The cake and presents

We had a little party playdate over here yesterday. The house was full of kids mostly Ashton's friends with a few that were Hannah's age. They all ate pink cupcakes but I made Hannah wait till David was home from school to give her one.

She ate and ate and ate.

Then after we scrubbed her clean it was present time.

She got a little ride on Ice Cream truck b/c she loves Ashton's little ride on fire truck so much.

And then she got her very first doll. Really it's the first girly thing she's ever gotten besides clothes and blankets.

We couldn't believe how enthralled she was with it. She sat there for 20 minutes poking it's eyes, biting it's fingers and head and inspecting every inch of it . As soon as she crawled away from it Ashton swooped in to mother and put the binky in and change the diaper. Hopefully I can keep baby #3 somewhat protected from these two. I still have images of Hannah's bruises her first week of life from Ashton throwing the remote at her. Cross your fingers.

Happy 1st Birthday Hannah!

(Hannah's picture with her little baby bro/sis in my belly)

I can't believe Hannah is already 1. This little girl has completely stolen my heart. I used to make fun of her for being so emotional because when she cries it's not b/c she's hungry or tired it's because her feelings are hurt b/c we forgot that she needs to be fed or put down to bed. But these past few months I've got to enjoy what it means to have a little feely/emotional girl. She crawls onto my lap and just cuddles for 20 minutes at a time. She just loves to be loved and needed and I love that about her!

I'll post pics tomorrow of the actual birthday events but I wanted to list some of her 1 year old traits. The actual stats for weight/height will com next Tues after her doc's apt.

• Says Mama all the time
• She's taking 3-4 steps at a time
• She thinks it's the greatest thing ever when Ashton gets into her crib with her
• She LOVES bottles
• She will crawl up to strangers and play with them
• She eats all the time and is still super skinny
• She needs quiet time to mellow out without people around. We've caught her sitting in her crib just playing with her stuffed animals for 10-20 minutes at a time.

Hannah really is my little buddy and she is so adored at this house.

Reflections on Motherhood

I could try and use my Mother's Day post to publicly profess why my Mom is the best in the world but I know I would fall short in describing just what an amazing woman she is. I know if I put David up to the same task words wouldn't be enough to describe how much he loves and adores his mom. I hope we tell you both enough how great you are and how much we love you!

And because I can't do that as well as I'd want to here are some thoughts on motherhood I've been meaning to journal (the blog will have to suffice)...

"The noblest calling in the world is motherhood. True motherhood is the most beautiful of all arts, the greatest of all professions. She who can paint a masterpiece, or who can write a book that will influence millions, deserves the plaudits and admiration of mankinds; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters whose immortal souls will exert an influence throughout the ages long after paintings shall have faded, and books and statuses shall have decayed or been destroyed, deserves the highest honor that man can give, and the choicest blessings of God." ~ David O. McKay

I remember when it used to be acceptable to respond with "a mom" when asked what you wanted to be when you grow up. Is it just me or are those days long gone? Work, education and worldly statuses have overshadowed women's true role to be a mother.
I'm not ashamed to say that this, what I'm doing right now, is what I've always wanted. I've never worried for a second that I would regret having kids so quickly or so close together. I'm not anxiously awaiting the day they leave the house so I can go back to work. I don't feel that I am at all supressed by staying at home with my kids every day. It is the most fufilling, rewarding thing I've ever done. So in answer to "What do you want to do/be when you grow up?" I answer proudly - I am doing it. I am a MOM and that is enough. That is everything.

Last year I won a free mini-session

from a local photographer in a raffle. When Texas Blue Bonnet season came around I couldn't help but envision how cute our pictures would be. We'd dress the kids up in their easter outfits and they'd officially be real Texans with their professional pics in the blue bonnets. It would be adorable. And then reality hit when we got there and my kids lowered their eyebrows and glared at the photographer for the entire 20 minutes. David and I laughed looking at the 10 or so pictures of half smiles and furrowed eyebrows. We'll have to stick to people we know behind the camera.