Matchy Matchy

Lately Sophie has been requesting that she and Josie wear the same colors (or objects, like flowers and butterflies). She gets really disappointed if she and Josie aren't dressed similarly. I think it is really cute when they match so I try my best to fulfill Sophie's wishes.

Sophie's color of the day - pink. They both wore pink jammies to bed and had pink clothes to wear during the day (Josie didn't end up changing into them, but she still had pink on.)

When Sophie picked out her outfit, she wanted Josie to wear blue, too. My mom was watching the girls and she told Sophie that she didn't think Josie had any blue clothes. Sophie told her to look in the closet. Sure enough, there was a blue outfit in there. 

Purple butterfly jammies

I didn't think I had any purple butterflies for Josie, which upset Sophie. Upon further inspection, these jammies that Josie has one do in fact have tiny purple butterflies on them. Crises averted!

Sophie's original request was that Josie wear princess jammies (which is what Sophie picked out to wear to bed). When she saw that Josie had on pink bunny jammies, Sophie had me get out her pink bunny jammies.

Josie's Baptism

Josie has kissed original sin goodbye by getting baptized today! It was such a special day. During mass, Grandma S was the featured singer - she did a wonderful job. After mass we all gathered to watch as Josie was baptized. We were blessed to have so many wonderful people there for her. 

Josie looked so cute in the family baptismal gown.

She kept smiling and making the happiest faces. I couldn't help but give her huge smiles back!

A) Josie is going to smell like the oil for days
B) Kent's face is hilarious!

Father always asks that the first picture after a baptism be with him. He is such a wonderful, caring priest.

Josie's Godfather is our friend, Matt. Her Godmother is her Aunt Sara.

Josie with Grandma and Pawpaw Z

It is hard to get a family pic where everyone is smiling and facing forward., especially when there are kids involved.

Eyes forward, Josie.

Josie with Grandma and Pawpaw S

Our family

Special thanks to my wonderful sister, Debra, for taking photos for me.

A Few Firsts for Josie

Today was a big day for Josie. Spring break is over so I had to go back to work. While my mom is going to watch the girls on Wednesdays, they are going to the baby sitter's house the rest of the week. Josie has met Janice a few times but today was her first time staying there all day. As soon as we came in the house all the kids crowded around to check her out. They approved of her. I lingered for awhile before heading to work. Janice sent me a text a little while after school started saying that she had been initiated by Josie-she spit up all over poor Janice's shirt. That is my girl. I'm glad that she had a good day at the baby sitter's. She ate, slept, watched the kids play, and was an all around good baby. I was so excited when school was over so that I could go get my girls again. I am so thankful that my girls get to spend the day with such a amazing person though. I don't have to worry (as much) about how they are doing because I know they are getting wonderful care.

Josie had another first today...she rolled over from her belly to her back! I had just finished getting both girls dressed in their jammies and had Josie on her play mat on the floor. She was doing some tummy time with her big sister laying next to her, cheering her on. We were impressed with how high she had her body off the ground. Next thing we know, her right leg starts lifting off the ground and she was rocking over to her side. We had Sophie move out of her way and within seconds Josie was on her back! We were so proud of her. I even cried a little (I was that proud).

A Zoo Trip Without Daddy

I decided to be brave today and I took both girls to the zoo without Joe. I wasn't too scared because we were going to meet up with some friends of mine, the Herald family. They helped me out so much! Their daughter carried Sophie around when she didn't want to be in the stroller and helped to keep her entertained. They are so cute together. My friend James held Josie while I got her bottle ready and fed her while I took Sophie on the carousel (she would have gone nuts if we didn't go on the carousel!). I don't think I would have survived without them!

Josie isn't used to all this sunshine!

As always, Sophie loved the zoo. She loves animals and seeing all of the exhibits. Josie slept most of the time, only waking up when she was hungry.

Sophie was so excited that the tiger was right in front of the glass. 

Sleeping in the nocturnal house. 

The only real frustrating part for me had nothing to do with the zoo. **Warning - possible whining up ahead** Sophie was (once again) mistaken for a younger child. This happens constantly and sometimes it really gets to me (yes, I am sensitive). We were over by the tiger exhibit and as she started to walk away from me, Sophie stumbled a little over her feet. An older woman next to me looked over at me and said, "Aw, how cute. A new walker!" I smiled and let her know that she was actually 2 1/2 years old. (At this point Sophie started running around showing off that she is in fact an older kid.) The woman was surprised (they always are) and asked the normal question - "Was she a preemie " Sometimes it is just easier to say yes, but I went ahead and gave my standard 20 second response to that question: "She was small in utero, and was full term but only weighed 4 1/2 pounds. She continues to be small and we don't know why, but she is a normal, active kid." The woman was surprised and did a "bless her heart" before walking away. I know people don't mean anything when they comment on Sophie's size, but it gets old after awhile. (This is a common frustration for parents of IUGR babies.) At least this woman didn't offer me advice on how to bulk her up like many do. Anyway....

After we were there for two hours, the girls started to get cranky and I knew it was time to head home. I was so exhausted when we finally got to the car. The girls were, too. It took me about 10 minutes to change their diapers, strap them into their seats, and load the stroller in the back before we were finally on our way. (Side note: Things take so much time when you have two kids! I am fearful that I will never get faster with things.) Both girls were asleep within 5 minutes. We all three took another nap when we got home. It was a fun, exhausting day. I can't wait to do it again...with help, of course!

Back to Work

The time that I have been dreading arrived-it was back to work for me. Time to leave my little kids for my big kids. Maternity leave is over.

Getting some last minute snuggles in before heading off to work.

 

Wednesday was my first day back to work. I lingered around the house in the morning because I really didn't want to leave my girls. My mom was watching them, so I knew they would be in good hands, but I was going to miss them so much. On the drive to work I cried a little. When I got inside the building, I saw one of my coworkers. She welcomed me back with a big hug and I started crying on her shoulder. When the actual school day started I did okay. I sent a text to my mom to check on the girls and all was well. At lunch I called to see how things were going, and then I cried some more. I repeated this at my planning period. Once school was over, I rushed out of the building so that I could get home to see the girls.

Josie slept most of the day.

Sophie thinks she is cool with her phone in her pocket. Too cute.

The girls had a fun day with their Grandma. I think they both missed me though. When I came in through the garage, I heard Sophie yell, "My mommy home!" I smothered her in hugs and kisses and played with her for a few minutes. Then I sat down on the floor to snuggle with Josie. Sophie wanted to play some more, so she brought over her cell phone (an old one of mine in the picture above). She tried to put it up to my ear so I could 'talk' to Aunt Beba (Debra). She didn't have a good grip on it apparently and she dropped it right on Josie's head. Arg! So much for a peaceful, relaxing time after work. Then again, is there such a thing as a peaceful, relaxing time with a toddler and a newborn?

After the phone experience, my mom left and the girls and I played while we waited for Joe to come home. Both girls were happy to have their parents home with them.

Smiling at Daddy

Josie was happy to have her parents back home. We were happy to see her, too.

Thursday and Friday weren't as bad as that first day. I didn't cry on either day - I was too busy to really dwell on how sad I was about leaving the girls behind. I knew they were safe and happy with their (tired) Grandma, so it was easy to lose myself in the school day.

My favorite quote from a student this week was, "Mrs. S you were able to walk up the stairs without losing your breath!" The last few months of my pregnancy I was always out of breath when I walked up the stairs. It was wonderful being able to keep up with my class and be huffing and puffing as I climbed the stairs. I am so thankful for that!

I am glad that I have the first (partial) week over with. I'm on Spring Break now. I am so glad that I went back when I did. It gave me a chance to drip my toes back into working before having to completely dive in. I have another week to enjoy my girls and really prepare myself for the rest of the school year. It won't be long until summer vacation! I can't wait!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter everyone!

Sophie's basket

Josie's basket as well as a gift for mom and a  gift for dad.

When he was a kid, Joe's family hid their Easter baskets. He decided that we should continue that tradition, so he hid Sophie's basket. She found it right away under the table. She was so excited by everything.

"There it is!"

She found Josie's basket, too, and wanted to get everything out. We decided that she would 'help' Josie with her basket.

Sophie wanted to try out all of Josie's items

Not amused

I torture this poor baby!

We had a great time with our family. After church we had brunch with Joe's family. Sophie had a lot of fun with her cousins (and the rest of the family) and Josie was perfectly content being passed around.

Sophie, after the egg hunt. (I didn't even realize it was going on, so no pictures of her actually looking for eggs.)

After a quick family nap, we headed over to my family's house for dinner.

Kaci helped Sophie find her eggs.

We had a wonderful day. I love when we are able to spend time with our families. I can't wait until next Easter when both of my girls can search for eggs with their cousins!

Sophie wanted to get in the basket, too.  She just barely fit.