Giggles and Pictures

We have been SO lucky to catch both our girls' first laughs. This is the real, successive laughs, not the what I like to call "gigg-lets" (less than a giggle). Click here to see the post of Rachael's first. Now this one of Whitney is not the best, because my phone is currently having issues and won't let me transfer the ENTIRE laughing session (about 48 seconds worth), so I had to pick my favorite 24 seconds. Hard. But enjoy, its always a happy day when your baby laughs. Too bad she was laughing at my dumb voice and goofy faces, nothing truly funny... like the movie Elf. We'll get there.

On another happy note, we went to Target this morning to get Rachael's three year pictures taken. Ugh, this girl was sent to me so I could learn patience. We show up ten minutes early, like good appointment keepers should. Rachael would have NONE of the picture business. I felt bad because the woman taking the pictures thought it was cuz Rachael was getting a weird vibe from her. I made sure to tell her that no, Rachael is just uptight. They were SO NICE at this studio and said it was ok for us to take a break, go get her the popcorn and Icee we'd promised her, then come back and try again. Especially nice because it is Saturday, their busiest day. But we came back and Rachael was so adorable! She was especially fond of the photographer blowing raspberries. (Quote from photographer: "It doesn't matter how old you are, farts are always funny." lol she was funny) I'm excited to get these pictures back next week, but for now, here is one I snagged from their website (illegally... don't tell.)

Seriously, kid?

She snatched this huge piece of Romaine lettuce off of the counter while I was making lunch. Yep, she ate the whole thing. Maybe she'll be a bunny for Halloween.

Thumbs

TWINS??
Which one is Rachael and which one is Whitney? Can you tell?

Whitney is a sucker. For anything suck-able. I've never been a big fan of soothers (aka: pacifiers, we call them soothers in my family) because I've heard so many horror stories of weaning. Also I hate seeing older kids with soothers stuck in their mouths, cuz that's all you see when you look at them. Not their cute face :) Rachael was never a fan, and she only sucked her thumb a few times. During the day Whitney doesn't have the soother in ALL day, but I can tell she's loving it more and more. Wigwam. I can eventually wean her off of the soother, but I can't take her thumb away from her... I told Nate I was going to put nail polish remover on her thumb to nip this thing in the bud (I didn't) but maybe we'll just have to cross this bridge later. I'd rather her take a soother because they're designed to keep the mouth shape normal, but a thumb can "ruin the shape of her mouth." (Quote: Mrs. Merriweather from Gone With the Wind, go watch it.) *Sigh*



P.S. Whitney is on the top, Rachael is on the bottom. Rach was a little over three months when this picture was taken

A few things...

1. I don't spank my kids. I never have and I don't plan to. Today, I've never had such an intense desire to start. (No worries, there were no spanks given)
   
2. I'm no longer blaming Rachael's attitude on her speech delay (entirely), I'm blaming TV. Once college football is over (the whole stupid reason we have cable), I am most definitely canceling it. I. Hate. It.
3. We need another mode of transportation.
4. I need a mini mode of transportation (aka: stroller)
5. Sometimes... its just not worth the hassle... (see pic below, second blow out of the day)
   

(that is until your husband comments on how cute the sleeper is and how earlier that evening he was thinking about how dang adorable she looked in it. Craaaap, now I have to try...)

I hope your day was better than mine.

Tootsie

Whitney's nickname is Tootsie, a name coined by her Auntie Lindsey. Why, you ask? Because this little girl is gassy! Seriously. And its loud when she lets that gas pass. I'm fairly sure she has all of those bubbles inside because we've had latching problems since birth, which we're working on. I just love this little girl more than words can say! Today is her two month birthday, and she has been such a good baby! She only cries when she's hungry or poopy, or when she needs to pass gas. And she is so smiley and chatty! Rachael didn't start talking until she was almost three months, so hopefully this is a sign that Whitney won't have a speech delay. Enjoy the cuteness!

Rachael's Third Birthday!

Mickey Mouse cake. The inside was red velvet cake with white chocolate frosting. The fondant was a LOT of work, and I'm fairly happy with how it turned out.

Awesome, super cute play kitchen!

On July 31, my princess Rachael turned the big THREE! She is no longer a toddler, she's a little kid! Oh, how I love this little girl! She's feisty, opinionated, a snuggle bug, a sweet big sister, imaginative, artistic, LOVES being a girl, and gives the best hugs! I'm looking forward to another year to watch her grow and learn and play. I love you, Rachael Face!

This year the party was low key, seeing as how we haven't made any friends yet... My awesome parents and older sister came down for the big day! Rachael loves her gwah, pah, and Zee. And when I say loves, I mean LOVES! Thanks, guys, for coming for the visit! We started missing you as soon as you walked out the door!

End of a Journey

Last Saturday night, Nate and I went to see the final Harry Potter movie with my parents. I'm so, so, SO glad I got to see it here in Irvine. We saw it on Imax 3D and it was outrageously amazing. Seriously, it was the perfect way for me to end my HP journey. ($19/ticket was a small price to pay, and I would pay it again without hesitation.)
I wonder sometimes if people think I'm weird for my obsession with Harry. During the movie I got emotional with some of the characters who died, but it was in the last 30 seconds of the movie that my emotions really flew. I simply could not believe that it is over! My mom blamed her tears on her hormones, but I am simply just so sad to have this end! I literally feel like I'm losing a friend. Yeah, I know I can read the books as much as I want, but its different this time. I have no new Harry Potter events to look forward to. (Aside from the Magical World of Harry Potter in Florida. When are we going, Britni?)
Love you, Harry