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!

Picked a Few Good "Ones"...

A few recent "treasures" to share...!

At the Waterpark during our Landherr Valentine's Weekend Get-a-Way in the Dells

(be assured that Brynn's "treasures" did not end up in the pool!)

Molly spent her hours in the 85 degree waterpark hanging out watching the people in her stroller or laying on a lounge chair...she was such a trooper! 

A recent picture of sleeping-Molly in her swing.  I love that although almost 5 months old, she still has some "newborn" faces and sleeping positions (although I know those days are sadly coming to an end).

We recently got to spend a snow-day at home together.  We took Brynn and Ben outside while Molly napped for some snow-time.  She wasn't too impressed!

Although she's starting to show more of a desire to "test" us lately with her "NO!'s" and her "limp noodle" effect when she isn't getting her way, once she flashes her bright smile, we can't help but be reminded of the big-hearted sweetheart she is!

I love 'em, can't get enough of 'em......

Reminder...

Tonight I got a extraordinary reminder in a very ordinary place...
A few hours after I had given Brynn her bath, I went back into the bathroom and saw her little footprints still imprinted in the bathroom rug from her earlier-wet toes.  By this time, I had already forgotten about our 3 hour ride home from Dells with a not-so-happy, sleep-deprived 19-month old and also about the 2 hours I laid awake with her in a hotel room from 3-5am this morning! 
The extraordinary-ness of this reminder I got from the bathroom rug was just how amazing life is being a parent.

  There are no words to describe the joy these two little people bring to our lives!

Fast Friends!

It has been so fun to see the increase in interactions between Brynn and Molly lately.  Not only is Molly starting to be so much more aware of her big sister, watching her every move (and there are many!), and smiling everytime she sees her, but Brynn is also being more observant of Molly.  She'll bring her a blanket, wipe her face or give her her binky without me asking her to do it! 
The other day while having a little tummy time, Molly was quickly joined by Brynn who gave her a few lessons on how to play with one of her toys!

My favorite...

How lucky I am to be a mommy of sisters.....fast & forever friends!

It is puzzling to me how the timing and events of life can sometimes be so confusing and heartbreaking for what seems like no good reason.  It is hard to understand life during trying times and to not feel frustrated with God's plan.  It is hard to understand how trials that we experience will someday make us stronger and more thankful, appreciative people.....
.....We are spending our recent days praying for health-restoring miracles for babies Hope and Hailey (Brynn and Molly's newest second-cousins). 

After becoming a parent myself, it is amazing to me how hearing sad news about another parent's child can totally break my heart.  Perhaps it is the common thread of unconditional love for your child that is shared.
Thinking about that, I can't help but wonder how I became such a lucky person to have two wonderfully, healthy little girls.  I also know that I have NOTHING to complain about...

The small and insignificant challenges of everyday are SO meaningless in the big picture.  What is, however, meaningful are the small and significant blessings we need to be thankful for everyday. 



Small, but SO significant!