An Adventure and a Nap for Sloane

Sloane had not been napping well due to her cold but I just knew that if we went on a drive she would get a much needed nap! We hit the GW parkway up to Georgetown Pike then stopped by Gulf Branch Nature Center to throw snowballs and enjoy the quiet of a snowy afternoon. We had so much fun and Sloane had a MUCH needed nap.

What I didn't know at the time was that this would be the last day that I would EVER nurse Sloane. It shatters my heart to think that I wouldn't know that our nursing relationship would end so abruptly. You need time to prepare for that final time nursing because weaning or ending nursing is such a definite finale to the mother child relationship. It means giving up a lot and since she's my last baby--I felt like this tenderest of moments was cruelly taken from me.

Asher's Cards

OH, just Asher busy designing cards. I mean, in case you couldn't tell due to the camo, that IS Asher.

My Sick, Sick Baby and Grandma's Farewell

Sloane had her first terrible cold while my mom was here. Sloane was so miserable that she hardly slept the first night of her cold. Fortunately my mom was up with me and took a few shifts because that baby babe was not sleeping and neither was I! It's crushing to see your little one so miserable. She would wake up with red, crusty eyes and nose and could hardly breathe for all the snot! Colds are jerks.

This jerk cold was our parting gift to my sweet mom! She went home and took this cold with her. She was pretty sick for a few days! Thanks for coming mom!

Snowman on the Deck

My mom helped the kids make a snow man on the deck. They were turbo together.

Favorite Hair Styles

Oh hello! Those eyes!

When I was a kid, two french braids was my FAVORITE hair style. My mom braided Maeve's hair and she looked so cute!

This is my new favorite hair style. I die.

Snow Day

As per usual, it snowed while my mom was here. Like a lot. It was exciting!

Chub-A-Dubs

Sloane reminds me so much of my dad! Sometimes we jokingly call her 'Baby Rick!' This lead to one of Jamie's best quotes, "It's every girl's dream to look like her grandpa!"

Sloane has been my chubbiest baby babe! Her rolls are legendary and the layers of chubs on her toes and ankles are awesome. She's just so squishy and adorable between her luscious body and that hair! I'm certain that her hair is trending red and I couldn't be happier. Having her has been an absolute joy. She truly completes me.

A Winter Visit From My Moms

My mom came to visit shortly after Valentine's Day! She once again spoiled us with attention and good food! She made this corn soup with jalapeno salsa that made my head explode--it was soo amazing. I love the way she styled the hearts under the tulips. She's so great.

Valentine's Dinner 2015

 

I had so much fun setting the table and making dinner for Valentine's this year. Jamie gave me tulips, which featured prominently in our table setting. I scattered the hearts we painted earlier and the table looked great. I cut out hearts and added a bit of washi tape for place settings. 

I made strawberry drinks with a simple syrup and added a heart shaped strawberry to each glass. It's so fun using the fancy glasses at dinner time. The kids LOVE it when they get non-Ikea plates and glasses at dinner. The dinner was red themed--I made roasted tomato soup, which was accompanied by grilled cheese sandwiches. We had cheesecake for dessert! It's fun celebrating holidays with our little family, especially with baby Sloane. She's so cute and fun and we are all obsessed with her.

I also appreciate the simplicity of this time--that the kids aren't overwhelmed with extracurricular activities and they are ALWAYS home for dinner. I cherish this time. and them.

FHE Valentine's Craft

Lady babes on the table!! IT's so cute when babies start sitting up. I love it.

 

On the FHE preceding Valentine's Day I cut out a bunch of white hearts and had everyone write Valentine messages on them in white crayon and pencil. ON Valentine's day the kids painted them to reveal the messages! It was really fun to see the messages surface and to see the color combinations they created. Soren thought it was hilarious to write, "I hate you." I was super annoyed and wished I would have just embraced his sense of humor and had more fun about it. Why do moms have to be so serious all the time??