Maggie is so funny!

Love the sounds of sweet laughter.

And don't worry, Maggie is not nearly as ferocious as she sounds here :) 

17 and 7

This pretty much sums up life right now...

Most days life is crazy keeping up with my two babies but I am doing my best to capture these moments...even the silly ones. 

With the frigid temperatures outside we are getting creative with our indoor activities.  One day we pulled out  all of our hats and wore them around the house.  It's true. 

Even McClain got in on the action.

But seriously, on days that we see this shining through...

we bundle up and head outside to enjoy a change of scenery and some fresh air.

And now that Lucy Mills is a pro at walking, playing outdoors has a whole new meaning.

She is 17 months old today and I can't get over how much she has changed in just a few months.  Of course she gets prettier by the day...

 but she is also developing into a fun little person too.  Today we started back our weekly story time at the library.  While most of the kids present sat in their mothers' laps, my child stood in the middle of the circle to make sure she didn't miss anything.  Oh my. 

I love that she is still being tender towards McClain.

"Super buddy," as Travis calls him, is 7 weeks old tomorrow.  

He is a wonderful baby...living up to his "super" nickname. 

I just hope he stays this easy.  And this cute. 

Oh McClain, your mama sure does love you. Especially when you make eyes at her like that. 

Or curl your sweet hands up under your chin. 

Or gaze at your sister like this. 

At 17 months and 7 weeks old, these babies keep me busier than ever before.  But also more blessed than ever. 

New Family Member...

well, the furry kind that is. 

Is this not the cutest face you have ever seen? 

I wish I could say that this new baby is staying in the Mason household permanently but she is not.  She belongs to Susan and I had the privilege to pick her out as a birthday surprise for my sister.  Sweet Sophie has one sister and two brothers left. I begged Travis to let me bring one home with us, but he insisted we had enough "real" babies to take care of. 

 Welcome to the family Sophie! 

Time to Shop!

One of my favorite things to do is shop for cute children's clothes.  Forget about my own clothes...I'm fine in yoga pants and tennis shoes these days, but my babies will sure look good in their smocked outfits! 

Come and shop NEXT Sunday the 23rd from 2-6pm,

or

shop online at www.shrimpandgritskids.com and I will be happy to place your order.

The Spring line is adorable! 

Here is a sneak peak...

Message me for details! 

A New Do

How cute is her new hairdo? Lovin' these piggytails on sweet girl! 

A Different Kind of Snow Day

For McClain's one month birthday it snowed! 

This is still the south, right? The January 2011 snow makes for McClain's second snowfall and Lucy Mills' third! 

Unfortunately, we were unable to go outside and enjoy the white wonder because both of my babies were sick.  Again. 

So we just had to enjoy the new fallen snow from the indoors this time. 

Just when I thought the germs were out of our house they struck the kids again.  Lucy Mills woke up Sunday morning with a horrible sounding cough and full-blown cold, while McClain is congested with a cold.  Not fun. 

Both are resting well and we are running these things constantly...

I did feel bad when all of the neighborhood kids were playing out front in the cul-de-sac and Lucy Mills had to watch from afar. 

But then I told her she could have some more juice because it would help her cold and she seemed satisfied.

After a day of turning my house upside down chicken noodle soup, naps, warm baths, and vitamin C, we are hoping for a clean bill of health soon.

And spring weather. 

And Just Like That...

another round of monthly pictures begin.

Suggie bought McClain this precious giraffe, and it will work perfectly to pose his monthly pictures next to and see how he grows.  I can't believe my sweet newborn is already one month old. I want to hold on tight and freeze this time with him.  

I love his itty bitty fingers and nose,  his pouty lips, his soft coos and baby sounds. I love that he can fall asleep cuddled up in my arms, without seemingly a care in the world.  

He has his daddy's ears, his mommy's hair, and his sister's lips...yet he is his own little person...

who can take your breath away just by locking his eyes with yours. 

We are loving on him constantly, 

but he is content just loving on his lovey.

McClain, I can't wait to see the little fellow you turn out to be.  But 

for now I am enjoying the sweet baby days. 

Back Together Again

The dust is starting to clear and I feel like some semblance of a normal {and I use that word loosely} life is setting in.  McClain has adapted to our family, our helpers have stopped coming, and Travis has returned to work.  It's just me and the kiddos...which is how it's supposed to be. 

Balancing my time between two children is more difficult than I thought it would be.  It seems like Lucy Mills always wants my undivided attention right when it's time to feed McClain.  I am trying to give her the majority of my efforts and energy because she is the one adjusting to a sibling.  

Yesterday the two of us went out to run errands before going to her friend's birthday party.  Nowhere fancy, just a quick trip to TJ Maxx and CVS, but I realized it's these ordinary moments of just being together I have missed these past few months.  I'm glad to have my time back with my sweet girl.  She has grown so much during the months I was unable to take care of her.  These days Lucy Mills is talking up a storm.  While Travis and I understand most of what she says, I'm not sure the average person on the street would. 

On our outing she said "coco" which translates to car, every time she saw one.  She says hello, hey, or boo {as in peek-a-boo} to the people we pass.  And she enjoys reading her books while fastened in her car seat. 

I'm more exhausted than ever keeping up with her, but it's worth it to have the time back with my little girl.  After all, who wouldn't want to hang out with this attitude all day...

I wonder what the teenage years will entail? 

It Only Took 16 Months But...

somebody is walking on her own! 

Lucy Mills has been walking with assistance from her push toys since she was 12 months.  But we have been wondering when she would work up the confidence to let go and take off on her own.  Well, it happened.  I'm glad that Travis and I were both there to see her stand up and walk so effortlessly.  She walked around the house for about 20 minutes with her hands up in the air (gripping the water bottle mind you) saying "yayyyy!"

Yay Lucy Mills! I'm so proud of you my sweet girl! 

In other happenings at our house, McClain's due date is today, January 6th.  He is almost one month old and I'm so glad that he is here and we are not waiting on his arrival.  Little buddy is still a delightful and easy baby.  Here he is doing his usual snoozing.  Maggie likes to watch over him while he rests.

And I finally captured a shot of him with his eyes open!  He's so handsome. 

Oh how I love having a newborn in the house!  All of us are enjoying loving on McClain. Lucy Mills likes to say "hey, baby" when she sees him.  She is also very good at giving him kisses and pointing at his dark hair.  I'm so relieved that she loves her brother.  While there have been some days moments of adjustment, she has only shown McClain sweetness.

Twenty Ten

As I get older, time seems to go by so much faster than it once did.  
  Looking back over the past year, I see just how quickly the days on the calendar flipped by. We were certainly blessed in 2010 and I have enjoyed looking back at some of the highlights.  In 2011 I hope to take more pictures, blog more entries, and record more videos of our happenings.

In January
 we felt like we had adjusted as a family of three.  Lucy Mills was five months old and a complete joy to take care of.  I turned 29 that month and thought my life couldn't get any richer with these two...

In February, we enjoyed a snowy weekend that the south rarely sees.

And also loved on our favorite little Valentine...

In March we took a family vacation to the beach.  Lucy Mills put her toes in the Atlantic for the first time...and wasn't thrilled about it.

But we still got some smiles out of that little stinker! 

In April we celebrated Easter with somebunny...

In May I enjoyed my first Mother's Day with the sweet girl.

AND found out that I was going to be a mother of two! 

June was Fathers Day with the best daddy in the world,

and the beginning of our weekly trips to the pool.

Uncle Daniel came to visit for the 4th of July.  We had a blast hanging out at the local Peach Festival, but what was even more fun than the peaches was the grapefruit.  Daniel gave Lucy Mills her first taste. 

Later that month we loaded up and headed to the coast for some more beach time!

In August Lucy Mills turned 1.  We celebrated her first year with a pink party and...

 also shared the news that Baby #2 was a boy! 

We went to the zoo in September and realized that our little girl was pretty fearless.

In October I was put on bed rest for preeclampsia, but little miss still brought us some smiles at Halloween.

November was a difficult month and I was put in the hospital for my high risk pregnancy.  But these two came to see me and all my cares subsided for a while.

In December my sweet baby boy McClain arrived.

And all seemed right in my world again.

There are some of the glimpses that made up our 2010.  
Blessed indeed.