Aunt Nicole

Last Saturday, on May 19th I became an Aunt!

Introducing Amelia Jean Kahler:

Mmmm....

Cereal with Daddy!

Cardboard Shades

So desperate to sleep last night....Justin fashioned us some blinds. Too bad Hannah had other plans for her first night in the new house. Up for two hours in the middle of the night and ready for the day by 7am!

This Morning's Conversation

We obviously love Hannah dearly.

If while reading this current post you start to doubt us as parents just refer to my prior post. (Her two-year-tribute). The last few weeks Hannah has been foreshadowing her teenage years. One minute she is giggling hysterically and the next she is falling on the ground crying. She is in the typical Little Miss  Independent stage. EVERYTHING we used to do for her or with her has now been greeted with the response of, "NO! BABY DO!"  (No, you are not a baby- your name is Hannah, but you sure has heck are acting like a baby- now pull yourself together.) Changing her diaper?...."NO BABY DO!".....Putting her clothes on?....."NO BABY DO!".....Helping her down from the changing table?...."NO BABY DO!"....all of this triggers a massive fall-on-the-ground-crying-hysterically-fit. It's so hard, because not every day is like this- only some. But when they come....watch out. So this morning, Justin was greeted with a very grouchy Hannah. After trying numerous ways to distract, ignore, and help soothe her cranky mood- we laid as a family in bed. Hannah victoriously eating straight from the box of mini wheats that she threw a fit over, and Justin and I laying there completely defeated. Here was our conversation:

Me: How in the world did she (pointing at our little monster) take over our house?

Justin: I have no clue. What just happened?

Me: What do we do? How do we get control back?

Justin: We don't. We start over with the next one.

Me: Oh dear. At least she is silent and not screaming...

(Hannah is staring at us smiling and trying to happily shove mini wheats in our mouths.)

Justin: She is possessed.

Me: It feels that way lately.

Justin: When should I schedule her exorcism?

Me: As soon as possible.

The reality of parenting a toddler. Argh.

Two.

I can tell that I have been having "mommy-issues" with Hannah getting older. Instead of 100 kisses a day, she has been receiving about 200. I say, "I love you" almost 40 times a day- because selfishly it is the cutest thing in the world when she says it back: "I-ow-vu!" I have been rocking her to sleep, and cuddling her non-stop. But the fact is- my little girl is getting older and more independent. Here is what we are up to at 2:

Best Parts of the Last Year:

Watching her learn and develop. It's so fun listening to her full sentences and connecting things and situations. She is no longer just stating words, but actually talking with the intent to interact and communicate.

Loves:

Baths, applesauce, bubbles, kisses, necklaces and bracelets, putting on mommy's shoes, bugs, birds, "choo-choos" being outside, walks, bike rides, fruit, ice cream, chocolate, Papa, kicking a soccer ball, gymnastics

Hates:

Meat...or almost any other food for that matter. Also absolutely hates when someone tries to do something for her. (Little Miss Independent)

Routine:

Sleeps 11-12 hours a night, takes a 3 hour afternoon nap Stats: Size 4 (moving soon to size 5) diapers, 2-3T clothing, size 6 shoes

Other:

Still cautious with her physical abilities, she doesn't shy away from trying...she just takes her time and reaches out for her mama and daddy's hand for security. She is getting to be less shy around new people and enjoys being around other kids. She is still a watcher and observer- she is not the leader of the pack. She is easy to transition and continues to be a pretty "easy" overall kid. (We are going to pay for it when she is a teen!...or with this next one.) She is still a mama's girl right now and I will take it because I know it probably won't last! We are starting to see signs of her testing her independence. She knows that her daddy will stick to his guns and hold her responsible, whereas her mama definitely needs to work on that more! We joke that she is obsessive about things like making sure doors and drawers are completely shut, there are no crumbs on the floor and that water is all wiped up. We got ourselves a little neat-freak! (She doesn't get that from me!)

Hannah, you have blessed our world with laughter and pride. You are loved beyond words. We spent your second birthday at the Como Zoo, Sea Life at the Mall of America, and IKEA. (Okay, the last one was more for me). You woke up to Elmo and chocolate chip pancakes and enjoyed playing with all of your new toys! Now on with your photos.

Hannah the newest two-year-old:

(When we say "Cheese!" this is what we get...)

Happy Birthday little girl! Mommy and Daddy love you!!

The Big "TWO!"

Beautiful

This is why I love photography. Capturing a single shot that speaks to a Mama's heart. We took Hannah out the other evening to take her two year photos, and although smiles and standing still were far and few between, I got this gem:

This is why photography is a form of art...the beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

And this shot?...well...

...It's my girl...Innocent and absolutely Beautiful.

Hannah-Monroe

And Baby Makes 4

Due the beginning of November!

"Wormies!!!!"

Great. Hannah likes bugs, dirt and now we have discovered she loves worms. Justin and I were pulling weeds this evening and with all of the rain the past few days, it is not surprising that we pulled up some worms. To Hannah's absolute amusement, she ran around squeezing the worms with the most excitement yelling, "Two wormies!!!" She continued to giggle- it was hilarious. Almost as funny as when she decided it would be the best idea ever to stick them on her Daddy's head.