some thoughts -- and pictures of Esther

I can hardly believe it's been 4 months since Esther was born. Time has flown, it feels... nor can I really fathom it's been two years since Amy arrived. It makes me realize how important it is to savor the moments... I'm grateful to have a journal, and to have a camera... and I am trying to make sure I take mental pictures often.

For example, the other day we went for a walk, and Amy wanted to take her small bear. She also had to hold my hand, so she held the hand of her small bear too... you could see this little bear bobbing against her thighs as she made her way down the street with me, and Ryan was pushing Esther in the stroller. I thought, 'Some day she'll grow up, and not want to play with teddy bears anymore... I've got to take a mental note of how cute this is.'

There's a new picture I have on my wall which has winter, summer and fall next to each other with this quote from Ecclesiastes 3:1 "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Whenever I wish for things that are not in this time-frame (like a piano to play... let's face it, when would I ever have the time to play it now, plus our apartment is so small that if I did play it, it would wake up the girls) I tell myself, it's not piano-season. It's playing with toddlers and babies season. It's teaching in my home season, not getting a masters or PhD season. I am beginning to realize, that with all other seasons, time goes by so fast and things change quickly, so it's important to appreciate each moment before it's gone.


Here are some of the moments I am enjoying:
Esther learning to play with her hands, and feet.


Oma visiting to get snuggles from a squishy darling baby...


Esther learning she has a voice...

Esther learning to giggle...





Esther smiling...


















Esther starting to learn how to sit up... (assisted, of course)


















I am also appreciating the fact that Esther is still somewhat immobile, since it keeps things a bit easier for me. Amy is exceedingly mobile, and resourceful for finding new ways to get to the things she wants, so it's nice that they are at different stages so I don't have to worry about Esther getting into stuff as much.

I am grateful for this life... it is a treasure. I am grateful for the beautiful moments that continue to race by and change. I am grateful to be able to share these moments with Ryan and these adorable girls!

More Birthday Photos a la Oma

Two years ago, Amy looked like this...
How does the time fly so fast?












My parents came up for her birthday, and we took Amy to see the ducks. (Note her new cute shoes from Grandma Jan)










Amy has a real preference for my Dad. When we asked her what she wanted for her birthday, she said "Opa". Here she is introducing him to her Big Bear that Daddy bought her for her birthday.











She was a huge fan of the balloons Ryan got for her too.















I liked this picture, because it looks like Big Bear's standing.

Some of the Best Two Years

My little darling girl...












some how grew up over night...














she went from being a baby...













to being a toddler...












We love her more than words can say, and are SO glad we have her in our family! And little Esther too! :)

And she's..... TWO!

Our little Amy-bamy is 2 years old! I can hardly believe how fast the time has flown. She is delightful and I really couldn't hope for a cuter, funnier toddler. She does tend somewhat towards the mischivious side of late, which keeps me very much on my toes... but her heart's as big as the wide world and she goes around spreading hugs, smiles and laughter with relish.









Here are the decorations we put up for her birthday party... not that you can see them all that well from the lighting in this photo -- baloons, the cute banner Aunt Erin made, and pink streamers.









I made probably what was my fourth batch of frosting ever, and I'm pleased to say that it tasted good.












It was hard to get her to blow the candles out though. She just kept looking at them and saying "It's hot." So, I'm glad she's gotten the idea that touching flame is a bad plan. Too bad we're having trouble uploading the videos.









Here I am holding two fun babies: can you guess which one's older? Well, if you guessed Esther -- you're wrong! Her little pal is 3 weeks older than her, but Esther looks quite a bit bigger. You can't really tell in this photo though, but take it from me. Esther was a bit longer, and chubbier. But both girls have darling cheeks!

More pictures of our darling girls

I love my girls!









Amy loves her sister 'Etters' and wanted to read her a story today. She has this thing with talking high pitched about small things... a small fish is a "tiny wish" (in the highest voice imaginable).
Well, the story was exactly that way... Amy would tell Esther what was on each page: "Puppy, Baby! Robot, baby!" It was so cute!! Esther didn't know what to think about all the high pitched-ness and just cooed.







I can't imagine life without them, or without the help of my wonderful husband and best-friend! I feel very blessed.










"This is where to put the food, Mom."