Moira's Birthday!

Moira turned one on December 2nd and we celebrated our little Ladybug. I went crazy and decided to make invitations, decorations and the cupcakes all myself. But the most important thing was that we could celebrate the joy Moira brings to our family. She is healthy and bright and adds so much love to our lives. Thank Moira for the blessing you are and praise God for His gift of you to our lives!
Enjoy the photos from her party here with some of our dear friends here in NoVA.
Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate. We were touched by all the cards and phone calls.

Ladybug cupcakes

The First Step is Admitting It

Okay. Admittedly, I am the worst blogger ever. Instead of trying to go back three months to catch everyone up I will just inform you that we are well and the kids are still nauseatingly adorable. Then I will continue from December.

Alright Alright. I can't help myself. I must tell you more than that.

I could not be more proud of my two babes. Carter continues to mature into such a gentleman. We have all survived the torturous threes and are living the fruits of our turmoil. Carter is learning consequences and rewards for the choices he makes and is walking a straight path. I am not so naive to think that he will be on this path forever. I am just basking in the joy for today. Tomorrow will take care of itself. Three was challenging but we have all seen a glimpse of what putting in those long hours of patience can bring forth. I am just exhaling and storing up these memories until the next hurdle comes our way.

As for Moira, what a difference a year makes! She just turned one and like light switch turning on, so did her sense of humor. She loves to play "Where is Moira" while we chase her around the kitchen.Her absolute favorite is to get in the mix when Jon and Carter "wrestle on the carpet". She is not content at all to sit on my lap on the sidelines and watch. She patiently waits her turn (for a second) then races in to climb all over those boys. I have to admit I am a little proud.

She is such a great little girl. She is a curious explorer (read: baby gates merely an obstacle to get around). She is content to play alone but prefers to take from Carter whatever he finds interesting at the moment. She is starting to communicate. She knows all our names and uses them. If you ask her who her brother is, she responds, "Car-ca". She understands simple commands and loves to please us by obeying (for now). Ask her where her blanket is and she crawls there speedily. She can point to her head, hands, and feet. We are all bursting with pride. Oh, did I mention she started walking? ;-)

I have taken to attempting to write down the crazy things that Carter and Moira do and say ("Mom, when was the last time YOU went potty?!"). It is just so funny. But what Jon and I have realized is that we are equally surprised by the things we find ourselves saying to the kids.

"Get your feet out of the dishwasher."
"Carter, put the purse down and go to time out. You can play with it when you are finished."
"Do not lasso your sister. Get the rope from around her neck."
"Monsters and bugs get out of Carter's room, it is time for him to go to bed."

So the quick update is that we are blessed and truly grateful.

May you all have Merry Christmas and blessed 2010!

10 Months Old!

It's true! Our little baby girl is ten months old already! Where did this time go??? She is SUCH a delight and a joy to each of us.

Moira is quite mobile now. She LOVES to crawl up the stairs any chance she gets so we have to be quick about getting the gates up first thing in the morning. Carter has completed several successful rescue missions getting Moira safely off the steps - much to my surprise. She loves to cruise the furniture and walk by pushing other furniture or toys around the room. However, I fear she does not have any real interest in walking on her own as she is an extremely efficient and speedy crawler. I blink your eyes and she is across the room, most likely into Carter's toys. Moira has no respect for age restrictions on toys.

We learn so much about Moira everyday. For one thing, she does not like her car seat and is not a big fan of running errands. She doesn't seem to mind going for walks so she and I are taking this hobby up while Carter is in school. Moira's favorite time of day is when her Daddy comes home. He is barely in the house and she goes scrambling across the floor to him or literally leaps from my arms to get to him. Traitor. ;-)

But not even Daddy can hold a candle to her Big Brother Carter. Moira won't smile in the morning until Carter comes into her room to welcome in the new day. Anything he has or is doing, she wants a part of it. Poor big brother. I know how he feels but now I can see it from the little siblings' perspective.

We don't have too many recent pictures of her (because we are awful parents AND she has been teething the past 3 weeks and not really "camera ready") but these are a few.

Much love to all!

Happy Birthday Carter!

Carter turned 4 yesterday and had a great day! He went to school in the morning and his friends and teachers sang "Happy Birthday" and had a little pretend cake for him. I arrived later in the morning with treats at snack time. Carter passed the goodies out to all his friends and I was so proud of him and his manners. I got to stay the rest of the morning and "work", reading books and helping kids at the paint center. We had a great morning!

Afterward, Jon and I took Carter to his favorite restaurant, Moe's. It was nice to have a date just the three of us. (A friend graciously watched Moira) Carter felt very special. When we got home, Carter got to open his presents and let me just say, he is one fortunate little man. He had a good haul this year thanks to dear friends and family. He loved all of it - the cards and phone calls too!

I am in awe of the little man he is growing to be. He is just so funny and soaks up everything around him. We are so very blessed to have him in our life. Carter is truly a gift to us.

We wish to thank you for all your love and support as we have watched over and nurtured Carter these past four amazing years.

First Day of School!!!

I don't know who was more excited, Carter or me, but today was the first day of preschool!
Carter goes three days a week now and LOVES his school. One of his teachers is the same as last year so I think it has been very influential in easing him back into his routine. He even has some friends from last year in his class (all girls and they are very excited!). He couldn't wait to head off for the day with his Curious George lunch box and get his tote (instead of a backpack). He was a little disappointed that we had to walk in with him, he wanted to do it himself. I am thrilled for this opportunity for him. He really enjoys having a place that is his own. He feels so independent. I like it because it wiped him out! Please enjoy the photos below.

Outside his school:
















Finding his tote:
















Getting his name tag. Now he is ready for the day!
















Passing out after a hard day at school: