Collages and Four Months!

Dear Maya and Emi,

It's been a cold, cold week out there and if this is any indication, it's going to be a looooong winter! Just like your baby days, Maya, your little sister has a tendency to panic and hold her breath when it's windy or chilly out, so we've mostly stayed inside and tried to keep ourselves busy.

Maya, you've been crafting your little heart out. Armed with a glue stick, kid scissors and markers, you transform anything into a collage. You stick beads and googly eyes to toilet paper roll dolls, mini plastic ponies to cardboard boxes, and magazine clippings to construction paper. Your creations rock!

Emi, you turned four months old the other day.We had your checkup and you were 15 pounds, 7 ounces, and 24 inches of healthy bouncing baby! The doctor even said you were "perfect" and of course we agree. We might be a bit biased, though.

These happy pictures are not all to say that we've had a completely stress-free week, though. Maya, you had a 40-minute tantrum the other day when mommy made you eat your leftover breakfast before you could have a new snack. Emi, you've had your share of cranky moments, too. And until recently your nighttime sleep was pretty solid with sporadic daytime naps, whereas the last week your naps have been consistent and your nights have had some crazy variations. Help!

Emi gazing adoringly at big sis

But all in all it's so rewarding to be able to stay home with you two and watch you grow and interact. Mommy is so proud of you, Maya, for how sweet you continue to be to Emi. You have never even once directed any negativity toward her and you show her so much love it's just amazing.

Love you two!

New life, new season

Dear Maya and Emi,

What an awesome week it's been! The biggest news is the birth of your cousin William. Neither of you have gotten a chance to meet him yet, but mommy was there for his birth at about 2 o'clock on Wednesday morning. Aunt Kelsie did a great job and both she and baby are doing well.

Grandma and Papa Stan came up and stayed with us a couple nights. Maya, you had so much fun playing with them, and Emi, you were so calm and alert whenever they were home with us. Mommy loves watching you two with your grandparents. You're so loving and so loved!

Speaking of being loved, you have both been given some gorgeous clothes lately. You get hand-me-downs from some wonderful people and beautiful store-bought items as gifts, too. But the handmade pieces that we get are just so special and sweet, mommy loves them all!

Octopus dress made with love by grandma

AMAZING koala sweaters sent to us from Australia by Auntie Sam!

It's a good thing we have cozy sweaters because last night we had our first snowfall of the season! It was a couple of inches and looked absolutely beautiful this morning, though most had melted by this afternoon. Still it was enough for us to get out your new coat and snowpants, Maya, and you had such a blast playing outside with Grandma. We'll be sad to see her and Papa Stan go home tomorrow but we're excited that they'll be back for Christmas this year!

Emi, you don't get to go outside in the snow for your exercise so floor play is your chance. You roll from your back to your side and wiggle your way around on your play mat so you can chew on the toys. Unfortunately we can't give you nearly as much tummy time as Maya had at your age because you tend to spit up a lot. You're still pretty strong, though, when we do put you on your belly. These pictures make you look balder than you really are, but they're adorable nonetheless!

This picture cracks me up! You're REALLY trying to get your hand in your mouth I guess.

Well, mommy really needs some shuteye since I'm still making up for the other night in the maternity ward. Love you two!

Friends. Family. Fall. Fun.

Dear Maya and Emi,

We've had a a roller coaster week since mommy posted last. Halloween was on a Friday which kicked off a crazy weekend that kept us running, and then we suffered the effects of skipping naps and gaining an hour. Thankfully our Daylight Saving hangover has passed as of this writing!

On Halloween morning, Aunt Kelsie wasn't feeling good so she went to the doctor for some tests. Grace came over to spend the day with us and joined us at Wyatt and Natalie's house for a pizza party. Since we didn't have Grace's costume with us, we managed to make her a DIY ladybug before taking her to the fire house and library Halloween events. Then Charlotte and Steve took you trick-or-treating, Maya, while Emi and I stayed in the warm library. Thank you guys so much!!!

Saturday was Aunt Kelsie's baby shower and thankfully she was feeling much better. Grandma and Papa Stan were staying at our house a few days and of course they made some adorable gifts and delicious food for the party. Emi, you were a big hit with the adults and kids alike!

Sunday before grocery shopping we went to Nanny and Poppy's house and you two did a quick trick-or-treat at the front door. It was much too cold and windy for your other costume, Emi, so we threw Maya's old teddy bear bunting on you. So cute!

This week Grandpa has been visiting. We just hung out at home with him which was the perfect remedy for our weekend fatigue. One day we went out for a walk behind the house and played in milkweed, but otherwise we just goofed around indoors for a couple days.

There's lots of fun to come so hopefully we can stay well-rested and healthy! Love you two!