Easter at the Beach

We had a wonderful long weekend at the beach! We left here on Saturday morning headed to Holden Beach via the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. It was a long day in the car, but the kids did fine because we broke up the trip. We stopped at Carolina Beach to play at a town park and to have lunch at McDonalds (luckily Erin was able to choke down her nuggets and fries, even though she is a Chick Fila snob), then went to the aquarium. Erin was a little nervous at first because it was dark inside, but she did warm up a little. We'll have to go back again! From there, we took the ferry over to Southport, which took about 45 minutes (plus the 45 minute wait because we just missed the 1:45 ferry). It was neat, but both kids were super tired, so Anna slept and Erin sat and sucked her thumb. Then we drove about 45 more minutes to Holden Beach.

We had a fabulous time, perfect weather, and the kids loved the sand and ocean. Daddy reminisced about his childhood trips there. The only issue was with Erin and the pack and play. She was not having it and climbed out of it each time we tried, so we had to let her sleep on a big bed. Considering she sleeps in a crib at home, this was a big change. She was too excited to sleep much any of the 3 nights, but we got through. We had lots of fun on the beach and didn't really go anywhere else except church (para una misa hispanica) and to a yummy seafood restaurant on Monday night. Anna did wonderfully and managed to keep her normal sleeping and eating routine. All in all, it was a great time and so nice to get away! Bella went to the kennel, so it was nice to have a little break from her too. Now, the kids are recovering by taking naps and Bella has been bathed. So, we are back to normal again!

At the park at Carolina Beach:

Outside the aquarium:Beach bum #1 (who refused to wear her swimsuit):
Beach bums #2 & 3:

Two and a Half?!?

Erin will be 2-1/2 tomorrow! We will be on the way to the BEACH(!!!!), so I figured I should do a post now. Anna gets lots of updates since she's so little, and sometimes I feel like Big Sister doesn't get as much mention. She is getting to be such a big girl. We are so very proud of all that she has accomplished in her short little life so far. I hate to brag, but she does know all her letters (upper and lower case), numbers, shapes, colors, and a bunch of animals and their noises, and so much more. There is lots of information stored up in that little pigtailed head! She is super serious like her daddy, and very focused and determined like him too. She...has a big appetite like her mommy. She is extra sassy and oh-so-opinionated. Nobody ever wonders how Erin is feeling about something.

I am feeling some pressure (from myself) to start potty training, so maybe we will get more serious about that soon. So far, any attempts to sit her on the potty, the big one or the little one, result in screams and racing away, no matter how I try to bribe her or distract her. Also, we probably should get moving on getting her out of her crib. She likes it and hasn't tried to climb out, but I'm sure she would like to feel like a big girl. Plus, it seems like everyone else is doing it!

She still has a strong passion for books...too strong for Mommy and Daddy, some days! She also likes to play outside (swinging and trampoline-ing are her most favorite things), do puzzles, color, play with stickers, build towers, take baths, and more recently has started to cook food for us in her kitchen. She is also in the business of keeping things away from Anna at all costs.

We know that many changes are ahead for her as she moves towards the big #3...and we are so excited to see the big girl she becomes! We love you, Erin!

11 Months Old!

Anna is 11 months old today! Let's see, what's new with her...she is now up to 7 teeth, 4 on top and 3 on the bottom, the bottom right one being new on Saturday. She is now cruising, and is testing the waters with standing by herself! She is eating pretty well, but still won't try new food very often. We remember Erin being a little more adventurous with new food. Hopefully we don't have a picky eater on our hands! She mostly eats the stage 3 baby food for lunch and dinner and cereal for breakfast. She also loves rice, yogurt, peas, and apples (I give her a big piece that is peeled and she will suck and gnaw on it, same with bananas, cantelope, and other big fruits). Oh, and any type of cracker, cookie, or baked good goes right in the mouth, but she won't touch spaghetti or mostly anything else! We will just keep trying. She is still nursing, despite my plan to get her on formula by 6 months...but it has worked out fine since I'm not working anymore. She can drink from a cup fairly well, and hopefully she will be okay switching to that completely next month. She is a good sleeper, still 2 naps and about 10 hours at night. She's a very busy girl following Big Sister around and wanting to do everything she does! She's a happy, friendly, delightful baby and we can't wait to watch her grow and learn more!

Babies having babies

Anna LOVES her baby doll. It is one of the cutest things I have ever seen. She carries it around everywhere and must have her to go to sleep. Poor doll gets quite a beating! Since Erin has never really gotten into dolls or animals, I was surprised that Anna did. So far, "her" baby is the most important one, but she will play with Elmo and other animals sometimes.

What else is new? Anna is "cruising" now - trying to walk while holding on to things. She is so proud of herself! She is somewhat of a picky eater, which we are not used to...hopefully this will just be temporary. She is not good about trying new foods, which is not good because we are trying to get her to eat more table food! She will also refuse to eat her cereal if it has formula or water in it. On the positive side, she can now drink from a cup fairly successfully!

Erin is busy these days, enjoying the warmer weather (as it happens) and is resisting her naps these past few days. Mommy is not ready for that! Otherwise, we are just doing our normal things and playing up a storm!