a quick hello.

Hello and happy Tuesday!

Emma, Austin and Papi

To say that my Dad is good with kids is an understatement. Not that he wasn't a great Dad, I just think he shines more as a doting Grandpa. He spoils my babies every chance he gets and never misses an opportunity to inject a little fun into their days. Lately he has been working like a madman and I know it has been weighing on his heart that he hasn't been able to spend as much time with them as he would like to.

This morning, however, was just like old times with multiple pools, splashing, outdoor baths, a little teasing and lots of belly laughs. I was lucky enough to have a Grandpa that loved my sisters and me with all of his heart and it makes me so happy that my kids will grow up surrounded by so much love, too.

changes

It seemed like Emma's terror streak would never end but this past week my sweet girl came back to us. She has been loving, kind, patient-ish and really trying to make us proud. I always tell her that she is my best friend but lately she has been exactly that. I can talk with her about things. She keeps me company during our days together and cares deeply about our little family unit. She wants us together all the time and is very protective of her little brother. It seems that overnight she decided that she was tired of our incessant scolding and empty threats and decided it was time to shape up. Good thing, too, because I was totally about to throw down the hammer, batten down the hatches...or whatever it is that parents are supposed to do.

Colors

I have been a long time fan of Michelle Armas and can't wait to frame this print that I bought ages ago. After seeing this spread on her blog that was created by Once Wed I am now even more convinced that I need an original piece for our home.

I also think these DIY votives are the perfect addition to a summer table. I think I could even contract out a special two-year-old to help me with these. She doesn't come cheap but her work is pure genius.

Austin

He is staying awake so much more during the day and his jolly little personality is really shining through. I actually made him laugh this morning a couple of times and his little smirk sent me over the moon. It might have been gas, but I really think that we made a connection.

I'm so in love.

Seven Weeks

These pictures pretty much sum up Austin this week.

There were a few tears and a fussy stomach.

Lots of love for a tired Mommy.

And when I can steal away during Emma's naps, a snuggle with my main man.

A Few New Things

I thought it would be a good idea for me to post about the little changes we make to the house so that when we finish a room we can look back and see exactly how much hard work and planning went into completing it.

So far it has been getting an item here or there and slowly building towards the bigger picture. My slow and steady approach was shaken this morning when I saw that a console table I have been eyeing (drooling over) for the past year just got a nearly $300 price increase. So I might be a little more hasty with the things that I fall in love with from now on. Maybe.

First off, my nightstand. I'm kind of in love with it.

This was my birthday present from my parents and I am pretty much obsessed with it. Along with it's sassy legs and charming little drawer pulls, it serves as some much needed storage in the bedroom. Brandon likes it as well so if we ever make it out to Ikea again, he is getting a matching one for his side.

Now that we have our nightstands this only means one thing. Lamps!!! I have been almost embarrassingly excited that my search can begin and we will actually have a place to show them off. Also, how nice will it be to have some nice reading light instead of the glow of the TV? Very nice.

See aforementioned adorable drawer pulls:

We also got a new king size bed that was delivered yesterday. This picture was Emma's last nap in our old bed. I can honestly say that last night all four of us had the best night of sleep in our lives. Austin had more of a snooze in Mommy's lap, but I can tell that he still enjoyed it.

Brandon got me a new dining room light for my birthday, as well. Let me tell you, this light is so delicate and beautiful that it totally transforms the house. Things are coming together, folks. Slowly but surely.

That's it for now. I'm off to teach Emma the importance of not slamming drawers on Mommy's new things.

Tiny Toes in Tiny Toms

Does it get any cuter?

Quiet Moments

Most of the time we are a mess, but every so often there are quiet moments where I forget about all of the poop and throw up I have to clean every day.

She sure is a cute little thing, isn't she?

Our Park

Emma is never happier than when she is running wild at the park, making new friends and feeding those fat ducks. We have been having some rather nice evenings lately and we are going to try and make the most of this good weather before summer kicks into high gear. I can't wait until Austin can join his big sis and they can make their own special memories together.

Yes, the postpartum fog has lifted and being a mother of two is everything I hoped it would be and more. The fact that they are so cute is just icing on the cake.



I was playing around with different apps on my phone and made a video of our little trip to the park. Now that I figured out how to work the app I want to add in some videos of Austin and show off Emma's silly side to make it more entertaining. I'm thinking it could end up being a special little gift for Brandon for Father's Day.

The Weekend

Ryan and Liz came to visit us and as always, we had a really great time. They brought me some homemade pickles, zucchini relish, and some gorgeous tomatoes, eggplant and cucumbers from their garden. Awesome, I know.

We had a great time with them and I even tried out a few new recipes to accommodate their vegetarian diet. I made spinach and mushroom lasagna which turned out ok to me but everyone else seemed to like it. I also made the homemade chocolate cake and chocolate butter cream icing recipes that are on the back of Ghirardelli's unsweetened cocoa powder. It was so rich but with a slight bitterness that really created a beautiful depth of flavor. We are sold.

Ryan was kind enough to agree to be Austin's Godfather and we can't wait for our babies to grow up spending time at their house picking eggs, fishing, riding four-wheelers, planting/harvesting, and hearing all about how Daddy and Ryan used to ride their bikes and meet up on the interstate!

Meanwhile, somewhere in the suburbs of Houston, Nana was following Mommy in the truck while she rode her bike to the community pool with her friends. Good times.

All tuckered out from too much fun.

6 Weeks

It has been 6 weeks (and two days) since Mr. Austin came into our lives and he is such a joy. It has taken much more adjusting on my part than I was expecting, but I finally feel like I am getting the hang of things. I always said that having a kid was way easier than I thought. This is mainly because Emma was healthy and happy and aside from a cold here and there, she has never given me a moment's worry. So with just one little tyke running around, life was pretty simple and easy.

Well, having two kids is so much more difficult than I thought. Emma has been a teensy bit OUT OF CONTROL these past couple of weeks and poor little Austin can't quite get rid of a pretty nasty cold. It's been rough. I feel like I keep looking at Brandon with my bloated, makeup-less face and sobbing, "I'm trying! I promise I'm trying my best!" And then he says, "I know you are. You're doing a great job." But in the back of his mind he has to be thinking, "quit freaking the freak out, you freak." I've been a tinch dramatic, to say the least.

Things are looking up though and I am finally starting to feel like myself again. We are trying to get a routine going and Emma is either going to teach me more than I ever wanted to know about patience, or I am going to have a nervous breakdown. Fingers crossed.

She sure does love her baby brother, though. She picked up on all the pet names we use for Austin and now regularly calls him angel, sweetie, boo-boo, "wittle man" and my personal favorite, "my baby bruh-der."

Melt my heart, why don't you?

When it comes to Austin he is just about as cool as can be. He is super easy-going and thankfully growing into such a healthy boy. He has already almost doubled his birth weight! How amazing is that? He has chubby cheeks, a big round belly, bright eyes and the sweetest smile. He really is quite stunning - just like his big sis.

I have been attached to my iphone and have been snapping pictures here and there these past few weeks and want to share a bit of how life has been looking in the Guilbeau house. It's loud, messy, and completely out of control, but we are figuring it out together. Wish us luck :)

This was taken on a little trip to the ER on Memorial Day. We left with a great report from the doctor and have been suctioning that tiny little nose ever since. He was such a trooper and we were so proud of our little guy. I just hope we don't have to go back there any time soon.

 Last week Emma went to work with Daddy. She has begged to go back every day since.

xoxo