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:

Embarrassing Bath Time Photos

Its their first bath together and boy are they cute! Moira can barely take her eyes off her big brother for a moment. She thinks the world of him!

First Family Beach Vacation!

We just recently returned from our first family vacation since we moved to Virginia. We went to the beach and the kids had a blast "surfing" and playing in the sand. Jon and I had a great time too: Jon got to fish and go crabbing with Carter and I was able to read TWO WHOLE books. We all appreciated the time away from the city and some time together. Enjoy the pics below.

Running back after catching some big waves with Daddy:
















Moira enjoyed playing in the sand too -well, er, eating the sand
















Mommy and Moira playing in the sun
















Carter took a face plant while building a sand castle:
















Checking out starfish on the beach. Side note: They are NOT easy to pick up and just toss back into the water. Please just leave them on the beach.
































Moira gazing out at the coean