To those who protect us...

“How important it is for us to recognize our heroes and she-roes!” – Maya Angelou

Today is Veterans day, my little angels!  A day dedicated to the many men and women who have protected our country.  How wonderful it is that we get to celebrate our heroes today!  Thank you to all who have served this amazing country.

I want to dedicate this post to our own local hero, your "honorary" Aunt Tina, who loves and protects you everyday.  We are SO lucky to have her in our lives!  Tina was there the day you were born.  She could hardly wait to meet you!  Since then, she has been watching you grow…

You have her heart.  There is nothing that she won't do for you.  Today she stopped by to give you some snuggles and love.  It's so amazing watching you with her.  You are content in her arms…and  she makes you feel safe.  She makes us all feel a little safer.  Tina's face lights up with smiles whenever you are around.  I think it's safe to say, you have helped her heart too in these 15 weeks of your little lives.

We often talk about fun things we will do with you, like camping… and many other special outings we are so looking forward to!

Thank you for your love, Aunt Tina… and thank you for making our little world a safe place!

Your First Halloween...

Happy Halloween my darling little dolls!

You looked absolutely adorable in your Raggedy Ann and Andy costumes.  You were perfect!  Auntie Tina did a fantastic job making you look just right!  I had so much fun making your little wigs, and even more fun looking at you wearing them.  You both were full of smiles and melted everyone's heart.  We got to see Shawn… he was dressed as a scary skeleton!  I'm so excited to make more costumes for you throughout the years.  I have plenty of ideas!  

Every day you grow a little more.   I love watching you find something new.  You've both got such beautiful little personalities.  I will cherish all these "firsts" with you.  Your first Halloween, your first Thanksgiving, your first Christmas and your first Birthday.  

Someday, I hope you look back on these pictures and see just how much love went into your very first ever Halloween costumes! 

I love you more every second I live and every breath that I take... and I'm so lucky that I get to be your mommy!  

Shawn, Xandria, Me, and Jaxon!  Halloween 2014

Grandpa love...

Dear Jaxon and Xandria,

There is no other love, than that of a Grandpa...

It's so much fun to watch you with your Gwampy!  He loves to rock you and sing to you.  Something about Grandpa is so calming and soothing.  I remember when Gwampy used to rock me too!  He has a lot of experience.  You are so lucky to have him in your lives.  He loves you so much…he is kind, gentle and soothing.

Grandpa's face lights up whenever you're around.  He sits and rocks for hours with you next to the fire…  You will surely have fond memories of that just like I do from when I was a little girl.  You and Gwampy will have a lifetime of memories.  Just today, he was talking to you, telling you that he can't wait to teach you how to throw rocks in the river.  I'm so excited to watch your relationship with your Grandpa grow.

We love you, Grandpa!!

3 months!!

Dear Jaxon and Xandria,

I can't believe you are already 3 months old!  It seems like just yesterday I was going into the NICU to look at you and hold you.  You have been such a blessing in mama's life.   Sometimes i stare at you both for hours.  You are developing your own little personalities.  

Jax, you love to kick and kick and kick.  You're very focused when you kick! Uncle Andrew will love that!  You have the cutest dimples when you smile and tell us stories.  I love to listen to you coo.  You have found your tongue and like to snap it. LOUD!  You are a little over 12 pounds now.  Holy Moly, dude! 

Xandria, you are so full of wonder!  You stay awake for hours fixing your beautiful eyes on anything and everything that catches your attention.  You are definitely all girl.  Your hand movements are dainty and so is your cry.  You have a new found love of your hands.  They are constantly in your mouth.  I don't think it will be very long until you start sucking your thumb like mommy did!  You stick your little tongue out every time you grin from ear to ear.  You are a little over 10 pounds now.  You're growing, Big Sis!!

                                             The day you were born… 3 months ago!!

                                                                3 months old today! 

Her laugh rings through me

like a thousand bells.

The soft sweet way

her little head smells.

His smile so bright,

his giggle so sweet.

His precious tiny fingers,

his chubby little feet.

What filled my days before,

I do not know.

I've so much love within me,

from inside my heart I glow.

A beautiful new world

has just begun.

For in it, is my beautiful daughter

and my handsome little son.
(Anonymous)

I love you, my sweet angels!!!

-Mommy

The BEST big brother...

Dear Jax and Andi,

Baseball is over and that means your AMAZING big brother, Shawn, will get to come play with you again!  We miss his smiling face! He LOVES you both so much…

He is not going to believe how big you have gotten!  I'm excited to get some pictures with the three of you.

I'm sure you will give him lots of adorable, toothless smiles… that will surely melt his heart!

You are lucky to have such a cool dude as a big brother.   He's a great, well mannered, sweet guy that you will undoubtedly look up to!  

We can't wait to hang out, Shawn!  We love you!!

(Shawn holding Jaxon's hand at 2 weeks..)

A special Birthday...

Today is a very special day!  A very beautiful woman is celebrating her birthday… YOUR GWAMMY!!

We went to her school to eat lunch with her...  Grandpa even joined!  We brought her mini pink roses. Everyone commented on how much you both have grown since the last time they saw you.  It's pretty special to see people's faces light up when you enter a room.

You both love your Gwammy SO much.  You are lucky to have such a wonderful, caring and loving Grandma.  There is so much love!!

Happy Birthday to the best Mother/Grandma around.  WE LOVE YOU!!!

To my sweet Xandria,

As I look at you while you sleep, you remind me of a doll.  Porcelain hands and face.  You are growing so fast… and you are breathtakingly beautiful.

I always wanted a little girl...  You are a "chip off the old block".  Curious… and snuggly.  I never imagined how much love I could hold in this tiny heart of mine… but you and your brother have filled it to the top! I am so in love with you both…

You are my night owl. (just like me)… you get your one on one snuggle time with mommy at night when you're looking around… so curious.  You're full of wonder and SO wiggly!  There is so much for you to see, isn't there?  You turn your tiny head from side to side so quickly, as if not to miss a thing!  

I love you, baby girl, and I couldn't be happier that I have you in my life. 

Love, 
Mommy