Our Little Fish

 A few weeks ago Ellie started taking swim lessons at the Y.  She has done a really great job, despite being hesitant of being in the 'big pool" for the first time.  Basically the first lesson consisted of Ellie hanging onto her teachers for dear life, and them trying everything to get her to let go.  Since then she has really warmed up to her teachers Ms. Ashely and Ms. Dawn, and is having more and more fun with each lesson!

 I think one of the joys of being a parent comes in watching your child gain new skills, and the confidence that results from it.  The look on Ellie's face when she realizes she can do something new is so precious!  I am so thankful I get to witness that giant smile and enthusiasm.  I also love how she looks at me to make sure that I am watching her. 

Here are a few pictures from her first class...

and a video from today...look at her go!

I am so thankful that Brad works at the Y, and that our girls will have great opportunities to participate in so many more fun things as a result!  We already have Ellie signed up for more swim lessons later in the summer. 

Beach Weekend

This weekend we have enjoyed some much needed family time at Pine Knoll Shores.  It has been so nice to get away and have nothing to do but relax and have fun!  Friday morning we went to the  Aquarium for a few hours and played out on the beach that afternoon.

Our nights have been interesting, trying to figure out the best sleeping arrangements with 2 bedrooms.  The first night we tried putting the girls together, but that ended in Ellie waking Lucy up twice, Lucy screaming for 30 minutes, and Ellie sleeping on the floor in our room. Needless to say we were all tired after a rough night like that. Having Ellie as a bunk mate has been interesting, but at least she is waking us up instead of her sister.  I think she is so excited to be sleeping in the same room as us that she wakes up, remembers where she is, and starts talking to us at all hours of the night.  We have a few trips planned this summer where we will all 4 be sleeping in the same room...I am already dreading the sleeplessness that will most definitely happen then. 

Saturday morning we took the girls to Beaufort to see the boats and walk around some.  The weather has been beautiful, but a tad bit cool still, but it hasn't kept us inside.  Saturday afternoon we went out on the beach to try to fly a kite that we bought for Ellie.  She was impressed for about 5 minutes and went back to playing in the sand.  I told Brad that maybe in a few years that will change.

Lucy has enjoyed eating playing in the sand for the most part, Although just like anything else, when she is over it, she quickly lets us know!  We are thankful for a fun weekend away, but after 2 weekends in a row of traveling, are looking forward to a normal week ahead.

Easter in Brevard

This year we spent Easter with Brad's parents in Brevard.  Ellie went up for some quality time with Nan & Pop Pop on Tuesday afternoon before, and had a great time.  We got there late Friday afternoon and were so glad to see our big girl!  It was weird having a few days of actual quiet in the house.  I loved having some one on one Lucy time, but it was definitely a little boring without my "little buddy" right by my side!

On Easter Ellie had fun hunting and hiding Easter eggs all over Nan & Pop Pop's big yard.  It was sweet to see her really getting into it this year!

Just when I had given up on EVER getting a decent family picture again, Nan managed to get a few good shots of us after church on Easter.  It was nothing short of an Easter miracle, given Lucy had missed her morning nap and had just woken up from a cat nap on the way home.  Thank you, Lynne!  A good family picture is so special to me these days!!

Curious Girl

I love this sweet face, and that little nose, and well, everything about her.  She is loving looking out of her window these days.  She gets so excited when she sees a bird or squirrel in the yard that she lets out a little squeal...precious. 

Buddies

Ben came to play with Ellie on Thursday and they had such a good time!  It was so sweet to see just how excited they both were to spend time together.  Ellie wanted to wait on the porch for Ben a whole hour before he was suppose to arrive...I talked her into 15 minutes.  Ben, on the other hand was practically out of the car before Tim even had a chance to stop.  These two have always had a special bond and I am loving watching them grow up together! 

9 Months old

Trying on a new bathing suit. :)

She loves wagon rides!

16 pds 4 ounces (10%)

26 inches long (10%)

This is the age that gets me in trouble.  Lucy is SUPER cute, and fun, and predictable, and sleeping well, and eating well...and in my opinion, PERFECT!  All of a sudden I have forgotten the 1st trimester nausea, the discomfort, the two LONG hours it has taken BOTH times for my epidural to work, the newborn fog, the late nights, the lack of sleep, and the 7 long months of broken up sleep.  And just like that, when Lucy does something adorable, like she does most of her waking moments, I am willing to do it all over again.  This time in our life is so sweet, and at the same time so hard.  And most days I would go through all of the junk again, just to experience this one more time. 

Excuses...and a few videos

I obviously have been a little MIA on our blog lately.  I have a few excuses reasons...

1.  I am DONE with our camera..."digital zoom" is code word for crappy, blurry pictures. 
2.  It's just too much work to try to get good pictures from the girls these days.  Ellie is in a "don't take my picture" phase, and Lucy is just too much on the move to get a decent picture out of.
3.  Lately when I sit down after the girls are in bed and get on the internet, I go to Pinterest...yes I am officially hooked!

So instead I have opted for videos/pictures on my iPhone mostly, and here are a few recent ones...

The girls are having more fun with each other every day and I absolutely love watching them together, except when Ellie's trying to terrorize Lucy, of course. 

 

For some reason I just love it when Ellie blows her imaginary whistle.  

With the weather being so nice lately, we have spent many afternoons at our neighborhood playground.