Summer of sisterly love

Neither Alex nor I have a sister, so the sisters dynamic is going to be new to both of us, and although I already have the occasional anxious thought about their teenage years, for now, having sisters is pretty much the bomb dot com.  (And when they are teenagers and websites have somehow become obsolete, they will laugh at my dot com reference...moving on...)

Our girls really do love each other.  No one makes Sarah laugh like Hannah can, and Hannah is never more excited than when she gets to wake Sarah up from nap (well, maybe she's more excited for ice cream...but it's a close call).  We love watching them together, and although we know it won't be long before they start sharing fighting over toys, right now it's all about the love.

Porch-livin with Daddy

"Hello baby sister.  Can't I tickle you?"

A family that tummy times together, stays together...or something like that

The dresses, the camo blanket, the pink pool in the background...porch picnics are the best

Snuggles :)

Happy Independence Day America!

Hannah got a swing set for her birthday and it has been a highlight of the summer!

Wasn't sure where the groceries were going to go, but we had fun!

Blueberry Picking...again!

In one of my favorite summer traditions, we loaded up the car, caught the ferry, and made our way to the blueberry patch!  We got out early in the summer this year on a weekday afternoon between Daddy's work travels.  True to form, Hannah ate way more than she picked - it was so fun to listen to her talk about picking the blue ones and not the pink ones and chatting her way through the rows of berries!  And we didn't abandon the small fry either...Sarah just snoozed most of the time :)

Marching to the patch!

Don't worry girlie, you'll get your turn next summer!

In the meantime, Hannah will eat enough for both of you

Fresh blueberries are finger-lickin' good

The real pickers ;)

Ah home made ice cream after we pick...might be definitely the best part

Blueberry picking in 2014

Sarah is 4 months old!

Four months old!  Hooray Sarah!!  Four months brought three big milestones for this girl - rolling over, sleeping in her own room, and bedtime (maybe that's more of a milestone for us as parents, haha)!  We can't get over how happy Sarah is...she is such a relaxed, easy-going baby.  Her favorite thing to do is jump in her jumper, which is really fun for us to watch.  She and Hannah do such a great job making each other laugh, and keeping each other company - even at this young age!

At her check up, our girl was measuring 25.5 inches (90th percentile), 17 lbs 8 oz (99th), and 17.5 inches around the dome (99th again).  Another big one!

She's always got that little tongue poking out...and the cheeks!

Looking long and lean chubby these days!

Her sweet baby doll face

Nom nom nom

Just starting to sit up...and completely fascinated by her toes!

Rolling over gives her a whole new world to explore!  Watch out Leonidas!

For reference, Hannah's four month pictures

The in between times, part 2

Sarah's only been home with us for 3.5 months, but she's already made her mark on our family.  I realize this is obvious, but it still amazes me - she's growing up right before our eyes.  Every time she does something new, it surprises me.  The first eye contact, first smile, first grab at a toy, first laugh...even though we've done it all before with Hannah, it still feels completely new and amazing...probably because this girl is new and amazing!

Leonidas, who is now playing third string to his sisters, is very interested in the littlest member of the family.

Ah the newborn days of sleeping and snuggling

Getting a big smooch from her sister on her first day home from the hospital

She looks so tiny in Daddy's arms

A buddy makes tummy time more fun

Her cheeks get bigger by the day

First hints of a smile

And then a full blown grin!  Hello my happy girl.

Still too little for the water, but big enough for the beach!

Love this face.

The in between times, part 1

In between the formal photo ops, the rest of our life happens, and thanks the wonders of smart phones, we can capture every fun, messy, ridiculous moment.  It was tough to sort through the hundreds of pictures from the past few months and find favorites - so many great times to choose from!  But here are a few that show what we've been up to...

The winter months were all about baking...rainbow cookies (sugar cookies with food dye and sprinkles) were a favorite.

Tubby cheeeeeeeese

Going on a date with Dad to a "Go Tribe game"

And a date with Mom for pancakes!

Chilling with Dad at the office

"Riding" her bike around the neighborhood

Snuggling with her sister

Splashing in puddles

Saturday is waffle day!

She's got such an imagination these days - giving Peng a check up

Cruising the neighborhood with her buddy (AKA the newest neighborhood rap duo, "Two Pink Tees")

Chilling in her shades eating a lollypop

More ponytails make everything better

Strawberry picking!

It's strawberry time again!  This is one of my favorite spring activities - the adventure of taking the ferry across the river, having fun picking the berries, and enjoying the delicious fresh strawberry ice cream.  So good.

Last year, Hannah did a great job picking, but ate surprisingly few, choosing instead to smash them in her hands and on her clothes and in her hair.  This year, it was all about the snacking.  We probably should have paid for an extra quart, given how many berries she ate along the way.

Sarah was there too, but sadly I don't have any pictures of her...she was asleep in her carrier and together we were a hot, sweaty mess.  Next year it will be your turn, sweet girl.

Going right to the source for the reddest berries

Eating on the go

Savoring the juicy ones

I seriously don't have a picture without a berry in her mouth

Straight to the face.

Sarah is three months old!

Every month just keeps getting better and better.  At three months, Sarah smiles all the time, and she talks.  A lot.  Especially at night...it's like after a long day of hearing Hannah talk, Sarah can finally have her say.  And the laughs!  I love making this little bean laugh.  Baby giggles are some of the best sounds, and she's got a sweet giggle.  Love you Sarah bear!

Getting so big and showing off her chubby legs!

I just want to squeeze her all. the. time.

Hello happy girl :)

Looking long these days!

Ah that sweet face.

As a bonus, Hannah got in on the photo shoot.  Thankfully, no one got hurt.

For reference, Hannah's three month pictures