Baby Annamarie

Nerves, Anxiety, Fear. . . all things I felt before 1:19pm May 27th. In love- the feeling that took over. No mom can ever explain it fully, but every mom reading this knows how completely emotional and perfect your world is when you welcome a new little baby into it. And that's Anna- simply perfect.Everything went smoothly. I was so anxious and for no reason! This time I felt better and Anna quickly transitioned- call it a singleton versus twins but she is amazing: a great eater, sleeper (and I am crossing my fingers THIS is not a phase) cuddler, she rarely cries (another non-phase I hope) etc.

Our only holdup- her name. We held off till Sunday morning before heading home to make the final decision. Her full name: Annamarie Joanie Mack. It includes so many names of the important and beautiful women in her life: Anne is both Gigi's and Grandma's middle name (we just wanted to combine the two), Marie is my middle name and her Aunt Rhonda's, and Joanie is named after my dear Aunt Joan who has been such a wonderful, thoughtful and amazing person in my life.
Above: VERY happy parents
Below: We couldn't take more pictures- she is so beautiful
Above: This was the last time she had a "binky" - like the boys she just spits it out. Sometimes I wish my children did like them- but I know I will be thankful later. It's funny how with the boys, I had them in the "hospital attire" but with her, I dressed in pink from day 1- she was too cute to just wear white!

Below: The boys met her on the day she was born- and loved her. We were so excited to see them kiss her repeatedly and say "Baby Sister" . . . they saved some kisses for me too. I love them. (Tyler is in green, Carter blue)Below: Heading Home- "Clooney Booties" and all . . . The boys were thrilled to have her sit in the middle. They both put their hand on her seat the ride home- too cute.Below are our Visitor Pictures: my parents, Grandma, Great-Aunt Joanne and Great-Aunt Mary (I always laugh adding the word "great" to their names cause look at them!), Jenny, Dr. Barrett, Kendall & Melanie & KadenAbove: You can see the "list" of possible names behind you. Travis and I are "known" for having this- a bit indecisive- it's just so hard to name a baby! I really do have a tough time with it. But now that I look at it, Annamarie was written first- we should have taken that as a hint.

Tyler and Carter Turn Two

I can't believe my little guys are two- where do the years go? We spent the day with our cousins at Gigi and Popi's. A small gathering, but their cousins are all these two need to have an afternoon of fun- of course, garbage trucks and a dinosaur with candles helped!

Above: Tyler on the left Below: with cousins Camden and Holden
Above: Carter Below: The boys enjoyed their favorite meal- SUSHI! (Tyler is Navy)

Below: Carter and Holden


Above: Soon-to-be-Aunt Janna with Carter Below: Tyler shows off his natural tennis talent

Above: Uncle Michael with his adorable daughter (our niece) Lani
Below: Tyler and Daddy

NEXT PICS: BABY ANNA!

Easter, Birthdays & More

Although it was from a while ago- I thought I would share some pictures- before they turn TWO!

First here is Easter (and Tyler poaching on Carter's bastet!)
We were so impressed that the boys loved to hunt for eggs (granted there was a bunny marshmallow inside) but we thought they wouldn't really care- they loved it! (first pic:Tyler/next:Carter)
All the eggs just scattered with the missing marshmallows at the end:


Then we headed to Joan's and look who showed up- it was fantastic! And although one of Tyler's favorite phrases is "Bunny goes hop hop hop," the boys pulled a "santa" and were terrified. Would not even go near the cottontail but clung to our legs. Hopefully Mr. Bunny will visit us next year!We also visited Grandma a couple times that day. She always adores seeing the boys!
Remembering Grandpa: always a hard day of the year. We know he looks down and smiles on the boys daily- but it still doesn't stop the empty feeling of wishing we could see how happy they make him and wanting him to be a part of their lives. We miss him dearly.

The Zoo with the cousins: We had so much fun- the boys loved holding hands with Mary and Lucy and Camden helped keep everyone in order!


Popi's Birthday! As both he and I learned, celebrate with these two and you don't get to blow out your candles (or even lick them!). (Tyler in red/Carter yellow)
Sushi: The boys in action with their favorite food- avocado rolls . . . and they have to eat it all in one bite. It's hysterical. (First Carter/next Tyler)My Birthday: We celebrated at Gigi and Popi's and the boys spoiled me with hugs and kisses.





The Park: Of course, The favorite place. From cool big toys, taking Linda on a walk, duck ponds, or just a good ol' path, all these boys need is their fire engine and school bus and they are good to go!
Above: Tyler- thinking about it. . . (code for most pics: Tyler in Red shirt/Carter green - even under jackets)


Below: Tyler is typically the FAST one, Carter the "professional scooter"








Other Fun Pix:
They love to cuddle on the couch (Tyler in red).
I love that they enjoy cleaning- at least "wiping" - here is Carter with the windows:
Here's one of Carter that will bring a good chuckle- they love to wear our shoes and be shirtless- all at the same time:
Next up to embarrass: Tyler- I found him with his sungalsses on his head- he thought it was great to copy me.
Partners in crime: Even at the children's museum
Our challenge of the month: The boys in beds. It has been a trying transition to say the least but here is how we found them a couple nights into. No, they don't share a bed, but they sure do try.Lastly, our pretty pup Maizy never gets any attention anymore. I take that back, attnetion from me, but she gets too much from the boys . . . they just pounce on her, tackle, ride, take her collar and walk her around the house- she's amazing with them. So I thought she deserved a picture.

Almost . . .

The boys- almost two . . . the baby- almost here. . . I'm not quite ready for either.

We have wonderful pictures now with our great new camera BUT I cannot get the pictures downloaded on our computer- I think I am seeing a pattern here. new computer? So frustrating- so that is why you won't get to SEE my little men and just get to hear me chatter. I just figure it it's been way to long.

To answer people's top questions:
Q:Do you have a name? A: We are so far from deciding a name we have started to come up with a "march madness NCAA" tourney type bracket to get to the hospital with "the Final Four". . . but if it's anything like the boys- it will be 8 names and she still won't have one for 4 days.

Q: What's the nursery look like? A: it's still the playroom. . . maybe just maybe we will get to it this weekend.

Q: Do the boys know? A: They LOVE my belly and will lift up my shirt many times a day to laugh and pat and say baby . . . or again, just laugh. I think they might miss it when it is gone. Can they possibly understand though? They see baby stuff in the house and get excited asking "baby?! baby?!" and even have thrown in a "baby sister?!" so I think they kind of get it and will for sure when she is here.

Q: Anytime? or Smuggling a Ball? A: That's the question on the street now with a shocked look as someone sees me from the side suddenly. . . straight out and big now "like a bullet" my mom calls it and I have gotten to the point of just saying "yes, anyday" like I had to with the boys at 7 months so I shouldn't be annoyed this time!

Q: Where do they get that CURLY hair?! A: Yes, we have yet to cut the boys hair and it is WILD. What's funny is it still isn't filled in all the way so they don't have much so it's it just these fine little ringlets all over.

Q: Can you tell them apart? A: People are so amazed with how much alike they say they look still. It's something that will always confuse me a bit because like I always say, they are so different to me. Tyler is in a momma's boy phase lately (scaring me a bit to be needy right before baby) and loving to learn. He repeats every word and gets so excited about anything new he can say or do. In fact every morning he still says "Happy Birthday Gigi" with a smile - her birthday was a MONTH ago but he was so proud of himself when he learned to say it. Since, we have had other birthdays but he still smiles and says "Happy Birthday Gigi" . . . Carter loves to sing and laugh. He talks a lot too but is much more laid back and doesn't get frustrated like Tyler when he doesn't understand or can't quite say something. Very laidback but my mischievous one. . . he tries to cross every line but with this cute little smile that is so innocent and sweet - again mischievous. But what BROTHERS they are- the BEST of friends at time just chuckling, discovering and playing together, kissing one another when the other is hurt or sad, and calling out each other's name if they are out of sight . . . but then literally tackling and beating up each other the next moment. Their new thing since they don't bite as much anymore (THANK GOODNESS) is to yell. It is this loud screechy noise. They start off angry but it quickly turns into a competition into who can screech this terrible sound louder and they both end up laughing at one another cause again- it's a ridiculous screech. However, when they act like "dinosaurs" and stomp around the house together (quite an imagination) it's the same sound.

Sorry again for no pictures! But thank you for getting through my book of a blog. Have to run: Carter is now on my back with a mitten on pretending it is a puppet dinosaur and wanting to kiss (or eat - who knows?!) my face.