Happy Birthday to our sweet baby girl!

Am I the only one that feels like this photo was just taken yesterday? Really, I blinked and now this baby is ONE. It's amazing and precious and a little bittersweet that she is growing so fast. And a little embarassing that I now realize it's been an entire year since my house was truly neat/clean/tidy all at the same time. Oh well. As a friend once told me, the dust can wait.

It certainly didn't take long for Emma to become a Daddy's girl.

These babies melt my heart.

Fast (and I mean FAST) forward one year:

The party!
Emma on her birthday...we were about to go meet Daddy for lunch!
Connell with the birthday girl after we picked him up from MDO...all smiles!

Happy Birthday Emma! Mommy, Daddy and Connell love you more than you know! :)

**There are (of course) many more party pics to come...I just have to find the time since there are a BUNCH!

Polka Dot Palooza! (aka - Emma's 1st Birthday)

This girly party will be keeping me busy this weekend...just wanted to share what the invitations looked like!

little bits of our life...

Lately, I find myself full of so much joy in just the little things in our life as a family...little things that Connell says to me (or Emma, or his Daddy)...or what Connell said to Jesus the other night when he decided he wanted to pray while we were driving home from dinner...or an extra squeeze or hug from one of my babies...i could go on and on...the bottom line is...I wouldn't trade these days for anything. Sure this "job" comes with good and bad days, too much work/not enough pay (haha) and it's share of frustrations...but really...I love my life.

Here are some "littles" that made me smile recently...

2 of my favorite people... It is rare that Connell & Emma get to bathe without the other lately...it's just easier to get them both in there at the same time. For some reason this week, they both ended up in there alone...and didn't have to fight over bath toys for a change. This was my cellphone...not the best...but her cuteness doesn't need a fancy camera!It made me smile when Connell said he wanted to help Daddy get the house ready for Emma's birthday party. I could kiss that sweet face ALL DAY LONG. Learning to play - "together"

Quiet Time

There is not a lot of time anymore where Emma is still and will sit with me. She nurses just once in the morning (my cuddle time) and then she is BUSY the rest of the day unless she is sleeping. She could certainly skip out on her little bedtime bottle. It's not much, but I think we are keeping it up just for a little quiet, cuddle time. Usually Daddy gives her this bottle, but Mommy tries to steal a moment, too!

Sweet Sounds!

Weekend Fun and Party Prep

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit this weekend. Connell and Emma were so happy to see them, but so was I! (I always am). My Mom helped so much with getting things ready for Emma's birthday party in two weeks. She totally has taken the load off and so I don't really need to do anything else until the day of the party. Of course, I will be running around like a chicken (with pink & green polka dots) with my head cut off! hehe! ALSO, Timmy and I got a little datenight with the Jacobs. That was an added bonus for the weekend. We had dinner at a fantastic little spot we had never been to, stopped by a "gourmet" popsicle shop for a treat, and then caught a little live music at a park.
Here are some pics from the weekend.

In our "spare" time ... made some adorable things for Emma's party!!! My Mom is SO creative!

The First Day re-do!

haha! I told you I would do it! Make poor Connell re-do first day pictures with his new "stuff" - including a handsome little haircut!
Before we dressed for school, he thought his baby sister would enjoy a little serenade...with his banjo, in just his big boy pants. At least he had those on...right?!

He picked out his new doggy gear! So cute!

Please feel free to giggle at my insistance that he has "matchy matchy" pre-school gear! I think it's precious, and I happen to know (cuz I have friends with bigger kids) that this won't last long!!!! He will think my suggestions/ideas are dorky...and that's fine. But right now, he is EASY, and I like it! And wait til you see Emma's!

togetherness

I took this a couple of weeks ago on my cellphone. This is the first time Connell had to share his "ride" with his sister. I can't even tell who was more excited???!!!! Love them. to pieces.

Fun Wednesday

We had a busy but fun day today. Started with a 9am haircut for Connell. He loves getting his hair cut. He really likes Miss Michelle and he gets a sucker if he is good, which he always is. He sits so still while she cuts his hair - it's amazing!
Then we went to the library. There are 2 relatively new libraries in our area. We hadn't been to both until today. We were going just to look around and for Connell to get a library card but ended up being there for storytime. Today they read books about music and each child got to play a little instrument. Emma really liked it! I am so excited that Connell was happy to be at the library. I LOVED the library when I was young. I told him last night that I was taking him to the library today and he brought me "Curious George Goes to the Library" to read at bedtime. He is a smart cookie!
After that we went and met some friends for lunch at Chik Fil A and played. Then, guess what? We were all TIRED and came home to rest, or blog :) !

Discovery!

*** Just realized, this was my 300th post! *** Woohoo! I may not be a scrapbooker, but one day, I hope my kids enjoy looking back at how we spent these early years! :)

On Saturday, Meme and Papa were in Murfreesboro to celebrate Uncle Kelly's birthday. We took a little road trip to meet at the Discovery Center. It was awesome! Connell loved it! Well, really everybody did...even the big kids (Timmy)! And there is an area called Tot Space that was just right for Emma. We will definitely be going back there sometime soon.

Big, fun water table...does all kinds of neat things! Wish we had this at home!

grocery!

um, i did this. Let's just say it was good that we did this before lunch. :)

The (actual) first day

Connell's first day for this Mother's Day Out year was Thursday. I, of course, wanted his picture that morning. I am so stinkin' sentimental. Well, I am also kind of crazy when it comes to haircuts/backpacks/lunchboxes....etc etc. Connell clearly didn't have his back-to-school haircut on this morning...he also didn't yet have the new "packpack" and matching lunchbox that HE selected...it arrived on the doorstep while he was at MDO that day. Soooooooo, we will be posting another pic this coming week...with a haircut and new stuff in tow! :) It matters! And he is super excited about his doggy packpack and lunchbox!

The sun was in his eyes

Big boy!

It's done, and it's fun!

After 3 nights (til midnight) in the garage putting the pieces together, Chad came over yesterday to help with the assembly. They worked until late and then finished up this afternoon! Just need one more part that was missing so the glider can be hung.

Emma loves her swing! She fussed when I took her out. I think she would swing for an hour!

Sweet memories!

We went to eat with the Jacobs (to celebrate beginning of the school year and completion of the swingset)! Connell wanted Ian and Chloe to come play!