After church picnic today in the grass

New shoes sleep

Today Fred got two new pairs of shoes-one for church and some slip on tennis shoes for play. {We just did three pairs of flip flop sandals for everything including church this summer because a)it's hot; b)it's phx; c)he's 2.5. d) they are so SPENCY!!}

Anyway, new shoes today and he wasn't w us so this evening before bed he tried them on. Let me tell you, this kid is so positive and optimistic {me: "I'm bit sure they fit..." Fred: "they fit mommy! They are good!!"} He LOVES his new shoes. 

Then the scene goes that he wanted to keep wearing them as we are dressing for bed (picture cute happy naked kid w only his loafers on). 

And he really really wants to sleep with them. And of course the answer is no right? Wrong. The answer is, well, this is the only time you can wear them in bed because they are brand new and aren't dirty yet, huh? He agrees and is almost asleep. Didn't even care about nursing because he's exhausted. Then I'm thinking happily, what if this is a tradition for years where we sleep in our new shoes the first night? And wow, we are a family, this is so real, and they are so incredibly funny, smart, interesting, beautiful. 

.....Happy thoughts tonight...

Busy spring stuff

So....life!!!!! It has been busy and wonderful.

Harriet has a strong personality and presence in our family. She seems like she's teething...shows hunger cues and eats until refusal and then wants everything in her mouth! She rolled over on Wednesday April 9th for the first time at 3 and a half months. 

Freddie finished up sports class and he loved it! I did too. Swim lessons started Monday. I'm super excited. It's a small class size for him (3 kids to 1 instructor) and I've heard amazing things. I have to get Fred swimming for real because we plan to be in the pool constantly this summer and there's way to much stress for me in holding a newborn and a toddler w never-ending energy. Hattie and I take the newborn class. Super excited for that too. :)

Frederick has been increasing in his independence and confidence lately. I've relaxed a bit on stressing about the amount of food he consumes and since then he has been eating so much better. He has gotten so gentle w Harriet!!! It's an incredible difference from when she was first born and he is even becoming a better helper (only refuses to "please please please hand me that burp cloth/wipe/diaper/water right next to you!!" Part of the time ;) and comforter to her but most of all he loves to play with and make his baby sister laugh. It's the best. And she laughs!!!!! She has a hearty laugh! She giggles, grins, stares, makes silly faces...and Fred and Collin and I crack up and she cracks up harder. It's awesome. 

Collin and I have tried hard at working together on parenting and budgeting and house keeping and we butt heads but we are learning to compromise and even give in. 

Cutie in her swim suit from Lulu.

casa

ArTaFor Presidents' Day this past February, Collin and Freddie and little Hattie and I took off down south a little while to explore Casa Grande and the national monument. We love family road trips!!! 

"I want all the way down!" (Always!!) --Freddie 

This was Hattie's first time in the ergo. 

My two ones 

This was the start of the, "working his job in the dirt." (He tells me this every time he plays in the dirt, rocks or sand.)

Another junior ranger achievement! This man was so cute. He had Freddie raise his right hand and repeat a junior ranger oath back to him. Fred took it super seriously. 

Life going

We are SMITHS

Very lovely

Harriet Jillian. I love her so much!

REVIEW of 2013!

Collin and Frederick are going out on a date and little Hattie Hat is snoozing in my lap, so I'm going to spend a few moments reflecting on our year. I always like doing this because it reminds me of all the great times we've had and the many many many ways we've been blessed.

Collin, Mommy, and Frederick, New Years Eve 2012

First off, here's a list of goals I made for this year. I give myself 8 points (on a scale that doesn't make sense). Pretty okay. Not great, but okay.

Now let's look at.....

I have to say....

I LOVE having a daughter! Hattie is the sweetest, darlingest, most amazing baby girl I've ever known. I just hold her in my arms and stare and listen as she sleeps, jostles, coos, breathes, dreams, and makes the cutest peeping noises.

Andddddd I LOVE not being pregnant! Sorry to my dear dear pregnant friends! As you know, there's a light at the end of the tunnel, but I'm loving not to having that giant belly!!! I can turn around/twist! Be comfortable in the car! Take a shower and reach everything! Take a super super hot shower! Lay on my back! Clean out the cat litter (I know that doesn't sound awesome, but I like having it clean all day and not having to wait for CS to be home etc. 

Yesterday we all went to the doctor-

Hattie had her first pediatrician check up and first vaccine and is perfect. 

I had a follow up about my blood pressure w my dr (same as Hattie's) and it's high again so I'm going to be on medication---not the heavy crazy magnesium, thank goodness, but some other stuff that doesn't effect breastfeeding and the side effects are small. Ill take it for a month, then hopefully everything will going back to normal and I'll get off it. 

And poor sweet Freddie hurt his foot and had to go to the ER for x-rays. He was limping and screaming--scary and very unusual for him. But there were no breaks so he pretty much just has to take ibuprofen and let it heal. Bummer at Christmas time. 

Merry Christmas Eve!!!!!! We definitely have had a very different year this year. We are behind on everything, but have a good excuse! Today we are just going to lay low! Make a cmas treat, watch a few movies, go to the park to enjoy sun, fresh air, and blankets in the grass. Tonight we will hang out w the money's at our place. 

Nursing--is going well. It's painful to have my milk come in, uncomfortable to be constantly leaking and smelling like milk bleh. I'm also enjoying it right away this time and know everything will regulate soon. It's a little tricky to figure out when to let Freddie nurse. Honestly, he's so easily distracted from it that he could probably do it much less, but I've been so engorged that sometimes I beg him to nurse to just empty a little. Phew. 

Fred holding Hattie. She was super thrilled. He loooooooves her. 

Barely fits in NB clothes.

Phoenix zoo

The weather was gorgeous: windy and cool. We splurged on a giant bag of kettlecorn and had a super fun family date. Fred loved the animals...the goats best because he can touch them. Collin WANTS a pet goat now. My favorite is the elephant, always.