Photos with Santa

Ah how at peace Allie and Harper were with Santa their first Christmas:

So much changed in one year:

Though not much from last year to this year:

Blueberry #3!

Michael and I have every exciting news to share.  Blueberry #3 is on the way!  HIS way, that is.  It's a boy!  Due March 25th.  We are so thrilled and feel very blessed.

I'm not one of those patient people who can wait until delivery to know the gender, but I did want it to be a little more exciting than finding out from the ultrasound lady's monotone like we did with Allie and Harper.  So we had her seal the gender in an envelope, and later that night Aunt T-lo babysat while we went out to a restaurant that recently opened near us, Watershed.  We gave the envelope to the waiter and told him to bring us a blue drink for a boy and pink drink for a girl.  After 15 LONG minutes, this is what he placed before me:

 

As we oooed and ahhed, "Ooooh, baby girl. Three girls. wow...".  he said "Actually, it's a boy! That's a blueberry drink."  I must admit that our level of excitement definitely kicked up a notch.  I guess Watershed doesn't serve blue drinks, though we did not find it lacking in other respects. This Violet Beauregard (the not so stiff version, of course) though confusing, was quite tasty.

Blueberries #1 and #2 actually seem to get it and are beginning to notice my belly.  Before we found out it's a boy, we would often ask them if they wanted a sister or brother.  The answers varied from day to day.  Since we told them it's a brother, Harper has been insisting "I want sister." 

They also seem to understand pregnancy better than we thought.  On the day we had the ultrasound, we told them that we went to the doctor and got to see the baby.  Harper gave a quizzical look, thought for a second, and then asked, "Did it come out?"  It was a great question. They never cease to amaze.

Halloween 2012

I was very excited about Halloween this year because I knew Allie and Harper would love it, plus we live in a true trick-or-treating neighborhood.  Allie was a ladybug and Harper was a bumblebee.  I was very glad that Harper liked being a bumblebee because she did not like getting stung by one a few weeks earlier.  Our neighborhood met for pizza in the park and then we trick-or-treated our way home.  Harper was thrilled to knock and doors and be given candy.  Allie was a little skeptical of the givers at first but warmed up after three houses. She did not like when a witch with green hair showed up at one house.

2nd Birthday Party

Allie and Harper were very excited to turn two.  We invited their close friends over for a "Two by Two" themed birthday party.  Noah, rainbows, and our multiple sets of two animals served as decor. 

The best touch by far were the cookies made by Cookie in the Kitchen. She made rainbow cupkies (get it, cookie cupcakes that were to die for) and please examine the 2 by 2 animals.  I need to order turkeys for Thanksgiving and chicks and bunnies for Easter.  The squirrels were soooo cute.  Did I mention that she is 12 years old!

Cupkies with chocolate 2's

Bubble flood at the playdough table!

 

 

Playdough with Charlie and Uncy Bob

New tricycles from Lovey and D. Helmets and baskets from T-lo.

Thank you so much to all our family who helped with the party.  Dad smoked the BBQ on his green egg, Mom added to the flowers and decor, T-lo did the slaw, CiCi and Papa cover drinks and clean and set up tirelessly, and Uncy Bob graced us with his presence and brought some great books as presents. 

Harper likes to exclaim "I'm two." and hold up two fat fingers.  Lately, she's been saying, "I'm two. I'm five."  She thinks she is.  This is such a fun age.  Michael and I cannot get over how hilarious we think they are.  It's fun to know their silly thoughts as they narrate their days for us. 

Before we turned two

Quick photo update on life before turning two!

We visited our dear friends, Amanda and Stephen in Austin, Texas.  They were very excited to ride on an airplane since they see them flying overhead daily and point them out. After the trip they (both of them did this) pointed to the airplane and said "airplane going to Texas."  They also asked to "move to Texas."  These guacamole lovers found their heaven.

With their Texas friend, Clark Christian

Swimming at Deep Eddy

They also met other friends like Mr. Brett, but I can't find the pic.

When asked who their favorite singer is, they reply "Mr. Sanders."  They were very excited to meet Mr. Sanders, Dad's college roommate.  Please download some of his music from iTunes here.  You won't regret it.

Harper and Sanders Bohlke

And now some photos that mom thinks are cute:

Very into baby dolls right now!

 

Met baby Chase. Photo taken by Joel.

Bubbles make them crazy.  Literally.  Allie will lose it over bubbles and get very frustrated when she does not get them right away or if bubble juice spills.  We have to choose just the right moments to break them out.  She has however, gotten very good at blowing bubbles on her own.

Weezy is probably the most talked about family member.

Rocking Bunnies

Michael's parents brought Allie and Harper rocking chairs for their second birthday. Yes, they are two.  A big post on their birthday coming soon.  Every night we rocking them in their glider, sing Jesus Loves Me, say their prayers and put them to bed.  Now that they have rocking chairs of their own, they love to rock their bunnies to sleep.  Allie also says the bunny's prayers and puts it to sleep.  Michael's dad captured this:

Bang!

I've been terrible about getting videos of these ladies and I know I'm going to regret it one day.  My father-in-law captured this while they babysat for they whole weekend.  Yes, my in-laws are amazing! Frequently drive 6 hours to keep our girls for long weekends.

Apparently this started because one of their toys crashed to the floor.