of the parking lot and waving our goodbyes, she tossed something at Jamie and asked him to hand it to me. I opened the box up and it was a pair of REAL diamond ear rings. She picked them out as her 35 years of service with AT&T. She already has a pair she likes more and wanted me to have them. Who does that? Geeze. I haven't taken them off my ears in 3 days. I've never had a pair of real ones before! And I have a feeling Hassie Clare and Quinn will wear them someday proudly knowing they were their Maema's ear rings.

The woman absolutely blows me away with her generosity.  I can't get over how selfless and giving she is of anything and everything. Plain and simple ... she spoils us all rotten!  If she didn't pick out such good things for us we might make her stop but dang .... the woman's got good taste! Thank you Mae for being so thoughtful and making us feel so special.

Cake Baking with Sarah - Birthday week

Our ever so smart and talented nanny Sarah had the idea to bake cakes with the girls. She wanted to do something special with them in the days leading up to their birthday. Baking cakes is a passionate hobby of Sarahs and let me tell you .... her cakes are DELICIOUS!  She brought over all of her cake decorating and baking materials. The night before ... she made and rolled out the fondant. They made princess tiara cakes.  She went out of her way to make it a special day for the girls and I'm pretty sure they had a great time. And we all enjoyed nibbling on the cakes for a few days!

Quinn with her 2 favorite things in the world .... her BB and some cake!

This is Hassie Clare's "I'm already high on sugar" smile.

I've realized that not only is Sarah super sweet, ridiculously nice and a hard worker ... she is trying to sabotage my diet:)  

1st Dance Recital / Spring Show Case 2010

So this is the first year we have participated in any form of dance class. The girls have been taking ballet and tap for the past 6 months and last weekend they had their first big Show Case. I learned a few things preparing for this program:
1) I am not a stage mom nor do I enjoy the preparations involved. I could NEVER do pageants.
2) The little girls (2 and 3 year olds) only get seconds on the stage during an hour and half show.
3) Ice Cream bribery can get you good results on just about anything with Hassie Clare and Quinn.
4) Little girls of all ages are ridiculously cute in sparkling costumes, tutu's and all the glitz. It reminded me of why I love having little girls.
5) 16 dance classes (45 mins to an hour each), 1 rehearsal, 3 classes for the sister dance (45 mins each), shoes (tap and ballet), dance tights, uniforms, costumes, costume pics, show case tickets - for twin 3 year old girls = $968.00.

All in all, I'm so glad we did this. It was a learning experience, the girls enjoyed themselves and gained some confidence. I enjoyed watching them every week. I have decided that I will not sign the girls up unless they show an interest in wanting to continue dance class. We won't do it just to "do it."

Even though I'm a sports girl, I appreciate the art of dance. I realize all of the hard work and talent that is involved in various forms of dance. I took tap, gymnastics and baton when I was younger. I remember the last Christmas parade I was in ... twirling a baton down Stateline Road. It was freezing outside and I was miserable. All I could think about was getting out of the shiny, red, candy cane costume my mom made me wear and heading out to the softball field. I was soooo over the whole girly dance thing and thank God my mom agreed with me:)

Anyway, the girls looked ADORABLE in their little costume, with a little makeup on and their hair all fixed. I only planned on lip gloss and blush but they wanted more so I used mascara and eye shadow (NOT TO SELF - NEVER PUT MASCARA ON A 3 YEAR OLD). They felt like a princess and that is all that mattered.

I'm trying to figure out how to load a video onto the blog because the Sister Dance part of the show was priceless. Hassie Clare and Quinn were the youngest sisters out there and OMG .. they were adorable. Girls if you are reading this 20ish years from now and want to know what I'm talking about ... find the small DVD in the small clear case labeled 1st dance recital / show case 2010.  It takes my breathe away every time I watch it.

Since the showcase, the girls dance around everywhere singing songs and doing dance moves ... especially the Sister song. If they want to take dance again in the fall then I will definitely sign them back up. Maybe I secretly am a stage mom an I don't realize it yet??????

Outside the DeSoto County Civic Center

Mommy with daughters before the show.

The dance with all the other girls in the 3 year old class.

The Sister Dance

The Sister Dance

Hip bumpin

HC negotiating something with the little girl next to her during the final performance ... no it was not part of the routine.

3 generations. Nana and Paw Paw surprised the girls with flowers and little gifts after the show.

As promised, we chewed bubble gum, ate Mexican and went to Baskin Robbins for ice cream after the show to reward the girls for a job well done and to satisfy all those bribes.

Last day of toddlerhood :(

I can't believe today is the last day to have 3 year olds. The last day to be a mother of toddlers. After today I will be the mother of kids. Not babies. And this is freaking me out a bit. Maybe that is why I've been having baby fever?????

As I was showering this morning I was reflecting on this past year. All the challenges of having 3 year old twins is not what stuck out in my mind. The coolest, most rewarding thing in the world happened over this past year. Hassie Clare and Quinn told me they loved me. They tell me multiple times each day and they mean it! They feel it, they express it and they never hold back on expressing how much the love me. Wow ... talk about the most rewarding thing in the world!

Watching them grow out of their baby years and witnessing their personalities develop has also been absolutely amazing and I'm so thankful that I'm the one that got to guide them along with the help of my best friend.

So on this last day of toddlerhood, I am anxious for several different reasons. Mostly because we have been so freakin' blessed with health and happiness. Why are we the lucky ones? Will this luck run out? I calm these fears with the fact that no matter what the future may bring, we will deal with it with unconditional love as a family. And I will always treasure the past 4 years because they have simply been the best years of my life.

Hassie Clare = my buddy

This little girl has been melting my heart lately.  She has been so loving, sweet, compassionate and funny as all get out.  She makes me "deep belly" laugh at least once a day. As Quinnie says "She cracks me up."

As I have said before, she has such a unique soul. She is like no one I've ever known before. Getting to know her has been challenging but so much fun.

She is still so tiny and when she snuggles with you she curls up against your body where her entire body is pressed against you. It is the best feeling. I love snuggling with her. Or if I'm sitting in a chair she will curl up in my lap into a little ball. I love her touch, her smell (minus her morning breathe) and the way her little boney body feels. I feel like I can protect her from everything when she is curled into me.  If only that were true.

I feel so lucky to be her momma.

Way Back When-esday: Tub O' Watermelon

This is when their love affair with watermelon started!

When the girls were babies, we had a little blow up pool that I put them in for anything messy. It was my "all-purpose go to item" anytime I needed to keep them contained with something messy. I used it anywhere and everywhere. On this hot afternoon when they were 13 months old, I cut up watermelon and let them feed themselves. They LO V E D it! They ate almost an entire watermelon. Jamie and I sat back and laughed our hineys off at them. Quinn was so serious the entire time. Hassie Clare was curious and enjoyed the independence. I think I have video of it somewhere. Obviously Ruby helped herself to some watermelon too!

Another example of how we used our "all purpose" blow up pool:

14 months old, finger painting each other on the back deck.