Swimming at Deedee's

Aunt Deedee and Uncle Lonnie invited us girls over for some pool fun one summer evening. It'd been way too long since Hallie and Aaron had been together so the kiddos were excited. We'd missed this cool cat.....

  

I stayed out of the pool to spare everyone the sight of me in a bathing suit but Hal didn't seem to miss my presence one bit. She loves Aunt Deedee.....

The kiddos tossed the ball around with plenty of help from the grownups but Hal was pleased as punch to realize that she was able to touch the floor....

Little Miss Content laid on the table in the shade taking in the splashing and laughing sounds....

It wasn't long before she resorted to doing what she does best....

After our swim date we picked up dinner for Meme and played at her house for a bit.....

She was overjoyed to see her newest lil one. Bella was so interactive with her. She made plenty of eye contact and was obvious she felt happy to be in her Meme's arms....

Family time is the best time. :)

Gman's Birthday Dinner

Another year celebrating with dad is yet another reason to praise God for his abundant love and mercy. He remains free of cancer and feeling better than ever. And for that we couldn't be more thankful. We had a big reason to celebrate! We all gathered in Enid for a fun night of baby smiles, laughs, BBQ and cake. Bella couldn't afford a gift this year so she saved up a bunch of smiles for her Gman.....

 

This 56-year-old is pretty good at acting like a four-year-old when Hallie Grace comes to town....

Hal returned the favor by creating a VERY SPECIAL- and might I add creative - birthday cake for her Gman. I love the way her brain works.....

Check out those gigantic candles!

We all met Aunt B's new doggy names Rod. He's a pretty cool dude. And a cooperative dude....

Gman blew out two sets of candles that night. And then we chowed down on the peanut butter deliciousness.....

We love this birthday Gman so.....

Carmen Turns 3!

It doesn't seem possible that Miss Carmen Jo Shirley is 3! 

I swear it was just yesterday that Katie was sitting on our porch in the August heat talking about how she was desperately hoping to go into labor soon. These sweet girls keep on growing up and we keep on celebrating. I wonder if they would stop getting older on us and growing into big girls if we stopped having parties? Hey, it's a thought!

Carmen had a cookout at Boiling Springs with a bunch of her little friends and their parents. The kiddos played on the playground while the adults talked (and tried to stay cool in the shade). This little lady snuggled with quite a few faces that evening....

Carmen was so cute opening her presents....such enthusiasm and excitement with each gift. She partied hard!!!

Twinkies....no really.

Welp. It's official.....

I have twins. 

Four years apart. 

The VERY FIRST thing out of people's mouths without fail is ALWAYS "wow, she looks identical to her big sister." 

It's kinda creepy. 

In the best way. ;)

Clearly I can't control myself when it comes to making picture comparisons with the girls. Well, let's be honest. I can't control myself with anything that involves pictures. Or clothes. Which leads me into these next few favorites. The girls were graciously gifted several matchy matchy adorable outfits that I couldn't wait to start dressing them in. I'm almost convinced that God put me on this earth to play dressup with two girls...okay, maybe many other reasons but that certainly feels like one of them.

Can we talk about this please.......

Time for your (4 year) Checkup!

I thought singing a line from one of her favorite shows (Doc McStuffins) would help ease the anxiety of talking about her checkup. "Time for your checkup, time for your checkup...gonna listen to your hearbeat, fix you up ready to go...." But silly me....she wasn't scared at all. No need for silly songs. She knew that shots were on the agenda that day and surprisingly seemed okay with it. I was perplexed. Ya see, I still vividly remember the day my mom took me to get my shots for school. VIVIDLY. So much anxiety and tears and screams. Eeeeeeeek. I really shouldn't compare my somehow well adjusted child to my neurotic self. It's not very fair to her. Lol. She waltzed in on top of the world but quickly needed some snuggles while we waited. Daddy walked across the street for moral support....for me. Ha! 

Once the nurse called her back she perked up and was all smiles for her checkup....

 

She weighed 40 pounds and was 36 inches tall...without her high heels....

Everything was pretty laid back until the needles showed up. She didn't fuss much but there were some tears for a moment. Thank goodness for Riley holding her legs down...no way I could've done it. Bella Kay slept away in her carrier...good thing...I don't want her finding out how bad shots are at such a young age. ;) 

When we left with her updated vaccine sheet in hand I told her that it meant she could go to school. Big smiles ensued. 

Being Big Sissy

 

Bella was an hour old when Hallie fell in love with her. Riley carried her into the room and her face lit up with a HUGE ear to ear grin the moment she finally laid eyes on her. Best friends at first sight. No, for real though. There was just something about the way she looked at her let me know how much she truly cared about her sister. Hallie is a nurturer at heart and has always been concerned about the way others feel. She's a pleaser and wants to make people happy. Hmmmm. Sounds familiar. ;) Needless to say, she immediately took to caring for her tiny new friend and sister. She wanted to hold the oxygen to her little nose, she tried to make sure Bella was warm and she was very concerned about checking out all her fingers and toes. All checked out well. Once that was finished she began doing something that scared me. She started acting like a stinker. A big stinker. She didn't want to leave the room, she got upset when others held her sister and she sure didn't want anyone telling her what she was going to do. So when Riley carried her out of the room crying and screaming my stomach quickly sank. Is this how things are going to be from now on? I began to feel guilt for sending Hallie away for the night while we stayed with Bella. I wondered if her little mind understood why she couldn't stay with us since it was getting late. I hated the thought of her thinking she wasn't a part of the big day. It broke my heart. But naturally I couldn't sulk for too long because I had a room full of people ready to meet our baby. The next day Hallie arrived around lunchtime and I was so relieved to see the huge smile on her face. A bit of nervousness too. It was all so new, that was obvious by the way she cautiously stepped toward me and the baby. She was more than ready to hold her baby sis so we set up a spot on the bed where she could get some one on one time with Bella. It was the best moment of my life thus far. My baby holding my other baby. Brings me to tears just writing about it. 

She quickly became an expert on everything baby. Bella this and Bella that....she knew it all. She told us what Bella liked and what she was thinking....yes, it was precious. She also wanted to have a say so in who could and couldn't hold her. The only two that made the cut were herself and mommy. What about that other fella that we all love? Daddy didn't make the list. But he was allowed to take Hallie to the gift shop for some big sister goodies. My heart melted all over again when she returned to the room with a gift for her sister as well....a tiny pink elephant. :) Big sis had quite an eventful afternoon with us. In addition to baby holding duty she was involved in a "code pink" drill throughout the hospital. Our missing child played the part well and "disappeared" to do some shopping down in the gift shop AGAIN where she bought even more stuffed animals.  They called a code for a "three year old girl dressed in leopard pants." I sat in the room thinking about how I'd remind her of this story someday.

I'd have to describe her behavior over the next two days as unstable. Not towards Bella. But more towards life in general. She was easy to anger and threw quite a few fits with no obvious trigger. We cut her some slack with all of the new changes rocking her world and rested in the awesome truth that she loves Bella more than I could've ever imagined.....

Bella in her living baby doll. One that she takes extra good care of and handle ever so gently....

And I'm perplexed to say that she even pretends to breastfeed her on occasion....

Diaper changes and clothing selection doesn't happen until Hallie enters the room. I often hear her hustling to get to the nursery and screaming "wait for me!!!!!" Once she makes her way to us she grabs her pink stool, fetches me a diaper and talks sweet talk to sissy. Or places a stuffed cat on her face like so......

Being big sissy was sort of confusing at first though. Lots of people coming to the house to snuggle the little sister. Big sister started to feel a little left out. But no need to fear....Uncle Spencer to the rescue!!!!

We feel like most of her problem was due to the fact that she didn't want anyone else to hold HER baby...

She gets out of bed at the crack of dawn just to be a part of bathtime....

 

Or stay up late to help....

 

 

She insists of pushing the cart when we get to the baby section at Walmart. After all, she knows what Bella needs....

She's even fit in some snuggle time in the middle of her daily meditation....

Bella gets a lot of face time, if you will....

Hal has spent the majority of the summer at home with Bella and I. It's been all about a life of leisure for this girl....

Well, both girls actually.....

 

I hear the words "I think you need to take a picture of me and sissy" at least ten times a day.....

 

 

Meme came to visit and was wonderful about giving Hallie some extra special attention. She was so serious about her preschool "ME book" and proudly explained each page to Meme....

She's getting way too big for my liking!

When we initially told Hallie that she was going to be a big sister it was obvious that she was excited. Yet I could tell that she didn't know what to expect. I worried that she would feel sad about the attention I'd be giving to another child. Naturally I imagined at least a little bit of jealousy. I sometimes pictured her getting upset by the baby crying. But no. None of those worries were necessary. The minute she hears a cry or even a whimper she runs to Bella with the nearest pacifier and does ALL of the following....turns on the swing/bouncy seat, speaks in her sweetest voice right in Bella's face and plops that pacifier in place. I love seeing the accomplishment flash across her face when her efforts work. One day she ran in the bathroom while I was drying my hair and exasperated said "mommy, come quick! I tried everything to make her happy but she's still sad. I put her binky in and I turned the swing on and I danced and gave her a stuffed animal but she's still crying." Will never forget that moment! Funny and oh so sweet at the same time! She set me straight one day when I was having a rather frustrated moment. I asked aloud one afternoon, "Bella girl, what is going on with you?!?!" Hallie calmly looked up from her coloring and said "she's just doing her job mommy." Oh yeah, and what is that. "To cry" she put very simply. She's a wise little soul and a very good mini momma. There is no better way to describe this girl....natural born protector, best friend and the most loving big sister....