five

This month, you (like all children) fell in love with the lights on the Christmas tree.  We found you laying under the branches looking up at the twinkling lights above.  You would roll from the middle of the room to the tree to get close.  I am dreading the day we take down the tree and you no longer have your little light display.

We finally moved you to your own room after too much hemming and hawing.  The move to your crib has been good with more sleep for everyone.  Only Momma was a bit nostalgic about the move.  Something about the move to the crib and your own room signals growth and time passing too quick.  

You get so excited when I remove your socks for bathtime--this means you can finally play with your bare-feet.  You grasp for them and giggle...if only it was summer and socks weren't required to keep your little tootsies warm.

After moving to your crib, we began playing a continuous white noise CD during naptimes and at night.  It has been wonderful and I contribute it to many nights of good sleep (all night!).  We use this one after hearing good reviews about it.  We love all of the Happiest Baby tools for calming babies.

With the colder weather, we have made use of all the little hats we have to keep you warm on outings. We particularly love hand-knit hats from Grandma and our good friend (who also sells her lovely creations).  There is something so special about hand-knit things.  I love knowing someone was thinking about my baby as they were knitting.  That love surrounds you each time you wear a warm cozy hat on your head!

 

We are amazed at your calm and easy-going demeanor.  As long as your sisters are around you are constantly entertained.  We love you, little red.  

rolls of fat

I love the lush folds and dimples of fat on these baby legs!

Chubbiness always looks good on a baby!

little letters

Quite often, little letters are folded and stuffed into envelopes and left for me on the counter-top.  They usually say something like, "I love you, Mommy" or have little pictures of our family drawn on them.  

Tonight the little letter was different.  After spending the past few days inside with no agenda or schedule, my kids have had the chance to reacquaint themselves.  They have helped each other, played with new toys, fought and bickered.  From the looks of this letter, our time together was quite meaningful and special.  

The letter reads "Thank you for the baby Mommy."

At first I thought my girl was talking about a baby doll she got for Christmas but I was delightfully surprised when she said "no, I mean our new baby."  My heart lept up into my throat as those sweet words from her mouth shed joyful light upon our family. 

My cup runneth over indeed.

someplace new

Discovering a new place was fitting for our New Year's Day.  Finding someplace new is full of wonder, apprehension, hard work and rewards....very fitting for a new year.  We drove out into the hills and hiked into the woods using a little map.  To our delight, we found the most beautiful place.

That hike, away from the electronics that sometimes clutter our days, was so refreshing.  The treasure in our day wasn't that special tv show, phone call, email or new toy, but instead, it was a hand full of leaves of all different shapes and sizes.  Nature's bountiful treasures delighted our senses today.
How refreshing!

it's time

via

all the best to you this new year

passion fruit punch for the NEW YEAR

This punch recipe is super easy and fun for the kids to make.  They always love a special drink for themselves while the adults are toasting with champagne or other spirits!

Passion Fruit Punch:

1 bag frozen fruit {papaya, mango and strawberry mix}

1 can frozen juice {Welch's Passion Fruit}

1 bottle sparkling water

Mix all the ingredients and enjoy!

This is the basic punch recipe and you could add a few extra ingredients to attract adults 

{wink, wink}.

Either way, Happy New Year!

this year...

This year,

she was delighted to make a little place under the tree to sleep each night

she was happy being held

he calmly laid in the middle of it all

she reached higher than she ever could

they were up early

she was excited to read the gift tags by herself

her feet were her favorite toy

she looked forward to giving gifts

they carefully wrote notes to Santa while sampling the cookies meant for him

she slept through most of the morning commotion 

she sang on stage at the preschool sing-a-long

they decorated according to their likes and not mine

only the unbreakable box of ornaments made it out of the attic and onto the tree.

Hope your holidays were memorable too!