Noelle Turns Two

Our little baby suddenly isn't one any longer.  Noelle is officially two.  

She had a ball on her birthday.  We had been stuck inside most of the week with new little Ivy so it was a welcomed change of pace.  Noelle helped make her cake, which tasted delicious (sprinkle cake, of course).  

She caught on quick with presents and loved opening one after the other.  We had fun video chatting with all her grandparents so they could see her open her gifts.  Grandma Karen was staying with us so she was able to join in on the fun.

We laughed as she'd say "wow" at all the gifts.  She'd toss any clothes aside so quick looking for the next toy.  The above and next picture were taken just as she opened the gift (clothes already mid throw, ha ha).

Here is Noelle opening some gifts from Corey and I.

Here is Noelle finding her big present from mom and dad.  Feel free to mute it, as usual I sound dumb.

Here is the birthday aftermath.  It was too crazy to get the traditional couch photo, so this will have to suffice for this year.  Also despite our best efforts we could not get her to smile at the camera (ask Grandma Karen, Noelle has become one tough cookie to photo).

Happy Birthday again to our big girl!

Our Ivy

I desperately need to take more pictures of this sweet girl.  These were taken like two weeks ago.  I can't believe she's already over three weeks old, and how each day she's looking less like a newborn.

"Mom, why are you sticking that camera in my face?"

Ivy is a great little girl.  She has her moments (don't we all), but she is very patient with her parents and sister.  

Noelle loves Ivy.  She is usually a millimeter away from her face saying "hi" or telling her things she knows about.  I've heard Noelle tell Ivy (in Noelle talk) she's 2, that her name is Noelle, that the big thing over there is a bed, that there is a picture of mom on the wall, etc.  It's pretty cute.  I can tell she's antsy for Ivy to grow up so they can go play and be best friends already.

Breaking Radio Silence

I haven't quite figured out how to watch both girls and blog (or craft really).  Probably because when I do have a spare moment I want to sleep :)

I still owe the world Noelle's 2nd birthday post (it was on April 23rd!), however this one was shorter.  Noelle is on my lap so shorter wins.

On May 5th Corey and I celebrated our fifth anniversary!  Cinco de Anniversary as I called it.  We were lucky that our anniversary overlapped with Grandma Darlene's trip, so Noelle and Ivy played with Grandma while we ran off and had some dinner (Texas Roadhouse...one of our favorites).  

As we are not yet rich and famous we decided to have another shoe gift (last year we both got Converse).  We both got Crocs, just different varieties.  Apparently the fifth anniversary gift is supposed to be something wooden.  We don't follow the grain anyway (some woody humor for you).

Ivy

Sorry to keep her Grandparents waiting!

Here are a few pictures of Ivy.  Once we got home Noelle was much more excited about her.  She keeps patting her tummy saying "k" (Noelle speak:  "you are going to be okay").

Easter Morning

We had a fun Easter morning with Noelle.   It was hard getting her to smile she was so distracted.  She got a special surprise princess outfit and an Easter book from Grandma Karen and Grandpa Larry.  Here's her eating all her jelly beans (Starburst jelly beans of course--best kind out there).   

It was cute watching her look for her basket (she's been toting it around all week), the video clip is a little long but grandparents might enjoy it.

Afterwards we all got dressed up to get some Easter pictures.  

This is the dress I made for Noelle for Easter (and to wear to Aunt Christine's wedding).  

It's getting harder to get Noelle to smile for the camera.  We'll take what we can get :)

Here's my 38 week tummy if anyone cares.  I don't think there is anymore room inside me, so good thing she will be joining us soon!

After pictures Noelle wanted to be back in her princess outfit (which worked out because mom didn't want her in her new Easter dress for lunch.  Pizza sauce + new dress is no fun).

Notice how well she is looking at the camera (not!).  She was so enamored with her fancy outfit she couldn't hold still or look at me.  Below she is spinning like a princess with her fairy wand.

Two

We have been practicing a question with Noelle due to an upcoming event.  


Here's a little clip:

Hunting

Noelle went on her first hunt this morning!  Easter egg hunt :) 

All the kids did really well about letting others get some eggs too.  We went with our little play group.

Notice how often Noelle would look at the camera.  Never.  She was too focused on the prize.

Once the hunt was over Noelle was eager to open all her eggs.  It appears she doesn't like the  robin eggs because she'd take a bite out of each one and spit it out (I was too slow to snag them for myself).  Noelle did find some other candy she liked and enjoyed eating those.