baby's first wedding

The kids and I attended the wedding of a family friend over the long weekend ...  So, it was a nice excuse for us all to get dressed up!

You may not be able to tell from the photos, but my kiddos (the one in the middle isn't mine) coordinated quite nicely.

Cotton dress: Cherokee ($6.00)

Sweater: Old Navy (thrifted for $1.00)

Shoes: Keds (thrifted for $1.50)

As I've mentioned in the past, it's a lot of fun shopping for Pearl ...

While it is a challenge just to find a decent selection of boys' clothes, finding something for my girl that is cute, but isn't too pink or prissy, is a whole different animal! 

Luckily, my second born is adorable in whatever she ends up wearing!

daddy's girl

It's hard to be annoyed that she only says "Dada" (and not "Mama") when I am witness to sweet moments like this ...

The title of "Daddy's Girl" certainly fits for this little sweetie!

bruiser

When I gave birth to a girl, my mind immediately jumped to all the stereotypical "girl" things I'd have to endure ...

Pink!

Princesses!

Prissiness!

And, yet, my girl (as sweet as she can be) doesn't currently fit that mold.

In comparison to her older brother, she is far more inquisitive (getting into and destroying everything) and spunky than he ever was at her age.

And she's got the battle scars to prove it ...

Lady love is currently sporting a black eye and a shiner (on her forehead).

Tank top: Carter's (thrifted for $0.50)

Shorts: The Children's Place (thrifted for $0.50)

But, at least her bruises coordinate with the lime green in her outfit ...

She may be headed down the "tomboy" path like her mother (I hope so!), but that doesn't mean she can't look cute, too!

train wreck

We took Malcolm to a "Day Out with Thomas" event over the weekend and witnessed the (unexpected?) highs and lows of a three-year-old in the span of a half hour.

I think the following photos sum up the experience quite nicely ...

Photo #1: Too much excitement leads to an all-out kicking and screaming melt down, and some tears.

Photo #2: The train is coming back into the station?  Wait a minute ...  This is fun!

Photo #3: Being cooperative and actually posing for pictures (with Gordon, his favorite engine) ... Maybe he wants to come again next year?

 

You've got to love the roller coaster that is life with a three-year-old ... 

As much as I like to complain (commiserate?) about it, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!

ninety percent

Pearl took her first steps at the end of April and hasn't looked back.

Today (less than a month later), she is walking about 90% of the time ...  Yet, it is still strange to see her ambling down the hall, or across the room on two feet!  And, although she is showing plenty of signs to the contrary, it is hard to shake the image of her being my little baby.

It feels like I brought her home from the hospital just yesterday ...  And made the adjustment from "mom of one" to "mom of two."

But time is flying by.

My baby is quickly entering the "toddler" phase.

(Seriously?!)

It is mind-boggling the difference a year can make.