It's That Time Again....

Strawberry season is here!!

What I'm Loving...

1. Our newest addition. Now I now how you can love two kiddos in the same moment.
2. Snuggling with Babe. He's pretty great.
3. Sitz baths. Let's be real here.

4. How this kiddo knows what she wants. As soon as she saw the purple glasses she knew... they were to be hers.
5. Bubbles in the wind.
6. Family walks.

7. How weeds can be the most beautiful flowers.
8. Sleeping with the windows open on a breezy night.

9. The three people above. Life is so much richer with the three of them in my life.
10. How blessed I am to have L. He's a good daddy and a great husband.

Days Like These

I am just loving this spring weather. I'm thinking having a spring baby is really going to work nicely in our favor, as we'll be able to get out and enjoy the sunshine. The sun really picks me up, and hopefully force me to get outside, even when I'm exhausted. If that doesn't work, I'm sure the kiddo below will encourage me to go anyway. :)
I am so impressed by this little girl that will soon be a "big sister". She has so much life inside of her, so much curiosity, so much joy. We've spent our fabulous afternoon playing outside, planting flowers, having some of Daddy's ice cream (shhhh!!), and drinking this. I love days like these!

God has made motherhood such a special responsibility. It's hard and demanding and tiring, but it's the most rewarding role I've had yet. :) I feel like I should be thanking her for being such an incredible person than for her to be thanking me for being her mommy. She's way cooler than I am, no doubt.

Flower Power

E helped me plant these flowers on Saturday. They were on serious markdown, so I wasn't incredibly concerned if she was rough with them. Mostly she liked putting the dirt in and watering the flowers. "More water" she kept repeating. This is one of the fun aspects of parenting - teaching her, helping her learn, and seeing her eyes light up with excitement. I wish I had bought a few more plants, because flowers just make everything happier, don't they?

She has loved watching her Daddy work on our house, and it feels like we're getting somewhere, thank God. We're going room by room (ignoring the kitchen and living room at the moment), and each night we've tried to get something done - even if it feels minor.

Something that's helped us get our bottoms moving is 1) my nesting instinct 2) the fact we've decided to go without cable once again. No cable = no channels. We went cable free a few years ago when we bought our first house, and didn't want to pay for cable. I don't remember missing it (though, we relied heavily on our friends T and B to record Lost episodes).

We found that we were using cable as background noise, and we ended up watching shows that we never even cared about. There's nothing wrong with vegging once in a while, but it sucked up more time than it should have. So we're back to pocketing some extra cash, and being "forced" to find something to do in the evenings, even if it is just reading, etc.

Of course, don't worry. We're still feeding our Lost addiction and watching it online. Some shows are just worth keeping up with. :)

And 2009 Begins

So this was part of how our New Year's Eve was spent. Cake and candles. What can be better?

Our 2008 was a year of pretty decent focus. We moved into a two bedroom duplex to save more money and time (less cleaning, no snow plowing/mowing), and it's been such a blessing. Also, we spent much more time getting healthy, which was surprisingly more fun than expected.

For 2009, we discussed what it means to "simplify", and for me, the definition often gets blurred. L and I were chatting about it last night, and he said, "I think simplify just means you act with more focus. More purpose." I liked that.

We are hoping to scale back a little on some of the responsibilities we've taken on, and focus this year on people, our family (as we will expect a new addition to our family), and our faith. Back to the basics, but also stepping up on some things we haven't been willing to commit to. As we get more refined on what that means, I'll write more about it.

So, if you think about it, please pray for us as we venture into the New Year and that our eyes would be opened to opportunities around us. Thanks!

Glimpse of Sunshine?

We have made some serious progress in the way of E going outside in her snow pants. It was fun getting her out in the snow (and rain) the past couple of days. Yesterday we just took her outside in her pants, but today we put her snow pants on, and she was pretty comfortable (see pic below). By the way, if you look at the picture above you'll notice some sunshine behind us. I think it's the first glimpse of sun we've had in days... and boy, it really lifted our spirits.

I've also been a little more motivated to cook the past few days. Sometimes I really enjoy being in the kitchen, and this was one of those weeks. Some of the recipes were so/so, but one that we all enjoyed was this recipe. When all three of us like something, it must be a success. We'll be making this one again soon, and will probably end up in our regular food routine at some point.

More Joy

This little girl has taught me so much about life in the short time she's been on this earth. These are just a few things:

1. She's taught me how quickly time flies.
2. How much fun it is to laugh so hard it hurts.
3. That life is meant to be LIVED to its fullest.
4. That sitting still can be a blessing!
5. She's shown me how much beauty one person can hold.
6. How to be alive.
7. How we're surrounded by an exciting world, ready to be explored.
8. That simple things are the most interesting.
9. She's taught me how much God has blesses His children.
10. And of course, how much one person can love another.

Just Because...

she's beautiful, and because her dad's a pretty talented photographer. Thank you, God, for all the good things in life.

Berry Good

Early this morning we went berry picking. E was tired, and wanted to nap, but my mind was made up to find some strawberries and pick as many as possible. Who could resist this glorious goodness above? I'm hoping to freeze most of them, and possibly make some jam, if I'm feeling ambitious. We'll see.

E did well for the most part, but she melted down at times. This would be a great little outing for kids a little older. What a great way for children to see where their food comes from, and a great way to keep them involved. I'm noticing E loves to help out, and feel like a "big girl". :)
Here sits the 10 pounds of strawberries that we picked. I have no idea to know if this is enough or not, but it'll do for now. Yummy deliciousness is what this is. :)

Some Outdoor Fun

We spent as much time outside as we could this weekend. What beautiful weather to welcome the first day of summer! I hope summer stays FOREVER. :)

Every time I see this picture, the word "joy" just pops in my head. This photo (all were taken by L, of course) just made me realize how blessed we are to have such a wonderful life, and such an amazing daughter to remind us of that!
E's footprints in the sand. Aren't those little feet cutest little feet?!! So precious. :)
This is E's favorite thing about the beach. Rocks. She loves picking them up, feeling them, throwing them in the water, putting them in her mouth, carrying them around. She's so curious. All of the time.

Hope that you all had a lovely start to summer!!!

Happy Father's Day

I actually had another photo chosen for this post, but E started clapping, laughing and saying "Dad-deeeeeee" when she saw this one. So since this my Father's Day post, it seemed fitting to let the babe choose. :)

Speaking of E; she just loves her Daddy. She loves looking for him when she first gets up in the morning. She hates it when Daddy leaves for work, and closes the door behind him. Oh, she certainly doesn't like that. She gets extremely excited when the door opens at the end of the day and Daddy's standing there. Probably most of all, she loves playing and snuggling with Daddy on the couch.

It's been such an honor to watch L become a father. Some of my favorite moments are of watching him play with E - getting her to laugh, reading her a story, playing with bubbles in the bathtub. Watching them have fun together is such a joyful time for me. I pray that God would continue to provide many more moments like the one pictured above.

So, L, thanks for all your hard work providing for our family, and still coming home with enough smiles to have a little fun. Happy Father's Day! We love you!!!

Floral Fun

Today was "flower planting day" in our household. I was excited to get E out and gardening... one of us needs to have a green thumb!!

This is E helping me clear out the weeds. She did really well at this task, and had WAY too much fun with it. :)
This is E "helping" me plant the flowers.

"Okay, Mom! One more!"
Taking a break after a long day's work.

All Grown Up

This is a picture of my baby sister, S, and my mom. Crazy as it sounds, S, isn't a baby any longer. She graduated from high school recently. It's hard to believe that our baby sister is "all grown up" and ready to make her mark on the world. She's certainly the youngest child - full of life, creativity, adventure, and spunk. She's pretty cool - much cooler than I was at her age, so you can imagine how cool I am 10 years later. :) I'm so proud of her and who she is becoming. Congratulations, S... looking forward to the free massages!
All graduations warrant a party, and Saturday was her open house. It was fun and chaotic time of lots of food, E's cousins running around with bubbles, and friends and family we hadn't seen in a while. Here is a photo that L took at my parents' place. She loved having the acreage to run around and explore, with all of her cousins in one place. Good times.

On The Day: Happy Birthday!!!

It's hard to believe that our little girl has hit her first year milestone on this earth, and we've made it through the first year of parenthood. I was getting a little choked up going through all of her pictures and how much she's changed in one short year. It's been fun to reminisce over each stage of her development - so much has happened!

When we first held her, I think we were all excited and uncertain of the task that was ahead of us. I didn't think I could love her more than those first few moments, but one thing in certain: our love for this girl is deeper now than a year ago... and I'm looking forward to many more years of this happening!

We were certainly blessed that God chose us to parent this little one. She's determined, curious, smart, beautiful, funny, unique, and everything we could have ever wanted.

We love you, Beautiful Girl!! Happy Birthday!!!!!!

On the Day: Pictures

On the Week Cont: My Girl

This little girl has lived up to her name, and has delighted us since the day we laid eyes on her. She has brought so much joy that we can't remember what life was like before her. Her laugh inevitably makes us laugh... what an amazing person to be around!!

She loves to growl, make other strange sounds, play peekaboo, "read" her books, observe other kiddos, dance, play her recorder (new skill!), play with the kitties, play outside, and help me with household activities like pushing the buttons on the dishwasher and pulling the clothes out of the drawers, as I put them in. :)

I mean, look at this kid - isn't she just lovely?!! I proudly say, "That's my girl!" :)

On the Week Cont: Gifts

This is part of the kiddo's birthday present. I was on a hunt for some cheap napkins at a local vintage store, when I came across this adorable child-size rocking chair. I had to get it... and of course, I couldn't wait to give it to her. It now sits in our living room, near her "reading" area. :)

On the Week Cont.: What She Eats

I get asked a lot what my child eats, and now that she eating all table foods, pretty much the answer is: Whatever we eat. Well as this week is ending, and I'm making a meal plan for next week, I am floored at how our produce bill has gone up. :) Let me tell you what our kid has consumed this week:

2 1/2 pints of blueberries (she LOVES blueberries)
A package of oranges (with a little help from me)
Handful of pears
Half of a watermelon
A few bananas (though she appears sick of them, which is sad, b/c they're cheap!)
Half dozen kiwi
A couple of apples (also something she's sick of)
All of her yo-baby yogurt, plus half of a large container (for smoothies)
Some deli turkey meat
Pancakes
Eggs (finally)
Turkey bacon (a new fave)
Her wheat squares (she loves these things...)
Grilled cheese
Half of a package of frozen broccoli/corn
Some stir fry
Oatmeal (a LOT of oatmeal)
Zucchini
Some pasta
Carrots

Plus, whatever we had for dinner... this basically just covers breakfast/lunch/snacks! Seriously, our kid likes her food (of course, Mom and Dad do too)! So different from a year ago, that is certain! :)

On the Week of Becoming One

It has been a busy week or so for us. The kiddo's sleep schedule appears to be changing, so it's been a tough week for all three of us. It's been difficult for me to figure out how to get dinner moving with her hanging on my leg... or trying to get all three of us to eat at the same time, as L's been working late.

Plus we've been working on some house projects that we've been trying to get done for weeks it seems like. We're refinishing our end tables, and hopefully getting them to match our coffee table (which is serving as our entertainment center at the moment). That will be our main focus this weekend. Sanding is a very therapeutic process, I'm finding, but never ending as well. I can't wait for them to get done.

And E went through a stage where she didn't want anyone else but me (seriously...it was rough). We even debated going to church because we didn't think she'd stay in nursery. We did end up going, and true to the social nature that she is, she loved nursery. My thought process has been "If she's fine in public, we'll stay in public all week long!" Hence, we've been to three playgroups, and one play date so far this week and one more tomorrow. :)

So we've seen lotsa people, which has been nice for both of us. Not so great for the chores around the house, though. So, while she is sleeping, I've been cleaning the bathroom and trying to get the floor clean. This is a process. It seems like my house is never fully clean. I'm so thankful for a smaller space, though... less rooms to clean!

Anyway, it's difficult to believe that my little girl will soon be turning one. A year ago at this time, I was full of anticipation, wondering when she would come, if "she" would turn out to be a "he", and if it would be difficult labor, would we be good parents, would she be healthy, what would she look like...

She turned out to more than I could have ever imagined. Absolutely beautiful. Incredibly social. Inevitably curious (thanks to Dad). Hilariously funny. Certainly unique (have you heard the sounds she makes?). Just right. I love spending my days with her, watching her learn and grow, take everything in.

God has blessed us immensely with such a lovely gift. I pray that even in the frustrating moments, I would remember how blessed we are and how special she is. I pray daily for wisdom in parenting, and that I would savor the moments I have with her. She is amazing.

Randomness

The four of us at the reception... Jess was a beautiful bride!!
My two favorite people.
F getting ready for her fourth "flower girl" moment
The babe sleeping on the plane. She was amazing during this trip, even though she was sick.