First Snow of the Season

We went out and "helped" Daddy shovel for the first snowstorm we had last week.  

Carmen and her Babies

This is what Carmen is into right now.....

Carmen's Birthday Party

We were very fortunate to have a bunch of family over to help celebrate Carmen's birthday.


The day was filled with lots of fun.  We had a pinata for the kids, pin the ring on minnie and even a special birthday cake for Carmen.   She was exhausted by the end of the night and I'm sure that she had an awesome 2nd Birthday. Beware of picture overload in this post.....

Many More Carmen!  I Love you!!!

Day with Mommy and Daddy

Andy and I took the day before Carmen's birthday off to celebrate with her.


We started the morning off by letting her open a few of her presents.

We went to the Mall of America and started out at SeaLife.

We then went to Nickelodean Universe and went on a few rides.

We finished the day off with Rainforest Cafe for lunch.

It was a fun start to celebrating Carmen's birthday!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Carmen!

Wow, it's so hard to believe 2 years ago today we welcomed Carmen into our lives!!!!

10 days old

1 Year Old

2 Year Old

This year is bittersweet for me! I am so happy, proud and excited to be a Mommy to a 2 year old but at the same time we are on the verge of welcoming Carmen's baby sister into the world and I will have to share my love between 2 girls.

Carmen - You are growing up to be such a smart little girl. You have just begun to use more words each day and Daddy and I are loving that you are learning to communicate better with us each day. You continue to amaze those around you at how smart you are. When we recently had a conference at your new daycare, they couldn't believe how advanced you are for your age. When you want to try, you know most of your colors, you can count to ten (or more sometimes), you know your ABC's, can sing the U of M Rouser and many, many more things.

Happy 2nd Birthday Sweet Girl! Daddy and I Love you to the Moon and Back and couldn't imagine life without you!

First Birthday Present

We have been talking about Carmen's 2nd Birthday for quite some time and she's very excited about it.

We started last weekend by getting her first gift.... her ears pierced.  She was SO brave and only cried a few seconds.   Now the challenge is continuing to clean them daily (which she's not a fan of).

Today is the first day of many days celebrating her birthday.  She brought special cupcakes to daycare to share and didn't want to let them out of her sight.

Tomorrow, Andy and I took off work and we are spending the day with her.  We will be going to the Mall of America and just celebrating Carmen!

Saturday is Carmen's big Minnie Birthday Party.  We have family coming over to help her celebrate.  She is very excited to have Minnie Balloons.

Many pictures to follow in the coming days!!!!

Daycare Pictures

On October 1st, Carmen started at a new daycare.  In anticipation of her sister's arrival we thought it was better to start her at the new place before things changed quite a bit at home.

She has absolutely loved it there.   She has only cried when I left her once (the very first day) and at the old center we went through that almost daily.   She's always very excited to see us when we get there to pick her up.

We were fortunate enough to have her teachers start a website where she uploads pictures daily/weekly so the parents can see what the kids are doing throughout the day.  (I think they are mostly from her phone so that's why the quality isn't the greatest).   But it sure does look like Carmen enjoys herself.

 (She has clearly started to take her jacket off while they are outside.... that's why its on backwards :-))

 

 

On a side note,  I can't believe we are a little over a week from Carmen turning 2.  Where has the time gone?!?!?!? Kind of bittersweet for this Momma.   I never really believed it when people said they grow up quick, but it sure is true!   

 

And then we are on the verge of welcoming her new baby sister.   This pregnancy has gone so much quicker.  Feeling great and can't wait to introduce her to everyone once she arrives.  (Andy and I are hoping 6 more weeks!)

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from Minnie Mouse!

 

We had a very fun day.  Carmen started out trick or treating at daycare followed by a party and eating cupcakes and cookies.


We made a stop at Grandma and Grandpa Skala's house and got to see Auntie Laura. And finished our night at Grandpa and Grandma Benedicts. Carmen thoroughly enjoyed going to door's and saying Trick or Treat and Thank you..... a couple of times she even got a few extra pieces for being so cute.