Three Valentines

We have a picnic each year in our living room with carry out on Valentine's Day. You can read the history on that in last year's post. Kurt said to me this year, "Remember last year?". Yes, yes I do. Lily was still in the hospital, I was in tears daily (perhaps hourly) and I drove home in a snowstorm from spending the day with her to have dinner with Weston and Kurt. Needless to say, we were very glad to welcome her to the picnic this year.


We didn't know how we would contain her outside of a high chair so we busted out the Bumbo again wondering a) if she would still fit in it and b) whether she would find her way out. She did great! This year it was Qdoba and it was tasty.

An added little bonus to this year was me delivering flowers during the day. Crazy, right?! Well friends, we might have stumbled upon another tradition for Valentine's Day. It was pretty fun, I got some cash in our pocket and a free bouquet of flowers. And made it home well before dinner. Not too shabby.

Lily Lou Turns One

As previously mentioned, we did not plan a big ol' birthday party for Lily. In hindsight, I'm pretty glad we didn't because I got a stomach virus that lasted through the early morning of her birthday. I awoke and cried a bit for two reasons 1. Baby girl is one and where has the time gone? and 2. I had been so sick and hadn't been able to finish up some of the details of even our little family birthday. But I felt God remind my heart, "it's not about decorations and balloons and the perfect meals and activities and homemade cake, it's about loving Lily", so I got my big girl pants on a made do with what we had. Weston and I made her a card while she napped in the morning (he insisted I draw a cow that said "MOO! Happy Birthday!"), then we went to Chick-Fil-A for lunch and played...


On the way home we stopped at the grocery for balloons, and (gulp) box cake.

I still had our camera in my pocket when I put her down for her nap and couldn't help snap this as I sat and lingered long to admire this girl...


While the kids napped I made cupcakes and got the table ready for evening...


Weston was too excited about the birthday card he decorated for her, so he gave it to her right when they woke up...




We sang and had cupcakes...



Opened presents (a red CD player and a jack-in-the box)...


And that was that. A little sweet day for a little sweet girl.

I can't believe that I posted this a year ago. I said she was a precious, sweet gift but I had no idea WHAT a precious sweet gift she would be in our life. I think about the Psalm I wrote, reminding myself of God's unchanging character amidst a sick baby that I couldn't take home and I praise Him for her life and that He protected her and healed her. And how I want to be compassionate, gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness to my children just as He has been to me.

Lily girl, we love you to pieces. What can we say?! You have changed us and blessed us. You are spunky, zealous, loving, beautiful, determined and funny. You are you and we love how God made you. Mommy and Daddy often find ourselves saying ,"Oh Lily" while smiling and laughing. We are so proud of you and look forward to watching you grow and grow...

Dads Are Awesome

There is something different about Dads. They bring a unique kind of fun to the house that I can't fully describe. It's in the ridiculous games they create that Mom would never think of. It's the ability they have to do something over and over and over (and over one more time) like a toddler and baby love to do. It's funny noises. It's crazy dancing. It's Goofy-shaped pancakes...


Whatever it is, we love it.

Not So Snowpocolypse

The entire city of St. Louis shut down this week for the predicted snow blizzard of the century only to have an inch of ice and couple inches of snow. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't great weather and we surely stayed in a couple of days, but a bread and ice melt shortage was probably unnecessary.

Kurt worked from home for two days which was super great. Its just nice to have company during the day and an extra pair of hands for diaper explosions from kiddos on antibiotics. I REALLY need to gear up my energy for potty training attempt two.

Considering we were already holed in the past two weeks with various illnesses, the prospect of being holed in another couple of days due to weather was unappealing to say the least. I must say, though, we kept ourselves pretty busy...

bath painting...



snuggling...



making Valentine cookies...


Snuggling and making Valentine cookies...


We got one of the themed "bins" from the library (which if you haven't done, please do so ASAP) and this one was on counting and had a great floor puzzle and some cool games and books too.

Somehow with Kurt home, I gave myself more freedom to curl up with my book or stare out the window at nap time. Note to self: Do more frequently. Yes, Mom and Erin, I know you tell me this all the time :)

Lily took advantage of the time at home to go ahead and start walking. What?! Little girl, you are NOT EVEN turning 1 next week. I can't handle it. So much so that I don't have a single thing planned. No big birthday bash, just us chickens celebrating our special girl here at home. It's the kind of mood we're in and as someone just told me, "a first birthday party is really for the parents anyway." I don't think she'll mind. Or remember for that matter. Can you tell I'm still convincing myself? Please encourage me that my daughter is not going to be scarred for life. A party is not a reflection of the immense amount of love I have for this sweet baby, right?

I WILL post pictures of Miss Thing being her little one year old self though...stay tuned.