11.29.2011

{first} snowfall.

On Tuesday mornings I have a work meeting, so Andrew has dad duty. On the way home from my meeting, I had the plans for the day running through my head. Lunch. Target for returns. Maybe play with some puppies at the pet shop. Organize some more Christmas decorations. But when I came home and the rain just kept coming and Audrey asked if we could just stay home, I said okay.

I'm so glad she did. Because we would have been galloping around Target and missed out on watching our very first snow fall of the year. We literally watched out our window as the rain began to turn to giant snowflakes. Immediately Audrey wanted to get geared up to go outside even if it wasn't sticking yet.

And so we did. I abandoned my plans and enjoyed the magical moment.




Within a very short amount of time we had a small amount of accumulation.
I watched it from my kitchen window in awe.

What would playing in the snow be without coming inside for some
hot chocolate with homemade whipped cream and sprinkles?

I usually despise the cold and winter months. But for some reason this year, I'm like bring it. There is something so enticing about being forced to stay inside like trapped in a snow globe and just slow down. To give up plans. And just be. Come February I will be wishing away the cold, I'm sure. But for now, I will put on my fuzzy socks, curl up with blanket, and tell Naomi for the umpteenth time to leave the ornaments alone.

11.28.2011

thankful.

[I'm totally blogging out of order- yesterday it was the Christmas tree and today it's Thanksgiving. I just don't want to forget these little moments so I'm writing them down out-of-order and all.]

On Thanksgiving day we traveled to three different locations. THREE. Which means, yeah, we ate a lot. It was kind of awesome. Thankful the girls traveled so well that day. But by the end of the day we were all pretty exhausted.

 Audrey's outfit killed me that day. I sort of want to borrow it.
Morning breakfast at Andrew's mom's house.
Naomi wanted to be outside so badly with her sister and the other big kids.

I dream of hosting a Thanksgiving dinner at our home one day. To be in the kitchen all day long and inviting everyone and anyone to come. Until then, our little family just keeps traveling.

11.27.2011

traditions.

[I'm going to pretend like it hasn't been almost three weeks since I last wrote here. Because if I think too much about it, I may never blog again. And I don't like that idea. I like this little space of mine. So, I'm just going to write as if no time has passed like two best friends seeing each other again after a long holiday.]

This past weekend we did two of my very favorite holiday traditions that have been going on since I was a wee one. We went to our downtown lighting on Friday. The weather was just right, we didn't even have to bundle up like years past. It truly is a magical moment when our town counts down and the lights pop on. Also, having kiddos make events like this that.much.cooler.



Despite the rain, today we decided to get our Christmas tree. I absolutely love our tree farm we go to every year. While the tree is getting trimmed and ready, we go in a little log cabin and have free cocoa and popcorn and buy an ornament. We sort of cheated this year and just picked a Fraser Fir already cut because we didn't want to walk around in the rain.



Two years ago Audrey wore that exact same hat, coat, and boots. Growing babies, gah.

[You can see last year's adventure to the tree farm here.]


11.09.2011

catch up.

This past weekend my baby turned 13 months. And suddenly she has all this 'tude and talk to me like I'm big, because I am. It doesn't matter if it's the first or fifth, every single baby amazes me and how fast they learn and pick up on language. Also? This past month Naomi became a full time walker. I love watching her toddle around. But my all-time favorite thing that she does right now is THE LOOK. I have posted this specific look on Facebook and Instagram. But I seriously can't get enough of it. She started about a week or two ago doing this grumpy look when she was mad---someone took a toy away from her, she fell down, you didn't give her a treat, you know, the usual. Now she does the look on demand and knows it's funny. She tries to do it as long as possible and then busts out a smile.



I will be 14 weeks on Saturday, which means I'm in my second trimester now-what, what. This third baby business is completely different then the first, even the second. I haven't even thought about a nursery or any preparation, I'm not even sure what fruit or vegetable size the baby is this week. But I can tell you, I'm excited about a newborn again and loving on this little one. I'm anxious to find out what we are having, it won't be too much longer. [Yeah, I'm not one to let it be a suprise, isn't birth a suprise enough? Ha.] I also haven't taken hardly any belly shots, maybe one? So, I quickly just got the camera out to snap this one. I do want to start a weekly what I wore: baby bump post. Because every now and then I like to get out a little dolled up. And by dolled up, I mean out of my pjs.


Those who have asked how I'm feeling-thank you! This pregnancy has, by far, been the easiest as far as sickness goes. Generally, I feel pretty good. Tired, but good. I get sick about once a week, but it is usually triggered by something I did, like waiting too long to eat between meals. I have learned that in the morning I must eat the second I get up. I can't even pick Naomi up out of her crib until I have eaten. And apparently this baby only likes waffles in the morning. I have tried cereal, oatmeal, and eggs, but it doesn't sit well with me. Waffles, just right. Every single day. In the first two pregnancies I always lost weight in the first trimester because I was so sick, this time I gained a pound. Ha!  I can still cover my bump up just fine (although regular jeans are out of the question), but I can notice a difference each day now. And I have to pee a lot. What the heck, this didn't happen in the other pregnancies till the last trimester. One of my favorite things about this pregnancy is how much Audrey talks about the baby. Mainly in terms of it being a boy. That is my brother. Even when we tell her it could be otherwise. She can't wait to hold the new baby because, sister is just too big to hold now.

Days can be really long with two little ones and another on the way. Sometimes I want to crawl into the tub and hide, but they are too quick, they would find me. But really, this life is so right and good. I may not be sky diving every day, but I sure am living on the edge with this parenting gig I have.

11.03.2011

today.

It's raining today. All day. I made it a goal to keep the kiddos in their footie pajamas as long as possible. They are currently taking their afternoon nap in them, so far so good. I took them out of the house today just so I could go to Starbucks and buy one of my favs--peppermint white chocolate mocha (decaf, nonfat). I have multiple Starbucks giftcards in my wallet. This makes me very, very happy.

This morning Audrey and I made a "thankful tree." (Took the idea from my cousin.) I cut out the tree, branches, and leaves. But she did the gluing and coloring. She also traced the words "Give Thanks." She is kind of an awesome tracer, I must say.  We are doing a "thankful" leaf for each day. We had to catch up and do three today. I asked her what she was thankful God gave us. She said clouds, trees, and scissors. I agree. She even drew a little picture of each thing under the word.


I've started to listen to Christmas music. Mainly while I'm driving. On Tuesday I had a "day-off" for my birthday present from Andrew and while I was browsing Target {alone} I decided to jump on the band-wagon and buy the She & Him Christmas Album. I'm glad I did, it's light and airy and not-too over the top Christmas-y. I do have a personal rule not to put up any Christmas decor till the day after Thanksgiving. In fact, I love having the fall colors up around the house still and celebrating Thanksgiving in it's full.


And just because this picture cracks me. It's like a window into a real life moment.


Also, I have been lacking on comment response. But I plan to catch up! Thank you to those who take the time to leave a comment, I definitely read it and even think about the sweet words throughout the day! xoxo