One Year Checkup

Melanie had her one year checkup today. She is 17 lbs 14.25 oz (4%) and 28.5 inches (24%). She is a little bigger then Meg was.

All Grown Up!

The milestones are always bittersweet. Of course we are so excited that our little girls have learned something new, grown, etc. But with each milestone I am struck by the feeling that the little baby girl I've loved is gone. Megan will never again be that silly little toddler who giggles as she pokes her head around the couch. Melanie will never again be our smiley bag of immobile baby goo. We've loved every moment and it is hard to see them pass. I just wish we could freeze time for a while. Here are some of their latest triumphs.

Meg loves to "read" books. Of course, she isn't actually reading, but she has memorized at least two dozen books. She will pick them up and read to us or to Mel. It is indescribable how cute it is to hear her little voice as she says the words (correctly) and turns the pages. She is truly amazing. The other day I woke up with them and was playing for a bit. I had to go make breakfast and I told Meg, "Meg, read some books to Melanie while I make breakfast. Okay?" I realized she isn't a toddler anymore. Once you can say that to them, they aren't toddlers.

Meg has finally started letting us do her hair. She used to always pull out any clips or hair ties. She still incessantly plays with her hair, but she likes the pony tails. She recently has gotten into ponies, mainly because Grandma and Kate and Lily gave her some. Since we are putting pony tails in her hair, she accepts it.

Baby Bell is cruising along the furniture like a champ. She wants to walk so bad! And guess what. She took a step today! Actually, she took a couple. Not in a row; she took one, fell, would get up and take another after some coaxing. Our girl will be walking like it's nothing in no time.

Liz got me a sudoku game for Valentines. Both of us play it now. Liz plays it so much that I wonder whether she got it for me or for her. It's like the Simpsons when for Marge's birthday Homer buys a bowling ball with "Homer" engraved on it. Since we both are playing it, Meg has gotten interested. She stole it from me the other day and played for a while.

Mel turned one last Friday. On Monday, her first tooth broke through. On Wednesday, her second tooth broke through. Zoom in on the image to see. They are both on the bottom. Two teeth in the same week? Yeah, you're right, there have been a lot of sleepless nights for the last month or so. This is the best picture we could get. We've tried a bunch and after a ton of tears we finally got one. Sorry about the food in her mouth, on her chin, face, fingers, etc. It was dinner time.

Growing up is so cute, but I want my babies back.

Melanie's First Birthday!!

Hooray! Mel turned one on Friday. It was a fun day. We took pictures, petted a cute cocker spaniel, opened presents, ate cake and had a party!

Good morning Birthday Girl!
Opening presents, Meg is helping.

We love CAKE!!

Cupcakes

Mel's Cake

Nothing Much

We haven't been up to much. Russ started his 6th and last semester of school. We are so excited! We are also getting ready to celebrate Mel's Birthday next week. We are wondering, Where did that year go?

So I was cooking dinner when the cumin fell on the floor. No worries, I thought, the lid is on so I will pick it up in a second. When will I learn?

Magic Wings

On Monday, we went up to Deerfield MA to the butterfly conservatory. It was amazing. I tried to take so many pictures and videos, but none could really capture what it was like. It was two medium sized rooms filled with topical plants, birds, and a koi pond. And there were thousands of butterflies flying free. Poor Russ wore a sweater and it was 80 degrees and humid, so he was hurting. Megan was a little unsure about the butterflies getting close to her, but she loved the quail running around. Mel just sat back and experienced.

The butterflies were really hard to get a good picture of. They don't like to hold still.
That green one was amazing.

Russ tried to get a picture of the butterflies in flight, but couldn't. But they were literally everywhere

This little guy loved me.

House Hunting

Since we have a job in Provo now, Russ and I have decided that it was time to do some house hunting. This is what we have picked out:

But since it is Rhode Island, it will only be a place that we can spend 6-8 weeks during the summer. But, as you can see, we will have plenty of room, so we will expect visitors!

Just kidding. This is The Breakers, the "summer cottage" of the Vanderbilt's. They really only used this place two months out of the year. Their home in NYC took up an entire city block. They didn't allow pictures of the inside, so I encourage all of you to do an image search to see the inside. Right outside of the house was the Cliff Walk that led you around to all of the mansions in the area. It was really pretty.

We ate at Mystic Pizza on the way back. That is an actual lemon.

I don't know where they get this from.

Christmas

After a long and fun Christmas vacation we are back.

Mel going through tunnels.

Santa has to be good with rejections.

Ole Boy, you got me clothes. Thanks.

Megan was running up and down the hallway and Mel was trying to catch up. Maybe next year sweetie.