Babies and Beaches

This past weekend we made a last minute trip to Galveston to meet our friends little boy, take the girls on their first plane ride and their first beach trip. We have been avoiding taking a vacation but knew we had to before the latest Duke arrives at the end of summer. So we put on our big girl panties, stocked our carry ons with candy and games, and held our breath everything would be ok.

Our day started at 5:15am on Friday morning. We aren't morning people.

They were huge fans of the airport and kept themselves entertained looking at all of the planes.

The flight there was best case scenario and still exhausting. Flying with two toddlers is no joke.

Our friends were unbelievable and dropped off one of their cars at the airport with car seats installed for us to drive. The drive their was great. Sleeping babies and adult conversation.

Once we arrived we finally got to get our hands on sweet baby Ellis, just two weeks old! Dallas was in love and kept saying "momma, I hold the baby"

After getting settled we made our first trip over to the beach. Bliss was instantly in love with the water and the sand. Dallas took a little getting used to the salt water splashing her in the face but came around very soon.

Bliss kept herself busy

Dallas, the ultimate helper, carried stuff to the car

Bliss needed a quick rinse off and toss in the air before she was ready to leave 

Soon after getting back to the house my wild women both ended up with head injuries. First Bliss fell into a wooden post and got a huge goose egg on her head, then Dallas ran into the side of the coffee table cutting her eyelid. The Duke girls don't mess around.

The girls were very excited about their closet bedroom and bedding even though both chose not to sleep much on this trip :)

New friends arrived and the girls were pumped

Day 2 at the beach

 
 

Picture perfect naps on the hammock...

Not really, the above lasted about 10 minutes. Once we realized the girls weren't going to sleep at the house we loaded them in the car.  

A walk on the deck before heading out to the beach to see the super moon

 

Super Moon time!

Day 3, the girls woke up ready to play

 Me & my girls

 Not happy that mom made her move

 How Bliss plays corn hole

 Saying our goodbyes before hitting the road

 So long Galveston, we had a great time!

 

 

Father's Day

We seriously won big time in the dad department in our house. Kyle was made to be a girl daddy.

 

Our daddy: fixes hair and dresses up baby dolls. He reads stories and sings Twinkle Twinkle at night. He pulls his girls in wagons, and gives them horse back rides through the entire house. He dangles them upside down by their feet and throws them high in the air.  He hides behind couches and jumps out to scare them. He cuddles them tight and holds their tiny little hands. He teaches them to be strong, to laugh at themselves and that if they ever need him, daddy is there.  

 

Momma, I take care of you

In the short two and half  years my girls have been here I have experienced so many wonderful moments with them. Moments that reaffirm my purpose in life is to be their mom. Moments I want to bottle up and hold on to forever. Moments that make me look forward to what is yet to come and long for what has passed.

A few of my favorite mom moments with my girls so far are:
When Bliss first wakes up and lays on me. Only looking up to smile at me through her binky, pull it out, give me a kiss and lay back down.

When Dallas wants more of something and will put her tiny pointer finger up to her face and very seriously say "One more okayyy? One more"

When Bliss gets that mischievous look in her eye and bolts to climb up onto whatever she isn't supposed to and squeals with excitement when she succeeds.

When it's time for Bliss to go to bed and I make the rounds telling everyone to give "Bliss's kisses" and she leans her entire body back in my arms so she can get low enough for Dallas to kiss her head.

When sleepy-eyed girls first see each other in the morning, break into huge smiles, and start giving their morning hugs and kisses.

When Bliss lays her head on Dallas's stomach and Dallas strokes her hair without even thinking twice about it.

Unsolicited hugs, kisses and I love you's

When Dallas puts her hands on my face, pulls it close to hers and says in the sweetest, softest voice, always with a tone of determination "Momma, I take care of you okayyyy" then puts her hand on my stomach and says to her little sister "I take care of you"

I cried in bed the other night after the girls had gone to sleep. Thinking about how unbelievably blessed I am to have them as my children. How God has given me these little girls that I don't deserve but just how grateful I am that He did. How I want them to know that they are my greatest gifts in life. How being their mom brings me such joy. True, pure joy, well it feels pretty amazing.

What was, Still is

17 years ago my soul mate walked into my life. 16 years ago he asked me to be his girlfriend. 9 years ago he got down on one knee and asked me to say yes. 8 years ago I became his wife. 2 beautiful little girls have come. 1 more will join us soon. Countless is how long I plan to love him.

 

May Photo Dump!

Confused by dog scratching his back

 Reading Books (upside down)

Pool Time Has Arrived

 

15 Months!

Bliss is wild. She is a girl constantly on the go and looking to break the rules at every chance she gets. She is a food stealer, an arm pincher and a high pitched screamer. She is also a great sharer, nurturer, comedian and hugger. She loves to watch Shrek and make her sister laugh. She is so fun to be around and keeps us on our toes!