My Baby Girl Turns Two

I am so far behind I don't even know where to start.  The first thing that comes to mind is that we now have a 2 year old!  My baby girl is growing up and like many moms who know their family is complete, I am cherishing every cuddle, kiss, and snuggle Carly gives me.

 

The weekend of her birthday Jeff's brothers, Rick and Jay, came up for a visit as well as some of our nieces and nephews.  It was fun celebrating with our family and good friends, Aunty Janice and Glenn.  

I decided to make Carly's cake this year and chose a red velvet cake which was yummy but probably not the best choice for a 2 year old since it contains A LOT of red food coloring.  Let's just say she was "blushing" for a day or so afterwards. 

Baby girl, you are such a joy to have and make your daddy and I laugh every day.  We are very anxious for you to start talking because you get incredibly frustrated when we don't quite know what you are saying.  We use a lot of signs and I know you get everything that is being said to you but the words that come out of your mouth are just not always  understandable.  I have no doubt that you will get there, it's just hard when your big sister talks non-stop. 

You are also a very active little girl who loves to wrestle with her daddy and play outside.  You have figured out how to open doors now which means I frequently find you outside or next door at grandma and papa's house.   You are very independent and want to do everything by yourself.  While we try and encourage that self sufficiency, sometimes you need help which makes you mad and results in a full on tantrum.  You are very good at throwing yourself down on the floor and crying and if we ignore you and leave the the room you simply repeat the tantrum in whatever place we migrated to.  Managing your emotions and frustrations is a work in progress but that's what happens when you are two.   

You love your big sister and you are starting to play together more.  I cherish the moments when I hear you two conversing peacefully and laughing and just being silly with each other.   Carly Rose, you are becoming quite the little girl and we love you so very much!  Happy Birthday Peanut!

Garner Girls Fourth of July

The girls and I started a new tradition today by driving 15 minutes north to Blaine, Washington.  It is this little town right on the Canadian border and they have a good ole fashioned fourth of July celebration.

It was a beautiful sunny day and we had a lot of fun walking around and checking things out before the parade started.  

 

 

Both girls love to dance and of course there was music so off they went....

I love 2 year olds awkward dance moves

We got seats right towards the beginning of the route which was perfect because the girls didn't have to wait too long for the action to start.

It was a perfect day for us girls and when the holiday falls on a weekend Jeff will be able to join us. 

Launderella

Growing up one of my chores was to do the laundry.  I actually didn't mind being the one in charge because then at least I knew my clothes wouldn't shrink or turn colors like when my dad did it.  During this time I affectionately became known as Launderella, (Laundry + Cinderella = Launderella) and that nickname is being carried on by Little Launderella.

Her favorites are towels.  She starts with a pile like this....

and then gets straight to work by laying each one flat.  Then she folds them once, twice, and maybe three times before placing it carefully in the pile.

It's exhausting folding clothes

Time for a break to play with her carefully lined up animals.   She is definitely her mother's daughter and likes things neat and tidy. 

Back to folding

Almost done

All finished...here you go mommy!!!!!

Thanks Launderella, now there are two of us in the house!

Another Year Older

I turn 33 today and I am excited!  32 was a kind of a rough year for me and I feel like I aged 10 years over the course of 1.  I don't know exactly why, but I think it has a little something to do with being a mommy of two little darlins who are only 18 months apart.  It's exhausting raising children and definitely much more challenging than I thought it would be.  I worry a lot (yes, I know that is hard to believe, hahaha) especially about if I am doing this whole parenting thing right and raising sisters who will love each other and always be there for one another.  And when I am not worrying, I am trying to keep the peace and/or referee the latest UFC toddler match up.

I know...it's sad but I just couldn't resist. :) Don't worry she snapped out of it kind of quickly

It's not always easy being a mommy and a wife but I wouldn't trade it for a thing.  I have the life I always dreamed about and as I sit here alone listening to the new John Mayer album enjoying the quiet because Jeff took the girls on an adventure, I am able to fully recognize and be grateful for that.  It's easy to go about every day wrapped up in the mundane tasks of life but then something happens and you get a wake up call.  That happened a few times over the past year for me.

Last fall I finally admitted to myself that I needed to get help for the depression I had been struggling with for many years.  I didn't realize how bad I felt until after Carly was born and I was super stressed, extremely emotional, and very impatient....all personality traits that are not the norm for me.  I knew I wasn't being the kind of mom I wanted to be and missing out on special time that I would never get back.  Thanks to two very dear friends who watch the girls and my wonderful supportive husband, I have been able to go to counseling and get treatment for my depression.  It was the most important decision I made last year and thanks to it I feel like a new person!  My depression is something I haven't shared with too many people but now as I look back on this past year I realize how impacting it was for my family and how important it was for me to get help.  I also know how comforting it was to know I was not alone in the way I was feeling which is why I have decided to share it now....on my 33rd birthday.  Like I said....it's going to be a good year!

Jeff and I also got a big wake up call when his biological mom passed away a few weeks ago.  It was a huge shock and something we were not expecting.  Grandma Maryann loved our girls so much and even though she only got to meet them once, she adored seeing pictures, hearing stories, and talking to them on the phone.

In many ways she was the kind of grandma I imagine my mom would have been and we are really going to miss her.   Losing someone you love is always a good reminder that life is short and that we need to make the most out of every day we have on this earth.   I have had that reminder too much in my life which is why I know this is going to be a good year and I am going to make the most of it!

Pictures with Mommy

A few weeks ago, my favorite photographer, Jen Martin Studios, wanted to honor her mom who she lost to cancer and raise money for Relay for Life by doing what she does best, taking pictures.  

Jen has captured a lot of milestones in our life and she always reminds me about the importance of stepping in front of the camera and getting pictures of me with my girls.  I cherish the pictures I have of my mom and me and I want my girls to have the same thing to look at someday (hopefully a very long time from now). 

So on a cool, dewy Saturday morning the girls and I went out to Hovander park and spent some time playing in the apple orchard.  Jen donated all of her proceeds from the day to Relay for Life which is coming up soon here in Bellingham.  I have never participated in this cause but I think this year will be my first!

 

Thanks Jen for helping us make another wonderful Mothers day memory!