This moment: Wishes

Posted on | April 11, 2014 | 1 Comment

{this moment}

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  Inspired by SouleMama



A Letter: 25 months (2 years old!)

Posted on | March 26, 2014 | 2 Comments

My sweet baby Hazel,

I can't help but still call you my baby, despite you turning 2 last month!  Oh how time has flown, I honestly can't believe it.  In the last 6 months since I've written a letter to you you've grown in leaps and bounds, and had so many fun experiences.  You went to Italy (and France) in October, making it a total of 17 planes you've been on since birth.  You did seriously amazing on all six of the flights back and forth, two flights that were 12 hours in length.  Let's hope your sibling is as relaxed and easy as you've been!

Speaking of siblings, you will be a big sister in one month!  We don't know if your baby is a girl or a boy yet, but you more often than not say 'brother' (although you call him 'April' - since we are due in April, a hard concept I know).  You love to read books about being a big sister and taking care of babies, and you still kiss my belly every night.  You've been telling me lately that my belly is "biiiiiiig!" ... that's very true, my dear.



Your language has exploded since about a month before your birthday.  You went from preferring sign language to using full sentences in a matter of weeks, even if your dad and I are the only ones that can tell what your saying half the time.  You love to tell us to "get up, get out!" in regards in getting up in the morning, you say "it happens" all the time in relation to missing the potty or getting hurt.  One hilarious thing that you said recently is - "I took a dump. It stinks. Don't touch it..." I still don't really know where you learned the word 'dump' although I can guess your daddy?  ;) You also have full blown conversations with your various stuffed animals, and like to talk to grandma on the phone.



Since we're on the potty subject, I'm proud to say you're pretty much potty trained!  You still miss a poop here or there, but your great about telling us immediately when that happens.  It completely surprised me as you pretty much independently did it the week before your birthday, and have continued since even through a couple of illnesses.  Way to go, girl!

You recently a fish you named 'Daryl' - where you came up with that name, I'll never know.  You also call the baby Taco, and Purple (in addition to April, as I said above).


You also got your own big girl bed for christmas, and have been doing great sleeping in it with occasional hiccups during illness.  Last week we moved your toddler bed into your own room after keeping it next to our bed for a couple months, and so far you seem to be enjoying having your own space but you still occasionally cry and call for us at night.  That's okay, I'm always here for you ... just maybe cut us some slack and sleep through the night in the next couple months, okay? ;)  Trust me, you don't want to be in our room with a crying and hungry newborn every 2-3 hours - take advantage of that, haha!



You also weaned about a month ago, another independent choice. I was starting to think you'd want to nurse this entire pregnancy and beyond, and I was even open to tandem nursing if you needed it.  But once again you surprised us and peacefully weaned just after your 2nd birthday.  I think there was one time that you whined for just a minute about not getting it, but otherwise you decline and tell me they're for baby.  I have such amazing memories of our nursing experience together, and am so proud to say that you nursed for as long as you did, as I know it'll effect your lifelong physical and mental health.

I'm starting to notice a resemblance in us - I recently put together a picture of me at age 2, and you just a few weeks ago.  We both have sort of a 'stink face' as I like to call it, it makes me giggle.   You have the best expressions!


   

Some of your favorite toys these days is a stuffed purple monkey you aptly named 'purple ah,' anything pooh bear related, your easel, and books books books!  I swear you could read books with me for hours, paying such close attention to each one.  You continue to love all our animals, being fond especially to the chickens and cats as of late despite the fact they almost always run away from you.  Your birthday party was Pooh Bear themed and you had the time of your life!  You still talk about your birthday and ask when it's coming again.  You also love to hike, climb, swim, paint, color, and basically anything outdoors!



I suppose I'll end this now, although I could go on and on forever.  You have made our lives complete, little one, and I'm SO excited for this new chapter in our lives and to see you become a big sister.  I know you'll be amazing.  Please always know even in the hard times when you feel jealous or sad, I love you and will forever and ever!

This moment: spring!

Posted on | March 14, 2014 | 2 Comments

{this moment}

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  Inspired by SouleMama


A 100 Acre Wood birthday bash!

Posted on | February 15, 2014 | No Comments


I may be a week or two late, but I wanted to share with all of you Hazel's 2nd birthday bash with her best bud Sawyer.  Sawyer's mom and I decided to do a joint birthday since our girls were born just days apart (same due date!), and both love Winnie the Pooh.  So we put our creative minds together (haha) and came up with this!  My heart fills with joy looking through these photos - from the lovely weather to our awesome guests, it was a perfectly amazing day.

   

The above sign was actually at the end of our long driveway that meanders through the woods!  Kind of bummed I didn't snap a photo of it in that location.  


   




All of the props in the above photo were for our 'photo booth,' a silly idea I thought at first but we got some memorable shots out of it!

   




   

Because a keg is a necessity for boys in the pacific northwest, even at a 2 year olds party!

   



Hazel actually started crying before we lit the candles as all she could think of was 'eat. cake. now!' Fortunately once the candles were lit, she loved all of us singing (so much that she almost burned her hand grabbing the candle, despite our practice at blowing candles out the day before).


Can you tell my kid doesn't get sugar very often?  This is her first time eating a real cake, as last years cake was more of a banana bread. 



Friends forever!

The only unfortunate part about having a birthday bash in February is illness - of course all six toddlers and three infants that attended came down with RSV about 3-5 days after our party!  A little influenza followed by RSV is no way to spend the first 6 weeks of 2014, I promise you.  Fortunately we are mostly healthy now (mom & dad now have it).  Just getting illness out of the way before the new bundle joins us in 2 short months!

Two times around the sun!

Posted on | January 31, 2014 | 3 Comments


Can you believe this little lady turns TWO tomorrow?  She's a total book nerd these days (she demanded the glasses, by the way) & the theme of her party is Winnie the Pooh.  Can't wait to share it with all of you!

December 21

Posted on | December 21, 2013 | No Comments


{we weren't going to do the santa thing this year, but H has been saying 'bobba' when she sees him about & about - her name for grandpa - it was mildly successful!}

December 11

Posted on | December 11, 2013 | 1 Comment


{pre-bedtime twister session, and her own personal pajama choice}

December 9

Posted on | December 9, 2013 | No Comments


{little ones fever broke, and we spent a very short amount of time outside today}


{one picture didn't do it justice}

December 3

Posted on | December 3, 2013 | No Comments


{cookie making playdate, what a fun girls night!}

ps: check out my child! hah!

This moment: the zoo

Posted on | August 16, 2013 | 1 Comment


{this moment}

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  Inspired by SouleMama

because one is not enough... 


What a little girl, right?

This moment: 6/28/13

Posted on | June 28, 2013 | 1 Comment


{this moment}

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  Inspired by SouleMama


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