chris.reese.girls1.2.3.4

As the countdown to baby #3 approaches ever so swiftly, I am getting more and more sentimental about this little girl... She is my mommy's girl. She is our baby and we sure do let her feel like the baby. Of my two daughters, she is the one that really needs me.  I parent her much differently than I parented Paige at her age. She is so sweet, tender-hearted and affectionate. She is the one that wants to sit on my lap (constantly trying to find a way around the nig belly), read her stories, and "hold you" (aka hold her). Maybe because she has been more dependent on me makes the way I feel about her so unique. I love both of my girls sooo much, but I love them so differently.  And as I have tried to "wean" her to a big girl as part of baby #3 prep, I can't help but feel a little guilty about forcing her to grow up. Over the past few months I've been trying to help her change from asking "hold you" (which is her way of asking me to pick her up), t...

Chris and I were lucky enough to get away for a little Babymoon  before little girl #3 makes her grand entrance. We had been talking about a trip for the past six months, but due to my husband's work craziness, nothing could ever be worked out...until about a week before!  My mom was key in the final arrangements (THANKS!!!). My sister had arranged for her to come up and watch their kids while she and my BIL took their own babymoon. My mom was insistent about taking my kiddos too. The girls truly enjoyed their own little vacay with grandma and their cousins.  So off we went! Chris and I spent three luxurious nights at the Salish Lodge and Spa . It felt like we were truly away from life for a few days, even though we were only 40-minutes from our house.  I only took a few pics. Chris was embarrassed about having our pic taken at the Space Needle, but honestly, when will we eat there again! Chris' new boss had given Chris the meal as a thank you. We enjoyed listen...

My name is Charise...and I am 30.  While I was in San Diego at the end of January I turned the big 3-0. It was a wonderful way to celebrate turning 30: with my mom and sisters in the sunshine. But I was smart enough to drag out the celebration for a little bit... The week before I left for San Diego, Matt and Dani came for dinner and brought my favorite birthday dessert: Raspberry Angel Cake. Oh man, it's to die for! I basically ate the leftovers of this cake on my own over the following two days. Thanks, Dani! This was also the day of a Seahawks play-off game (see jerseys).   I've decided a football jersey is the most unflattering type of shirt a prego can wear.   The girls love any chance to blow out candles! And then, of course, I was in San Diego for my actual birthday. See here for how much I relaxed and enjoyed this day! Remember this... When I got home from the airport, the girls (with some help from Grandma) and Chris had some treats, some jewels and some...

I'm catching up on the blog... finally ... Valentine's Day  came and went this year! And it was busy!!  Between the class valentines, mailing valentines to the grandparents, and making some for each other, it adds up to a lot of time! I'm trying to think back to a month ago, but the time leading up to V-Day I was pretty sick with my prego sinuses. The day or two before I was finally getting better. I think my efforts were a little short of my expectations, but that's kind of been the story of this pregnancy and the past nine months... In the end I think we celebrated pretty well! We put together Paige's class valentines and she wrote all the names again this year herself! We made sugar cookies ...my favorite part! And on the actual day Chris and I decided to focus on the girls. I gave them a little surprise in the morning. It doesn't take much to pique their excitement. A few streamers, pink food, and some little candies. They LOVED it. (Cell phone pic...