christmas {part one}

{Christmas Eve}

at home in michigan

church

homemade pizza

new pjs

advent book

{Christmas Morning}

at home in michigan

stockings from santa

Luke 2

presents from mom and dad

advent book

church

biggby coffee

'secretly' playing with his new thomas and percy while dad reads the advent book.

5 years

5 of the best years, married to my very best friend.

happy anniversary, b!

musical line-up

We're constantly amazed at the things our two year old picks up on...as of late, he's impressed us with his song lyric memorization. 

The last song (one you may not be familiar with, but should be) we didn't even know he learned, and when he started singing it, had both Ben and I near tears (I'll include the lyrics, his enunciation isn't always crystal clear. And the words? Well, who doesn't make up a couple filler words to even their favorite songs. I mean, sometimes our versions are almost better, no? ). What a good reminder for us to be filling his little mind with those truths that affirm the Gospel and avoiding those that don't.

I'm fully aware that this post may be a little boring/overkill--but I know at least two grandmas who definitely want to see these. So, 1) sorry if these aren't that interesting to you 2) please feel free to ignore my back-up vocals and just focus on the main attraction.

Behold our God seated on His throne

Come let us adore Him

Behold our King, nothing can compare

Come let us adore Him

THE haircut

Jonah really needed a haircut. Knowing what it would entail, I refused to pay money to spend 25 minutes being publically humiliated due to my unruly toddler. So I did it myself (which I have done before--relatively successfully). So Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on YouTube and me pinning down an uncooperative, whiny, squirmy two year old resulted in an almost okay haircut. Minus the hack job around the right ear (but ear is fully intact, so bonus points there).

But then I got to thinking...it's practically a rite of passage to have an unfortunate haircut in your youth...especially in this family.

And speaking of unfortunate hair...

It's almost like a mullet...except the "party in the back" is pretty much all that's left.

one month

{one month}

has flown by.

12lbs 9oz.

BIG eater.

pretty content, but like to be held.

already enamored by big brother jonah.

sleeping pretty well (although naps have gotten a little shorter as of late).

usually go atleast one 5 hour stretch at night.

already in some 3-6 month clothes.

love bathtime.

looking a lot like j.  

stocking stuffers.

Need some last minute stocking stuffer ideas? Here are some of my current favorites...

As I post this, I realize these are slightly indicative of what my life looks like now: not the "oh, she loves to workout and wear her yoga pants and drink out of her fancy camelback and must have a really clean house and clothes and all this time to read" that it could indicate, but rather "oh, she still is in the awkward postpartum body stage that she's hoping pilates will help out, but currently only fits in yoga pants and has a two year old who draws on walls and spills glasses of water and is usually holding a newborn so sometimes dumps things like oil all over herself and is nursing all the time and since mickey mouse usually take precedence on tv--a book it is." that would be much more accurate...

Zella Booty Pants--Nordstroms

best. yoga. pants. ever. wear so well you could double them as black dress pants if you needed (not that I ever have...but you could...if you were ever in a bind or something...)

this is the best ease-back-into-working-out-do-at-home-while-the-kids-nap-and-still-have-time-for-a-shower pilates workout I've come across.

yes. we all love a good camelback. and the insulated ones? genius. especially for the girl who loves ice water (like more ice than water) but hates the little condensation puddle that usually gathers on the table.

this stuff? it gets out all greasy stains. Like even the 3 cups of vegetable oil that I spill all over myself. really. you NEED some of this.

I mean...what really is this? and how can it remove even the most ridiculous of marker/crayon/scratches/marks all over my walls?

a mom with young kids? read this. funny, challenging, and 100 pages.

I'm not completely done with this so I hesitate to make a full on recommendation, but so far? I really like it.

kid you not, as I was sitting here this was happening behind me--requiring both the magic eraser and degreaser to clean up. I told you. necessities.

the festivities begin...

Thanksgiving. Christmas tree decorating. Lots of time with friends and family.
We love the holidays.


This is how we transfer illnesses around here. Atleast we're cute doing it...

Uncle Bird comes to town (sorry about Jonah. he has been less than cooperative about photos lately)

We've thoroughly studied the Little Tikes "toy book"...

(see caption referring to uncooperative picture taking...)

have you read about that fancy number in the middle, yet?

 Can you sense the stress in Ben's body language? (Type A personalities have a hard time with 2-year-olds decorating Christmas trees). 'Tis the year of breakable ornaments at the top...

i love winter.

my dad says it's the scandinavian in me (I really hate to be hot) but I really do love it. the cold, the snow, really everything but the excessive darkness. i told ben if he ever moves me overseas it better be some place like norway, and not mozambique. and maybe it's days like today...sunny and snowy--like a good iowa winter (not the usual gray michigan). but I mean...how can you not like waking up to this?

1973

That's the year this bad boy first made it's appearance.

That's right--38 years and still going strong. 

The proud owner? My dad. 

He can still tell you exactly how much he paid for this down number, too.

Not sure if the main reason he wears it is because he paid a lot for it as a poor college student, he's proud it's held up so well, he just likes it that much, or to drive us all nuts (there were several of my teenage years that I know the main reason was #4)--in the end, probably just a combo of all the above. But the fact is, this IS what you will see him in when shoveling his sidewalk or hunting for a Christmas tree.

Cheers to many more years of wear? Eh, why not...

TJC

finally, some pictures of the newest little man...