Cherish

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::::::LeLe Photography::::::

If there is one thing I've realized in life, it's just how precious life truly is.  I know too many people who have lost loved ones too soon.  I know of *several* little ones fighting life threatening illnesses and even an unborn baby girl fighting for her life before she's made her entrance into this world.  I don't understand it nor will I ever understand it.  All I know is that it makes me want to kiss my little ones every chance I get.  I want to snuggle with them a little longer.  I take the moments to laugh with them and let the laundry wait for a while.  The laundry will always be there...  

With the holidays approaching, I hope you take the time out to just be with your family and enjoy spending time together.  I know that's what I'll be doing.

What?

"What?  I'm just sitting here reading a book with my owl hat on.  

Doesn't everyone do that?"

This kiddo gives me so many reasons to smile each and every day.  His lastest version of smiling consists of him not opening his mouth at all.  Just this little smirk, if you will.

Lack of blogging lately is do to the craziness that was kicked off by Halloween.  We've had play dates, sleepovers with Cousin Lex, outings with friends, Usborne home shows, etc. etc.  I do have a few new yummy recipes to share in the upcoming weeks.  If I can ever get around to taking pics of the finished product before we gobble it all up!  Hope life is treating you well.  Happy Wednesday all!

Cole Update

Well, the Stinker Man is 7 months old and sits up great.  No signs of crawling yet and I am TOTALLY fine with that.  He'll crawl when he's good and ready.

He never ceases to amaze me with all the faces he can make.  Most of his best faces involve drool running down his face and all over his adorable clothes that you never see because he's wearing monster sized bibs to catch all that drool.

He chews on everything like it's his job.  Let me tell you, he does his job very well.  Just look at that serious chew face with his eyebrows up and all.  That stuffed orange didn't stand a chance.

He is the happiest baby I have ever been around.  Of course I know that I'm biased because I'm his mom ;o) Rarely is the kid not smiling and I love every second of it!  

I adore this age and wish it would last longer.  I'm soaking up every moment with my handsome little man.

I'm Totally Penny

Howdy folks!  I know it's been a while and I am scolding myself for that as we speak...errrr, read.  I thought I would jump back into things sharing one of my new goals.  My wee one, Cole, is now 7 months old.  Wow, how times has flown by with this little man!  Anywhoo, needless to say there is still baby weight 7 months later.  I decided the best way to handle this is to run.  It's cheap, no gym needed, you walk out your door and start going and it seems that everyone is doing it so why can't I?  I downloaded the Couch to 5K app for my phone and started running.  Now let me say I'm only at the end of week 2 but I am going strong and don't hate it...yet.  Now, my husband and I don't watch very many of the same shows but we both really like Happy Endings.  I love the character Penny and when I saw the episode posted below I almost peed my pants.  I do exactly what Penny is doing only I do it in my head.  For that, my husband is thankful :)  I'm just curious how many other people do this???  Me and Penny can't be the only ones...

We're Alive

Cole:  6 months

Rapunzel (AKA: Ava) 3 years

Well, contrary to popular belief we are still alive and kicking over here.  I have lots to blog about since we've had a super busy summer.  Having 2 littles definitely keeps you hoppin'!  I'm hoping to get back into my regular blogging routine in the next week or so.

Jan...Thanks for your concern!  I've missed reading your comments :o)

She's So Obviously My Kid...

because she does goofball things like this and then laughs hysterically at herself.  

Sorry for the lull in posts.  Things are good here.  Little stinker man is now sleeping through the nights.  (This is where you hear a choir of angels singing Hallelujah.)  However, Ava has decided she can't sleep through the night by herself anymore.  (Booooo!!)  One of these days I will get a full nights sleep!  The weather has been great here so we've busted out the water table and have been playing outside a lot with plenty of chalk, bubbles and soccer.  I keep thinking I'll tire the kid out and she'll sleep but no.  There haven't been many crafty things going on here lately but I'm hoping to hop back on that wagon again soon.  Happy Wednesday all!

Ava and God

I was getting Ava and Cole dressed this morning in an attempt to get to the store before the rain hit our area.

Me:  Oh, no!  It's raining.
Ava:  That's okay, Mommy.  God's just watering the flowers.  (Ava then looks out the window and I can tell her gears are turning.)
Ava: You know God can't hear me.
Me:  Sure he can, Ava.  Why would you say that?
Ava:  He's way up in heaven.
Me:  He can hear you even way up in heaven.  You just pray and he hears you.
Ava:  (Looking up and yelling)  God, please stop watering the flowers because Mommy wants to go to the store and not get wet.

I love that kid so much!

Imagination at it's Best

Ava's at the point in her playing that is really fun for me to watch and eavesdrop on.  She makes things up and has her animals talk to each other.  Most of the time she uses phrases that I say or Steve says.  Her favorite pretend play right now is using her doctor kit on all her animals.  She refers to herself as Dr. Ava as she diagnoses and fixes up all her furry patients.  She also likes to garden while in the tub.  She has a favorite little watering can that she plays with while taking a bath.  She even sings to her flowers as she waters them.  The things that come out of her mouth just make me smile.   

While she loves pretending, it often leads to this at naptime.  

Not so much napping and a whole lot of playing until eventually she passes out. At least for now she is still taking naps and for that I'm grateful!

Winter Storm

elde

We're preparing for a winter storm here in St. Louis.  From the way people act, you would think we are going to be under 6 feet of snow for weeks with no power, heat or food.  What's predicted is ice followed by up to a foot of snow.  Don't get me wrong, that is significant but stores are out of bread and milk because people are so worried.  I, on the other hand, am trying to plan plenty of activities for the next couple of days to keep little Ava busy while keeping my sanity.  We're making Valentine's tomorrow and played with play dough making robots for over an hour today.  

During nap time I was doing a little Etsy browsing and discovered these little lovelies.  Don't they look so warm and snuggly?  Perfect for waiting out a winter storm while having hot tea by the fire.  

My Old Self

For a long time now (we're talking a couple months...at least), I've felt the way on the inside that poor sick Ava looks on the outside.  I've been crabby, tired, moody, lazy and outright not nice to my poor husband at times.  I was nit picking at everything and worrying about things that just don't matter.  For those who know me, I'm generally a go with the flow, low maintenance kind of gal.  It was getting to the point where I couldn't stand to be with myself.  That was my normal.  I had been in that funk for so long that I started to think that's who I was all the time.  I was so used to being crabby that I couldn't remember what the old me used to be like and maybe she was just gone.  I didn't want to think that but that's where my head was at the time...she's gone.

Luckily, the past day or so I've had more energy, played more with Ava and our sweet bun, Simon.  I've planned meals and found new recipes to try.  Thought of tons of things that I have to make/sew for Ava and the new little guy.  Gotten tons of baby gear cleaned and ready to go and it feels so good.  I'm not that moody mom I thought I was.  It's just those darn hormones and being ridiculously pregnant.  I am so happy to have a glimpse of my old self that I don't care if she's not all the way back just yet.  I know in time she'll be back to stay and for that I'm thankful.  

6 weeks and counting

With a little less than 6 weeks until our little man is officially due my husband has been "nesting" so that means that I have started as well.  We moved Steve's office to the basement, shampooed carpet, painted, picked up new furniture, set up Ava's big girl room and started to get the baby room ready, too. I didn't know how Ava would take her furniture being moved out of her room to the baby room.  Once she saw her big girl bed she was thrilled and immediately climbed up on it.  She was more than happy to give her crib to her baby brother and didn't look back once.  See that big smile above?

Now on to a little complaining...I'm ready for this little one to come any day.  I know that sounds early but he is a big boy, and I'm already tired of being kicked in the ribs.  With Ava I was a week late and never uncomfortable.  I know that sounds unbelievable but I enjoyed being pregnant and never had aches or pains to complain of.  This child on the other hand is causing a lot of sleepless and restless nights.  I have a hard time standing for long periods of time, too.  Did I mention that he's just a big kiddo?  You know you're in trouble when your doctor jokingly says we should name him Bubba.  I'm hoping that for my sake and my husband's, he does decide to come a little early because I don't know how much more *ahem* griping my husband can listen to ;o)  

Happy Birthday, Steve!

We had a very busy weekend.  I'm exhausted and it's only Monday.  Although that's not saying much because it doesn't take a ton to wear me out these days.  Yesterday was Steve's birthday so we celebrated with some cinnamon rolls and OJ...this morning.  Yesterday was busy with early church and time with his family so this morning was our little family time to celebrate Daddy.  Ava was super excited since she had never had a cinnamon roll before and knew that they sounded yummy.  She was not disappointed in them.  

Happy birthday, Steve!  

You are an amazing husband and father.  I'm so happy to share all these moments of life with you.

Conversation with a 2 1/2 year old

Ava: "Mommy, when is baby brother going to pop out?"

Me:  "Pop out?"

Ava: "Yeah."

Me:  "He'll be here before you know it."

*

Long silence

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Ava:  "He'll play with me in my room, right?" 

Me: "When he gets a little older he will.  You can play in his room too."

*

Another long silence

*

Ava:  "He's lives at our house????"

I think the wee princess is in for a little shock when baby brother does finally get here.

Happy New Year & a Freebie

I think almost everyone's New Year's resolutions (if you make them) have to do with eating more healthy, exercising, etc.  I know my body is craving fruits and veggies after all the obnoxious eating of sweets I did over the holidays.  

While browsing the blogosphere the other day I came across this amazing calendar that highlights what fruits and veggies are in season each month.  This artist designed a new font and drew each image herself, and they are stunning.  Go check out her wonderful blog, Cottage Industrialist and free calendar for the new year.  Here's to keeping those resolutions for longer than a few weeks!

Pajama Day!

I've been a little under the weather since Saturday.  The busy weekend just wiped me out.  When Monday finally rolled around I declared it a pajama day for Ava and I and we didn't leave the house.  I read most of Mockingjay, the final book in the Hunger Games series, while she put together puzzles, played with play dough and built things out of her blocks.  It was a really nice relaxing day and I think I'm on the mend.  I'm savoring these days with only my little lady and me because before I know it there will be a new little bundle of joy in the house.  Hope all of you are staying warm and keeping healthy this holiday season!

Chilly Day

Image: Pinterest

Our furnace stopped heating today so lets just say we are busting out the sweaters, warm socks, blankets, etc. until we can get it fixed.  If I had a sweater for our bun like this little guy I would have him in it.  Here's to hoping you're spending your Friday nice and warm! 

Go check out the cute little pig in red rain boots on Pinterest, too.  He made me smile.

Advent Conspiracy

So I'm going to go there with today's post.  I'm talking about religion.  Actually, it's more about my church and some of the awesome things they do and promote.

We've been attending our church for almost a year now.  We had been at other churches and moved around every so often.  We never found something that really fit both of us.  In January of this year, we visited The Crossing and have been going ever since.  One of the things they promote during the Christmas season is Advent Conspiracy.  There are 4 main themes: 

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Worship Fully

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Spend Less

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Give More

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Love All  

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Even for those of you reading this who are not Christian the last 3 themes apply to everyone.  Try spending less money this Christmas but give more of your time to the people around you.  In this economy who can't benefit from spending less money.  Instead give your time to your friends, your family, volunteering somewhere important to you, etc.  Finally, love all by donating to those in need whether it be your time or your money.  

I know this Christmas I'm trying to put more thought into the gifts I am giving my family and friends by giving them relational gifts or gifts that will build and strengthen our relationships.  The example our pastor gave at church was about a 20 something son giving his dad a pound of coffee.  Doesn't sound like much until you read what the note attached to the coffee said.  His dad was only to drink that coffee with his son and he was to tell his son stories about his life when he was younger.  Now that is a gift that I think any dad would like to get from their son or daughter.  

Beautiful Books

Image Source: Anthropologie

Penguin does a great job of making their books attractive.  Their classics are beautiful and now they have a line of children's classics that are just as stunning.  It's hard to resist buying the set for my little one to enjoy down the road.  Who am I kidding?  They'd be for me to enjoy, the kid's 2 right now!

Anthropologie has them now.  Gotta love that store!

Reason #3462

There are plenty of reasons why my mom is so loved.  This is one of those small things that she does that means so much to me.  The latest came in the form of a gift she found for the "baby bruder" that will be here before we know it.   

This is Bear.  She is rather scraggly and matted from being loved and washed so much.  She gets dragged all over the house, attends several tea parties a day and helps with puzzles and other difficult tasks throughout the day.  Occasionally Ava sneaks her into the car for a little ride with us too.  Bear lovingly gets hugged and sometimes dries tears and the occasional snotty nose by accident.  She was given to us by a friend before she was born.  To say that Ava loves her is an understatement.  Here's where my mom comes into the picture.

This is our newest Bear.  My mom managed to find a blue Bear especially for our little arriving in February.  I don't know how almost 3 years later she found a boy version of Ava's most favorite possession but she did.  I'm sure our little man will love him as much as Ava loves hers.  Ava kept trying to steal him off the counter so I resorted to hiding him in our closet so he stays fluffy and nice until February.  Thanks Mom!!

Parks, Parks, Parks

The weather has been super nice here lately (in the 70s) so let's just say that not much has been getting done in the house. We have taken plenty of walks, fed our neighborhood fish until they were stuffed, chalked up the driveway and visited several local parks.  Ava is quite the cautious one at parks but after this week and seeing all her friends can do, she started to lighten up a bit.  In all the pictures though she still looks very unsure of everything and kind of like it's torture to be there.  Trust me though, she's been having a great time.  Really she is :o)