Christmas Magic

I can't stop recounting all the wonderful memories from this past Christmas weekend.

On Christmas Eve, by tradition we attended Christmas Eve mass with my husband's parents. Riley was amazingly good and so proud to point out Jesus from various places within the church. She whispered when she needed something and sat quietly when she didn't. She and Sophie looked beautiful in their matching dressed. I spent the majority of the service chasing Sophie around in a back area of the church, so sadly I missed most of the service. I knew this would most likely be the case and know it is a short-lived phase and next year will be easier. Prior to the service we were able to snap a few pictures. What you don't see are the pictures where an uncooperative, moody 3-year old was flinging her body across the floor in photo-protest. Ahhhh, the 3s.

Merry Christmas!

What a fabulous, magical, blessed day. I am excited to post pictures tomorrow and a recap of my favorite moments with my girls. Until then, though, Merry Christmas to all ... And to all a good night.

Playing Mrs. Claus

It's creeping towards midnight and the hubby and I just finished playing Mr and Mrs Claus for the girls as we dug the gifts out of their secret hiding places and thoughtfully arranged them around the living room. For Sophie, 1 yr and 4 days old, tomorrow morning won't really mean much. For Riley, however (3 yrs old), she is adorably enchanted by all things Christmas for the first time, really. As she fell asleep tonight she asked me if I heard Santa on our roof. She has it all down pat, how it will happen. Santa will come down the chimney, eat the cookies and drink the milk, and leave presents and fill their stockings. This she knows because, according to her, she and Sophie are on the Good List this year. (However she did tell me "when Sophie gets bigger she will be on the Bad List"). :)

I have so, so much to catch this blog up on and decided tonight was as food a night as any. So now I'll fall into bed, hearing Riley in my mind, singing "Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, jingle all the way to tooooown..." in my head, as she sang it a lot tonight. My two babes are deep in sleep, snuggled in their matching Christmas Eve jammies right now, and tomorrow will be so magical. And the best part? Riley knows its Baby Jesus' birthday. And that is the best present to me.

Half-a-Year and Two-and-a-Half

'Where has the time gone'?  I know all moms ask it, and I am no different.  Sophie is now 6-months old and Riley is 2-years and 6-months old.  I rock Sophie at night and swear at times that it is 2 years ago and it is Riley in my arms.  And then I burst into tears, but let's not go there right now, as I need to keep my composure right now and not focus on the fact that they are only little for such a short time.

I was very excited a few weeks ago when I made a purchase I had been saving for: a Nikon D5000 DSLR camera.  I love taking pictures of my girls and my point-and-shoot just wasn't cutting it any more.  I mean, I want to take pictures that are worthing of being hung on my wall.  By no means am I a photographer or even have any idea what I am doing, but that is why I needed a nice camera to help it look like I know what I am doing.  This past weekend I had some fun with the girls outdoors and captured some pretty great shots.  Enjoy.

Life with Two ...

... is the most amazing feeling in the world.
... has taught me that it is really true.  Your love does multiply, it doesn't divide.
... allows you little extra time to do anything such as keep up on your personal blog.

... makes me wonder why I was so tired the first time around.

Life with two takes my breath away multiple times a day.  Life with two is my life now.  And it's the only life I want to have.