See ya, 2014

Can you believe 2014 is behind us already!? Its almost unreal how quickly the year went by. This last year brought so much change for our family. Rue was born at the end of 2013 so this was our first full year as a family of four. It was an amazing first year, watching Rue grow. All those amazing milestones that come with the first year and watching Luna fall into her role as a proud, loving, big sister. But it was also kind of terrible...lets be real, parenting is hard, man! Going a full year with no sleep! Rue is an early riser and on top of that, until she turned 1 she got up 2-3 times a night. Now I know this is nothing new, and most of you mamas out there can relate. But this was definitely new to us! Luna started sleeping through the night at 4 months and never looked back! How naive we were to think baby #2 would be the same. Thank goodness Rue is sleeping through the night these days though and we are starting to feel like humans again, maybe even doing a little more than just surviving throughout the day and the circles under my eyes are very slowly lifting. I have had some of the best times of my life last year (really the best!) yet it is also the hardest year our family has seen. Luna had her first trip to the E.R. and has the chin scars to prove it,  Last May my husbands job situation changed suddenly and unexpectedly which left us in a hole that we are still struggling to work our way out of. That kind of stress can be so hard on a family and its a constant struggle to keep our heads up and not let the girls (or our marriage) feel the weight of what we are going through. But we are understanding now more than ever, how to see the good in things even when it seems like there is none, and how to have fun and be happy in the worst of times. I mean, these years are never coming back to us. This. is. it. We are working hard together to better our situation and taking the rest in stride because after all, its so hard to be miserable when your surrounded by the people you love the most! I know going into 2015 will still be a challenging year but that's okay, there are lots of happy memories to be made and I cant wait!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014 you were tough...not all bad though. 2015? lets do this!

 

 

Our 2 year House-iversary

2 years ago today, over a month after what was supposed to be our closing date, we finally got the keys to our first home. It was crazy, and stressful to move RIGHT before Christmas. But we were so happy and excited to start that new chapter in our lives. Right before we put the key in the door to enter our home for the first time as its owners we took a picture on the front step. Its become a tradition of ours now, every year on our "house-iversary"

Its been such a blessing for us to grow our family and make memories in this home. I cant wait to see what year 3 brings!

Dear Saint Nick, A four year olds letter to Santa

These are Luna's words 100 % I just transcribed them for her.

I told her we needed a sign off like- from, Luna or Sincerely, Luna and well, you can see what she came up with! What's a Robo-3000 car? Couldn't tell ya, and neither could she. She said it's just something she just thought up....we don't have cable so it couldn't be from a commercial which was my first thought, and why it needs cookie cutters is an even bigger mystery. But that's Luna through and through! 

Advent Week 2!

We are already through our second week of the advent calendar which means we're that much closer to Christmas! Eeek! We had a lot of fun this week though!

our advent cards last week

Luna's friend from ballet turned 5 last week and had a gingerbread house building party. So fun!

Every year Luna and I make ornaments together. Last year we made little jingle bell wreath ornaments, this year- salt dough ornaments!

I think rolling the dough was her favorite part.

Luna's favorite advent activity this week was "leave happy notes for strangers" she helped me write happy notes to leave around town. I asked her what she thought we should write that would make someone feel good and she came up with "I love you" and  "If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands" everywhere we went that day we left one behind. ( on the kiosk at the post office, in the door at the thrift shop, the bathroom mirror at target.) The rule was we had to be real sneaky and make sure no one spotted us leaving the note. (of course, she loved that part) . She kept saying she hoped someone sad would find one so it would make them happy. I love that girl.

Writing her happy notes

"May we dance?' This girl cracks me up, but family dance parties are my favorite parties.

That's that for our advent week in photographs. The girls and their dad also paid a visit to Nanas and Papas while Mama went Christmas shopping and we watched Ernest Saves Christmas for family movie night. Now we're already into our third week...how did that happen?!

Sniffing Out The Perfect Tree

I love a real Christmas tree. Unless its an Evergleam. Obviously l'd prefer that, but until I get my hands on one of those and convince my family its a good idea, then its a real tree all the way! Every year our family goes to a local tree farm in search of the perfect tree to chop down and this year was no different.

We had a kind stranger take a picture of the four of us while we were on the tractor ride. I'm trying hard to be in more pictures. I'm always the one taking the pictures, but i'd hate for my kids to look back on our family photos and never see their mom having fun too!

First things first

Luna decided that the right tree was chosen by the way it smells. 

Every time we said, "how bout this one?" Luna would get close, spread the needles flat, take a big long sniff and say, "No, that doesn't smell right."

The first time Luna said, "This smells right!" was the last time because that's the one we chose!

Rue was pretty content to hang out in the Ergo all day snuggled with mama

Pack her up and take her home!

Hay ride to the bottom of the hill!

Now it really feels like Christmas in our home! How do you get your Christmas tree? Do you prefer an artificial one? Do you go to a farm or buy a pre-cut one? Or maybe you Griswold it and cut down a massive one from the forest? I won't judge.

A Family Tradition Volume 2: Our Advent Calendar

We are a family that is pretty keen on making memories and family traditions. I've shared here before about our movie nights but we have some holiday traditions too! The elf on the shelf (Mr. Bean) visits our family every year starting December 1st. On his first visit he brings Christmas Pajamas with him for the girls. We've done this since Luna was little and its more fun now because it gives me another reason to get these girls in something matchy matchy! Along with Mr. Beans arrival, December 1st is also the day we start our advent calendar. I made a simple one a few years ago from felt and although each year i have every intention of making a new one, we end up sticking with this one. It sure isn't a fancy one worthy of pinterest but it holds special memories for us.

Our week 1 advent calendar cards! Pajama day? Yeah, that ones my favorite.

Luna is so excited each morning to get up, see where her elf has landed and check the advent calendar. There's a card for each day with a fun activity and little special surprise in the pocket. We like to keep it simple with fun erasers, small pieces of candy, things like that. She was especially excited this week about the Rudolph Band-aids! She immediately searched her legs looking for some sign she needed to use one.

I have to admit, it's not all for her. Watching her in these moments makes me happy too! .

What does it say?!

Sweet sisters. The sight my uterus always dreamed of. Anxiously awaiting fresh baked cookies! Although for Rue it might have been less about the cookies and more about the mysterious bright light coming from the giant metal thing.

Sipping hot chocolate and reading stories by flash light...in a fort of course.

Obviously I didn't get pictures of each activity on the cards but mostly because I was off enjoying them instead. And I'm good with that.

Rue Violet

Rue is one today. It seems impossible but its true. I truly don't know how a year has passed since she joined our family. I do feel a little sad about how quickly this time has gone and there is so much i'm going to miss. But I am excited too, she's changing and learning everyday. Its pretty incredible to see this little girl discovering the world. She isn't walking on her own yet, but she will happily scoot around the house pushing a cart or holding our hands. She laughs constantly. She's happy and funny and watches her sister with big bright eyes, giggling and squealing at everything she says. If you ask her, how big is Rue? She will fling her arms wide open and smile. She loves to clap her hands and give big kisses. She's still nursing and doesn't show any signs she's ready to give that up. I can't tell you what her favorite food is because she will eat anything her 6 little teeth can chew (including cat food from the cats dish) She says mama and reaches for me when I walk into the room or go to her crib in the morning and I love that. She loves me and I love her, and as much as I already miss my little newborn I can't wait to know this 1 year old. So grow on sweet Rue, there's so much happy ahead!