Christmas 2013

I never have much to show for Christmas in the way of pictures, but this year was a great one. This was the first year that Ruby really understood what was going on & was really excited about it. All month we've talked about baby Jesus & why we celebrate Christmas & of course there's been plenty of talk about Santa as well. Ruby was over the moon when my mom brought her a little nativity & Christmas tree for her bedside table & she's spent all month playing with them both. I've loved hearing her point out who each person is in the nativity & how she gasped when she opened her dollhouse Christmas morning. Everyone needs a toddler at Christmas because it just makes it the best. Noah was just happy to be there & stayed calm throughout the chaos - oh, how I love that little boy & his calm nature. Next year will be even more fun when he'll be a little older & able to join in on the fun. I love Christmas more than the average girl, but man, this year I was okay to see it go. I felt like I could hardly catch my breath all month & there just weren't enough hours in the day to get it all done. But despite all the craziness, I felt awfully grateful to be able to spend so much time with family & reflect on what matters most. And getting to play Santa has got to be pretty high on my list of reasons why being a parent is awesome.

 

 

 

 



Scenes From Our House Lately

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really, really love these two kids of mine. Having two kids is definitely twice as much work & my back aches most days from always carrying someone around. But having two kids is also twice as much fun and has certainly doubled my joy. Lately we've been putting Noah's baby tub in the bath with Ruby so we only have to do bath time once. Noah kicks like a maniac & splashes water everywhere while Ruby plays with all of her bath toys & talks incessantly. And then every so often their eyes meet & they both start smiling or giggling at each other & my heart feels like it could just burst. Those are the moments that make parenting so, so worth it. I'm exhausted by the end of the day but in a satisfying way because I like working hard for this family of mine. I'm convinced it's the best work there is.



These Two

 One of my favorite parts of the day is when Noah wakes up. As soon as Ruby hears him she runs into his room & climbs up on the side of his crib & says, "Hi sweet boy, you're so handsome. Hi smiley boy." or something along those lines. And then Noah beams & his eyes follow her every move. These two love each other in a way I never could have expected. They were meant to be together. And I feel like one lucky girl that I get to be their mama. 

Family Pictures 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



3 Months

This last month has flown by & I've realized that time goes by way faster with your second baby. Each month just gets better with Noah & we are all loving seeing him develop & grow. He loves to stand while we hold him, he seems to be thinking about rolling over, he's officially sleeping through the night (Hallelujah!) & he's just as sweet as he looks. I had no idea just how much I would love having a little boy. Happy 3 months sweet Noah!

 

 

 

 

Thankful

 

This year I feel especially grateful for these beautiful faces that I get to wake up to each day. I love that we're now a family of 4 & not a day goes by that I don't stop & think about how grateful I am for these 3 people that I love most. I'm grateful for a husband that is endlessly good to me & can find the positive in anything. I'm grateful for these amazing children of mine & for those plump cheeks & smiling faces I get to kiss all day long. And I'm grateful for my beautifully imperfect life. This year I've learned to be grateful for the hard times where I'm stretched & challenged. I've been reminded that life is lovely in spite of all its imperfections. Given the choice between easy & hard I'd take easy every time. But I'm grateful I haven't been given that choice. Because I've been led down a path that is far better than the one I would have taken myself, & never would I have dared to be so bold as to ask for this life I've been given. 

Ruby Lately

Here's Ruby dancing her heart out on our driveway. She's prone to random dancing outbursts (among other outbursts...) & I'm always glad when I have my camera nearby. I love this silly little girl & the beautiful little person she's becoming. She is full of life & personality & keeps us laughing all the time. Say what you will about toddlers, but they're kind of my favorite. And sometimes my least favorite. But most of the time just my favorite.

 

 

 

 

I seriously don't know where this girl comes up with half of the stuff she does. When she gives kisses she'll kiss one cheek & then the other. I overheard her the other day playing & saying "Merci" as she handed herself something. I was singing to her one time & she walked up to me & put her hand over my mouth & said "Off". She calls any party we go to a tea party & talks my ear off from the moment she wakes up till the time she goes to bed. She's strong-willed & independent but also sweet & empathetic. She's an awesome side-kick & I love spending my days with her.



Noah Lately

Noah is getting to be more & more fun these days. I've loved when my babies have come out of the sleepy new baby stage & start interacting & responding more. It's like this incredible payment for all the hard work you put into being their mama. This boy has started to really love bath time & kicks his little legs splashing water all over. He loves to watch his sister & pretty much anything she does makes him smile. He laughed for the first time yesterday & it was the cutest thing. And he of course stopped as soon as I turned on the video camera. He's still calm & sweet as can be but he loves when we bounce him & hold him up in the air. I have a feeling he's going to love to rough house.  This little boy has come into our lives & filled a void that we hardly knew was there. But having him here makes me realize just how much we were missing before he came. He's truly the perfect addition to our family & is one loved little boy.

 

 

He's full of smiles unless he's really tired & then he just looks like this:

 



iPhone Update

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



2 Months

This happy boy is 2 months old today. He's in the stage now where he smiles all the time & has really started focusing in on people. I see his eyes follow us around a room & listen to us talking & he'll just be smiling the whole time. Mornings & evenings are his happiest times but really since day one Noah has just been happy to be here. He's calm & easy going (just like Tyler) & I could swear that he's on the verge of laughing any day now but maybe that's just wishful thinking. His hair sticks straight up no matter what I do to it & it's impossible to tame after he's had a bath. He's starting to make more sounds when he's happy & his little legs are kicking anytime he's awake. I don't know what it is about baby legs kicking, but I think it's the cutest. Happy 2 months sweet boy!