Deja Vu

Berkley- Halloween 2009

Avery - Halloween 2006

Pony and Fish

Happy Halloween from our resident My Little Pony and Nemo

Being A Mom

So lately I have been in a somewhat introspective mood and have been questioning if I am living up to my potential. I think this is because I spend my days seeped in diapers, binkies, nursing, zoo trips, preschool, and "kid" stuff and I rarely get time for myself. As much as I love my daughters, and as much as I love being a mom, I sometimes wonder if that is it for me in life. Don't get me wrong, I know that being a mom is the most important job, but I will also admit that it wasnt the only thing I dreamed I would do in life. Have my political science degree and my dreams of being the next great thing just gone to waste along with my waistline and sanity? Well, then I read this poem on a blog and it made me feel better, because it is exactly how I feel.

“She came tonight as I sat alone, the girl I used to be…
And she gazed at me with her earnest eye and questioned reproachfully;

Have you forgotten the many plans and hopes that I had for you?
The career, the splendid fame, and all the wonderful things to do?
Where is the mansion of stately height with all of its gardens rare?
The silken robes that I dreamed for you and the jewels in your hair?

And as she spoke, I was very sad for I wanted her pleased with me…
This slender girl from the shadowy past the girl that I used to be
So gently rising, I took her hand, and guided her up the stair
Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay innocent, sweet, and fair.

And I told her that these are my only gems, and precious they are to me;
That silken robe is my motherhood of costly simplicity.
And my mansion of stately height is love, and the only career I know
Is serving each day in these sheltered walls for the dear ones who come and go.

And as I spoke to my shadowy guest, she smiled through her tears at me.
And I saw that the woman that I am now, pleased the girl I used to be.

- Author Unknown

So someday I may be able to live out my dreams and become what I "thought" I would become when I was younger, and maybe I wont. But I do know that as I kiss my girls goodnight and put them in bed that I am doing something important and unique because no one else can be as good of a mom to my girls as I can. And as I toil through the trenches of motherhood, I also get to experience the highs of loving two people so completely and unconditionally it amazes me. And that, to me, is enough.

I'm a Big Girl Now

So I have been putting off posting about Berkley's birthday because I am in denial. She is still my little baby and not a 1 year old!!! She is too small to be 1 already! Im not ready for her to be 1. She needs to stop growing. I cant lose my little tiny baby!


Well in spite of my pleadings, she turned 1 anyway and we got some pictures of her in her birthday dress.

So here is her cake story. She looks teary eyed because right before we started singing to her, she accidentally grabbed her candle and burned her finger (not bad). She was so upset we almost couldnt get her to eat her cake. We had to lift the cake up to her face because she was too afraid to touch it because she thought she would get burned again. However, in the end all was well and she devoured the cake like a true 1 year old :)

Happy Birthday Berkley!

Happy (belated) Birthday DaddyO!!

I am way behind here with my blog posting! Ian had his birthday on the 18th and we had a very fun night. We decided to go to the annual St. Louis hot air balloon glow where about 50 hot air balloons camp out on a field and let people get close to them and watch them glow up the night sky. We had a blast! Avery and Berkley were a little scared at first because the flames get quite intense but they soon got used to them and loved getting close to the balloons. It was an amazing experience and we plan on going every year from now on!

The happy birthday balloon was perfect for Ian's birthday night! They must have brought it just for Ian's special day ;)

We love the picture because it looks like fire is coming out of Avery's head. For any of you who know Avery, fire does come out of her head at least 3.35 times a day :)

A is for Avery

It only took a blink of an eye for this tiny angel to grow into...
This big angel who is absolutely, undeniably, irrisistably perfect in every way :)

Happy Birthday Avery!!

Magic House

We have a local childrens museum called the Magic House nearby that we are absolutely in LOVE with! There is stuff for Berkley, Avery, and even myself to enjoy. Here are some pictures of my little princesses getting their play on :)

And after all that playing, Berkley needed a good dinner to make her happy!