I needed that!

Tonight Blair and I went running for the first time since I was 19 weeks pregnant with Lily.  The thought of running has felt like a MOUNTAIN.  It seemed SO overwhelming, so much more so than any other time in my life.  Maybe b/c I have been eating everything in sight (its totally an idol for me) and not having any physical activity excect our occasional walks that have been infrequent lately with all of the snow.  But this morning in a more sane moment, I felt motivated.  It was SO good... we didn't even run that far but it was so good for me mentally.  And I forgot about the fact that running doesn't feel as much like running when you do it with a friend... it feels more like therapy or an anti-depressant.  So I am thankful for that "easy" run and that the mountain seems a lot smaller in my mind tonight.  My body may pay tomorrow but hopefully, the endorphins that were released can take care of it.

And for dinner, I made some super easy burritos :) so that was nice to come home to.  I'd had one at The Tavern that I really liked so tried to replicate it... it was just jasmine rice, black beans and fresh spinach (sauteed with garlic in olive oil), then salsa on top.  So yummy!

Tickle Time

Lily is so much fun!  She stayed up with us one night this week after bedtime.  It was a little milestone in that it was her first tickle session with Mike.  I so enjoyed it!

No video to go with it, just these pics... during the laughing tickle session, she was sitting with me (on my end of the couch after these pics were taken) and Mike kept getting her with his feet and she would cackle, cackle (Mother Goose, have you any feathers loose?).  Then she'd grab his feet when he wasn't looking.  :)  Our sweet girl, I just love her!

Things about Lily...

 * she reaches up for my face or hair while I am feeding her (and takes breaks to coo at me)

*she loves to pull her legs up and then kick them down while she's getting changed

*she squeals and cooes the sweetest sounding "ahhh's"

*she's learning to "jump" when she gets excited, she'll do this when you are holding her upright and in the jumper

*she says the consonant sound "g", this week we've heard a "k" (maybe even "kitty"- I know that's stretching it ;)
*she could win awards in the 'sit and reach' (I think she is curious like Lil Sr, seeing and wanting to pick up the pennies on the floor)

*I feed her 5X day, she has solids once a day

*she takes 2-3 naps

*she sleeps from 7:30pm until 5-6am, then eats, then goes back to sleep til 8:30 or 9am.

I'm sure this is so boring to anyone other than me but Lily's hair is starting to grow back on the back of her head.

Here's a pic from December (isn't that bald spot cute?!)...

Choo Choo

After naptime, we drove up to Ashland to see Charlotte and Adam (and their house!).  Then we drove downtown to see if we could see a train.  We just showed up w/o any real planning... and it was on its way just as we got there!

here it comes!...

Hi Choo-Choo!!!

my valentines

look at these sweet hands...

We had a fun Valentine's visit from Gram and Pop--- they came bearing (personalized) Valentines books and yummy chocolate "ants" (just like in Peter's book!)... and a gift card for us.  Thank you Gram and Pop!

our reader

Several times lately we have found Peter in his bed after waking up with books that he's brought up to read.

An all-time fav:  Richard Scarry's Best Word Book Ever

look at that drool stream! :P

I Am Bound

This morning at church we were singing On Jordan's Stormy Banks as our final song.  The lyrics of the song end with "I am Bound, I am Bound, I am Bound for the Promised Land".  When the music stopped Peter let out a loud "YAY!!!!", so loud that the whole church chuckled and looked our way.  :)  Then Steve (our pastor) commented when he went up to give the Benediction, "That IS something to cheer about!"  Oh, that we would and he would always give those words and that truth a big "YAY!"

our week

We've been indoors a lot this week with the ongoing snow.

(but today it's SUNNY!)

Peter had a treat on Monday (it was a treat for ME too)... he spent the morning at Gram's house and had a great time.  She is like our own private preschool :).  He came back singing "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" and hasn't stopped since... his version is baa, baa, baa, sheep... mumble, mumble, wool, yes sir, yes sir, mumble, mumble.  :)

I brought the last 2 snow pops in for Mike and I to have for dessert while we watched TV one eve (we have dessert every evening :)- usually ice cream).  Then he said the nicest thing- he told me to eat both of them.  So I did.  Cake, icing and chocolate on a stick is good! 

Lily got her first tooth on Tuesday!!

Mom came yesterday and we finally made our escape outside of the house!  It was glorious!  We went to Buttons and Bows and bought Lily's dress for Will and Emily's wedding... its PURPLE and has PINK TULIPS smocked around the neck- love it!  Then we scored some clearance clothes from Gymboree for next winter (I can't believe my baby boy may be wearing a size 4!).  Our final destination was lunch at Chick-Fil-A.  Thank you Grandma!

Peter and Mike were dressed alike this morning in their cargo jeans and brown thermal shirts so I grabbed a quick shot.

I've been thinking this week a lot about how thankful I am that both of these little ones are under my roof.  I am so thankful that I get to spend this time with them.  I'm reading a book by Paul Miller called "A Praying Life" and in it he talks a lot about God's desire that we approach Him like a child (not a cynical adult)... they more accurately reflect our true position before God.  They help me so much in understanding this.