someone has a green thumb.

no autographs, please.

Liv's ballet class was chosen for her dance studio's ad in the local paper.

Our hearts are growing.

The closer my due date gets, the more our hearts are growing for this little baby girl. Liv has been really snuggling with my growing belly. She no longer uses a pillow when snuggling mommy. She uses her baby sister. Every once in awhile, she will turn to my belly and say in a sweet mother ease voice, "you ok, baby sister?" or "awwwwwwwwww, baby sister and hug her". She uses my belly button as a telescope and thinks she can look in and see the baby. My favorite as of yet was last night when we were snuggling before Liv's bedtime and she took her binky out of her mouth and said, "here you go baby sister" and put the binky in my belly button. She said, "Here you go, baby sister, you got the binky. It's ok, I'm here."
It was hysterical and tear-jerking to see her so loving. I already feel them bonding. They are so lucky to have each other. They just don't know it yet (and it may take awhile). Best Friends for Life.

daddy's little girl!

Just lounging with my daddy.......

Seems to be all Liv wants to do lately. I learned through my masters degree and years of courses on child development and that all toddlers hit a stage of development where they prefer the parent of the opposite sex. Well, happy to say Liv is developing appropriately and right on target. Liv has officially become daddy's little girl.

Jammin' out.

One of Liv's favorite things to do is listen to music and dance. This is after about 10 minutes of dancing so it isn't her at her spunkiest state, but still shows her rhythm.

Liv has been having a blast building sand castles in her sand table. She calls it her "Beach". She will spend an hour at a time outside building some masterpieces. It is all fine and dandy, except when she wakes up at 6am and wants to immediately go out and build sandcastles. Yawn.....

what a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

Walk to park.

G-Pop will be proud.

Liv got a new Dora T-ball set as a present from us for being a big girl on the potty lately. Maybe she will take after her mommy and be a future T-Ball Player.

Cinderella

On my birthday, Liv and I went with Meme, Aunt Rita, and Hannah to see Cinderella at the Walnut Street Theatre. It was only an hour and the perfect length for the little ones. We ended up with really great seats in our own box. I think that helped the girls feel comfortable too. They really enjoyed their first play and got to experience a little bit of culture. Fun........

What have I done to be so lucky.....

As we sit and wait for the arrival of our newest little miracle, I can't help but wonder how lucky we are. We have been blessed with the most loving and joyful little girl and in 4 months we will be twice as blessed. Our life is so full of love, I just can't imagine what it will be like in 1 year, 5, years, 10...... I feel like the luckiest person in the world.

reflection.

Letter to Liv

It is hard to believe that you are already one month shy of turning one. I could never thank you enough for coming into my life and teaching me what life is. I feel so blessed to have you. When I found out I was pregnant, I never realized that I was getting the best miracle in my life. I wouldn’t trade my life with you for anything.

Now that I have you, my purpose in life is to love you and teach you to love yourself. When I look into your eyes, I see me. I see me, but only more perfect than perfect. More innocent than innocence. Purity. Beauty.

Those eyes are the same eyes that for 9 months daddy and I wondered what color they would be. Those are the same eyes that locked with mine seconds after I birthed you. They are the same eyes that light up when you see me enter the room. They will be the same eyes I look at on your first day of kindergarden, high school, wedding day. The same eyes I will look at as you have your first look into your own daughter or son’s eyes.

I can not believe that my body made you. I do not understand what I did so right to have you in my life. Everyday I could give at least a hundred reasons why I love you more than the day before.

Everyday I wonder how I can love you more. Teach you more. Snuggle with you more. Play with you more

Within the past year I have watched you go from a helpless little creature to a curious crawling maniac. I wish I could freeze time and hold onto those intimate moments while I nurse you. You look into my eyes with such innocence and trust. I never want to forget the cozy nuzzle you give me when you are ready for a nap. Or the smile that appears on your face when you see me coming toward you.
I never want to forget your……
crooked smile
Space between your teeth
Expressive eyebrows
Love for waffles
çlove for clapping your binkys
Down dog crawl
Raspy morning voice
Inability to stay still for a diaper change
Love for bubbles
Walks in the woods
Bitter Lemon face
Love for daddy’s electronics
Mullet
Double jointed toes
Hate for vitamins

I always want to take the time to live in the moment. Explore the world with you. Teach you good morals. Teach you to love. Teach you to Live.

Daddy and I love you with all of our heart and soul.

Liv, you give us a reason to Live. To love.

Love Always,

Mommy (your best girlfriend)
Letter to Liv