Kid's Best Friend

We have the best, sweetest dog that ever lived.  Charlie, our firstborn, is such a sweetheart.  

We always knew we wanted to have a golden retriever because they are so great with people, especially kids!

Charlie with Anya as a baby.  Can you say drool queen???

Ollie Man has just recently started paying more attention to Charlie.  

It's so cute to watch him reach for him.  

I'm so grateful to have a friendly dog that our kids love.  Whenever we leave the house Anya keeps saying "Bye Charlie! See you later.  We will be back soon."  I love how she cares so much for him.

Ollie's first "ride" on Charlie.  

Poor Charlie, he sure puts up with a lot!!

10 on 10:: March 2014

Happy 10th friends!

Today we were...

Exercising

Today was a test/ skill day to see how much for scores from day 1 have improved.  I can't believe how much stronger I'm getting in such a short time.  It's very encouraging to see scores go up!

Discovering

An indoor colored water table makes toddlers happy and keeps them busy!

Applying

 I'm loving the "Gideon" study that my women's group is doing.  I'm learning new things everyday.

Building

Anya and I built a tower complete with a mud bath on top for Piggie and hay for Giraffe;-)

 Fasting

I'm dedicated to our church's Lent challenge.

 Dressing

 Smiling

Reaching

Eating

Oliver's first time eating avocados was a success but very messy. 

Hanging

I'm upset I didn't capture the precious moments of Anya jumping in the puddles on our walk before naps, with Charlie by her side.  It was so adorable!  She couldn't stop giggling as she splashed the water with her boots and snowpants on.  Her little "jog" is so sweet with her bulky snowpants on, but she didn't let that slow her down. I let her bring a farm tractor with us on our walk and she ran it through the water several times.  She had so much fun it was a little challenge getting her to walk the rest of the way home with me, so I bribed her with building a snowman when we got to our yard.  Oliver came close to falling asleep in the stroller sitting up like a big boy.  When I peeked at him his little knit shark hat had fallen so far down on his forehead that it was pushing his eyes shut.  The sun feels so warm today which means spring must be coming! (After 1-3 inches of snow we are expected to get.  Praying it's the last of it!)

Happy 10th!

Me and My Irish Baby

I'm loving this lazy Sunday afternoon with my littlest love.  He's rockin' his Irish pride today!

I cherished every moment of our alone time (a rarity nowadays).  

Playtime first and then sweet potatoes for lunch.  

This guy sure loves his food and toys.

And when Anya woke up they shared some very sweet hugs and kisses.  

Nothing warms my heart more than hearing Anya talk to Oliver and

him respond with a smile and touching her face.  

Oliver is 7 Months!

Dear Oliver,

Happy 7th month of life little guy!  This has been by far the best month yet.  You are growing more and more independent and it's been a joy to watch your personality develop!  

You are such a laid back baby, very easy going, easy to read, and easy to make smile!  I LOVE YOU!

 Likes: Anya, Charlie, Eating, Toys, Sitting Up, Sleeping on tummy, Sucking on his fingers

 Dislikes: Seeing Mommy and not being held

Your Stats: 9-12 month clothes, size 3-4 diaper, shoe size 2-3...only wore shoes once or twice just about 18lbs, 27inches long.

Nicknames: Baby Ollie, Ollie J, Oliver James, Ollie boy, Little O, OJ

You loves eating fruits and veggies and starting to drink water from a sippy last month.  You still nurse about every 3 hours.  Lately you have been sleeping like a Champ!  12 hours through the night.  It's amazing!  

I swear when you woke up from your nap you looked at me and said "Wah, wah...Mama!"  Maybe coincidence, but it was crystal clear.  Very cute regardless!

And for kicks...here's a picture of Anya at 7 months:

I love you Oliver James!  

xoxo

Mommy

TBT::March Edition

For "Throwback Thursday" I thought it would be fun to look what March has looked like in the past few years for us.

March 2011...bed rest with Anya.  

I'm pretty sure I only got out of my pj's (and did my hair) was because I took pictures. 

So clearly March of 2012 was really really really mild!  I remember my tulips bloomed very early (normally bloom on Anya's birthday in May) but this year it was in the 80s in February and March.  Do you remember this wonderful heat wave???  

It was so warm this March that we had our windows open and decided to upgrade our patio. 

Clearly a much different March than this year.

March 2013..Will baby #2 be a boy or girl?

Pregnancy with Oliver

I love how "17 weeks" wouldn't cut it...:-)  But when you are pregnant you get why I said "mid"...

well, if you are crazy specific like me!  Every day counts in my book!

 Last March we had our Gender Reveal party.  I was very confident it was a boy!

 Loving our lunch dates with "Mama"!