January 2014 - all of it.

Time is flying by. I feel like I just finished off the rest of the Halloween candy. Which isn't possible, because, let's be real, it didn't make it past Halloween. Coming down from the Christmas high, Jason and I celebrated the New Year out on the town, running into so many long-lost friends. It was so perfect to re-connect with our past while looking to the future!

2014 kicked off with my birthday festivities. This mama is 26!

Grown-ups only birthday dinner!

 

 

No cheesecake like birthday cheesecake! This is one of 4 cakes received this year. I ate them all. Because birthday.

 

The second week of birthday month 2014 ended with some belated Christmas cheer from the White House. Lovely.

 

 

Kiera had her 4 month check up on the 20th. This little lady weighed in at 14lbs on the dot, and stands at 25 inches tall. She is DOWNING 6oz at every 3-4 hour feeding. We're due to start solids pretty soon, so we've been practicing using a spoon with rice cereal. Baby girl needs to work on some table manners, but we're getting there! 

 

 

 

And yep, it looks like those blue eyes are sticking around for a while. Love those sea-stormy peepers!

 

And Lily. This kid is getting huge. In more ways than one. She's always had an Oprah personality, but she's starting to build on the confidence to go with it. Not as shy as she once was, the goofy faces and silly songs bust out during dinner parties, in grocery store aisles, doctors' offices, ballet class and more. She's a performer, for sure. She's funny. Really really funny. And not just in a sweet, silly, typical three year old way, but in a clever, able to keep up with the adult conversation way. She's amazing. But then, we always knew that.

 

 

Looking forward to February like whoa. Making valentines with the girls, a few birthdays, some travel plans and *hopefully* some warmer Florida weather ahead!

Christmas 2013

Kiera's first Christmas was a huge success! Lily was an excellent Holiday Helper as she guided Kiera through the festivities. From cookie baking, reindeer and Santa prep on Christmas Eve to the fine art of unwrapping and feasting, the sisters were in it together from start to finish!

Christmas Eve was fabulous. Kiera practiced her Christmas carols, Lily set out cookies and reindeer food, and the two spent some time snuggling under the Christmas tree. (OK, that last bit was a lie. That picture is totally staged and you can even see my hand reaching out for Kiera's head as it made its way to the floor)

 

 

The trees! Ours on the left, Kiki and Po's on the right.

 

 

Our tree sporting a very special new ornament!

 

Santa came! He was careful to wipe his boots on the mat we provided. He obviously enjoyed the brownies and carrots we left (carrots, in case he had gotten sick of sugar by the time he got to us. We left reindeer food for the team outside!) and even left some cookies behind (way to show off that will power, Santa Baby!) Lily was thrilled with her red tricycle! Classic! Kiera also went straight to enjoying her new play mat.

 

A few cups of coffee and some breakfast casserole later, we went to Kiki and Po's for more celebration. Kiera got to spend cuddle time with Great Grampa, while the rest of us opened gifts and feasted on rib roast AND turkey with all the fixins!

 

 

Baby Girl appreciates the good life. Ahhhhhhhh.

 

We went home after 2:00 dinner for Christmas Round 3 with Meema, Peepa and Aunt Heather. More gifts and more food!

 

A day full of cuddles and snuggles!

 

 

These are a few of my favorite things! A BEAUTIFUL emerald ring from Jason. Hot dawg that boy done good! I had to send it off today to be sized. My finger feels naked already! A magnolia attachment for the Happy Everything platter, a Keurig, more of my perfume (I was running way low!) and some fabulous gift cards to fabulous places!

 

 

Kiera's First Christmas 2013

 

And to all, a good night!

 

As this year comes to a close I am overwhelmed at all with which Jason and I have been blessed. A warm and lovely home, two beautiful daughters, friends to celebrate alongside and a wonderful family that showers us with so much love. Looking at the growing pile of paper-filled trash bags and empty boxes near the front door would normally stress me out to no end (no joke, it's creeping up the walls), but it is nothing more than a glorious reminder of the care taken to set up our Nativity scene just right, the smell of the house as we baked cookies for loved ones, the joy on my daughters' faces as they unwrapped gifts, their excitement as we found small hints of Santa's presence in our home, the satisfaction of dining together on some of the most delicious food the Season has to offer (back to Square 1 on losing that baby weight!) and the overwhelming love shown to us through so much giving. God bless the trash bags and dirty dishes. God bless all of it. I am thankful.

 

Best wishes to you and yours during this wonderful and Holy time! 

Kiera at 3 Months and a photo dump

Darling Kiera,

You are now three months old, and I can't believe how quickly it has gone by. Since your arrival, we have celebrated two major holidays (Halloween and Thanksgiving), I have gone back to work, you have started school, and we are gearing up for your first Christmas. The house is decorated, you have visited with Santa, the outfit that matches your sister's has just arrived and the gifts are wrapped. You are a smiley girl with a wink and a giggle for everyone you meet. Social and a half! You are not one for schedules, you tend to enjoy life as it comes without set plans to hold you back! Instead of sleeping in stretches you catnap, and instead of meal times you graze throughout the day. Very European!

You are such a treat for your big sister who loves you to the moon and back. She shares all of her stories with you and you are just enchanted with her voice. Her favorite thing to do is sing to you, and when you are upset, Lily's voice is a sure-fire fix. Your sister loves you so much. She just bursts with pride when you smile at her and she can't wait for the day when she can truly play with you.

You have excellent vision and are able to track easily. You can recognize voices and love it when Daddy comes into the room - he's your #1 cuddle buddy! You love to move around - can't be in one place for too long - and see and hear and do all you can. You're a mover and a shaker and we love it!

We are all looking forward to sharing your first Christmas with you, and showing you some of the joy and wonder this world has to offer. Enjoy it, lovey. Enjoy every second.

Love always,
Mommy


For the rest of you, here's what we've been up to!

 

A few glamor shots

 

Thanksgiving, holiday décor and Polar Express day at school - PJs!

We had 5 holiday parties so far, and doctor visits for both girls

 

And I've been working out like a fiend (including...gasp...running. Ick) trying to get back in shape. Success! (please excuse the uber classy bathroom mirror shot, but I had to document the progress and I was the only one awake at the time. C'est la vie.)

Taking Shots and Talking Turkey

We made it to two months! Kiera rocked her 2 month check up, measuring 23 inches and weighing 10lbs 14oz. The visit ended with some needles, bandaids and tears, leaving me wanting some special "shots" of my own. I suggested to the receptionist that a full-service bar would be a splendid idea for the waiting room. She disagreed.

OK back to Kiera. This little girl loves eating (she is mine, after all!) and gulps down 3-4oz every 2-3 hours. Her only fasting stretch comes at night, when she sleeps from about 9-2, and then is up every 2-3 hours again. Maybe she's prepping her tummy for holiday festivities?

Speaking of, we have quite the lineup! Our social calendar is filling up fast. I'm hosting a holiday party at the house this weekend, meaning (oh darn) I have to decorate the house early for Christmas in order to set the tone! Monday I'll have to shave back the Christmas décor a bit to prepare for Thanksgiving on Thursday. My first time hosting! Never thought I'd be so intimidated by a turkey...
After Thanksgiving, we are in a whirlwind until New Year. Kid parties, Grown Up parties, school parties, church parties, work parties - we are truly blessed!

Now, about those shots...

Halloween And A Creepy Comparison

Happy Halloween!

 

We had a wonderful time, kicking off the holiday season. Lily had two costumes this year, due to a school rule. You see, Lily has a fierce adoration of superheroes, particularly Superman. Unfortunately, young kids dressed up as superheroes and then put them together, they will naturally need to try to battle it out for super/wonder/bat/spider/norse god/hulky domination. Not good. Moms worry enough about grass stains and lunch spills ruining kids' costumes before the Big Night....blood and rips don't need to be added.

 

So, Lily went to school as Princess Grace of Monaco!

 

 

 

 

And after school, did a quick costume change into the Real Deal: Super Lily! She had a cape and everything, and was super stoked to wear SuperLily eye makeup. She was positively glowing with glee!

 

The whole family joined in with her Super Vision: We strapped a few glow sticks to Kiera, who went as Kryptonite. Daddy shaved his head (don't get me started) and went as Lex Luthor, and Mommy donned her glasses and a snazzy blazer and became Lois Lane. We made it about 4 houses into Trick or Treating before Kryptonite began to explode, so Super Lily and Lex continued with our dear friends the Campbells while Lois and Krypto went home to drink (wine and milk, respectively) and pass out candy. Not a bad way to kick off the season!

On another note, I'd like to point out how scarily similar my girls resemble each other. Twins? Maybe!

 

Lily, 3 weeks

 

 

 

Kiera, 3 weeks.

 

 

A side by side of each girl at 3 weeks old. Call me crazy. Just try. Twins, yo.



Happenings!

Things are settling in nicely around here. We're working our way into a routine and trying to get it all together to prepare for when Mommy goes back to work - and Kiera joins Lily at....*gulp*....school! Definitely having torn feelings about all this. I'm missing my interactions with my friends, colleagues and students. I'm missing the rush of the hallways. I'm missing the old routine of a school day and the very special kind of tired a teacher experiences after a long day of making kids think.

 

However, the house has never been cleaner, and dinner is always on the table by 6:30. I adore my time with Hoda and Kathie Lee in the mornings and actually having time to spare when it comes to getting things done is just fabulous. Being able to schedule a doctor's appointment in the middle of the day isn't bad, either. I have a little less than 3 weeks of maternity leave to go, and I'm clutching on to every second I have before I have to give my littlest to someone else during the day. It was hard with Lily at 18 months, but something about Kiera being only 10 weeks makes it almost a cruelty. 10 weeks! So little. The only consolation is the very clear understanding that it will be harder for me than for her. As long as she is held and fed, she's happy. Definitely my daughter.

 

Here's what's happening around here:  

 

 

 

Nap time is sacred like whoa. This little girl is up more than down, and when she's up, she wants to be in someone's arms, around people, and eating. Chunky Monkey Supreme!

 

 

 

Mowgli is just as great a big brother the second time around as he was the first! So attentive and oh so gentle, he loves this new addition.

 

We're working on smiles! It took a bit of practice...

But we nailed it! Presenting the next Miss America!

 

 

 

We also got the chance to spend some time with Lily at her school's open house. We got to meet her friends, and share in circle time. Lily showed us the ropes and we caught on pretty quickly! She was especially excited to show Daddy her sweet dance moves and the new songs she learned. Kiera was there, too, and thought the whole experience was super cool. She was awake the whole time taking it all in! 

 

 

We attempted a family picture right before Mommy, Daddy and Kiera had to leave. Bad timing. Lily was not happy - Kiera didn't seem to mind, though!

Welcome, Darling Girl!

I got big. Way big. Not that I didn't enjoy every moment of those extra servings...

 

 

 

But it was worth it! Kiera Laurel, you were born on September 20, 2013 at 6:33 am under the remains of a full moon. You began your journey to the world the night before (your original due date) after WEEKS of teasing - naughty, naughty -, and in 9 swift hours and 9 whole minutes of pushing, you were placed in our arms and in our hearts forever. You sang your first sweet notes moments after you arrived, and have been vocal ever since! You never hesitate to let us know when you're needing or wanting, or just want to chat about sweet musings, music, art, history, fashion....whatever strikes your fancy! You hate to be put down, because you can't stand to be away from the people around you. A social butterfly for sure, but I've been calling you Kieraluna (a la Stellaluna) because of your "lunar landing" and your love of the night life! Welcome to the world, baby girl! This crazy, beautiful, wonderful world!

 



 

First picture! You were 19 1/4 inches long and weighed in at 7lbs 14oz

 

Since coming home, you've settled in quite nicely! You have found your happy place (snuggled up, close to anything and anyone nearby)

 

 

Big Sister Lily loves you to the moon and back! You and she are Daddy's girls for sure!

Welcome, darling girl! You are so very loved!