3 Months...

...and one day. Because that's what I do. Forget my baby girl's three month birthday. Geesh! I can't believe how fast the time is FLYING! I feel like just yesterday we were bringing Emma home from the hospital and introducing her to her BFF, aka her sis! They better be best friends or they will have to answer to ME! Baby E is just about the sweetest little soul I've ever known. Sis has an equally sweet, yet half sassy soul ;) She lets us know when she's up in the morning by talking and cooing just loud enough to let you know she's up, but not loud enough to cause a fuss. When you peek your head into the crib, you're greeted with the biggest, gummiest, heart warming grin you've ever seen! I love it. It's my favorite part of the day with my little one. The only thing that makes it better is when Elly beats me to the door. First thing she asks for in the morning is her baby Emma. It's like clockwork. She'll climb up on the edge of the crib, peek through the slats and in the sweetest voice, "Hi baby Emma! Momma pick her up! Momma pick her up!" Pan over to the momma, whose heart is now constantly a big pile of mush! Love my girls :)

Bright eyed after a FULL nights sleep! That's right...girlie is sleeping through the night!

Are those not the most perfect lips? So kissable :)

Elly is all about the "I do it" these days. Little Miss Independent! 

Sweet girl...she'll always be the one who made me a mommy :)

*Such an emotional post for me tonight! I feel like I don't slow down and enjoy the little moments near enough. 

Happy 4th!

Once again, the July 4th weekend did not disappoint! It was jam packed with fun and festivities. Monday the 4th started off with the annual Ryan Place parade. Elly was very excited about the parade. When we finally made our way outside, she was running around yelling "The parade is coming! The parade is coming!"  It took a while for the parade to get to our street, so we "enjoyed" the heat while we waited.

As of late, it's almost impossible to get a picture of Emma without her fist in her mouth! I even caught her sucking on her first two fingers the other day...just like her big sis!

Waiting for the parade, Elly made the amazing discovery of a feather! She has officially reached the "what's that?" stage. Over and over and over. I'll reverse it on her..."You tell me! What is it?!" She loves this game! She likes to let you know what EVERYTHING is. She's got the memory of an elephant. Tell her once and she'll never forget!

Here it comes!!!

Does your neighborhood have it's own band?! Watch out...they can get crazy ;)

Elly loved the fire truck! She didn't so much love when it honked the horn. I've never seen the girl jump so high!

We hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. Happy Birthday America! (I know, a little cheesy but I had to throw it in there ;) )

On your mark...

...get set, GO! I've had these pictures for a while and have been meaning to post them. Elly's new favorite pre-bedtime activity is to race! "Momma, I race daddy!" She even asks for her "racing shoes" before they head out to the sidewalk. She's "reallllly, realllly fast" and beats daddy almost every race. I guess daddy is trying to teach her a lesson in losing. Or maybe he's just SO competitive that he doesn't like to lose...even to a two year old ;)

Racing shoes!

Ready, set...

GO! Run Elly, run!

A post race walk down to see Banah (Savanah)

 I'm reminded daily of how great my girls have it. Kris is an amazing father and reminds me of my own dad in so many ways. It takes a special man to be put in that category :)

I'm All Manual Baby!

I've decided to make the switch to all manual with my camera! I bought a great book that I highly recommend for anyone with a dslr who wants to take it to the next level. Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. There are three different editions, I bought the most recent. He does a great job of explaining how to get that perfect exposure without being too technical for a novice like myself :) Within the first few pages he writes, "I tell my students that the only time I use the word 'auto' is if I have an Otto in my class." I thought that was pretty funny. So there you have it, no more auto for me! I did a lot of playing with the camera today and will keep on keeping on until I have it down!

Just in case you didn't know, it's HOT. No...seriously...it's "reallllly, reallllly HOT!" as Elly would say. Even with the heat, a momma and her girlies can only stayed holed up for so long. We decided to make the venture out to get a little fresh air before dinner tonight. Elly had been asking to go visit Barbara (Elly's favorite neighbor) and Maria (her new puppy!) all day. So we did a little chalk and made our way two doors down.

Come on mom! Are you coming or what?!

Barbara is an avid gardener and loves to work in her yard. Elly loves to sit on her front walk and touch her plants. I have to remind her each time to NOT pick the plants and flowers. We do not want to be responsible for Ms. Barbara having a heart attack! 

Little sister...chillin'

I thought I'd throw this one in here :)  Check out those cheeks! Emma is taking after her sister in the chunk department! This is a 6 mo. outfit!