More To Love

When February arrives, one of my favorite holidays come with it. This Valentine's Day was simple and low-key, but still wonderful.

We made panda bear valentine boxes, and wrote out valentines for friends near and far.

We enjoyed going through the notes from friends at school.

Valentine's weekend I made the kids heart chocolate-chip pancakes.

They were fans.

That night Brigham and I were able to go on an awesome date together. We were invited to a valentine volleyball date night with a bunch of other couples. Each person came wearing red or white to determine the teams, and we had pizza, cupcakes, chocolate covered strawberries, and played four hours of volleyball. It was a blast!

Silly prizes were awarded at the end of the night, and Brigham and I won most combative couple. I didn't want to win THAT prize, but in all honestly, we love to give each other a hard time. Especially in competitions. So we accepted our azalea plant and happily headed home together. 

Because this is a Valentine's Day post, I get to take a moment and fill the page with some sap. Boy am I grateful for this man. Not many husbands will teach Sunday School lessons for a wife who is so tired her brain just can't even comprehend reading lesson material, let alone putting a lesson together. For months. Not many dads will take newborns during nights on weekends, and even offer during the week sometimes, so that their wife can catch up on some sleep. Not many husbands watch two kids and a newborn, cook dinner, and do the dishes on their own so their wife can exercise and go to book club with the ladies. I'm a lucky girl.

This man thinks I'm beautiful first thing in the morning, or after I work out - when I actually look like death. He loves me no matter what size I am or how much hair I have. He adores his children, works hard at work and then just keeps going to take care of us when he gets home. He has a golden heart and is one of the kindest people I know. I guess, I just really love him. 

Not to mention we make cute babies.

Brigham and I agreed not to get anything for each other this year since we've had a lot of unexpected expenses. (I did clarify that ever girl deserves chocolate on Valentine's Day. Smart man took that hint and chocolate made an appearance that day.) However, this little boy was the best present I could hope to receive. After all, what brings more love to a home than a little baby?

Lydia and Ammon smother this boy with kisses and Kendrick gives them the biggest smiles. I loved that they were thrilled with just a box of conversation hearts and some jolly ranchers Sunday afternoon. The hugs from them and gratitude expressed filled my heart. Oh how I love Valentine's Day!!

Tappana Times: New Year, New Baby

Well surprise, surprise, this post will mostly contain pictures of baby Kendrick - he's just too photogenic.

I mean, look at that face. And it sorta sums up my life right now. Lots of baby.

And late nights with his squishy face.

Kendrick turned one month old and was so excited he raised the roof in his sleep.

Lydia had spirit week at school and went as an 80's girl for decade day. I dusted off my crimper and put it to good use. Apparently, the style is coming back for the younger generation because all of Lydia's friends "looooooooooooooved" her hair.

She also had some pretty crazy hair for hair day.

Normally I like to go a little crazier, but this was the best I could manage with the baby. His crying really cramps our style.

And our walks. On President's day I thought it was great idea to go for a walk with the kids, since it was such good weather. Half way through, Kendrick decided he was done sleeping, realized he was in his car seat, which is just unacceptable for him, and let us know. Ammon also decided that his bike wasn't working out for him and that he had to go to the bathroom. So for the entire mile back home, both boys cried. It was a long mile; home never looked so good.

All worries are forgotten when you get those sweet baby smiles. Though, they are are incredibly hard to catch on camera! I almost got one of his sleep smiles, and when Kendrick was smiling at his sister, I did my best to capture the moment before it was gone.

I also had to capture the time Kendrick spit up everywhere in his burp rag, and then sneezed his face right into the spit up and gave himself a milk goatee.

This kid has some pretty little curls after his bath, that slowly loosen up as everyone strokes his hair, until his hair just lies flat on his head.

I put him in one of the outfits I used to love to put Ammon in, and here they are side by side, though Ammon is brand new at the hospital, and Kendrick is a month old at this point.

We tried him out in his bumpo, and while he does just fine sitting up in it, it always makes him spit up half his bottle, and he never lasts long. He does enjoy being closer to the light so he can burn his eyeballs out better.

This kid is kind of a grump and acts like his life is so hard all the time.

But really he's got it pretty good. I'm the one suffering. My dad texted me and asked how my day was going, so I just sent him this picture.

Because it represented my day perfectly.

However, Kendrick is getting better. We have some good days mixed in with the bad where he'll sort of sit there content to be...for a few minutes.

It's a good thing he's so darn cute.

He looks so innocent here - you would never know.

He still makes the funniest faces to himself while he sits in his chair.

And has the cutest pouty frown ever.

Either his clothes are shrinking, or he's growing. And he sure is starting to get chunky.

It might have something to do with his constant desire to eat.

Basically, I love this little guy and he fills my days with his brother and sister trying their best to help me until dad gets home.

Obviously I'm a bit obsessed. And I'm only a little ashamed.

Because who can resist a baby? Especially at bath time :)