Hashbrown Casserole...

...at Cracker Barrel is the BEST FOOD EVER! If you dont like it, there is seriously something wrong with you.

We were treated to this deliciousness by my Dad and Ms. Sheila on Monday. It was super tasty {as always} and we had a really nice time.

Milo was so well behaved and my sister's boyfriend Paul was able to make it {usually ALWAYS working}.

We are so happy to be able to spend such quality time with our family!








{Fun!}

4th of July

We spent Sunday at my Dad's house eating delicious food and hanging by the pool. {I should have taken a picture of the food, it was soooo good}.






After dark we headed home to watch the Harbor fireworks from our deck {Zoe-less because Aunt Ray took her home for a slumber party!}. The Harbor show was awesome, but so were the fireworks set off by our neighbors! Milo was a little startled at first, but eventually he settled in and really loved them!

3rd of July

This year, the holiday fell on a Sunday which prompted many of the celebrations to be held on Saturday. We went to 2 family parties and had tons of fun!

Ill let the pictures speak for themselves:











{fun!}

Daddy Daughter Date

On Monday, June 28, Zoe went to see her first movie in the movie theater!! She went to see Toy Story 3 in 3-D {glasses and all!} with her Daddy. She was so excited and was completely happy to be spending some time with her Daddy by herself.




They left around 6pm {a little late, but it was the only available showing} and went straight to the AMC theatre in White Marsh. Zoe was awesome and Ian was relieved that they didn't have any major issues. She loved the "flippy" seats and only ran down the row once! After the movie, Ian took her to McDonalds for a dinner date and then to the book store where she picked out a Toy Story 3 "find-it" book. A sort of Where's Waldo type book with a TS3 theme.

When they got home {around 10:00} Zoe could not stop talking about the movie, the seats, McDonalds, her new book... She went to bed with a big smile on her face.

I am so happy that Zoe has such a wonderful relationship with Ian. Especially since having Milo, I have been worried that she isn't getting the attention she wants or needs. Ian is always there to listen to her, to talk with her and be a great Daddy {even if its just letting her spend an extra half hour in the tub!} I am really trying to divide my time, but sometimes it's a challenge. I cant imagine how it works when you have more than 2!



{just some cute shots of the kids being cute}

Weekend Roundup

We spent most of the weekend doing our best to allow Ian to rest from his surgery. {for those out of the loop- Ian had surgery to place a stent in his "pipes" to help relieve kidney pressure d/t kidney stones} He is recovering nicely.

On Friday, we took the kids to their respective 3yr and 9month well-child visits. They are both in the 50%ile for height and weight {Zoe is 34lbs and Milo is 21lbs} and the pediatrician was really impressed with Zoe's language and potty training progress. She was also happy with Milo's food repertoire. So happy!


**my naked jaybirds on the exam table

On Saturday, my sick sweet Ian was nice enough to keep the kids while I went to Pile of Craft with Alison. It was super duper hot, but we had a lot of fun! There was even a free photo booth!

We spent the rest of Saturday relaxing and watching the USA lose their World Cup match {bummer}.

Ian went to work on Sunday {What a trooper!} and I took the kids to my sister's house to visit with their new addition. Ladies and Gentlemen, meet Pella Pupkiss Conroy:




She is really really adorable and so sweet. Congrats to Ray and Nick!!

Have a great week everyone!

If you need a pick-me-up

This has been around the web many times over, but I never get sick of watching it:



{positivity can be contagious}

Sesame Place

On Friday (6-20) we went to Sesame Place to celebrate Zoe's 3rd Birthday. We began our day at Cracker Barrel.



The Fuentes Family was nice enough to join us and we had a fabulous time {aside from a few minor setbacks, but why focus on the negative?}!!

Zoe really enjoyed herself and had so much fun getting on the rides and beating the heat in the water area.

We left the park early on the first day and headed to our hotel rooms to hang out for the evening. The boys ran out to get us some authentic Philly cheesesteaks {soooo YUMM} and Brigie was nice enough to bake a cake for Zoe so that we could have an impromptu bday party!!


*watching the parade

**We also discovered while on our trip that the unbroken pregnancy chain amongst my friends has continued! Brigie is due in December!! Congrats Fuentes Family!!

Bday Celebration!

{it was a great day}

9 months in...

9 months out {of the belly}!



Mr. Milo turned 9 months today! What a milestone!



His current talents:
- crawling EVERYWHERE
- climbing 3 steps
- climbing (trying to) out of the bathtub
- cruising around from furniture to furniture
- standing for 5-10 seconds without holding on

He will have his well-child visit on Friday, so I will have to wait until then to deliver his stats. He has 2 bottom teeth and is breaking through his top-right tooth on the top {so painful and has made for a VERY fussy week or so}.

His wild-man physical feats and larger than life lungs are only a facade, he is really a sensitive boy with a strong bond with his momma {lucky me!} and an unbridled fascination with his big sister.



He's our "Mista Lova"

1095

Dear Zoe,

It's been 1095 days since you entered the world. You made me an "us", you made us parents, you made us feel loved and needed in a way that we never knew we could.

We didn't know we needed you. We weren't that couple who sat around for days waiting for that double line to appear. When those 2 lines did appear on October 16 of 2006 at 7pm, our lives changed forever. We made a commitment to each other and to the you, our little "peanut" that appeared days later on an ultrasound screen.

We spent the next 9 months preparing to become a family. Preparing for you. Hoping that we would be good for you.

We were a right fit from the start. We could just feel it.

You gave us the greatest gift we'd ever received. You are the bright spot in our days. You've spent the last three years letting us love you and for that we're eternally grateful.

Happy 3rd Birthday Goo!

All the love in the world,
Daddy & Mommy

weekend fun!

This weekend was busy busy busy and fun fun fun! (cheesy cheesy cheesy)

Ian had to work (which makes us all so sad), so I packed up the kiddies and headed out to Ninang Alison's house on Saturday morning. Jonah was there and he was nice enough to make us lunch and play with the kiddies so that Alison and I could have some chatting time.

Alison's friend, Meghan came by with her adorable son John. He is just a few months younger than Milo and so adorable. Milo was trying to bite on his ears and pull his hair (as usual). It was really nice to have some adult interaction.

We left Alison's house and headed out to my Aunt Arleen's house to enjoy a family picnic. My mom's cousin (from South Carolina) was there with her husband and children so it was nice to see them and Milo and Zoe enjoyed the pool. Milo actually fell asleep on my Aunt Tina in the pool for about an hour!

We were all so tired when we came home. The kids were SO ready for bed and so was I! We are looking forward to a day off with Ian tomorrow and REALLY looking forward to our trip to Sesame Place at the end of this week!

Happy Sunday!



*Ninang Alison entertaining the kids

the kids are(nt) alright

Zoe is still recovering from her fight with the ENT (thats what Im calling her cauterization procedure bc it was more like a UFC fight than a doctors visit) and has spent most evenings this week running from us screaming "doooont toooooouch myyyyyyyy nooooose". We continue to chase her. Its totally not a fun game.

Milo seems to be having trouble digesting the slice of cheese he ate yesterday. What? He seemed to enjoy it! I had no idea his body would not agree.

No kiddo pictures because Zoe wasnt having it and I hate to see pictures of Milo screaming.

Hoping for a better day tomorrow! Goodnight all!

ps: totally excited for the Caldwell family, Molly went into labor tonight and we are waiting patiently to hear the sex of baby #2!!

pps: ok, so maybe a picture of me and a "get off of me, I said no pictures" Milo and one of Zoe's crazy destroyed face

My dog ate my blog?

I don't really have a good excuse for my lack of posting. Other than laziness, lack of inspiration and a sort of "gloomy" mood.
I have taken some time to reflect on my life, the people in it and what I have to do to live the life that I choose. This means eliminating some people, being more conscious of how I treat those that are important to me and taking inventory of the good and bad aspects of my daily life.
One of my goals along my renewal path will be to post more regularly here on the blog. I am choosing to use it as a diary of sorts (albeit a public one). My days can have a tendency to blur together sometimes and I think that this can be an excellent way to take inventory of the way that I spend my time.
I want to remember to good days and bad, the things I do and do not like, things that work and things that don't.
I have A LOT of fun things ahead of me: Zoe's 3rd Birthday, Summer holiday's with my family, days of laziness and fun in the sun at the pool and the Summer will end, of course, with Mr. Milo turning 1!!
Thank you for reading and enjoy the ride...

so sorry mom and dad!

I'm so sorry for the lack of posting. I promise to resume regular (and by regular I mean maybe every other day) posting tonight or tomorrow at the latest!

I hope you're all having a fabulous weekend!



{ian, why does your star wars pillowcase always seem to creep in to my favorite photos? love you!}

happy sunday!

We will be spending the day missing Ian (he's at work), coloring, eating graham crackers (Zoe's obsession of the day) and hopefully getting both kids to nap at once. Too much to ask?


*not just a picture of Zoe's butt in her Dora (aka the Devil) PJ's, her socks say Sunday - this note intended for my blind Momma {lol}

check us out!

Milo and I have been featured on Marvelous Kiddo ! Its an inspiring blog featuring daily posts dedicated to all things parenting.




The photo, taken by the wonderful Ashley, is one of my favorites and captures such a sweet,candid moment.

Enjoy your weekend!!

{stay warm and cozy- zoe}

i heart IJD

He is our story teller, french toast preparer, trash taker-outer, booboo kisser, dance instructor and introducer of new/better music.
He is the heart of our little family and the brightest light in our day.
His kindness, patience and joie de vivre inspire me every day.
LYTS

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

we are family...

I was supposed to host a "sibling" party before Christmas, but due to the weather and a mini stomach virus in our house, it was postponed. We were able to celebrate after Christmas and it was so nice to be able to spend some time with all of them. We allowed Zoe to stay up for the party (mistake) and Milo joined us as well (also, a mistake). I put out desserts and drinks and everyone brought a $5 unisex gift so that we could do a small exchange. Really fun!!

The Crew (it was late and we look so tired)


Opening my gift (I got a coffee mug!! My fav)


Fun Times!