Our eight-month old

Darling Rosalie-roo.



Here is what you are up to at eight months old:

You are crawling like a little speed-demon and are into EVERYTHING. Your determination to get what you want is not to be swayed, and when you do get it, the smile on your face is so funny and delicious.

You are pulling yourself up on anything that is within reach. I'm pretty sure you think you're hot stuff, and are pleased as punch with this new accomplishment.



Except for when you can't figure out how to get back down... then you're just frustrated and upset.



You've reached a demanding stage in the sense that if you don't get what you want RIGHT AWAY (be it attention, or food, or the washcloth when mommy is trying to give you a bath) you will yell at us. REALLY LOUDLY. And sometimes you yell just for fun. You think it's great fun to hear yourself. We don't think it's quite so fun, but we do have to laugh at how pleased you look after you've just let out an ear-splitting sound. Just don't do it while we are trying to have a nice quiet dinner, ok?

You love to get down on our living room floor and just play. We'll dump out your toy basket for you and you crawl around, grabbing toy after toy and tasting and testing them all.


This fascination for your toys is competely overtaken by your fascination with your sisters, however. You follow them from room to room and stand by the sliding glass door to watch them when they play outside. Sometimes I think you wish you could run along with them and do everything they do. They can make you laugh and giggle like no one else (especially that crazy Emma with all her weird noises. You love those, so I TRY to tolerate them as much as I can). And they love you as much as you love them-- Annabelle with her funny high voice that is reserved just for you and hugs upon hugs that practically squish you, and Emma with her gentle kisses and constantly picking you up (even when you'd rather she not). Neither one of them can stand for you to go down for naps unless they've told you goodnight, and they both tell me all the time how "Rosalie is the cutest baby ever!" It makes my heart so happy to see my girls being so sweet and loving to each other.

You are a daddy's girl, always so excited and thrilled to see him when he comes home... and I think it's safe to say that you have him fairly wrapped around your little finger and totally captivated by you.

You have two teeth, on the bottom, that you got about a month ago... and so far we don't see anymore coming in. But those two teeth are adorable!


You absolutely LOVE your solid foods. So far I haven't found one thing you don't like. Your favorites are mashed-up bananas, avocados, sweet potatoes, and applesauce. Gerber puffs are a sure way to keep you entertained and you gobble them up ever so quickly. Now that you've discovered the world of solid foods you've decided that you are completely and totally done nursing. And I'm ok with that-- we still get in plenty of cuddle time.

Because yes, you are an extremely cuddly baby, giving your very own kind of hugs and kisses, sitting on laps and playing with our faces and hands. We can't help but love on you at every chance, because you're just so adorably soft and warm and snuggly and sweet. I want you to stay this way forever!

You make the funniest faces and sounds, blowing raspberries constantly and talking up a storm in your own little way.


You are a very friendly, welcoming, and easy-going baby, always ready with a smile or to go to outstretched arms. Because of this, you have become quite the popular girl at church and there is always someone who's wanting to hold you and kiss on you or try to rock you to sleep during Sunday school-- sometimes I hardly hold you on Sunday mornings. I don't mind this, since I feel blessed to be able to share you and the joy you bring. When all is said and done I'm your mommy and you know that. I love when you look at me and give that little half-cry that says "ok, I'm ready for you to hold me again." My arms will always be ready and waiting for you, sweet baby of mine.



my little loverkins. I love you so!

Artistic Endeavors of the Little Girl Kind, Vol. 2

(to see vol. 1, and take a peek at how much their artwork has changed in the past 8 months, click here)


On any given day, if you came into our house, this is most likely what you would see:

Two little girls sitting on their barstools, crayons or markers or pens or pencils (they don't care) in hand. Papers upon papers scattered across the surface of the bar. Curly-haired heads bent in concentration as they dream and imagine stories and scenes on a canvas all their own.

Seriously, this is what our countertop looks like almost all. the. time. I hardly even bother to make them put their drawing things away anymore, instead settling for neat stacks of paper and crayons in the container at the end of the day. Because, without fail, these two girls will be back to color and draw throughout the day. It's a constant in their lives.

And what, you may ask, are they so busy creating? Allow me to share with you some (ok, a lot) of Emma and Annabelle's latest contributions to our own personal Art Museum of Imagination.
(side note: as I type this at the computer desk Emma stands by me, drawing on a piece of paper that lay on the desk. So far she has birds, a rose bush, a bunny rabbit, and two little girls taking shape. She came over here to look at what I was doing and, I can only surmise, was seized with an uncontrollable need to FILL THAT BLANK SHEET OF PAPER. NOW. It's what she does.)


As you might know, we are all about princesses and fairies over here. And we have no shortage of drawings of those very things.

Annabelle's Snow White:

Emma's (love the thought bubble with the witch in it):


Annabelle's Ariel:

Emma's, also featuring Cinderella and Flounder:


and where is Annabelle's Cinderella? Why, she's right here, bustin' a move and gettin' down with her bad self:



Also in the princess catergory, by Emma, we have Sleeping Beauty and Prince Phillip:

and Belle too:

Here are all the princesses, gathered together on one page:


Annabelle's Jasmine:


We've gone through a fairy obsession phase, thanks to the Tinkerbell movie. I'm not sure what is going on in this scene of Emma's, or what the red fairy (Rosetta) is wondering... but it's cute!

Annabelle's Rosetta:

Do you notice how Emma's drawings are all detail and exactness, and Annabelle's are more whimsical and quirky? I love it. Totally goes along with their personalities!

Annabelle's Tinkerbell:

Emma's:


While I love seeing how well they can replicate their favorite characters and stories on paper, I think my favorite drawings of theirs are the ones that are completely their own, from their own ideas and imaginations. Like this adorable little super-hero boy of Annabelle's:


Or this Dick-and-Jane-esque couple of Emma's:


They really do love to create scenes that have stories to go with them. I can only hope that this dinner-time picture of Emma's isn't taken TOO much from real life-- there's a lot happening here! :)

I can only imagine the story behind this swanky-looking party of Annabelle's. Oh, the glamor! Check out those evening gowns!


One day Emma drew this picture:

and it got them started on a kick of drawing clothes hanging up. Annabelle, of course, had to follow in big sister's footsteps, giving it her own unique style. Love the yellow clothes!


I'd have to say that this next picture of Emma's may very well be one of my all-time favorites.

There is just SO MUCH to see in this picture. The detail astounds me! Wait a minute, is that a little robot I see in the corner over there...?

Ha! It is! I asked Emma why the robot was there and she informed me that "the little brother dressed up as a robot since he wanted to be by his sisters." Sneaky!

Sometimes, though, I can't really get an explanation for the things I see in their pictures. When I asked Annabelle what was hanging off the dresser in this bedtime picture she answered me "Um... they're just hanging things."

Ok, then, that works!

This next one of Emma's is pretty self-explanatory, obviously: it's Mommy out shopping with her three girls!

I do love how Annabelle is just kickin' back underneath the cart. (I don't actually make her ride down there, I promise.)

As a child, I don't remember ever drawing as much as my girls do. I loved to draw, but I don't think I dedicated so much of my day to doing so like Emma and Annabelle to. Maybe I have some future artists on my hands! But whatever the reason for their obvious love of drawing right now, I treasure and enjoy it. It's a peek inside their minds, a wondering look at the world through their childish eyes...



... and I am more than happy to have my countertops and my life graced with such things as starry princesses and colorful castles of crayon.

tonight, I am...

... a little bit shocked, because I so did not realize it had been two weeks since I last blogged! It doesn't feel like two weeks. But two weeks it is. And, I'm ok with that.

...super excited because Glee is back!! Call me a "gleek" if you wish, I don't care... I need my song and dance fix. Wednesday nights are way more fun with that show. And that's how Talia "C's" it.

... loving the fact that it was cool and slightly overcast today. I even put on a sweater!

... wondering where the time went today. It feels as if nothing got done! But, we did accomplish all of the day's schoolwork and I had three piano students... well, fancy that, I guess I DID get something done!

... listening to Rosalie talk herself to sleep in her crib and absolutely adoring it. This kid gets cuter every day.

... feeling a wee bit lonely. I think it's because I miss my sisters. A lot.

... wondering why we even have dressers. Because, in all honesty, our clothes sit (folded all nice and neatly, at least) in clothes baskets pretty much until I absolutely need to put them away so I can use the baskets for the next round of laundry! Note to self: PUT AWAY THE CLOTHES. NOW.

... absolutely in love with the music of JJ Heller. Have you heard of her? If not, go here and listen. The music is lovely and she is so talented, but it's her lyrics that get me. They've had me thinking and singing and praising all day long as they run through my head, and it's wonderful. (thank you, Karen, for telling me about her!)

... desperately wanting to eat something sweet (you know, other than the Tootsie Roll I already had). And trying very hard not to give in. Maybe I should go brush my teeth.

... slightly encouraged upon finding out when I got on the Wii Fit today that I had lost 3.5 pounds since my last time using it. Of course, that was over 100 days ago, but at least it's something!

... thinking on this verse: "I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me diligently will find Me" (Prov. 8:17) and realizing that I need to be- I crave to be- so much more diligent at seeking Him. Daily.

... smiling at the memory from earlier today of Emma calling an apostrophe a "catastrophe" and Annabelle stopping in the middle of play just so she could hug all over Rosalie. Children are delightful (usually).

... noticing that my husband looks awfully cute and cozy sitting on our couch with our big fuzzy blanket. What are lists and blog posts when one could be cuddling? I'm off to join him.

good night, good night! she said with a wave of her hand and a kiss on the air

two little projects.

what does one do with a perfectly good frame for which the glass is missing?


Take these things

add a bit of glue, and spend a little time happily arranging buttons when you should be cleaning up your kitchen after dinner....

and this is what you get:


I just love buttons. And now I can have them hanging on my wall!


Since I pretty much LOVE that amy butler paper (seriously, I love it so much I even bought the whole pad of it at FULL PRICE. It was a breakthrough) I knew I wanted to find as many ways to use it as possible. So I took an old frame I had, painted and stressed it, and then filled it with this bit of "artwork":

I love the colors and the textures, and how it's so simple and almost child-like. It was such a fun thing to work on (again, when I should have been cleaning up the kitchen. Point being: I'd rather craft than clean. Wouldn't anyone?) The only issue I have with it is that line on the left side. No matter what I did I couldn't get that to disappear and lay completely flat. Oh well. The good thing is that it's not nearly as noticeable when it's hanging on the wall.

The tree trunks are made out of garden twine, which I bought rolls and rolls of at Target for $1. I love garden twine! It's so versatile!


I also love the little bird, which was actually added as an afterthought. Birds are just so lovely, and I might be a bit obssessed with them.


These trees now hang behind our couch. I couldn't get a good picture of it on the wall with the lighting in our living room, but here is what it looks like against our yellow walls:


Give me some pretty paper, some glue, and an idea, and I'm a very happy girl.

And, I am pleased to report that yes, my kitchen did eventually get cleaned.

A very pumpkin-y sort of post.

The delights of a pumpkin patch in the fall are something of which everyone should partake. (especially when it's an ADORABLE pumpkin patch, with rustic old wagons loaded to the brim with gourds of every size and shape, a little wooden bridge over a pond, fall leaves everywhere, and twinkly lights galore.)

So, this past Friday (aka One of the Most Perfect Days Ever), Jeremy and I and the three girls made our way to the pumpkin patch-- which, by the way, is all of 5 minutes from our house. That's right, folks, we live 5 minutes away from The Cutest Pumpkin Patch. Not bad.

We went after the kids woke up from naps, and it happened to be perfect timing. Still light enough to squeeze in pictures, but late enough that as we were there dusk fell and the twinkly lights came on in all their charming glory. Don't laugh at me (or do. whatever.), but sometimes I get a pleasant little ache when certain surroundings are just so homey and delightful that they make me all nostalgic and happy inside. And that's how I felt about our pumpkin patch visit. It just felt like FALL. And I was there with my family. What more could a girl want?

The girls, of course, loved every moment and came away with the perfect little pumpkins after many such exclamations of "ooh, look at that one! And that one!" Pumpkins are delightful.

The only downside is that there wasn't quite the chill in the air that I was hoping for... but I pretended anyway, as I dressed us all in our jean jackets and wore my new yellow hat. We may have been a bit warm, but it was worth it. One simply cannot visit a pumpkin patch at dusk while wearing a tank top. I refuse.

Accquring pumpkins aside, our REAL reason for going to the pumpkin patch was, of course, to take pictures. And take pictures we did! (or, more accurately, my sweet hubby took pictures... thanks for putting up with me and my whims, babe)

I didn't even realize I had dressed Emma and Annabelle to match until they sat down for this shot. True story.

It's cliche'.... but I have to say it.... my three pumpkins. AW. (so glad I got that out of the way)







Be warned, your heart may melt when you see this...













Love this one...

Little sidenote: when we were looking through these pictures together at home, Jeremy told me that I reminded him of Kate Winslet in this one. I wanted to make out with him a little bit. (because hello, she's GORGEOUS. I don't really agree with him, but way to score some points, honey :)) Anyway. Moving on. Look at my cute children!!!

This series of pictures makes me smile. Have at it, Rosalie!







I love my dear little family. And I love pumpkins. The end. :)

morning snapshots

lessed be the Lord who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation!
~Psalm 68:19




He doesn't just toss us a little bit of blessing every now and then.
He LOADS us with benefits.
Daily.
Blessed be the Lord.

How wonderful to think that there are good and beautiful things in every single day, no matter what.
I hope you can find, and enjoy, many of them today.

good morning, dear ones!!

mighty pleased.

today, amidst the swirling dust filling our Bakersfield air (ew), we made our way to the mall, my three girls and I. After a brief stop in See's candy to get our free samples (yum), we got down to the business of the day: shopping for fall clothes. You see, with our cooler temperatures finally here, Emma has been wearing jeans that are starting to show her ankles. And Rosalie has been wearing long socks and onesies to bed since she has no warmer pj's. This simply will not do.

Well, I most happy to report that our expedition was a smashing success. After only two stores --The Children's Place and Old Navy, many clearance racks, and lots of strangers telling me how cute my baby is in her leg warmers (it's true, she is), we came away with all of this:



That right there is
3 pairs of matching pj's (how fun is that?)
10 shirts
4 dresses
2 incredibly cute plaid hats
2 pairs of shoes
1 pair of knee-high socks
4 pairs of leggings
3 pairs of pants
2 baby rompers (I think that's what they're called?)
and 3 skirts.

Everything all together cost less than $150. Now, in case you didn't do the math, that is an average of a little over $4 per item.

Booyah.

As a reward for my diligent bargain-hunting, I got myself a few things too... of course. :) These adorable flats literally fell into my hands as I was rummaging through other things. The fact that they were children's shoes didn't stop me from purchasing them. (what. I have small feet.)

I had to laugh at my $2 shirt because really, it's just so true for us right now. And in all honesty it will probably be worn as a pj shirt-- while we watch TV and cuddle and be the homebodies that we are. Very appropriate indeed.

So, yes, I am quite pleased-- and grateful-- with the results of our afternoon's endeavors, and very excited to dress my girls in their fun new things.



I think they're pretty excited too. New clothes are always a cause for glee, wouldn't you agree?