Movie Night

Last night was stormy in Richmond.  Movie night at the Santos house.  Berkley l.o.v.e.d. it.  

9 months!

Nancy Elizabeth is 9 months today!  We love our smiley, giggly, ticklish, independent, food cramming, brother loving, cuddly girl!  We think you are as sweet as they come.  Pictures from this morning of Nan crawling around our boxes.

Cheese!

Brandon was in Wisconsin this past week for work.  Berks, Nan and I had some fun adventures during Daddy's absence and we are enjoying the last few days of summer before preschool begins.  Brandon is home for labor day weekend and we are packing and enjoying family time on Leonard Pkway. Happy holiday weekend!  xo

"Take pictures of me with Nellie, Mom."  

Berkley's beloved baby.

Change is coming

This past weekend we headed to Deerfield, Virginia to Brandon's parents' camp.  It was so nice to be in the mountains and actually wear long sleeves.  Nan was fighting a bug, but was still her happy self.  Berks wasn't able to sleep at night, so he ended up sleeping with B and I.  We didn't let a few long nights get the best of us though.... and we enjoyed good food, company and a beautiful setting.

We are full on packing and preparing for the September move.  B is gearing up for a bunch of upcoming week long work trips.  I can barely discuss it.  I am too sad.  We will miss him (a gross understatement), but know he is working so hard for our family.  We love you, Brandon Michael.

Berkley talks about the move every day.  He doesn't want to move.  He wants to move.  He wants to come back to his 'real' house (this I know is true).  I love that child and his creativity amazes me.  He put on my earphones today and told me they made him a 'good walker.'  He wore them the entire lunch at Jason's Deli.

Sissy has been battling a bad bug and we went to the doctor yesterday for some meds.  She is better today and able to keep down her food.  Berkley was a huge help at the doctor and must have sang 15+ rounds of 'Jesus loves the little children' to his sister.  We were quite the site. We love you, Nancy!

Crawling

Nancy crawled today for the first time!  It was very brief, but definitely a crawl.  She is my biggest.  Can you tell that her brother loves her?  Today, Nan was asleep by noon for her afternoon nap.  Berkley asked me if we could wake her so she could eat lunch with us.  They are happier together.  Have I mentioned yet that I 'love them to the moon and back?'

Yep!  I am crawling!

Final days of summer

Ok - I am better about blogging in the winter or maybe when I am not packing for a move.  There is just so much living going on in the summer it is hard to capture it.

First things first - Nan is 8 months old (!!) and counting.  We moved her crib mattress down to a lower setting today because she is pulling up and nearly crawling.  When did my baby get so big?  To say that Nan is a complete joy would be an understatement.  She smiles at everyone.  Laughs all too easily at her brother.  Eats anything you put in front of her.  We think you are about as sweet as they come, Nancy Elizabeth.  Berkley and Nan were playing upstairs yesterday and I was doing something - obviously important - downstairs.  Berkley ended up taking hand sanitizer from Nan's changing table and 'washing her hair' with it.  Special.  I must be a softy because I actually think it was a sweet thing.... just wished he would have washed her in the bathtub with soap, but there is always next time for that.

I hate to admit this, but we drive by our new house everyday.  I am pretty sure the owners think we are crazy.  I really want Berks to have a good transition to Shirley Road and I want him to feel excited for this change.  It is hard though.  He wants to know, "is my cribbie going?"  "who exactly is living here?"  "is Henry coming?"  "will my toys come?"  "do we have a kitchen?"  "will we go back home after we move to sleep?"  "who will take care of our house?"  So during our daily drives to our Shirley house.... I answer his questions about the move and hopefully ease his fears (mainly - "will there be moon monsters there?" and "you're coming mommy, right?").  We are living in a packing zone and I can't wait to get in our new house and make it home.

And he is 3

Berkley's third birthday was eventful to say the least!  Both kids were sick on the day of his birthday.  Berkley was recovering from fifth's and Nan was sick with Roseola.  Brandon ended up leaving the evening of his birthday for a 2 day work trip.  We were all tired - partly from being sick and the lack of sleep and also because we were played out from the birthday craze.  I feel horrible writing that the birthday was exhausting, but honestly it was.  We didn't really manage to do much on Berkley's actual birthday because he and Sissy felt so bad.  Before bed though - I let Berkley lay in bed with me and stay up late to watch the Olympics and it was such a fun and special ending to his birthday.  Who doesn't love a birthday cuddle?  On Thursday (2nd) we had a birthday party at our pool with Berkley's friends.  It ended up pouring so we moved the party inside and set up a bouncy house.  All in all - it was a successful party.  There were kids and cake.  What more do you need?

Life has been crazy the last few weeks with sickness, planning for the move, and Daddy being gone.  I am ready to all be under one roof and have healthy babies.  A few weeks of that would make me a very happy mama.  

Playing with our new Chinese checkers!

Birthday morning hugs

Stomp rocket

Playing with Berkley's new toys while he is at camp!

Making 50 cupcakes for his party

Our very own Humpty Dumpty!  Hand made by Nana. 

HWB and NES.  

Running at Westwood before the party.

Friends since they were a few weeks old