Monday Photo Shoot

This Monday was a tad bit different from all our typical Monday play dates. We had a photo shoot with all our kiddie friends as a going away present for one of the kids' buddies. Us moms had no idea what to expect with our group, but the shoot turned out surprisingly well (I think!). The kids sat down for an ample amount of time, though I don't think many well smiling - but beggars can't be choosers.

How we got them to all sit like this is a miracle in itself

Balloons, but still no smiles

Moms trying to get the kiddos to smile

Lucas' quasi-smile

Proof that Lucas did have fun 

 Model son

Model daughter

Hopefully there will be a good group pics of the kiddies when the pictures come back... and hopefully a few good ones with my kiddies.

The Weekend

This weekend, like many other weekends, went by way too fast. Time definitely flies when you have kids! The Shinn kids continued to entertain themselves for a good amount of time at home (which is super cute and relaxing).

Building and "cooking"

 

Matching big and little 100 words book

Coloring while waiting for food at Orenchi

Cousin love

Little Miss Dictator

... and that was this weekend. Happy Monday!

You've Got A Friend In Me

I waited a whole year for this moment to come... my kids are now old enough to entertain each other (or play by themselves while I get some cooking and cleaning done). Sure, Charlotte still annoys her brother here and there, but overall, they've grown to be quite good friends/siblings.

 Following the leader

 Bumper cars

 Driving driving

Quietly reading

 Happy afternoon snackers

Playing with magnets while Mommy cooks

I can't believe I can actually cook and clean while these kids play! Unbelievable! (Oh, but to be brutally honest, these kids still drive me crazy!)

1 & 2

 Crazy! I now have a 1 year old and a 2 year old. If that's not living la vida loca, I don't know what is!

 

Look at little Miss Shorty

Charlotte's 1st birthday has come and gone, and now... she's a toddler (at least according to Babycenter). Unlike all the massive planning I did for Lucas's 1st birthday, Char's was much more low key. It was great that we did not have to worry  much about setting up or cleaning up (I'm pretty sure our party, with the massive amount of toddlers there, made a huge mess!).

Since toddlers have opinions, Char decides to have an opinion now about what to eat and is great with her pointer finger. She likes to use her pint sized fingers to dictate everything. And upon seeing this, Lucas sometimes likes to act like a baby too. AIIIII!

Celebrating at the Coop

 Looking like a homeless girl...

 His favorite part about birthdays - CAKE!

Happy President's Day everybody! Stay healthy...

Dear Charlotte

 Dear Charlotte,

     I never thought this day would come so fast! It felt like yesterday where we brought you home from the hospital, and realized how different you are from your brother (although you guys looked exactly the same as newborns!). I remember all those sleepless nights we had where you refused to go back to sleep after a feeding. I remember all those nasty explosions you had and how you always cried bloody murder every time we changed your diaper. I remember sleeping on the floor of your room from 3-4 am because you needed someone to stuff your paci back in your mouth or because your mobile would turn off after 30 minutes and you still wanted your music on. I remember sitting on the floor of your room from 3-4 pm because you would only nap in someone's arms. I remember ergo-ing you from 6-7 pm because that was your “bad hour” and being carried was the only way you’ll fall asleep. I remember the time from week 17 – week 50 where you had your crazy case of stranger/separation anxiety. You would not let anyone hold you, so I had to be with you 24/7. 

     But now look at you baby girl, you’re ONE! You are sleeping well, you’re eating well, and you are over your stranger/separation anxiety. You’ve transformed into a happy, smiley, petite little lady. Sure, you still have attitude and you are quite the sassy princess, but you are definitely a lot easier now than you were in the beginning. 

     Charlotte, raising you this past year was definitely not easy. You were a real piece of work! I devoted an entire year of my life to raising you into the little toddler girl you are today. But every time you smiled, every time you clapped your hands, every time you crawled in for a hug, all those little things made it all worth it.

     Happy first birthday, my baby Valentine. I love you sooooo much!

Love,

Mommy

 The final product (with many, many out takes)

 Would rather play than sit still

 Flashing her million dollar smile

 Out take #40

 Out take #32

 Peace out, homies! I'm done with monthly pics!

 Fell asleep while eating...

 Little pint size loves to eat!

Raise your hand if you're ONE today!

Hump Day and the Dentist

Today is Wednesday. Today is also Lucas' first time at the dentist! Going there, I was pretty sure we would not be able to do a cleaning. But, we went in, we sat down, and he miraculously cooperated with everything! He got a nice cleaning, a bit of flossing, as well as a good polish! All this was done while he was sitting on Mommy, who was sitting in the dentist chair, while watching Cars. I guess there's nothing Cars can't do... And since I was holding Lucas while he was getting his teeth cleaned, the dentist's assistant held on to Char. And double miracle! Guess what?! Char did NOT cry! She was fine and dandy being paraded around the office. (Did I mention that I am very content with my life right now? This is a total change from my attitude half a year ago when I thought my daughter would NEVER get over her stranger anxiety!)

 Beautiful freshly polished smile

"Special" activity after the dentist (no surprise... Cars!!!)

 My cute little (Cars) bookworms

 "Perfectly" eating their lunch

Lunch time has gotten pretty fun (and a tad bit easier) nowadays. Char, with her six teeth, is pretty much eating the same thing Lucas is eating. This was taken during the beginning of the meal before we went into a crazy scream for fun match (started by Char, then Mommy, then Lucas). Yes... sometimes their mother acts like one of the kids and would definitely get fired if she was a nanny for someone else.

There is no calm before the storm...

Happy hump day!

BB's all grown up!

I've been telling Lucas that he should stop calling Charlotte "BB". Why? Well, BB is growing up way too fast and won't be a BB for long! Will I miss her BB stages? Heck to the no! Does it look like I enjoy waking up three times a night to nurse a little human who may or may not want to go back to sleep right after? I am very comfortable and content with my life right now, especially since both kids are sleeping through the night and can entertain themselves.

Char's finally able to do what big bro's doing

Lu's pint sized sidekick

A moment of peace and quiet = showing a movie

Nap time also = peace and quiet

Loves raising her hand (goodbye shy Asian stereotype)

Loves to share

 ... and BB is drinking cows milk now!

Who needs to hold bottles?!

Yup, Char's all grown up!