in every season: 07.12

IN THE SUMMERTIME.

springfield cardinals game, sno-cones and a little bit of swimming.

lazy days inside to get away from the heat and playdates with friends.

this is our summer.

HAPPY PLACE.

this post is kind of a mixture of random thoughts of where we are right now.... it's a happy place.

we're making some changes around here. we're getting rid of things we don't need. we're de-cluttering. it feels good. really good. i'm in the mood to redecorate.... which costs money, so for now i have my eye on a new sofa on craigslist. i'm looking forward to so many things and also trying to live now to the fullest as well. our colorado trip is on and i can't wait to be outside and do some hiking. michael has been biking to work a couple days a week and i know this isn't a big deal to people that live in bigger cities where biking, walking and buses are the main transportation. but, springfield is really just now trying to become more bike friendly. our house is around 6 miles from his work and he's loving the extra exercise he's been getting. he said he just feels better. he feels like he's not in a big rush. the other day he forgot his belt because he changes into his work clothes when he gets there. and of course it was on the one day that elle was sleeping in. i woke her up and we met him. after that we went to the park. we haven't been going to the park very often because we're kind of slow in the mornings and it's too hot later in the day. this needs to change. elle loves the park. i love the park. we were the only ones there that weren't walking on the track so i took about a million pictures of her. some people think if you're taking pictures that you miss out on the moment. i agree somewhat, but i also love being goofy trying to get her to smile and laugh. i love these snapshots of her personality and i'll be so happy i was a camera-happy mom later on. i try to take a few and then put away the camera (in this case my phone) and put full attention on her the rest of the time. it's good to find a balance. i've noticed lately that my blog is basically a big "scrapbook" of pictures of elle. i'm ok with that (and i hope you don't get too tired of seeing pictures of her). she's kind of a big part of life.

do you get the itch to make changes? i'm glad i married someone that puts up with my ideas... and that is actually sometimes a little crazier than i am with wanting to change things up. it keeps things fun and exciting.

xo.

HOMETOWN PARADE

doesn't elle make some great faces? she makes faces like my mom all the time. and she gets the squinty eyes from michael. so great. my hometown always puts on a little parade and you can always bet there will be lots and lots of tractors and horses. the kids gets loads of candy and my old small town main street brings back so many good memories... and so many memories of dreaming about moving to a bigger city. but, i always love going back for a visit.

11 MONTHS

WHAT?! yesterday my precious little baby girl turned 11 months old. how is that even possible? she was just born... like yesterday. i've been getting asked quite a bit when we think we'll have another. i always, always pictured our kids close together, but for this season, elle is all we need. that's not to say if i did get pregnant that we wouldn't be over the moon excited to welcome another little one to our family. i've learned so much about myself over this past year (i know, such a cliche thing to say. but really.) i'm finding out who/what is really important to us and growing more comfortable in my skin, my likes, my dislikes every day. i have absolutely loved being a stay at home mom. i won't lie and say i didn't get stir crazy being in the house every now and then. honestly, i have put her in her car seat and taken a little drive up to sonic down the road just to sit in the car with a coke to drink and for a little break. we need breaks every once in a while as moms. i used to feel guilty for "needing a break" but i know it's best for all of us. i'm super blessed to have a husband that helps out so much. he understands some days we need take-out. he always gets elle in the mornings and brings her to me with a fresh diaper. he plays with her in the evenings and wants to be there for us.

ellie reese, i love you so much and daddy does too. you have 6 teeth (two bottom, four top front). you don't have any desire to walk, but you've started doing a little gorilla crawl. you love food... waffles and bananas are two of your favorite things. you're shy for a minute and then love all the attention. you say "haaiiii" to millie when you wake up from every nap. you're a good sleeper. you napped on me over the weekend for the first time in a while. i kind of really loved it. you love other babies and kids. you laugh when we say the word "funny" and babble like crazy. you are a precious little baby and you make our world wonderful.

HAPPY 4TH! (continued)

on the 4th we went to the parade and ran into some friends from church... we had coney dogs for lunch at steak n shake... we relaxed and watched fireworks from our backyard. we savored the last few hours of michael's mini-vacation. i got pretty spoiled having him around for 5 whole days. i love spending time with my little family.

we're not done with independence day celebration! my hometown has a parade and big fireworks show tomorrow. i'm ready for some family time! happy weekend!

HAPPY 4TH!

We spent the 3rd of July watching fireworks in Michael's parents neighborhood in the back of their truck. They put on a pretty good show! Elle LOVED them... she pointed and clapped and was so adorable.