Until We Meet Again...

This past weekend was SO much fun.  My twin sister and I FINALLY spent a birthday together.  It has been years since we have been able to do that. We all were in the same city for my uncle's wedding reception. It was so much fun to see all my cousins and family, but especially my sister.

 Not only did Lu get to meet all her cousins and some family for the first time, she also got to play in the pool for the first time. She LOVED it! It doesn't surprise me because she has been loving her baths lately. She loved the pool and her float-ee thing.  She kicked, talked, splashed. She loved it. So thankful that went well. Look forward to a summer of pool outings, maybe.... once this momma gets her body into gear ;)

 Here are a few photos of Lu and her Auntie Valerie. My goal was to get a few good pictures of them and us together, I think I did ok. We were together only for a short amount of time so I didn't have too many opportunities, but I got some. Valerie and Lu hit it off. They were smiley and buddies the whole weekend. At one point I went to go get Lu to change her, and she just leaned into Valerie... she didn't want me.  I hope that this bond stays. My sister is an incredible person and has a heart of gold... Lu could sure learn a lot from her. Even though they live far away... I hope there are many more opportunities to make some memories. So, until they meet again, I guess we can enjoy the smiles and photos we captured.

Bake Off

It has been a while since I have baked sugar cookies...actually 6 months since I have baked a sugar cookie. I guess my priorities have changed a little with Little L around.  I haven't even had the desire to bake in fact.
Recently got a few requests for some cookies, and all for good causes. I did some for the YoungLife Cake Auction here in town for a basket with Cabi.   It was so fun to get dough in my hands again. I realized how much I miss doing them. I also realized that having a little one.... they take extra long now too.  I have some baking coming up for some other silent auctions for local fundraisers and it is fun that I get this creative outlet, but get to help some people or students in need at the same time! They aren't big orders, which is nice because I don't want to be in the kitchen all the time while have a little one to hang out with after working all day.
Anyways, here are so pictures of me back at baking :) Of course with my forgetful mind I forgot to take pictures of the final product of the dress cookies. You can check my cookie pictures from past ones... they are the same. 

While I was making cookies for the YoungLife Auction, I had some extra dough, and I wanted to make something special for this couple:

This is my sister-in-law (hate that term because she is like a sister) and her now fiance, Matt. Aren't they cute? It has been SO fun seeing their relationship unfold, grow, and mature to this step.  We are excited about having Matt as a part of our family. Anyways... I could go on and on about these two, but this blog is about cookies, right? Haha. I am sure I will write more at some point about these two.  We have many festivities happening and coming up with them.
So, yes... I wanted to make cookies to celebrate this occasion for them, and this is what I came up with to surprise them.

He Put A Ring On It! These are not perfect by any means, but they sure are fun. It was a great little surprise that was received well. In fact, we are going to make some like this for her to ask her bridal party...so fun, don't you think.

With the little joys of baking, engagements, five month old, and a great family.... I am so blessed and full of joy. God is good in his little blessings, and in the big ones. When I find myself in these "feel good moments," I don't take them for granted...

 

Five Months

This is so surreal... I am writing to tell the blogging world that my daughter is now five months old...what?!?! I have dreamed of becoming a mom for FOREVER. It is all I have ever wanted to be. I knew it was something special, but now I totally get it. She is my world, next to my husband of course. So thankful and blessed by little L. She is laughing, rolling over, smiling, and is quite the little girl. So glad that she is healthy, and that she is ours. I am in awe everyday. Love her.

Happy Birthday Grandpa

My parents are traveling to Philly this next week to see my sister and her husband for a spring getaway. I am kind of bummed I will miss out on some family time with my sister, but I guess that is the way life goes sometimes.
Because my parents are going on their trip, we decided to have a family day this past weekend. It was Lucy's first day outing and it was so much fun. We went shopping, went out to eat, and celebrated Grandpa  Tom since we will miss his birthday while they are gone too! Here is a photo of Lucy and Grandpa from the day.

So thankful for both of these people in this picture, but so amazed by my father. I love him so much, and even though I don't see him as often as I should, especially living in the same town, and even though I might not say it enough...he is truly a wonderful dad and man.  I am glad that we could have some quality time with my parents this past weekend and be with my daddy...

Happy Birthday Daddy (Grandpa), I love you.

Mom

Today I get a call from my mom. She knew we had a busy week and she said that she wanted to drop off a dinner for us. I was excited to see what it was when I got home. Because she watches Lucy for us part of the work week, she has a key. We came home to a table set for two (napkins, place mats and all!) with beautiful flowers in the middle of the table...tulips, my favorite. After we got settled in from work and got Lucy fed we sat down to a meal and talked! We actually had a dinner conversation that consisted of a happy baby in a bouncy chair rather than us passing her between the two of us finishing dinner.  We actually had a conversation about our days and life... it was so nice to have a surprise date night.

The neat thing was, with the flowers was a card. It was written in Grandma's handwriting of course, but it was written as if Lucy called up grandma because she wanted to surprise and treat her parents to a meal. It was so creative, thoughtful, and so enjoyed.

Thank you mom for this treat. I got tears in my eyes when I came home... it was the littlest thing, but made my day. I was overwhelmed with love. Now that I am a mom I can only understand part of the love that you have for me as your child. I have only known Lucy for four months, but I am consumed with her!! I know that being a mom for 29 years... that love is deep. Thank you for loving me mom. Thank you for your kind heart, your lightheartedness, your joy, and servant heart. We appreciate you so much watching Lucy for us and when I should be doing little things like this for you because how you help us out, you are doing it for me. I am so undeserving, but I do love it :)

I know I have said this a lot, I now understand a little bit of what the love my parents have for me after having Lucy. I also have a glimpse of the love our Heavenly Father has for us too. So blessed. So loved.

3 months

Our Lucy is now three months old..yes, I know... it is going by so fast already. She is actually 15 weeks this week, and it is hard to imagine that she will be four months old! We love Lucy and are so blessed to have her as our child. I could go on an on about who she is and the little lady she is becoming, but it would take forever. Through it all I just am amazed by God's love, grace, and his creation as I see that all when I think of being a mom and having a child. 

Anyways, here are some photos from her three month photo session. My friend and amazing talented photographer, Laura, took these photos, check her blog and site (you can find it in the column of my blog).  Enjoy, and I hope our little Lu brings you joy!

Adventures with Ernie

It is one of those mornings here in Minnesota after a winter storm that brought snow and sleet for the past 24 hours. So, with the roads being a mess Lucy and I decided to stay in today. We had a great morning so far celebrating 3 months today!!! While Baxter was asleep on the couch, Lucy and I had adventures with Ernie, take a look!

At first Lucy just checked Ernie out. This was their first meeting (well, for today anyways). Lucy was just staring at him, checking him out to make sure he wanted to play

Once Lucy and Ernie became acquainted they bonded right away. Lucy grabbed him for a hug. It was quite a long embrace but Ernie didn't seem to mind.

After the long hug, Lucy got hungry but inside of nibbling on her hand or fingers... it was Ernie's fingers!

Ernie didn't like that very much, so Lucy and Ernie talked it out and now are friends again!

Ok, so this blog post was probably more for my entertainment during nap time, but it was fun to see Lucy interacting with Ernie. As we played I wondered what she was really thinking, and what her imagination will be like as she gets older. I am so thankful for laughter, baby smiles, and adventures with Ernie this morning. It was just a small little blessing and memory of hopefully many that Lucy and I will make in the future. Taking in all the little moments before I return to work next week!