Year 2

Last year, on my birthday, we began a tradition that I hope to continue for a long, long time. I decided to take a picture of the kids, in the same spot, in the same pose, on the same day every year.

Here is last year's picture:

Delaney was 3 and Brody was 2! It seriously seems like last week, not last year!

 

This past Friday night we headed to my folks house (I never call my parents that, just trying it out:) for dinner and I knew I needed a picture. Brody was less than cooperative, but with some solo pictures of Delaney and some super praise, he came around....for like a second. So here are a couple from Friday:

 

 

 

 

So here is the best one....Delaney 4 1/2 and Brody 3.

August 17,2011

August 17, 2012

 

 

 

There they are...my little babies.

 

Btw...I got an iPad for my birthday (can I get oh yeah!) and I am trying to figure out how to blog on it, so please bear with me:)




 

 

 

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Mickey Coffee

I just couldn't post yesterday- my day consisted of two trips to Target, plus all my normal "duties", plus I made about 35 cupcakes for a super dear friend of mine for her baby shower today. By 11:30- I was wiped and did not have the energy to even go upstairs and get my computer.

Today was a fun day! Breakfast out, a beautiful baby shower, followed by a relaxing afternoon. I was freezing near dinner time and went to look for my Chai Tea from Trader Joe's, but sadly, I was out. But, I did find a box of Nestle Hot Chocolate and got all warm inside just thinking about it. I am a hot chocolate girl! LOVE it! I realized that Delaney and Brody had never had it before, so I decided it was time! They were so excited to drink 'coffee' like Mommy and Daddy.

His mug has Mickey on it, so he kept calling it his "Mickey coffee'

Cheesy smile

Blowing on it (really just spitting)

Having a marshmallow out of his Mickey coffee

Drinking like a pro

He was hilarious to watch

The Mickey coffee- he wanted me to take a picture

So that's all. You are probably asking yourself, "Did she really just do a post on drinking hot chocolate? And she took that many pictures?" Yes folks, I did. It may be up there on the lame-o meter, but I thought it was a memorable occasion:) Maybe that's because I am kinda lame like that myself.

And then, she was 4

4 years ago today I became a Mommy. At exactly 8:23 pm, Delaney Grace Mikkelson made her debut after 2 hours of pushing and about 22 hours of total labor. All 8 lbs., 9 oz of her. Not pleasant, but so worth it. It is absolutely amazing to experience such a blessing. As my mom said,  "I think it's a miracle that 3 people can be in a room, the door is shut, no one else comes in and 4 people leave after it's over." It's a miracle. And I got to do twice:)

Being a mommy to our little girl is the most exhausting, exciting, rewarding job there is. I look at her and can't believe we made her. And then, she talks and I KNOW we made her. She has a personality that will have you in fits of laughter one minute and then spitting nails the next. She can melt you with her hugs and sweet words and knows how to push your buttons.

It really does not seem like 4 years ago she was brand new. Holy cow how things have changed. When she came home from the hospital, I could not even pee without my mom there, let alone shower or get dressed. I was nervous all the time! And then, when the little munchie was 9 months old, I found out I was pregnant with Brody and life changed again. Our 'normal' keeps evolving and I love it. Yes, a part of me wants an organized, scheduled life that never strays,  but I know that God has a different plan for me. I know that it is not my timing and my plan, but His and I know that I need to just surrender to it.

I am so grateful for our kids.... they have taught me so much more than I could have even imagined. Delaney's ability to strike up a conversation with a random adult is both terrifying and amazing. I know teenagers that don't do that.  The fact that she is the "helper" in her church class makes my heart happy. Yes, she is stubborn and a terrific "i just need one more thing" at bedtime procrastinator, but that's what makes her Delaney. She is one of a kind and we couldn't love her more.

The joy she brings to our family is immeasurable.

Good times- they just keep coming!

The Pima County Fair was in town, almost two weeks ago now. I really wanted to go. Not because I love the rides (I actually am terrified of them) or even for the food (Eric on the other hand....) but because  really wanted to the kids to go and experience it. We went on a Tuesday around 4:45. Let me just tell ya, it was the BEST time to go! No lines- for anything! Plus, we didn't have to fight our way through the crowd with our stroller or listen to the kids cry while they had to wait! It was terrific! We made our way to the petting zoo. The kids loved it! I, on the other hand, was keeping my eye on some very dangerous looking chickens. I know they were plotting to peck my eyes out or something. So, I didn't let the kids pet the creepy ass chickens, but they did see pigs, goats, sheep and freakin huge llama and wallabies! I had to hold Delaney's pig tails back because the goats were looking pretty interested!

When we arrived:)

Petting a cute little piggy

A goat, with huge utters. Brody kept trying to poke them.

After the petting zoo, we went to get some tickets. Near the ticket booth was the bumble bee ride. While Eric got the tickets, the kids and I watched the ride. I knew Delaney would NOT want to go on the ride, so I was safe in showing her how high it went (more on that in a minute). We went over to the choo-choo train that Delaney loved last year and noticed the "you must be 36 inches to ride this ride" sign, so we lifted Brody man out of the stroller and stood him up against the sign (banging his head against it in fact, whoops) and sure enough. He is 36 inches tall!!! Anyway, we rode the ride with the kids and then Delaney said, "I want to ride the bumble bees!" What in the crap?? I was shocked and way nervous. We headed back over to the freaking bees and we went on them! Eric rode with Brody and I rode with Delaney. Let me tell ya, if you are afraid of heights, don't go on a ride that is FLYING insect. We were so high! Delaney kept telling me that it was okay....

On the bees.

After that we went back to the kid area and the kids went on the airplane ride- BY THEMSELVES. I could not believe it! When did my kids get so big?

On the Carousel

This was on a helicopter. Delaney broke the steering wheel off and was sad she couldn't drive.

Only Delaney. So Eric quickly moved them into an airplane

After a few rides, we went to find some food. Eric and I had sonoran dogs and we got the kids a $10 plate of Piggly Wiggly fries and a foot long to share. It was so nice, we sat in the ramada near the stage, the kids could run around and dance and we could enjoy it!

Big ol' plate of fries

Blurry....sorry

The kids went on a few more rides and then it was time for ice cream and fried cheesecake!

That there's some fried cheesecake!

Riding the choo choo by themselves

Making the mad face because the ride is over:(

We left the fair with two screaming kids, no stupid souvenirs, and wonderful memories!!