Go fly a kite....

It's been awhile since my last post so I'm going to try to capture the past few weeks all in one post....I don't know if I should start with Dominic's 6 month stats...my sales meeting in San Antonio....a random late March record snow storm, Dominic's first tooth, Clare's soccer game of the Spring season or flying kites....

Recently my favorite Mr. turned 6 months old! And with that came some major milestones...like his first tooth! Oh, and saying mama! I love hearing him say it especially since Clare said Dada first and called me Dada for months! At 6 months old Dominic is almost 18 pounds!

And speaking of saying "mama" he decided to go ahead and say his first and most favorite word while I was out of town attending our annual sales meeting...yep I starting crying in front of all my partners when I heard those sweet words over the phone! Although I technically missed his first word I am thankful for technology! And I mentioned our annual sales meeting...once per year we are lucky enough to gather together as a company/ region for some much needed bonding time and 2 full days of meetings. This year while we were enjoying rays of sunshine in San Antonio, TX Mother Nature decided winter wasn't quite over and decided to drop 12 inches of snow!

Luckily the snow has melted and just in time for Clare to develop yet another love...flying kites! We took in the beautiful weather with a 9am soccer game (she did great! We only had to go on the field with her like 3 times!) as well as a late afternoon of kite flying.

Finally, we welcomed a new member to our family on March 20th, Avery! We have a new niece and cousin who couldn't be more perfect!

With only a soccer game planned for this weekend I can't wait to see what memories we will make!

Quality over Quantity

Paul and I have both been quite the jet setters lately and slowing down is no where in sight. Both of our careers have always kept up busy but add in more travel than usual and it can make for interesting weeks. It seems we are trying to fit in family time anytime we can but most of all making the best of every moment!

Like a long weekend for Mommy and Daddy in Los Angelas....

Paul has always had a busy flight schedule but for the most part my career keeps me in St. Louis. I had the pleasure this week to attend a week long training at our corporate headquarters in Baltimore Maryland. This experience has by far been the best thing I have ever experienced in my career! It was nothing like I expected but everything I needed...I won't bore you with all the details!

The main reason for this blog was not to boast about what great careers we have but to take a moment every week to think about all the quality (not quantity) time we get spend together. Rather its 30 minutes at night playing bears (hide under the covers then a bear comes under the "tent" and eats us) or taking ten minutes before bed reading stories or eating lunch in our princess clothes it's all about spending quality time together!

Parenting Fails

It seems as though the terrible twos are in full force at my house. This post is designated to our lovely Clarabelle at the sweet age of two!

"Clare lets put your shoes on."
"No! Can't!"
Which by this she actually means "I won't!"

Bedtime has been a major challenge for us recently. I guess it's paybacks from all the other parents whom children have never been good sleepers. In our case it's not staying asleep that's an issue it's the actual bedtime. You want to see a blond headed beauty turn into a mean red eyed bull? Say "bedtime!"

So tonight in hopes to avoid the head butt I received last night (on accident because she was whaling her body all over the place not wanting to lay down) I resorted to a different plan....

"Clare I think there is a special treat in her bed"
"Oh really?!"
"Yes, you should get into your bed to find it!"
"Ok, mommy!"
"Now close your eyes and I'll be right back...going to get M&M's...put hand under her cover and waaalaa! Look Clare mommy found M&M's in your bed!"

Worked like a charm...now that I've started this ritual lets hope I'm not still hiding M&M's under her covers when she's 16!

Daddy Daughter Dance

One of the many things I loved first about my husband is how special he made me feel and his thoughtfulness. Our daughter has been no exception to the way he spoils his girls! Daddy and Clare headed their first Daddy Daughter Dance this weekend! It was something they prepared for well in advance along with many dress rehearsals to make sure her Princess dress was perfect...and it was...actually the whole night was perfect!

Agenda...potty training....result...lots of accidents and Dominic rolling over!!!!

Today I took a day away from the office (which really means I just didn't physically go into the office but still got lots of work done!)
On the agenda was potty training Clare but Dominic was the star of the day with rolling over for the first time!!!

We are no where near calling potty training a success but we are giving it our best shot!

Cousin love

When my older sister and I found out our first babies would be 6 weeks apart we imagined all the fun it would be....now we get to experience it on a weekly basis! So this post is designated to Cousin love!

Our 2nd (I just can't call them the last!) babies are 6 months apart. Miss. Avery will be here late March or early April.

Oh, and Dominic got his first taste of cereal this weekend! He loved it!