Just So Big

It's amazing how childhood works. Everyday is new and exciting and yet I feel like these little people in my life have always been exactly how they are right now....and always will be. But that's not true. They obviously grow and change everyday and will continue to do so. How is that I know everything about them and somehow nothing at all?? Watching them become their own little people is the best part. (Even if I know in my heart they will be mine forever.)

This week Parker started walking! He's not super-motivated about it. Crawling is apparently still faster and more convenient. But he's walking. And quite proud of himself, I might add. I like to think of walking as the birth of free will. Before "walking" they are a baby. After "walking" they are a little person into everything and fully aware that they have some sort of new power. I love it.

And Eliana, this week, saw her from movie in a movie theater. I'm not gonna lie, I cried. Really?!? Yup. It seemed momentous. How will I manage when she goes to preschool?? Or leaves for college?? I can't even handle a movie!! Derrick and I took her to see Toy Story 3 and I'm pretty sure she like the candy and slushie more than the movie.

At one point, when it got scary, she snuggled up to me and said, "I'm a little bit scary (her version of scared). Let's get outta here!!" But she did really good. Sat through the whole thing and loved her special time with mom and dad.

Oh, my little guys. Not gonna be little forever....

Some days

Some days are better than others. Like today. We've been up since roughly 4:30 a.m. Those little booger babies. Up so early.

And (as I'm getting more and more embarrassed to admit) we're trying round 348 of potty training. Why am I embarrassed that Eliana isn't potty trained? It's not like I pee my pants! (Unlike a few unnamed friends who may or may not pee when alcohol is involved. But I'm sure that's another post altogether.) But regardless of this I certainly feel her "resistance" is somehow my fault. That's what the handout the doctor gave us says. Not necessarily that it's my fault, per se, but that at three a child should be daytime potty trained and if not they are "resistant." Really? I think I've figured as much out on my own. And I'm also pretty sure the handout is implying that it's my fault. Somewhere in the subtext.

So, we'll work on this potty training thing. And we've taken to letting her put stickers on the actual toilet in her bathroom. Hopefully, when all is said and done, she'll be a big girl in her princess panties and we'll have a beautifully decorated commode.

Someday.

I'm Settled, Now Let's Go!

I can be a bit of whiner. It's true. I'll blame it on being the only girl in my family of brothers, being an Aries, being a mommy to two little ones who keep getting sick (Stop getting sick, babies! I'm about to bathe you in hand sanitizer!!) But whatever, I can be a whiner.

This does not, however, negate all of the wonderful stuff in my life. For instance, my husband gave me a trip to Florida for my birthday, to be taken at our earliest convenience pending a lot of moving unknowns, and I'm ready to go. The house is fine. I'm settled. Let's go.

Marriage is a funny thing. The love I feel for my children is instinctual and automatic. But my love for my husband ebbs and flows (because I'm a whiner) while still growing stronger every single day. Some days I can't imagine being away from Ellie and Parker but every now and then all I want is to be alone with Mr. Pope and be the center of his world for a few days. It's a pretty nice place to be.

So, the painting and furniture-placing and shopping, and yes, the continued unpacking will have to wait. Now I just have to find our luggage...

(Oh, and I was about to post a picture of said much-loved husband during his "May Mustache Madness" competition but I just couldn't do that to the man. I'll have to wait till he posts the pics online himself...I'm not that mean. You can find them here.)

And Even More Pictures...

We had family pictures taken last week. It was awesome! And exhausting. 3-year-olds. Hmmmm.

But the sneak-peak photos are beautiful and we're so very grateful to Annadee for working with us and capturing our sweet kids at this point in their little lives. (Well, mostly sweet.)

You can see a few pics by following this link.

Finally, some pictures!

Little Ballerina

Eliana concluded her 5 months of dances classes with a little recital for friends and family. She was just about the cutest thing I've ever seen. And I think I've already watched her video 100 times. Moments like these never last long enough, but with a little technology, they last a little longer.

Good job, Bug!!

It's not always rainbows and butterflies, it's Parker Pies

Today was annual check-up day for both of our darling bambinos. It was actually kind of awesome to do them together at the same time on the same day. Mental note: Do this every year for the next 15 years. (Because I'm sure it will be completely appropriate when they are 18 and 16.....)

Our GIGANTIC babies almost broke the measuring equipment!!! Ha, no, just kidding. They are tiny. Eliana measured in right around 15th percentile for weight while Parker tipped the scales with a hard-earned 5th percentile for weight. They are both pretty average for height, so there's that.

Parker is reported to be at or just above the average developmental stages for his age as he's SO active if still not walking. (Just walk, Parker!!!) Great news for our little preemie babe who never needed any preemie developmental standards. What a champ! And Eliana is exceeding all of her developmental guidelines as she knows all of her shapes, colors, animals, and some numbers, etc. We just have keep working on those ABC's! (And we may have to eventually call in a speech pathologist as she seems to speak her own language. If you have cable, the closest thing we can relate it to is the kids TV show "Pingu." All normal at this point, but we've been put on warning...) We're super excited for preschool this fall and are glad to know that she won't enter academically behind, a victim of a stay-at-home mom. Hehe.

Our Memorial Day weekend also included a Kindergarten Graduation Party (Congrats, little Cole-man!), a Murder Mystery Dinner Birthday Party (Happy Birthday, Man!) a cookout with Mr. P's family on Sunday, a "We had a Baby but We're not Lame" Party at the Carson's (hahahaha. Thanks Mark & Jess!!) a cookout with my side on Monday, a trip to the water park....I mean "pool" and wrapped up with an evening solo with the kids and Cole as Derrick headed to a 50 Cent show (you heard it here, folks.)

What an awesome weekend! I'm exhausted....