All For Her

These past few weeks have been full of excitement.....

excitement for a little girl who is ALMOST home.

First there was the shower,

Katy, Cindy, Me & Kara

It was such a fun night, almost everyone that was invited attended.

We laughed and cried, but most of all we celebrated.

AND...
then the very next week,

it was Ella's 1st Birthday!

So, Katy and I had a "plan" to surprise Cindy on this very special day.  We decorated, baked cupcakes and ordered pizzas.  But the best part...

seeing this look on her face!

Nathaniel and Nolan opened Ella's presents....

and the boys sang, "Happy Birthday!"    

(3 year old style!)

while Elizabeth & Nolan blew out her candles.

All for her....

So, now we wait.

Wait for a little girl to be held by her mommy and daddy,

to meet her big brothers,

and to loved by so many.


But the wait is almost over,
She's coming home.

Sometimes...

this is how we roll. 

Valentines Day ♥ Party

Layton's Preschool Class had a Valentines Day Party.

It was incredibly cute to see all the little ones in his class sing songs, make a craft, play games and enjoy a yummy snack:)

I loved seeing him with all his little "friends".  They are so inquisitive.  I love this age:)  

cute hats, huh?

Layton was so excited that I was there for his class party. He wanted me to sit with him during snack and help him decorate with his Valentine hat.  Oh, how I wish he would be this way forever.  One day, I know he'll be rolling his eyes at the sight of me volunteering at his school :P

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Interesting note:
Yesterday, Layton said, "Are you and Daddy married?"  Out of the clear blue.
Now, he wants to know who is married, "Are Pops and Mimi married? Are Grammie and Grandaddy married? Is Jake Married? Is Audrey Married?"  


Must have been a Valentines Day topic of conversation.

Funny the things they ask when you are least expecting it.....

Sunday Snapshot

Nothing like a...

good, long Saturday afternoon nap:)  

2 years ago,

we were in Key West, with a sweet 18 month old baby boy......

Sweet, sweet memories:)

So Glad & Snow

If I said that we have been SO GLAD when Daddy comes home each night, it would be a huge understatement.

We all run to him when he enters the door.  Yes, all of us:)

Happy boy,

....especially for "tickle time"!

And I couldn't resist, I had to take some pictures of the most gorgeous snow....

just sooo beautiful! :)

"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it."

Psalm 24:1

Donate

It snowed at least 4 or 5 inches today. And, I must say, it is quite beautiful. I really want to take some pictures tomorrow, before it melts.

Anyway, that's not the point of this post....

Being inside with a sick little boy and trying to enteratin a toddler has gotten the best of me this week....so, I cleaned out our closet.

Here is the donate pile.

It felt great and obviously I need to do it more often:)

12 Months

Luke Davidson,

Twelve months ago today, you entered our arms for the very first time.  However, we feel that you've always been with us, from the very beginning.  We just can't imagine what it was like before you arrived in our hearts.


From your first breath,

And our first look,

And our first moment as a family of four,

We have been continually rejoicing,

and feeling that we have been given such an amazing gift from our Father above....

 in you. our sweet baby. 

Now, 365 days later....you are turning into our sweet little boy,

And we are still rejoicing.  

Your sweet spirit and contagious smile bring an overwhelming joy that is simply unexplainable. 


And down he went.....

A little about you during your 11th month (Dec 11 - Jan 11): 

You weigh 24.6 lbs (75th percentile) and are 31.5 inches long (95th percentile).  At your well - baby check - up, the doctor said, you were the picture of health! :) 

You are wearing size 18 month clothes, and size 4 diapers.  

You have 7 little pearly white teeth.  

Eating all table food, loving blueberries and peas & carrots the most:)

Exclusively nursing. 

Your BIGGEST milestone this month is WALKING!  At 11 months & 2 weeks, you took off, and haven't looked back since:) Literally.

You are sleeping from 8 pm to 6:30 am and napping twice a day.  You are successfully laying down in your crib, falling to sleep on your own, even after 10 months of rocking with Mommy:) 

You celebrated your first Christmas, and New Years! 

Your personality: laid back, sweet and the most loving little guy I know.  Always ready to give "love", laying your head down on someone's shoulder.

You are so content, many times entertaining yourself.  I believe you will always be my quiet, content sweet boy.  I think you must get it from your Daddy, who is much the same way.  

  

Favorite new thing: blowing kisses....you say, "mmmmmaaaahhhhh", and blow the biggest, sweetest kisses imaginable.

You say: ma ma, da da, ba (ball), bye bye, hi, pa (paci) and no.

You can: nod your head for yes & no for appropriate meanings, sign "more", and point to identify things  & people (ma ma, da da, bubbie), & you know where your head, belly, hands and feet are when asked. Give "love" (you say "ahhh!" as you do this) and give kisses & high fives on demand:)  

All the nursery workers at church have fallen in love with you and enjoy seeing your sweet face every week. And by the way, there are NO tears anymore!  :) But are so excited when I return...I love seeing your face light up when you see me.  

You are a climber. For sure.  But in between exploring, you would still camp out on Mommy's hip - all day long!

Lukey Bear,

We love you and feel so blessed to be sharing our days with you. 

 What a joy He has bestowed on us by giving us your sweet face each and everyday. 

 We are thankful.

 Our cup runneth over.