B-Beach Vacay Post 1

 Ok, above is a pic of Hillers directly on her birthday.  Happy B-day, Boogers!

 Above are the girls & Grammy and below are the most kissable (and active) toes I've ever seen in my life.

 Above is Jax ready for the pool.  I wish I had pool shots, but I was too busy swimming with the girls to get any.  Jax used a noodle and swam back and forth kicking in the pool for at least 45 minutes.  Jax also loved floating around in some sort of floaty we bought for Hilly (partially pictured above).

 Above is Jax enjoying her bday cake (more pics of this party to come).

 Above, cousin Griffin & sisters Hilly & Jax riding the boats on the boardwalk.  Below a picture of Jackie's budding artistic genius.

 More rides.  Father James, obviously having the time of his life.

 Pictures of Jax and Hilly and Ruthie on the beach.  Ruthie is the cousin of Nick, Finny & Griff.

 Bonding with Grammy & Pops.

 More pics of dinners at Aunt Katie and Uncle Aaron's.

This was more of a photo dump.  Jim has more pictures that I will post and Katie has much better shots that I will try to steal as well.  But I just wanted to get this party started.

Happy Birthday Hillers! (Early)

 First of all, Hillers- when you're all awkward in 7th grade with pimples and a low self-esteem, you have to remember 2 things:

 1.  You were born a survivor.  I remember when I found out I was pregnant with you:  I took a pregnancy test on a lunch break from my terrible job and 2 bold lines showed up.  Dada was in a meeting and I was driving to a conference and I wanted to tell someone so badly.  Out of the blue this cat dashed onto the busy highway and dodged cars like a freaking champ.  I feared he was a goner.  Despite the great danger, he weaved through traffic seamlessly to safety.  I am a believer, girl, and I took this was a sign that you were meant to be. 

 Little did I know that 2 months later I would come down with appendicitis and that ultimately you would be born during a hurricane/tornadoes and therefore we would have no pictures of your first hours of life.

 Luckily, your entrance was memorable. You arrived in style.

 Which brings me to #2.  You've always had a natural coolness to you.  In fact, I hope I'm cool enough to hang out with long after you stop needing me to lift you from your crib so you can be on your merry way.

 You love to hang out and have a good time, but you're not going to lose sleep over the naysayers.  You know what you want and you go for it. 

Hillers, you're tough as nails and you're cool as hell.  You love your doggies and it looks like you have your Dada's eyebrows. And you loooove your sister, Jackie.  And she loves you.  I see love through the hair-pulling.  And if that changes, you're both grounded.  Because she is the best big sister ever and you are what cool little sisters are made of.

I love you, Nugget.  Happy 1st Birthday!

ENT doc

Today I had to take the girls with me to the ENT.  Jackie sat like an angel in the chair- she loves watching doctors do their thing.  Hilly, you ask?  Hilly was screaming bloody murder with anger because I wouldn't let her crawl into the hallway and into other examination rooms.  Hillers, you're skatin' on thin ice! 

Shame

 Shame on me.  On Saturday, Hilly and I accidentally matched.  Jim pointed it out immediately and I liked both of our outfits too much to change either one of them.  We went out to lunch with my BFF Nina and I let her push Hilly's stroller so it wouldn't look too lame.

 How cute are their little outfits?  Jax kept pulling out her hair bow, so she looks a little rugged below.

Anyway, Nina is having a little girl named Mia, so I am excited for my girls to meet what will definitely be one of their oldest and finest friends.  I keep saying to Jax, 'What is Nini's baby's name?'  Jackie replies, 'Bellybutton.'  or 'Fernie, the cat' (the name of Nina's cat). 

 On Monday, the girls took their bath.  Jim and I cannot figure out how Hilly lucked out with an elusive tan gene.  Hilly, will you please share the wealth?  We're all drowning in paleness over here.  Doesn't take much melatonin for us to consider you "tan" in these parts.

Here is my boo being silly.  I love her.

Our Week in Pics

 These pics uploaded backwards.  So Thursday we met up with Jax's one true (albeit unfaithful) love, Will, at the park.  As my BFF mom-friend says, Hilly has some badass hair.  No doubt.

 Look at these 2 walking off into the sunset.  So cute.

 We tried to lay low most of the week, which suited Jax just fine, as evidenced below.  Although we did go to my pregnant friend, Mer's, house to swim in her pool and then the Olive Garden, where Hilly pulled the sugar bowl off the table and broke it.  Awesome.

 Me and Hillers, capturing the moment after her nap the other day.

 Wednesday we visited the train table and story time at B&N.  See how much Jax liked story time?  haha  In fairness, when the lady started singing "head and shoulders knees and toes" Jax sang like crazy.  Group singing is her thing, what can I say?  Hilly sat there while all the toddler gathered around her saying "baby!"  Little do they know, Hilly can take 'em down if need be!  She is a force to be reckoned with.

 And, lastly, swimming lessons.  Jax's goggles weren't on right and her eye was hurting.  So she cried most of the 15 minute lesson.  The teacher finally realized what was going on and fixed her goggle.  Jax told me the story on the way home.  It broke my heart.  She is my angel.