Bittersweet {times two}

Bittersweet.

{Those curls after her bath just kill us. Every. Time.}

As of today, for the first time, in almost four years, I'm not growing or feeding {or growing AND feeding} a baby.

It's a little bit bittersweet.

Times two.

It's about how long Noah breastfed and we've been down to one feeding, just before bedtime, for over a month now, so I knew it was coming.

She's been becoming so very independent lately. And loves to try things out on her own.

But she still needs her "Mah-muh".

Just not for milk anymore.

A Usual Saturday

Sword fights with Daddy...

... finally remembering to photograph the crafty decor from Sunday...

... and enjoying Polka Dot Ice Cream Pie with friends.

Mommy's Day Off

Ben took the day off today. Just for me. So that I could have a day off.

I needed it.

Don't get me wrong, I love our kids. And I'm so glad I get to stay home with them. But I need a break every once in a while. And, unlike when we lived in California, I don't have a Bunco group {or two!} to spend time with or a place where we can get together, sans kids, to scrapbook. And, with two kids, there's even fewer opportunities for me to just have some time to do the things that make me, me. And let me feel creative. I'm so grateful that he did this for me for us! Thank you, Dear One!

So, I got to go get a pedicure and then came home to close myself off in the guest room and scrapbook. To tell our stories.

I seriously haven't done much since we've been here, so it took me a little bit to get into the swing of it. But, I got a little over a month's worth of scrapbooking done in each kid's album, which is more than I've done in a LONG time. I can no longer say I haven't scrapbooked for us since we've been in Texas!

***

Side note here....

Ben did have to go into work for a little while during the afternoon. But only because he won CGO of the Year for his group.

I'm pretty proud of him. You deserve it Ben!! We'll find out on February 1st if he won at the wing {base} level.

So proud of you, Dearest One. You. are. amazing.

***

And, because I've been talking a lot lately with some of my friends about how we are documenting our children's lives... here's a couple of quick videos the pages/layouts I worked on today in Noah and Ellie's albums. My grand plan for their albums looks like this: Becky Higgins' Sweet Baby Kit to cover birth to age one, a Becky Higgins' Project Life kit {although, after today, I'm thinking I might need two?}, various other divided page protectors, digital and traditional scrapbook pages to cover age 1 year until school, and then Becky's School Years kit {just the old one for now, until I see her new one... and will probably add that as well}. I suppose it goes without saying that I love Becky Higgins' products.

And, don't gasp at how many pages there are for just over a month of their lives. I printed more photos than I probably normally will... I was a little overexcited at the thought of an extended amount of time to scrapbook when I ordered them.

I love the versatility of the Project Life kits - so easy to do a photo-a-day like I'm doing with my "30th Year" album and just as easy to do a themed spread like how I'm using it for the kid's albums.

But above all, their stories are being told.

Shiver me Timbers!

We have a couple of pirates around these parts lately.

{Hey Daddy-Man, I swear I'm going to fix that fabric on the toybox... one of these days! ha!}

Noah was reintroduced to their pirate Halloween costumes Sunday night and at least once a day all week, I've been asked to help him put on his shirt or pants... and more times than I care to mention, Ellie's skirt. I finally convinced him at least to stop calling himself a princess... and so now, he's "Prince Noah". When he's not "Pirate Noah".

Oh, and didn't you know? Pirates love to play with trains.

Ellie {@ 16 Months}

Our friend, Katie, came over today for lunch. She loves our kids. And the kids love her. She brought the Little Ones some books for Christmas... needless to say, they loved them.

Noah even talked her into reading his new Cars book to him.

Thanks Katie! And we can't wait for John to get back either! ♥

***

In other news, Ellie turned 16 months old today.

I feel like I blinked and all the sudden she went from barely moving around the room nine-month-old to a full-fledged toddler.

Things Ellie Loves at 16 Months:

• Pestering her brother. To. No. End.
• Being chased. She's even know to run a little, look back at you as if daring you to come get her, and then run some more. Even if you don't chase her, she thinks it's a ton of fun.
• Chicken nuggets, bananas, and green beans are three foods she barely goes a day without having.
• Snuggling up with Daddy to read a story.
• She's still breastfeeding... though she's down to one session right before bed. And likely will be dropping it soon as well.
• Words include: "Mama", "Dada", "Buh-buh" {Noah}, "ah duh" {all done}, and "uh uh" {Uh oh!}.

Sweet Dear Little One, you are the apple of our eyes! You are sweet, kind, and caring, and yet have an ornery little spirit that we can't help but giggle. You love your family, and love to have fun with us, even if we don't always think it is fun {usually, it's Noah that doesn't think it is very fun!}. We thank God for blessing our lives with you and pray His grace and love over you. We'll eat you up, we love you so. ♥

Back to School {Sort Of}

We've been on an extended break from Tot School. As in, since November. Between getting sick and the holidays, something had to give. And it was school. We started back today and this week, instead of having set things to do, we're just spending some time getting acquainted with our new desk and supplies. One of the favorites from today?

Melissa and Doug Vehicle Stamps

Since we didn't make cookies today for Cookie Tuesday {there is STILL so much candy in this house!} and Ellie was taking a late nap, I let Noah help me make their "pizza" dinner. I love these little pizzas because they are easy {roll out crescent rolls!} and I fortify the sauce with veggie purees. Noah and Ellie love them because they are pizza. One of their main food groups.



Yay for easy and healthy dinners for the kids too!

The Simple Things

I love the evenings in the winter. It's filled with books, cuddles, and often times, a roaring fireplace.

It's the simple things in life. ♥

Doing Life {with our Life Groups}

April and Jordan left this afternoon after church. It was hard to see them go. I'm so glad that she got a teaching position... I just wish it would have been here in Abilene. When you see someone at least once a week for two plus years, it's a little difficult to switch to only seeing them maybe once every couple of months. Especially when they love on and encourage your kids as much as they love on and encourage you.

We miss you already and will be praying as the "big day" approaches! ♥

After baths and before Life Group, Ben read stories to the kids. I love listening to him read to our children. Reminds me of when we were kids and we would beg Daddy-Man would read to us.

She is most certainly going to be trouble.

We had Life Group tonight at our house, as we do most every Sunday night. Life Group is such an important part of our lives - we truly live life with them. Our Small Group {Life Group} in California held some of our dearest friends. And they walked with us through so much - just thinking about all that they have prayed over us makes miss our time together. The same holds true here in Texas. We've seen couples come and go for various reasons and we walk along with them, whether they are here, other parts of Texas, in California, Oregon and all the other places that God has sent them.

I couldn't imagine not having such a group of people to love on, to be loved by and to encourage one another.

Tonight was our first session back since taking a break for Christmas. Instead of diving right into a Bible study, we took tonight to reconnect, fellowship, and craft.

The guys etched mugs so that we can have a Life Group Dinner Out to Cypress Street soon.

The ladies, since our babysitter cancelled, still worked on some Valentine's Day wreaths, but also kept an eye on the munchkins. Two of whom, were pirates.

And who also made me want another baby...

{Nixon, wrapped up in Ellie's miracle blanket}

Time with Friends

I broke out my camera once today.

Mostly because I was too busy spending some time with our long-lost, now out-of-town friends, Jordan and April. They arrived in town late last night and we're so glad they are here... and so are the Little Ones. ♥

A Good Mail Day

I love my Mom.

I'm lucky to have her.

She's taught me lots of things. Like how to be a good Mom. And how to crochet. And, every so often, she surprises me with something fun in the mail... like cute little matching head wraps for Ellie and I:

We love them Mom {and you!}! Well done and thank you! ♥

Also in the mail today... Becky Higgins' new Project Life extras. I simply cannot wait to get started telling our story with them! {Thanks Aunt BB!}

Glimpses of Today {from my phone}

Haircut for Noah at KoolKuts for Kids... he chose to sit in the firetruck and to watch Thomas, of course!

Pretending to be Elmo... in between running to look at himself in the mirror.



Bathtime for the messy baby... after eating her weight in spaghetti.

MarioKart with Daddy before bedtime... at Noah's sweet request: "Daddy play MarioKart wid Noah, peas?"

***

And, while I uploaded the photos from today, I uploaded the rest of them as well....

Standing in line at Walmart on Black Friday...

... waiting to see the doctor at the Walk-in Clinic on Black Friday.

And, just for fun, a little drumming on the letter basket in the tub.

Afternoon Snack Time

Afternoon snack time is a big deal around here... and is usually eaten in the kitchen.

Except when we have popcorn.

Popcorn demands to be eaten in the living room while enjoying the latest episode of Thomas on the DVR.

I know, Sissy, his bedhead is out of control.

And it does seem like he has more than you.

Probably just because you're eating faster and not singing along with the songs like he is.

In other news, we've {almost} totally switched to cloth diapers. {The only time she wears a disposable is overnight and at church.} I'm finding myself daily regretting having not done it with Noah - partially because they are so darn cute but mostly because of the effect that it is already having on our budget. No more Pull-ups for Noah {naps and bedtimes for him are now in cloth diapers, especially since he's mostly dry} and a drastic cut in disposables for Ellie. Not to mention, I'm totally in love with the bumGenius 4.0 prints that we got at Green Bambino in OKC...

♥

Three Year Well Child {and a CreamSlush}

Noah had his 3 Year Old Well Child Check-up today.

At 2pm.

Which, anyone who has spent any amount of time with us knows is smack. dab. in. the. middle. of. naptime. Talk about annoying.

Noah weighed in at 27.78lbs {9%}, 35.8" tall {7%}, with a head circumference of 20.87"... making him a skinny, short little guy with a big noggin. It's no wonder that he can still fit in most of the same clothes from last winter. At this rate, Ellie will catch up with him sooner rather than later.

Luckily {for me, at least}, Ben was able to come to his appointment and help wrangle kids. Ellie all but fell asleep in his arms while we waited.

Noah wasn't quite as patient. Or as lucky.

He didn't have to get any shots today, which was lucky for him. But we've been needing to get blood drawn to see if he is, in fact, allergic to cinnamon. Today was that day.

Not so lucky for Noah.

Or Mommy, who got to hold him while they stuck him. Twice. After they rooted around for what seemed like an eternity searching for his "rolled" vein, I told them to take it out and that they only had one more chance. I also promised Noah ice cream if he could be brave one more time. In between sobs and screams, he kinda said he could. As soon as the second {and, thankfully successful} try was finished, in between sniffles he told me, "Let's go Mommy. Let's go get pink ice cream."


Pink ice cream changed to blue ice cream once we got in the car. So, a Blue Coconut CreamSlush it was for the brave little boy.



Which was decorated with stickers from the lab tech during the drive home.

Buddy, you are so brave.