Birthday, Engagement and Other Big News!

We've been busy, busy, busy!  It's been a llloooonnnngggg time since I had the chance to sit down and do a blog post.  There are lots of pictures for you  :)  What's new with us?  Well, lots!  First of all, our first baby girl turned FOUR YEARS OLD on January 14th!  Where has the time gone?  It seems like just yesterday that she came into our lives and changed our world forever.  She celebrated in fashion with a big birthday bash at her favorite local "hangout"...the Children's Play Gallery in Delafield.  We went there for her third birthday too but this was her first real birthday party and she had a blast!  Her Aunt Holly and Uncle "Big" Matt were able to join us, as they were visiting from Japan.  I probably hadn't mentioned on the blog that they are living there right now while Matt works for Nissan in Japan.  Shortly after their visit, Matt proposed to Holly and now another Lucas family wedding is in the works! 

The babies are doing very well.  At their 4-month-old checkup, Madison weighed in at 13lbs 12oz (50th percentile for her weight).  Kate weighed in at 11lbs 11oz (10th percentile for weight but at least she's finally ON the growth chart!).  Both babies have begun rolling from their tummies to their backs, are cooing like crazy and have just started to try to reach for their toes when laying on the changing table.  They are super happy babies, smiling and "talking" our ears off!  

The title of this blog hints at other big news.  After teaching kindergarten for 8 years, I have decided to take some time off to stay home and be with my girls full-time.  I turned in my official resignation letter on February 15th but will stay in my current position until the end of this school year.  Then I become a full-time stay-at-home mom!  I am SO excited about what this means for our family and about the active role I'll be able to play in Lauren's schooling when she begins 4K in the fall.  In order to help make up for my loss of income, I'm going to try to do some tutoring in the evenings.  I have my Reading Teacher license, so I think I could easily find some local kids to tutor in reading.  I'm also considering watching 1-2 children (in addition to my own) a few days per week.  I am so happy and thankful to have the opportunity to do this.  I am nervous about quitting my job but I know this is a decision I can't possibly ever regret.  

And now for the real reason you're here....enjoy the photos!  

The babies enjoyed a dark, quiet nap at Lauren's birthday party!



Making cupcakes with her EZ Bake Oven.  And with Boppa and Madison :)



These fraternal girls even have very different hair.  Kate on the left, Maddie on the right.





Westin was supervising tummy time!



4 months old today!



Hope you enjoyed our pictures!  I posted earlier today too so scroll down to see pictures taken just this week :)

Love,

M

Four and a half months!

Here are a few recent pictures.  I will do my best to post several more later today.  Enjoy!

Kate on left, Madison on right.



 More to come later today.  Stay tuned!

Love,

M

Christmas Pictures

Perhaps a New Year's Resolution for me should be to add to the blog more frequently?  Unfortunately, I just do not have the time.  When I have a moment to actually sit and work on it, I'd just rather be holding one of the babies or doing one of the millions of things that need done around the house.  I'm back at work now, so that adds to my hectic life.  So please don't expect frequent blog posts in 2012.  When I am able to get to it, it'll probably be just pictures.  But that's why you visit here anyways, right?

Kate on the left, Madison on the right

I think Kate is going to be the feisty one in the family.  She holds her own, that's for sure.

Just before bed on Christmas Eve, Lauren set up a plate of cookies and milk for Santa, a bowl of carrots for the reindeer and a chair for Santa to take a rest.

Lauren's reaction on Christmas morning.

Daddy made Lauren her very own stage for Christmas.  Mimi Lucas did the sewing for him and Mommy picked out a mirror/disco ball for her.  She LOVES it!

Trying to take a picture with their grandchildren.  Happy babies, huh?



Lauren loves her new princess cape!

We spent New Year's Eve at home with just the 5 of us.  Lauren loved watching the ball drop (on Youtube at 8:00 but didn't notice that it said 2011!)



My Katie-Bug



Love,

M

Two Posts of Photos in One Day!

Sitting on Santa's lap.  This was the only picture we got before the babies started crying  :(



Lauren's daycare had a photographer come take formal pictures of the kids for Christmas.  I was pleased with how hers turned out.



I love this picture of Kate.  Isn't she a cutie?



The babies get pretty fussy in the evening.  My solution one night was to pace the house with both of them at once.  Kate is in the tummy pack while I'm holding Madison. 

I love this next series of pictures.  I tried to get a cute picture of the babies together in their Christmas outfits.  Watch Madison's expression change from the first to the last image :)  Ha!

We had a party at our house to cheer on the Badgers.  Here are our favorite Badger fans!



Our strategy during Badger night games is to have our friends come over and keep our babies happy so we can watch the game!  Just kidding.  Thanks to Rachel and Sara for all their help that night!



Off to tuck Lauren in bed.  Lauren happened to be diagnosed with Pink Eye today.  She was so excited to be turning pink, as does her favorite character in the book Pinkalicious.  Lauren didn't want to get medicine because she wanted to stay pink :) 

Love,

M