It's Friday, I'm in love

Wild child

Welcome to this week's Friday Love!  In lieu of being redundant on what I love (come on...we all know what I'm gonna say...), I'm just going to post pics on today's activity.  It was cold outside, so we were stuck in the house.  So what to do in an already messy house? I decided to make an obstacle course in the living room. 

I pulled out the bench from the bedroom ("walk the plank") and the tunnel from the playroom ("army crawl to the green chair") and a laundry hamper served as a basketball net ("make a basket") and my glider provided just enough wobble ("test your stability"). And of course, the couch and green chairs served as good jumping/running platforms. 

Nico and Priscilla acted as "monsters" on the ground to keep Gianna and Bode moving on the furniture. I think this activity lasted well over an hour!  Plus, it is great for Bode to test himself on balance, jumping, etc.

So that was our Friday.  And that is who I love. Friday Love completed. Check!  Actually not quite "checked" because I am waiting on my other love, Mr. F, to return from a business trip. He will arrive home late tonight. Can't wait to see him!

I hope that you had a wonderful Friday. 

xo

It's Friday, I'm in love

It has been a crazy week (again).  Bode was on Winter Break from school.  It is called a "Winter Break," but it is not a break from the winter weather. We had planned to visit Nana this week. But the weather prevented us from hitting the road.  Hopefully we will be able to visit soon.

This week, we were very low key.  

We made banana bread. We are enjoying it.  But more than that, I love baking with my babies.  The babies got pizza from Mama Mia's twice this week.  We ate cookies in bed while reading stories. It was definitely a week where I relaxed food rules, and it was fun. I loved not stressing about what to make for dinner, or how many fruits/veggies Bode and Gianna have eaten (or not eaten).

We also watched TV.  Aunt Dawnie sent us the classic "Cinderella."  Gianna was very scared by the cat.  She came running to me and refused to leave my side.  So I sat with her for a bit and talked about how it is "just" a cartoon. But then, I forget that her little brain doesn't work like mine does. TV is 'real' in her world. She loved watching Cinderella turn into a princess.  I love how the mice say, "Cinderelly." 

We went for haircuts this week, too, since Bode's hair was in his eyes.  I asked him how he wanted his hair done and he said, "Very short."  So that's what we told the hair stylist. The hair stylist complied, with clippers.  

I really prefer his hair on the longer side. I'm not a fan of the "boy cut." But I think Bode should choose how his hair is done. I always love seeing his smile.

It's been over three weeks, and I love seeing this baby's skin clear up.  He looks so much better. I miss drinking my Starbuck's mocha, and miss eating all things cheese, but I can live without.  I love seeing this little guy's head free of rash and scratches.

On Sunday, it is my blog anniversary, or "blogoversary." I missed last year! So this year, I'm celebrating twice, so to speak. I have some fun things planned. Stay tuned!

Happy Friday!

xo

It's Friday, I'm in love

It's Friday, and I'm in love with...

this boy!  Bode trial'ed Kindergarten today.  It went well, I think.  When I picked him up from school, I swear he looked 5 years older than when I dropped him off this morning.

I'm in love with...

this girl!  Gianna is such a sweet pea. She is always saying, "I love you, mama." Then again, she can burn me so quick. The other day, I was hugging her and asked, "Did you have a good-good day?" and she said, "Yes!" and so I pressed, "What made it such a good-good day?" and she responded, "Jackren was here!"  Ouch. Jacquelyn is our baby sitter.  I felt like Gianna had just knifed me in the back with that response.

I'm in love with...

this baby!  Nico had his first big fever and cold this week. It has been so rough!  This poor little guy has fluid in his ears, a horrible cough and terrible congestion. The pediatrician made me feel worse by explaining that Nico was throwing up because he is "probably nauseous from all the mucous." (I know that you wanted to read that. You're welcome.)  It just breaks my heart that he is only 4 months old and has already had a big sickness.  The pediatrician also said that Bode will be bringing home lots of "stuff" from school. I wish I could feel so matter-of-fact about it.  After this incident, I will have a hard time taking my children anywhere!

This week, with Nico being sick, I have dozed/sat in our green chair, and RWF dozed/lied on our sofa, while Nico would sit in his swing in our living room. Nico didn't sleep, so Mommy and Daddy didn't sleep either. I look longingly at our bed every time I change Nico's diaper. It is funny how you get to a point in sleep deprivation where you would give anything to just sleep in your bed.  At least, that is where I was this week. 

The entire family has been sick over the past 2 weeks. I know that we are not unique in this situation.  But UGH! it has been so hard. 

Stay healthy and warm!

xo

It's Friday, I'm in love*

It's Friday, and I'm in love with:

Babies in cozy sweater sets:

Sun-lit baby eyes that make me think of Weimaraner puppies:

Image taken from Google search

(I love Weimaraners, too.)

I love this little girl who loves dresses so much.  It was 7 degrees when she got up, but she insisted on wearing this cute little frock.

She added the green tutu herself.  And about an hour later, she finally agreed that it was probably a tad too chilly to wear this dress  (and bare legs).

I love this baby wearing hand-me-downs.  I just adore pulling out old baby clothes and toys for Nico. It is so fun to revisit the memories, and I love the idea of reusing these loved items.

I'm in love with Gianna's entourage.  They all aren't always with her. But at least half are in her vicinity throughout the day.  At night, we have to quickly round everybody up for bedtime.  If, after (finally) tucking Gianna into bed, we leave someone out, Gianna will suddenly remember, "Oh! Where is [x]? I need [x]!" and the hunt begins.

From left to right, they are: Penguin (the original gifted by my mother when Gianna was about 5 months old), Penguin (a back-up I ordered online before we left for Berlin in 2012), Hop-hop (a gift from Aunt Deb in Pittsburgh when Gianna was a newborn, named by Gianna and sometimes (now) called, "Mommy"), baby (a gift from Aunt Dawnie that's been around since about 3 months, no name), Christmas baby (a gift from Santa in Gianna's stocking in 2012), Leila (a 2013 Christmas gift from Nana, and not named by Gianna but Pottery Barn), Amy (2013 Christmas gift from Santa, named by yours truly), Kristi (2012 Christmas gift from Nana, named by yours truly) (I named Amy and Kristi because Gianna asked me to name those babies. At the time, I drew a blank on names, but then thought of what made me think of love, my two dear friends Amy and Kristi came to mind), Nico (a gift from Aunt Claudia, named by Gianna), and Brooke (gifted by Grandma when Gianna was about 3 months old, and the doll was much bigger than her and I had a hard time imagining that Gianna would ever be bigger than this doll, named by Bode).

Bode Wm. is sick, and Gianna is headed in that direction, too. So we will stay home and stay cozy until everyone is on the mend.
Happy weekend.
xo

*It's a "Friday Love" but I didn't post it until Saturday.