The Soul of a Home...

Tonight our home is an empty turtle shell. Three weeks ago we got an itch to sell it to get off a busy road and just like that- tomorrow we are moving. We love our new home. It's not very far away, but is in a quite neighborhood with plenty of kids. Perfect for our babies.

Yet I am sitting here with a stream of tears. Our home. Our sweet home filled to the brim with precious memories and love.

Patrick bought this home before we were married. I met him for the first time in this home. Right there in our family room... I was sitting on the couch and he came around the corner and I heard angels sing. Everything went into slow motion. Call me crazy but our eyes met and I felt a spark- a serious spark.

A few weeks later in that same room we were watching a movie and he laid one on me, our first kiss... yep, sparks went a flyin'.

A couple of months later, once again in that same room we confessed our love to each other. Patrick grabbed a sharpie marker and colored one blade of carpet where we had been sitting to forever mark the spot of such a significant event.

As they say, the rest is history. We married, I transformed a bachelor pad into a family's home.

There was a lot of love. There were some tears and lots of prayers with our infertility problems, but those tears turned to utter joy as our children joined our family. We now delight in the pitter patter of Calan's steps and Ellie's giggles and coos.

All the while, our home protected us from the cold, the heat, the storms that raged outside- physically and spiritually. Within these walls we were safe. Within these walls there was peace. Within these walls there was love.

As we have taken down pictures and packed up boxes I have found myself talking to our home as if it were a friend. I've been thanking our home over and over for providing us a place to be a family. I've explained why we are moving and even described the new family moving in (they are a great family!) I assured our home there will continue to be love and wonderful memories.

I told our home that we will never forget it. It may sound silly, but our home has become a member of our family and it will be missed.

Goodbye friend, we love you.

A Few of His Favorite Things...

At 22 months old Mr. Calan is more fun everyday as he discovers the world around him. He is so full of personality.

I have been wanting to write this down forever... but everyday the list seems to grow and I put it off wanting to get a perfect picture to go with it. I decided to write this down even without pictures- I just don't want to forget his current list of Favorite Things.

Calan's Favorites:

Candy- our little man is a junk food junkie. We rarely have candy around the house, but it does not stop him from asking for it ALL THE TIME. He uses sign language and a very hopeful facial expression. He will accept the Altoid breath mints in my purse. They are strong for me... but gobbles them up! He has started saying the word 'anny' for candy.

Money- He has an obsession with money... just coins. One day he found a penny on the floor. I showed him how to put it in his pocket and he thought that was so cool. Then we went to the mall and we bought an ice cream cone. I had him get out his penny and give it to the man and in return we got ice cream... he was AMAZED! I now find coins in all of his pants when I do laundry. He uses the word 'anny' for money as well.

Bubbles- This is one word (other than mama and daddy) that he uses all the time. I did not realize how many things have bubbles... milk when I pour it, soap on his hands, toots in the bath. :) One evening while in the tub Cal farted and just giggled and giggled that he had made "bubbles". Now anytime he toots he points to him bum and says "bubbles mama, bubbles"

Ice- Like Patrick, Cal loves ice. He and Patrick can sit and chomp on it endlessly. It makes me cold just to watch them. He like to say it as well... "iceee"

Ice Cream- Cal signs 'ice cream' at least 20 times a day. When I ask what he wants for breakfast or lunch he always tells me he wants ice cream. He never gets ice cream for a meal, but he is hopeful that one day I will give in- sorry buddy, it's not going to happen. One night he woke up crying. It was 3am and his diaper had leaked all over. I got him out of bed and was changing his PJ's when he got a HUGE smile on his face and then signed "ICE CREAM?" I am pretty sure he sleeps with sugar plum fairies dancing in his head.

Water- Wawa. Cal LOVES water. Most mornings he jumps in the shower with Patrick. He loves to play and has absolutely no fear. Often he will stand at the kitchen sink and 'help' me with the dishes. He could stand there all day!

Chapped Stick- This is a new obsession. He loves it so much he created his own sign language for it. He points to his cheek and then pops his lips. He puts it on so thick I could write my name in it! But he doesn't stop with his lips... it ends up all over his cute little face.

Brushing his teeth- Cal LOVES to brush his teeth... correction Cal loves tooth paste. I know it's not good for him to swallow so I only give him a little bit and every time he cries that I won't give him the whole tube.

Mario Cart Wii- Lonica came to stay with us and pulled out our Mario Cart to play. Cal was amazed! He now will ask to play by saying to me "Vroom vroom" I must also mention that Lonica is one of Cal's favorite things- smile. When she comes to visit he calls for her more than he calls for me, "Yanny, Yanny"

The Kitchen Stool- This should be a post all in itself. Cal loves to be right next to me in the kitchen. If I move to another location he quickly hops down and scoots it over to where I am. I love that he wants to help and be apart of whatever I'm doing.

Pretend play- Cal's imagination is growing every day. He latest fascination is while we're driving he will say to me, "Mama... Sssssss" to which I will reply, "Oh no Calan, is there a snake in the car?" and he will giggle. Then he will say, "Moo" or "Arf Arf" So fun!

Seriously, everyday is a new adventure with our little man. He is almost 2 years old and we can hardly believe it!

Mr. Calan, we love you so much!

6 Months Old!!

How is it possible?

Our little Ellie is 6 months old. She had her 6 month check up and

here are her stats:

Height- 25 inches (25%)

Weight- 13.3 pounds (5%)

The doctor said that she is perfect- just tiny! :) In fact, when Cal was 6 months old he weighed 19 pounds... 6 pounds more than our little lady and almost 3 inches longer. That's why it's so hard for me to believe she's half a year old.

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I have been taking a monthly picture of our little angel and sure enough, she is growing.

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1 month old

2 months old
3 months old4 months old 5 months old
6 months old

Oh, those cheeks! I just love to nibble them up!

I take her picture on the Sunday closest to her "month birthday". Every time I put Ellie in her Sunday dress she sparkles. She seems to know it is a special day and that she looks extra pretty. I especially love when I bring her in to Patrick to see her all dressed up. She looks at him and says, "Don't I look pretty, daddy?" She's got him wrapped around her little finger!

Ellie is an incredibly happy baby. She is so content and just wants to be around other people. I have mentioned this before... but she loves to watch Cal. She is becoming more and more interactive and it is so fun to see. Sometimes she will grab Cal's hair or his clothes- Cal will look at me as if to say, "Help me, mama" and I will tell him that sister is giving him loves.
Ellie just smiles.

Sweet girl, we love you so much! You bring a special light into our home and our hearts.