builders building

Drew is one of the hardest working guys I know.  He rarely has full days off and doesn't complain.  One of the things he likes to do when he does have free time, though, is build Legos.  I grew up with the giant bucket of random bricks and thought that was "building Legos."  I married Drew and, lo and behold, learned that there is much, much more to Legos.  Did you know there are sets with directions?  That actually build buildings??  Whoa, mind blown over here.  Anyway, Drew is working on a Lego town for us and he found an enthusiastic helper in Asher.

I fully expected Asher to sit for a minute then get bored and run off but he sat for a really long time helping snap bricks together.  And occasionally uttering an "uh-oh Daddy" as a piece flew to the floor.

I will update with a picture of my two architects and their completed masterpiece!

the end of January

Wow, how is it the end of the month already??  I don't know why exactly, but it's been so hard for me to find blogging time recently.  I'm guessing it has something to do with taking care of 2 kids and spending every spare minute in the sewing room.  But maybe not.  ha!  Anyway, this blog is important to me since it's how I record all our big and little moments so I'm back for another quick photo dump of the fun things that are keeping me offline.

I took the kids to the children's museum by myself the other day.  Asher really, really loves it there!  All of the exhibits are fun for his age so we combed that place from top to bottom.

Although a lot of people disagree with me, I will be SO glad when Hadley is walking.  She loves to explore and doesn't want to be held or contained in the stroller (who can blame her??) and it just grosses me out to no end to see her crawling on the dirty floor everywhere we go.  Bleh.  The sooner she is upright the better!

That said, she had a great time too.  I took a chance and skipped her afternoon nap so that we could miss the bulk of the crowds.  It worked out so well - hardly anyone was there and she did great.  Win!

How sweet is my little helper in her puffy vest??  Love!

Poor Drew has been going to Chicago for work every week and I don't know if you've heard but it's freeeeezing there (and most everywhere).  This particular week the difference between Chi-town and our town was pretty dramatic.

I tried pulling Miss Hadley's hair up in a bow the other day and couldn't decide if it was cute or ridiculous.  It's so long in the front (and back, but not sides - hello baby mullet!) that I need some way to keep it out of her eyes.

This was Drew's solution.  haha!

I also put the back of her hair into first-ever piggies and love it.  So stinkin' cute!

I've been sewing up a storm fulfilling Gussied Up Baby orders (you can also find me on Facebook - I tend to update pics there a lot more often!).  Thanks so much for all the support, friends!!  If you're interested in placing an order for a little something special you can email me at gussiedupbabyshop@gmail.com

Big brothers, oh boy.  ha!

Finally, our biggest news from last week!!

I posted this on IG and will post it here as well since I don't have her parent's permission to post a photo.  We are so very excited and thrilled to have a new sweet niece in our family.  Can't wait to meet her!

Happy Monday, friends!

where we go, my phone goes also

So many of our daily doings are captured on my phone and I keep forgetting to share them here.  We've been having a lot of fun!

haddie says heeeey!

The weather here has been completely weird - from freezing to warm in a matter of days.  It actually works out well because just when we have awful cabin fever the weather breaks and we get outside for a bit.  This trio hit the park the other day and even needed sun hats!

How crazy long to H's legs look here?  I'm thinking her goose pants are creating an optical illusion - ha!

Yesterday we took a walk - well, Hadley and I walked while Asher rode his scooter.  I've had to make a one block rule or else he flies waaaaay ahead of us.  Might need to start jogging with the stroller!

For some reason it took me 4 years to introduce this kid to bubble baths.  He (obviously) loves it!

Hadley has spent the past few weeks sloooowly getting closer to walking.  She downward dogs pretty well now, but no solo standing yet.

Except when big brother helps her.

Sadly, I think Asher's official napping days are behind us.  Most days he doesn't sleep, even if I make him take quiet time in his room.  The only time he sleeps is when I put Planet Earth on.  Those cute baby animals conk him out in no time.  ;-)

We've snacked and snacked some more.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

starting to play

I've noticed recently that Hadley is starting to play with her toys (as opposed to just chewing on them / throwing them randomly / chewing again) and it's so adorable.

At first she basically followed Asher around and copied whatever he was doing.

But now I see her playing on her own, expanding what she once did.

She's getting to be such a big girl, but still needs her mama sometimes - for which I'm grateful.

I'm not ready for this sweet girl to fully hit toddlerhood yet.  I'm rooting for slow progress.  :-)

a little squishy

Hadley got this puffy vest for Christmas and how. cute. is. she??!

Love it.

And I think she does too. 

since the new year

Things have moved a little slower here since 2014 started.  We spent a few days getting all the Christmas stuff taken down and stowed away - I bought new boxes and actually organized it in a meaningful way this year (hurray!).  I'm always a little sad to take down the tree but once it's away I love having the open space back.  We have room for things like taking this cutie's pictures again!  Yay!

Asher on the other hand keeps asking me what happened to Christmas.  "Where did our Christmas go, Mommy?"  He's totally Cindy Lou Whoo-ing it which, obviously, makes me the Grinch.  Boo to that.  And also, I feel awful.  But hopefully he moves on quickly.  ha!

(plus I really don't think he's as enthusiastic as I am about having picture taking space again)

Today was supposed to be Asher's first day of winter soccer, but we had a deep freeze (along with the rest of the country, except instead of the -20s that they got, we got +20 and everyone panicked) and our hot water pipes froze - blah.  We had to stay in all day waiting for the plumber and, you guys, I ALMOST LOST MY MIND.  You'd think with all the new toys and the aforementioned open spaces the kids would have plenty to do, but apparently the only thing on their agendas was drive Mommy batty.  God bless those sweet mamas who've had a week of snow days.  I can't even imagine.  ha!  They really did play well and are starting to have fun together, which I love.

This sweet girl still thinks walking is too much work and prefers to crawl everywhere.  I'm trying to encourage her but she won't even attempt standing unsupported.  When I suggest giving it a try she throws me this face - what option do I have but to give her everything she wants immediately?

We are starting 2014 with a bang (on the pipes)!

Happy everything, friends!