The Library

We went to the library yesterday and really lucked out that they were having pre-school story time. Even baby brother got to join in on all the fun and got seriously loved on by some other sweet stay-at-home Moms.

Just in case there was any doubt, Emma was by far the silliest one there. She kept interrupting the teacher, standing when she was told to sit and at one point started hopping around like a frog (?!). I have to say the icing on the cake was when she saw a mirror, stood in front of it and exclaimed, "look at me! I'm so beaaauuuubiful!"

Sigh.

We'll be back next week so brace yourselves, librarians.

Summertime

Poor boy. I think we need to make a trip to Toys'R'Us this weekend.

Baby Boy

I have been trying to get Austin used to spending time in his crib because I fear that I might be getting him a little too used to being carried. I hate that I can't carry him all day but with a demanding almost-three-year-old and a messy house, I need to wake up and get with the program. He isn't really napping for extended periods anymore so I have been needing to make the most of the seconds that I'm not being pulled in different directions. Lucky for me, he just loves his airplane mobile and I can actually hear him cooing and giggling as it slowly drifts around from the soft breeze of the fan. He is one happy baby and every time I go back to get him he greets me with the biggest, gummiest smile and I can't help but squeeze him for the next two hours. He is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen (just don't tell Rapunzel sitting next to me on the couch right now).

The Weekend

We spent all of the weekend trying to beat this horrible summer cold and we are finally, finally, starting to feel better.

I am so proud of my perfect patient. She LOVES going to the doctor and has the whole routine completely memorized. She impresses her doctor every single time.

He fell asleep in my lap and I stayed there, frozen, for a couple of hours. I sure am going to miss when he is too big to sleep on me.

In the best news of the weekend, Austin drank from a bottle for the first time! It took him a couple of minutes to figure out what was going on, but once he did he wasted no time in downing the whole thing. He was totally adorable and I know it meant the world to Brandon to have that moment with him.

Under the Weather

We are all pretty sick over here at the Guilbeau house so we are going to lay low and recover from a rough couple of days. I took little man to the doctor last night and thankfully he gave the OK to give him some Benadryl and Tylenol. He needed it so bad and it was breaking heart to see him struggle so much. If nothing else, it helped him to at least get a couple of hours of much needed sleep. Emmy has her appointment today and hopefully we will be all fixed up in time to enjoy a little bit of the weekend.

Wish us luck! 

Story Time

Brandon has started working out regularly and reading. So like the good wife that I am - I both resent and admire him for it. Determined to not be outdone, last night I started re-reading The Help since I only made it a few pages in the first time around. I am not the fastest of readers but last night I sat in silence while everyone was asleep and read six chapters in an hour. Who knew?

By the way, that is not dust covering my lamp. Nope. This is a dust-free home that smells like fresh garden roses.

Finding Time

I read this amazing article this morning and can't quite get it out of my head. If you have even a second to spare, I really recommend checking it out. The timing couldn't have been more perfect because just this morning I decided that enough was enough and finally deactivated my Facebook account. Let me tell you, it feels awesome. No more high school drama, unforgivable grammar and spelling mistakes, annoying political arguments and skanky pictures clogging up my life. I had actually hidden so many people that I wasn't exactly looking to "connect" with anyone anyways.

This is all being done in an effort to slowly start editing my life until I am surrounded by only the people and things that I love and help me to be a better person. I'd say that this was a great place to start. Now if the TV happens to be playing Jersey Shore or say, Ice and Coco...I might just sneak the tiniest of peeks. Remember, I said this was going to be a slow edit. Let's not get crazy.

Cool Evenings

Since we are forced to spend our days in hiding from the ridiculous heat I love when we head out right at dusk for a stroll around the pond. It never fails, there is always a little girl at the park for Emma to play with and a few ducks for her to chase. Even baby boy loves being outside with the breeze hitting his face. I don't think I saw his smile leave his face once.

I am loving this time home with my little ones and even though I never know what to expect from one moment to the next, I wouldn't trade a second. Austin is already almost 4 months and my girl doesn't even look like a baby anymore. Austin can hold up his head like a champ and loves ceiling fans, being tickled and seeing the world from the Baby Bjorn. And Emma, where do I start? She just keeps stretching and stretching and I can't even believe the conversations that we are able to have. She can carry on about apples, crayons, princesses, and her "bookses" all in a single thought without missing a beat. She is something else.

These kids are growing too fast but I am loving what I'm seeing. I read a quote on my favorite blog yesterday that said,

“Your children will become what you are; so be what you want them to be.” - David Bly

Pretty wonderful don't you think? It makes it all seem so simple and altogether overwhelming at the same time. I'm hoping to start incorporating this philosophy into my life with the hopes of enriching all of our lives a bit more.

Bits and pieces

Oh boy it is hot outside. We have loads of indoor activities planned and can't wait to get started. Happy sweltering, blistering, unbearably hot weekend!

Austin

I don't often get quiet moments alone with Austin so I try not to take them for granted. Yesterday as we sat amongst piles of laundry and toys thrown everywhere, he just held my arm and stared at me until I started crying. Sometimes a heart can only handle so much.

Two kids is hard. It really, really is. I'm tired, anxious, and a mess of nerves most of the time. Sometimes Brandon and I joke that we are just trying to make it through the day with our fingers crossed. However, yesterday as I was looking into those big, brown eyes I felt rejuvenated. Slowly I felt like the big knot that I carry in my chest was starting to soften and I did my absolute best to spend the rest of the day present and appreciative for every moment with these crazy kids of mine.















I could still go for a margarita or two (or three).

Jessie Doll

After searching high and low, we finally tracked down a Jessie doll from Toy Story for my girl (Thanks, Aunt Cindy!). Emma is completely obsessed with all things Toy Story and I don't think Jessie has left her side since she got her. We have been slowly collecting all the characters and I think they are all so. stinking. adorable. It's amazing to see her develop these funny little story lines, even changing her voice to fit each character.

There is such a small window where she will be fascinated with princesses, dollies, magic and pink that I hope she spends as long as she can just being a kid. She loves reading, singing, coloring, dancing and telling stories and I personally see nothing wrong with doing all those dressed up as a Disney princess. In fact, it's only the cutest thing I have ever seen in my life.

With that being said, allow me to introduce you to the newest BFF's on the block:  Minnie Mouse and Jessie Doll!

Emma's first staged photo shoot!

little faces

My life seems to be full of the funniest little faces these days.

My princess can go from happy to my-life-is-over-and-I'll never-recover-no-not-ever miserable in a matter of seconds. I think I'll keep her, though.

There is smiley with Papi. He just loves when you snuggle his neck. His smile will take over his little face and his chubby legs will start kicking as fast as they can.

Oh, I just love him.

I have to admit that this scene looked just as ridiculous in person. It was, however, the perfect way to spend some time outside without melting and then immediately evaporating from the heat. It had been weighing too heavy on my heart that Emma spends so much time inside that I had to do something. After she finished scolding Charlie and me for getting her wet (like the crazy kid she is) she was having a blast. By the way, that's cousin Charlie with the silly smile and perfect tan. Why do boys get all the good stuff without even trying? Not fair.

I finished up the afternoon parked on the couch with my little man while Emmy slept. It was another fun day with family and I will be sad to see the Vermillions go. I guess I need to start saving my pennies now for that European vacation we have been dreaming of.

the weekend.

It was another busy and really fun weekend. The Vermillions made it safely to Houston and we spent the whole weekend laughing, eating and loving on my babies. Fun times all around.

I didn't really get that one good family shot of the Vermillions but I'm hoping to do that today. By the way, if anyone has a suggestion for a small point-and-shoot digital camera I would really appreciate it. I love my iphone and all, but the graininess of indoor shots is killlllliiiiinnnngg me.

 Austin and Noni

No more herniated umbillical cord means no surgery! You go, boy!

I think she might actually be maxed out on pictures. In this one she had probably only been awake for three minutes. I'm out of control.

Hey, handsome.

Hey, handsome x 2.

Just some quick snacks my Mom whipped up. 

Austin playing around on my favorite blanket that I stole from my Mom.

Austin and cousin Clarissa.

Making sure the picture was FB worthy. Of course.

Adorable. Cousin Nina and Austin.

The only picture I took of my super-chic Aunt Kathy, my cycling-obsessed Aunt Cindy and super-model cousin Emily.

Fresh from a bath and looking like a giant baby in Daddy's arms! This picture cracks me up!

Homemade Nutella brownies. Probably the easiest and most dangerous dessert you will ever have.

I used the recipe on the back of the ghirardelli sweetened cocoa powder box.

After the brownies have baked I let them cool slightly then spread Nutella over the top and top with mini chocolate chips and pecans.

***I highly recommend lining the pan with parchment paper before pouring in the batter. That way when you have finished icing them you can lift them out and cut them into squares. It works so much better than trying to pry them out of the pan. It's a gooey mess if you go that route...***

My baby is published! That is one good looking and super informative book. I proofread it cover to cover and have no idea what I'm going to do with all my knowledge of proactive e-discovery in mid-sized corporations!

We made a quick stop at Erin and Mrs. Ginger's house so that my girl could visit with her favorite teacher and I could catch up with my favorite friend. Austin might have slept most of the time but he still managed to charm them with those gorgeous eyelashes.

Streaming some basketball on my Dad's phone.

Alfalfa.

"Honkin' Horns!"

Like I said, it was a busy weekend filled with all sorts of random bits and pieces. Today I am going to try and brave a few shops with the kids so wish me luck! 

Speaking of shops...did you know that Houston is getting the first BHLDN store in the country?!

Finally, I am so tired of Austin and Dallas getting everything first. You better believe that I will be there the day it opens to soak in all the beauty and run my fingers over EVERYTHING. I can't wait!