I always forget...

How good it feels to laugh until I cry.










How I fall in love with my husband again every time I see him play with my friend's kids.




How happy it makes me to see my girl love people I love.







That sometimes the things that seem like obstacles turn out to be the best blessings.

Traditions

Early in the morning.
Early in the morning.
When I'm fast asleep.
When I'm fast asleep.

I'm little. Little enough to be enveloped in my Mom's arms. Cold from just getting out of a bath, but warm and snuggly cuddled up in a towel close to her. She sings to me and I wait to sing my part. The way we sing every night. And will sing for many nights to come.

Fast forward 23 years give or take a few. She's cuddled up in my arms and she doesn't quite know the words yet. But she knows she likes it. She knows to ask for the "bird song".

Tonite is special. I hold her in my arms and when I sing the first line, someone else sings back. She sits there mesmerized watching her Mom and "Mimi" sing the song they've sung so many times before. The song they know by heart. The song that
she'll someday sing to her little girl.

Spring has sprung...

...and we couldn't be happier! Not only has it come for a day or two, but this week after week record breaking weather has got us spoiled.

We've been doing a lot of parks.




Lots of playing in our own backyard (Lily's favorite night and day!).




Lots of after dinner walks and stick collecting.




We went to Kensington Metro Park with Mimi and saw lots of animals.













And of course have frequented the zoo!





We're pretty sure this weather won't be around long, so we've been living life intentionally and blissfully, enjoying every last second. We've been treating each day like a vacation that won't last. And that has made it all the more special.





And today is officially the first day of spring! That can only mean... Free ice-cream! (Sorry you missed it again Ma Maw.)











Hope you're enjoying life like we are! :)

The return of the zoo!

It's here... spring! Er... Or maybe a 65 degree day that gave us a short little preview of spring... and we enjoyed it. We used this opportunity to return to one of our favorite spots-- the zoo.







This was our best zoo visit yet. Lindsay and Baby Harper joined us for Harper's first trip to the zoo and the first time Lily really "got it." As always, cue the memories...






Lily's 1st trip to the zoo- April 2010

This time, Lily loved the animals and could identify them all by name. It was like a reunion with long lost friends. Such a great day!












Look close to see Joey feet in the Kangaroo's tummy!

(Thanks for all the pictures, Lindsay!!)

Baby Harper's Baptism

It started here...

(Karolyn's School of Dance 1992)












Made a stop here...

(Bank of Birmingham 2006)







Had some fun times...

And Picked up these guys along the way...

(both Rob O.'s, I might add)





And now here we are, both couples raising our little girls and doing life together.

Without the O'Lynngers, I don't know where we'd be. They're friends that have always been there for us through thick and thin and we love them to death. This weekend, we celebrated a special occassion for their gorgeous girl.  Harper's Baptism at Holy Name.

It wasn't long ago that they were here with us celebrating this day with Lily and we felt so flattered to get to share this day with them.

How time flies when you're having fun! (Almost 2 years ago!!) From this...

To this...

Lily and Harper have had lots of adventures together already and Lily has progressed from calling her "non" (her old word for baby) to greeting her with, "Hi Baby Harper, It's me, Yiyee!" I'm sure they'll be better and better friends throughout the years, but these pictures were priceless.

  

Lily also met another friend at the baptism, "a good catholic boy," as Aunt Lindsay said. ;)

We all had such a great time at the baptism and were so excited to be there for this special day.
Happy Baptism, Baby Harper!

Ice Cream

The first time I ever heard Lily ask for ice cream. And she asked for it over...
And over...
And over!
So we took a trip out at 8pm for ice-cream. After all, her pregnant Mama understands a thing or two about cravings.

Sleepytime

Lunch. Check.
Bath. Check.
Milk. Check.
Pacifier. Check.
Story. Check.
But where is my sleepy girl?

Lily's bed was too hard...

Mommy's bed was too soft...

...but "Wriggy's" bed was just right!

Goodnight.