April, in like a lion, & out like one too.

Like I said, we started off our April with a virus and incubation, and a snowfall....It did start to look better after that. We visitied the Tulip Fetsival in Mt Vernon with some friends....it was quite a fun, picturesque and muddy day, to say the least. I know the kids liked the mud a lot more than the flowers. Our muddy friend Owain was a source of entertainment by many other visitors. People were taking pictures of him playing in the mud. His shirt started out white.
And now its May. The entire month of April got away from me. We have been testing out a double jogger stroller this week. Finley is starting to really wear on my back in the bjorn carrier, while pushing Ryanne in a single jogger - up hills. Looks like we found one..and a good deal at that, which makes "daddy discount" pleased. The MOST exciting thing about April is that Finley started sitting up this month. We are excited and proud of her, but also happy because it buys us just a wee bit more free time, as she can sit up and play and not get irritated so quickly. She still loves to watch her sister Ryanne run, dance, and sing-right in her face. Although we have been continuously working on the "sleeping arrangements", we are hopeful that the girls will be able to sleep in the same room together soundly, soon. April was filled with a few good nights and a lot of sleepless nights. Yesterday Ryanne was able to tell me that she had a bad dream during her nap. She told me in her dream "she couldn't find pup pup". It made me sad, but also made me realize that she is growing in front of my very eyes. Her sentences are long and complete. She remembers places as we drive past them and remembers people, and mentions them in conversation. Its wild hearing all that she has to say and feel. Lots and lots of photos to share, so I'll just get on with them...

Our April snowman


The sickies in mom and dad's bed

She is looking at me, but REALLY wants to be watching Elmo..No TV for Fin!

A moment caught on the camera phone




So proud of her new sitting skills


Mt Vernon

The before


This didn't quite work out as planned..

Almost as tall...

What tulips?








King and queen of the kids table

Tender moments

Sometimes I see a my future flash in front of me. Every once in a while, I see Ryanne as a little girl, rather than a baby or even toddler. Its incredible to wonder what both the girls are going to be like as they grow. Will they be funny? artistic? athletic? into technology like their dad? After a visit with her aunt, I have a feeling Ryanne may have a girly side to her.

I try very hard to live presently and try hard not to look forward in time or wish away any of these tender moments that I have with them daily. Recently, I have made a point of putting away my mobile phone and resist the urge to check emails while they are up and playing. Its difficult. I know the things I do, they see and feel and will mimic. It may be hard for me, but I think it makes a big difference to them. They are most certainly worth it. Here are just a few (of many) things that I will miss about my kids as they grow and change, but have the opportunity and privilege to enjoy now.....

Finley continues sucking on her lips right after feeding
Arching their backs when they awaken with their butts out
Gummy smiles
Wearing footie pj's, all day sometimes
Wet kisses and small hugs
Breastfeeding
Rolls and chunky arms, legs, chins and bottoms
Fat square feet
Baby noses and baby breathing
Pretend talking on the phone
The softest skin on earth
Having to clip their tiny soft nails every other day
Long butt cracks
Nap hair
Thumb sucking & Ryanne's pup pup
Their excitement when daddy gets home from work
The swish-swish of their diapers when they walk
Those little hands grabbing everything
Their coughs and sneezes (not the projectile kind)
How they hold my hand
How they repeat words I say, even if it comes out mispronounced
High pitched voices
The soft, happy (but sometimes concerned) chatter when they wake up
Singing kid songs
How they make each other laugh (hopefully they will do this for life)
Their love for Shush
Tea parties, crafts, and dress up
Chasing through the house and dancing to loud music
Smelly neck cheese...I know, so gross, but I cannot get enough of it
Snuggling
The awe of blowing bubbles
Sisters bath time
Playing outside
The feel of their soft fuzzy heads on my chin as their baby hair starts to grow out
Naps!

I foresee this will be an ongoing list, forever, and with each age, it will change. This is only just the tip of the iceberg of how many things I love about them. I will probably have to add to this in a few days when I keep thinking of more things, but this is just what I had in my mind today...Or perhaps I'll write another list next year with all my new favorites. Of course, there will be things that I will not miss, but I will leave those undeclared.

March TwentyTen

Ok, I know, I know...I have been enjoying my visitors, tending to sick babies and not doing much blogging. Sorry for the delay. The Schu's had a pretty eventful March.....so much has happened...

Finley started going to bed in her crib by herself. This was a BIG DEAL. We could now rely on at least 2 hours of free time at night. Although my hope was that she would sleep longer, I'll take what I can get. It can be hard to listen to her tears every now and then...but she has learned her sleep skills quickly. Still up 4-6 times a night as of now...but we will tackle that when we are ready.

We loved having John and Lee visit and meet Finley. In Ryanne's mind they have become one person "Johnlee". She often uses her play phone and calls "Johnlee" during the day. Uncle John also introduced Ryanne to a little thing called the iphone. All of a sudden, our phones aren't quite as fun anymore. Luckily I have been able to find the game bubble breaker for my phone as well. She loved the application on his phone that allowed her to color existing photos he had in his phone. She was particularly fond of coloring one photo of her sister Finley, and she named her masterpiece "Blue Flibley"....From then on, she asked to play "Blue Flibley" numerous times a day throughout the visit. It stuck. We also enjoyed an over night trip to a place called Suncadia. Its only an hour door to door from Snoqualmie through the mountains and a fantastic get away. I'm not sure I'd recommend it to those with kids who have a hard time sleeping away from home (humm huuuuumm)...but it was really beautiful place and we are glad we found it.

We also got to celebrate St Patrick's day together properly (in person), hiked around Snoqualmie and enjoyed really great weather. It would not have been a complete Johnlee trip if we didn't make it to Kells Irish Pub. The trip was too fast and short. Thanks Johnlee for coming out and loving your nieces to pieces.

Finley's face makes up for John's closed eyes...

Aunt Lee is so pretty here...

The boys and Ryanne at Suncadia

We call this the "furrowed brow"

View at Suncadia

Eric the builder, can he fix it? Eric the builder, Yes he can!

(and yes, the drill is from the 70's)

At Kells Irish Pub, standard visit

We had only a few days after Johnlee left before Aunt Jen arrived. It had been way too long since we had seen her. She is so fun to have around, creative, playful, & stylish =) . I've never listened to so much Duran Duran before, and now Ryanne will sing her daddy's favorite Duran Duran song "Wild Boys"...and now I have a soft spot in my heart for the band because it reminds me of Jen's visit. Ryanne fell fast for her aunt....Aunt Jen's purses, shoes, makeup, lotions etc....It was all about Aunt Jen. Jen helped host a baby shower for our expecting friend Sara French...thank goodness she was here to help!!!! We took trips to Ballard, Bellevue, cooked, ate, drank........but the worst thing about the visit was that the weather was HORRIBLE. We were hoping to get a hike or two in. I don't think it ever stopped raining. We got only a few dry moments to play outside and to see the mountains, although she is probably used to it in London. We also got to celebrate Easter while she was here too. We had an Easter egg hunt at our house (indoors of course) and also headed up to Everett to visit the annual family Easter picnic (pinata and all). Thanks for the cute Easter dresses and awesome animal book! Ryanne is still talking about Aunt Jen, and she even said the other day "i love aunt jen", after she heard me talking about her....it melted my heart. We miss you...lets not wait so long ever again!!

Easter egg hunt

Ohh chocolate at 8am....yummy!

The favorite local spot, Snoqualmie Brewery

Easter Morning



Aunt Jen's MOOOOOSTASHE

And then it was April...............and we got our first snow storm and we battled a really bad virus....onward and upward to Spring!!