Dinner Dress Code

We have no dress code for Sunday dinner (usually it's something warm and cozy - or at the very least comfortable). But something sparked in my silly girls' heads when they found out we were having Indian food this evening.  When I called them down to eat, they came down ready to devour some naan and masala looking just like this.  I laughed aloud and quickly snapped these pictures. Sadly, Bryce and Max and I felt very underdressed in our own dining room for this occasion. Needless to say, the food wasn't the only spicy part of the evening.

Oh snap!

Isn't it fun to have a toddler in the house who's mind and mouth can be manipulated to say pretty much whatever the older sisters want her to say? We've been cracking up at this one - particularly when her timing is spot on. Imagine how funny this little sassy statement is right after I've chewed out (err...gently reprimanded) one of the children for less than appropriate behavior.

Sisters

"How wide and sweet and wild sisterhood can be."

Our Not So Terrible Two Year Old...

... had a birthday.
... dressed up like a princess.
... ate a coconut cupcake. (Mom chose it, because it was white. Can you blame me?)
... kept on her darling new felt crown.
... screamed until she got a bite of Max's cupcake (She's two, remember?)
... gave kisses all around
... learned to shout, "It's my birthday!"
... left her dad and I a bit wistful after we tucked in our baby, who's not so much a baby anymore

Juicy Josie

We had smoothies for dinner. Can you tell she kinda liked em?

Leap Frog

This is what a rousing game of leapfrog looks like
when your daddy is 6'8".

Time Out with Baby J

Last week when I was busy in the kitchen making these, my little bosom buddy was right under my feet for most of the day. (And I mean literally right under my feet...check out photo number one of Josie on the kitchen floor.) This prompted me to grab my camera, leave behind the cupcake pops, and hold a little impromptu photo session utilizing the gorgeous afternoon light. This last photo is my absolute favorite. Can I just have a "Seriously So Blessed" moment and gush about how much I love being home with my babies? Priceless.

Our Morning Watch

One of my favorite little moments in the day is right after we've sent the girls off to school in the morning. (And its not because I'm down from four to two children...although that helps tremendously with the noise level :) Josie and I stand at the door and wave goodbye and then I shut the door. Then, without fail, Josie toddles over to the window to watch them walk away until they are out of sight. Sometimes she knocks on the window, sometimes she just watches. I haven't told the girls she does this because I know they would turn their attention to the window making coochie coo faces and the natural sweetness of the moment would disappear. So it remains Josie and I's secret little indulgence each morning - we watch our girls walk all the way to school, and they don't even know it.

Wheely Bug

This has been a new favorite method of transportation around the house - though I've finally had to forbid everyone older than 3 to stop playing with it, so the one who it was intended for might have a turn. I first spied these at Babinskis when I went to buy a baby gift for one of Bryce's colleagues. You should see the mph on this baby on the hickory floors. We're bound to send somebody to emergency room one of these days...but until then its full speed ahead!

Cute Overload

Hands down my favorite set of pictures from the day are these of my baby taking a turn as the mother. Ella gave her this little baby doll (she shopped for and bought herself) and for Josie it was love at first sight. She kissed and loved and hugged her new baby all day long. You may try to convince me that this isn't the cutest thing you've ever seen, but I'll never believe you.

Let her eat Cupcake!

She's hesitant at first...
Then she goes in for the face dive...
She's in her happy place now...
Taking a breather...The Happy Ending Mess...

-amr

The Party

Of course, we had to throw a pretty party for our pretty baby. All in soft baby blues and pinks; inspiration came from none other than the cupcake shop itself. Once I saw this beautiful blue cupcake named the "Breakfast at Tiffany's" the ideas came flowing. Kalli put together the sweet little Tiffany blue boxes that we filled with pretty candy at each setting. We served my favorite party drink - Jones Soda. I love them because they come in a wide array unusual colors (and don't taste too bad either:) And speaking of taste, the cupcakes - oh my! They were so delicious. Some of the best I've ever tasted. Can't wait to share the pictures of baby J enjoying her first.

-amr

Josie Faye Birthday

One year ago today I met my baby girl. Because of her my life is so much richer. Because of her, what I do seems more important. She is a sparkle, a twinkle, a gem. I marvel at how after knowing her for only hours, we couldn't comprehend how we'd ever lived and loved without her. I adore how she transformed our little party of five to a boisterous bash of six. I am utterly smitten and savor every moment. Josie Faye, you are a wonder. Happy Birthday.

-love, mama

My mom wanted to know what to get Josie for her upcoming birthday and I knew just what to suggest. "The Princess and the Pea" by Lauren Child is one of the most gorgeous picture books ever. I bought one for my girls last year but ended up giving it away at a children's book exchange so they've never even had the chance to read it! If you are not familiar with Lauren Child, she is the creative artist behind Charlie and Lola and Clarice Bean. In this particular book, however, the pictures are photographs of mini rooms she has created and decorated with miniature period furniture and rugs ... every last charming detail is perfect. If you need a gift for a girl of any age, this would certainly be a big hit. I can't wait to sit in our rocker and read it to Josie.

-amr

Gapalicious

Everyone in khakis? Not this season! Although the Gap can tend to get a little stiff at times, the designers have killed it this July (for baby girls anyway). How can I not want this lovely ensemble for little miss J? That color palette is delicious. Perhaps those darling little flats can be the shoes she wears for her first steps in the coming months...

-amr

My little Ham

Irresistible Face from bryc3 on Vimeo.

"I defy you to watch this video and not make that face back at her. You can’t do it. And, if you can, you have ice water pumping through your veins!"

*via bryc3.com

-amr

p.s. forgive the runny nose...she's a teething faucet

Her First Word

The love affair going on between these two is darn near enviable. Last week, because of my little getaway, they spent the week falling hard for one another without any mama distraction. Now, the icing on the cake is her first word at nearly 10 months. DADA. Not only does she say it whenever prompted, she looks right at him. I have to admit - it hurts just a little. Yet my hearts still manages to find a way to melt right along with the two of them.

-amr

Baby J

Today:

9 Months
16 lbs. 15 oz.
28 inches

She can clap her hands, she loves her johnny jump up that hangs in the doorway, she can sit-up on her own, she rolls and rolls to get somewhere (no crawling yet and mama knows better than to be sad), and she has a mean crescendo that eventually turns into a scream. She loves all solid baby food, makes the cutest face when she purses her lips, and doesn't give her smiles freely away to anyone outside the 5 faces that live permanently in her world. Happy 9 month day baby J.

-amr

Josie Faye

I haven't recently posted a picture of Josie and thought this one turned out mighty cute. Can you tell she is my serious baby? The one most likely to get a grin is her big sister Ella is who is willing to do just about anything for a smile. At nearly 8 months, Josie is wiggling all over the floor (but not crawling or sitting), loving her johnny jump up, and devouring solids twice a day. We absolutely love everything about her - (ok, except for those measly forty minute naps). Max loves when I bring her into his room so she can watch him play on his new Hot Wheels loopty loop. They are quite the little playmates. He just asked today if he could draw a mustache on her...to which I gave him my standard answer, "maybe later." Soon I realized what I partially agreed to. Yikes! So if you see him with marker in hand....

-amr

Behind the Lens

Our entire married life I have been behind the camera lens. Not that I mind, because I really love the perspective I can express from taking a photograph that is completely my point of view. However, because I am the photographer (amateur at best) I am often excluded from the pictures. So this morning I grabbed my camera (right by my bed) and took a couple of shots while Josie and I were in the midst of our morning cuddling ritual. The quality isn't fabulous because the lighting was poor and I was holding the camera above us. Yet, I feel they capture the serenity of these moments with baby J that I never want to forget.

-amr