Tadpoles

We're all enjoying our annual trip to the beach - full update to follow.

 

But our tadpoles have learned a new trick or two!

 

 

 

Word has it cousin Holley is swimming without a float too. Crazy how they seem to follow the same schedule!

Skittle Turns 4!!

Our big girl turned 4!! It started out with some balloons as these things usually do.

 

 

Then it was off to Papa Don's Ranch for some horseback riding.

 

 

Lots of family and friends came out, including Zack Purvis (with parents in tow).

Audrey was even brave enough to want some solo cowgirl time!

We got to see some new calves,

 Go for lots of tractor & boat rides,

 

 

And eat pizza and cake! There were baby chicks and princesses galore.

 Happy birthday to our eldest Princess, looking forward to another amazing year!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Skittle!

Time flies! We celebrated Natalie's birthday, again at the cabin. No snow this year - but it was the first two days that actually felt like spring!

Skittle got her first taste of a Deschane family tradition: her presents were hidden around the cabin and she had to track them down:

She found them all WAY too quickly - guess we have to step it up next year!

Wrapping paper didn't stand a chance...

Luckily Grandma was around to read some of the new books (and provide a steady supply of Treat Milk!)

Ama & Bapa got Natalie her first bike - with the look on her face, the requests for a convertible won't be far away!

So lately Skittle's been very into trains - Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends. She reads the books, watches the show, has a little scale model, and despite Mom's worries that trains aren't "girly enough" (don't worry about that - just ask about Natalie's Fancy Shoes), Natalie couldn't contain herself after seeing/trying a few of her other presents...

Erin, being the incredible mother that she is, made the fantastic cake below:

I think all of Natalie's wishes came true; who can say what she wishes for next year?

Birthday dinner was spaghetti, just like last year; good to know some things never change! This girl is a wonder to watch, and we're lucky parents to have her. Who wouldn't love this smile?

Frozen in Time

Everyone says babies grow up way too quickly so we wanted to capture ours in their newborn new-ness. We had fun toying around with our camera with each girl when they were brand new. I swore we'd already posted Natalie's but in looking back we didn't so here they are along with Audrey's from a couple weeks ago.

Natalie Grace - Age 10 Days

Audrey Rose - Age 2 Months (poor 2nd child having hers done so much later)

Nothing Says Love Like 2 Little Girls

Sending many loving thoughts today to all of our dear family and friends.  Happy Valentine's Day!

Skittle and Dot

Natalie and Audrey met for the first time yesterday!  Since Audrey graduated from her isolette to a crib she's now allowed to travel to the NICU's family visitation rooms, one of which has a window into the waiting area.  (Siblings under 12 can't go inside.)  Natalie has done an amazing job understanding that she has a sister (since she'd never actually seen her), that her name is Audrey, and she was excited to finally catch a glimpse.  She pointed out Audrey's nose, eyes, hair, and fingers.  Glad we have our quality control expert. :)

My mom says that she has the 2 best girls in the world but she has to fight me for that claim now.  My heart was full watching these 2 yesterday.

Backyard Fun

Natalie loves the water and thanks to some birthday money from my aunt in TX she got a backyard baby pool and loves it! Thanks also to Chris's Aunt Sandy both for introducing her to baby pools (see Natalie's Busy Weekend) and for the bucket and shovel. We're enjoying beating the summer heat (yeah, everyone in TX, I know - I fully acknowledge that this isn't really heat) splashing in the backyard! Thanks again, Mimi, Amy, and Emily!

Family Resemblance

Natalie and I got to spend 2 great weeks with my side of the family in TX, FL, and AL in early June. We had a lot of fun watching (aka chasing) Natalie and her cousin Holley together. Two 1-year-olds is a handful, literally, for anyone but my dad makes it look easy. (More pictures to come of the rest of our trip soon.)

Does anyone else think that Natalie looks an awful lot like Papa Don?

Tub Time

Me thinks bathtime is fun!

Yes, it rocks!

Ha, I'm about to splash Mom...

Frog legs, anyone?

Baby Elephant

Natalie is showing her republican spirit early. We're very proud.

12 Month Very Well Baby

Natalie had her 12 month well baby visit with the pediatrician this morning. Not only was she pronounced in very good health, her motor and social skills were declared on par with a 15-month-old! And while she's still skinny, her height is moving up and her head size is balancing out. Her growth continues along the same curve she's always followed and Dr. Jones was very happy with her.

Weight - 17 lbs, 8 oz - 4th percentile
Height - 28.25 in - 22nd percentile
Head circumference - 45.2 cm - 53rd percentile

She was all over the exam room today (again, over-developed motor and social skills) so catching a picture was trickier than usual!

Happy 1st Birthday, Skittle!

Miss Natalie turns 1 today and we can hardly believe it!

We had a princess birthday party for her on Saturday at the cabin. It began with some unusual spring weather - snow on Friday and into the night. This is Balsam Lake on Saturday morning.

Instead of a birthday cake, I made birthday princess cupcakes. They had a strawberry filling that took a couple of attempts to master but thanks to my mother-in-law's cake genius and tools the end product turned out wonderfully.

We had a birthday spaghetti lunch - one of Natalie's favorites. She got to dig in and had fun making a mess. Anyone want to guess how many places I found spaghetti sauce afterwards?

After lunch she destroyed her cupcake and then ate every last crumb.


We're so blessed by our wonderful girl and wish her a very happy 1st birthday today!