New faves...

As Noelle has gotten better at napping, I've been able to create more embellished onesies... and it's been a blast. Here are a few of my recent favorites!

This one's pretty simple, but it does have a little "bling"-- a rhinestone button on the pink flower. Mmmm-hmmm.

This was a custom order for a friend's two little ones. If you think Roly and Poly are cute, you should see Amanda's kiddos!

Here's another custom order for Becki's new niece! :)

I just like the simplicity of this one. Nice and clean. Lovely. :)

The book is Born to Read, one of our current favorite reads. I made a... uh... "Samantha" version of Sam, the hero. :)

Sisters!

I realized that I hadn't gotten good sister pictures in awhile, so here we go! I don't have a perfect shot, but that wouldn't really mirror real life, would it? :)

Riley decides that, hey, if Noelle can do it, so can I! :)

Rahhr!

I just love Riley's expression here... and the fact that her foot looks ginormous! :)

Love. <3

Not a Total Loss

This weekend has been somewhat of a disaster, as far as get-togethers go. Last night, we had a girls' night with my Wheaton roomies and their husbands. We had spent the whole day up in Arlington Heights, and I think Noelle had just had enough of being out of her routine. She and I made an early exit. Tonight, we were supposed to head to the wedding of one of the guys Mike had as a Son Lifer. We got Riley taken care of, but we couldn't find anyone to watch Noelle. I didn't think it was the wisest move to take her to the wedding, so we thought that maybe we could pull off the reception. Then, as I thought more about it, I realized that that wasn't really all that bright either. A tired fourth-month-old, even all dolled up, at a wedding reception with people we don't really know? Probably not a good move. We reluctantly decided to make a go at it, and Mike, Noelle and I drove to Lisle, to the hotel parking lot... where we turned around and headed for home. Seeing as how Noelle was crying for most of the drive, it seemed like pure foolishness to go in. So Mike dropped us off at home, and Noelle is currently happily tucked into bed.

Don't worry, though. As I mentioned, Noelle got all dolled up for the event, in the same outfit-- by the way-- that Riley wore to her first wedding. This is what you've been waiting for, folks. These shots are almost too cute to handle!

The spit-up was kind of flowing, so I got the first few shots with bib.

Hehehe... I love that little face!

Singing!!

If you had cheeks like this, your head would get heavy, too.

That's my cutie. :)

Betcha Didn't Know...

...that giraffes ride bikes.

(Thanks to Becky for this hilarious loaner outfit. Love it!)

This is when Riley realized that-- HELLO!-- giraffes walk on all fours.

Breakthrough Day

I am currently sitting at the computer with two girls in their beds, sleeping! This, my friends, is a major breakthrough. Let's hope it lasts. Getting here wasn't particularly easy. Noelle had to cry it out for 20 minutes or so, and when I finally went in and picked her up, her eyes flickered and closed immediately. Riley, meanwhile, went down about an hour early. We're going to try to get to Naperville Central for 7th and 8th period, which her normal 12-2/2:30 nap doesn't really allow for. Let's hope this doesn't come back to bite me! Anyway, I have a little bit of freedom, and I thought I'd spend it with you, blog readers.

I'll admit... it's a somewhat daunting task. It's been a little while since I've posted, and those of you who know me well have witnessed that I snap rough a bajillion pictures of the girls a day. This may call for some major editing and short-and-snappy captions. Here goes nothing!

Granddad sent us some gear to cheer the Mountaineers on to victory in the Final Four. I'm thinking that it's due to the shirts' late arrival that West Virginia lost. However, Riley still wears it proudly... and plays her new favorite game: peek-a-boo!


We've been rejoicing in the warm weather, which, in Chicago, lasts only about two months of the year. Here, Riley shows that she likes to move it move it!



And I think we have a tennis instructor in the making...

"Make sure you have a nice, high contact point..."

"... And pronate!"

Yesterday, we had a little sidewalk date with Robbie, complete with wagon...

... chalk...
...trains...
...little sis...
... and a great buddy with an infectious smile!


Then, today, Noelle did some hardcore modeling for greensies and bwstudio.

My new pink zebra bow! :)

... and Brandon's sweet sprout design!

This little lady sure loves life. :)

Indoor and Outdoor Fun

I asked Riley to smile, so Aunt Sarah could check her out in her cute new birthday clothes. This is what I got... Oh, this girl makes me laugh!

And THIS is why we're glad it's getting warmer and we can make it outside!

And, indeed, we did make it outside to play with our new sidewalk chalk. By the way, putting the chalk away when we're done is a labor of love since the feel and sound of it sends chills up and down me. Just thinking of it is giving me the creeps. Yech.

We have new sewer lines going in down the street. This has lead to about a billion trucks going up and down the street, every day. Riley loves it and gets excited every time. :)

My pretty girl. :)

Easter!

He is risen!!

We had a good, if not exhausting Easter, this year-- the first with TWO little girls. We made it to church, ON TIME, so we actually got seats. We made it through half of the service until Noelle got hungry, and the two of us made a quick exit. It makes me laugh, though, that Mike sent an email to a friend in which he said that we made it through the service which is, and I quote, "a rare accomplishment with Noelle." Hehe. Michael, I love you. :)

After church, we headed up North for some family time. It was a big, wonderful family weekend-- three days in a row that the girls got to hang out with grandparents, aunt, uncles and cousins!

(Buckle your safety belts, folks. It's a long one!)

Riley does a little pre-church photo shoot. She tried to avoid the camera, but she just can't help looking cute. :)

A rare Mommy-Riley photo

This is typical of our sister pics, these days. This wasn't Riley's fault, though. If I remember correctly, Noelle was exhausted.

This one just cracks me up because it's absolutely PERFECT. Ashley, this is life, right? :)

All you ladies out there, aren't you so impressed with Steve's mad skills?
(Steve, I won't tell them that we're lucky I had the camera aimed and ready as this juggling lasted only about 2.1 seconds.)

Riley takes a ride in the wagon!

And then it's Daddy's turn!

Riley got to experience her first Easter egg hunt. We all agreed that this was a nice age because neither Ben or Riley particularly cared how many eggs they got. Riley frequently got distracted, even, you know, with things like having to change a bear's diaper.

Ahh... family pics... SO easy with two little ones. :)

I love these dresses. Thanks, Moom/Nana!

Noelle's lips crack me up here!

I feel like I rarely get to hang out with little Hannah, so it was fun to get a little face-to-face time!

Ham-a-holic...

I was referring to the bear.

Hannah and Riley have a little staring contest.

Sister kisses... once again, Mom chooses the opportune time. Oh, bother.

A somewhat unsuccessful photo shoot with Daddy

Riley snuggles with Roly and Poly.

And Noelle gets some one-on-one Roly time. Look at those cheeks!!!

Happy Easter!
He is risen!

He is risen indeed!!