Valentine's Day

I've always loved Valentine's Day, and I think I have my mom to thank for that.  Whether I had a boyfriend or not I could always look forward to a celebration at home and the candy and the little gifts.  It's such a fun holiday, and now getting to celebrate with my own girls makes it that much better. 

We kept it pretty casual with heart pancakes for breakfast, church and brunch.  There's not much the girls love more than brunch after church.  :)  It was a fun day celebrating love with the cutest love bugs around.

Here's some photos from a little Valentine's Day photo shoot.  For the record - these chicks are not very cooperative with me and my camera.  To put it politely.  ;)

- K

Tomorrow She Turns Two

Well, it's officially Lyla's birthday eve and we're busy preparing for the morning's festivities.  While we fill huge balloons and build slides and pink cars, I can't help but think of this night two years ago.  Since I was induced we had a very definitive last night before baby, and I remember so vividly the fear, nerves, and excitement I felt that night.  As much as I told myself to get one last good night of sleep I just couldn't force my mind to calm down.  The next morning we got up early, packed up our suitcases and stopped at Panera on the way to the hospital.  Later that day, at 5:18 pm I held my baby girl for the very first time...and she immediately pooped all over me.  It was love at first sight.

Thinking back to the last year it seems like such a blur.  I feel like I can't even remember how we went from a baby with barely any hair and two little teeth, just starting to walk around and saying nothing more than "mama" and "dada" to this wild little girl running around with the cutest ponytail, screaming "YEAH! YEAH! FUN! FUN! FUN!"

It makes me feel just a little bit panicky because that's everything I feared from the first time I held her...time going too fast and not being able to remember every detail of every day.  But truthfully this past year has been the absolute best, maybe even better than the first.  I love, love, love that cozy newborn stage, but the girl we have these days is just so fun.  It's funny because holding that tiny newborn it feels like you're so far from the days of having conversations and really interacting and playing with that little squishy thing, and suddenly here we are with this playful girl, having picnics and tea parties galore.  I swear someone gives her fun pills every night while she's sleeping.

So, even though time is going fast, each day is sweeter than the last.  I can't wait to see what this next year has in store.  Seeing her bloom into her own little person is the absolute joy of my life.

Sleep tight, baby girl.  I have a feeling your second birthday will be the best one yet.

- K

A Bedtime Story

I was going to post those photos from the museum I'd promised, but tonight was a night that will go down in my memory record books and I had to share it here.  Ryan had to be gone past bedtime so I got to give our girl a bath and get her ready for bed on my own.  She loves for me to get in her crib with her, which I oblige more often than not because I tend to get the very best snuggles when I'm in there.  Tonight was no different and after her bath she wanted straight in her crib, then stuck her fat little pointer finger into the bed next to her, saying "mama".  I threw in her lotion, comb, and pj's and climbed right in.  I tend to sing all sorts of silly songs when we're getting ready for naps or bedtime and tonight I started singing that Barney song, you know the one.  "I love you, you love me..."  We haven't watched Barney in a really long time, and I haven't sung that song in forever but as I got to the hug part she stood up and threw herself at me, wrapping her little arms tight around me.  As I continued to the "kiss from you to me" she pulled her little head back and gave me a big old smooch right on the lips.  I think my heart literally smiled, skipped a beat, and jumped for joy.  It was pure magic.  I asked her where she knew the song from and she just looks at me and says "Barn Barn."  I laughed and said "How did you get so smart?!"  And she goes "Dora." 

That little girl seriously kills me.

- K

The Renaissance Festival

While Ryan's parents were in town we went to the Renaissance Festival, and it was hilaaarious!  I hadn't been since once in Denver, forever ago.  I'd completely forgotten what a spectacle it is, and how seriously people take it!  It was so fun eating, drinking and people watching.  Lyla found out that she's a big fan of caramel corn and turkey legs, and couldn't keep her eyes off the elephants.

My favorite moment (maybe ever?) was a brief second while Ryan and his dad were watching a jousting show.  Lyla wandered over to some wooden steps and patted the spot next to her, beckoning for me to sit with her.  When I sat down I looked at her and she reached up and, like her dad and I are constantly doing to her, she gently brushed my hair off of my face.  I can't even explain the rush of emotions it caused in me.  Oh, how I love that baby.

- K

 

This Baby

Tonight at dinner, it was just L and I.  I was feeding her, and we were watching video clips of Disney movies on the iPad (a new obsession of hers), and I just became mesmerized by this baby.  First of all, I can hardly say "baby" anymore, she's turning into a big girl so fast these days, but when I look at her I just have this overwhelming swell of emotion.  I love everything about her.  The chubby roll on her wrist...and all the other rolls everywhere else.  The little curls she's starting to get at the nape of her neck.  Those huge brown eyes that get even huger when she's sucking her thumb.  Her constant curiosity and finger pointing.  Her little animal noises and the raspberry sound she makes when I tell her something is yucky.  Those cheeks. 

Ugh, I know that these little things are supposed to grow up, and every stage will be great, but can't I just freeze time for a little while?  Please??

Also, how amazing are those shoes?

- K

Swoon

It's hard to explain what this photo does to my heart.  To see that big, tough guy love his little girl so much.  It just makes me swoon. 

Photo creds to MJ Aguilera Photography, of course.

- K

8 Years

"if you're a bird, i'm a bird"

Eight years ago tonight I went on a first date with a big, cute, hilarious guy.  I stressed out about what to wear.  He showed up right on time.  We went to dinner in Old Town, Fort Collins, and he opened my doors all night. 

We hit it off.

Looking back to that date, and where we are now is pretty incredible.  I can say without hesitation that every year has been better than the last.  Hope you're ready for some amazing times, Ryan Chapman, because we've got a lot of great years ahead of us.  Love you a million!

- K