Lately

We’ve been venturing out as much as possible lately, now that the warmer weather has finally found it’s way to us.  I usually rush out the doors of work as close to 5 as possible and hurry home with the kids to meet Marty.  I usually put together a quick dinner, clean up, and have just enough time left to load the girls up in the double stroller, harness the dogs and hit the neighborhood for a walk at the most perfect part of the day.

If there’s not enough time for that, we’re happy enough to explore our big backyard, as long as we get to enjoy some fresh air, hear the birds chirp, and catch a glimpse of the sun creeping down over the horizon.  Spring is finally here.

Everly usually goes straight for her swing, which she has just about outgrown…  Otherwise, she’s exploring elsewhere or peeking through the garden looking for things to collect.

She recently discovered the trampoline, which obviously was a huge hit!

always smiling

And Mila is absolutely enamored with all of her surroundings when we’re outside.  She loves the cool breeze, the chatter of finches through the bamboo, and watching Everly lead the way, taking it all in while tucked tightly against me in her sling.

It’s raining this weekend so we’ve got some indoor activities lined up and spring cleaning to do, though we are all looking forward to much more outdoor time soon.  Here’s to many more summer adventures!

Love,
E

Sisters by Chance, Friends by Choice

sisters by chance

friends by choice

and always making each other laugh

My girls, 5 Months, and 32 Months old.

Love,
E

Easter Weekend

Note to self, a 2 1/2 year old that wakes up at 6:30 on Easter morning and fills up on jelly beans and chocolate milk will turn into this by 9 am…

However, with a little sunshine and fresh air, things will turn around before the day continues.   At least long enough to take a decent sort-of family picture.

What a beautiful Easter it was.  Filled with family, food, and lots of Easter goodies.  Ev and Amelia both made out like bandits from the Easter bunny.  Ev’s basket had bubbles, a sun hat/sunglasses (for the beach!), a bunny, and a Cinderella doll.  Amelia’s little basket had some new binkies and soft teething toys, though she was much more interested in trying to eat my hair.

 

Whenever we’re around my family, Everly always gravitates to Kyle.  Whether they’re kicking a soccer ball around, or swinging, she is crazy about her Uncle!

Seeing all the little cousins hunt for eggs was adorable.  Everly did pretty well this year and had a blast, of course.  And the weather was superb!

 

Everly just loved her dress and didn’t stop twirling through the grass all day long.  Even long after we arrived home and were winding down from the day, it took some coaxing to get her to change and hang her dress up, grass stains and all, after a well-deserved day enjoyed in it with plenty of magical memories.

Love,
E

No Words, Just Pictures

Heaven for me, is at home in my rocker with my girls.

snow day.

 

cutest little chef.

Sisters

I hope they’re best friends forever.

 

That smile is perfection.

Love,
E

The Girls. 30 Months and 3 Months.

One of my favorite things about this blog is logging on at night to look through my archives at some of my earliest posts, when Everly was just a wee little thing and I did a little monthly-or-so update on how she was growing.  Since it’s usually a rare occasion when I get the chance to write, I decided it’s probably best to do a little rundown of both girls.  So here we go…

Dear Everly- it is the eve of your half birthday.  You turn 2 and a half tomorrow, and you are one of the most intelligent little ladies I know.  Your favorite things these days are your two bears – Elvis and Purple Bear – who accompany you pretty much anywhere and everywhere you go.  You love chocolate milk, dancing, Cinderella, and makeup!  You’re a pretty independent little girl, though you still love to sleep in Mommy’s bed any chance you can (I love it too) and you are such a proud big sister.  You have not shown an ounce of jealousy when it comes to Amelia, and you’re always kissing her and gushing over her every chance you get.  It’s all happening so fast, my little love, you grow up a little bit more each day.  You are the happiest person your Dad and I know, our Sunshine girl.

Dear Amelia – it’s hard to imagine that you turn 3 months old this week.  You are 100% perfection; a bundle of sweetness that I thank my lucky stars for each and every day.  Your smiles are the best thing ever.  Sometimes I’ll be nursing you, and all the sudden, you’ll stop.  When I peek down at you, you’re just gazing up at me with the happiest, biggest smile I’ve ever seen.  It’s the best feeling ever.   When I’m having a rough day, I just think about that smile and all my worries fade away.  These days, you pretty much love two things – nursing and naked time!  It’s true.  When you’re cranky, sometimes we just strip you down, and all the sudden, you stop crying and start smiling.  Works like a charm every time.   And your big sister, of course.  You find her more interesting than any toy around.  I have a feeling you girls are going to be very close.

Love,
Your Very Proud Mama

Dear Amelia, You Are Two Months Old

Weight: 12 lbs. 12 oz.
Hair: It gets lighter and lighter each day and we are seeing a little hint of RED in there too!
Eyes: The bluest of blue.
Milestones: Smiling up a storm and soooo close to rolling over.

Dear little Amelia,

You turned two months old yesterday and are growing like a little flower.  Ever since you first lifted your head up at the hospital when you were just a day old, we knew you were going to be a strong little thing, and we were right.  These days, you love to lie on your back and stare up at objects, usually a toy or a ceiling fan, kicking those little legs in excitement. Our favorite is when you flash that gorgeous smile that us.  Your eyes will sparkle and you’ll coo little “oohs” and “ahhs” with such purpose… I have no doubt that you and I will always have a lot to say to each other, and I can’t wait for those days.

Your big sister is incredibly smitten with you.  Every chance she gets, she is peeking over my shoulder as I nurse you, or asking if she can help care for you, or putting her little face up to yours to plant a tiny sister kiss on your cheek.  The other day, Everly was taking a bath and I decided to dip you in with her for a few moments.  Everly thought it was the neatest thing ever.  While you’re much too tiny now, I see plenty of bubble baths with you two in the near future.

My little love, you bring so much joy to this family of ours.  Thank you so much for choosing us to be yours.

Love,
Your Mama

On Christmas and New Traditions

There was some serious Christmas magic in the Buehler household this year, oh yes there was.  This year was a pretty special one for us; it being Amelia’s first Christmas as well as the first Christmas where Everly truly got a taste of the season and all of the merriment that goes along with it.  It was so exciting to see everything through her eyes and for Marty and I to start some new traditions that we’ll be continuing with the girls over the years.

Everly and I managed to sneak some cookie baking in on the day before Christmas Eve (we made these sugar doodles which were amazing!). We also watched lots of Christmas programs and read plenty of Christmas stories (The Polar Express and Twas the Night Before Christmas- a recorded book narrated by Everly’s Gobble himself).

On Christmas Eve, Everly and Marty set out cookies and Maker’s Mark for Santa (Marty insisted) and left a few carrots and celery for Santa’s reindeer.  The Big Man definitely appreciated the refreshments too, as he left Everly and Amelia a nice little stash of presents and maybe even a few for Marty & I.  After opening her gifts, Everly was happy to put on her new apron and help make breakfast before the rest of the family festivities.

All in all, it was a very happy holiday for us.  Marty and I are just truly thankful for two happy, healthy girls and that we’re able to spend the holidays with those who mean the most to us.  We couldn’t ask for anything more.

Hope your Christmas was merry and bright, and full of love and laughter. Wishing you all the best in 2013.

Love,
E

Sugar in My Bowl.

Amelia actually turns two months old next week, but I still wanted to post these pictures of her at 2 and 3 weeks old.  This little sugar plum is growing up so fast and is just the sweetest thing ever.  At her one month checkup we learned that she gained about 2 lbs and is doing fantastic, just as we expected.  We are really starting to get the hang of parenting two littles, and while life is sometimes crazy, we are loving each and every minute of it and truly counting our blessings.

Love,
E

Adjusting

It’s 9 pm and both babies are finally sleeping.  Finding the time to write has been a bit of a challenge as we adjust to having two littles in the house these days.  Two mouths to feed, two sets of tiny hands to hold, two little faces to kiss, two teeny bodies to snuggle.  Maternity leave has been a blessing, however I’m not going to lie and say it’s been completely easy.  There have been plenty of sleepless nights, cranky girls (and parents), messy rooms , overflowing laundry baskets, and attention-starved pups.  But, all in all, we are adjusting and we are doing the best we can, knowing that in time it will get easier.

It’s quiet, calm moments like this, sitting in the dim light of my room rocking Amelia and watching Everly dream, when I can find a moment to catch my breath and just take it all in.  Throughout all of the craziness, I can’t help but feel so incredibly lucky and thankful for everything in my life in this moment.  One day, I know I’ll be an old lady and long for these days when my girls were young, so I’m enjoying each and every second.

Thank God for my amazing husband, he is truly my rock and I would not be the mother I am without him.  And my parents and Mother-in-Law – we are incredibly thankful for your constant willingness to help us out anytime.  Much love to all.

Love,
E