Don't just take my word for it (Miss C, April 2016)

4/12/16: Charlotte had so much fun marching around the room pretending to be her favorite farm animal. She said her favorite farm animal is a pig.

4/13/16: Charlotte loved the petting zoo that came to visit us today. So many cool animals to see and pet. A baby kangaroo, ducks, a baby cow, and pygmy goats were just a few of all the ones that were here.

4/14/16: Chugga chugga choo choo, all aboard the Manatee express. Charlotte had a blast helping her classmates build a train using all the blue chairs in the classroom. So creative.

4/15/16: Charlotte enjoyed science today. We felt different textures, and then talked about how they feel. Charlotte liked the feel of the feathers.

4/19/16: Charlotte was talking about the baby in her mom's belly. We asked her if the baby is a girl or a boy. She said it's a girl and her name is Elsa. She is so cute!

4/22/16: Charlotte had a blast learning how to play Hot Potato today. She would laugh so hard as she quickly passed it on. Too funny!

4/25/16: Charlotte loved counting to eight today. We also learned spiders only have eight legs. She loved using the insect stamps to paint with today. Super cool and fun!

4/26/16: Charlotte loved getting a back massage today. Her friend used the tiny toy choo-choo train on her back. She was totally enthralled by it. Too cute!

4/27/16: One of our butterflies emerged from its cocoon after lunch today. Charlotte got to see it climb up the enclosure, and watch it spread its wings to dry them out. She was so excited about this!

Friday funny: maternity moments

I feel you camel, oh do I feel you. It's gonna be a looonnnng, hot summer ...

Wordless Wednesday

Pearly whites

Charlotte did great during her first trip to the dentist; no cavities!! Just like most kids, she's constantly surprising me, and just when I thought she'd have to sit on my lap like her sister did during her first visit, she hopped right up in the chair without any hesitation! Of course it didn't hurt that there's not a ton of room available on Mommy's lap, ha. We know we need to work on thumb sucking this year, but we agreed that potty training comes first ... one step at a time!

Because her appointment was mid-morning, we decided that it just made sense to enjoy lunch together and then finish the day at home with a nap (her, not me, unfortunately). Again she surprised me by eating most of her lunch and then taking off (literally) to play in the play area! Look at that pretty smile!

This stage of life? It's hard.

This read really hit home with me yesterday and I found myself tearing up during the last paragraph because it's so true ... Especially being pregnant with two kids underfoot, most days I'm exhausted by 7:30pm, but I wouldn't trade the snuggles and the sweet questions for anything. Well, maybe a nap : )

"….this stage of life is beautiful, too. Like, really really beautiful. This is the stage of life where every single older person you ever meet tells you, “you’re going to miss this”. And you already know it’s true. It’s the stage where your kids love you more than they are EVER going to love you again, for the whole rest of your life. It’s the stage where they can fit their entire selves into your lap to snuggle…and they want to. It’s the stage where their biggest problems ARE ear infections and teething and stomach viruses, and you’re not having to deal yet with things like broken hearts or addiction or bullying. It’s the stage where you are learning to love your spouse in an entirely different….harder…..better…. way. The stage where you are learning together, being stretched together, shedding your selfishness together, and TRULY being made into “one”. It’s the stage where you get to see Christmas, Halloween and the Fourth of July through your kids eyes, and it’s so much more fun and magical than it would be just through your own eyes. It’s the stage where you get to watch your parents be grandparents…and they’re really good at it. It’s the stage of life filled with field trips, class parties, costumes, swim lessons, bubble baths, dance parties, loose teeth, and first steps. And those things are so fun. It’s the stage where you are young enough to have fun, and old enough to have obtained at least SOME wisdom. It’s SUCH a great stage.

But, man it’s hard."

Word(less) Wednesday

"Pose for me in your new hats!"

Don't just take my word for it (Miss C, March 2016)

3/1/16: Charlotte had so much fun coloring with chalk today. She also did an awesome job of finding things in the room that start with the letter ‘C’, including herself!

3/2/16: We had fun talking about different things in the room that are round like a tire. Charlotte loved using a toy car to paint with.

3/3/16: Charlotte did an awesome job of recognizing her name on the wall! Great job!

3/8/16: What a beautiful day! While we were outside we had fun finding our shadow. 

3/14/16: Charlotte had an awesome day. She really enjoyed playing outside!

3/15/16: Charlotte had a blast learning how to play 'Red Light, Green Light, Go!' 

Clearly this was the start of your Lion Guard toys making regular appearances at school : ) 

3/22/16: Charlotte had so much fun playing outside today. She had so much fun racing her classmates down the slide.

3/31/16: Charlotte loved doing art today with the paint and cookie cutter. She also had fun hopping around the room like a bunny. So much fun!!

Deviled egg diva

We didn't make it to Pittsburgh this Easter, but I brought a little Pittsburgh to us by making Mike's favorite side dish, deviled eggs. Turns out he had to fight for his fair share after this little (big) girl realized she loved them too!

Luck 'o the Irish

Sending you the luck 'o the Irish from these two leprechauns : ) 

Marriage moments

Sometimes your husband's company is acquired and he's tasked with selling a few new products. Sometimes those products require hands-on training and continued practice. Sometimes your husband may ask to practice on you. And you may, despite the many medical procedures you've been subjected to, be a little squeamish. And pregnant. And therefore unable to drink. To say that the casting and sawing depicted below is something I will never forget (in a VERY BAD way) is an understatement. Our marriage is strong, but not "come at you with a saw" strong. From now on he'll be practicing on those with a little more perseverance (and trust) than me!