Little bitta love...

Look mommy!  This is for you!  It says "I love you, mommy."  Is there anything more perfect in this world?  I think not.  My big girl is learning to write and she leaves us love notes all the time.  I hope that it's because she feels so showered with love that it just comes pouring back out to us.  She is such a sweet girl.  I pray every day that she knows how special she is and how much we adore her.  

So, here's to you, Shelby!  I love you back!  

Today, this is life as I know it. -A

My crazy girl.

She sees me walking through the kitchen with the camera and shouts,  

"Here, mom!  Like my smile?!"  

Yes, Shelby!  I love your crazy happy smile!  

I know you only give me this gem when you really are care-free.  :)

Today, this is life as I know it. -A

My walkin' man.

Today is the day my little man took his first steps!  I know, I know, this picture isn't of that, however, I think it totally captures all of the mischievous mayhem that is to come once he really masters his moves.  Look at that face!  He had just plopped down for a quick rest on his belly since that's what mommy was doing.  Even still, I can see how much he wants to just go go go!  So how did it happen, you ask?  Well.  It was a miracle that I got to see it.  I was in his room changing the sheets on his crib and I had set him down to play.  There is a baskety-shelfy-thing that holds a bunch of toys.  He was sitting in front of this thing just looking at it when he decided it was time to pull all of the toys down!  (his favorite pastime)  So...he balanced on his feet - which he does all the time - and just popped up to standing!  He's done this once or twice but not a lot so it caught my attention.  Then I watched as he looked at me and then back to the toys.  He held his little hand out and shuffled his left foot....................and then his right foot.  TWO STEPS!!!  Out of the blue...chasing something he wanted....just like I knew he would.  This little boy has his own ideas about things, that's for sure.  No one is going to tell him when and how to walk.  He'll just pop up and take off when he's ready.  Am I ready?  Guess we'll find out soon enough!!!

Today, this is life as I know it!  -A

Facial Fun!

 

Man, I thought smashing my face all around was fun when I was a kid.  I had no idea how much MORE fun it would be to smash my kid's face all around!  Luckily, he was enjoying it.  I think must have massaged his gums or something because he let me play with his face for a long time.  This was actually take two of the facial fun session.  I'd done it earlier in the day, but couldn't take a pic since both of my hands were otherwise engaged.  Ron was skeptical, but after seeing how much Ronnie enjoyed it, he was willing to help me snag a memory.  Thanks, honey!

Today, this is life as I know it!  -A 

Oopsie Daisey!

 

We knew this day was coming!  From the time he was very very small, Ronnie would kick his legs like a World Cup soccer player.  He eventually figured out that his car seat rocks when he kicks.  Now, he's a pro at rocking himself to sleep at the end of a busy day or just giving himself a gentle sway while he polishes off a bottle.  Sometimes though, he's in the mood to party!  When he's in the mood, he can rock this little seat all over creation!  Each time it rocks, it moves just a little bit so we have to be careful about where we put him.  We knew it was just a matter of time before he kicked so hard that the entire chair just flipped backwards.  Today was the day!  Thankfully, we were smart enough to know that he must always be fully buckled in his seat. Double thankfully, he thought it was hilarious!  My little dare-devil.  

 Today, this is life as I know it! -A 

Future worship leader?

 

My son loves music!  Shelby likes it alright and she's a great singer, but Ronnie never stops!  I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that when I was pregnant with Ronnie, I was leading worship at church.  He was born early February too and Christmas is the busiest time for singers!  I like to think it was during this special time that his love of music began.  Now, when I take him to rehearsal, we spend a lot of time laughing when we hear his little voice ring out between songs.  As I watch him, he just sings and sings while the band plays.  We just can't hear him until we stop!  He certainly doesn't let a lack of music stop him though.  It's so funny.  Now, he's starting to be interested in learning to clap.  I sure hope these are signs of things to come.  I pray that my boy will be a man after God's own heart who says "I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever!" 

Today, this is life as I know it! -A 

Little Miss Independent

These days, we're exploring independence with the Shelb-ster.  I want to encourage my daughter to be strong and brave and to make her own decisions, but this is a tough time.  Because this is what happens when a 4 year old insists on putting on her own clips!  She is adorable and it's so funny to watch her flutter around the house getting ready to go somewhere with her hair all a mess.  However, if I let this girl out in public, I'd be taken away in a crazy bus!  So for the moment, we will strike a truce.  She may do her own hair anytime that we are at home.  If she has to step one foot out the door, Mommy gets to do her hair.  Seems to be working for now.  Guess this is stage 1 of the "you're not going out of the house looking like that" war.  Let the battle begin!  

Today, this is life as I know it. -A