Easter 2012

I guess I've officially gone picture crazy. Aside from just being in the mood it has been nice to have use of Brian's work camera for a couple days. It goes back tomorrow though so you'll have a break. :)

Saturday morning this is how I found Quinten after I asked him to get ready to go. We were off to see the "Easter Bunny" and try out an egg hunt at the Dinosaur museum.

 Ryanna got her hands on the camera and captured my first pregnancy shots. The one below you can see my growing belly. I'll be 5 months along on April 12th.

After our adventures out and about we came home to dye some eggs which both kids loved.

 Once dry they even decorated them with the stickers.

 Q was into that for about 2 seconds.

Ryanna on the other hand spent over an hour carefully decorating each egg.

 Sunday morning on our way to church.

 After church they got to put their bubbles from their baskets to use.

Quinten Nicholas Baldwin

*Pics from Melinda Smith Photography - look up her page on facebook!!

He's the little man in our house though as his mother I'm just now accepting he isn't a baby anymore. After these sweet and fun pictures it would be impossible for me to deny he's growing up.

He is inquisitive. Always looking at the details of his toys and objects around him. 

He is super sweet and loves to cuddle. We love this soft side.

Quinten has an amazing imagination. He'll go play in his room and then come tell me about adventures up the firey mountain, through the spooky forest and down the tall, blue waterfall. He had a great teacher in his sister but the older he gets the more his story line dominates their playtime.

He is social and has lately taken to walking up to strangers and saying "Hey guys. Whatcha doing?" He mostly plays by himself at the park but will stop for some conversation with a kid here and there, even putting his arm around them.

He loves his sister and she is his favorite playmate. He is proving to be her match though if she becomes a bully and doesn't just take it. 

This look perfectly captures Quinten's personality and attitude about life. We are so grateful to have him in our family.  

A big 3 year old's special day

 We had the Adams and Panas' over for a BBQ birthday celebration. All day long Ryanna and I had been singing "TODAY is a birthday we wonder for who? We know it's for someone who's right in this room..." He sang along as we sang it again that night and the second the song was done he enthusiasticlly exclaimed "BLUE FIRE!!" The only thing he may have been more excited for than the cake candles  was the chocolate cake! Ever since he picked out his chocolate cake he had one thing on his mind, CHOCOLATE!

 Check out his handsome haircut. His first haircut that wasn't a buzz cut.

 MMMMMM that was excellent!

 We make adorable children though we aren't the most photogenic folks.

 Help from Q's favorite buddies Ian and Logan.

 Diego gifts from Grandma have not been put down since the party. And the train track accessories were a close second.

Growing up so fast!! We love these beautiful kids.

A Special Birthday

Dad's office is one of Ryanna's favorite places to hang out so it was the perfect place to have her very special birthday party. The pink rainbow chip cake was exactly what she wanted but even she agreed it was a good thing we also had a chocolate cake there!

 Unwrapping her new purple bike which has already been put to great use :)

 Of course Q loves daddy's office too. I think one of his favorite parts is all the sports equipment like the above helmet. His hands are like that because he was trying to catch a football - one of his favorite things to do with dad.

Can she really be 5?

 Today there are no words for the gratitude I feel to be this blossoming girl's mother. Simply put she's got it all. Spunk. Brains. Compassion. Determination. Strength. Patience. Heart!

 Mom was looking for suitable black shoes we could use for dressing up on Sunday. Ryanna came around the corner with these and we knew they were perfect for her special "5 years old!" pictures.

 For a few years I worried about Ryanna being able to handle some of the social aspects of school. This year of her attending preschool has put my feelings in their place. Maybe I'm alone but I can see that simply put I just always expected her to act older than she was. She's at just the right place to start kindergarten next year and excel.

 Last week was a crazy one. There have been more and more of those lately. Every Tuesday Ryanna comes home with a homework sheet in her backpack. She's always happy to get it out and done as soon as we get home and I hand it over to her. Well Thursday morning rolled around and we were running out the door. Palm to forehead - I had forgotten about Tuesday homework and though I knew the preschool teachers wouldn't worry about it, I knew Ryanna would be devastated not to hand it in. I calmly brought it up(preparing to convince her it was okay) to which I was shocked when she gave me a consoling look and said, "Don't worry mom I got it done and here it is in my backpack." I was shocked. It had not occurred to me that she may have taken the initiative herself and got it done. As we walked out she said, to herself I think, "What do you think my teacher would say if I showed up without my homework?!?" Yes, silly mom.

 I remember 5 years ago clearly. The calm confidence in her eyes above are exactly as she looked at me, newborn in my arms. We've been each other's every day since and I could't be more blessed than I am to be a mother.

And just when you think she's taking life a bit too seriously for a 5 year old she pulls out the old cheese smile and gets you laughing till you're sure your sides are splitting. Life holds pure joy for her. Love you my sweet girl!