fig tree freedom

heart shirts

2012-02-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

I made these shirts for the girls for Valentine's Day following this tutorial. (Easy. Just ask my self-proclaimed-non-crafty-friend who successfully made them with me; she just skipped the sewing step.) I used a shirt from H&M with little blue hearts for Lydia. (A shirt with hearts that isn't pink? Woo-hoo!)

Unfortunately, the little blue heart shirt didn't come in Heidi's size, so her shirt is just white. (Reading their new book Just Because You're Mine (by Sally Lloyd-Jones, Jesus Storybook Bible author) with Daddy before he goes to work.)

Of course Lydia is asking, "wanna see the picture," before I even finish pressing the shutter.

I wrapped the shirts with these cards. By the time breakfast was over, Lydia had lined up the cards with the corresponding animal. She is onto my drawing inspiration. (i.e. I am not original. I just copy well enough. =)

Can you tell the girls were febrile and miserable on Tuesday? Hopefully not? =) I had a fever Sunday, and by Tuesday, so did they. It has been a long week . . .

Rebecca's baby shower!

2012-02-15T13:23:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, we thew a baby shower for Rebecca and her baby girl. Once again, we sorted through our Pinterest inspirations and created an event to celebrate. Ashley (not the one who just had a baby) hosted all of us in her beautiful home.

(No, blossom is not her name as a curious shower guest wondered. It just gave us a theme.)

Monica made the banner and thought up anchoring mason jars of tulips on the wall.

Mia's beautiful tissue paper flowers.

We enjoyed delicious food. (Sorry for the poor lighting.)

Guests gathered to celebrate.

And played some (hopefully-not-too-lame) shower games.

(The pictures posted in this post should fulfill the "I Spy" game seen here.)

(The guest with the newborn won the pacifier spit contest.)

Of course, there were gifts for the mama and baby!

. . . where she received Monica's signature onesie gift (Ashley got one, too)!

Perhaps you noticed the other baby bumps in the background of some previous photos?

Katharine and Monica are both due with number three. I wish I could remember what was so funny.

I made this (following this pattern) which doubled as a tablecloth for the shower (seen in the food pictures above) and baby blanket for the babe.

So excited to meet your baby girl, Rebecca! (Even though I lose my last-minute-early-morning-random-hour babysitter.)

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

guest blogger: Lydia

- - -

On Friday, we made Valentine cookies!

Yes, I wanted to make more than just hearts, so they do resemble Christmas cookies. Aren't they beautiful?

Happy Valentine's Day!

yogurt yumminess by Heidi

2012-02-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

guest blogger: Heidi

- - -

Oh, hello! I am just eating my yogurt.

And laughing at Lydia.

I give Lydia my best smiles and giggles.

Excuse me, I think I see some more yogurt in here.

After this event, Mama showed me these pictures of Lydia. We must be sisters.

baby shower preview

2012-02-11T19:30:00.000-05:00

Today we had a baby shower for Rebecca!

More to come . . .

nuts

2012-02-10T06:00:00.000-05:00

My girls love nuts. I grind them and mix them with fruit and grains for Heidi, and Lydia will happily snack on pecans or walnuts. Fortunately, both Whole Foods and Trader Joe's sell nuts for reasonable prices. Unfortunately, they come in these bags that were starting to make me crazy.

They constantly fell on me when I'd grab the raisins or the honey or whatever.

So I marched the girls with me to Fante's (seriously the most fun store for kitchen/cooking/baking everything - and it's two blocks from my house) to pick up some canning jars, figuring they'd be re-purposeful in many different ways.

Sanity has been restored to my shelf.

I borrowed some chalkboard paint to paint the lids, but I haven't gotten around to doing that yet. Yes, I can tell which are pecans and which are walnuts, but I think chalkboard paint is fun. Plus, it may help Lydia learn her words, right?

stairclimber

2012-02-09T14:09:00.000-05:00

Perhaps you remember our hesitant stair climber, Lydia.

Lydia was about eleven months in those photos. Heidi is eight-and-a-half-months, and on Monday morning she conquered that steep second step.

Except that I didn't get it on camera. You'll just have to imagine that last scene.

Lydia's constant playing on the steps to get her toys away from her sister may have been a motivating factor for Heidi. Now Heidi can get to the toys, and Lydia is panicking once again.

whoops

2012-02-08T13:51:00.001-05:00

Well, I forgot to grab my camera out of the bedroom before I put Heidi down for her nap. (Though the girls sleep in the same room overnight, I separate them for their afternoon naps. So Heidi takes her afternoon nap in our room.) Thus, I cannot show you all the things on my camera today. Maybe tomorrow.

I also left the book I am reading in the bedroom, so I cannot share about that right now either.

I am batting a thousand here, but I'll give you something for staying with me in my pathetic run here.

Here are some photos from the other week of playing hide-and-seek with Heidi.

Here we are swinging at the park on Monday.

Here is the lemon basil ricotta cheese (ahem, this photo is pre-lemon and pre-basil) I am making for a baby shower on Saturday. It is, of course, a recipe from my favorite, Simply Scratch. (Except she got it from here.)

I'm off to add the lemon and basil!

locked out

2012-02-07T19:06:00.005-05:00

The dog walker locked the dog (Hank) out of the house today at my neighbor's. So I had a dog for the afternoon. Hence, I had no time to post for you today. Apologies that February has been such a sad blogging month so far. Here's hoping for a better post tomorrow!

feeding

2012-02-06T09:11:00.000-05:00

Just feeding the baby.

pulling up

2012-02-02T13:38:00.000-05:00

(Sigh.) Guess who can consistently pull herself up to standing?

This girl.

Unfortunately, Heidi just learned how to do this in her crib. Instead of going to sleep, she stands up. But she doesn't remember how to get back down. So she screams. (Hence the sigh.) Silly girl.

She's so proud.

And cute. (And maybe just thrilled that I haven't ripped the phone out of her hands yet.)

hello, baby!

2012-02-01T14:42:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I didn't blog because I was over at the hospital meeting this beautiful baby. Remember the shower? Here HE is! (It's a boy!)

I am so excited to get to know this little man at our lunch dates and playgroups and wherever else we will hang out. Congratulations, Drew and Ashley! He's amazing!

messy to beautiful

2012-01-30T14:42:00.000-05:00

I want to journal more. I write entries in my head in the wee hours of the morning when I can’t fall back to sleep after feeding Heidi, but those entries never make it from my head to paper (or a keyboard). In February, I am attempting to journal once a week and share those entries here. I used to "think" more on my blog, but recently, I've grown lazy of fleshing out my thoughts. Then my brain feels like spaghetti mush, much like it does right now.

Today, one friend is hoping to bring her baby into this world (come on, labor), and another is wondering if the bleeding will take her baby from her. My heart rejoices with one and grieves with another. This world is broken and messy. But, as I taught the three and four-year-old kids yesterday, God makes messy things beautiful.

"He has made everything beautiful in its time." Ecclesiastes 3:11. But, sometimes the waiting is so painfully ugly that we wonder if we will ever see the beauty.

Lord, give me patience to see the beauty and the grace to walk through the pain of the mess.

perhaps she's teething?

2012-01-26T13:59:00.000-05:00

Heidi, what is in your mouth?

Yes, that thing. Please spit that out!

Silly girl.

sniffles

2012-01-25T14:12:00.001-05:00

Someone has the sniffles today and is awake prematurely from her nap.

Must go snuggle my leaking baby.

so big

2012-01-24T14:27:00.000-05:00

I think my computer is on the fritz. That little color wheel that spins around and around seems to be the only consistent thing my computer does nowadays. She is almost five years old, which is practically a dinosaur in computer years. Nonetheless, I'm managing to squeak out some blog posts; sometimes they just take a really long time to put together.

To keep it simple today, here's a video of Heidi doing "so big" with some background commentary and giggles from Lydia.

popcorn

2012-01-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

guest blogger: Heidi

- - -

After we played in the snow, we went inside to warm up with hot chocolate and popcorn. I didn't get any hot chocolate, but I did get some popcorn.

Can I get another one of those, please?

Thank you!

Maybe another one, please?

Thank you again!

I love this popcorn stuff!

playing in the snow

2012-01-22T14:53:00.000-05:00

guest blogger: Lydia

- - -

It snowed yesterday. First, I helped Daddy shovel.

By helped, I mean that I stood in this same spot and watched him shovel.

Then Heidi woke up from her nap, so she came outside, too. Look, we're twins!

It was slippery when I tried to stand up again.

And Heidi wanted to crawl, but all that clothing makes moving tricky.

Oh, you want to know what are we looking at?

Our neighbor, CeCe, being silly.

It was so fun to play in the snow!

Heidi's first snow

2012-01-21T19:20:00.001-05:00

It snowed today - Heidi's first snow.

By the time we got her outside, the sidewalks were shoveled, and the snow was more like icy slushy stuff. Maybe eventually we'll have some "real" snow this winter to show Heidi how winter really looks around here.

fat camp at a wedding

2012-01-20T14:45:00.001-05:00

Three months ago, I mentioned some photo booth photos from my cousin's wedding, but I never showed them to you. I have them! At the reception, it took a bit to gather everyone, so here is how we started.

Make it quick.
That's what she said.

We are now only missing the bride and groom (like they were busy at their wedding reception or something). Oh, wait. We're missing Ryan, too. (Where did he go?)

Every year, we spend the Fourth of July at Keuka Lake. One year (a year I missed as we still lived in Nashville), my brother, Ryan, founded Fat Camp: no regulation on the amount of junk and sweets consumed (ice cream, smores, donuts, cookies, chips, soda, etc.). (Read here if you need a what is Fat Camp refresher.) Fat Camp has become an annual event. Drew and Ashley (residents of Georgia) actually haven't even been yet, but rumor has it, they may make an appearance in 2012.

This wedding had the best dessert - Seneca Farms ice cream with freshly made waffle cones (by a Seneca Farms employee, pictured below in the blue gloves). I hope she still works there this summer when we come in every night with our large metal trays to carry our fifteen ice cream cone "to-go" order. I wonder if she'll remember us . . . the oddly excited folks at the wedding who kept dragging her away to the photo booth . . . There are three spouses, one boyfriend, and one Seneca Farms employee in this photo. (One spouse was missing - as in not at the wedding, not that we wouldn't wait for her to get out of the bathroom.) The other eight people are my three siblings and four cousins and me. That's as much "tagging" as I can do for you. =)

Woo-hoo Fat Camp! See you all in less than six months.

simply scratch - yum

2012-01-19T14:13:00.001-05:00

I think the girls are guest blogging more frequently that I am blogging. Whoops.

Truth be told, I am tired today! (Hello, alliteration.) I sometimes feel like I am busy doing things for the girls (feeding, diapering, cooking, cleaning, organizing) and not spending as much time as I want with the girls. Since I already made dinner, I think I may take a nap so that I can play with the girls when they wake up from their naps.

And since I have no pictures of my own to show you in this post, head over to my favorite food blog (*Simply Scratch*) for some more delicious food photos that will surely make you drool. If you are wondering, the food will taste as good as it looks, too, as every recipe I've made from there has been absolutely delicious. (I've made at least a dozen in the past few months.) Check out this lovely photo from yesterday's post on *Simply Scratch*.

Isn't it beautiful? I think I may have to go eat one of those Mississippi Mud Brownies before I take a nap. (Yup, I made them yesterday. Mine aren't as beautiful, but they are delicious!)

chew toys

2012-01-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

guest blogger: Heidi

- - -

Hi, Mama. I'm just playing with my toys.

Look, I'm a bull.

Here I come!

And now switchin' out the ring for a pacifier.

Now a puzzle piece.

Oops, that last photo was from the other day, but I do really love to chew on my toys!

budding photographer

2012-01-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

guest blogger: Lydia

- - -

These may look like plastic keys to you, but this is my camera.

Say cheese!

I love taking pictures!

a three day weekend

2012-01-16T18:44:00.002-05:00

I love three day weekends! For clarification, since I do not work, a three-day-weekend is one where I am not the lone parent caring for the girls on either Monday or Friday. Meals and baths and naps are so much more enjoyable with an extra set of hands, not to mention someone to exchange glances when we're stifling our laughter over a hilarious Lydia statement or a ridiculous Heidi maneuver.

Speaking of an extra set of hands, Curious George made a nightly appearance during bath time, and the girls couldn't get enough of it. (Sorry for the yellowish hue. I forget to adjust the white balance.)

Oh, that George. He's so silly.

post nap

2012-01-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

guest blogger: Heidi

- - -

I'm awake from my nap!

Hiiii!!!!!!!!

I think I hear Lydia.

Where is she?

There she is! And she brought me toys!

Thanks, Lydia!

But, um, can I play outside my crib now?

little ERGO

2012-01-14T18:35:00.001-05:00

guest blogger: Lydia

- - -

If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you may remember Mama talking about her ERGO and how much she loves it. Nonna gave me one when Heidi was born, but I'm just now enjoying it more and more. I am hands free to make my lunch in my kitchen.

See, the weight is all on my hips!

If you have a baby, you've gotta try this thing. It's the best!

happy feet

2012-01-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

This pillow was the first of my two last minute gift ideas. When making Aaron's mom's birthday card, I found a penguin made out of a footprint on Pinterest. The penguins for the card came out very cute. Somewhat suddenly I was struck with the realization of what else I could do with these penguin feet. My nephew, Keiper, does "happy feet" (from the movie Happy Feet) where he quickly shuffles his feet. He taught Lydia this move, and Lydia will run around saying, "Keiper do happy feet!" as she imitates Keiper's moves. Alas, the happy feet pillow idea was born.

I don't have a Silhoutte machine, but I was not interested in cutting letters out by hand. (Basically, the Silhouette machine works with the computer to cut out designs/letters/images/number/etc. with a razor onto fabric/paper/vinyl/etc. It's much easier/faster/cleaner than cutting designs out by hand.) I called up Leah (who has a Silhouette machine) who printed out the "happy feet" onto freezer paper for me. I used the freezer-paper-stencil method and ironed the freezer paper onto an IKEA pillow cover (not enough time to sew my own pillow cover) and painted with white fabric paint.

I painted black fabric paint on the girls' feet and, with a little extra paint, transformed their feet into penguins. Heidi's foot/penguin.

Lydia's foot/penguin.

On Christmas we added Keiper's foot (since he was unavailable for my last minute idea). I think my mom liked it. (And if she doesn't want to show the footprint side, she can always flip the pillow over to the blank side.)

I think it will be funnier to admire about ten years from now and remember Keiper and Lydia doing a happy feet dance together.

song of the stars

2012-01-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

You may remember I mentioned Lydia's favorite Christmas book, Song of the Stars by Sally Lloyd-Jones. You may also recognize her name as she wrote one of my favorite books, The Jesus Storybook Bible.

Song of the Stars narrates creation's excitement for the birth of Jesus. As the narrative unfolds, the animals gather to visit baby Jesus.

My little animal lover read this book every day multiple times a day. She had at least the first and last pages completely memorized. If you saw Lydia during the month of December, you probably read it with her. It's a great book.

For Christmas, Big Guy and Nonna gave Heidi the Little People nativity set. One morning, the animals from the A-to-Z alphabet zoo were visiting the nativity.

Lydia told me, "animals come see baby Jesus!"

I love to see her grasping sweet, simple truths as they translate into her play.

i love to eat!

2012-01-11T06:00:00.000-05:00

guest blogger: Heidi

- - -

Pop-Pop and Nana gave me some puffed snacks for Christmas, so Lydia helped feed them to me because my pincer grasp is still developing.

I am not choking. I just want another one, and Lydia is taking too long.

Wait - is Lydia eating one? Don't forget me, please!

One day I was fussy and wouldn't eat very much, so Mama pumped a little bit. Lydia helped give me a bottle.

I was a little confused, but it tasted as delicious as usual.

I love to eat, especially frozen bagels!

Yum!

Heidi's baptism

2012-01-10T06:00:00.000-05:00

On New Years Day we celebrated Heidi's baptism. (Sorry that I forgot to put the zoom lens on the camera for my sister who took the pictures for me.)

Heidi was very interested in the water. I think she wanted to go swimming.

I posted this when I shared Lydia's baptism, and I'm posting it again here for me. I love what baptism represents - the sign and seal of the covenant God made with Abraham - an unconditional covenant of blessing and redemption. God's grace and mercy through salvation are gifts extended to each of his children; we merely must receive. Heidi's baptism doesn't grant her salvation as only she can choose this for herself as she grows to understand. She - and each of us - brings nothing to the table in our relationship with God. He reaches down to us whether we choose to receive or not. Our prayer is that Heidi will choose salvation for herself one day as we love her with the joy of the gospel. We pray that God will work through our imperfect love to show her his perfect love.

New Year's Eve dinner

2012-01-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

For the third year in a row, we've gone out for an early dinner here in the city on New Year's Eve with my entire family plus some family friends. The restaurant location is getting trickier as our families grow. This year we had thirteen adults plus four high chairs. (Next year, we'll need two more high chairs - for the swollen bellies of Lauren and Amanda, not mine.) Smokin' Betty's (at 11th & Sansom) handled our group perfectly. Lydia was psyched to be sitting in a high chair right next to Keiper.

Heidi kept slouching while trying to read the menu.

It was a full table and a lot of fun.

After dinner we hiked down Walnut Street to the bridge to see the six o'clock fireworks. My girls loved them (no photos, sorry!)!

Hopefully we can find a big enough space for our outing next year without renting out an entire room!

at the museum

2012-01-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

guest blogger: Lydia

- - -

We went to the Please Touch Museum the week after Christmas. First, we went to the grocery store.

I had two great cashiers.

Heidi tried to eat some pretend pie.

I took a nap.

I played the pino.

I played this fun instrument.

We sat on the monorail.

It was a fun place to play!

at the zoo

2012-01-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

guest blogger: Heidi

- - -

While Uncle Ryan, Aunt Lauren, and Keiper were still in town and Aunt Rachel was still home from college, we went to the zoo. We saw the lions.

We saw the jaguars.

I forget what we are looking at here.

We saw the tigers.

We saw the otters. (Mama wants me to tell you how she likes how you can see their faces in the reflection.)

Keiper likes to run.

Lydia runs sometimes, too, but I think Keiper is faster.

Uncle Ryan and Lydia wanted the polar bears to swim in the tank, but they stayed on dry land.

Keiper liked this gorilla statue.

I didn't have to ride in the stroller, so I happily smiled for Mama.

Yay for fun at the zoo!

(day after) Christmas day

2012-01-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

On the day after Christmas, I made waffles for breakfast. Yes, I know it was my birthday, so I insisted that on my birthday I could do what I want. Therefore, I made whole wheat waffles (with my waffle iron I got last Christmas) and sausage and bacon. Yum. I love breakfast.

Only some of us where awake at 8:42 on December 26th.

Then it was back to the car ramp for most of the day.

Lydia and Keiper are very entertaining together. It gives me plenty to photograph and many giggles.

Heidi did her best to keep up.

Christmas day: afternoon

2012-01-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately, by the time we got to my parents' home on Christmas, we had to move fast because bedtime for Heidi was quickly approaching. Big Guy and Nonna gave Lydia, our little animal lover, an A-to-Z zoo with animals for every letter of the alphabet

(I trip over those twenty-six animals on my way down to the kitchen every morning as she already has them out of the bag and lined up on the bottom stairs first thing.)

Keiper, lover of cars, got this car ramp. (The animals of the A-to-Z zoo enjoyed this ramp as well, but the yak frequently got stuck while the zebra and camel flew right down.)

We exchanged our Pollyanna gifts.

Heidi was already busy enjoying her new cup from Keiper (as she was anxiously awaiting her dinner).

The grandkids made Nonna this pillow (which will have its own blog post as well).

At dinner, Big Guy's lap was the coveted seat. As Aaron always jokes, "it's a shame his grandkids don't like him."

After dinner and baths, Lydia and Keiper went back to playing with the car ramp.

We put them to bed, and with no little people around, I stopped taking pictures. Oops. So . . . Merry Christmas!

Christmas day: naptime

2012-01-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

After our morning with Aaron's parents, we drove over to my Dad's parents.

The girls ate some lunch and went down for naps, so I took pictures of my nephew, Keiper, instead. My dad's youngest brother lives in Georgia, but he and his family were in Pennsylvania for Christmas this year. Keiper loved my youngest cousin, Ansley.

He would back up into her lap and plop himself on her knees.

Her legs may have been experiencing pins and needles as they read some Hannah Montana.

Heidi woke up from her nap and opened some gifts.

Pretty girl.

Once again, she enjoyed eating her gifts (a wooden puzzle piece).

When Lydia woke up from her nap, we gathered for the traditional family picture before heading back to the home of Big Guy and Nonna.

Rachel wanted an outdoor photo instead, so we captured this on the front porch. (No wonder Keiper is looking at Big Guy. Look at that silly face.)

Then we headed inside for Christmas gathering number four . . .

Christmas day: morning

2012-01-03T06:00:00.000-05:00

On Christmas Eve we headed out to our hometown after our Christmas Eve service here in the city. We woke up Christmas morning at the home of Aaron's parents. We brought along Lydia's favorite book of the season: Song of the Stars. (More on the book in a later post.)

She looked at a photo album with Uncle Jon (and pointed out Daddy and Mama whenever they appeared).

Aunt Helen was there, too.

She gave the girls crab shirts from her shop in St. Michaels.

When Aunt Helen wanted a picture of Heidi and Lydia together, Lydia got on her belly next to Heidi.

Then we got this picture.

The girls opened presents with Pop-Pop and Nana . . .

. . . and played until it was time to go.

Christmas at our house

2012-01-02T18:36:00.001-05:00

I debated between posting my most recent stuff and then going backwards, but I was afraid I'd get lazy and never go back. Instead, I'm going back to the beginning of our Christmas celebrations and will move forward. So here we go:

Let's rewind to the afternoon of December 23rd when we celebrated Christmas just Aaron and me and the girls here at our house.

We started out with a Jesse Tree ornament. (We doubled up on the 23rd to finish on the 24th since we wouldn't be home on Christmas.)

Heidi was excited about the presents . . .

. . . but only because she liked to eat them.

I made these beach robes for the girls (using this pattern) figuring they will get good use out of them at the beach and lake over the summer. I love how they came out. I only wish I had used a yellow towel for Heidi's yellow instead of a green towel.

The girls gave their daddy a Bible with their hand prints on the inside cover. (This was one of my last minute gift ideas that worked out quite beautifully.) I think he likes it.

Heidi took a break from eating wrapping paper to chew on some balls that were in her stocking. (I should add that foil wrapping paper from the Target dollar bin is great for slobbery babies.)

Lydia loved the post-it notes in her stocking. (She loves to just peel each one off, one by one.)

Then, before baths and dinner we traced our hands on the tablecloth. It was Heidi's rookie year!

Next stop: Christmas with Pop-Pop and Nana.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T21:27:00.001-05:00

I am excited to share the pictures from the past week with you here on my blog. But first, mainly because I don't have enough battery juice left to type a whole post, I have another family picture! Taken by my sister after Heidi's baptism today on this unseasonably warm January Sunday.

Happy New Year!

say cheese

2011-12-28T20:17:00.002-05:00

Look! A family picture!

We are enjoying Aaron being around this week, so please excuse my lazy blogging.

playing the "pino"

2011-12-27T10:47:00.001-05:00

For my birthday yesterday, Lydia and my nephew, Keiper, gave me a piano concert (or as Lydia calls the piano, "pino"). I captured a few seconds for you to enjoy as well.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-23T15:20:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, the girls and I made cookies with my family, but I forgot my camera. (Good grief. Let's hope I don't do that over the weekend!)

I've really been enjoying Mama Monk's poems this Advent season. Check them out here: Star, The Lord Is With Thee, Darkness, Christ's Mother Reflects, His Childhood.

Sooo . . . Merry Christmas! Enjoy celebrating with family and friends wherever you might be!

creative juices

2011-12-21T15:01:00.000-05:00

Five (four?) days before Christmas, and my creative juices are flowing. Why do my best ideas seem to come at the last minute? I won't have time to pull them all off, but I'm going to at least attempt one or two. I'll share them with you after the holidays since sharing them now might ruin some Christmas presents!

Here are the girls at the Gingerbread Tea last week. We decorate gingerbread houses, stuffed gingerbread ornaments, and traced Heidi into a gingerbread that is hanging on the inside of our front door. It was a fantastically fun, free, and a very well executed event by Tenth Presbyterian. (I hope they do more stuff like this regularly!)

expressions

2011-12-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

Heidi is very expressive, especially when she is eating.

Don't be fooled. She loves avocado. She's just entertaining you.

cute babies

2011-12-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

I found this cute baby in the photo album at my parent's house on Thanksgiving . . .

. . . who bears a slight resemblance to this cute baby.

I don't think they necessarily look alike (Heidi's cheeks are bigger), but a lot of Heidi's expressions remind me of that first baby. Anyone want to guess who the first baby is? Hint: it's not the girl in the swing.

(It's my younger brother, Derek.) Here's another one.

Here's one from Christmas 1986: me, Ryan, Derek.

Here's Lydia and Heidi a month ago.

Sometimes family resemblances are just too funny . . . and maybe a little bit scary, too (in a good way, I think). =)

crawling

2011-12-16T15:08:00.001-05:00

This little lady is on the move . . . and into everything. Heidi's especially fond of paper and cardboard. All that wrapping paper on Christmas will probably be more exciting than anything wrapped in it.

holiday lights at Macy's

2011-12-14T08:54:00.001-05:00

guest blogger: Heidi

- - -

Last Friday, Big Guy came to hang out with us. After my nap, we hopped in the stroller and headed to Macy's for the holiday light show.

I was wiggly. I could not seem to get comfortable.

Mama tried to hold me, but I wanted to sit by myself, unlike Lydia who sat with Big Guy the whole time.

Look at all those pretty lights!

That was fun. What are we gonna do next, Mama?

trains . . . trash truck . . . lights

2011-12-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

guest blogger: Lydia

- - -

Nana came to play with us last Thursday. When Heidi woke up from her nap, we walked to Reading Terminal Market to see their train display.

When we got home, we made it just in time to see my weekly favorite.

I love to watch the trash truck.

After our naps, we went over to Love Park to watch their tree lighting. It took forever - too many political speeches Mama said - but it was fun to see the tree light up with Nana!

waiting

2011-12-08T19:40:00.001-05:00

I ordered my Christmas cards on Black Friday but have yet to receive them. I even already have the stamps. Too bad the envelopes are with the cards or I'd have them addressed and ready to go out the door. While I wait, here are some pictures of my silly girls at the park in recent weeks.

We could probably live on the swings.

Buy-one-get-one Starbucks Holiday drinks. Lydia liked the Peppermint Mocha.

our Christmas tree

2011-12-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

guest blogger: Heidi

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We made our annual visit to our local Christmas Tree farm for our Christmas tree.

Oh, your local tree farm doesn't have shopping carts?

This is my first Christmas. I don't know the rules yet, but in this family, Lowes appears to be a tradition.

We decorated the tree with Mama on Monday. I ate the balls.

Lydia ate a candy cane.

The tree blocks my view of Mama if she is in the kitchen, so I cry. Otherwise, I think I like it.

tree lighting

2011-12-06T08:27:00.001-05:00

Last week we bundled up with blankets and hot chocolate in the stroller and walked over to the tree lighting at Rittenhouse Square. They were pretty excited.

The pre-lighting ceremony wasn't of interest to them, but we made it through to the part where Santa arrived and counted down to light the tree.

Merry Christmas!

line 'em up and feed 'em

2011-12-05T09:10:00.001-05:00

guest blogger: Lydia

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I lined up my animals and then shared my popcorn with them.

tricks with Daddy

2011-12-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

guest blogger: Heidi

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I love my daddy. Look at the fun tricks we do together.

That was fun. Let's do it again!

Hello there!

I love to play with my daddy.

He's the best!

Jesse Tree: Celebration of Advent

2011-11-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow it begins: using my Jesse Tree as our Advent calendar! I introduced you to it last winter, mentioned it once, and then pathetically updated about it in April. Well, it is done (and actually has been done since before Heidi was born). I am posting the final product here for you if it will so inspire you to create your own at some point. I still have the patterns (i.e. essentially cardstock cutouts I made) which I may be motivated to scan if someone wants them.

Since my first tree attempt literally fell apart, I purchased this guy from Crate & Barrel (with my 15% off coupon). (Apparently this tree is already no longer available online even though I just got it last week.) It's twelve inches in diameter and twenty inches high. Mine is a little crooked, but it just gives it character (and resembles my real Christmas trees that are almost always crooked).

I'll post my Jesse Tree: Celebration of Advent for you here along with the photo of its ornament. I have a PDF without the photos, too.

Format is as follows:
date / topic / ornament / scripture / The Jesus Storybook Bible chapter (page) if applicable

Here we go!

December 1 / Creation / globe / Genesis 1:1-2:3 / The beginning: a perfect home (18)

December 2 / Fall / fruit / Genesis 2:4-9; 2:15-3:24 / The Terrible Lie (28)

December 3 / Noah / rainbow / Genesis 6:5-8:22; 9:8-17 / A new beginning (38)

December 4 / Abraham / stars / Genesis 12:1-7; 15:1-6 / Son of laughter (56)

December 5 / Isaac / lamb / Genesis 22:1-19 / The present (62)

December 6 / Jacob / ladder / Genesis 28:10-22 / - - -

December 7 / Joseph / coat / Genesis 37:1-36; 50:15-21* / The forgiving prince (76)

December 8 / Passover / door / Exodus 11:1-10; 12:1-7, 12-13, 21-32 / God to the rescue! (84)

December 9 / Ten Commandments / tablets / Exodus 20:1-17 / Ten ways to be perfect (100)

December 10 / The Promised Land / grapes / Joshua 1:1-11; 6:1-21 / The warrior leader (108)

December 11 / Ruth & Boaz / wheat / Ruth 2; 4:13-17 / - - -

December 12 / David / horn of oil / I Samuel 16:1-13 / The teeny, weenie . . . true king (116)

December 13 / Josiah / scrolls / II Kings 22:1-13; 23:1-3, 21-23 / - - -

December 14 / Prophecy: Lion & Lamb / lion/lamb (two-sided) / Isaiah 1:1-10 / - - -

December 15 / Prophecy: Prince of Peace / dove / Isaiah 9:1-7 / Operation: "No More Tears!" (144)

December 16 / Prophecy: Suffering Servant / cross / Isaiah 52:13-53:12 / - - -

December 17 / Prophecy: New Covenant / heart / Jeremiah 31:31-34 / - - -

December 18 / Prophecy: Bethlehem / city/star / Micah 5:2-4 / - - -

December 19 / Exile / fire / Jeremiah 7:1-15; II Chronicles 36:11-21; Daniel 1:1; 3:1-30 / - - -

December 20 / Habakkuk / watchtower / Habakkuk 1:1-2:1; 3:16-19 / - - -

December 21 / Return to the Land / wall / Nehemiah 1:1-2:8; 6:15-16; 8:1-12 / Get ready! (170)

December 22 / John the Baptist / honey / Mark 1:1-8; John 1:29-31 / Heaven breaks through (200)**

December 23 / Joseph / saw / Matthew 1:18-25 / - - -

December 24 / Mary / Mary / Luke 1:26-56 / He's here! (176)

December 25 / Birth of Christ / manger / Luke 2:1-20 / The Light of the whole world (184)

On Christmas Day, I should have something that looks like this.

Sometimes I include one or two isolated verses to help tie the entire covenant story together. I consulted a few Jesse Tree sources (and, of course, my Bible) to assemble these particular passages.

*The story of Joseph also includes Genesis 39-50, but I only listed some of the story for the sake of the littlest participants. I plan to incorporate more of the passages during this reading as my children get older.

**This is the story of Jesus' baptism, which is occurring in our Advent before Jesus is born. Oops. It's such a good story in the Jesus Storybook Bible, and it went with John the Baptist. Thus, I included it anyway. Sorry if your children are forever confused.

- - -

My girls are very excited about the ornaments. Lydia loves to play with them, and Heidi loves to eat them. Hopefully their enthusiasm carries over as they grow and learn to understand more of what this Jesse Tree means as we celebrate the season of Advent every year.

Lydia's elephant birthday party

2011-11-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

We had Lydia's birthday party with family the other weekend at Aaron's parent's house. For my little animal lover, I picked an elephant theme, and even though I am not a fan of pink, Lydia, when given the choice, almost always picks pink. I emailed these invitations to our family members.

I ruffled some pink and white streamers. (Tutorial from Made again.)

I added some felt elephant garland.

There were peanuts to snack on before dinner.

I transformed the maternity-o-lantern jars into elephant-o-lantern jars. (They're pink, but me and my color balance weren't working together well for this photo.)

I found these elephant plates for the kids in the Hefty ZooPals Safari package.

Of course the birthday girl had to rock some elephant paraphernalia without looking like her Halloween costume, so I made this shirt.

When Keiper got there, we showed him Pop-Pop's chickens and played in the leaves.

Lydia opened gifts (or sucked her thumb while I opened gifts) while Heidi chewed on a bow.

After gifts (which included three different stuffed elephants), it was time for dinner: some of Lydia's favorites: meatball Parmesan sandwiches, garlic bread, and edemame.

For dessert I made dirt dessert again. I made it for her birthday last year, and it's just so yummy that I had to make it again. I also added some peppermint patties to the dessert spread. (I love those things. I need to make some more!)

Lydia loved hanging out one-on-one with her guests.

Once she wasn't the center of attention, she was having much more fun.

We drove home after the party and found these two sleeping beauties in the back seat. Looks like they partied hard. (And, yes, I think Lydia twirled her finger stuck into her hair. It happens rather often.)

It was so much fun celebrating Lydia with our family. I sometimes still can't believe she's two.

Ashley's baby shower!

2011-11-28T20:34:00.000-05:00

Finally! Allow me to share with you the celebration we had for the expecting mama, Ashley. The shower planner extraordinaire, Leah, got us going with an autumn theme. From there, we made a board on Pinterest and picked our favorites, using our board for inspiration to delegate the various creations. I don't have pictures of everything, so I'm sorry if you weren't there to see it all in real life.

We each had to spray paint a pumpkin or two. Check out Jenna's handiwork.

At the cravings bar, I took these jack-o-lantern jars and - with the help of Leah's Silhouette machine - made these maternity-o-lantern jars.

Of course the menu was autumn themed as well, but check out Leah's tablecloth.

Yum!

Monica sat for awhile at her sewing machine ruffling these streamers. (Tutorial over at Made.)

Check out Monica's awesome gift - which she made (using the freezer paper technique and her Silhouette machine).

I think I already showed you this mobile which Leah got on her summer trip to Uganda. It's definitely the coolest mobile I have ever seen.

We had guests decorate/design onesies for the new baby using vegetable stamps and/or fabric paint. Here's a few, but some of these things were seriously amazing!

Here's the mama opening her gifts.

We played a game to guess: how big is the belly?

I am saying hi to the babe.

The party planners (minus one who had to leave early) with the reason we were having a party!

So excited to meet the baby and find out - boy or girl?

intensive care nurse

2011-11-27T19:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving! We enjoyed multiple meals with family over the long weekend. I rummaged through some family photo albums and came across this. This is me at age three visiting my baby brother, Derek, in the intensive care unit. Perhaps I was destined to be an intensive care nurse since age three.

That big black margin is the end of the film roll. I probably could have scanned in the photo and then cropped it, but it was easier to just take a picture of the photo. Or lazier. Take your pick.

I need some accountability, so here's the deal for the blog this week. I will tell you all about Ashley's baby shower, Lydia's birthday party, and the completed (hooray!) Jesse Tree. I also need to decorate for Christmas, including the blog. Must get to work . . .

post-nap smiles

2011-11-23T14:03:00.001-05:00

guest blogger: Heidi

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Hey, Mama, I'm awake from my nap!

Oh, there you are!

Could you put the camera down and pick me up now, please?

Heidi's first foods

2011-11-22T13:32:00.001-05:00

Heidi is eating . . . or at least she is trying to do so. So far we've tried sweet potatoes, avocado . . . and a bagel with cream cheese. (Thank you, Lydia, for sharing so nicely with your sister while I was preparing the rest of our lunch.)

I also realize I (still) have to tell you more about Ashley's baby shower and Lydia's birthday party. However, I'm eager to work on some sewing projects right now instead. Apologies for the delay, but I shouldn't be in too much trouble considering I don't get paid to maintain this blog. =)

Happy Tuesday!

storytime with Lydia

2011-11-21T13:56:00.001-05:00

I am very undisciplined recently, and my blog is showing that off to the world as I haven't been regularly updating around here.

While I attempt to put together a Christmas card and make Heidi's Christmas stocking, I will leave you with Lydia who will read [recite to] you the last page of "Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?" (I have her reading [reciting] the whole thing, but (a) that is really long to watch, and (b) Heidi hollers throughout most of it.)

Enjoy!

two-years-old

2011-11-16T09:24:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday, Lydia Kate!

You bring so much joy to our life. Whether you're lining up your toys,

licking the spoons and spatulas while we bake together,

trying new things,

or loving your little sister,

you bring smiles and laughter to my day. I love you so much!

neglected

2011-11-14T21:28:00.001-05:00

My poor blog. It must feel so neglected. I have so much to tell you, but the time always escapes me.

Last weekend was Lydia's elephant-themed birthday party.

This weekend we are hosting a Slugs & Bugs concert.

I've never hosted a concert before. You should come!

Heidi sits up on her own and has two teeth.

I still need to tell you about the baby shower and the birthday party. Hopefully tomorrow, friends!

a rough evening

2011-11-08T22:05:00.001-05:00

Someone is having a rough evening, so my blog post about that baby shower is still in the works.

"Who me?"

Yes, you, Heidi.

You're lucky you're cute.

allbody

2011-11-07T20:35:00.001-05:00

Lydia says "allbody" instead of "everybody." It's quite possibly my favorite word ever.

baby shower preview

2011-11-06T20:27:00.002-05:00

We celebrated a not-yet-born-baby this weekend with a fabulously fun baby shower for Ashley! I am trying to get a blog post together to tell you all about it, but I am also prepping for a birthday party for one of my favorite little ladies.

In the meantime, check out my adorable friend (and the coolest mobile ever, made in Uganda).

I love her baby belly.

More to come!

baking

2011-11-03T14:04:00.002-04:00

Wednesdays are turning into baking day around here. Wednesday night we host a home group at our house, giving me the perfect excuse to test out the scrumptious looking recipes I see in blog land. Last week I made Ooey Gooey Caramel Pumpkin Blondies as seen on the Tasty Kitchen blog. (Their picture posted below.)

This week I made Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars with a Salty Pretzel Crust as seen on Simply Scratch. (Their picture posted below.)

The Tasty Kitchen Blog and Simply Scratch are both on my Google Reader, and it is not uncommon that I salivate while reading their blog entries. Just look at those pictures! Scrumptious!

I think my home group appreciates my experimentation, and I appreciate not feeling compelled to eat an entire tray of sweets by myself (with some help from Aaron and Lydia). Poor Heidi isn't able to partake yet.

Soon enough, Heidi-bear!

Happy Halloween!

2011-11-01T06:00:00.000-04:00

I love my little zoo animals. They look thrilled, don't they? =)

Apparently elephants and bears like candy, specifically Resee's.

Lydia figured out most of the "trick or treat" part by the end. After choosing her candy, she'd say, "Put it in the bag," and run off to the next stoop. She was quite pleased with her collection.

Happy Halloween!

sad face

2011-10-31T06:00:00.000-04:00

guest blogger: Heidi

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Can you believe my mama took pictures of my sad face instead of picking me up right away?

She said it's the cutest sad face ever.

Don't worry. I'm over it, but could someone please help me get down from this bouncy seat?

I think I am stuck.

church

2011-10-30T14:15:00.001-04:00

Apparently the walk home from church is exhausting.

twelve birthdays

2011-10-26T08:53:00.001-04:00

This is my twelfth time celebrating Aaron's birthday. The first time, in 2000, was during a Student Council thing in high school, before we were dating. We (all the Student Council folks on the trip) went to Ruby Tuesday's for lunch on the way back to the school. When Aaron went to the bathroom, we told the waitress it was his birthday. She appeared later with a cake and the rest of her staff singing Happy Birthday to Aaron. I've never done that to him again, but I like to laugh at the memory. (On the next month's Student Council trip, someone [name intentionally withheld] lit an entire box of matches on fire at the Applebees while we were eating, and it was the first time I'd ever seen Aaron laugh so hard. In hindsight, that probably would have been a better birthday celebration than the singing waitstaff, though probably not a smart or safe one.)

Happy Birthday, Aaron! I'm so thankful you were born. It's mind boggling to think that without you, there wouldn't be these two giggly girls.

I love you!

favorite sister

2011-10-24T20:39:00.001-04:00

Lydia and Heidi share a room, but Heidi naps during the day in our room. Heidi is always so excited to see Lydia (contorting into some strange positions to see her sister), and Lydia chants her shared enthusiasm, "Heidi's awake! Heidi's awake!" (To give you the effect: Heidizz uhhh-waaaake.)

opposite naps

2011-10-24T13:25:00.001-04:00

Life gets tricky when one little lady wakes up the second the other little lady goes down for a nap. So with a pile of dishes in my sink, a clean dishwasher to be emptied, and toys cluttering the floor, I leave you to go pick up the crying babe. I shall attempt to post again later today.

Happy Monday!

noisemaker

2011-10-21T06:00:00.000-04:00

Heidi is learning to make new noises everyday.

football

2011-10-20T19:48:00.000-04:00

guest blogger: Heidi

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Just watching some football with Big Guy and Uncle Derek before Adam & April's wedding.

Nonna thought this scene looked familiar.

wedding details

2011-10-18T09:26:00.001-04:00

Remember when I said I'd try to do better taking pictures at the wedding than I had at the shower? I failed.

The bride was beautiful. The wedding was beautiful. I loved everything about it - the colors, the reception venue, the ice cream (yay Seneca Farms!) instead of cake. Plus it was so much fun! I've declared it my favorite wedding to date. I am pretty sure I noticed each and every DIY detail April had accomplished, though I didn't manage to capture pictures of them all. April is my DIY hero. I wish she lived closer so we could craft together. =)

From the wreaths on the doors at the church

to the napkins she chopped and serged from bolts of fabric

to the thank you jars of homemade strawberry jam

to those yarn balls you can kind of see beside the candles

to the map with two red hearts (and more yarn balls)

to the burlap table runners and the pillows for the bride and groom

to the ice cream signs (pay no attention to the groomsmen watching a football game on the iphone)

to the paper garland on the head table

to centerpieces involving my favorite flower

to the scrap book guestbook and wedding photos of their parents and grandparents

to all the other things I didn't capture on my camera - programs, table number labels on bottles, table assignment jars - because having a baby strapped to me really inhibits my photo-taking ability.

I also have no photos of people besides a few during the ceremony

and this one of all the cousins (plus spouses and offspring, minus Lauren, Keiper, and Lydia).

Once the photo booth photos are posted, I should have a better cousins photo to share . . .

Hooray Adam & April that you are finally married (after immigration, and multiple wedding date postponements)!!!

rings

2011-10-14T20:20:00.001-04:00

guest bloggers: Lydia & Heidi

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Lydia: The other day I showed you how I line up my toys, like these rings.

Sometimes I put these rings on my wrists like bracelets.

Then I shake my hand real fast so that they rattle. See?

Heidi: This is what I do with the rings.

swinging together

2011-10-13T09:13:00.004-04:00

guest blogger: Heidi

- - -

It was lovely last weekend, so we went to the park. The swings were full except for one, so I volunteered to share my first turn with Lydia.

I thought it was great!

Lydia wasn't enjoying it.

So she got out while I kept swinging.

Anyone else want to share my swing?

line 'em up

2011-10-11T11:18:00.000-04:00

guest blogger: Lydia

- - -

This is where I play. I spend most of my day playin'.

I like to line up my toys.

I also like to line up Heidi's burp cloths.

Heidi likes to play with these rings all connected. I think they're stuck and need help taking them apart so that I can line them up. My bubble wands are in the way here. Excuse me, bubbles.

reading

2011-10-07T06:00:00.000-04:00

There was a lot of running last weekend, but there were a couple quiet moments.

Great-Grandma

2011-10-06T20:50:00.000-04:00

My grandma was also at this weekend's festivities, so she got down to play with the girls.

Here's Great-Grandma with her three great-grandbabies.

Lydia wanted nothing to do with this picture, and I wish I had the picture of me and my cousins from when I was her age to show you right now. Next time I am at my parent's, I will have to scan it and share it with you. Let me go put that on one of my many to-do lists before I forget.

dinner party

2011-10-05T06:00:00.000-04:00

We spent last weekend celebrating this cute couple: my cousin, Adam, and his fiance, April.

They are even cute blurry (because I failed to adjust the shutter speed correctly). (I'll try to do better at the wedding.)

Here's a glimpse of the diner crowd.

It was a fun weekend with family. Then the car ride home was delightful as there was a lot of this going on.

I love sleeping babies, especially when the babies are my babies. =)

play kitchen

2011-10-04T06:00:00.000-04:00

Lydia's Big Guy and Nonna gave her a play kitchen for her birthday last year. I've enjoyed stocking it with empty cans and boxes throughout the year.

She even has a spice collection.

Don't worry. It usually looks like this.

I just organized the cabinets for the photo shoot . . . because I apparently don't have anything better to do during nap time? Eesh. Now this post is just embarrassing.

Happy Tuesday!

(Guess I should clarify that I have the Pampered Chef Smooth-Edge Can Opener that cuts through the side of the can, not the top, leaving no sharp edges. So I just gorilla glue the lid back onto a rinsed can for Lydia's kitchen. And I think after almost a year, she's finally stopped asking, "Open it.")

visitors

2011-10-03T13:57:00.000-04:00

I am so sorry I fell off the face of the planet last week. With an empty phone (i.e. no calendar, no contacts) and a computer needing an operating system upgrade, I was cut off from anyone I didn't see in real life. In some ways it was refreshing. In other ways, it was completely frustrating since my thoughts, lists, and upcoming events were scattered in places where I couldn't access them. Yesterday, I finally got it all back together, I think. =)

Last week my friend, Rachel, and her daughter, Adalyn, came to visit. They were last here in February when neither Lydia nor Adalyn were walking. Now they are both walking and talking. Oh, how they change so quickly. (See their first meeting here and our recent January/February visits here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.)

Rachel and I took the girls to the zoo one day where they both insisted on walking the entire time.

Hello, Addy!

I think they watched the water longer than any animal exhibit. (And, hello, cute curls!)

I think Heidi wanted to walk, too, but she enjoyed the stroller so long as the girls paid her attention every once in awhile.

I am also excited to report that three car seats fit in the back of our Honda Civic. I specifically bought Lydia's car seat because it's the narrowest one on the market, but I wasn't sure a tiny backseat (like that of a Civic) would be able to contain three car seats.

Our backseat is back down to two car seats since Adalyn left, so come back and visit soon, friends! =)

identifying with the scarecrow

2011-09-24T20:02:00.003-04:00

Long story short: the button on my phone broke. Apple replaced my phone under the lovely Apple Care plan, so now I have a new phone that has nothing of mine on it. I can't sync it with my computer yet because my computer's operating system is too old to handle it. It's as if I've lost a huge part of my brain, especially the app that tracks Heidi's eating and sleeping. I don't have enough free space in my brain to remember those details without the help of that app. I am also unable to fulfill Lydia's requests for "music." So while I wait for the solution (an updated operating system so that I can sync the phone with my outdated computer), I have no contacts on my phone. So if you call or text me, and I ask, "who is this?" I mean no offense.

If I only had a brain . . .

Although, it is somewhat _ something (sad, pathetic, ?) how lost I feel without my phone. This could be good for me. =) (So long as I can still figure out when to feed Heidi and put her down to sleep.)

I think she might be hungry.

frames on the wall (finally)

2011-09-23T08:15:00.001-04:00

We moved into our place in August of 2009. As of September 18, 2011, the big, blank, empty wall in the living room was finally displaying the project I had in mind for it since we moved in. It was not even complicated, but I managed to leave it uncompleted for over two years.

Because my friends know me so well (and thankfully love me just the same), Rebekah and Leah gifted me the frames when they visited in June. Hooray! Now I just needed prints to fill them. To motivate me to choose the prints, one weekend this summer (I honestly forget if it was July or August), Aaron and I hung the frames. Then they sat empty for a month or so while I attempted to assemble an appropriate arrangement.

My camera lens is not wide enough to capture the entire wall because our house is so narrow, so you'll have to come visit to see it in person. This is a pretend "before" that I took when we took the empty frames down to put in the pictures.

Aaron started taking the empty frames down before I could get the transition picture, so pretend there are three empty frames on the wall. This is what we stared at for at least a month.

On Sunday, I finally filled the empty frames.

The best I could do to give you some perspective.

The camera on my phone's perspective.

The frames are from IKEA, almost 23" x 23" with a 11 1/2" x 11 1/2" mat. I ordered three 12" x 12" prints. (I suspect a professional would most likely use a professional printer after editing the photo on a calibrated monitor. I am not a professional, so I upload my straight-out-of-the-camera shot off my uncalibrated monitor to Costco for $2.99 a print and hope for the best.)

We hung the frames, centering them on the wall and not over the chair since that chair slides along the wall depending on the season. (There is a heating vent we block in the summer but not in the winter.)

Here are the pictures.

I'm no interior designer, but I am loving my newly decorated wall. You should come see it. =)

(Lydia loves it, too. "Pictures. Heidi! Lydia!")

Heidi visits the zoo

2011-09-22T15:23:00.002-04:00

It's already Thursday, and I haven't posted since Monday? Oops. Apologies, friends.

On Monday, we went to the Philadelphia Zoo for the first time since Heidi was born. Aaron took Lydia when Heidi was first born, but this was Heidi's first trip to the Philadelphia Zoo. (She made her first zoo trip to the Cape May Zoo while we were at the beach.) Heidi stayed awake long enough to meet the Big Cats.

Hello, lazy lion.

Ooo, a puma.

Heidi missed the giraffes (as she was asleep in the ERGO), but Lydia watched them for at least ten minutes.

Lydia walked the entire time, refusing my numerous offers to hop in the stroller. I should have taken a picture of me wearing one baby, walking behind a toddler, and pushing an empty double stroller around the zoo. Oh well. At least it carried our bags for us. =)

The zoo is awesome in the fall. The weather is gorgeous. There are no field trips (as compared to the spring), so the place is rather empty and quiet. Plus, with all that walking, Lydia took a long nap Monday afternoon. We may have to visit the zoo more often . . . =)

After lunch and before we left, we took a picture by the elephant statue, since the zoo doesn't have real elephants (lame).

Yay for Heidi's first trip to the (Philadelphia) zoo!

sisters

2011-09-19T20:19:00.000-04:00

Lydia and Heidi hanging out on the floor post nap.

Slugs & Bugs kickstarter

2011-09-15T14:19:00.000-04:00

I've told you about Slugs & Bugs multiple times on here, I think. (Here, here, and here at least.) It's my favorite kids music, and Lydia's, too. "Music," she requests multiple times a day and squeals as it starts to play. Some she even requests by name: "Tractor Tractor," "Toes" (Piggy Little Toes), "Jesus Loves Me." We have the original album, Slugs, Bugs & Lullabies. Last year, we added the newly released A Slugs & Bugs Christmas. This year, assuming they gain enough support, there will be Slugs & Bugs Under Where? (I think that's the title, anyway. I can't relocate the blog post or facebook status that told me so.) Also, if you are reading this on the blog and not in your reader, you should see the little widget to the right regarding the new project. Here's a silly video from Randall Goodgame about it.

I am pretty pumped about the "Where You Gonna Go" song, hoping it might help in our potty adventures over here. As a fan of Bohemian Rhapsody, I am also excited about the "Mexican (food) Rhapsody" (its tentative name). I am certain the rest of the album will not fail to disappoint.

On previous records, I love the silly songs and the lullabies alike. I especially love singing the lullabies to my girls as the lyrics are so beautiful. Some even sing the truths of the gospel like in "You Can Always Come Home" (which I've already talked about here).

I have failed miserably in getting a Slugs & Bugs concert to Philadelphia since being pregnant and having a newborn and a toddler do not coincide for planning a concert (as it's something I've never done before). But I have high hopes that I will stop being such a slacker and figure out a venue and determine the logistics sooner than later. Until then, we'll keep listening to our "Music" on the iHome and in the car and sharing our beloved Slugs & Bugs with our friends. (Brennan and Kuyper are getting the lyrics down and singing them to me at the park.) We will be looking forward to learning new tunes when the new record is released - hopefully very soon!

Check out the kickstarter page for the pledge rewards if you're as excited about more Slugs & Bugs music as Lydia is.

Blurry, but she's pumped.

rolling over: in photos

2011-09-14T06:00:00.000-04:00

guest blogger: Heidi

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Mama captured my new rolling skill in action. First I have to get my arms and legs moving before I hurl myself to the side.

Once I am on my belly, I assume what Mama calls my skydiving position.

You can see it better from this angle.

And then I yell because I don't know how to roll from my belly to my back yet. (I routinely do this in the middle of the night.) Or I lie down and wish I could crawl over to play with Lydia.

But when I get upset, Mama thinks I look like my sister. Except I bite my lower lip and she puckers hers.

I'll let you know when I figure how to roll over to my back.

silly faces

2011-09-13T06:00:00.000-04:00

reading (or not)

2011-09-12T06:00:00.000-04:00

I need to make time to read. Let me further qualify that statement. I need to make time to read books, not blogs and emails and children's books and Philadelphia Magazine. I have a growing repertoire of memorized books - The Cat in the Hat, Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? Goodnight Moon. I also have a growing wish list on Amazon but nothing in my hands at the moment. This is my current list in order of preference.

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp
To Dance With God: Family Ritual and Community Celebration by Gertrud Mueller Nelson
Interrupted: An Adventure in Relearning the Essentials of Faith by Jen Hatmaker
Ragman: And Other Cries of Faith by Walter Wangerin, Jr.

So I will ask you, oh dear blog reader of mine, what book(s) should I be reading?

boxing

2011-09-09T13:25:00.000-04:00

guest blogger: Heidi

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At the lake, Uncle Derek helped me with some boxing moves.

Jab.

Cross.

Uppercut. Hook.

Phew, boxing is exhausting.

I think I'll take a break with my sister and my cousin.

mani pedi again!

2011-09-08T06:00:00.002-04:00

guest blogger: Lydia

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Remember when Aunt Rachel gave me a mani pedi? I got another one last weekend.

I like pink.

Sometimes I had to show her which nails were still left. "This one."

I love Aunt Rachel.

P. S. Vulture.

rolling over

2011-09-07T21:04:00.000-04:00

We interrupt the Keuka Lake Labor Day photos with some breaking news: Heidi-bear is rolling over. Not from her tummy to her back. No, she skipped right to rolling from her back to her belly. However, I have yet to witness the actual roll with my camera.

This morning when we went to get the girls from their cribs, Heidi was lying on her belly, though I had placed her on her back about three hours prior.

When I was getting Lydia dressed, I placed Heidi on the floor - on her back. I looked down again, and Heidi was on her belly.

When we came home from the pediatrician for Heidi's well check, I put Heidi on the floor - on her back - while I carried the stroller inside. When I got back inside, she was on her belly.

You get the idea.

Modern Family is coming on in two minutes, so I have to cut this short. I love that show and how much I laugh - like a good deep belly laugh - during it.

But since I know why people really visit my blog, here you go. =)

tractor. corn.

2011-09-06T06:00:00.005-04:00

Up at the lake, Lydia enjoyed the tractor.

So did Heidi.

Sisters.

After playing on the tractor, it was time to shuck the corn for dinner.

Lydia is very helpful; she removes every hair off an ear of corn, one hair at a time.

Heidi helped out, too.

This corn was delicious. Yum.

early mornings

2011-09-05T19:10:00.000-04:00

We spent the holiday weekend at Keuka Lake. Mornings come early with little people, so we go down by the water so as not to disturb the not-so-early-risers.

Nonna is the only person allowed in the cabin in the morning (since the rest of us are too noisy), so she makes us all breakfast which we eat down by the water. (Yes, she's amazing for slaving away in the kitchen every morning for her hungry offspring.)

I take advantage of the early hours by capturing some photos in the warm, buttery light.

Harley Davidson tent

2011-09-02T06:00:00.011-04:00

guest blogger: Heidi

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I was still awake when we visited Daddy's favorite tent at the fair.

Daddy said I was drooling over the bike. Mama just giggled.

Mama thought it was fun to look at Lydia last year to this year

Maybe next year he'll let me drive it!

eight maids a milking . . .

2011-09-01T06:00:00.001-04:00

There is a little section at the fair that Lydia was too young for last year. This year, she was prepped and ready to visit the "Farmer for a Day" exhibit. We visited the cows first - since the exhibit wasn't open yet - where we ran into Lydia the cow.

We ran into another cow being milked, and Lydia must have been paying more attention than we realized.

Back at the Farmer for the Day exhibit, Lydia was a little slow to start at the cow milking station.

But soon enough she was a pro.

Or maybe she just wanted to play with the water?

After collecting some eggs from the chickens, she went back to the cow and milked it again.

Not too bad for a little city girl.

sheep and rabbits

2011-08-31T06:00:00.024-04:00

guest blogger: Heidi

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Mama showed me this post from last year about Lydia's introduction to the Harford State Fair. This year there are more pictures of Lydia and the animals than me and the animals because I slept through most of the animal exhibits. I woke up in time to see the sheep . . .

. . . and the rabbits.

Oh, and Pop-Pop showed me the bees where I got this sticker (even though I can't have honey yet).

Next year I should be able to make animals noises for them like Lydia does!

s'mores

2011-08-30T06:00:00.001-04:00

guest blogger: Lydia

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Last year I wasn't old enough for a s'more. This year I am. Pop-Pop and I watched Daddy build the fire.

Fire is hot. Do not touch it.

I roasted a marshmallow with Daddy.

Nana had all the essentials for s'mores ready for me.

My first bite.

Messy and delicious!

fig tree freedom

heart shirts

Rebecca's baby shower!

Happy Valentine's Day!

yogurt yumminess by Heidi

baby shower preview

nuts

stairclimber

whoops

locked out

feeding

pulling up

hello, baby!

messy to beautiful

perhaps she's teething?

sniffles

so big

popcorn

playing in the snow

Heidi's first snow

fat camp at a wedding

*simply scratch* - yum

chew toys

budding photographer

a three day weekend

post nap

little ERGO

happy feet

song of the stars

i love to eat!

Heidi's baptism

New Year's Eve dinner

at the museum

at the zoo

(day after) Christmas day

Christmas day: afternoon

Christmas day: naptime

Christmas day: morning

Christmas at our house

Happy New Year!

say cheese

playing the "pino"

Merry Christmas!

creative juices

expressions

cute babies

crawling

holiday lights at Macy's

trains . . . trash truck . . . lights

waiting

our Christmas tree

tree lighting

line 'em up and feed 'em

tricks with Daddy

Jesse Tree: Celebration of Advent

Lydia's elephant birthday party

Ashley's baby shower!

intensive care nurse

post-nap smiles

Heidi's first foods

storytime with Lydia

two-years-old

neglected

a rough evening

allbody

baby shower preview

baking

Happy Halloween!

sad face

church

twelve birthdays

favorite sister

opposite naps

noisemaker

football

wedding details

rings

swinging together

line 'em up

reading

simply scratch - yum