Sundays

Sundays are all over the map for our family.  We most often spend the first half of the day preparing for church, going to church, and then winding down from church.  Why so much hullabaloo for church?  Well, when there are two toddlers involved everything calls for at least some hullabaloo. This is actually a huge step up from the first year of their lives when we avoided any activity that required our whole family to get out the door by a certain time.  It's hard to believe that now on SOME Sundays, we actually have our act together in time to goof around and take a few pictures before loading up in the car...like this one particular Sunday...

Jenna: "Anybody up for a little scoot-n-zoom action?"

Layla: "You know I am, sissy!"

Jenna: "Hang on...what's this?"

Layla: "Ooh, sissy, those would look so good on you!"

Layla: "Wait, what am I saying?  Those would look so good on US!"

Almost time to go!

Jenna: "I'll help pick up the papers!"

Layla: "Me too!"

How about one picture together before we go?  Hey girls!  Look over here!

Jenna: "But that wind is just so fierce!"

Come on girls...look here!

Jenna: "But the sun is just so bright!"

Alright, forget it, we've gotta go.  Get in the car!

Cover Girl

Call me a wimp, but I don't often let the girls play in Mommy and Daddy's room.  Quite honestly, I just don't want to deal.  It's already such a challenge to child-proof all the main areas of house (and we are constantly finding new dangers everyday), letting them have access to my room would be just enough to push me over the edge.  However, on some days, when we've just about run out of ideas to keep the girls entertained, Trey and I will open the gate and let them have at it!  Jenna is generally way too active to chase around with the camera...she's too busy galavanting from the bed to the treadmill, from the phone to the alarm clock, from the closet to the bathroom, and everything in between.  Layla, on the other hand, will get fixated on one "activity" and could probably spend half a day entertaining herself with it.  One of her favorite things to do in Mommy's room is to play with my makeup.  She hasn't yet discovered how to open the containers, but when that day comes, I sure hope I have my camera ready!  Until then, I'm just enjoying these shots of her exploring.  

Layla: "Now let's see, I wonder which one of these is my shade."

Layla: "Geez, Mommy.  Why so many brushes?  It's a little excessive, don't ya think?"

Layla: "Oh, I get it now...they're so soft!"

Layla: "Hmmm, where is that lip gloss?"

Layla: "Time to clean up!"

Little does this Cover Girl know, she will never need an ounce of that paint on her precious face...she's a natural beauty!

Emory Grace

A little over a month ago, the sweetest face you've ever seen was born into this world.  I waited 40 long weeks (and a few days more) for this precious baby to join our family, so you better believe I was there chomping at the bit to hold her as soon as I was allowed!  Miss Emory Grace belongs to my sister-in-law (Trey's sister), Devin, and her husband, Tony...so that makes her my niece (and my newest BFF...we've already made plans to go shopping)!     

Look how beautiful she is!  Can't you just see how much she loves me already???  

Baby Emory was born in the evening, so Trey and I thought it would be best if only we went to meet her on her birthday and then we could take Layla and Jenna to the hospital the next day when things settled a bit.  Emory's debut really came at a great time for the girls because they are both really into babies right now.  Plus, we've been talking about the baby in Devin's belly for quite some time now...so much that Jenna had started referring to Devin as 'Baby Belly', instead of Devin.  Needless to say, L&J were super excited to meet their newest cousin.  

They weren't quite so sure what to think when they first entered Devin's room.  

But, friendly Layla gave a welcoming wave shortly after.

Jenna wanted to get a closer look.  

Jenna: "Ooh, Mommy, she's so cute!"

Jenna REALLY, REALLY wanted to hold her.  REALLY.

Layla was just fine giving another wave.

Layla: "Hi, Baby Emy."

Jenna: "Look, guys, I swear I'm good at holding babies!  I've been practicing!"

Jenna: "No, Lolli, I want to HOLD the baby!"

Jenna: "Fine.  If no one will let me hold the baby, I'm taking my stuff and leaving!"

Luckily, we were able to convince Jenna to stay with a little pizza.  

Layla got a little Emory time while laying in bed with Aunt Devin. 

Layla: "You mean to tell me that baby came out of your belly???"

 Layla wasn't as adamant about holding Baby Emory.  She was quite content just petting her.  

But, when Emory was upset during her diaper change, Layla became quite the protective big cousin.  

Layla: "Um, Uncle Tony, I don't think she likes that."

About a week later, we took the girls to Emory's house for another visit.  

Jenna: "PLEASE, can I hold her???"

Jenna: "FINALLY!"

Jenna: "That's right, sweet Emy, just relax."

Jenna: "I told you guys I was good at holding babies!"

Layla: "Oh man, sissy!  You are doing such a good job...I'm impressed!"

Layla and Jenna love Baby Emory.  They talk about her all the time and Jenna is even considering giving all of her pacifiers to her new cousin!  We'll see how that goes!  Even if the gifting of the pacis doesn't pan out as well as I hope, I'm sure these cousins will grow up to be the best of friends!