I feel that the progression of time has increased considerably since the arrival of our sweet little Alia.  I can barely keep my head above the surface of things to do each day, and often I find my self gasping below.   This time is precious, though.  Occasionally I try to part the haze of sleeplessness to enjoy the growth of our girls and to recognize my dear (and patient) husband.  :)  Lori has so much to say, and I'm understanding more and more each day.  She has such an imagination!  I've caught her playing at a conversation between peices of bread crust or sticks, or just about any odd little pieces of something.  A floppy blanket or left over food becomes a lion or alligator and ROARS.  She's not quite sure what to do with or about baby sister...

Alia smiles, laughs (especially at Lori), holds her head up, grabs and chews on anything in reach (Lori's hair will do just fine), and rolls to her side and on to her tummy from her back.  Sunday will bring about her Four Month Day (already?).  She is still my big spitter- bringing about piles and piles of laundry that endlessly cycle through the basket, never seeing a drawer.  I'm SLOWLY adjusting to a different level of tidiness- the floor doesn't feel the broom as often and the dished stack up a bit more.  I still feel my stress rise as a look around the house, wondering what things are undone in those piles, but it's more important to spend time with the Lord and my family.

Here are the long awaited pictures highlighting the last few months:

Big Sister Lori

Silly girl!  It's hard to believe I stuck her in that seat last year when her current seat was left in the other car- where did all that leg come from?

Sweet girls!

Story Time

Precious little face!  She has so much hair in this picture- too bad most of it has fallen out! :]

Alia's beautiful shower cake created by our friend, Debbie (it was yummy rainbow chip).

Smile!

Grandma Claudia and Uncle Peter came for a visit in April

Lori thought pretty highly of her Uncle Peter :)

Easter Sunday: We did Alia's Baby Dedication that morning.

 Lori likes to take all the baby furniture for a test run

 This is what happens when you leave Alia alone while making dinner...

The big THREE!

Aw- snuggles with Grandpa.

Grandma Jane and Papa John came for a visit in late May

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

Play Time!

A clear, but chilly picnic up at Vedawoo

Alia's first mini-hike in the carrier while at Vedawoo

Our sweet oak window trim that Sam and my Dad put up (and Sam's truck, too)

My attempt at a Baby Shower cake for our friend's new baby :)

Happy Girl

Stack it TALL (then knock it down!).  Who needs Jenga? ;)

  Great Grandma and Grandpa came by for a visit last weekend.  They treated us to a dinner on Friday night, and Great Gr'ma and I hit the sales around town for a busy Saturday morning.

 Helping mama in the garden

Two Tummy-Time Cuties