Beach Babies

Aunt Becky came to visit last month to do a week of clinicals in Vero Beach.  We spent the weekend at the beach before her grueling week of driving back and forth to clinicals.  Little did we know, it was our last trip to the beach before the big move.  It was Livi's first time soakin' up the sun with an ocean view.  Brody had a blast building sandcastles with his Aunt Becky and Daddy.  They did manage to put their feet in the ocean too.  Brr...was it cold!  While they were busy playing in the sand, Livi and I left to venture back home because someone was getting fussy.  Daddy thinks I was wanting to leave early because the sand was blowing on me, however in my defense it was blowing on Livi too!

Brody checking on his sissy

Brody and Livi really enjoyed having their Aunt Becky around.  However, Aunt Becky did mention that all Livi did was eat, cry, and poop during most of her stay.  Oh silly Becky!  Even though she's not use to babies yet, we still love her.  Thankfully, we get to see her more often now with Daddy's new job.  Below is a picture of Aunt Becky, Brody, and Livi snuggling while watching Brody's favorite movie Cars.  This was our little bedtime routine while Daddy was at the station.  We would snuggle up on the couch while watching one of Brody's favorite movies.  After I would get his pjs on and his choc choc made, Brody would sit on the couch and pat the spot beside him waiting for you to come sit by him.  It was sooo sweet!

I Never Knew How Much I Loved Your Daddy Until I Saw How Much He Loved You

We celebrated Stuart's 31st birthday last month.  He spent his actual birthday taking an eight hour psych test for the job of a firefighter/paramedic at the Bloomington Fire Department, which he got I might add.  (I know...a real party animal) 

The following week, we celebrated his birth with delicious cupcakes while packing up our house to move back to the good ole state of IL.  When you get older birthdays are just another day, however I don't want to get into the habit of thinking that.   I think God each and every day for the AMAZING husband and friend he has placed in my life, but most of all the loving father he has given our children.  Brody and Livi not only have a dad but a coach, friend, child thrower (and catcher of course!), wrestler, comedian, songwriter (best one at making up his own lyrics to nursery rhyme tunes), racecar driver, hair stylist (with little hair that Livi has), professional swaddler, booger sucker and so much more!  Where most firefighters work a second job away from home, our daddy feels that it wouldn't compete to the one he already has playing with his kids.  Here are a few snapshots of Brody and Livi with the best dad EVER!



Brody helping Daddy take apart Sissy's glider.



Daddies make the best pillows



Happy Valentine's Day!

For Valentine's Day, we took pictures of the kiddos for the grandparents.  We tried to take advantage of living in Florida and took some on the beach, however the cards were not in our favor.  The wind and sand were not a good mix for Liv to be outside.  Not to mention, the big nose dive Brody did while walking in the sand.  As we picked him up, he had a huge pile of sand in his mouth.  Yuck!!  Therefore, inside pictures it was! Not to tut our own horn, but they turned out pretty cute.  Of course taking pictures of these cute kiddos made it easy.:)

A Quick Trip to the Midwest

We flew up to Illinois to introduce our newest addition to the fam.  The 2 1/2 hour flight was an eventful ride, to say the least.  We arrived at the gate about an hour early and ate some breakfast.  Stu and Brody sat at the gate while Liv and I went to get the food.  I wore a Moby Wrap with Livi so I could hold her and the food at the same time.  I'm sure it was a sight to see.:)  There never was a dull moment traveling with two kids under two.  Sissy did FANTASTIC on the plane and slept the whole way there.  Brody, on on the other hand, had a different agenda.  He did well for a 1 1/2 year old.  Thank goodness for technology!! Our portable DVD player entertained him for most of the trip, except for those restless moments where he stood on his chair to talk to the people behind us.  The last 40 minutes of the plane ride both kiddos were asleep.  Ah, what a beautiful sight it was.

Brody enjoying a healthy breakfast :)

Liv snoozing in the Moby

We were very excited for everyone to meet our sweet baby girl.  Brody and Livi enjoyed playing with all their buddies.  It was the first time Livi met her cousins on the Blade/Tweryon side.  Hadley was especially excited to love on her.  It was too cute!!

Liv getting loved on by Aunt Heather and the girls.

During our stay, one of my good friends from high school stopped by with her little boy Caden.  Caden is actually a little over a week older than Livi.  Who knows..he might be a potential suitor?!?!

We ended the trip at the Hilton Garden.  We got a hotel room so all the cousins on both sides could swim.  It was Liv's first time in the pool.  She was not a fan.  We had her in the pool long enough to take a picture.  Brody, on the other hand, had a blast.  He couldn't get enough of it!! It was also the first night away from Livi.  She stayed with Granny and Papa Don, while Brody stayed with Nana and Papa Clark.  Thank you guys for all that you do!! It was almost TOO quiet for Stu and I to fall asleep that night.

Cousin and Livi's One Month Pictures

During our visit in Illinois, we took some cousin pictures as well as Livi's one month pictures.  It's crazy how fast time flies!!  Taking pictures with these little guys is definitely a entertaining task.  Unless, you want everyone smiling and looking at the camera, then it could be a little frustrating, just a bit.:)  Thank you Aunt Krista for taking them.  They turned out cute as always!

Brody giving Liv a kiss :)

Love her little smirk!

Look at those sweet cheeks!

Brody and Kami

Blade/Tweryon Cousins

Blade/Stuckey Cousins

Livi's Baby Dedication

We dedicated to raise Livi in the Christian faith at our church in January.  She was perfect during the service.  We brought Brody into big church for the dedication too.  He enjoyed being on stage and watching the children's message beforehand. 

Praying for Liv

Liv and Pastor Jeff

Thank you Dee for taking pictures during Liv's dedication!!

Love her smile!!

Brods and Liv

Brody and Livi are 18 months apart.  Even though she is not old enough to play with him, he's been taking an interest into what his future best bud likes to do.  Take for example her paci.  She likes her paci so Brody in turn likes her paci.  Don't worry folks, he's just testing it out.  To make sure it is safe for his little sis to use, of course.:) 

Livi likes her tummy time.  And what big brother would Brody be if he did not get on his tummy as well.  However, we have to stop "play" time when someone (who shall remain nameless) tries to sit on his little sister.  All 24 lbs of him sitting on whatever part of her body he can.

Livi enjoys sitting in her bouncer and swing.  As any other 1 1/2 year old, Brody likes to see what the fuss is all about with this contraption.  I mean you are able to sit in this musical chair and it magically moves, what's not to love!  He also likes to rock and push Liv in the bouncer and swing to give it that extra boost.:)

Ok, I wasn't actually going to take a pic of Brody pushing her in the swing.  It's a little frightening to watch.:)

Lately, Liv is starting to sit in her bumbo.  She loves observing this new world around her sitting up.  Brody likes to squish  his little tush in it too.

In the end, Brody just likes to love on his little sis.  He is a sweet big brother, when he wants to be.