Monday, July 14, 2014

My wonderful and exhausting life

Oh my, friends. I am here. Some days I feel like I'm barely hanging on by a thread, but I'm here. It's been a rough go of things lately, mostly just because both of my little people are going through little stages... Milo is the smartest, most creative, most imaginative little boy I have ever seen, and he wants me to be interacting with him every second that he's awake. That would be fine, but I also have housework, cooking, dishes, oh, and another child... He's learning that it's great for us to play and read together, and it's also okay for him to do things on his own.
 
But could he be any more wonderful or adorable? Absolutely not. I can't believe how much this little man has changed my life and how fiercely I love him.
 
Milo and his gorgeous friend Eliora.

A stick, a baseball glove, and the end of a rainstorm. Pure boy entertainment.


I painted a chalk wall on our little half wall so Milo and I can work on writing letters and numbers. And whatever else...
This boy loves his bike and his swim trunks. What a pair.
Then there is my sweet Lucy. My passionate, all-or-nothing, snuggly little teething mess. Oh, this girl. When Milo teethed, it just meant less sleep (for all of us, let's be honest). For Lucy it means being up for hours at night, cranky during the day, and I just feel so incredibly bad for her. And so incredibly tired all the time... She's working on her top teeth, and it seems like they're almost through.
 
She's also toddling all over the place, getting into everything (Milo's room is her favorite), teasing her brother, screaming at the top of her lungs when he teases back, and loving her new baby cousin Mia. We bought her a little play kitchen for her birthday and she loves standing there and pretending to cook and sample food. It's fitting, because my petite little sunshine eats like a full-grown man. It's truly amazing, and I adore this little nugget. I mean, I grit-my-teeth passionately adore her in a way that I never could have guessed. When Lucy isn't moving, she's thinking hard about moving... Which makes it really hard to get a picture of her, but here's what we've got!
Lucy loves the chalk wall, probably because Milo loves it.
 

Promise you - she's thinking about getting the camera.
Lucy loves her little pool for about 3.5 seconds, and then she's ready to get out.

These blue eyes. They melt me. 
 These little people. I am so in love with them, and yet so weary by the end of every day (but just for now while I'm not really sleeping through the night). They are busy, but probably because I tend to be busy. They do everything with their whole hearts and I can't stay frustrated with them (and they're really good to begin with, so I shouldn't be very frustrated at all...). Being a mommy is amazing and exhausting, so if you'll excuse me, I think I'll go make another cup of coffee. Happy Monday!

They love each other.

These are CLEARLY pirate hats.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

ONE!

Lucy is one, and we have the pictures to prove it! If you know my friend Delaney, you know that she is one brilliant, talented, gorgeous, photogenic, photo-taking girl. Here's the evidence - a few pictures she snapped for us the other evening to commemorate our little one-year old nugget. Thanks, Delaney!


This is before we got out her cake and she shook her head "no" and refused to eat it. ????

My Lucy Sunshine

Friday, June 27, 2014

Lucy's First Birthday


I know you've been holding your breath waiting for pictures of Lucy's first birthday party, haven't you? I went straight from putting her party together to working on a baby shower for Chad and Tree, and I've barely come up for air all week. But we had a blast! Nate and I vowed to keep it low-key, and I think we succeeded enough to enjoy the party in addition to Nate having to work all day and me and the kids attending another party a few hours before. Woo-hoo! I can't believe this passionate, vibrant, all-or-nothing little nugget is one already (sniffle).

Flower headband compliments of ME. Snuggles compliments of Nate.

Every once in a while, I actually get a picture of the two of us. Hooray!
In case you were wondering about the décor, or what we served... Fresh fruit cups, chips and salsa, and cupcakes for the food. Lemonade and limeade for the drinks. And an outdoor water wonderland with a slip-and-slide, inflatable pool, and countless water guns.
 


Amanda, who claims NOT to be crafty, made the one for me. I think it's perfect.

Nate lined the walkway with balloons. The kids couldn't wait to walk to our front door!
Have you ever seen a prettier birthday girl?

Homemade party hats modeled by Lily and Kaylee.

I loved this sunshine cake until I tried to add a 1. For future reference, I just won't...

Lucy seemed unimpressed by the cake, even though she's never had sweets before. She ate it, but with the most serious face I've ever seen.

Just for fun, a picture in which Nate says my mom and I are making the exact same face.

Monday, June 16, 2014

World's Best Dad


It's been a long time since I got to celebrate Father's Day with my dad. I've spent a lot of years sulking on Father's Day. I've shared birthdays with it. I've avoided the world on it. But now that I have my own little people, I am delighted to celebrate this guy. Nate is the most amazing dad, and both of our kids will grow up feeling protected, provided for, and loved because of who he is. That's one of the most valuable things I can think of for them. So, a day late, Happy Father's Day, Nate. Our people are pretty darn lucky.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

***

Just a bit of wisdom rolling around in my spirit today. "The easy way is seldom the right way." Happy journey to you!

Friday, June 6, 2014

Welcome, Mia Ann!

Just thought I'd give you a peek at my brand new niece, Mia Ann Jackson, born May 29. She is happy and healthy and Chad and Tree are loving being parents. Congratulations, guys!


I absolutely love baby feet.

Lucy and Milo are pretty enamored with their new cousin.

Gorgeous, happy family.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Perfection

Milo the pirate says, "ARGH!"

Those blue eyes...
 
Sometimes I look at my children and think, "Well, this is seriously perfection."