Not-So-Newborn...

Where did the time go?  I ask myself this everyday as I watch all of the new things my little girls are doing and saying.  But I'm especially wondering today...on Molly's 7 month birthday. 

September 27, 2009

and 7 months later......

Sometimes it's hard to not think of her as my "newborn".   Brynn, at 7 months old, seemed so big and old to me and I couldn't wait until the next stage she would enter.  Although I love watching Molly grow and develop her little personality, I find myself clinging to every one of her "little baby" nuances she still has hoping that time will just slow down!  She is a happy and laid back little person changing everyday....but still wish she fit in one arm! 

Time flies when you're having fun....and boy, being a mommy is the more fun than I ever could've imagined!

Happy 7-month birthday Miss Molly-Cakes!

Smiles: Optional

Every time the camera is out, I try SO hard to get the girls smiling for pictures.  Molly is still pretty easy to convince to smile....Brynn, not so much.  She thinks she's pretty funny when she avoids and ignores the camera, just to remind us of the independent little person she is!

However, as I look at a few recent pictures, I can't help but still love the pictures where the girls are showing some of their many "moods" by not smiling!  Because, to me of course, they are still the most beautiful faces I've ever looked at, kissed, and fallen in love with every day. 

Smiles or no smiles.....I can't get enough of these two!

Generations II

Since Kevin and I have been together, I have grown to love his Grandparents like I do my own.  Grandma and Grandpa Voigt live on a cozy little farm and we try to spend a day there whenever we get the chance.  Although I wasn't raised with many experiences on a farm, I have learned to appreciate the simplicity of it and love spending time there, especially because of Grandma & Grandpa and their funny stories and playful bickering they share with us!

Since Brynn has grown into a busy toddler, I have seen a side of her that I never had in myself....an adventurous side that certainly comes out when we're on the farm.  She loves to spend every second outside by the horsies (we're trying to remind her that they don't say "moo"), hanging on the fence, and running around with all of the open space. 

We were able to get a few pictures from a recent trip to the farm.

Brynn sitting on "Boppa's" lap in the barn.

Brynn and Grandpa watching Millie have a snack...Brynn didn't want to get any closer!

Ben loves spending time on the farm with his buddy Jake.  It's always a tough call who is more tired at the end of the day...Brynn or Ben!

Brynn mixing up her leaves & dirt by the big tree!

Can't wait for another great day at the farm!

Generations I

We are so lucky that we (Kevin and I) both have healthy and active Grandparents that our girls are able to spend time with as often as we can.  I didn't grow up knowing my Great-grandparents so I feel so blessed that my girls have the chance to love and be loved by two of the most adored and selfless people in the world. 

Not too long ago, we spent a day in Winona visiting my Grandmas Rosemary and Sylvia.  Brynn was able to enjoy "exploring" (aka: making a mess in) Grandma Rosemary's house.  It is so neat that both Grandmas are such great friends and spend time together and visit often, even when their kids/grandkids aren't around to bring everyone together for a special occasion.  But, when we do go to Winona, we are able to see both Grandmas at the same time which is double the fun!

I was able to capture this picture of Brynn and Grandma.  Gram had Brynn on top of the kitchen table watching out the window as the train went by.  This picture is so awesome to me because of the memories it brings back for me!  All of my cousins and I, at some point in our lives, were lifted on to that same table by Gram or Grandpa to learn about the trains passing by.

Grandma Sylvia and Molly.

Grandma Rosemary and Brynn watching for birdies on the front porch.

The Grams and the Girls

A great day with great pictures to prove!

It's Been a While...

 Although the blogger has been temporarily out of service, the camera (thankfully) has not been! 

Molly enjoying some time in her exersaucer. 

(aka, Mommy enjoying a few hands-free moments to quick get something done!)

A tough choice in the morning...rush to get ready to go to work or slow down enough for a quick story? 

(Not really a touch choice!!)

Snuggling on the couch!

(Still waiting for the day that we'll catch both smiling at the same time!)

Playtime on the floor has recently become rock & ROLL time! 

(Molly rolled from tummy to back and back to tummy within one day- both for the first time!)

A little bonding between sister & brother.

(This is the same way that Brynn & Ben's love/hate relationship began!!)

"Don't mind if I do...(help myself to the grapes on the counter).  Don't worry Mommy, this cute face will keep you from taking them away from me."

Bubbles & Bruises (on the forehead).

Bright eyes & curly hair after bathtime!!

"Mommy, I'll smile to make you happy, but I didn't enjoy you trying out this pony-tail thing for the first time!"

"Mommy....really?  Do you realize my friends will see this picture someday?"

Enjoying a quick "bike" ride and stop at Grandma & Grandpa's while out for a walk.

Molly's got the best seat in the "house" out on our evening walk!

Very serious contemplating whether or not to ride her bike or be pushed in the stroller!

Brynn turned 20 months this week...Molly will turn 6 months next week.  Where has the time gone? 

They get more beautiful and wonderful everyday....so thankful for the snapshots we'll cherish forever.

Our First Baby...

I decided that I needed to take a little time (in more ways than one) to give Ben, our first baby, a little of the long-lost attention he so desperately needs.  Ben joined our family as a little puppy the fall (2006) before we were married.  From the first night with us until the day we brought Brynn home from the hospital in July of 2008, he was at the very top of our priority list.  We always made sure he was fed on time, exercised regularly, and slept close to us at night. 
Two kids later, things have changed...!

Ben no longer has the desire (or space) to sleep between us on the bed. He fends for himself on the couch or spare-bed.  He usually has to give us a little whine as a reminder that his food and water dish are empty (we can't keep water in his bowl or Brynn will throw cell-phones and other non-water-proof items in it).  He only gets exercised when staying at our parents' for the weekend, or during the late-spring, summer, and early-fall seasons!  Although he doesn't get the pets, scratches, and snuggles that he used to, it isn't because of a lack of effort on his part! 

However, although things have changed and Ben has moved to a different position on our priority list, he is still a major part of our family and is still loved for so many reasons.

WE LOVE......

...that Ben is incredibly gentle and patient with both girls.  He has never been rough with or resentful of them.  We will often see Brynn's entire fist full of crackers in Ben's whole mouth....her giggling as he gently tries to steal her treats. 

WE LOVE......
...that Ben (no matter how long he has been locked in the laundry room) will be so happy to us, as though we never left him. 

...that Ben will always find Brynn or Molly's blankets to lay on on the floor- perhaps his way of keeping it warm for them!

WE LOVE......
...that Ben is an incredible help when cleaning up the kitchen (also a major factor in his current weight problem).

WE LOVE......
...that Ben is a wonderful watch-dog.  Although his loud bark wakes us up at night once in a while, we love that he is aware of anything going on outside. 

...that Ben's tail will wag at the simplest of greetings we give him.

...that Ben not only enjoys but get's SO excited over the simple things in life...getting a treat, walk, or a good scratch.

...that Ben is the best "greeter" we have when visitors come over.  Although he usually freaks out and could appear scary to a non-dog lover, he absolutely loves anyone who walks into our house and goes a bit over-board to let them know he's happy to see them.

...(or at least get a kick out of the fact) that Ben acts out just like a child when he doesn't get enough attention.  This includes eating whole cans of baby formula, chewing up sippy cups and bottles, or hopping in anyone's car when they stop over.

I know some day we will look back and agree that Ben has been a wonderful companion for our family.  And, although most days we think that he is irreplaceable, he sure can drive us crazy!  We do love, though, that Ben is a member of our family and loves us unconditionally!

How Do We Love Thee....

...Let Me Count the Ways...

Brynn's vocabulary is starting to grow by leaps and bounds, and she is starting to "say" more names of members of our family instead of just pointing at their pictures on the fridge.  She has a few favorite she likes to say including Da-ey (Daddy), Mama, Mol (Molly), Bapa, Nana, and Bull (uncle Bill:)). 

The last two nights, when putting Brynn to bed, it occurred to me how brilliant little people truly are- even at the tiny age of 19 months.  After I layed her in her bed, I leaned over the side of her crib for a few minutes to watch her sleepy eyes and smile for a few last minutes.  I told her that it was time to go "night-night".  She began going through the list of all of our family (at least the names she could say) and I would tell her that they were going "night-night" too.  After she finished her list, I went through the rest of the names of her aunts, uncles, and cousins and she agreed with her "Yuh" that they were also going to sleep. 

Her eyes slowly began to shut as we went through the list,  but her smile continued to get bigger as I listed all of the names.  I love that at her young age, she already knows all of the people in her life that love her so much!