SOOOOOOOO BIG!!!

Yes, our girls are growing and changing every day. Most of the time, the changes are good, but this past week was a little different. Cassidy came down with a flu-like virus (she tested negative for the flu, but had many of the same symptoms). This really is the first time in her entire life she has been sick, aside from the occassional cold or spring allergies. She also threw up for the first time (and second time, and third time...)...that was a fun clean-up. :) After lots of prayer and lots of rest she is on the mend and hopefully we won't have a repeat of this week for a long time! :)

A rare shot of our girls playing together. I try so hard to catch their playtime on film...Cassidy is so cute as she tries to entertain Lily and Lily is wild with excitement to have her big sister's attention...but as soon as they see the camera, of course, they stop. :)

Whenever Lily is wearing an outfit that belonged to Cassidy, it really hits me how big she is getting. She is pulling up on everything and motoring up and down the couch. She claps, waves, gives high fives, sings along, and dances if you are singing or if music is playing. She barks like a dog and says "DaDa," "Mama," "Hi," "Bye-Bye," and "No-No." She gives kisses and zerberts your cheek. At the dinner table, she grabs my shirt and tugs on it to get my attention and indicate that she wants more food. She is NOT interested in baby food...she wants the food off of our plates...and she will spit the baby food at you if you put it in her mouth. I have been showered quite a few times!

Lily eating her first teething biscuit. She's working on tooth #3, upper left, and we're hoping it breaks through overnight!

Valentine's Lunch

Our family's Valentine's tradition is to treat ourselves to a meal from our favorite chinese resturant, Imperial Garden. Usually Joey goes to pick the food up and we eat at home. (Before the girls were born, we'd sit on the floor at our coffee table with our feast spread out before us...but I'm not about to let the girls eat chinese food in the living room!) This year, we decided to go to Imperial Garden's Sunday brunch instead and it was a fun change of pace.

Joey and I started our family's Valentine's tradition about six years ago in remembrance of our days as broke college students. One year at ECU we had agreed not to do anything for V-Day since neither of us had money to spend, but I decided to do a fun, cheap dinner to surprise Joey. I picked up candles at the dollar store, got some Pepsi, baked some cookies, and ordered a thin crust bacon and onion pizza (our favorite) from Dominos. We had the best time feasting (we ate at the coffee table that night too) and hanging out...and we both agreed it was way better than fighting the crowds to go to an expensive resturant.

Valentine's Day 2008

How we spent our Valentine's Day...

Playing with the free balloons from Lowe's Foods...Cassidy, your head looks like a balloon! :)

Say Cheese!

Shake that balloon, Lily!

Why are the FREE toys always the most fun???

I asked for a smile and this is what I got...not quite what I was looking for, but I have to admit it's really kind of cute!

Valentine's balloons from Daddy

Wrestling with Daddy

I think she pinned him!

Tag Team!!!

Curls, Curls, and MORE Curls!

For those of you who have wondered if Lily's hair could ever be as curly as Cassidy's, I think the verdict is in. This is what her hair looks like if I don't brush it straight after a bath. It is way curlier that Cassidy's was at this age, so it's possible that it will be even curlier than Cassidy's! :)

FOLEX...for those tough carpet stains!

Just had to pass on this tidbit -

For some time, I've been trying to find something that will successfully clean stains on my carpet. (Between daily traffic, spit up, and potty-training (during which Cassidy peed on every inch of our carpet) we have quite a few spots.) I've tried all the name brand carpet cleaners without seeing a significant improvement. However, I now have the answer: FOLEX!!!

Folex can be found at Lowe's or Home Depot. The company does not advertise at all; for 35 years they have relied on word-0f-mouth to sell their product. For $5 you can buy a big bottle and it really works. Simply spray Folex on your stain, use your finger to agitate it a little, and blot with a rag. Your work is done! The stain disappears before your eyes! Where does it go? I don't know, but who cares?!?!?! It's gone! :) I am extremely pleased with the results!

Thanks to my mom-in-law, Mary, for this great tip!!!

Spelling Bee

OK, so I know we are incredibly biased, but Joey and I think she is brilliant! :)

Indian Summer

Last week we were blessed with a couple of beautiful 70+ degree days and the girls and I got to break out the short sleeves. AHHHHH, warm weather! We are just counting the days until summer time!

Joey just LOVES this shirt!

Lily sporting her hand-me-down Maui t-shirt. Mema and Gran brought it back to Cassidy from Hawaii.

as you can see, I had a little trouble getting Lily to sit still and pose for the camera. She is EVERYWHERE these days. I often find myself saying, "Cassidy, where did Lily go?" Probably not good parenting to rely on your toddler to keep up with your baby!

On the Move!

FINALLY...footage of Lily crawling! Enjoy!!!

P.S. She is moving so fast these days, we are having a hard time keeping up with her! She is SO happy to be able to go when SHE wants to go! :)

Our Godson

This weekend our friends Jessie and Corey asked us to be Godparents to their newest family member, Jacob Mitchell Benjamin. To say that we are honored would be an understatement. Jessie and Corey are the dearest and best of friends and we are so moved and blessed that we will now call sweet little Jake our Godson.

The Best of Friends

Sydney and Cassidy

Dr. Will and Cassidy

She looks like a tourist!