2 or 27 months.

I have been a mama for over 27 months now. Still a novice, no doubt, but I will say that there is nothing as much *fun* as a 2 year old.

She can eat blow pops all by herself


She talks to me in full sentences. Would you believe I have actual conversations with this sweet girl? I would not have believed you if you told me what all she would be doing 27 months ago.



I have said it before, and I will say it again. She is my best friend. I adore her with all that is in me.

When she counted to 10 my heart swelled to the size of the moon.

When she said her prayers all on her own, I wept enough tears of pure happiness to fill an ocean.

Nothing makes my heart melt like butter more than when she walks up to me and says, "I lobe you mama"

I lobe her too. Have I said that before?

I see the budding friendship between her and the little sister girl. Anslee can't get enough of her baby K.



The other day Anslee made Kensington smile the biggest smile she has ever flashed and my mind went straight to the future for them. I hope they will include their way nerdy mama in all secrets and circle of fun.

Tyler said there is nothing better he has ever done in life than have those two. I love that we agree on most things, but especially this. Life is easy this way.

Have I announced that Anslee is doing so good learning her colors?

In order to celebrate her new found knowledge and whole new world colors, we pulled out the paint!



She had to ask me to open each color if she wanted to paint, so I asked her to tell me what color she wanted to paint with. It was neat to have her practice her colors while she had a blast painting the most gorgeous sleeping beauty that I ever saw.







Sleeping beauty is now adorning our little garden (between the carrots and squash) in the backyard. Anslee checks up on her every single afternoon.



Keeping on track with learning new things, our Kensington is growing up so wonderfully fast. She has started loving toys and reaching up for them. Her most favorite time of day in on the play mat gym. Sweet girl thinks she is pretty cute, too, always looking at herself on the mirror that hangs off the side of the gym.



I tell her its ok, if my hair stuck straight up like hers does, I would be looking in a mirror every chance I got too. My beautiful angel girl.

I woke up this morning and realized I did not go give the pacifier to her once last night. I told her what a big girl that made her. So proud. Still sleeping great most nights,(I know it took our girl quite a while) her mama and daddy could not be any more thrilled!

We have more fun around here than you would know. Even on the hard days. Don't let anyone tell you there is not a light to the end of a long tunnel. There is, Praise the Lord!

Easter 2011

What a busy Easter weekend we had around here! We spent time in Coleman with Tyler's family on Saturday and in Abilene with my family on Sunday. We are so blessed to be so closely surrounded by our amazing family.

The girls had a blast, and spent the entire weekend dressed alike. I love it.

Its tradition in Tyler's family, on the Saturday before Easter, to have a big hunt out at his Aunt Besty's house. They have a lot of land so hunting eggs there is always the kids favorite. We eat out in there barn until we can't move. Its a wonderful tradition, and we just think its the most fun time!

Here is what Saturday looked like:

Before heading out to Aunt Betsy's


Uncle B and Aunt Jacy


So excited to hunt some eggs!


Found one!


Still on the look out


Kensington got loved on quite a bit.






This is how Kensington hunted eggs. She did not end up with the most.


This is what the sweet girls woke up too on Sunday Morning. The Easter Bunny did not forget them!


Before church!



Had to bribe Anslee with piece of candy to smile. Kensington required no bribe.



With Their baskets!







We trecked it on down to Abilene after church. Sweet Anslee napped during the festivities, so sweet girl is not in any of the photos. My sweet Kensington got in on some of the action though!

We got to meet cousin Mason's girlfriend. We thought she was a delight, so did K.



Papa and Nell holding 2nd Cousins Paisley and Kensington


We just had an absolute blast. Would you believe that Kensington still got all 4 of her naps in on Sunday. I almost died when it happened with such ease. I was one happy nap nazi to say the least.

I would say we wrapped up Anslee's 3rd and Kensington's 1st Easter as one for the books.

Its beautiful to celebrate the ultimate gift and sacrifice from the father with our loved ones. May my little ones grow to be mindful of why celebrate and one day sooner than later accept that gift for themselves.

3 months!

Kensington is 3 Months old today!

It seems to me like the past 3 months have been so slow moving but so quick too.

Kensington,

Sweet girl. You are growing before our very eyes. You smile all the time. It takes no effort to get to you to grin! We love it and could watch you all day long. Your hair still stands straight up and there is just nothing that we can do to get it to lay down nicely. Just like everything about you, your hair will do what it will.

You have grown to love your bath. It is one of my favorite times a day with you!




Naps! You have also grown into loving your naps! This news excites your mama more than you will ever know! At one month old, I never knew when I would be able to get to take your very necessary naps during the day. Now, you are on the ever loved predictable routine, and life has been *more* smooth sailing than before! We even put you down awake and let you find sleep on your own. You have come so far and we are beyond proud!

You are still a nursing champ and can eat with the very best of them. We are so glad that eating has never been a battle. Precious girl, you are just a regular porker. We love it.



BIGGEST NEWS OF ALL:

you are SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT! Mommy could not be more proud. Or more rested! 11-12 hours you have been sleeping. You usually cry out for that silly paci 1 time and we will slip it right back in your mouth and back to dreamland you go.

You might be the most spirited baby that there ever has been! We love your spunk.

You are clearly teaching us so much and we feel so blessed to have had you for 3 lovely months!

Announcing...

Our Sweet Kensington!




Ready or not, she is here, and this is how we announced her!

Do you love etsy? Of course you do. Who doesn't?

You need to click on over to Cutie Tooley and get your next invitation, announcement, or card of any kind. She does great work, and is so quick to order. Love them. Her name is Erin Tooley and in addition to being a super mom to her 2 precious boys, she whips up fabulous little creations such as these!



I also asked Erin help me with Anslee's birthday invitation! Thank goodness for her willingness to help me. There is not a creative bone in my body!

We are so thankful to Erin, for helping us introduce our newest and ever so precious Kensington to the world and for helping us celebrate our big girls 2nd birthday.

Reflection.

They are a reflection of God shining down favour on Tyler and Me.

May we thank him for the gift they are by reflecting HIM in the way we raise them.

March 19th

March 19th dated our Kensington as 2 months old! Wow. What a journey she has taken us on these past 2 months.


Kensington,

Even though you have had some rough moments...



You are still a gift, a blessing, and a sweet joy.



You are a 11 lbs at 2 months old and growing by the minute! We just stay amazed at how you change and grow so quickly! We find a new "love" roll somewhere on you every single day and we think it just means there is more of you to squeeze and we eat all your cuteness right up!

You focus on mommy, daddy, and big sister Anslee so well now. We saw your first intentional smile at 5 weeks and 6 days old. Your daddy and I were playing and talking with you and you just looked up at us with that huge, beautiful smile of yours. We even captured it on camera!



Oh thank Heaven for the iphone! Perfect moments like that might not have been caught without that little gadget that seems to never leave mommy's reach!

God knew mama needed to see that smile, so he sent it straight to your face to warm my heart.

Would you know that you took your mama by complete surprise when I found that somewhat enjoy spending time on your tummy? You are so strong sweet angel!



What a special treat we had this month! One of Mommy's sweetest friends came down to meet you! She brought along her little man, Jack, who is just the most handsome guy you ever laid your sweet eyes on! You and him and your BFF Addison had lunch together. Precious Addison was the only one left with any energy to stay awake!



We just think Jack is too hot to trot and we hope he comes back real soon.

Mommy has kept you busy exercising! What fun stroller strength class is! You get to laugh at mommy doing silly things like lunges and squats while you learn to count, the days of the week, months of the year, and all kinds of fun nursery rhymes. You have met lots of new friends while getting in tip top shape with mommy. Mommy has made some new friends too!

Thank goodness for the spring like weather, I can already tell you are going to be a girl after your sisters heart and love the outdoors. We sure are enjoying the fresh air and we think you love to be out and about.

We are still working on getting your routine down, but feel good that you will settle into it when you are good and ready.

We would not complain, my sweet non sleeping little chunk, if you had a change of heart and decided it was time to sleep through the night. In fact we might just not know what to do with ourselves when the day arrives that you do!

You still keep us alive and on our toes. We sure think God placed you ever so perfectly into our little family unit and we would not be complete without you.

We love you so. You may be just the most unique little chunk that there ever has been.

Target.

Online shopping needs to happen in moderation here at my house! It is quickly turning into an addiction. Have I mentioned how smitten I am with Target?

Of course it is (one of) my "go to" baby store!

Today, I am even more head over heels for this store. Maybe its because I just bought 17 clothing items for little girls that are ALL to DIE for for $100.00 (huge sale going on) AND what a better bonus than FREE SHIPPING!

My online shopping cart was just full of cuteness. Can't wait to put my girls in their new outfits. Shopping for them is way more fun than shopping for myself!

Next on the list: bathing suits! :)

The girls summer playtime wardrobe may just be complete!

rest.

Tonight I thanked the Lord for choosing me to be Kensington's mom. He must think more of my abilities as a mother than I do.

I prayed for blessings of rest.

I thanked him for creating us to need and want rest.

I thankful that we find rest in him.