came home from errands with the girls to this beautiful family wall addition- the girls at our christmas shoot :) thank you sweet hubby! i can hardly believe how much eloise has already changed in 2 months time. 

as a fun sidetone- i came across a 50th edition of eloise by kay thompson when we were out shopping today. some neat tidbits of information are included, like when the book was written in the 1950's, eloise was created as a heroine to combat the drab heidi & ultra preppy nancy drew. also, who knew that neiman marcus came out with a darling line of eloise clothing?!? what i wouldn't give to get my hands on one of those sweet outfits from the 60's!

xoxo,

-ivy

january sun

we have had the most beautiful weather these past few days! 5 days in a row at [different] parks!

sweet lu having a picnic in daddy's office :)

hot cocoa following a chilly but lovely afternoon

lucy's first ballet class sans mommy! here i am- looking through the observation window :) i honestly don't think she even noticed i wasn't there!

my sidekick :)

a cupcake celebration afterwards!

park day #3- trying out the double rather than the moby- we both much prefer babywearing!

jon behind the girls :) we all went to the park sunday- long walk, picnic, playing. a wonderful family day!

that dimple kills me-

park day #5!

bunk progress-

my little ladies dressed for library story time- it'd been awhile since lucy had been & eloise hadn't been before-

another cupcake. yep. i let her have ONE bite!

& i'll leave you with my teething gal & her "teething berry" :) [she's started doing "SO big!' with her arms- so so sweet!]

-ivy

a few quick updates :)

eloise has been trying some more foods here & there. she still doesn't have ANY teeth at going on 8 months, but i definitely think she's been teething these last few days. gnawing on carrot sticks & apple slices seem to be helping her spirit stay happy :)

my sweet girl now waves "bye-bye", claps her hands, calls for me when i leave the room- "mamamama!"- signs "more" when she wants more food or roughhousing with daddy [seriously!], & imitates! when we shake our heads, she shakes hers back & giggles :) the best is when she & lucy go back & forth!

lucy & her new friend, "miss frostine" :)

we had a bit of snow a few days ago & lucy insisted on standing outside. by herself. in the cold. eloise & i stayed nice & cozy inside :)

happy after a fresh hot pink manicure by mommy- lucy's choice of color :)

sister-bonding over a pink cupcake :)

daddy & lu at dinner on friday night!

lucy was promoted in ballet class! the studio called me the other day & said they feel like she's ready to move up to a non-mommy & me class- she starts saturday! eeeek! she's never done anything without me! i'm sure that she'll do super- she really loves her teacher. but my mommy heart is sad to end this special chapter with my girl :(

progress on the bunks-

way too much mall time between the weather & the house renovations-

which are finally complete!

sweet babies :)

lucy has discovered the teacup on the mall carousel- & my equilibrium may never be the same.

this is me at nordstrom after diaper changes, nursing & loading up my toddler, while getting the moby back on as eloise sleeps. my life. i wouldn't trade it :)

[oh that potty training thing- yeahhhhh... i never realized how strong-willed & weary of change my oldest is until we began this process- :)]

dinner's in the oven!

-ivy