Happy Valentine's Day!

Another great weekend is coming to an end. There was not that much going on but we definitely enjoyed ourselves. We went to dinner with friends and their little one on Friday night. Saturday we went on a drive, to lunch, and grocery shopping. Aaron and Megan came into town to have their date night and we dog sat George, who barked the entire time Aaron was gone! He is so loyal and prefers to be in the presence of Aaron. Adleigh was such a hoot giving lots of hugs and even saying both of their names throughout their visit. This morning we went to breakfast with TR's parents for his mom's birthday at Cracker Barrel (yummy) and this afternoon we just played inside since it was raining/snowing again!

Lately Adleigh has been busy coloring and playing with her letters. Her favorite letter is E with I coming in a close second. She can spell her first and last name when being led. She also likes to turn the lights in the house off and on. This morning when I got her out of bed, her light was already turned on...my baby is growing up.

TR has been busy preparing for the PE exam that he will be taking in April and just enjoying spending time with all of his girls (doggies included). He is completely wrapped around Adleigh's pinky and she can be heard confidently saying "Dada mon!" (which means dada come on) throughout the day with her hand in the air ready to lead TR around. And of course he is eagerly following!

There is nothing really new going on directly with me in my near future other than the normal day to day tasks which have become so enjoyable and peaceful. I am really coming into who I am as a person, wife, and mother. I love my life here with my family and just feel so blessed that God prepared them for me! Of course, I am also completely infatuated with Adleigh and love the "Mommy mon!" She is so much fun and keeps life so exciting and new.

Tonight, I made manicotti and TR made a soaked salad and we are just sitting around being blissfully stuffed. What a great ending to an amazing Valentine's day!!

Learning to Appreciate the Simple Things

Yesterday, we got so much unexpected snow. Thank goodness TR's flights were cancelled and we got to stay in. However, we did lose electricity for a while. I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to all of our neighbors....we used our window as a big screen TV. I know everything that was happening in our quaint little surroundings and even have to admit to laughing while watching cars/trucks/suvs try to make it up the little hill in front of our house. But who would not crack up watching vehicles spin out and people get out and keep trying over and over again? We finally stopped laughing when we thought about those vehicles sliding down the hill due to our house being the most likely of stopping points!!

Another thing that we learned is that the dogs still can act young. Lucky likes to act all old and grumpy but yesterday we watched her fly through yards running around like a pup! Of course once she got back in the house, she did the slooooow walk up the stairs and made some grunting noises. This event was repeated throughout the day! Noel got into the running around like a crazy dog for a little while but decided that she would rather cling to our legs. I was glad when she went into the garage because she should be snow white and looked more like pee yellow. I am sure the neighbors were talking...just kidding kinda.

There is something so magical about an unexpected snow and all the prettiness of the big, fluffy, white flakes! TR and I were kids again and Adleigh so enjoyed watching us play. She did not however, like to get her hands dirty!! Haha she is a mess!

Adleigh was so tired that she fell asleep right before dinner around 6 (no nap all day) and did not wake up until this morning at 7:30! I love that she loves to sleep...because that allows us to sleep and we like to sleep!

Have a great day!!

just another saturday...

Adleigh and I taking a nap in her bed. I look really big but keep in mind I am in her crib. Sometimes it is hard for her to leave the excitement downstairs so it helps her for me to lay with her which of course I LOVE!!!



Don't worry mom & dad, I have lots of experience driving in ice!!



Her first time to really get out in the snow. Too bad there is hardly any snow and the underneath layer is ice. She did like the getting dressed up part!



This morning Adleigh had a blueberry muffin. She loves them and this is right before having a major meltdown....she threw a piece down and Noel of course had no problem eating it up. Adleigh cried and cried because she wanted that piece back. This unfortunately is becoming a big problem at our house. Adleigh likes to leave food around and Noel likes to eat that food. Last night, Adleigh tried for about 15 minutes to get a chip back that Noel had eaten. Noel just sat there and endured the looks, probing, and tantrums! One day Adleigh will learn to not throw food down if she wants it and they will be the best of friends.

Another of Adleigh loving the muffin. The cup in the background seriously is the best cup ever. We have the sippy cup version and the straw ones....they look cute, are insulated, and have a lock tight feature that never leak!!! Definitely a lifesaver here.

Last weekend, we went to the Museum of Discovery and got the family membership. We can now get into so many different museums all over the US! We are so excited about this and yes we are big nerds, but seriously that place is so cool. We will be visiting there all the time. Especially since it is right next to the Farmers Market! These are Adleigh's handprints that we made into flowers in their craft area. I put them in a plant in our living room and have become very partial to them.

Adleigh likes to interact with the TV. Also notice that our living room has turned into different playstations for Adleigh. She likes to visit each area and is constantly busy!

Is she not the cutest little pink giraffe?

Reading to Daddy!

She loves to go through her "library" and find new books. She is definitely a little me. I love reading to her and have so much fun with her learning new things. TR and I probably each read 3 or more books a night to her. She just grabs one and comes and sits in our lap. We are cherishing this and hoping that it continues to be an interest she loves...I am sure that will please her Mimi!!

The little booger likes to rip her bows off their holder!!

This melts my heart and tickles my soul....she is such a character! Adleigh one day when you read this, I want you to know that everyday you do silly things just to get mom & dad to laugh and baby you truly are the best of us!

She likes to climb up the stairs and then pose...quite the diva! And of course we must always have on our boots!

Adleigh and baby playing together! She likes to have little talks with her toys.

Okay onto the next thing!

We got out of the house today because we were a little stir crazy and were surprised out how much junk was still on the roads. In fact a car had to go off the road so that they did not slide into us!! We went to our neighborhood mexican restaurant and Adleigh literally took out the guacamole dip. We then ventured off to Walmart to get some essentials...strawberries, chocolate dipping sauce, brownies, and diapers. We also got Adleigh a toilet seat to fit on ours and a stool so that she can start practicing going potty in a real toilet. She will start in a new class on Monday that will begin potty training...thank you thank you! Since she was so good we got her a child shopping basket filled with plastic food. She is loving this and carries it around in her shopping cart around the living room and kitchen.

Is there really anything better than a lazy, relaxing Saturday??? Adleigh is now entertaining us by trying to spell her name (she can repeat every letter after us to spell her full name and recognizes "A"), singing songs with the words she recognizes from the cd TR made today, and we are being lounging around with full bellies. I made meatloaf, garlic cream cheese mashed potatoes, and sweet green beans!! What a day!!

I will definitely try to post more often and have truly enjoyed the last few days catching up the blog. My intention with this has always been able to capture what our life looks like and for it to be something for Adleigh to cherish later!!

-TR, Tara & Adleigh

Snow Day!!

actually it is more like a little ice, but everything has closed down here for the anticipated snow/ice combo.

call it whatever, basically it is a day to watch adleigh do her thing. she slept in this morning and then jumped in bed with us for some handy manny time. then it was blueberry muffin time. she helped me put lotion on after my shower. before coming downstairs, she started saying "boots! boots!" so she is now wearing her rain boots while making her way through all her toy sections.
here are a few cute ones so far....i will not be making an appearance in the shots due to it being a snow day and not feeling the need to "pretty" myself up. i did, however, take a shower and get all good smelling.

let the fun begin.....

A WHOLE LOT OF PICTURES