Mornin'

Our current morning routine:  Ryan gets Ava breakfast and started on a movie while he gets ready for work, Rhett and I sneak in a bit more sleep.

Our usual wake up time: close to 8:00am.

Today's wake up time 6:40am.

One of few things that I actually don't mind too much waking up earlier for - 

spending one on one time with that sweet little face.

 

 

A little comparison: Ava at a similar age. I just thought she had a lot of hair.

 



 



25 things - 2013 edition

I ran across an old post the other day and I had been tagged to do a 25 things about me. I smiled reading them that some of them were so much about me at that time in my life and are so different now. Some of it I had to laugh at life back then, how much I adored sleeping in and my dog. I thought I should do a 25 list every other year or so it will be another fun way to document the different life seasons and look back and smile.

1. Since I turned 30, I have hard time remember on the spot how old I am? I often really get confused if I'm 31 or 32. For the Record I am currently 32. I think.
2. I am back at running, it feels really good, I still can't believe I did a half marathon the other year. Not sure if I'll do distance running goal like that again but I have sense that maybe I just might.
3. Some things don't change - I still don't like cheese cake but I've come to adore Italian cream cake but nothing compares to Nicolette's ribbon cake.
4. I was kind of mean to Rory the other day when she stole Ava's sandwhich right off her plate. Then I dreamed Rory sacrificed herself when a lion was trying to eat me and Ava. Think I was feeling bad that I yelled at her and threw her outside for a while because deep down she's still fiercely loyal and good to us. I was glad when I woke up with my heart still racing I saw her sleeping safely and soundly against my feet.
5. I love picking out my kids clothes in the morning. In some ways it brings out the joy of my little girlhood, the funnest parts of playing dolls was always getting everyone dressed. Ava still lets me pick most days but I know those days are numbered and drawing to a close.
6. I am hooked on a new show that plays and reenacts real 911 calls. People are crazy and terrible and Heroic and Strong. I have to sneak them in when the kids are asleep but then I get stuck watching too many before bed.
7. I have now lost count of the amount of times I've had to call 911 for work/client situations over the years.
8. I am the mom of a boy, that still feels new to wrap my head around.
9. I am making my first blog book, its been an all summer project, can't wait to finish it up and get it!
10. I posted a sweet picture at the park the other day on instagram of my kids swinging at the park. I almost wanted to put a disclaimer for the other mama's out there that do not be decieved while this was the best part of our day that is because we had not had the best day and I had to get us out of the house as my patience was wearing thin and we were just trying to make to when dad was comming home.
11. That's a great example of what I think mom's of my generation understand about one another, we  post our highlights and we all understand those really are great moments but just because we aren't posting the harder, less prettier moments, don't think they aren't there too. It aint all sunshine and rainbows but it sure is important to hold on to and celebrate those moments that are.
12. I still love cheeseburgers and try to limit myself to one a week.
13. Multiple times a week I still look at Ryan and I am struck just how handsome I think he is. I love getting to love and know his teenage self, his young husband self and the father and man he is now.
14. The last time I wrote 25 list, we had just started a book club, that book club still meets and is now aver 4 years old.
15. I seem to love to pick memoirs when its my turn to pick.
16. I love that it helps me read books I wouldn't have otherwise picked.
17. And that it exposed me to new restuarants that I might not have otherwise discovered.
18. But mostly it is and will be my night to have a mommy break and just have fun with the girls.
19. Sometimes I don't like running in my neighborhood. I feel the need to wave at everyone out in their yard or driving by, sometimes I just want to run, actually every time I just want to run, but thats the kind of neighborhood I want to live in - where joggers and neighbors doing yard work wave at each other.
20. I kind of have a thing about small women's group. Well not small women but groups of any sized women when the group size is smallish in nature and like to meet together for different causes/reasons/common interests. I can think of 3 just right now that I am a part of.
21. I've read two books recently that have really influenced my parenting and leadership style at work as of late. While its been a sutle shift in both its made I feel a very positive impact for me in both settings.  I'll probably write more on this later but that's all for now. The books were "Loving Our Kids on Purpose" and "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking".
22. I'll write more on this later too but I've had a greater appreciation for my village as of late. Those trusted and beloved family and friends that support us, love us and take care of us. One the thing I want to impart to our kids is cultivating your village is one of the most important tasks of life.
23. I think the care God has to help place the right people in our lives at the right times is something that deserves much more praise and appreciation than I always consciously acknowledge.
24. I go through seasons of using different favorite phrases/words, lately it seems to be "Middle Path" "Dialectic" "Discern" and "Calibrate".
25. I liked this, think I will do it again in a few more years.

Blog friends, I'd love to read your current 25!

Summer time

and the livin's easy...(Name that song/band!). That song will always bring back to about 16 years old!  FastForward about 16 more years and you get summer 2013. We've had a pretty memorable summer, our first as a family of four. As it winds to a close here's a few more pictures that didn't make it in the blog just yet...

 

In July we took Ava to her first Movie! Now when we go to the food court at the mall by the AMC we took her to, she says "that's where we went to the movie!". She's been all about "rock" collecting this summer. She had to bring her favorite rock from home to the movie.

We've enjoyed several of the free outdoor concerts Downtown. The coolish summer has made for some beautiful summer nights with friends and great local music in the heart of the city I love.

We of course have made a few mini road trips to Broken Arrow to the grandparents. Its always good to go home again.

One of Ava's favorite movies this summer has been Annie. I have at least one of those songs stuck in my head most of the time. She loves singing and doing dance kicks up and down our stairs.

Summers look different than they did back when I was 16 but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

These Days

Ava, these days your up to some interesting things that I didn't want to forget so I decided it was time for another 'these days' installment to try to tuck them away for safe keeping.

 

These days you request I wear my hair down and even get upset at times when I wear it up. This started shortly after your brother arrived. When I asked you about it you said that when my hair is up I'm Heather and when its down I'm your mommy. I tried to assure you I am always your mommy but you still have a strong preference for me to wear my hair down. As I think on it, my hair has been up a lot more since the addition of brother, its just easier with the heat and taking care of two little ones. I am sure from your perspective you may associate my hair down most of the time during the time before brother when I was able to give you alot more undivided attention.

 

"Pontoon" was your favorite song last summer. This summer Aunt Jen introduced me to JJ Heller and your favorite song is "I fall for you" and you can sing every word, its such a tender song and its made more so by hearing your little sweet voice singing along with it. You often ask for it in the car.

 

 

 

You had a pajama tea party one morning this week. You are most excited when you get to use actual water to play instead of just pretending.

 

You love to build towers and say with much enthusiasm and volume "lets build the tallest tower in the world!"

 

You love your little brother. You love to play patty cake and tell him its okay when he is crying. When he got his two month old shots you wanted to hold his hand and you said "Its okay brother, its me and your mom, we are here with you." I loved that moment.

 

These days you are fun, sassy, sweet and sometimes mildly crazy. Age 3 is defintely an adventure in the unpredictable. Overall we love sharing these days with you, some days we just love a little more than others.

Rhett's 3 month update!

Rhett turned 3 months old this week.

This picture is perfect to describe him right now, Mr. laid back. His temperament is still pretty easy going most of the time.

He goes to sleep around 9:30 each night, wakes around 3am to eat and then sleeps till 6:30 or 7:00. He eats during the day still every 2.5-3.5 hours. He's weighing in at 14 lbs.

 



 

His favorite person, playing his favorite game. Ava always gets the biggest smiles and coos out of him when she plays patty cake with him.

 





 

He wore his first tie to church this month, dad followed suit on his own accord.

 



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He's technically lost his newborn status. We are so in love with his wild hair, blue eyes and those chubby cheeks. I love this stage when they are old enough to start smiling and interacting but still snuggly and not mobile. Plans to move him from the bassinet in our room to his crib this month, hard to believe his bassinet time is almost done.
Happy 3 months Rhett!