little emily was a joy to photograph today - such a happy baby! she put up with a lot from us without complaint today!

ever tried pie as a hair product?

macy at the park the other day. she has developed a severe case of PCS - photographer’s child syndrome. its most notable symptom is the total lack of ability to look at the camera!

hilarious. stubborn. sweet. lovable. sassy. so smart. adorable. challenging. my heart.

i wish i had gotten some pictures of macy in her costume before we went out, but we were in a hurry to get moving.

here she is checking out her haul:

she got to choose two pieces of candy to eat that night…so she had an orange lollipop in one hand and a kit-kat bar in the other!

we visited the north carolina state fair back on the 26th, and we had so much fun! it was a beautiful day, and we were excited to have the day together.

apparently pregnant mommies aren’t allowed even on kiddie rides (insert rolling of the eyes here), so daddy took macy on all the fun stuff.

here they are on the choo-choo train:

and the swings…

and the pony rides (of course, i should have done this one!)

and a fire engine ride!

macy also got to play a fishing game

and she won a little blue doggy!

she was so excited; it was too cute.

and finally, we wandered into this little building where kids were allowed to pick up baby chicks and ducks! here’s daddy trying to keep macy from squeezing a couple of chicks to death!

my sweet girl.

a disclaimer: these snapshots were all shot on auto! don’t judge me! =)

I walk along holding your almost 2-year-old hand, basking in the glow Of our magical relationship. Suddenly I feel a kick from within, as if to remind me that our time alone is limited. And I wonder: How could I ever love another child as I love you? Then she is born, and I watch you. I watch the pain you feel at having to share me as you’ve never shared me before. I hear you telling me in your own way, “Please love only me.” And I hear myself telling you in mine, “I can’t,” Knowing in fact, that I never can again. You cry. I cry with you. I almost see our new baby as an intruder on the precious relationship we once shared. A relationship we can never quite have again. But then, barely noticing, I find myself attached to that new being, and feeling almost guilty. I’m afraid to let you see me enjoying her — as though I am betraying you. But then I notice your resentment change, first to curiosity, then to protectiveness, finally to genuine affection. More days pass, and we are setting into a new routine. The memory of days with just the two of us is fading fast. But something else is replacing those wonderful times we shared, just us two. There are new times — only now, we are three. I watch the look between you grow, the way you look at each other, touch each other. I watch how she adores you — as I have for so long. I see how excited you are by each of her new accomplishments. And I begin to realize that I haven’t taken something from you, I’ve given something to you. I notice that I am no longer afraid to share my love openly with both of you. I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are, but equally strong. And my question is finally answered, to my amazement. Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you — only differently. And although I realize that you may have to share my time, I now know you’ll never share my love. There’s enough of that for both of you — you each have your own supply. I love you — both. And I thank you both for blessing my life.

Author Unknown

she is smart. she is sassy. she can be stubborn. she takes things very literally. she loves to help with anything you do, including cooking and cleaning. she loves her books and puzzles, and she loves her babies and blankies. she’s sleeping in her big girl bed, and is doing great at potty-training.

she is fun and challenging and upbeat and obstinate.

we celebrated her 2nd birthday today by visiting hillridge farms. we fed the goats and the fish and rode on a choo-choo train. macy rode down an 80-foot slide with daddy and loved it! we also took a hay ride to a pumpkin patch and picked out pumpkins! we had a great family day.

smooches!

okay, so i am supposed to be working right now. technically i am at work! i am actually manning our parade of homes model, and doing a little photo-editing in between looky-loos. this may be the best of both worlds…except i get don’t get paid by the hour. now that would be working it!