Oh, these girls.

We live a simple but crazy, hectic life these days. An almost 3 year old keeps us on our toes from before the sun comes up until long after the sun has set. She is go. And go, and go! Eloise, you crack us up all day long. It seems you have a new trick or new phrase every day to keep us in stitches. You are currently in a phase where you call everyone "Hon". The other day we caught each other's eye from across the room, and you said, "I love you. You are my best mommy ever." You melted my heart.

And Mirabel, oh, Mirabel. Your sweet voice and beautiful eyes have us smitten. You are a focused and determined little one who, a lot like your big sister, takes some time to figure things and people out before sharing that big mouthed smile you have. You are a terrible sleeper. As you near six months of age, I'm reminded of how long it's been since I've had more than 4 consecutive hours of sleep. Oy. But, again, those sweet coos you make over the monitor in the morning and that big, drooly smile you give me, I can't help but squeeze you in my zombie state of mind as I fill my coffee cup for the third time...

In other news, Mirabel cut her first tooth today. Yay! We looked up in Eloise's baby book to see when her first tooth came and low and behold, she was only one day older than Mirabel when hers popped. Crazy!

Sweetie pies...

...7 seconds later...

My two stooges. 

Kisses.

Love.

Watching the snow fall.

More snow to see.

And a shout out to my man. We got to get all fancy for his work's Christmas party this year and thought we'd better get a picture of this rare occasion. You can't tell by the picture, but just minutes before this shot was taken, Mirabel spit up on Justin's fresh shirt and tie. (Who, I might add, hardly ever spits up!) Disaster was averted and we had a wonderful time. This crazy thing called life would be nothing without him to share it with. Love you, Babe. 

It is Fall!

So far this fall in Nebraska has actually felt like fall. No snow yet. Leaves are changing color and beginning to fall. I love this time of year the best. We were able to enjoy the pumpkin patch again this year and we got to go trick-or-treating without having to bundle up over our costumes!

Hayrack ride

Eloise had the "jumping pillow" all to herself. 

Trying to keep warm at the pumpkin patch.

My little honey bee. 

She was so excited to see Herbie. 

First row seats on the train ride. 

Mirabel learning how to Bumpo. 

So. Much. Drool!

Trick-or-treat! 

Mirabel's Dedication

We had such a wonderful time celebrating Mirabel's dedication at church. So much of our family was able to come and celebrate with us. We are so thankful for all of our family and friends in our life who help to shape us into the people and parents God has made us to be. Our continued prayer is for our girls to one day come to a place in their lives where they will know Jesus and have a personal relationship with Him as their God and Savior. I'm thankful also for our church who supports us in that important journey.

Mirabel - 4 Months

I wish this baby girl would smile her wide-mouthed smile at the camera. It's pretty adorable. 

You are such a sweet baby, my Mirabel. At 4 months old, you are really starting to jabber. You are enjoying being able to hold on and play with toys. They always go straight to your mouth and you get very frustrated when the don't reach. You love tummy-time, something your big sister just hated. In fact, after your bath when you are bare-bottomed on your tummy, you try so hard to crawl already. You love your big sister so much. You immediately turn to her when you hear her enter a room. And your big sister adores you. I love seeing the start of this bond you two are making. You are hit or miss when it comes to nursing. You almost always just want to get it done as fast as possible. No cuddling or lingering, which usually is pretty handy having to keep up with your sister. But I so wish at nighttime, you'd relax with Mommy and drift off to sleep as I nurse you. I'll keep praying for that...

You are a joy Miss Mirabel, and are so loved. 

We thank God for the gift of you. 

Life With Two Kids, a poem by Mayim Bialik

I came across this poem by Mayium Bialik and how sweet and true are her words... 

Ode To The First Weeks

Before the baby
It was mama mama mama all the time
Naps and nights
Mama mama mama
And every moment in between
Mama mama mama

But then he came
And you wanted nothing to do with me
You wanted dada
Just dada
Only dada

Before the baby
Your skin was so soft
Was there anything softer?
There could not be anything softer
And I would caress you at naptime and night
Your softness: a leg, a cheek, tiny fingers,
Soft soft soft Firstborn

But then he came
And your skin, once like porcelain, seemed rough and full of imperfections
Bumps and scrapes and scratches
You were not so soft as him
That was very clear

Before the baby
I loved you with everything I had in me
Could I love you more?
Yes I could, they told me, and so I did
At naptime and night and every millisecond in between
All you, only you, forever you

But then he came
And that love grew and grew and grew
And it filled up every corner it could find
Every crevice that I didn’t know existed got filled up with golden warm light
And I kept on loving you so hard
But I loved him too, with everything I have in me
I loved him so hard, so quickly
Did I love him faster than I loved you? Earlier in his life?
I feared the answer was yes

Before the baby
You amazed me
Each eyelash held a universe
Each movement of your hand told a story
And you learned to be a little boy so fast and so well

But then he came
And you broke my heart every minute
How did you come to be so lovely, so creative, so tender, so gentle, so sweet?
How did we make you? Where did you come from?
And why are you crying?

Crying for the milk you had long given up
Crying mama mama mama
You are shrieking a rejection of me with hands once so tiny, yet now so big,
You are clinging to my body with desperation and longing

And sometimes I can not give myself to you like I used to
And you are sad
And you cry
And I cry
And I wonder, what did I do to him?
How could I do this to him?
Will he ever forgive me?

But did you know
That when it is dark
And you are asleep
And he is asleep
And he does not need me
I roll to you
And I cradle you in my arms
And I inhale your scent
And I hold your hands
And I stroke your skin
And I remember the Great Love
And I cling to your body
With desperation
And with longing