How much changes in 2 years!

Some moms are great at keeping a baby book or scrapbooking- besides taking a ton of picstures, all I have to really show ellie that I cared and tried to keep memories is this blog. Supposedly there is a website that will convert your blog into a memory book so I am making this post (as well as all the others) in the hopes of showing Ellie and Tripp someday that even if their mommy was not the most organized/creative mommy - that she cares and loves them just as much and treasured every moment and milestone they had.

So here is picture reflection on how much our little angel has changed in her two years of life- it is a constant reminder to me how I should cherish every moment with Tripp because before I know it he will be two too!

Here are ellie's two year old stats- weight- 22 lbs (10%-we made the charts - woo hoo); height- 32 inches (3%); and I can not remember the measurement but I know her head was 80% as well. I am sure her head is so big because of her large brain because she is one smart kid- I know I am a little prejudice but her teachers at school confirm that she is very intelligent for her age. She speaks so clearly and can actually have a conversation. She has such the little personality and loves to tease. She is the best big sister and just loves and kisses on Tripp. She is VERY dramatic and it makes me worry for those teenage years! She dances, sings, plays with dolls and loves to laugh. I could not have asked for a more perfect angel. She often forgets to put her on her listening ears but that is to be expected with a two year old. And just want I want to scream in frustration she does something so sweet like run up for no reason and hug you and say love you mommy- and your heart melts. If these first two years are any indication of things to come, I can not wait! We love you Ellie!

Mystic Aquarium and other fun

We have been adjusting to being a family of four and having alot of fun doing it. Last weekend we ventured out to the Mystic Aquarium. It was fun but I think still a little over ellie's head-plus it was pretty crowded and people were not very considerate of the stroller/toddler/infant we had in tow- I have to remind myself we are not in the south. But it was worth the trip and another thing we can check off of our list of things we wanted to try and do while here in Newport.

Our time here is starting to come to an end and it is bittersweet. We have really enjoyed our time and all the adventures we have had but we are also very very excited to get back to our friends and the comfortableness we have in Oklahoma. It in ways feels like we have been on an extended vacation with tons and tons of family time and now we are heading back to reality- we are very thankful for our time but are excited for our future. Things change so quickly and we are just trying to soak in these last couple months here in Newport and hopefully we will have cooler weather from here on out. Enjoy all the pics.

Look what I can do!

So as not to neglect our second child- Mike and I are making sure to get plenty of pics and video of tripp too! He is such a strong little boy- already holding his head up really well and unlike Ellie, he loves tummy time. The other day he rolled himself over several times- pretty advance. Not sure how much he meant to do it or whether it was caused by the fact that his large head moved in that direction and is body just followed- but we are proud nevertheless. I took Tripp for his two month and he is quite a bit bigger than Ellie. He weighs in at 11 lbs 2 ounces (57%), 22 in (30%) and 16 in head (80%)- I don't think Ellie was over 11 pounds until 6 months. He is a happy baby and is sleeping pretty well so we are all feeling better these days. As you can tell fromt he video- Ellie is a great big sis- always helping and teaching Tripp. I can not wait to watch them grow up together but I already feel like time is going too fast so things can definitely slow down a little so that my babies stay babies for awhile.

Our little Star!!!

First video to post so not sure this going to work- fingers crossed. Ellie has the cutest personality and she is a natural performer. She loves to dance and perform songs and speaks so clear for her age- her sweet little voice is by far one of the best sounds I have ever heard and we are trying to catch it more and more on video so we can remember how sweet she is now (we will probably need to watch these videos often during her trying teen years!). Enjoy!

Ellie's 2nd Birthday

I can not believe she is two!!! Ellie had a great birthday weekend- we rented a bouncy house, her favorite, and it was the best money we have ever spent. we rented it for the whole weekend and Ellie bounced her little heart out which lead to great naps and night sleep- like I said, money well spent. We had a birthday party and had the perfect amount of friends over. It was so fun to watch ellie run around with all the little kids and luckily the heat had broke and we had great weather. All in all I would say the second birthday was a success.

Sorry for the lack of abundant photos- I am finding it impossible to get any photos of our precious 2 year old- she immediately runs the other direction when she sees a camera- but we got a few. Enjoy.

Summer in Newport/ Glass Family Visit

This post is picture heavy as I know you would rather see pictures of my little angels rather than read my witty commentary! And I can't blame you as they are the cutest thing this side of heaven. We have had a very busy month. My mom arrived on July 13th and I was very excited to take advantage and get in some good naps- thanks mom. The rest of my family arrived during the last week in July. It was a very busy time for our family of four but so worth it. Watching Ellie with her cousins was one of the best things I have ever experienced- she thought of herself as one of the big kids and just ran and laughed- it was amazing- and my nieces and nephews were just precious with both of my babies. We had so much fun! I wish we all lived closer but I treasure our visits however short or long they are. Tripp was a trooper being carted everywhere and handed off to anyone who would hold him. So different with the second child. We had an early birthday party with the family and ellie loved everyone singing to her. We had her real birthday party yesterday (pictures to come) but it was a huge success.

As an update on our precocious two year old- she is more than we could ever ask for. She is talking more and more and repeats EVERYTHING we say. As an example, often when I am upstairs feeding Tripp mike will yell up- Amy, how are you doing? at which point Ellie yells "Mommy, how you doing?"- it is hilarious. she speaks full sentences and really is very clear in her speach. She has the funniest personality, loves to dance, it is so friendly and outgoing. At her party yesterday, she was running around with all her friends and laughing hysterically- she is just such a joy. She has her moments but what two year old doesn't? She is the best little girl we could ever have dreamed of and these have by far been the best two years of our life- only to get more wonderful now that we have Tripp too.

Enjoy the pics! Love Amy

Happy 4th of July

Hello All
I hope everyone had as wonderful a holiday as we did. I can not believe how blessed we are this year and how wonderful life has been as a family of four- I am actually still in shock about how great both of our children are doing during this transition period. Ellie often acts like a typical two year old but she loves her brother and all in all has been an absolute joy. Tripp has proven to be a great sleeper and although I am waking up every two hours he has really cooperated with feeding and going right back to sleep so Mike and I have been able to remain as functioning parents for Ellie which has been a pleasant surprise.

it has been so fun to spend the 4th in the Northeast as these Yankees seem to really celebrate it right. We went to a party in the town square yesterday right down the block from our house where Ellie danced to the band and we listened to the reading of the Declaration of Independence- or rather Mike listened and Ellie and I socialized while Tripp slept. Today we went to the oldest and largest 4th of JUly parade in the UNited States- it was no joke. It was a crowded as a Mardi Gras parade and thankfully my Louisiana background helped us get a great parking spot and shading sitting area for viewing. The parade has been around for 225 years! Ellie loved the horses and the marching bands. We only lasted for half of the parade- which was not to shabby since the first half lasted 2 hours!

We have also set up ellie's pool in the backyard which has come in handy since we seem to have brought the Oklahoma heat with us to Newport- today it was 90 and tomorrow it is supposed to be hotter. I am not sure how these northerners survive without air conditioning- we invested in an air unit as we were dying and thank goodness we did because tomorrow is supposed to be the beginning of a heat wave- great! Anyways, Ellie loves loves loves her pool and it has been hilarious to watch her squeal with delight everytime she gets in the water. Tripp has been pretty easy going and just kind of chills wherever we cart him off to.

It may sound so cheesy and I will blame my residual pregnancy hormones but Mike and I have never been happier and are just loving our family of four (plus Brimley). There have been a few trying nights and some times we have lost our patience but all in all we have been so much more relaxed the second time around and are really enjoying every minute. I don't think I even left the house til ellie was 4 weeks old- oh how times change. I can not wait to watch as our two kids grow together and i will try and keep the pics coming so you all can see them grow too- we already knew we had the cutest baby girl ever so it is just appropriate that we have the cutest baby boy too- ha ha.

A final thought for all those who serve our country on this holiday especially our wonderful husband/daddy- we are so proud of all our soldiers and pray each and everyday for those who are serving overseas or who are no longer with us- Thank you and God Bless America!