{life lately}

(Left) Babies discovered the mini grocery carts, (middle) The Peanut sweeping in one of her multiple daily outfits, (right) Jonah Daniel at 28 weeks 

(Top left) Daddy & Peanut crazy games, (Top right) watching a show during the tornado scare in the basement, (bottom left) Lunch with JP at his Preschool Thanksgiving, (bottom right) Jackson was not into the songs during the lunch... hilarious. 

(top left) Peanut packing her Operation Christmas Child box, she re-packed it at least 20 times in one night and would yell for me to get back because she was "organizing" if I tried to take it away, (top right) more little cart action, (bottom left) library time, (bottom right) two boiler babies warming up with hot chocolate 

Jackson's latest favorite puzzle- the US map

photobomb jackson

This weekend when I was sweet-talking Audrey into posing for at least a few 2-year-old photos, Jackson insisted on joining us outside and wanted in on the action. The Peanut, who had refused to smile at all, instantly lit up when her best buddy joined her in the photo. These two, I tell you, are tight. 

the first SNOW!

Tuesday morning we woke up to the first snow- it was really barely more than a dusting, but to the babies it was magical. Amy dressed them up in their snow gear and they spent the morning playing in it outside before coming in for some hot chocolate!

look WHO-WHOOs turning TWO!

Official Peanut 2 year photos coming sometime this week, but here are a few quick shots from her birthday dinner tonight...

Mommy & Audrey Day

Earlier this year I made the decision to always take off a day for each of the babies' birthdays every year, to have a full day of just one-on-one time with them. So, today, the Peanut and I set off for a day of adventures- starting with doughnuts, then story time where we ran into friends, a little shopping, lunch and then the afternoon at the museum. There are a few things I want to remember about today because I think they capture so much of who Audrey is right now- 

First, the care she put into getting ready. She picked out just the right dress the night before, a new purple one with sparkles, it was "boo-ti-ful." She picked out her shoes, tights, coat and hat with care and she requested her hair to have a "little braid" and to be straightened. The straightening thing is new, she saw me doing it to my hair last week and ever since requests it for her own whenever I'm getting ready- adorable. 

I also want to remember her precious voice and the way she speaks- with such personality, clarity and sweetness. Today her new thing was asking me, "Mommy, are you okay?" Yes, I would reply, are you okay, Audrey? "Yes," she would say, "I promise." Pair that up with her "I love you forever and ever, I promise" and all of the spontaneous kisses and she's pretty much perfection all bundled up into one little (almost) 2 year old. 

Lastly, I was telling Dan when we got home how Audrey and Jackson have such different approaches to things, including today at the museum. Audrey was "so excited" as she said to see everything and spent very little time on any one exhibit or play station, there was just so much to see and do and she didn't want to miss any of it. This is the opposite of when Jackson is at the museum, he wants to know everything about every thing. He is there to really understand each new thing and to master it before moving on, he has been known to spend hours in the block area and would be perfectly happy skipping out on a lot of the other more play-like attractions. 

I love how they're both unique and yet are the very best of friends and while it's challenging to find the time and to set up the logistics to make it happen, I do believe that it is getting more important as they get a little older to make the one-on-one time happen so that they can feel appreciated as individuals. I can't wait to learn in what ways Jonah is different than them both and in what ways all of them will be alike as well. 

I loved my peanut time and she loved filling up the day with all her favorite things, but we both also loved coming back home to "Daddy and Jackie." She asked about Jackson countless times throughout the day, wanting to know where he was and what he was doing. She loves her buddy so much and I love them both forever and ever, I promise. 

sunset hike

trunk n' treat 2013

best buddies.

a pumpkin patch playdate with the peanut

This morning the peanut and I met my good friend, Megan, and her son, Carter, at a pumpkin patch. I loved having the morning for some one-on-one time with Audrey and she loved practicing being a big sister to "baby boy." 

{Baby #3} Gender Reveal

Tonight we had baby #3's gender reveal.... it's a BOY! My instincts were confirmed with blue balloons that Jonah Daniel will be joining us around Valentine's Day! We love you so much, little man. 

{baby #3} 19 weeks.

I can very clearly remember being pregnant with Jackson and feeling like he would never get here, like the pregnancy was lasting forever. My time carrying Audrey went a little faster, but not much, so it's hard to believe with baby #3 that I'm almost half-way through! While this time around has been harder physically and mentally due to the intense exhaustion, it has actually passed refreshingly quickly. This photo was from our time in Saugatuck when I was 18 weeks, so a little outdated, but next week we'll have the really fun updates to share- photos, the gender and a name! Jackson is still adamantly voting for a girl and Audrey stubbornly tells us that baby is a boy. My instincts have me siding with Audrey... but we will find out for sure on the 27th. 

Saugatuck: Riverboat Cruise

One of our other Saugatuck adventures involved a riverboat cruise... the babies were pumped to get to ride on the "BIG boat." The captain of the boat, however was not so excited about having them on board. He announced a few times before boarding and leaving the dock that the boat is not a playground, that little children should be with their parents at all times, etc in a tone that clearly put him in the category of "grumpy old man." We were one of only two families on board with young children so a little awkward to have to listen to it over and over. The boat ride lasted for almost an hour and a half, travelling up and down the Kalamazoo River and into Lake Michigan, and Jackson and Audrey were complete angels. Not once did they act out. I wasn't really surprised as they normally are really well-behaved, but inside I was so proud and hoped it was a lesson to the grumpy captain that he should respect all little people a little more. 

Apple Harvest!

I'm sure Saugatuck is beautiful in the summer too, but Dan and I agreed that we would always go in the fall. First, the crowds were nonexistent so there was no waiting for restaurants, we had room to stretch out on the beach and it just felt that much more relaxing in general. But, secondly, fall is apple-picking time! We passed countless orchards on our drive and spent time at two. The babies loved picking their own apples... enough to keep us stocked for days. 

The Art Barn

While in Saugatuck, we found the most adorable place- The Art Barn. It was an old barn turned into an art studio. A place where anyone, of any age, can come and do any kind of art... painting, mosaics, pottery... anything. There really are no rules (as it should be with art!). And once again, I'm left convincing Dan that we should turn our little red barn into our very own Art Barn. I actually think I might have a shot of making that one happen.