Happy Birth and First

If someone were to ask me who my very best friend was (aside from my kid who tells me whenever he's in trouble, "Don't be mad at me Mommy. I'm your best friend."), I couldn't choose. I am very blessed to have two girls in my life who I love so incredibly much and couldn't get by without either of them. They are my friends for different reasons and in completely different ways and I am just so grateful for them both. They, along with their kids, are like family to me. So how insanely awesome is it that they had babies almost exactly one year from each other?

Here is Elijah and I with Emery Shave, the day after her arrival, October 18, 2010.

And here, exactly one year later, is Reese and Chase Street, October 18, 2011.

This past week we got to celebrate Chase's arrival and Emery's first birthday within days of each other.

Shelbie,

Thanks for letting us be a part of the girls' lives. We just adore them. Elijah nearly idolizes Des. Seriously, my kid is still talking about the tooth she lost. The first name he came up with for his baby sister was "Desi Blue".  Emery is ridiculously cute and I'm not going lie... I've said a few prayers that her and E might grow up and marry. He loves his M&M. You are raising two girls that I am so happy Reese will have to grow up with.

Karlie,

Congratulations! You're awesome girl. I love you like you were the butter to my peanut. Oh wait. You are. :) Your boys are amazing. I seriously love them. Watching Elijah, Aiden and Reese together is already great, can't wait to see what happens with Chase in the mix!

To the newest Street Boy:

Welcome to the world Chase Edward. You are crazy blessed kid. You have an awesome family. I hope you like cars, trucks and trains because you'll be seeing a lot of those around with your brother. Be sweet to your parents... but not too sweet. They already have one angel child around :) You are very loved already. Don't ever forget that.

K & S,
Thank you both for your friendships, not just to me but with our kids as well. I love you!

7 months

Oh me, oh my. Oh me, oh my. How the time is going by.

I think I may be reading a tad too many Dr. Seuss books.

Nah.

Well, we've made it through yet another month and my tots are growing way to stinking fast.

Reesey Bug,
What a month this was for you! You produced not just your first, but also second teeth. You are sitting up by yourself like a champ and can go from sitting to crawling with such breeze. You scoot through this house like a lightning bolt. I turn around and you're gone. Usually into some one's bedroom or you've found a dog toy to chew on. You have perfected your pouty face and it is oh-so-very pitiful. You lay it on. Thick. You love eating and taking a bath. You're big enough to take baths in the big tub with Elijah, which you think is the greatest thing ever (aside from your brother himself, who you ADORE). You like to eat paper and nearly choked on a coupon the other day that was hiding who knows where (I am so careful not to leave any paper laying where you might reach it). You are almost always happy. You are the best baby to take out places. The only time you really get upset is if you're tired or if there are too many people around trying to hold you. Your laugh is fantastic. Much deeper than I expected from such a petite, pretty little thing. You're very ticklish and love raspberries on your belly. I love you at this stage and wish I could pause it for just a little longer. Love you bugaboo!

Elijah,
STOP GROWING UP! You are going to be three in two weeks. Whaaaaaat?! I don't know what I would do without you every day. You are incredible. You are learning your letters and I am really impressed at how well you're doing. You love singing. You make me laugh and amaze me with the things you say and do.
 For instance...
The other day your foot fell asleep. You came hopping into the kitchen saying your foot had "sprinkles" on it.
You got a plastic octopus from the dollar section at Target (side note: whenever I mention we're going to Target, at least 3 times a week, you have to inform me that you need to check out what's in the dollar section when we get there), and you told us that his nose (head) is so big because he has to hold his breath because he lives under water.
We do little science experiments with a bowl of water and various items to see what floats. Here was your rationalization one day after testing an apple slice, grape and piece of carrot: "Apples, float. Grapes, sink. Rock, sinks. Crabs live in the water. Water is at the beach. Sand lives at the beach. Carrots, sink." Then I asked if the carrot was like the grape or the apple. You replied, "It's not a grape and it's not an apple. It's just a carrot." Yup. You're right. The best part was while we were doing this and you said, "Mom. You're so cool." Thanks kid. You're pretty cool yourself.