Sunday, February 17, 2013

My Loves

When I was single I was not a fan of Valentine's Day, but I did enjoy making the day fun for my students.  Adam and I don't really celebrate Valentine's Day since our Anniversary is February 11, but we do make it special for our babies. I do love that we were married in February, I like to think everyone is celebrating our love with all of the hearts, candy, flowers and balloons. :)
 
Out celebrating our 8th Anniversary. We enjoyed some amazing Thai food since we can't do that often due to Michael's peanut allergies. Michael and Ella were in the awesome hands of Holly Davis, we love her!
 
 
My Little Valentines

 
 
Michael's Valentine Breakfast: Heart Blueberry Waffles with fresh blueberries and blueberry syrup.
 
 
Michael's Valentine Lunch for school: Heart apples, cheese and ham.
 



Our Valentine Dessert: Heart brownie bites with ice cream and heart sprinkles.
 
 
Michael and Ella's Valentine's.

 
 
Michael and I made Strawberries-n-Cream Puppy Chow for his teachers and had enough for Daddy too!
 
 
Festive Love around the House


 

I made a special Valentine Dinner for us that included homemade bread.  This was my first attempt and it was a winner!  I am so proud of myself.  It was super yummy and something I will only make for special occasions. Thank you to my super chef friend Mandi for cheering me on and sharing her recipe.  It is a no knead bread...pretty easy and sooooo good!

Hi Love

It is time for a Michael update.  "Hi Love" is my new favorite...it gets me every time.  He will walk into the room, say that to me with the sweetest of enthusiasm and I just melt.  I am storing up these precious treasures in my heart. 

He's not so little anymore...He has grown 5 inches since January 2012.  He is wearing size 3T in clothes and a size 8 or 9 in shoes, depending on the shoe.

He has a huge vocabulary and carries on conversations with you, oh my little man he is.

Michael's absolute favorite thing right now is the MOON.  He looks for it all day.  I never noticed how often you can see the moon during the day, but I do now thanks to my moon seeking boy!

Michael was introduced to Elf (the Will Ferrel movie) over Christmas and loved it.  He asks to watch it at least three times a week.  So funny to watch him getting a kick out of it.

Michael loves music and singing.  Singing songs at nap/bedtime is one of the absolute best times of our days.  I am going to try and secretly get Michael and Adam singing Jesus Loves Me on video, he sings at the top of his lungs, so precious!

Michael will tell you that God made him,  God made Sissy, God made Mommy,  God made Daddy...God made our family.

Michael is becoming more and more independent and wanting to do things for himself, so we frequently hear, "I Do IT!"

Tales of a Two and a Half Year Old:
Fish ~ Our aquarium is no longer full of fish. Michael emptied two fish food bottles into the aquarium.
Chalk ~ Walked in to find chalk all over the sides of the piano, hallway walls, kitchen cabinets, etc... (I won't tell you who was in charge, but you can guess I'm sure...it wasn't me!) HA!
Diaper in washing machine ~ I call this one Michael's science experiment to see how absorbent newborn diapers are!

 

In the past, hair cuts have been a struggle for Michael.  He would scream and cry the WHOLE time.  Well the last two hair cuts have been flawless, he's growing up and I'm so proud of him!


Serious face because he had been READY for school since he woke up. This boy wakes up every morning asking if it's a "school" day. He LOVES school.  He was only going on Thursdays 9:30-1:30, but now he is attending on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I love how he crosses his feet.

Ready for church, with his phone and keys!
 


This picture doesn't show it (serious face again), but Michael had a blast at Austin's Train Birthday party, riding on a trackless train around the neighborhood.


Like Father, Like Son...watching a Texans Football game.


Occasionally Michael will sleep with his football.  This makes Daddy very proud.


Michael and Daddy went to Grandma's house and picked oranges.  They brought home this huge basket of oranges and juiced them.
The fruit of their labor...Mmmm.


We have been blessed with wonderful new neighbors.  Their daughter is Michael's age and they just had a baby girl. Lyla came over for a play date...they had the most fun in Michael's bed.  That will have to be corrected before he's a teenager!




He is still very attached to Bird (Big Bird).  Bird sleeps with him and is taken all over the house during the day.  You never know what bird is up to know or where you'll find him...



I guess you could say we have entered the so called "Terrible Two's." I was secretly hoping that my boy would rise above, but alas, here we are...right in the middle of fit throwing, disobeying, pushing boundaries, etc...  In the midst of these "Terrible Twos" times we are trying to raise up a man of God. I am so blessed by Michael's genuine sweet spirit.  Just yesterday, as he was having a coughing fit while napping, I went in his room to prop him more upright on his pillow to relieve the coughing and in his very sleepy state he said, "Thank you Mama."  Instead of being aggravated that I was bothering him, he showed appreciation and love.  Oh how I love my boy!




Thursday, February 7, 2013

Ella Grace

Oh how precious our baby girl is to us!  We are so in love with Ella Grace.  I didn't know the capacity my heart had for so much love!  She is growing and changing every day.  These first three months of her little life have flown by.  Adam asked me the other night, "Is it too early to start Daddy/Daughter dates?" I love watching him with her.  She now likes diaper changes and smiles so big!  Oh how that smile of hers will just make you melt! She is wearing size 3-6 month clothes and barely fits size 1 diapers.  Thankfully our sweet Sunday School class gave Ella Grace a diaper pounding and loaded us up with size 2 diapers!  Ella is cooing and sometimes laughs while her blue eyes light up.  It won't be long at all before she will be rolling over.  She kicks and maneuvers especially when she is in her  play gym or watching her mobile.  Tummy time is still not a favorite activity, but we do a little everyday anyway to build those neck and back muscles.
 
 
Ella at 1 Month
 
 
Ella at 2 Months

Ella at 3 Months


Ella went to the pediatrician for her 2 month check-up.  Glad to report that she is a happy, healthy and growing baby girl.  She is above average on height, weight and head circumference.  She weighed in at 11lb 10oz.  She is 22.75 inches in length and her head circumference is 15.55 inches.

 
New sign on Ella's door.  Maddie Beth and Micah's Grandma painted this for Ella.  She made Michael one too when he was born.  Sweet and special gift!
 
Bows Oh Bows
 
Mommy and her girl

First time in the Bumbo!

The Bumbo must be really comfy, she fell asleep in it the other day after only sitting there for two minutes...and she slept for two hours!  I rolled the burp cloth up to prop her head up.


Ella's first trip to the park.  We took a family walk and Ella was asleep by the time we arrived. It was such a beautiful day.

 
Ella stays warm and cozy on cold days thanks to Tia Teia!

 
Snoozing in Daddy's arms during a meeting at APO.


Aunt Pat came to meet Ella.
 
 
We made a trip to G-Daddy's house.  Ella met NaNaw, Aunt Joy and Kaitlyn.



 
Ella enjoys being outside.


Two of her favorites: her swing and her paci.


Karley, Moni and Suzy came to meet Ella. Karley wanted to send her Mommy and Grandma home ~ she loves baby Ella Grace! 



Super fun visit from cousins Owen, Libby, Carpenter and Amanda.  We had the pleasure of hearing Owen play the piano and Amanda sing to Ella ~ one beautiful and talented family!