18 Month Picture

Here is Berkeley's 18 month picture! She had so much fun being in front of the camera and flirted with the photographer the whole time! She is such a little Grandma Sam!!! She is constantly cracking us up and I love this age. She is going through a little phase where she is really interested in Sterling's anatomy. She'll get a baby wipe and squat (like she is in the picture) and try to wipe Sterling's bottom. Or she'll just stare at it. I can't imagine what she'd think of a male dog :) I can't imagine what she'll do with poor Oliver!!! I'm sure she'll be a huge help in the diaper changing department and he'll be the cleanest baby in the northwest :)

She is also very affectionate and kisses the dogs all day long. She probably gets that from me cause I kiss them often too, but they don't really seem to enjoy her kisses. They just barely tolerate them!! She kisses her sippy cups, her shoes, and herself when she gets hurt! She is so much fun and I can't believe I am going to have 2 kids soon! How bizarre, but fun!

Letters to my babies!

I have been working on letters to Berkeley and Oliver since their baby books each have a page titled "A Letter from Mommy." The reason I didn't have Berkeley's done before I gave birth to her is because quite frankly, I had no idea what it meant to be a mom and didn't want to write something just for the heck of it. I wanted it to be meaningful and special, so hers was written after she was born, whereas Oliver's was written while he is still cooking! I'm not sure which way I like best...I kind of like the fact that I get to share with Berkeley how we got to know her and see her personality unfold. On the other hand I like being able to share with Oliver everything I'm feeling while I am pregnant with him. Anyway, here they are. I thought I'd share them with you since I'm lame and haven't taken any pictures lately :)

Letter to Berkeley

June 14, 2007
Dear Berkeley, my precious baby girl,

You came into the world on November 2, 2005 and I must say you were the tiniest baby I had ever seen. Your skin was even baggy on you, just like a puppy! Daddy and I both agreed, you were the tiniest little pink bundle of perfection we had ever laid eyes on. We called you our “little bird” because when you slept your mouth was always wide open and you truly looked like a tiny baby bird waiting to be fed!

You may have only weighed 5 lbs 13 oz, but you already have such a huge personality! You know exactly what you want and are not afraid to let everyone know when there is a problem that needs fixing!! You are a firecracker wrapped up in a tiny package. The first few months were rather difficult since you were extremely colicky. As a first time mom I was very frustrated much of the time and felt completely inadequate. I was convinced you didn’t like me, but the first time you smiled at me (really smiled, not gas related), I cried. Looking back on those difficult months I feel so badly. I think you were in a lot of pain and hurting most of the time. I wish there was something I could have done to have made your first few months in the world more comfortable and peaceful.

I love it that you have so much spunk. You are going to be such a leader among your peers. We have already seen a bit of a strong will and stubbornness in you, but used positively, those traits can be very good. I want you to know I will love and support you in whatever you choose to do in life. You can be a doctor, a lawyer, a pilot, a teacher or a dog walker and I will support you. You can do whatever you want to. Do what makes you happy. The possibilities are endless.

I love rocking you. When I do I feel like I am holding a little piece of heaven in my arms. I look at your little hands and feet. I count your toes over and over. I stare at your perfect little pink rose bud mouth. Just look at you. How is it that I got so lucky? I got the perfect one.

I love sneaking into your room and watching my little peanut sleep. It is one of my very favorite things to do. I love to see your little heart shaped bottom rising in the air. I love to watch your little tummy rise and fall. Anyone peeking in at me would think I was in love. I am. My whole world is right here, in this room. If I never had another thing, I would have everything. I must be delirious with delight. As I watch you sleep I think to myself, “Isn’t it lucky that I have a little girl, with the biggest and most beautiful blue eyes, the brightest smile, the cutest little button nose, and a baby smell I just love.” I have to stop myself from waking you up. Sometimes I catch myself whispering, “Wake up beautiful, I love you even more today than I did yesterday.”

There’s not an inch of you that doesn’t make my heart leap. Your smile lights up a room. It is brighter than all the stars in the universe. It is impossible not to smile when you smile, not to laugh when you laugh. Your laugh is infectious. It is the most joyful noise my ears have ever heard.

You are growing up before my very eyes, and it is such a glorious thing to watch. I savor each moment. I love watching you grow, but at the same time it saddens me to see the time fly by so quickly. There is something so precious about watching my child, day after day after day. I want to hold on to every moment, every smile, every single hug and kiss. Someday my “little bird” will leave the nest and it will be so hard to let you go. You are such a treasure. Until you have your own babies, you will never know how much I love you. I hope when you grow up that everything you want comes your way, but especially love. More love than you could ever imagine.

I love you,
Mommy

Letter to Oliver

June 8, 2007
Dear Oliver, my sweet baby boy,

I wanted to write you a little love letter while you are still growing inside me. On January 17, 2007 I took a pregnancy test which turned out to be positive. We were ecstatic! We wanted to give Berkeley a little play mate and were thrilled to discover that God had, once again, blessed us with another baby to love.

I was positive I was having another baby girl because this pregnancy was just as easy and enjoyable as my first, but on March 30, 2007 we found out you were a boy!!! You can’t imagine our surprise and elation! We’ve had your name picked out for years. Since junior high I have wanted a little boy named Oliver and I am finally going to have one! I even made daddy agree to that name before we were married and he loves it too.

This pregnancy too, has been a breeze and it makes me wonder, what will your personality be like? Will you be quiet and shy or boisterous and outgoing?
Will you be mild and laid back or will you have an insatiable curiosity and be a mischievous little one? One thing I’m almost sure of…you’ll probably be an athlete like daddy because as soon as it’s time for me to go to bed you come alive and decide to do some cardio. It always makes me smile though. It’s comforting to know you’re doing well in there and having a good time! I can honestly say it is an honor, a privilege to carry you in my womb for these 9 months. To feel your little kicks and movements fills me with joy and wonder. I love sharing my body with you and feeling the flurry of activity in my tummy.

Oh my dear, darling little boy, I am so ready to meet you. Time drags by. Patience eludes me. I wonder, will you look like me or daddy? Will you have my long fingers and toes or his dimples? I can’t wait to nuzzle your soft cheek next to mine. I can’t wait to hold you in my arms. To rock you, to feel your tiny little heartbeat against mine. To smell your brand new baby smell.

I can’t wait for you to join our family. I can’t wait for you to meet your big sister. She is still a bit young to understand what is going on, but whenever I tell her I am growing her a little brother to play with, she pats my tummy and kisses it. She will love you so very much and you will adore her. She will smother you with kisses and I pray you never tire of it.

Someday you will have a family of your own and you will treasure your children as much as we treasure you. You will be the head of your house, someone’s daddy, and it is a very important role. I want to share with you the story of the five balls, which has become a very significant lesson for me since starting a family of my own. Imagine life is a game in which you are juggling five balls. The balls are called work, family, health, friends, and integrity. And you’re keeping all of them in the air. But one day you finally come to understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls – family, health, friends, integrity – are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered. And once you truly understand the lesson of the five balls, you will have the beginnings of balance in your life.

Yesterday I had an ultrasound and we saw you yawn and blink your eyes! It was the sweetest little yawn I have ever seen! The doctor said you must be very advanced and gifted since babies don’t usually open their eyes in the womb this early. I would have to agree. You are one special boy and I get to love you! Imagine that!! I anxiously await your arrival. You will be loved immeasurably my darling baby. The blessing that awaits me is breathtaking.

I love you,
Mommy

Our First Carnival!

Berkeley savored her very first lollipop. She wouldn't let it go.

Ella loved hers too!

She very proudly showed me her blue tongue!

Ella going down the slide!
I love her facial expressions!!!

Fun on the swings

Look at that scowl. I love it!

I'm not sure what this face is all about...the wind perhaps?

Love that little tongue!

Berkeley loves Sarah! Then again, who doesn't???

Berkeley leading Sarah over to look at the fun whale!

Ella loved the whale too. I can't believe it didn't freak them out!

Berkeley and Grandpa driving the train

Ella and Berkeley went to their very first carnival this afternoon! I won't say where it was at for the sake of any potential perverts who happen to love delicious little girls, but they had a blast! I'm not sure what was the biggest hit...the lollipops, the swings, the whale or the train, but the girls loved it and were tuckered out by the time we were done. Berkeley rode on the train for about an hour with Grandpa & Grandma. She and Ella got to swing together and go down the slide which is always fun. Ella had a bit of trouble at first on the swings (you can tell by her adorable little scowl), but after Ella got her groove back (I've been dying to use that line since I knew that was going to be her name. I know, cheesy of me, right?) she smiled and laughed as Chris pushed her higher and higher. I love her expressions. If you click on the one of her going down the slide she is making the most hilarious face! She always makes me laugh! I love it that the girls get to experience so many of their "firsts" together. We'll have so many fun pictures to show them someday when they are teenagers and good friends. It reminds me of Sarah, Kate, Laura and I. We pretty much grew up together and many of my childhood memories include them. I love it that our children will grow up together. Now if Laura and Kate would just get on the ball.........

Our First Trip to the Zoo!

Kissing the elephant...

...and pulling his tail!

Ella loved this hat and didn't want to take it off!

Sarah and Ella loved the monkeys!
So cute!

I fell in love with this guy. He sat and picked his nose the entire time we watched him! I wanted to take him home until Berkeley started copying him and putting her finger in her nose too!

Ella touched the elephant...

and was completely grossed out (click to enlarge and see her hilarious expression)! She is all girl!!! I love it!

Today Laura and I took Berkeley to the zoo. We were accompanied by my parents, Sarah, Ella, Kate and Devra and it was so much fun! The weather was overcast and a bit cooler (which was nice) and only sprinkled on us a bit. That's ok...none of us melted and the animals were moving about since it was nice and cool. They tend to hide in the shade when it's really hot so we were thankful for a perfect day. Ella and Berkeley loved looking at the animals. Ella couldn't wait to see the "big brown bears," but didn't care for the wolves...she called them "dirty dogs." Berkeley and my dad got to feed the giraffes which was incredible. We had a marvelous time and can't wait to do it again!

These Boots Were Made For Walkin' and That's Just What They'll Do

We had another magnificent day on Wednesday and Berkeley has been spending lots of time outside. She wanted to try her new boots out (after she munched on them and approved them). They are still a little bit big so she used the side of the house for assistance. We are loving the sun and get to go to the zoo on Monday for the first time so we are very excited!!!