just because

I love this pic... I love these eyes, these curls, this nose. I love this kid!!

tender moments

One of Landry's favorite things to do is read books. She LOVES books, well she has finally figured out how to manipulate Mommy and especially Daddy with her books. We are suckers, I admit, we cannot help it. Our kids are too cute and we cannot always say no. Thursday night, we were reading books and Landry pulled the covers up over herself and was listening intently to Daddy read her first book, Bingo. She kept saying again, after each time he read it, and she would pull the covers up a little higher. I know he read Bingo at least 7 or 8 times, Goodnight, Moon that many, Go, Dog, Go and The Prayer of Jabez 4 or 5 times each before he finally was bored of picture books and had to say no. Then, Landry said "Hold me tight, Daddy".

I love this age. I know I complain that life is tough these days with 2 this age, but I would not have it any other way. I am so glad Bella is right behind her, we get to relive these moments all over again in the next year.

Happy Mother's Day

We had a great day today! Ben took me and the girls on a picnic to Berry Farms in Georgetown. Landry found a toy car on our walk and she began pushing it around and making vroom vroom noises, that was pretty funny since she has never played with cars before and not sure where she learned the vroom sounds. I also learned why they make children's sunblock, Bella began screaming a few minutes after application b/c she became tired and was rubbing her eyes. I guess even as a mom you never stop learning! Happy Mother's Day!

Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: "There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!" Proverbs 31:28-29

best buds

I could not resist posting these too. They two had so much fun and Landry crashed after Connor left. Bella and I were enjoying together time, while the two ran around the backyard. Ben was so frightened when he saw them holding hands.

milestones

We have had quit a week around the house. Last Friday Bella sat up for the first time, tried veggies this week, and began holding her bottle. Landry has been talking up a storm. Last week she said "mommy and daddy's rice all gone." - six words in a sentence. She is communicating so well. She has also discovered something new - movies. She LOVES Charlotte's Web, she says - "watch pig". I tried turning it on in the bedroom and she told me "no, big tv" -living room has a big screen tv. She also started responding to the television. When the Backyardigans theme song comes on, she dances around like the characters do. She cried the first time Wilbur ran full force through the fence in Charlotte's Web and she cried when the little boy whacked his daddy in America's Funniest Home videos.

LE is also asking for specific food - turkey, chicken and beans being her faves, no, not true - Num's being her favorite - jelly beans - her reward for going on the potty. She is making friends and she plays so well. A couple of weeks ago, we went to Kerrville and she played with her second cousin, Cameron, this week Connor came over to play and today she played with Kyla at church. All afternoon she asked for Kyla. These milestones are so amazing. I cannot believe how fast they are coming. I thank God daily that I get to be a stay at home mommy. I cherish these days and look forward to all of the upcoming milestones.

this is not your mother's day gift

My mom announced this weekend, the reason I had not posted more photos of the girls in the flowers on my blog was b/c they were probably her Mother's Day gift. So, this post is specifically for you mom. I am sorry to disappoint, but you do not have me figured out - and to prove it, here are some pics from the girls in the flowers. Delay is called: two children under 2, photography business including editing galore, church curriculum, planning a wedding shower, packing for trip, and getting the house ready to sell. I love you, Mom and yes, you will love your mother's day present, but I could not let you think you had it figured out!! XOXO

not-so-bluebonnets

I finally got some good shots of the girls playing in a field of flowers, not bluebonnets, but scrambled eggs as my mom called them. Both girls were in a great mood, and Landry even had an earache! They turned out so cute. I got a lot of great shots, I will be posting them as I get them edited.

first bite of food

Bella had her first encounter with "real food" this past week. We feed her cereal for the first time.She did not like it that much, and yes I did manage to get some to actually go in to her mouth. - 5 1/2 months old

Num Num

All I can say is (in the words of our 20-month old) num, num.

Ben and I were treated last week to an amazing date night courtesy of the Jarzabeck's, J.J. and Aimee. Aimee invited Ben and I to the mock service (night before the grand opening to make sure everything is running smoothly) dinner. We were told to order anything we wanted on the menu, and truth be told- we ordered WHATEVER we wanted off the menu, a lot more than we would normally and a lot better too!

We started off with the lump crab cakes, OK these were not your ordinary crab cakes, they were huge and covered with a Tomatillo-Serrano Salsa and Jicama Tortilla Slaw (cost - $14). Then Ben ordered the Sink Salad (Greek salad- $10) and I ordered the Jasper's Greens Salad with bleu cheese and caramelized pecans ($9). Then, for the main dish Ben ordered the Pan Seared Salmon, Grilled Asparagus and Mascarpone Polenta ($22) and I got the Hickory Grilled Black Angus Filet with Portobello Whippers and Red Wine Butter, something I have always wanted to try ($37). We also tried the Gouda Mac and Cheese and aged Ham ($8). For dessert, Ben had the Butterfinger Creme Brulee and I had the Cherry Limeade Pie - voted the best dessert in Dallas, and now sure to be the best dessert in Austin. Oh my goodness-great recommendation, Aimee! This food was amazing, I included the prices, so you did not just decide to pop in for a casual dinner. For us this is in one of those "special anniversary" dinners or "Honey, my great-grandmother left us an inheritance " dinner. The lunch menu prices were more reasonable for us the common folk- just make sure you get the Cherry Limeade pie.

All of this was a gift to Ben and I, Jasper's sent out invites to a select number of people and Aimee and J.J. invited Ben and I. We had an absolute awesome time, we relaxed (the girls were with "their" Marcus and Anna, being tortured by Tech paraphernalia.), ate one of the best meals of our lives, did I mention the Nectarine Jasmine Black Tea, oh my goodness - Aimee, please sneak me a tea bag!?, and absolutely enjoyed ourselves - like we used to when we both had paying jobs. Thank you Aimee, J.J., waitstaff, Marcus and Anna for an amazing date night. It was an absolute blessing, that we will remember for a long time! (total bill - $116, knowing J.J. and Aimee = priceless, for some things there Master card, for other's, there's great friends.) We love you guys and cannot wait to see James Bradley!

photographer's kids

Why is it that I have awesome photos of everyone else's children, but mine does not want to cooperate for photo shoots??? We tried to take famliy photos in the bluebonnets a couple of weeks ago and Landry did not want to cooperate (Mimi was there and she was afraid Mimi was leaving her). So we tried again this weekend, just Mommy, Daddy and Bella, still she cried, no screamed and refused to have her picture taken. I got some great ones of her walking in the bluebonnets(with her tongue sticking out--just like her Mom when she is concentrating - thus the reason I am always searching for chapstick) , but no portrait type Easter photos to make wallet prints out of. So now all of you who used to recieve wallets every single holiday knows, I have TRIED to take photos of my girls, I promise, they just do not turn out like they did a year ago, they all have snot bubbles in them now!