This Mama Blogs: about kids and life and everything in-between.

Happy V Day!

2012-02-14T15:13:00.000-07:00

From my 2 sweet valentines, to yours.

Claire's Closet: Zara Kids

2012-02-08T16:43:00.003-07:00

It's no secret that I love to shop for Claire. I recently stumbled upon Zara kids. I've been to Zara before (when I used to live in Florida) but I didn't have kids back then, so I never even looked in that department. Fast forward a few years and voila. I am in love with everything they sell! I ordered the things pictured above for her and I can't wait to get them in the mail!

I, of course, want to get a few more items from there...here are some of my favorites!

From this past Monday.

2012-02-08T11:15:00.000-07:00

These two can always, always, always put a smile on my face.

Claire is 10 months old...TODAY!

2012-02-07T15:29:00.000-07:00

I love her.

Be still, my beating heart.

2012-02-01T15:46:00.000-07:00

Stationery card

2012-01-25T15:46:00.001-07:00

Vintage Heart Valentine's Card

Click here to browse our modern collection of invitations.

View the entire collection of cards.

Claire turned 9 Months (2 weeks ago)..

2012-01-18T14:48:00.000-07:00

I love this little chick more that I could ever explain...

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T18:12:00.002-07:00

Just the kids.

2011-12-23T12:05:00.000-07:00

Oh and Oliver's super fake cheesy smile...

Cruise 2011!

2011-12-20T13:25:00.002-07:00

We had a great time on vacation!! Thanks to Bronte and Bryan for taking us on such a fun vacation!!

8 Months Old.

2011-12-08T10:37:00.000-07:00

My big girl turned 8 months old yesterday! I weighed her and she is 20 pounds! Such a big girl! I can't believe she is 8 months already! CRAZY!!

Thanksgiving 2011.

2011-11-29T20:23:00.000-07:00

I didn't really take that many pictures, but I couldn't stand looking at the hole in Oliver's head every time I look at the blog.

I am thankful for:
My husband.
My kids.
My family.
My house.
My husband having a job.

This post it a bit late, but better late than never...

4 years and 2 days.

2011-11-22T15:56:00.000-07:00

That is how long he went without having stitches. That ended yesterday afternoon when he face planted in the door hinge pin and got literally a hole in his face. The worst thing was that I watched the whole thing happened. We took him to his doctor's office, they numbed it and they put 3 stitches in. It was quite dramatic, and needless to say I am happy it's over! Now, I can't wait for 10 days when they have to be removed...ugh.

They are my whole heart.

2011-11-09T19:23:00.000-07:00

7 months old.

2011-11-07T12:21:00.001-07:00

She's 7 months old today, and pretty proud of those bottom TWO teeth!
xxoo

Determination.

2011-11-04T12:38:00.000-06:00

After Claire was born I was very depressed about the way that I looked. I had gained 40+ pounds while I was pregnant and after she was born at a measly 6 lbs. 15 oz. (unlike my 9 lb. 5 oz. Oliver) I was even more unhappy with myself. Of course I couldn't really do much right after her birth except for keep myself fed so that I could nurse her. About 4 weeks postpartum I decided enough was enough and got on the elliptical. It wasn't pretty. I could only do it for barely 10 minutes and I was DYING! I continued on doing the elliptical for a few months but really saw no visible results. So I decided it was time to get serious! I downloaded the best food diary/fitness tracker app for my phone and got on it. I am now on a 1500 calorie/day diet. I rarely, if ever drink soda anymore. I still have a little weakness for candy but I limit myself...Also, I stepped up the elliptical workout, started doing a little reformer pilates, and found the best Jillian Michaels DVD ever(thanks mom)!! I am in the best shape of my life. I'm eating a lot healthier, exercising 5-6 times a week and I weigh less now than I did the day I got married!! My health kick is rubbing off too..I got Jabren on the workout/eating healthier diet and he's lost 15 lbs to date!

**I was debating weather or not to put these pics up, but then I decided that it's MY blog and I can put up whatever I want! ;)

Halloween fun 2011.

2011-11-01T15:12:00.003-06:00

Superman and Miss ladybug had a fun Halloween! I think Superman had a little bit more fun though..just a hunch! Superman and daddywent trick or treating for over an hour while me and the ladybug handed out the candy at home. Miss ladybug went to bed at 6:45 for the night though, she was beat and I don't think she really knew or cared for what was going on around her!

Halloween pumpkins 2011.

2011-10-30T22:19:00.001-06:00

We carved our pumpkins tonight. I let Ollie choose what he wanted me to carve, he requested the mummy and the ware wolf. His wish is my command...

little love.

2011-10-27T10:06:00.002-06:00

Beauty-ful.

2011-10-25T21:05:00.001-06:00

I love her with all of my heart..

Claire in the bath..

2011-10-14T13:12:00.000-06:00

She is 6 months old and getting so very big!! I love her so much and part of me doesn't want her to grow up.. ;)

Me + my little gal.

2011-10-10T17:57:00.000-06:00

I should be upstairs making dinner, but instead here I am web-cammin' it up.

xxoo

6 months old! hooray..

2011-10-07T16:14:00.001-06:00

before..

during..

after..

Poor babe.. I felt so bad for her today. She is a trooper though and is sitting on my lap as I type this post (one-handed!!).

Her stats:

16 lbs. 14 oz. (75th percentile)

26.5" long (80th percentile)

What can I say, I grow big babies..

A couple from today.

2011-10-05T15:48:00.000-06:00

O + C just hanging out. C is in her diaper and O would only give me about 10 seconds of his attention due to Olivia being on Nick Jr. behind me...

A couple from last week.

2011-10-05T13:20:00.001-06:00

Big Girl!

2011-09-27T11:12:00.000-06:00

I weighed Claire the other night and guess what?...

7 years.

2011-09-22T10:42:00.000-06:00

This past weekend we celebrated our 7 year wedding anniversary. We wanted to go to Vegas but it was just too expensive. So we decided to go to Colorado instead. I've never been to Colorado and I've lived right next door for almost all of my life. Anyways, we ended up at the Viceroy Hotel (**I didn't take any pictures of the hotel so check out the link**)in Snowmass Village which is right before Aspen. It was so nice and relaxing there. The hotel is actually the first hotel in Aspen to be Gold LEED certified. The hotel was amazing! The decor was awesome, I wanted to re-do everything in my house by the time the weekend was over! We went hot-tubbing, walked all around Aspen, took a gondola ride up to the Aspen mountain summit and enjoyed a nice anniversary dinner! I didn't want the weekend to end. I sure did miss the two rug-rats that were staying at grandmas house though. I really want to go back again!

Kids.

2011-09-20T10:44:00.000-06:00

Oliver is so dramatic these days... I hope he grows out of it soon.

One from last week.*

2011-09-13T14:47:00.000-06:00

*This pic is killin' me with cute!

5 Months Old!

2011-09-08T11:14:00.000-06:00

My beautiful girl turned 5 months old yesterday. I cannot believe she is 5 months already...

She is talking like crazy and cannot get enough of her hands and feet! She started rolling over a few weeks ago and now she will not sit still! I love her so much!!

E+S got married!

2011-09-02T12:11:00.000-06:00

My beautiful sister in law, Emi, got married last weekend to her longtime boyfriend Stu. Here are some photos I took of the two day event!!

It was such a fun wedding weekend.

I am so happy for the two of them and love them both very much!

A few from yesterday afternoon.

2011-08-24T15:59:00.000-06:00

My poor little Claire is sick... :(

So that means the days are longer and so are the nights.

But, she's a trooper and usually smiles through it.

She's such a good baby!

Twinners...just 3.5 years apart?!

2011-08-19T17:04:00.000-06:00

Both kiddos at 4 months old. Oliver is on the left & Claire is on the right. They are definitey siblings!!

Oliver's first day of preschool!

2011-08-18T10:54:00.000-06:00

Oliver went to his first day of preschool this morning. He was so excited to go! He couldn't eat his breakfast fast enough! Jabren came with me to drop him off at the school. He walked right in, told the teacher his name when she asked and he never looked back. He is so grown up and amazes me every day. I was sad when we left but then I realized that this will be a great experience for him and for me too!

Clarie loves her brother.

2011-08-17T12:46:00.000-06:00

She can't get enough of him. When she is fussy all he has to do is come in the room and start talking to her and she immediately quiets down. It's quite nice for me that it works out that way. He loves her so much too. He is constantly touching her and wanting to play with her. I hope this love for each other lasts more than just a few years.

4 months old...ALREADY?!?

2011-08-10T21:02:00.000-06:00

She turned 4 months old on Sunday. I took these photos yesterday. Time is sure flying by so fast. I am so happy to have this beautiful girl in my life...

4 month check-up.

2011-08-06T11:24:00.000-06:00

We went to see the doctor yesterday for Claire's 4 month check-up and vaccines. My little girl is not so little anymore. She is growing like a weed and her stats prove that.

(Her weight today is about what my big boy Oliver weighed at 2 months. I guess I'm just good at making big babies...)

Weight: 14 lbs. 3 oz.

(70th percentile)

Height: 25" long

(80th percentile)

Now what?!?

2011-08-01T17:34:00.000-06:00

I'm sure that is the thought that goes through her head whenever she hears her big brother whining. But she's my easy going little gal and just gives me this look and just goes about sucking her hands. Silly little Claire-Bear.

400th post!

2011-07-29T11:42:00.000-06:00

My girl is getting so big.
My boy is getting so good/comfortable at holding my girl.
They are so sweet together.

Loves.

2011-07-21T14:49:00.000-06:00

So sweet together.

A little bit of peace.

2011-07-11T15:23:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Claire's nap time + the Backyardigans.

Big BLUE eyes.

2011-07-08T10:41:00.000-06:00

She turned 3 months old yesterday.
Time sure does fly.
I love her so much!

Bath time helper.

2011-07-06T15:11:00.000-06:00

Ollie loves his little sis so much... Whenever I give her a bath he is always in there wanting to help me. He is so sweet to her and I love the extra set of hands, even though I have to watch him like a hawk!

Hansdsome.

2011-06-29T10:05:00.000-06:00

My babies.

2011-06-27T15:52:00.000-06:00

I love love love love love them.

Some pics from this week.

2011-06-24T13:00:00.001-06:00

My beautiful girl.

2011-06-23T14:00:00.000-06:00

She melts my heart every.single.day.
She is the sweetest most perfect baby girl in the whole wide world.
She is all mine.
xo

A peek inside.

2011-06-17T09:24:00.000-06:00

It's pretty self-explanatory.

It's (finally) Summer!

2011-06-15T14:59:00.000-06:00

We hope this warm weather actually stays for the whole summer! It will make everyone it this house very happy!!

It's Tuesday!

2011-06-14T13:44:00.000-06:00

2 Months Old (yesterday).

2011-06-08T15:09:00.000-06:00

At 2 months Clarie can:
Smile at me.
Coo a little bit.
Sleep for 8 hours straight at night.
Hold her head up for a few seconds.

She is such a sweetheart! We love her so much and she fits so well into our chaotic life.

I think I'll keep her. ;)

Swimming Lessons.

2011-06-06T11:03:00.000-06:00

Some photos from Oliver's swimming lesson last week. He is getting to be quite the swimmer. I signed him up for the summer session, hopefully he just gets better and better. He's starting to learn how to dive into the pool. I'm so proud of him because I could never and still can't dive into the water to this day. I hope he can teach me one day! Good job Buddy!

2 Month Check-Up.

2011-06-03T18:36:00.000-06:00

She is clearly not having any trouble gaining weight! She is almost 11 lbs., she was 6 lbs 15 oz at birth. She is in the 60th percentile for height, weight and head. She got 2 shots so she is not so happy now. Hopefully she cheers up soon...

Wheres Claire-Bear?

2011-06-02T13:33:00.000-06:00

Growing Up.

2011-05-31T11:59:00.000-06:00

They're growing up so fast. I wish I could hit the pause button.

Kiddos.

2011-05-23T12:29:00.000-06:00

This weekend...

2011-05-22T17:11:00.002-06:00

Oliver had swimming...

And my baby girl got her first pedicure!

I love having a little girl...

6 Weeks Old.

2011-05-19T15:04:00.000-06:00

I'm loving her!!!

Claire-bear.

2011-05-18T18:16:00.000-06:00

Just another Monday.

2011-05-16T15:28:00.000-06:00

Self Explanatory.

2011-05-11T13:19:00.000-06:00

** Also, that was my little sweater when I was a baby. I love that! **

One Month Old.

2011-05-10T18:41:00.000-06:00

My beautiful Sweetsie turned one month old last Saturday. I can't believe it's already been a month. Wow! I weighed her this morning and she was 9 pounds 2 ounces. Whoa, chunk! But what freaks me out even more is that Oliver was BIGGER than that when he was born. I can't imagine that I gave birth to something bigger than she is now at 1 month. Crazy.

It's so sweet you might just get a toothache.

2011-05-09T15:17:00.000-06:00

Happy Mothers Day, Mom.

2011-05-08T15:18:00.001-06:00

I love you so much...

The past month has just flown by...

2011-05-04T13:48:00.000-06:00

A few of my favorites from the last 4 whirlwind weeks...

The first meeting.

Oliver in a swimming cap AND flippers. Hilarious!

Sun bathing beauty.

Love these kids...

Big Brother/Little Sister.

2011-05-02T15:15:00.000-06:00

LOVE.

Her first (big girl) bath.

2011-04-28T14:11:00.000-06:00

Sweetsie Claire finally lost her belly button last Friday afternoon (4.22.11) so now she is able to have real baths in the bath tub. I am so happy about this because every time I had to give her a sponge bath in the sink I always felt like I was going to drop her. Now she is safe and sound in her bath chair, and looking quite cute I may add...

Easter 2011.

2011-04-26T18:24:00.000-06:00

We (Oliver, Grammy, and me) dyed eggs on Saturday night.

Dyeing the eggs was a little messy, but Oliver had a great time!

Easter Morning.

The Easter bunny came to Grammy's house and he didn't leave Oliver chocolate...he left him money! I wish that was how the Easter bunny worked when I was little. ;)

He was super excited to see his Easter basket. He got a pillow pet, cars, a puzzle and a big bouncy ball.

He was loving it!

Daddy-daughter...

My handsome little guy.

Grampy and his grand babies. So sweet.

Happy Easter!

Claire + Daddy.

2011-04-21T14:00:00.000-06:00

So sweet...

He's coming around.

2011-04-20T09:55:00.000-06:00

1 Week {yesterday}.

2011-04-15T16:17:00.000-06:00

And then there were 2.

2011-04-12T14:46:00.000-06:00

I keep asking myself what have I gotten into? Two kids is WAAAAAY harder than one. It is getting better day by day but I think this is going to be a long process. Oliver has been our one and only for almost 3 1/2 years so he has some adjusting to do. I am confident that I can do this!

Claire is such a good baby. She only cries when she is hungry! That's it...she doesn't even cry when her diaper is poopy. It's so nice that she is so mellow and just the sweetest little thing I have ever laid eyes on. I never realized just how big my little guy was until he was next to her. He is a GIANT! Everything on her is so so tiny. I just want to preserve her tininess in a jar and keep it forever...

Introducing...

2011-04-10T09:08:00.000-06:00

Claire Juliet Clarke

April 7, 2011

6:03 pm

6 lbs. 15 oz.

We are already so in love with her.

News.

2011-04-07T12:44:00.000-06:00

It looks like I am going to have this little girl today! I woke up this morning not feeling very good and I was contracting. They started getting more regular around 8:00 am. I decided to have a shower to see if it would get them to stop. It didnt. I called Jabren around 9:15 am and he was on his way. He got home and we were off. On the way to the hospital my contractions were 3-4 minutes apart and getting stronger. We made it to the hospital and now were just playing the waiting game. I'm getting so nervous but excited at the same time. More later...

38 Weeks.

2011-04-05T09:53:00.000-06:00

I'm so ready to be done...

They built a really cool snowman...in APRIL!!

2011-04-03T11:25:00.000-06:00

Ugh it snowed last night and it hasn't stopped yet.

I though it was supposed to be spring time, guess not...

Ollie was so so happy that it was the right kind of snowman building snow, him and grandpa built a pretty tall snowman.

Fun for little kids not fun for me!!

Still my baby.

2011-03-31T14:51:00.000-06:00

He's still my baby...for a few more days that is. It makes me a little sad not to be able to call him my 'baby' anymore. He is beyond excited to meet his baby sister, I think he thinks I'm going to give birth to a little girl that will run and play with him. Boy will he be disappointed at the crying little infant that is really coming.

I feel so bad because he has no idea what he is in for and how his whole little world is about to change. At least he has grandma and grandpa here to soften the blow.

I went to the doctor today, I have an induction scheduled for April 13. I am beyond excited to meet my little Sweetsey and see just how beautiful she really is. I am getting really nervous though because now it feels so final. I feel like I have a million and one things to do before she gets here. I guess I better get crackin'.

Melts my heart.

2011-03-30T10:57:00.000-06:00

Jabren built Oliver a sandbox this past weekend. We decided it would be a nice addition to the yard before the baby comes. I figured it would be a good thing for him to have when I am busy with my baby girl.

He has played in it every day this week and asks to go outside right when he wakes up.
Jabren and Ollie are best friends and its apparent in these photos...

37 Weeks.

2011-03-29T10:14:00.000-06:00

I'm 37 weeks today and I am feeling it.

I cannot sleep, when I do fall asleep I am awake shortly after to use the bathroom.

When I get out of bed to use the bathroom I feel like there should be a banner following me that reads "wide load".

I cannot walk without doing the oh so attractive penguin waddle.

My back is just killing me. If I could spend all day in a hot bath tub I would!

All in all I think it's safe to say that I am done!!

I hope she comes just a little bit earlier than the 19th, because I don't know how much more of this I can take...

Swimmer.

2011-03-28T11:28:00.000-06:00

Ollie started swimming lessons on Saturday.

He loved it...well most of it, he didn't really like floating on his back.

We have 10 more lessons left.

I hope he can learn a lot in those 10 lessons!!

He looks so cute in his goggles and he actually likes wearing them.

31.

2011-03-23T11:18:00.000-06:00

Happy 31st Birthday to my Love!

He is looking so hot in this picture...

I just wanted to let him know how much Oliver and I love and appreciate everything he does for our family.

He is the greatest husband and dad in the world.

I don't know how I would survive without him in my life.

Happy Birthday Sexy!!

I LOVE you!!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

36 Weeks.

2011-03-22T11:41:00.000-06:00

28 days left... yikes!

I'm in full cleaning/organizing mode.

I think it's driving Jabren crazy.

Glad I have my big helper here to assist.

Ugh...I'm tired, I think I'll go take a quick cat nap.

Quirky.

2011-03-21T12:22:00.000-06:00

My silly little guy lines all of his cars up every morning.

Just one of his little quirks I cannot get enough of...

Anticipation.

2011-03-17T10:29:00.000-06:00

He can't wait to meet his sister...

35 Weeks.

2011-03-15T11:31:00.000-06:00

So ready to be done.

Superman!

2011-03-11T14:30:00.001-07:00

Superman went to the dentist today and was cavity free!!!

For being such a good patient they gave him a slinky, a superhero cape & a mask.

He was in heaven...

A few of his favorite things.

2011-03-09T13:21:00.000-07:00

Watching Super Mario Bros. videos on the big iPod (iPad) and playing with his monster truck...

All in Mama's bed...

He's got the life.

34 Weeks.

2011-03-08T11:47:00.001-07:00

34 down 6 to go...

I'm starting to freak out!

Smile.

2011-03-02T11:07:00.000-07:00

This is about the best almost-real smile I can get out of him these days...

I think he knows his whole world is about to change in a few short weeks.

He says he's excited to be a big brother whenever I ask him but I really don't think he knows the reality that is being a big brother.

I sometimes (okay, always) worry about how it's going to be with 2 kids.

(Can I handle it, can I ever leave the house alone with 2, what do I do when they both freak out at the same time???)

I worry that my little sunshine is not going to feel enough love from me when I have to constantly be tending to the newborn.

I worry that he will resent me in some way because I chose to have just one more baby.

I know that everything will eventually work out and we will all be happy, but there's still that worry in the pit of my stomach, or at least where my stomach used to be...

33 Weeks.

2011-03-01T11:02:00.000-07:00

blah, blah, blah...

Sick day.

2011-02-23T12:20:00.000-07:00

We've all been a little under the weather around here lately.

So O and I have had a few lazy days spent lounging around doing much of nothing...

It's been so nice.

32 Weeks.

2011-02-22T16:31:00.000-07:00

Practicing.

2011-02-16T10:19:00.000-07:00

I went into the baby's room to find Oliver doing this...

I asked him what he was doing and he told me he had to practice reading so that when his baby comes he will be really good at reading to her.

Funny boy.

Just another reason why I love him so much...

31 Weeks.

2011-02-15T11:46:00.001-07:00

I'm 31 weeks today. I feel like I should be 41 weeks by the way I look and feel! I'm trying to embrace these last few (well 9) weeks of pregnancy since this is most likely my last...but it is proving to be a pretty difficult task. Baby C is much higher than Oliver was and so it seems like I am always uncomfortable. Hopefully she drops soon so I can start enjoying the last days of having only one baby...

30 Weeks + Oliver.

2011-02-08T10:34:00.001-07:00

Rest In Peace.

2011-02-07T16:20:00.000-07:00

This beautiful girl went to heaven today.

She was old (just turned 14 on Friday). She had cancer and arthritis and could hardly walk. It was so sad to see her suffer like that. As hard as it was for my dad and sister to take her to be put to sleep, they take comfort in knowing that she is in a better place where she can run and play pain free! I'll always hold a special place in my heart for my "other sister".
I'll miss you Sammie Rae.

Baby C's nursery.

2011-02-03T11:00:00.001-07:00

Her nursery is almost done! I just need one more thing, well 2 more if you count the baby.

It was a lot easier this time because first off we're not moving 2,000 miles across country 2 weeks after she is born, and also because it is 98% hand-me-downs from her big brother's nursery.

Everything was his except for the pink crib sheets and the pillow cases. The lamp and angel I had already in other parts of my house.

I think it looks pretty girl-y though, since almost everything is blue.

A boy and his dog.

2011-02-02T16:49:00.000-07:00

Ollie + Matilda = Love

Well maybe for Oliver, Tilda's face just says it all...

Tuesday afternoon.

2011-02-02T10:07:00.000-07:00

We played legos.

Bob the builder.

2011-01-28T17:09:00.000-07:00