Valentine's 2015

I think this has been our lowest-key Valentine's Day ever, and yet it was one of the best.

It was the first that landed on a Saturday. Besides our various errands (Eric had rehearsal and I ran Aaron around to deliver his Valentines) we were together the whole day. It was strange to have to sneak away to "get ready" for our date.
We were spoiled with Omaha Steaks from my grandparents, balloons/gifts from Eric's parents, homemade Valentines for the kids from Eric's grandparents, and treats from our neighbors.
We feel so loved! **THANK YOU!**

I tried to get some pictures of my cute kids, but they were so hyper! Seriously, we'd sit Audrey down and she'd be up less than a second later jumping and Aaron would join her...
I got a few cute ones and a ton of goofy ones.

 I let the kids pick some "props." Aaron chose his soccer ball and trains.

 Audrey - her favorite bunny

And now for a few bloopers...

 Eric told Aaron to make "a weird face" - I feel like this was well accomplished.

 We made the kids the dinner they requested - Mac & Cheese - and put them down early so we could begin our night! We had our traditional chicken parmesan for dinner. 

 After dinner, we built an ah-mazing fort! Eric went all out! "You don't get kiddie forts with me!" 

We made a fort to watch a movie in on our first Valentine's Day when we were dating so it was fun to recreate that, though on a much larger scale. We watched Remember the Titans - a movie that Eric has been wanting me to see for some time, we just never got around to it :) I am happy to report that I enjoyed it. 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO YOU ALL!

First Pony-Tail

I gave Audrey her first pony-tail this morning. Her hair for sure isn't long enough for all of it to go in, but this little fountain pony sure is cute :) It lasted for about 45 minutes till she accidentally pulled it out, though she was quite happy to let me put it back in before she headed off to Granmma's for the day. I love how she totally posed for this picture!

Daddy made bisquits and gravy for breakfast this morning - it was a big hit!

 She got very excited when she saw her food coming - haha!

The Fashion Diva

**Warning - this post contains female "unmentionables" so proceed with caution**

But really, this was too adorable to not document!

Yesterday, Audrey took 2 naps. Well, she took one nap that was about an hour long and then went down for the night at 3:30pm. Yup, you heard me! She woke around 7pm to rock with Daddy and have some more milk but then she went back to sleep! I didn't have to get up with her until 7:30 this morning! Hallelujah!

Normally, she wakes up and waits for Aaron to wake up. He gets up, turns on the light, and gets her a snack (sometimes it's an orange, other days it's chocolate chips...I'll admit, as long as they are quiet, I'm not picky). He'll then come to me and get my phone and they will watch a show together until I have the energy to get up. It's adorable. But this morning, she woke early and I didn't want her to wake Aaron early too (she chatted in her crib starting around 6:40 am and their normal waking time is usually around or after 8 am) so I eventually got up to get her and decided we would both hop in the shower. Fun, right? Really, it was simply an option that seemed like minimal effort on my part seeing as heartburn kept me up till after 2.

Well, it seems she decided we bonded and suddenly we had to be doing EVERYTHING the same ... had to use the same looking towels, her towel had to be wrapped just like Mama's towel, etc. (in fact, she's on my lap as we speak trying to copy what I'm doing at my desk) As I was getting dressed, she explored the closet trying to copy what I was doing. She took her time looking at my shirts and my shoes.

She was content for a little bit to just look but then she saw me put on a bra - something she doesn't have in her own clothing arsenal. She, through the binkie I graciously let her take out of the crib this morning, asked "what this?" I told her it is a bra and expected her to move on. But no, Mama was wearing one so she needed one... At first she kept fingering them saying, "bra? bra?" But then she got adamant that she was to have one and started trying to yank it off the hanger while declaring, "BRA! BRA!"

Alright, I figured, what does it matter if she gets one of my bras?

So, I took it off and handed it to her.

That's when I learned that having it wasn't enough ... she needed to wear it. And then it needed to be paired with shoes! She selected a pair of heels and put them on.

 Oh ... My ... Goodness! I seriously died laughing! 

Thank goodness for camera phones so that I could document this!

I hope she enjoys these pictures later in life...

Encouraging Our Creativity

 I LOVE having this chalk board in the office! These two have so much fun with it!

Riding Comfortable...

 

 If we don't scoot Audrey all the way in for snacks or dinner ... this is how she sits.

Gotta be comfy, right?

How Many Is Too Many?

Sometimes I wonder if I take too many pictures of my kids...

NAH!

These guys are too adorable to not!

Last night, I went in to check on them after they had been in their room quietly for a while.

I walked in to find Aaron had turned on his flashlight and he was quietly reading a book to Audrey.

Can my heart melt any faster?!?

Best . Siblings . Ever 

 

Yes, that is one of my lilies from high school (I was ALWAYS wearing them in my hair!). I saved several of them and I'm working to make them into hair ornaments for my girls! Still working on how to get them to lay right - but it's coming along!

This is how we spend a lot of our days ... They bring me toys and we play while I lie down.

 This works out great till Audrey notices there are chocolate chips behind the photographer and demands to have some, haha! I love this girl!

 Have you ever made a boat out of couch cushions and then invited Daddy to come drive it?

No? TRY IT!

 Then tackle Daddy, this is the best plan - I promise! 

 #laundryday #thesearesupposedtofit

  We had a cute moment last week while the kids were playing outside.

Audrey kept sitting down and wanting Aaron to sit beside her on the step. Aaron was always a great sport and would race over when she called him. One of the times they sat, Aaron looked down and realized there was more room on the step! He said, "Mama, we're missing a kid here! We need one more!" Aw! He's going to be a great brother to the new baby just as he is to Audrey, I know it!

Guess who still falls asleep anywhere?

THIS GUY!

 As you can see - sleeping atop a book doesn't always agree with one's face ... 

  The Superbowl was on Sunday - the Seattle Seahawks (technically "our team") were playing and as always, we tuned in so we could join in conversations, haha! The kids were more into it than us! Audrey enjoyed trying to copy the halftime show.

 We went to visit Kelsey and her kids yesterday. It was a long drive, but cramps are WAY better when you have someone to chat with to distract you! Thanks for having us Kelsey!

I love how well our kids get along! They work things out on their own and share and play.
It's pretty much a day off for me!

 This morning, Audrey had to be like Daddy and demanded her toothbrush. I love it!

 She is obsessed with preening - keeping herself clean and dolling up. I was in a conference call this morning and she entertained herself by "clipping her nails."  

She also looked at pictures of her grandparents. She would scream, "PAPA!" and "GRAMPA!" Good thing I was able to mute myself in the conference call, haha! Gotta love working from home!