Our Big Girl...

The Lenten Season Has Begun!

I am so excited for this season of Lent, for reasons I'll get to in a minute. But first, what did we all give up? With Ash Wednesday kicking off the season yesterday, most of my conversations have revolved around what loved "thing" we are giving up for all those long weeks of Lent. Soda, chocolate, alcohol, dessert, chips...all of these seem to top the list. This year I am mixing it up a bit and I'm giving up frivolous shopping--for 6 straight weeks!! This has been one of the hardest for me to give up....and I've thought about it at great length to make sure that I could be dedicated enough not to sin! I'm still not sure how I'm going to define "frivolous"....i'm sure my definition will differ greatly from D.J.'s!! ;-) At any rate, I'm a little scared...I just have to steer clear of temptation AND thank God Sundays don't count!

Why do we give something up for Lent? Lent is actually kinda sad and depressing...we are supposed to be in a state of mourning and repentance---recognizing our mortality and our sinfulness. We give something up in honor of Jesus's 40 fasting days---to simply prove our own discipline over desire. For me, Lent feels like a good time for personal reflection---a time for dedication to spiritual things that too often get pushed to the back during our day to day busy lives.

I'm excited for this season of Lent for a few special reasons. My sister, on her own accord, has been attending the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults classes (RCIA) at our hometown Catholic church. It was one of the best things I have ever done in my own life, so I am ecstatic that she is also on the path to confirmation. She will also be taking the baptismal preparation class, not for herself (she was baptized as a baby), but for my niece & nephew who will be baptized after Easter. She asked D.J. & I to be their Godparents....we feel honored and blessed. I'm so happy that we'll be able to help teach and guide them on their faithful journey. What an awesome responsibility!

During our fun fashion week, I totally forgot to mention that Josie had her 9 month check-up! She's 18 pounds, which puts her in the 50% for weight....and I can't even remember how many inches, but she was 75% for lenth. So long and lean!! I compared it to Anna's chart, I know you're not supposed to, but I always do. Anna was barely 16 pounds at 9 months! They are so different in so many ways...I'm just loving it.

Josie is growing up so fast...time slow down! She is walking all over with her little baby stroller and she plays peek-a-b00 on her own!! I mean, she puts the blanket up to her face and pulls it down, laughs and repeats. Soooooooooooooo cute!

Fashion Week Closing day...the supersized edition!

Yes, in NY, a week lasts 8 days!! But the curtains are finally closing...Wow! This week was crazy, but I did it....I brought the girls' closets to you every morning (or night)! For those of you who were actually amused, thanks for tuning in! :-) I have to be honest, though, I'm SOOO happy that I don't have to snap any pics tomorrow!! So I was standing in front of their closets tonight looking at each little garment thinking..."ew, that's cute...should have put her in that this week". But, somehow, between hurried diapers, waffles and braids this is what they ended up in today:


Pic Above: Anna
Pink Ice Skating Tee--Crewcuts, JCrew Kids
Pink knit/tulle skirt--Sister Sam (this was a Bloomingdales sample that Alex gave her forever ago...no tags, had to call Alex to confirm Sister Sam)
Hot pink printed tights: Oilily
Sparkly mary janes: Lelli Kelly



Pics Above: Happy Josie--yes, those are HUGE smiles behind the paci! Sorry the pics
are blurry...i think something is wrong with every camera we own)!
Flower play dress: Tea Collection
Pink matching leggings: Tea Collection
Pink furry boots: Robeez

BONUS FEATURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So Anna & I had a little mommy daughter day today. I skipped out on work a little early (if you work with me, shhh..don't tell)! Anyway, I picked up Anna and we ran some errands, had lunch together, went shopping, designed these cute crocks & gibbitz (did i spell that right?), had ice cream and SO MUCH FUN! Being with Anna reminds me of what it felt like to be a little girl.


Above is a tribute to winter---one of my favorite little dresses. This is a pink corduroy dress from Oilily. The detailing is so adorable...wish you could see it better in this pic. On the front is stitched "Little Miss Lucky". She didn't actually wear this anywhere today....I just threw it on her right before dinner and snapped a pic.


had to catch the Oilily signature layered look.


AND a sneak peek at Spring! Anna in Baby Lulu rockin her new crocs!

..and there's more cuteness!! Today I called my sister and asked her to snap some quick pics of what her kids were wearing...and the deets...here they are:


Pic Above: Cole Vogueing (this is so cute---it looks like he's striking a pose...I love how his knee is cocked)!!
Tee with Stripe: Recco S
Plaid preppy board shorts: Ecko Unlimited
Socks: Ralph Lauren
Mom said "he refused to put shoes on"


Pic Above: Trendy Ellie
Orange graphic tee: Oilily
Skirt: IKKS
Footless tights: Me Too
No-see socks: Justice
Sparkly mary janes: Lelli Kelly


I am in LOVE with this picture...wish the quality were better!!...kim, you need a new camera! ;-)
But, they look like they are rockin it out!!...this picture must have been taken mid chorus! Cole just looks like he's about to bust out some P Diddy moves..haha. I LOVE it...wish I was there at that moment! xoxoxo to them.

Ahhh, the curtains are closed and the runway is empty. Till next time...(which will probs be never)!! ;-)

Fashion Week Day 7---only one more day to go!

This morning I had no idea what the girls were going to wear today, but when I opened their closets, these outfits were just yelling at me!!!! I rarely...almost never, dress them the same. I can think of one other time they dressed the same---except for jammies, jammies are fair game for matching!! But, I don't dress them alike because to me (and this is just a matter of opinion), it's takes away their individuality. So, I know it's fun, but it's just a thing with me. Today, however, was an exception and was the very first time they have gone to KC dressed alike...and it may never happen again. But, they did look cute while it lasted!!

Pic Above: Josie with her absolute favorite baby...seriously, this doll is her best friend
Multi-colored floral dress: Hanna Andersson
Matching tights: Hanna Andersson
Pink/brown mary janes: Pediped (these have gotten a lot of runway time)! :-)


Pic Above: Anna
Multi-colored floral dress: Hanna Andersson
Brown tights: Hanna Andersson
Pink leg warmers: a Mimi original
Shoes: Lelli Kelly

Fashion Week Day 6--rainy day!

Pics Above: Anna--grouchy morning

Purple/pink graphic ruffled tee-- Diesel

Pink velour pant with flowers/sequins-- Oilily

Green polka dot rain boots-- Baby Gap

Pic Above: Josie early morning

Waterleaf swing top: Baby Lulu

Waterleaf matching ruffle pant: Baby Lulu

White onesie: Gerber

Pink/brown mary janes: Pediped

Fashion Week Day 5--love these!!

I LOVE what my girls are wearing today. They are like little streaks of happiness! The colors are bold, bright and carefree...especially for a cold Tuesday in February. I hope they make you smile today!

Pics Above: My Banana with her banana

Bright multi color flower/stripe dress: Hanna Andersson

Matching stripe tights: Hanna Andersson

Sparkly pink floral Shoes: Lelli Kelly

Pics Above: Josie on Tueday morning

Red floral velour top: Baby Lulu

Matching flannel plaid pant with floral velour ruffle trim: Baby Lulu

White onesie: Gerber

Pink/Brown mary janes: Pediped

Fashion Week Day 4---Staying home in play clothes!

Pink seems to be the theme for today!

Pic Above: Anna playing-

Pink velour pant: Baby Lulu

Pink camo big sis t: American Apparel

Pink/Purple flower paisley jacket- Diesel

Pink play shoes: Stride Rite

Pic Above: Anna models her Big Sis tee

Pic Above: Josie playing

Pink flower & hearts romper: Fresh Produce

White onesie: Gerber

Pic Above: Josie--we were playing so hard, we almost forgot the matching hat!

Matching ruffle hat: Fresh Produce

Fashion Week Day 3--To the Auto Show we go!

Pic Above: Josie
Pink/gray toille swing top: Baby Nay
Matching toille ruffle pant: Baby Nay
White Onesie: Gerber
Brown/Pink Mary Janes: Pediped


Pic Above: Anna
Aqua blue with stitching tee-Oilily
Green print pant: Oilily
Purple light up slippers: Stride Rite
*She was wearing a pair of Lelli Kellys, but they came off and the slippers went on as soon as we got home. Maybe she'll model them another day!

Thanks Aunt Kimmy for adding to our fashion wardrobe today!

Fashion Week Day 2---with outfit change! ;-)

Pic Above: Anna Dance
Pink dance leotard: Bloch
Pink dance tights: Body Wrappers
Pink ballet shoes: Capezio


Pic Above: Josie Valentine
Heart T-shirt: Koala Kids
Red Velour Pant-Miniwear


Pic Above: Josie dressed for dinner
Red/Floral Corduroy Dress: Room Seven
Red Corduroy Pant: Baby Gap
Black patent leather shoe: Stride Rite



Pic Above: Anna dressed for dinner
Red/Pink Graphic Tee--Oilily
Jean skirt: Old Navy
White tights: Baby Gap
Black/white stripe leggings: Baby Legs
Black patent leather shoe: Stride Rite

Fashion Week Day 1

Here it is! The kick-off to the H girls fashion week....

Pic Above: Josie

Corduroy ruffle pant--Deux Par Deux

Matching cordoruy button up--Deux Par Deux

Pink/Brown Mary Janes--Pediped

White onesie--Gerber

Pic Above: Anna

Cordoruy Skirt: Pumpkin Patch

Matching sweater vest: Pumpkin Patch

Pink Turtleneck: Baby Gap

Pink leggings: Osh Kosh B'Gosh

Shoes: Crocs

Pic Above: Josie Outerwear

Flower puff jacket: Patagonia

Green cool weather hat: Janie & Jack

Pic Above: Anna Outerwear

Multi-color winter coat: Me Too

Pink tassle ball winter hat: Baby Gap

Third Time's a Charm & NYC Fashion Week!!

Every single day I think of something that I'd just love to blog about, if only I had the time!! I know this post will be random--and I hope not too long!!

The third time is a charm! As some of you know I have been testing my Martha Stewart baking skills and twice now I have managed to bake a cake that tastes more like cornbread!..ick..So, today I strapped on the apron strings and busted out the Kitchenaid to try once again. We'll see what the critics have to say tomorrow night at dinner! :-)

With President's Day right around the corner, I can't not say how proud I am of the conservatives in the House. Not one of them voted for this supposed "stimulus bill". And who would if they really knew what was in it? 790 Billion dollars are about to be spent and most people have no clue on what. Read it, know it. Here are a couple examples, might surprise you!: $30,000,000.00 will be spent on saving the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse...yes, a mouse...and $335,000,000,00 will be spent on sexually transmitted disease prevention. Thank you, GOP and conservatives for standing up against this careless spending...even if every conservative vote plus several liberal votes would not be enough to block it.

I believe in Capitalism, what our country was founded on. I believe that government should stay small while the business sector flourishes. Where hard work is rewarded and where we deserve only what we've earned. Ronald Reagan is arguably one of the most popular presidents in US history...over both Kennedy and Lincoln. His presidency was a time of prosperity and national unity. He believed in small government and big individual dreams. Reagan said, "Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives" and "Man is not free unless government is limited". And someone very wise recently said, "I want this new administration to fail ONLY if it takes us on the road to socialism". I couldn't agree more...the government needs to stay small and let us, the American public, pave our own way.

We are in this mess because of the banks, not because of consumer spending or tax cuts. Just a little factual tidbit: The 2003 Bush tax cuts, which pres Obama and other democrats opposed, brought in more revenue to the Federal government that any other time in history. Bush also tried to overhaul regulation of Fannie and Freddie, only to be rebuffed by Democrats claiming there were no problems. Because of the liberal sway of the main stream media, those are facts that unless researched, the general public will never know. Spending more money is not the answer and Pres Obama knows the position he's in...he is already attempting to place blame on other Democrats for this "porkulus" bill.
www://online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB122039890722392873.html

Back to cute stuff! Our little Josephine is finally getting some teeth! I can see the little white caps peaking through her poor gums and like so many babies, it looks like she'll be a little mini dracula for awhile. What are those called, your incisors? Know what I mean? Well, I'll post pics when they fully emerge.

Ok, so you guys know how much I love shopping for and dressing my little girls. Well, in honor of fashion week, which starts tomorrow (Fri), I thought I'd post pics of who and what my little girls are sporting each day through the week. Ok, I'm going to try...we'll see how well I stay on task...with visitors and work next week, it may take a back seat...but I'm gonna try! So stay tuned for my fashion divas.

It's February Already!

This year is flying by already...before we know it, we'll be hanging our Christmas lights again! We've been so busy and to my dismay, I've been neglecting my blog and my facebook page...and maybe even my poor hubby! ;-) So tonight the blog gets an update and a quick post...

I spent the first part of this week in Dallas for work, which was fun, warm(er), and short lived! But, I missed my little girls...when I got home tonight Anna would barely look at me!!!!!! Ouch, dagger to my mommy heart. She finally told me that she was mad that I left her...oh, the guilt! Josie, however was happy to see me and full of smiles and cuddles.


I also want to welcome little Lyla Jane Barkema to the world! I have seen her cute pictures and she, of course, is adorable. Congratulations Marcy & Aaron!

More updates and pics soon...stay tuned...