Fast Friends....

Today, Marlee Foster and her cousin, Courtney, came to play with the kids again! I think that Noah, Sailer, Marlee, and Courtney are becoming fast friends...they are so sweet together. We took a walk down to the lake near our house to search for ducks and to have a "snack picnic..." :) To my surprise, about 5 ducks were at the lake....they quickly gobbled up the bread that we took, so we spent the rest of the time watching the kids explore....this is such a fun age, and I was so glad to see Noah having fun too! He is at such a different stage in his life from these girls, but he treats them all like sisters! Really! After Marlee and Courtney left today, I was getting him ready for his nap, and he said..."Mom, Those are my best girls (sounds like he is saying ghouls..hehe!)...I really love them." That made me smile....:) He will be a true gentleman one day (I hope!) :)
Getting ready to head to the lake!!!

We finally found the ducks hanging out around the edge of the lake...here is Sam, Noah, Courtney, and Marlee....Sailer was hanging out with me as I took this picture! :)

Marlee and Sailer weren't quite as interested in searching for ducks at first...in fact, Sailer found the dirt and sticks much more intriquing...it's funny...our girl doesn't like to be barefoot in the grass, BUT she likes playing with sticks and dirt...strange???

Not sure what kind of stance this is Sailer...hmmmm....

Sam gathered the girls to search for ducks...

This was SOOO sweet...Noah took Courtney's hand, and guided her back over to our picnic blanket...he's such a big help and the sweetest boy ever!! :)

Relaxing Evenings....

Thank the Lord for beautiful warm summer-like weather! We are enjoying the sunshine and long days!!! We've been to the lake behind my in-laws home almost everyday lately...Noah likes to practice casting his fishing line, blowing bubbles, or visiting the ducks...it's simple and fun..I LOVE spending time with my family!
Sailer's new love is riding in our wagon....we were given this wagon as a gift when Noah was a baby, and I always imagined how cute it would be to have TWO of my children riding in it...it's still seems impossible that Sailer is big enough to join her big brother....ugh...their little lives move along TOOOO fast!

This is basically what Sailer does the whole time we are at the lake...UNLESS I put some shoes on her. She doesn't like walking in grass at all....especially barefoot. It was so funny b/c when we blew bubbles to her, she reached for them, but she wouldn't move one bit. I think she really just wanted to get back in the wagon....or, maybe I should have brought her shoes along....

See? Trying to get back in the wagon...haha!

Noah Catches A Fish!! (well...with Daddy's help!)

Here is Noah casting his line...I think he has pretty good form, don't you think?

Showing Sailer his SpongeBob fishing pole...of course, she reaches right for the bait! Luckily, it didn't have a sharp edge or hook!

Scared out of his mind!!! This was Noah's FIRST time holding his own fish...and, his poor little thumb was all cut up from the tiny fish teeth...poor thing. When I was tucking into bed later that night, he said..."Mom..I can never hold a fish again...it gave me a boo-boo." Awwww.....

Jason told Noah to hold up his fish, and this is what he did....he's so funny!

Here are some more pictures taken over the weekend...I've been experimenting with photography a bit.....:)

I love how Noah watches out after Sailer...as he's doing here when she is walking...most of the time, she doesn't seem to mind, but occassionally, she'll push him away and scream. It's very funny actually...:)

My favorite boy :)

And, my favorite little baby girl...

Exciting News for Jason Pendley Photography!

Yesterday, we discovered that Jason's photography was featured in the Mother's Day story for HOLT International Adoption Agency! What a SURPRISE! Our friends, Drew and Katie Stapleton, adopted from this agency over a year ago....during the TWO year waiting period, Jason worked with Drew at McEachern Methodist Church...leading worship for youth. FINALLY...they got their miracle baby, Ms. Abbie Lin Stapleton...she is now Noah's age.

The Stapletons were Jason's very FIRST clients when we started the photography biz last year. They are now the face for HOLT's Mother's Day ad....and, the picture that was chosen was one taken by Jason! I am so proud of Jason!

To see Jason's photo for HOLT, click on the link on the top right of our blog...right above Jason's photography portfolio. The picture in black and white of the mother and daughter kissing is Jason's picture (this was Katie and Abbie Lin).

EXCITING!!!

A Taste Of Marietta

This past Sunday, the kids and I met Jason near the square to walk down to the "Taste of Marietta.."....believe it or not, this was our first time going....there were tons of vendors and restaurants there, along with inflatables, live music, and other attractions. It was fun and HOT! Noah and Sailer looked so cute with their flushed cheeks and sweaty hair...:) Luckily, after grabbing a funnel cake and pizza, we found the PERFECT spot to "people watch" under a beautiful tree at Marietta First Baptist. It was so much fun! The kids really enjoyed themselves....and, of course, we took plenty of pictures! Enjoy!

Noah was VERY proud of his firefighter sticker badge....(little does he know, we have a super fun firefighter birthday party planned for him in June!)

The highlight of Noah's day!

Noah "hanging around" after eating....hehe!

Eating funnel cake and "people watching...." And, yes, the funnel cake was Sailer's lunch...I know...it's pretty bad...and not very nourishing...but, there wasn't a whole lot to choose from for her age...plus, this was ONE time...

Our "monkey" :)

Yay! She's walking on the grass...one of the first times...

Eating a banana with daddy...isn't she sweet with her hair blowing in the wind? Love this girl!

The ones I LOVE the most!

Silly boy!

All I Could Come Up With....:)

Hahahaha...well, this is not the picture that I have been trying to get of Sailer for the past week, but it sure does give a glimpse into our little girls persona...:) Basically, I wanted to share some new things about our Sailer to mark her ONE year birthday...and, yes, I'm a tad late on posting this...I know. Sailer had her one year well check last Friday...we are delighted and SO thankful to say that she is healthy and thriving! It's hard to believe, but she has grown one FOOT since being born one year ago. She is now 29 inches, which is in the 50th percentile for length. And, to my surprise, she is only 19 lbs. 12 ounces, which is in the 25th percentile for weight! This has dropped considerably...which is probably due to her being so active now. Our Dr. explained that this normally happens between 9 and 12 months...and, come to think of it, I remember this happening with Noah as well. It's funny, though, b/c to us, she is so chunky! Ha!~:)

I find this picture funny b/c...for one thing, Sailer has never been a "pacifier type of gal," but, for some reason, she has started wanting her paci at naps and bedtime (probably due to teething). However...she only puts it in her mouth upside-down! She is silly...that's for sure. :) And, her hair...well, that's another story...one question...WHAT do I do with this crazy mane of hers??? Yes, she got her curly hair from me (although my mom swears that Sailers is way curlier than mine ever was!), but I honestly do not remember having to deal with all of this pizazz...as some like to call it! It's uncontrollable! With Noah, I always used a blow dryer after baths so that he wouldn't go to bed with his hair wet...(I was always afraid he would catch a cold!). But, with Sailer, the blow dryer DOES NOT work. Believe me...we tried it, and there was an explosion on her head...one big giant puff of hair! Lol! So...as crazy as this may sound, I actually put some pomade in it, and this seems to "calm it" a bit. Ahhh....wonder what she will think of this later on....????

Anyway...our girl is a BIG eater...and loves egg omelets with cheese in the mornings and she has officially fallen in love with Chick-fil-A. In fact, many times, she'll finish her nuggets and eat whatever is left of Noah's..which is hard to believe! And, thank the Lord, she's off of her formula...although, she is still not in love with milk (we buy soy milk)...I am hoping that this gets better. Our Dr. says that she should be getting around 10 to 15 ounces of milk per day...so, that's not asking a lot.....even though, at times, getting her to drink even this much is a chore.

I can't complain though...she has really become such an easy and laid back little girl....I am so thankful for this, especially since she is my second. After enduring the dreaded colicky phase, I feel as though this is my "serenity." Thank you Lord! Now, this is not to say that she doesn't have her "diva" moments...after all, she IS a girl! Looking back, I don't think that Noah EVER had a temper tantrum until he turned 3. Well, Sailer beat him! Lol! Let's face it...she likes it HER way...and, she can be very VOCAL about not getting her way. I have to admit...this is my ONE challenge with her...b/c this "attitude" came out of nowhere, so I wasn't exactly ready to tackle this just yet. But, I've been consistent with her...as best I know how. The hardest part is that she knows EXACTLY what she is doing....that little stinker! The other day, I was feeding her lunch...a combo of green beans, chicken nuggets, orange slices....and, I would put a couple bites of all three on her tray all at once. I quickly noticed that she was eating her green beans very quickly...I was so happy! Then, when it was time to clean up, I found a little pile of green beans on the floor next to her chair. SAILER!!!!! As if she understood what I was saying, I explained that she needs to eat her green beans, etc. Without hesitation, she looks up at me with these gigantic green eyes and puts her hand towards my mouth...opens her hand, and two green beans fall out! Ahhhh! She wanted ME to eat them! She giggled and I thought to myself....Oh, goodness...I have my work cut out for me. Yep...she's sly....she also goes around the house and pulls all of the plastic child-proof plug-ins out of the sockets....um....did I say child-proof? B/c they're not...at least, they're not SAILER proof :) I've come to the conclusion that the second born figures things out at super speed, especially our inquisitive little Sailer...we are continuously amazed at her perspective on things...

She loves rolling and dropping balls in the playroom...for some reason, she giggles and giggles when she drops the ball ( I think she may think that she is throwing them...like Noah does). She also LOVES her Disney Princess mini-books...they are block books given to her by our friends, KellyAnn and Scott Madsen. :) We read ALL of them on a daily basis...and, she loves listening to Noah's audio books...and, of course, ANYTHING Baby Einstein! She is still VERY into watching her videos as she is playing and exploring. She has also started climbing a good bit, but NOT nearly as much as Noah did at this age. She is definitely more into investigating toys, books, and other things...rather than the "physical" things....although, she watches Noah's every move, so I better watch out. And, she loves hugging babies...which I just LOVE, b/c I was a HUGE babydoll fan when I was a little girl. It's funny b/c she has a bald baby doll...and, she really likes chewing on its head! Kinda funny :)

One thing that I am extremely grateful for is that Sailer LOVES pink! I'm convinced of it, b/c she squeals when she sees pink stuff....like, when I'm folding and putting up her clothes...and putting her stuffed bears and lambs back in place...she loves that. This just tickles me! I LOVE it! :)

I hope to get some videos uploaded soon of Sailer and Noah playing together..they are precious. Sailer has also really started to boogie lately, so, as soon as I get a video of this, I MUST share it. It's too cute :) Her favorite song at the moment is "Can't Touch This," by MC Hammer...haha! We LOVE our little girl...and cannot believe that her first year has already come and gone.

Welcoming Spring at Piedmont Park!!!

Just wanted to document and share our special day at Piedmont Park this week....Jason had Wednesday off, so we packed a picnic lunch and headed to the ATL for the day! It was super chilly when we first got there, but by the time we left, it was hot! Nothing like springtime in Atlanta, huh? Anyway~ here are some pics that we took of the kids...and, a few of us with them too! :)
Sailer is our "people watcher," or I guess I should say "kid watcher." She focuses so intently on what other children are doing, especially Noah. Like I've said before, she is our thinker for sure!

What's next??? Noah LOVES the playground at Piedmont Park...they have several, but he particularly liked this one...**I think it may have been b/c it has a fire engine on it! :)

The "Sailer sit"....she sits like this ALL of the time!!!

Peeking at YOU!!!

It's great having an older sibling to help when the little one gets into trouble...I can always count on Noah to "carry" Sailer to a safer place...so far, she doesn't seem to mind him picking her up, but I assume that that will change soon...

Noah is into "racing" everywhere these days. We told him to run back and forth inbetween the trees at the park. He LOVED it! He is such a free spirit!

Trying to catch bubbles...

Poor thing...Noah got SO frustrated when he tried to blow bubbles b/c the wind was always blowing them the other way!!! Haha!

Again...Sailer watching Noah...

I love keeping things simple and just spending a relaxing day with my kids....I LOVE them!

I like to talk to Sailer and tell her sweet things...I swear she understands me! We have a very special connection. I am so proud to be her mommy!