A Few More Photos by Reagan

Maybe I'm biased, but I really think Reagan did a fantastic job. Many of these photos were just test shots but they are too good not to share.

During Ireland's wedding dress shoot, we kept the tinies busy with devices. It worked!

It's as if Sydney is asking Gita, "What app is that?"

This is how Sydney sits when she's focused on something- all hunched over. It's so cute. 

I was only ever planning to be a prop for pictures of the girls but Reagan insisted on a few of just me. The cell phone in the back pocket is my calling card as a mother. 

The circles under my eyes- another calling card as a mother. I was tempted to ask Reagan to edit them out but the truth is, this is me! 

Peaking around the tree at Ireland.

Big, blue eyes and sweet lips are a specialty of ours!

Sydney had attempted stairs before our trip, but she really mastered climbing up and down. The fact Reagan and Allen's house had brand-new carpet that felt like buttah didn't hurt.

All that chub!!!

I love those little feet and those tiny toes. I can't help but kiss them whenever I change her diaper. 

Reagan kept throwing Sydney's binkie a few steps ahead of her and when she finally retrieved it at the top, Sydney turned around and looked at Reagan like, "What did you do that for?"

I can't remember this quaint town we went to for dinner but we all loved the shops. Isn't my mom the hippest, most stylish grandmother? 

I love seeing the girls with their cousins!

Tidbits

Aye mi! Why do I always let these pile up? Another long one... but as always, I think it's worth the wait.

One breakfast over the holidays, Tim commented, "Wow, I've never seen Lucky Charms with no marshmallows." Honestly, I have no idea how the girls manage to eat them all! They aren't allowed sugar cereal until they've had a good bowl of regular cereal and when we're not eating breakfast, the pantry is locked! Still those marshmallows disappear...

Leading up to the Super Bowl my sister-in-law Lisa commented that she was going to cheer for Seattle. Then we sent her this video:

She decided to go for New England, which ended up being a good thing. Did you see it? What a game!!! I couldn't sit for the last 5 minutes it was so crazy intense. Afterwards we sent Whitney and Tim this video:

We are such nerds. I wish I could describe the texting that happened with my family throughout the game, but it's just one of those things... you had to have been there. 

Still laughing about this (FYI- a bit o language):

Guys, I don't KNOW things!!!

We've had a lot of snow. A lot.

Me: You haven't napped at all!

Ireland: I napped a little. *pinches fingers for effect*

Me: No, you haven't napped AT ALL!!!

Ireland: When you go up to heaven, Jesus will tell you the truth.

Winter = pj's + hot chocolate + Tim Tams

I posed the following question to Liesel and Ireland: When they are in college, what will they do if Liesel likes a boy who likes Ireland and not Liesel? Without missing a beat, Ireland responded (with a mouth full of food), "Liesel can have him."

We very nearly got to have these guys for a surprise visit but unfortunately, it didn't work out. We don't get to see them often so I was bummed but this picture made me smile. Love my nephews!!!

Brigitta is the sweetest little thing when she's sleeping. When I have to wake her up to meet Liesel's bus, I just roll that little ball of blonde toddler into my lap and hold her warm body for a minute. She doesn't seem so crazy and hectic when she's groggy and yawning. Oh how I love her like this! Also, Pinkalicious and Purplilicious are so very her thing right now. She doesn't go to bed without them right by her side. Those books are so horribly worn from her reading them, rolling over on them and letting her sippy cup drip all over them. However, if I threw them out I'm pretty sure she'd stage a coup and never sleep again.

Me: Would you guys take care of each other if Daddy and I died?
Liesel & Ireland: Yeah.
Me: You'd watch out for Sydney and stick together?
Liesel and Ireland: Yeah.
Ireland *suddenly alarmed*: But who would write in the password for the computer? 
*****5 minutes later*****
Ireland: Can you guys write in the password for the computer before you die?

SO much love for this! I laugh every time I read it. For the record, Brent is only 36. He has a knack for either being in the restroom or the kitchenette at work whenever I call (maybe that's why she thinks his entire job entails eating dinner?). I know Ireland knows Brent's name, but I love that when asked she said his name is Daddy. I'm also  glad to know there is a point to family dinner... even though prepping for it is not my favorite part of the day.

 *Gita draws on kitchen table with a crayon*
Me: Gita no!
*With her eyes on me, Gita puts the crayon in her mouth and proceeds to eat it*
Me: Gita No!!
*Still watching me, Gita takes crayon out of her mouth and sticks it up her nose*
Me: GITA NO!!!
*Gita regards me with utter confusion and exasperation*

A note from Liesel that melted my heart. This lives on my nightstand so I can go to bed and wake up with happy thoughts.

We had traditional corned beef & cabbage for St. Patrick's Day dinner and the girls devoured it. After inhaling two full plates, Ireland turned to me and said in an oh so grown up tone, "Well we were sure hungry, weren't we?"

Brent teasing Gita with a kiss. I love him as my husband but I especially love him as the father of my children.

Gita to Brent just before bedtime: Can I pick a book? Can I pick a book? Can I pick a book? Can I pick a book? Can I pick a book?
*Brent ponders for a moment or two*: You didn't finish your dinner; just ONE book tonight.
*Gita as she runs to her room*: TWO BOOKS!!!

Ireland is FIVE!!!

I'm so crazy excited to share Ireland's 5 year photos. My sister Reagan shot them while we were in Maryland for Spring Break and this is a prime example of nepotism done right. I've looked at these over and over and I just can't pick a favorite because they are all so stunning. Let's begin with the traditional photos of the 5-year-old playing in my wedding dress:

Ireland had been in her pajamas when we did this shoot and I was about to run and get something else for her to wear on the bottom for this shot but Reagan stopped me. This is what kids wear! This is what kids so! My perfectionistic tendencies were making me cringe at the bright purple stripes but I decided to trust Reagan. She was SO right!

I just handed Ireland the veil and told her to go ahead and put it on. Reagan caught this one as Ireland swept all that tulle behind her.

I keep coming back to this one. Her expression seems to read, "I'm not doing anything!"

I love it just as much in black and white.

Again, the dirty socks were making me cringe but Reagan absolutely wouldn't allow me to change them out for fresh, clean socks. Ireland is a kid and the dirty socks attest to that fact.

Ireland in a moment of contemplation while Reagan was setting up the next shot.

I particularly love that Reagan got such an amazing variety and not the standard smile-and-face-the-camera shot.

I really love that Ireland is facing away from the light in the next couple of photos. The identity of her future partner is in the dark.

When Reagan asked Ireland to imagine her future husband, she was honest to goodness tapping her chin with that little finger. It was so cute.

Sydney had been playing on my phone when she became aware of what was going on. She crawled right over to Ireland and before I could snatch her away so Reagan could continue working, Reagan took this one. I'm so glad she did! It speaks volumes about the sisterhood between these two. 

Getting a little tired- this was the last shot in this series.

Reagan also took some photos of Ireland in this fabulous skirted cable-knit sweater that just said "Ireland" and "girly" and "sweet" and "Brent will get over how much this cost when he sees her in it" all at once.

The curve of her cheek, her button nose... she's still my baby.

This look is so very Ireland. This is how she observes the world around her.

On a typical weekday after the girls have a bath, and I've washed and dried Ireland's hair, she likes to run around with it down. It's like her own superhero cape. When she's outside and the sun strikes it, her hair looks like spun gold. It's hard to capture movement in photos and Reagan did it so well with these three.

All that hair! This photo makes me smile every time I see it. 

The proof that Ireland is my girl is in the eyes. I LOVE this one!

Ireland's birthday celebration itself was very low-key. She had breakfast in bed (this year's request was a breakfast sandwich, yogurt with fruit and orange juice). We planned to go to Cinderella with Liesel but Liesel was feeling under the weather. Interestingly enough, the short before the movie was Frozen Fever which is about Elsa wanting to celebrate Anna's birthday but too sick to do so. How very apropos! We tried a pie instead of cake and well, we may not be making that one a tradition. Ireland definitely wasn't wowed by a pie with candles and it was clear she would have preferred a cake of her own choosing.

My dear little 5-year old is such a treasure. She is complimented on her beauty every single day although it's more important to me and Brent that she be kind. Ireland has an innate sweetness; she's the cuddliest of all our girls, and her chest houses the world's most tender heart. When she isn't sobbing big, crocodile tears, she's happy and gregarious.  I can't think of a person in the world that doesn't just love her to pieces and I know Ireland will make her mark here on earth. We are so very blessed to count her as a Wuehler.

Happy Birthday Ireland!