Party of 5!

If I am going to start blogging again, I figured I might as well start with the big stuff!!  Baby #3 or "Baby E" as Jason likes to refer to is due in February.  The girls are excited about a baby coming.  Bella wanted a sister at first but is now wanting a brother.  Anna keeps telling me that there are two babies...one for her and one for me and it is a girl.  Jason, of course, would love a little testosterone in our house but we are all excited boy or girl and are praying for a healthy baby.   We did confirm by ultrasound that there is just one baby but with my fast growing belly and Anna telling me that there are two in my tummy I wonder sometimes if one was hiding behind the other.  The girls were fascinated as we took them along with us to the first ultrasound and heard the sweet heartbeat.  Although, Bella was a little frustrated that she could not make out the tiny picture of the baby on the screen.  Definitely making memories as we await the next De Long arrival!

Stone Mountain

June 17, 2011
To celebrate my birthday, Jason took the day off and we went to Stone Mountain Park.

We enjoyed a round of minature golf before loading up on the choo choo.

It was fun listening to the music and sight seeing around the mountain.

A nice picnic lunch with Publix subs and snapples.

All packed back up and ready to go have some more fun.

Waiting for the 4D Yogi Bear show to start.

Playing in The Great Barn.

Back at home posing with the donuts from breakfast and the shopping spree cash treat...all in one dollar bills.

Pulling back in the garage ending the terrific day after a dinner date at Parma and some ice cream at Brusters.

Bye Bye Paci

Now that Anna was two, we knew it was definitely time to get rid of the pacifier. It was not a difficult decision to make since we had already missed many markers before...12 months, 15 months, 18 months. Nope, she was two and still had it. This paci was a great thing when it came to naps, bedtime, doctor visits, and physical therapy....so we did hang onto it for as long as we felt it was beneficial in many ways.

We had a sweet talk and prayer before we let paci and the balloons go. They were set loose to go up to heaven and help another baby.

One last picture with Anna and her paci.

Right before the big release.

Lots of Yay Anna!

Just for laughs....the balloons got stuck in the trees for about 20 minutes before taking off again. Anna did not see this but it was fun trying to keep Bella from showing Anna that her paci was still hanging out in our backyard.

Anna did great and got to open a new baby doll afterwards, that she took to bed with her. So proud of our little, big girl!

Anna's Party

To celebrate Anna turning two with friends and family, we had a luau party.

The birthday girl playing on the slip in slide.


Mee Maw and Jason watching all the splashing.

Bella taking a turn in one of the pools.

Cooling off in the kitchen.

Making colored sand bottles.

So glad Brady came to the party and enjoyed the water and outdoors.

Bella and Grandma

Aunt Nichole made the lovely hula girl cake and cute luau cupcakes.

About to blow out the 2 candles

and digging into the icing.

Anna's 2nd Birthday

Baby dolls and running shoes
Elmo's World and Caillou
Chocolate milk and lots of rice
Feisty or sweet lets roll the dice
"Tickle me" and hugs and kisses
Blowing out candles and making wishes
Silly faces and lots of mommy picture taking
What a wonderful growing girl you are in the making
Little Anna, Little Star
How very, very loved you are!

Anna turned two on June 8th. How fast it happened! We are well into the toddler and preschool years with our girls! I do have to say though...as much as I do not miss the repetitive sleepless baby stage nights, I have learned to rock just a little bit longer now on those random nights that mommy is needed.

Oh how this girl loves her baby dolls! Opening gifts from mom, dad, and Bella. A baby doll, a Bubble Mower, and a play nursery set!

Went for some early morning play time at Rabbit Hill Park. It was our first time and we all loved it. A new favorite park.

Big sister liking the big kid side.

Cooling off in the water area. The girls liked this the most.

We broke the rules and hit the local ice cream place for special treats before lunch time.

We went to Scoops in Dacula and got ice cream and chocolate covered oreos.
Anna loved it all and Bella focused on the cookie.

Relaxing as all the goodies digest

After lunch and some home playtime, Jason joined us at the library for a puppet show.

Happy 2nd Birthday Anna!

Quack quack, puppy, and kitty cat
special time sitting in daddy's lap
pretty hair bows and dresses
so many, many messes
"No, No" and "I love you"
How I am going to cherish your twos!

Last Day Fun

Definitely a successful beach trip... no rain, lots of beach time, good food, fun with family!

We even had our children sleeping through the night....every night! Huge first for us!

Jason and the girls.

Uncle Scott and Jackson had already headed back home and Papa Joe and Mee Maw were doing some shopping. Usually the last day at Destin means beach time for us! No exceptions this year, we were out there. Bella kept up with her tradition as well which is trying new things on the last day that she was afraid of all week. She worked her way into the ocean, loving the break of the small waves and she swam without holding onto someone. We have joked that maybe we should tell her it is the last day sooner.

All the girls. Anna refused to put her feet in the sand. We figured this would be the case. Bella was the same way but took off on the last day when she was Anna's age. Anna, however, being the more stubborn of the two chose not to follow in sister's footsteps. Anna worked out her plan and always got what she needed by taking big leaps onto the towels or beach mats. She was pretty spoiled with Daddy's beach setup.


Of course, you can't go to the beach without a baby doll.

So proud of all her swimming.

Made it to The Track with 4 Putt Putt players this year.

Jason and the miniature golfers

All of our pictures are of one of us and the girls so it was fun to get Bella to take a picture of just the two of us. Not to bad Bells!

I love this picture with the "blanky" on hand in the pocket. She is a little attached. Must say...Babies R Us washcloths make the best, convenient, little blanket. Especially to introduce to an infant...this one loved it. Wonderful advice given to me...so I'll pass it on too.

Can't leave without a train ride. All Board!

We love going to Destin every year. It is always a highlight of the year. It is good to come back to home sweet home too with all our memories to keep.

Baytowne Wharf

We love our annual visit to Baytowne Wharf. It is such a neat area and very family friendly.
http://www.baytownewharf.com/

Cooling off in a baby fountain.

Lunchtime. Enjoying some good burgers and fries...taking a break from all that seafood.

Of course ice cream too. The top reason we usually come to Baytown. To eat ice cream and walk around. We usually just window shop but Mee Maw was with us so we did not leave empty handed. The girls got some cute new hair bows.

Saved the best for last...the playground.

if you see the paci and the "blanky"...you know she is one tired little girl!