3 years & 3 months

Well, hello there.  It's been a while.  And for months I agonized--maybe that's too strong a word--let's say fretted--about being so far behind and feeling the need to catch up and thinking of maybe forgetting about the whole thing altogether.  That may still happen, but I've accepted the fact that there will be no catching up other than to say that since my last post I've done pretty much all the stuff I normally do and I had a baby.  So there we are.  All caught up and ready to talk about my sweet, sweet growing kiddos.

Emmett--3 years old
weight: TBA (drs check up scheduled for Sept)
height: TBA

• He's impressively coordinated at all things sports.  He loves kicking, throwing, catching, and swinging at balls.  
• He goes for both rather than either/or.  For example, at meals he must have milk and water.  For breakfast he prefers to have at least 3-4 different items--such as oatmeal and cereal and an egg.
• He must have separate spoons for his cereal and oatmeal.
• He sings all the time.  What he sings ranges from pop songs to primary songs to Daniel Tiger jingles to Let It Go to songs of his own creation.
• He is very quick to learn lyrics of new songs.
• He pronounces "think" and "things" like "hink" and "hings." It's adorable.  "I hink that hing is broken, Mom."
• He's got the use of "he" and "she" totally backwards.
• He adores his mom (a slight case of "Buster-itis" may be at hand).  He needs to know where she is at all times, he loves to snuggle up with her and ends up in her bed almost every night.
• He is a super big brother.  Baby Caroline gets kisses multiple times a day.  He talks to her in a sweet goofy voice, and often talks about how cute she is and how much he loves her.
• He is a mighty fine artist.  He can draw people, cats, letters and more.
• He doesn't like getting his hands dirty.
• He has a strong opinion about how I wear my hair.  He very much prefers it down and not in a ponytail.
• He loves the beach.
• It's not usual for him to ask "How was your day?" or "How are you feeling?"
• He's an early riser, often awake in the five o' clock hour.  He has learned that he cannot watch any shows until it's at least six o' clock.
• He wears big boy shorts!  Wahoo!
• His favorite shows to watch are Daniel Tiger, Dora, Curious George, and Mickey Mouse.
• He does not like shut doors.
• It's super entertaining to listen to him play and create play narratives with his toys and animals.
• He does a lot to help around the house (and a lot to mess it up!).  He helps unload the dishwasher, set the table, prep food, put away toys and fold clothes.
• He loves jumping on trampolines, riding bikes, climbing on playgrounds, sword-fighting and most all other things typical of young boys.
• He is goofy, funny, tender and sweet.  We love this little man with all our hearts.
*special thanks to Rebecca Mudrick for the fabulous images

Caroline--3 months
unofficial weight: 13.7 pounds
unofficial length: 23 inches

This little girl is such a beauty!  Her big, bright blue eyes are what everyone initially sees and compliments; but if you keep looking, you'll find a precious mouth with soft, full lips and the most delicious chubby thigh rolls.  She smiles, chats and has started to giggle, but my very favorite thing that she does of late is a vocalized yawn.  It's long and drawn out and oh, so adorable.  She has recently discovered her hands--when she isn't staring at her long fingers, she is usually munching (and gagging) on them.  She holds herself up well and is a great sleeper most nights.  She goes down for the night around 9 p.m. and usually doesn't wake to eat until 5 or 6 am.  Despite tummy troubles that make for lots (and lots) of spitting up, she is pretty pleasant most of the time.  She'll take a bottle if necessary and generally takes her pacifier when she's sleepy (though you may have to try a time or two).  Her current nicknames include baby sister, sissy sis, little lady, girly girl, little miss and baby girl.  This growing girl is moving into 3-6 month clothing and is just as sweet as the come.  We all adore her.