One year ago today...

One year ago today, I left my precious babes in the care of another for the very first time and went back to work. Hard to believe that a whole year has already flown by. The girls were not quite 6 months old at the time and looked like this:

I remember my first day back to work - how awful I felt about leaving them with a "stranger" and how unsure I was about the whole thing. I just cried and cried the night before. But the girls (and us) have grown to really love Miss Maria (our nanny) and think of her as almost a part of the family. Even though I often wish I was home with the girls everyday, it is so comforting knowing that my children are safe and loved.

Easter Weekend Recap in Pictures!

We had such beautiful weather in St. Louis this past weekend. Spring was definitely in the air! Everything was in full bloom, and the skies could not have been any more blue!

I loved all these trees with the blooming flowers.

I had a ton of pictures, so I put them into collage formats.

Click on the image to see it larger.

Look at those pretty golden locks!

Miss Caroline

And Miss Olivia

They really enjoyed the sidewalk chalk.

And my hubby and I after church

We had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa. Thanks so much for having us!

HAPPY EASTER!

We hope everyone has a happy and blessed Easter!

Love,

The Krupas

More pictures of our weekend to come...

Remeber these cuties last year?

Caroline

Liv

More Easter Goodies!

Thanks to Grandma Karen and Great-Nanny! The girls opened the Easter package you sent tonight after their bath. Of course they went right for the treats first (smart girls) - pulled out the marshmallow bag and handed it to me saying "PEEEESSH!" After shoving a couple bunny shaped mallows in their mouths they discovered the "babies" (the stuffed-animal chicks) and the cell phones. Big Hit!!!

Liv "talking" on her phone:

Easter Preview

Since we'll be spending Easter weekend with my dad and step-mom, Auntie Kari and Grandma Diane stopped by to deliver some Easter goodies for the girls.

And oh boy, were they excited!!!

New discovery - these girls LOVE them some jelly beans.

Liv giving her new duckie a smooch.

"OH WOW!!!"

Caroline LOVES her new sun hat.

She wouldn't take it off all night.

Kisses for Grandma!

TGIF ...

... well, it's Saturday, but you know what I mean.

My office has been so incredibly busy these last few months, which is a great thing. However, this means early mornings and late nights at the office for me. I'm struggling with the feeling that I've been seriously slacking in the mommy department. There are many days that I'll see my kids for a total of about 15 minutes - all day! I started getting very emotional the other night while I was sitting in my office thinking to myself - "ok, well the girls would have already had their dinner by now, I wonder how much Caroline ate and if they've had any green veggies in the past few days, have they been practicing singing their ABC's? are they being read to enough while the nanny is there? have they been outside yet this week?" As their mom, I should know these things, right!?

I'm sure these are the worries of every working parent. And I'm sure there are a million other worries and stresses for parents who stay home. I guess I just miss my kiddos. And as my dad always reminds me to do: I'm just focusing on enjoying the heck out of them on the weekends. In fact, I should wrap this post up because I hear those little rascals waking up from their nap, laughing at each other in their cribs. I love me some mommy-daughter time!

I'll leave you with some cuteness.