Letters to our Daughters - February 17, 2014

Dear E,

It's been a rather eventful month.

But a long time coming.  I was so afraid to cut those curls.  I was so jealous of them.

But you hated having your hair brushed.  Or washed.  Or put in "pretty bows."  The ends were so tangled and dry and dead.

So we had to do something.

You now truly "look" like the "big" girl you are becoming.

PS...I love that you are hamming it up for the camera now.  You seem to be basking in the attention of being in front of the lens and that sure does make me happy lol.


Be sure to check out Jessica's letter here. 

Wordless Wednesday - February 12, 2014

[Kids Were Here] - February 2014

You leave them alone for one second, and you come back to the contents of the fridge on the floor, the spice drawer emptied, the cookie jar decimated.

Or their signature lives forever on the end table.  And the couch.

You are stuck between inconsolable tears and uncontrollable laughter.  However did you do anything before these little destroyers entered your life?

But sometimes, what they leave behind only has one response.  That little smile that comes in at the proof of their personality.

To see the marks that Shawnery's little one has left in her life, visit her blog here.

Letters to our daughers - January 15, 2014

Dear E,

I sit here and wonder what to say to you.  Usually words just come to me.  I don't have to struggle or reach for them when I'm writing.  Speaking is another story, but writing is just so natural for me.

We are on the brink of a big milestone for us.  In a few months we will finally go "back."  After 4 years, I will be able to show you the place you were born.  The people who were so instrumental in your survival.

Who, at the end of the day, gave me you.  In all your stubborn glory.  And vibrant personality.  A beautiful heart.

So I'll watch you sleep when I can.  And thank God for every moment with you.  You might frustrate me, anger me, leave me curled up in a corner bawling my eyes out, but I will never, ever regret any moment spent with you.

Be sure to meet Nicole and read her letter to her baby girl.

Snow, snow and more snow

Well.  Not quite as much as last year.  However, we have had a few snow days and both kids are at the age that they love it.  A tried to help "scooping" the snow by carrying handfuls of it to the snow shovel.

Of course, we had to try to bury E in the snow.

Don't worry.  She enjoyed it.

Everyone got in on the action.

And no snow day is complete without a cup of hot chocolate.

Enjoy!

[Kids Were Here] - January 2014

Because they leave an indelible mark on you.  More than their faces, or their voices, or their smiles.  There is so much more to the memories they leave.  That as much as you get tired of picking up their messes, or stepping on their toys, or cleaning up their diapers, you will miss this when they are grown.

In our house, you can always count on finding something lined up.  Such as the line of semi's and cars I found in the kitchen as they were napping. 

Or the lines of stickers on my grandmother's antique chest.

Somehow both of these kids ended up with my tendency to put things in "order."  Even if we do often fight over whose "order" is the one we use.

I have been so blessed in my journey as a mother to have met so many other wonderful moms.  And since my photography hobby began, even some very talented photographers who also have kids.  Visit Erica's blog to see how her kids leave their marks.

Look who's 2! (A few month's late...)

So hard to believe it's been two years since you entered my life.

I don't quite know what to say to you.  Our first few months together were rough.  You were miserable.  I was sick, and miserable.  We didn't get along.  But you always just wanted me, even if we didn't quite get each other.  And that very clinginess pushed us apart.

But somehow...over the months, something began to change.  You outgrew your colic.  I got better.  Now, I love how you come to me for comfort, even when you don't seem to need it.  How you want to just lay your head in my lap for a moment before going back to play.  How you come up to me, get my attention just to say "wub eww" before running off again.

You love your trains.  And your stickers.  And your dump truck.  Oh.  And your paci.  Let's not forget applesauce.

You are 30.05 lbs (75%), 35.25 inches tall (72%) and weigh just as much as your sister.  I thought you'd catch up to her a year ago, but I guess she finally started to gain and you slowed down.

But you haven't stopped moving.  And finally talking, after worrying me about how little words you actually spoke.  Now we often get phrases, requests and yes, demands from you and in words.  Doesn't mean you don't still yell and throw fits.  And oh boy, can you throw a fit.

You are the baby, and we have spoiled you with snuggling.  I refused to do this with your sister...but for some reason, you weaseled your way into my heart and every morning, I let you crawl into bed with your daddy and I and get a few extra snuggles.  You've become so used to it that you don't even head to get breakfast before heading to our bed.  And you become really angry when we won't let you out when you feel like you should, even if it is before 7.

You moved to your "big boy" bed much before I was ready.  But after crawling out of your crib 9 times one night, you gave us no choice.

I don't know what I'd do without you, baby boy.  You've stolen so much of my heart.  I'm so glad you wiggled your way in.  I will miss your hugs, and messy, slobbery kisses when you are grown.  But for now?  For now, I'll relish in them and invite them as often as you chose to bestow them on me.

Happy birthday, baby boy.