Updates: Smiles, Goodbyes and Progress

Gosh, its been so long since my last update. So much has been going on that I haven't had a chance to post an update. I'll be posting pictures primarily since I currently have my hands full right now. It also seems like most of the bloggers I follow haven't been updating much. I wonder what's up. Blogger lull? I wonder.

Here are some pictures with quick updates of what's been happening. 

I've been taking a lot of selfies with the girls. I love seeing their different facial expressions. I know they aren't always going to want to take pictures with me so right now, I am enjoying my mommy/daughter selfies with them. 

Gosh...whenever I look at these pictures, my heart skips a beat. I can't believe this is the baby I brought home over 3-years ago. She is growing up so fast and is an absolute delight to be around. She is sweet, caring and just so gosh darn cute! 

One evening, JOE said "momma, I want to take a picture". So I said OK. "Smile!" And this was the results. JOE smiling and JAE sticking out her tongue. Yup...that's JAE for ya. 

The last 2 weeks was a bit of a blur. JAE, JOE and I had a cold so it was a bit trying. This particular picture was late one evening after a very long day with the girls. To say I was T-I-R-E-D would be an understatement. But hey, you can count on JAE to help make JOE feel better. I love that they delight in playing with each other.

Incase you are wondering, JAE is full on walking! She started walking a little after she turned 8-months and has been going ever since. She loves to chase her sister around the house! It so cute to see her waddling around. JOE didn't start full on walking until she was about 11-months so JAE is definitely ahead with that.

Last week, we said goodbye to J's grandmother. It was bitter sweet. She lived a full life. The bitter part was having to say goodbye and the sweet part was being around family. 

JOE enjoying a cocktail with her g-dad. Too cute! She was trying a marachino cherry for the first time. She was unsure about it. 

But then bit into it and decided she liked it. 

JAE LOVES to see pictures of herself. When you point a camera at her, as long as she can see herself, she'll smile for you. 

My babies. Love them!!!

So JAE turned 10-months last week. Ummm...she REFUSED to let me take a picture of her. She wanted to hold the camera but I couldn't let her do that because I wouldn't be able to capture a good image. Needless to say, these were the best I could get of her with the sticker on. 

As you can see, JAE loves to reach for the camera.

After the week I had last week, this was definitely needed following a pump session! Speaking of...I need to do an update on my pumping chronicles. I'll do that in the next couple of weeks. 

Now, you're caught up to last week. I'll do more updates tomorrow for PDW. Stay tuned!

Photo Dump Wednesday: They saw a mouse!

One of the advantages of having JOE & JAE at home is that they get to spend a ton of time together building their relationships while learning and having lots of adventures. I believe that people should learn not just while in class but also from their environment. Having them at home has definitely been a way to do this. 

JOE and JAE love spending time with each other. While occassionally they "fight" about things, I love how their eyes light up when they see each other after being apart. JOE will often ask "where is my baby?" and JAE often says "dan dan dan". They are the cutest pair.

Last week, they were home for the most part due to the blizzard we got in the area. J was home for a few days and I got to telework most of the week. It was nice to not have to commute into work because it gave me extra time with them. Part of being home also meant teaching JOE her numbers, learning how to use the abacus to count as well as learning 3-letter words. It was a little challenging but incentives in the form of cookies definitely make the process go much smoother :-D.  

This week, they were finally able to get out and enjoy the "warmer" weather. So they headed out to the mall. Yes, I dressed them similarly. I know I know...it is my way of justifying not dressing them the same :-D. I do think they look very cute though.

 

JAE is now at an age where she can chase JOE around and play with her. I love that they are doing more playing together. 

JAE is also more interactive and can do some things on her own. She loves to exert her independence whenever she can. I love her strong determined nature.

This week, they went to Chuck E. Cheese to see the mouse himself! As you can see, my fearless JAE got to "ride" a car.

While JOE got to play wackamole.

They both also enjoyed playing together.

After all was said and done, the girls got to enjoy some pizza and milk. Yum!

When their child care provider sent me this picture, I thought "hmmm...where was this? And I don't think I have this shirt!"

Then I took a closer look and realized this is NOT me!!! Apparently, this lady looked so much like me that my normally "stranger shy" JAE went to the lady! Yeah...I have a doppleganger out there!

And of course, here is JAE hanging out with the mouse himself!

She was not even afraid of him.

Fearless JAE again clapping for them. The performance must have been very good :-).

 

In other news, this is something else I enjoy doing on Sundays. When we go to church, I try to make sure we all wear complimenting colors :-D. JOE (her sweater is on the stairs behind us) and JAE had a similar (color-wise) outfit on. J also had a burnt orange sweater on as well. 

J never gets why I do this. I told him it is to ensure that when folks see us, they know we are a unit. I know...special...but I like it :-D.

I love this little girl! Her laughter is infectious!

And of course, a mommy/daughter selfie with my little ones. They are just so awesome and I am so thankful to God for making me their mom!

I hope you're having a pretty good week. I am hoping to get back into doing and posting more DIY stuff soon. I am waiting to be done pumping since that takes up a lot of my time. JAE is almost 10-months! I plan on pumping until she turns 1. I might go beyond but I'll only be doing it once a day for as long as I continue to produce enough for her. 

I can say though that I see the light at the end of the tunnel as far as "hanging up my horns"! Woohoo!

Photo Dump Wednesday: Moments in time

This year, I am doing a lot of reflection and reminding myself of all that I have to be thankful for. I am taking pictures both mentally and physically of all that is beautiful around me to remind myself that even in the midst of chaos, there is always a reason to smile and be thankful.

Here are just some of the moments I am thankful for over the last couple of weeks. 

I went to Wal-mart a couple of weeks ago and saw these. They looked so beautiful that I had to get them. And yes, these are real flowers. Obviously artificially dyed but still beautiful nonetheless. 

I am thankful for God's beautiful creation.

On MLK day, J had to work for part of the day. JOE told me "momma, you cook everyday so today, I will make you breakfast!" She proceeded to organize and have a tea party for JAE and I. 
I am thankful for this beautiful girl's consideration and her imagination.

We had a great time!

One night last week, we decided to take mommy/daughter selfies. I love that JOE now makes faces as well when I tell her to take selfies. JAE clearly thought we were both bonkers :-).

I am thankful for the silly faces and the smiley ones.

I am thankful for this moment almost 5-years ago. This picture recently reminded me of just how happy we were on our wedding day. This was at our wedding reception. 
I am also thankful for my sisters and niece and nephew in the background.

Last weekend, the DMV area had the first snow storm of the season. J, JOE and I had a great time playing the Wii! JOE actually did pretty good. I know not a lot of people still play the Wii but this was definitely a fun family activity especially since we were all snowed in. 

I am thankful for this precious father/daughter moment of J teaching JOE how to play.

We decided to build a snowman after the snow. JOE used to be scared of the snow. 
I am thankful for her growing up and overcoming her fears to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

I am thankful for the family moment with JOE, JAE and J and our first family snowman :-).

I am thankful for JOE experiencing/making her first snow angel. The concept was a little foreign to her but she enjoyed it and didn't want to go back in the house.

I am thankful for being able to be silly! Yes, I also wanted to make a snow angel :-D.

I am thankful for sisterly love. I asked them both to smile. JOE smiled and JAE decided to stick out her tongue. Goofy but cute!

I am thankful for quiet moments cuddled with this little princess. 

I am thankful for life, love and family. What are you thankful for today? Look around you? I am sure you can find something to be thankful for and if you can't, look at the screen. The fact that you have a computer or phone to read this post means you have a reason to be thankful...you can be thankful for the internet!