Last Day of March!

We spent the last day of March as a family doing family things like having a picnic at the park, running around the playground, grilling out on the patio, and taking a nice walk around the lake by our house. It was one of those ordinary, simple days that makes you feel all warm inside even when the chilly breeze is blowing outside.

Collin and Olivia's baby cousin, Mila, is two weeks old today. She is as sweet as can be. The sleep smiles say it all. Love her!

Quiet Time with Old School Disney

 After trying and failing to get Collin to nap (or just be quiet in his room even) for a straight two weeks (which, by the way, resulted in Olivia being woken up prematurely by her brother), I decided to do something different. Back at Christmas, Mom gave me a box of 15 classic Disney movies on VHS that my sister and I watched regularly when we were kids. Since we still have a VCR/DVD player in our bedroom (can you believe it?), providing quiet, quality entertainment for my boy and pure nostalgia for me is possible (yay!). So far we have watched

Pinocchio
     Aladdin
          Peter Pan 
               Cinderella
                    The Lion King

while Miss Olivia catches up on her daytime beauty rest, giving Collin an opportunity to relax and enjoy the wonderful world of Disney before Pixar's modern faves like Toy Story, Finding Nemo, and Wall-E were ever created and before CinderellaArielAuroraJasmineBelleSnowWhite merged together to create one gigantic Disney princess money-sucking empire. Even the sound and feel of cracking the video's case open and slipping the VHS cassette into the player to FF through the fuzzy previews takes me back to a time of carefree simplicity. A simple story dressed up in a few catchy songs where good prevails over evil was, and still is, enough for me and my kids.

While the newer Disney movies are well done, and I enjoy them just as much as the next person, they are products of a bells-and-whistles society that needs ongoing fast-paced action, complicated plot lines, recognizable voices, and bedazzling technology to stay interested. As Collin and I watched The Lion King and bopped along to "Hakuna Matata," I couldn't help but notice this was one of the first Disney movies heading in the direction of Disney as we know it today. There is something to be said for the movie that encourages you to just "think of a wonderful thought" in order to fly away and get lost in your wildest dreams via your imagination like Peter Pan.

I am looking forward to sharing many more special moments and memories with Collin (and someday Olivia) through my old school Disney collection. Next up on the list is my sister's favorite as a little girl (God, I must have watched this one at least once a day every day for an entire summer in 1991 while babysitting), The Little Mermaid. I think Collin is going to get a kick out of Sebastian and being part of the whole "Under the Sea" world. I'm already starting to sing all the songs in my head...

"Look at this stuff, isn't it neat? Wouldn't you think my collection's complete? Wouldn't you think I'm the girl, the girl who has...everything."

With the most precious children, wonderful husband, and loving family and friends, I can say for sure that this girl has everything she'll every need. :)

Pros and Cons of a 3-year-old

Being three is hard. Being the parent of a three-year-old is damn near impossible but also just as rewarding at the same time. What a roller coaster of emotions for all involved! Whoever said the 2s were terrible was just preparing us for the next year, I guess. I'd take a 2-year-old over a 3-year-old any day...or would I? Guess it all depends on whether I'm dealing with Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde.

Cons:
- constant whining and "whying"
- ongoing conflict between "I can do it by myself" and "I can't do this," but if you try to step in and try to help even if asked, God forbid! Oh, the drama that ensues!
- no more nap
- bedtime struggles
- always trying to negotiate

Pros:
- amazingly witty and sweet commentary
- can put on shoes and dress self for the most part
- potty trained without any intervention
- able to entertain self with puzzles, coloring, putting things together, etc.
- handles the playground equipment easily and plays games with other kids

And yes, it has been over a month since my potty training vs. learning epiphany. Funny thing - went sent Collin to his aunt and uncle's in underwear for a weekend just one week after I wrote my post. He didn't have any accidents, came home potty-learned, and hasn't turned back!!! I guess he just needed some other adult figure in his life to get him going again. Must have been a purely psychological thing. We have traded napping for using the potty, but I'm okay with that. It had to happen eventually.

Spring Blossoms Peak and Mila Turns One...Week.

Kissing Cousins

Even though the Collin and Olivia Show technically met their Cousin Mila a few days ago, today was the day they not only acknowledged her but also fell in love with her (it probably helped that she was awake most of the time we were there, moving and making some noises). Collin was more than willing to hold her, change her diaper, sing lullabies when she fussed just a little bit...heck, he would have fed her if he could (sorry, bud, you don't have the right equipment). So many questions too! My favorite was about the "abilica cord," or "raisin on a stick" in Collin's world. He knows that it turns into a belly button from first-hand experience with his sister, but being over a year older, he wants to know exactly why it looks the way it does and what its function is. We had a fantastic day of quality time and bonding over a pancake, eggs, bacon, homefries, berries, and watermelon brunch. I think the pictures taken by Matt and me say it all. :) Oh, and by the way, Mila has a new baby cousin herself! Kathleen's sister gave birth to another baby girl, Elizabeth Grace, this afternoon. How cool is that for timing?

Collin the Kisser (although it looks like he is giving her CPR, doesn't it?)

Well, hello bright eyes!

Are the pancakes done yet?? These grapes can only hold me over for so long...

Bundling up baby because she might get cold.

GamB stopped by to visit too.

GamB and her grandchildren, including granddog Charlie :) Notice how Mila is the only one who is still!

More Mila Pics

Day 3 at Fairfax Hospital

Mila Rose Jennings...

...is just the most precious little peanut! Uncle Mike and I went for a visit today, my first time meeting our niece, while Collin and Olivia enjoyed playing at GamB and Grandpa's house. I could have held that baby girl for hours. We are so lucky to have her in our lives!

The Best St. Patrick's Day Ever!

 Today began with dressing everyone up in green, of course, and taking a family picture beneath the beautiful blossoming white dogwoods out back.

Picking flowers for Mommy and putting them in the bag (not a purse, according to Collin)

Livi is always on the move, even 'running,' so getting a decent picture can be tough. She looked really cute today!

Then Collin and I helped his friend, Sarah, celebrate the big 3 yoga-style at the new Mommy Bootcamp studio. After all the fun, he got to take home a green balloon (which he lost later on a walk with Daddy..big boo-hoos!) and a plush Pluto that he promptly took to bed with him for naptime. I was supposed to do a last-minute maternity shoot with Matt and Kathleen; little did I know St. Patrick would be bringing Miss Mila Rose instead, making me an aunt, Mike an uncle, and the kids cousins for the very first time! :)

Mila Rose Jennings 6lbs. 14oz. 20 inches

Proud parents and their bundle of baby girl!

Collin was right about her being a girl (albeit a tad disappointed that her name is not Kasherena), as he was with Olivia and with Blake's sister-to-be. He incorrectly guessed boy for Jo's sis-to-be, though. Can't get them all right, but 3 for 4 is pretty darn good. Needless to say, we are thrilled beyond words about the newest member of our family!! This has been the most memorable St. Patrick's Day yet. Cheers to Matt and Kathleen and their baby girl!

 Just a little funny from Mr. Collin at dinner that is worth writing down before I forget amongst all this baby excitement:

[after Collin has asked 'why?' for the thousandth time]
Mommy: Collin, why do you ask why all the time?
Collin: I don't know. [starts singing] I don't know why you say goodbye; I say hello!
Mom and Dad bust a gut laughing. Pretty sure he's only heard this song like once in his life!!

Spring Season

With temperatures continuing to stay in the high 60s and even into the 80s, flowers are blooming and tree buds are blossoming; spring has sprung. We've been outside every single day for at least a week now, probably more. Enjoy the photo dump!

Collin is getting really good at blowing bubbles!

Olivia is using the electronic blower...cheater!

Airplanes always amaze.

Getting so tall!

Love the outfit!

Kids being kids! Emma, Collin, Johanna, and Olivia

Whatever one is doing, the other has to do as well.

PSA for recycling?

Babbling away!

Best friends!

Spring is here!

16 months going on 3

Our neighborhood's Purple Playground!

Trimmed bangs - I'm liking it!

Hmm, whom do you think had the football first?