Celebrating six years with my Valentine!

This weekend is mine and Chris's SIX year wedding anniversary. We've been dating since December 2000, which is pretty wild, if you think about it. Sure, we argue (who doesn't?) and sometimes we drive each other crazy, but we are truly two people who are better together. And we have had an AMAZING 13 years together.

Cape Cod 2002

 Arc de Triomphe 2005

Eiffel Tower 2005

 Spring Break Cruise 2006

Brussels Belgium 2007 

Wedding 2008

Honeymoon 2008

Chicago 2009

 Patriots - Colts 2009

 CATS football game 2008

 First Anniversary Cruise 2009

 Chicago (second anniversary) 2010

Puerto Rico 2010

Snorkeling in Dominica 2010

 Maternity Pictures 2010

 Maddie born 12/27/2010

Abingdale, VA (First trip away from Maddie) 2011

 Bermuda (Fourth Anniversary Trip) 2012

A big announcement April 2013

Bermuda 2013

Baby Sydney born 9/13/2013

 

Introducing the girls 2013

I love my Christopher and our life together!!

Stella is five!!

On Saturday, our first baby, Stella turned FIVE. She is a nuisance, ALWAYS into mischief, eats ANYTHING in sight, and generally drives me crazy. (Think Marley and Me. Times ten.)

BUT, she is the also the best family dog you could ask for. She's fantastic with the girls and always always greets us with a kiss and love. Happy birthday to our Stella dog!

Christopher was so so happy the day we got Stella. He'd been begging asking me for a dog the entire first year we were married.

She didn't stay little for long! All of a sudden, she was HUGE!

She's in trouble about 95% of the time, I would say.

But she's sweet 100%.

Sweet Sydney!

Little Sydney is almost 5 months old! Um, what?! She's basically one. Much like with Madeline's first year, this year is FLYING by. She is developing the sweetest personality and makes us laugh every day. 

She just got in the exersaucer and she loves it!

Waiting on daddy and big sister to come out of Lowe's. Her facial expressions are hilarious!

A little photo shoot this afternoon. SO cute!

Gymnastics Class!

Maddie took her first gymnastics class BY HERSELF yesterday! When she did gymnastics at 18 months, I did it with her. But, at 3, the kids do the class with no parents. I was a little nervous because she tends to be shy at first and she asked me all morning if I could do the class with her. But, as soon as she got there and saw no other parents with the kids she marched in. She looked up, made sure I was there, waved and was completely fine.

 Stretching.

The youngest and smallest three year old. She was so into it, she stood in the front. Look at that discipline!!

I took all kinds of video and pictures. All the other moms were playing on their phones and I was the crazy one acting like my kid was the next Shawn Johnson. But it was so cute!!  

After the class, I talked to the teacher. Since Maddie is a very new three, I wasn't quite sure she was ready. She did very well following directions but, a few times, wandered off while she waited her turn. Case in point. All of the kids lined up for the trapeze. When her turn was over, she went over and climbed on the balance beam. BUT, the teacher said she did fantastic. She said Madeline was one of the only ones who had the strength to hold her body weight when they did handstands (she has always been very very strong) and her listening/wandering was typical of the whole class. So, I guess we will stay with the big kids!

And, listen, I'm not trying to brag. But she obviously had the best form on the trapeze. 

Sydney had a blast watching too!

We had a car lunch after. This is quickly becoming one of Maddie's favorite things. I have no clue why. But she thinks its such a special treat to sit with me up front and eat. She always chooses this over going home and eating. 

Outside of gymnastics, we had a fun week.

 Decorating a big cookie.

I had my monthly GNO with my co-workers.

Sydney went to grandma's and Madeline had a daddy-daughter date to their usual spot, EarthFare.

Lots of special loving on this angel too! She's getting so big. I'm so fortunate to be able to snuggle with this one...

And play with this one!!

Party on!

Last week, Maddie's teacher told me she'd been a bit clumsy that day. I wasn't quite sure how to take that but she seemed fine so I just chalked it up to her being my daughter. Everything was fine/normal until that night at bedtime when she started crying her ears hurt. Sigh.

Next morning she's fine and has no fever. But, that night...same thing. Tears at bedtime. I actually have an otoscope so I took a peek and sure enough her ears looked like they had an infection to me. Saturday morning, we got our actual diagnosis from a doctor and an antibiotic. No cold, no fever, just an infection. Maddie was so sad because she really really wanted to go to Adelyn's party and we ran a little late because of the doctor, but we still made it!!

It was at All About Kids and it was awesome! 

She loved the rope swing.

 Having some pizza with her cousin Charli.

Following the big kids as quick as she could!

On Sunday, we had our rescheduled family party, minus grandma who didn't make it in from Florida.

Maddie had so much fun, this is how she passed out for her nap.

And, last night, here we are as the NEXT winter weather storm rolled through.

(Sydney's naked because she's happiest that way between 7-9. A little weird, I know, but you do what you got to do!!)