i love you more than icecream

Emma Jane and I have been playing the "I love you more than..." game for a few weeks now. I started this by telling her that I love her more than ice cream, something SHE likes a lot! Then I would say, "I love you more than toys" or "I love you more than cookies"...you get the point. Well, she got it, too! All on her own, she started asking me, "Do you love me more than chocolate?" or "Do you love me more than coffee?" She knows that these are things that I do, indeed, like an awful lot! Of course, I could whole-heartedly tell her that YES, I DO love her more than those things. Tonight she totally cracked me up by asking, "Do you love me more than cameras?" and "Do you love me more than washing machines?" and "Do you love me more than vacuums?" These are the things that I use on a daily basis and she obviously thinks that I love using them. Of course, I could HONESTLY say that YES, I love her more than those things. Inevitably, she also asked if I loved her more than daddy. I was waiting for this one. I explained to her that I love daddy, Vivi, and her equally. Surprisingly, she accepted this answer without question. She's a smart girl who definitely knows how much she is loved, but she doesn't mind sharing that love with those she loves too!

spring has sprung

We are enjoying this springy weather and spending a lot of time outside!

bumbo!

Look who's sitting up in the bumbo! Vivi gave it a try for the first time this weekend. She sat up pretty well and seemed to like the new view it provided. Not to be outdone, Emma Jane gave it a try, too. She was not a fan of the bumbo when she was Vivi's age, but she seems to think it's pretty cool now! Emma Jane also thought it was fun that Vivi could sit next to her on the floor while she watched one of her favorite shows. Cute sisters!

comfy and cozy

Emma Jane loves her new "big girl bed" and so do we! It's a beautiful sleigh daybed with a trundle for future sleepovers. We weren't sure what she would think about giving up her first bed and dresser, but she was actually excited to see them in Vivi's nursery. As a matter of fact, if she is super tired or upset about something she'll say, "I want to be comfy and cozy in my new big girl bed!" In the new bed there is room for us to snuggle up with her to read bedtime books. It's so comfy that sometimes we wind up snoozing with her for awhile!

ouch!

Emma Jane took her first face plant last weekend. She was doing the "tummy swing" on the swing set in our backyard and the swing slipped out right under her. Poor thing landed face first in the dirt! She sat up screaming with a mouthful of dirt and a pretty good-sized scrape on her forehead. It's so hard to see your child hurt themselves like this, especially when you are standing right there when it happens. But, not to worry, this boo boo was nothing that a few hugs, kisses, and M&M's couldn't cure!

uno...dos...tres

Three is a magic number in our household this month. Vivian turned three months old yesterday. We love her sweet smile and she smiles ALL the time. We are lucky that she is such a happy baby girl. Emma Jane has become really interested in the number three recently. She has just learned how to hold up three fingers and she knows that will be her age on her next birthday (5 months from now!). She asks for three cookies or three crackers or three crayons. She went on a bike ride with Paul at the park the other day and she brought back three flowers for me!

chasing and cuddling

We took a trip to the Riverfront Park today to enjoy some of this early springtime weather. Emma Jane ran and climbed and explored her heart out. I had to include a picture of Emma Jane in motion with only half of her visible because this is how 90% of the pictures we take of her turn out. That girl does NOT slow down! While at the park, Vivian did what she does best...slept! By the way, if you haven't noticed, we have to drape our sweet baby in huge bibs. The acid reflux causes her to lose her lunch pretty frequently and unexpectedly. I've finally decided that I can't let that slow us down. We've been out and about all week and I just make sure that I'm prepared with lots of bibs and burp cloths and a change of clothes. Vivi is pretty good about just going with the flow regardless of her tummy issues. We had a wonderful time basking in the sun while chasing one little girl and cuddling the other.

good friends make the world go round

We've had some fun play dates with our friends this week. Addie and Lily both came to play at our neighborhood playground. Now that the girls are older, they are really starting to enjoy playing together. Today Addie and Emma Jane went down the slide countless times and Addie was kind enough to share some snacks with Emma Jane. Earlier this week Lily and Emma Jane had fun chasing each other, playing with a beach ball, and coloring cute monkey masks. The playground is the perfect place to let our girls play safely.

We also went out to dinner with Lily and her family on Valentine's Day. There was a man at the restaurant who makes balloon animals and he made the girls adorable ponies that actually fit around their bodies! Lily and Emma Jane rode their ponies all over the restaurant! Lily also shared her dessert with Emma Jane....now THAT'S friendship!

you are my i love you

We had a wonderful Valentine's Day. We are so lucky to have two beautiful girls as our valentines. I found a few sweet books for Emma Jane and Vivi and cute stuffed animals covered in fun prints. I also stumbled upon a book for Paul from the girls called "You Are My I Love You". I will have to quote a few lines here because it is one of the sweetest children's books I've ever read (and I've read MANY!). It truly describes the relationship that Paul has with Emma Jane and will one day soon have with Vivi. I'm sure any parent would feel the same.

I am your parent; you are my child.
I am your quiet place; you are my wild.
I am your calm face; you are my giggle.
I am your wait; you are my wiggle.
I am your carriage ride; you are my king.
I am your push; you are my swing.
I am your way home; you are my new path.
I am your dry towel; you are my wet bath.

There's more, but I don't want to ruin it for those of you who might like to read this book for yourself.

Happy Valentine's Day!

XOXO