we are family

juliet isn't quite sure what to think of bathtime yet. she's glad she's graduated from the kitchen sink to the tub, but i can't really say that she feels one way or the other about the bath itself.  hopefully this changes, because there are few things better in this world than a big bubble bath and curling up in fuzzy robes afterwards.  and hot chocolate.  and puppies.  i think i'm losing focus.

she does, however love all of the up close time with both mommy and daddy.  i love how she lights up when we're both around.  when we go in to tag-team for the 4am diaper change/feeding and she flashes one of those big smiles, it's like she's saying "hey!  this is our little family - isn't it great?!"  ...you forget for a minute that the sun won't be up for another 2 and a half hours {but just for a minute because 4am is still crazy early}.

we love you, baby girl!

won't you be mine, valentine?

i know we're a day late...but hey, we've got a 2-month old over here. 

juliet was our valentine this year, and she set the bar high.  lots of sweet cuddles, a long nap which let me make cupcakes for daddy, and a good night's sleep - best gifts around if you ask me.

we love this little lady.

a little 2-week reality check.

hello!

i cannot believe our little girl is two weeks old {plus a day!} already...seriously, it seems like we were just taking her home from the hospital yesterday.

i am surprised to see how much has already changed in these short 15 days.  for instance, i now realize that i can survive on a broken-up sleep schedule {knock on wood, but juliet has fallen into a great sleeping pattern: 3 hours down, 1 up to eat, then back down with little to no fussing...i am counting my blessings}.  i also have had to revise some of my expectations for myself.  i am a doer: i feel most complete and accomplished when i get things done, and i will usually push myself to do so...but nowadays, there is someone way more important than that extra load of laundry, or the floor which desperately needs to be swept, etc.  and so?  i give myself a break.  as long as my baby is fed and safe, my day is complete.  dinner will figure itself out {especially when my parents stop by to feed us (:...thank you again!}.

also, you know all of those "i will never..." statements that you think up when you think of what you will/ won't do with your child?  some are worth sticking by definitely, but others may need to be revised.  i swore up, down, right and left that i would never give my kids a pacifier. {when i was a kid, i used one for too long and it made me have speech problems later which had to be corrected in therapy...read: "hi! i'm thephanie."...}  but you know what?  pacifiers work, people, and if it soothes my baby and helps her sleep i am all in.  

i am also very thankful for the little things in my day...the cup of coffee i enjoy during her morning nap, the books i read to her as she's falling asleep {this morning it was are you my mother?}...my sister coming over whenever i need an extra set of hands and literally doing anything i need in return for a few minutes of baby-holding.  heidi: you are a gem!

so this is life nowadays!  and i couldn't be happier (:

hope you all enjoy your weekend!

christmas this year.

some snaps of the holidays this year with my family.

such good people.

good times.

and of course, good food.

enjoy.

mama & heidi

sisters!

roasted carrot soup. (:

dinner!

sometimes i worry my dad is too serious...

emily!

everyone's favorite cone-kitty, mr. charlie

i hope your holidays were filled with family and warm memories.

wishing you the best for 2013

love, jordan & steph