1 Month Old!

    On October 16th little Reese turned 1 month. The past 4 weeks have gone by so fast and we already can see so many changes in her. Kevin and I feel so lucky to have such a sweet, cuddly, and beautiful little daughter. She is sleeping and eating well and her "wake-time" is getting longer and longer each day. Most days she enjoys getting up before its light out, laying on her lounger, and watching her sister play. She prefers to be held upright and loves the sound of music. When she sleeps in our arms time stands still and we can't help but stare and be so thankful that she is finally here! She is our mellow little angel! Happy 1 month birthday Reese Mardel - we love you!

The Mini Paparazzi

Addison got a hold of an old camera and now walks around the house saying "Cheezzzz" This makes me think that I may take one to many pictures of her! What have I created :)

Choo- Choo!!

All Aboard! Kevin told me about a park near our house that we just had to check out! Irvine Regional is a wonderful place to visit. The girls and I headed out early this morning to beat the heat and explore this new place. I was also excited to try out our double Bob stroller! Slow but surely with the help of intervals I did 2 miles - Yieppe! Reese slept the whole time...

while Addison enjoyed a snack and the views of the beautiful park.

The park was huge...  Along the way we saw this pretty lake! Lots of ducks, baby turtles, and fish...

          I have never been on a run where I came across a peacock...until today! It was the first of many         along the way!

During our run we also had to stop for a passing train. Addison got a kick out of the sounds and all the people waving - I knew we would have to visit the train after we finished because she was soooo excited!

After we hydrated, changed diapers, and fed Reese we headed to the train. That was a bit of a challenge, especially fitting that huge stroller in the back of the car, but we survived! Being Columbus Day the park was packed with people visiting not only the train but they also had a hay ride and activities at their pumpkin patch. When we reached the line Addison waited very patiently!

 Reese on the other hand grew a little restless and like any Big Sis she kindly told her younger sis to Stop! It sounds more like St-ahhhhhhh-pppp (one of her new favorite words, besides mine)

Then she rocked Reese to make her feel better. She is really a great helper and so observant of everything that I do! It is amazing how much she will mimic me :) It really keeps me on my toes! 

Once on the train, Addison was all business. She kept saying choo choo!! I love that she talks so much :)

This was their youngest rider of the day, just under one month old. So fun !

A view of the pumpkin patch from the train, we may have to go visit this another day!

 This is definitely a place we will visit often. It is a nice change from our usual Yorba Regional Park :) Although we did miss Dr. Jones it was a fabulous morning with my girls!

Pumpkin Pickin!

Happy October! Kevin's schedule right now is super busy. He is working really hard in his 2nd year of residency and we are very proud of him. He balances his hectic schedule, family time, studying, friends, training, and so many other things very well! But with only one day off a week these days, us girls have to soak up all time we can get with him. The day tends to go by super fast but its something we look forward to all week and we try to plan something special and exciting! Today's adventure was traveling to Irvine for fun at Tanaka Farms. It was Kevin's first time there and we had a lot to show him (since we have been there for both the Strawberry and Watermelon tours)! First we had to dress the part! Everyone was wearing orange and black in the Jones Fam!

Addison enjoyed some cuddle time with Reese, she loves to give her sister kisses!

Once we were there we went straight to the wagon ride! This is always a highlight of our trip especially because it was so hot!

Next Addison and Kevin went to the petting zoo. Hand in hand she loves time with her Daddy!

Who knew? She also now loves goats! It seems that with each petting zoo we take her to she becomes less and less afraid of the animals!

 I think it was also comforting for Addison to know that her Dad was right there just in case anyone got out of baa-trol!

 This goat was her favorite, she could have spent all day with him. It was hard to get her to leave the zoo.

 Reese was a trooper threw the whole experience. She slept most of the time but once awake she was awake and loud :) The farm is definitely a beautiful place to visit in all the different seasons!

Don't let these "calm" pictures fool you. It was a crazy afternoon. Between the heat, a hungry and crying newborn, a new Ergo carrier that we are trying to figure out, a toddler who has a mind of her own and thinks she is 10 and can run and go anywhere, a mom who is a control freak and a picture nazi, and a Dad who needed a snack and a shaved ice or was going to have a melt down himself. We made it and despite some minor step backs we had a fantastic family day! Thank you Tanaka Farms - we will see you at Christmas for our tree :)

Check-up times 2!

Friday was a big day for the Jones girls! It was Addie's 18 month check up and Reese's newborn visit. It was also our first trip out with our new double tandem stroller that Great Grandpa and Grandma helped us buy. Big Sis in the front Lil Sis in the back!

What cute girls in their diapers. And yes Addison is sporting a jean diaper... Thanks to Auntie Magee she poo's in blue!

Before the doctor came in Addie gave Reese a litte check up of her own! A pep talk before she gets some shots!

Well for the first visit Reese doesn't get any shots, only Addison. And she doesn't like it one bit!

But luckily it all ended super quick and she was back in her happy place, with her best friend "Binkie" This was a treat because she normally only gets it in her crib!

Here are the stats: Addison is a healthy 26 pounds 8 oz and 32 and 3/4ths inches. She is growing like a weed right before our eyes. She received her flu shot and two other not so fun pokes! Reese is following in her sister's footsteps and weighs a hearty 9 pounds 1 oz and is 20 and 3/4ths inches. WoW!! The doctor was very impressed with her weight gain and so was I! What a champion :) It is such a blessing to have two healthy and happy kids. We love them so much!

Dubost Day !

Colleen, Dylann, and Davis made their way from the beach to our house for some fun and boy did we need it! The weather has been so gloomy and Addison has been going stir crazy with having to be inside. I have kept her busy with crafts, singing, dance class, and an occasional Barney episode!  But nothing is better than playing with another toddler! Davis was a perfect playmate on this very gloomy day! Addison and Davis kept busy pushing, racing, throwing, and running threw out the house while Reese slept, Dylann smiled, and Colleen and I caught up! It is fantastic to swap stories and to see what life will look like for me in a couple of months. Colleen has always been so open and honest about parenting and I always feel like I can ask her anything. She really makes it look so easy!! With all the craziness we tried to get a picture of all of them in one spot! Phew... it was hard but we managed without to much crying, wrestling, or running away from the camera !!

 If you are wondering why there is an extra baby in the picture above... this is Davis' baby that he fell in love with while at our house! And look Dylann and Reese have already bonded and are holding hands! Love it!!

 The toddlers knew the drill about Mommy's who like to take pictures all the time, but the two new ones were a little less patient! and it got worse, just look at these faces!

  But things perked up after everyone had a full belly! While Colleen and I gave attention to the little sisters after lunch - Davis ended the visit by reading to Addison. All we heard in the play room was Addie giggling and Davis doing his best to read and show her the pictures.

 Is Addie tickling him? hahahha.....

We love you Dubost family and can't wait for you to get back from Hawaii to come and play again. Thank you for the special gift and for all the smiles - you truly did brighten our day!

Joy Riding!

Addison was given a surprise for being such a sport with the new baby! She does give Reese the occastional love tap in the eyes and on the face but for the most part she is learning how to be gentle. Kev put this together with the help of Addison and he couldn't have done it quick enough. She was born to drive and of course laugh!

My first car was a blue Ford Ranger Truck - maybe Addison will be so lucky to have one of those in about 16 years!

For now this one will do!! If Addison could she would thank her Dad for always putting everything together and for always doing it with a smile!