budding artist

These pictures make Addie look like a young hip artist trying to make her way the big city. She wanted Bella to give her "glasses" a try to. The last picture is of Addie after she makes it big. She's all dolled up for her first gallery showing.

truth be told

As you may have noticed, my posts have been less wordy since Arabella was born. The truth is that I'm exhausted! The lack of sleep hinders my writing ability. It's a miracle I'm able to remember my camera to take pictures. I've concluded that Justin and I make big hungry baby girls who are born screaming and ferociously hungry; and continue to be hungry! Every two hours around the clock I nurse my babies. I'm grateful for a three hour block at night every once in awhile. It's non-stop and it's exhausting. I've been so lucky to have my sisters and parents available to help with Addie and Bella for the past five weeks. It's wonderful but not quite the same as having Justin's help. Mentally it becomes tough when you are this tired as well. I find myself feeling really bad about not being able to devote more time to playing with Addie. I also feel bad that I can't give my undivided attention to Arabella the way that Adelaide had my attention when she was born. Addie has started to protest when I am holding or nursing Bella now. She has figured out that if Bella is in my arms I won't be able to play like she wants me to. Megan has become Addie's best buddy the past few weeks. I cherish our bedtime routine because it's a few moments alone with my oldest daughter. I know I'm not the first Mom of two, and I also know that these first few months are the hardest and then they will pass. As soon as they pass I will be longing for my newborn back.

outside

Arabella likes being outside when it's a tad cloudy so she can look around. Grandma held Bella and gave me a break long enough to put together our new Sit-N-Stand double stroller (my weapon to combat traveling internationally with two very young girls).

first walk

Addie and Bella had their first walk together. Bella loved the stroller and just stared up at the sights the whole time. Addie likes the wagon but at the end of the trip insisted on laying down in the wagon. I guess the playground wore this princess out. Both girls snuggled after naptime. I am still impressed with how well Addie is doing as a big sister.

what's new

Bella is smiling and opening her mouth as if to talk to me now. It won't be long and she'll be cooing. She's a particular baby like her older sister. She prefers to be in her Mommy's arms while sleeping, eating, looking around, pretty much doing anything. She cries before falling asleep, while be changed, or getting a bath. She hates being cold or naked. She's better about the car and car seat than Addie was but she still won't sleep in the car seat through dinner at a restaurant for me. For the last few days she's had a huge diaper blow-out mid-day that requires a new outfit and a load of laundry to be done.

Addie and Emme

Cousin Emme came over for another playdate with Addie yesterday. The girls are getting to know one another more and more everytime they see one another. We are trying to take advantage of our time to have fun with cousins while in Washington. The girls played in the pool, had snacks, and then flew from one toy to the next in pure two year-old-short-attention-span fashion. We are so excited for Emme's birthday party this coming weekend!

Ravens Fan!

These photos of Arabella are for Grandpa Ray! She's even smiling so she must be good luck for the Ravens. Here is her mood if they have a bad season this fall.