Blessed to Have Warm Weather

Giggling girls. Walks. Lakes. Swings. And sunshine.

What a delightful weekend as a Family of 4.

 Surely it won't be much longer until we have another face to fill our cameras with memories.

This Weekend...

We're spending quality time together- just the 4 of us. I feel certain there will be a little boy in the house very soon and I want all the time with my girls I can get!

Photos on the Wall

We have lived in this house for almost 3 years, and it's been our house, but it hasn't ever really felt like home. In all honesty, it's always been a WRECK. I could keep maybe one room together at a time, but not a whole house. Ever.

This pregnancy I decided we were going to GET this house together. And finally, it is! Andrew's office, the guest room, and the sun room are still a bit cluttered from baby prep and overall household overhaul.  But, the house as a whole is together and can be picked up in 20-30 minutes at any given time. Pictures are on the walls; rooms are decorated and arranged. I feel like this house will become a home when my son is born.

Today's projects were picture related.  I worked when I could around nap and games of Cootie, and this was the result.

The Family Room now has a wall of photos of our girls as it's centerpiece.

Family Room

Our bedroom wall is halfway done. Right now it houses 3 frames: a photo of a family of 3, a photo of a family of 4, and a frame for a photo of a family of 5.  It will soon have a wedding photo, a honeymoon photo, and photos of each of our 3 children.

Over our bed.

In the 3rd frame is a note to our little boy:

Note for Baby Boy.

Miss Roo was born at this point in my pregnancy with her - 38w 4d. He could come any time. I think we're finally ready to see that sweet face- and add it to our wall.

Daddy Day for All of Us

Family hike on High Bridge Trail.

I'm a bit cloudy as I write this from lack of sleep, lack of my one cup of coffee, and lack of my partner in crime. The girls and I head home today to see Daddy and settle back into our own space. I am generally very happy to go home and see my husband. But this trip, I am overjoyed to be returning to my fuzzy-faced Drew. I have missed him, I have missed his support, I have missed his help, but mostly I have missed that feeling of partnership that forms when you have a relationship with someone that deepens over time.

Renn Fest as an engaged couple.

On April 15, Drew and I will have been together for 6 years. While this isn't as long as many of you have been with your spouses and partners,  it's the longest relationship for either of us, the most solid relationship for either of us, and the relationship that feels like it has always been there.

We've had an eventful 6 years -  "met"**  in 2007, married in 2008, Miss Moo in 2009, moved to Richmond in 2010, Miss Roo in 2011, added Lady Loo to the crew in 2012, and expecting Baby Boy in about 4.5 weeks. As our family continues to grow and mature, so does our marriage.  I realize how much I treasure that man and all he does for us- whether I appreciate it at the time or not.

Roasting marshmallows with Roo.

So, we head home today. The girls get Daddy. I get my husband. And we all get our family of 4 reunion- for the last time before we grow.

** That's a post to come- probably when I'm nursing a newborn every 2-3 hours and unable to think well about anything ;)

Modern Alternative Mama: February 2013

Little Things For Little Ones: Making Your Preschoolers Feel Loved

February 5, 2013 By   Malissa   |   Blog  |   Comments: 0

Image by Mairi Stephen.

February is already here and love is in the air! Whether you enjoy the hearts, candy, and greeting cards or you prefer to see the 14th come and go quietly, love is an unavoidable topic this month. As we prepare to meet our newest family member in the next month of two, the topic of love has been recurring in our house. Drew and I are trying our best to make our girls feel special in these last few weeks before their brother is born. Here are a few of the things we do to make our girls feel loved now and as our family grows.

To read the rest, head on over to Modern Alternative Mama!!