::tricks::

i've been wishing lately that i was better at capturing our family's daily life on video.  i'm going to try to get some of the daily precious moments on film more often so that we can cherish them in the decades to come...

love.

::cream and butter::

cros just had a neonatology follow up appointment this week.

he is such a champ and seems to be doing so very well.  one small issue is that over the last few months his weight has plateaued and then he has even dropped a few ounces.

i expressed my concern to the neonatologist and we discussed our options.  one such option was to fortify his milk in several ways that seemed a little complicated and like a bit of work (which i would be more than willing to do).  but, then after discussing what to do for several minutes, the doctor said, "you know what?  let's not make this too complicated.  let's do what every other doctor through your life will tell you not to do.  why don't you just put a bit of cream or butter into all of his baby food?"

seriously?  so very simple and delicious!  i bet my dad is wishing he would get the same recommendation from his doctor...

on a different note, this neonatologist hadn't seen crosby since he was in the NICU.  upon first seeing him, he said, "he has a CPAP scar."  when crosby first came home and the small scar on his forehead became more prominent, we had no idea what it was from.  apparently, his oxygen mask for his breathing apparatus created a small scar, which they have seen in lots of preemies in the last year.  they have since switched their mask, but it was interesting to learn about.  i think it is a sweet reminder of God's goodness to us through it all.  and he is a little bit like harry potter... :)

::family reunion::

sam made an impromptu trip to c'ville this weekend and we could not have been happier.

my kids were absolutely thrilled to have him here and he hardly had a second to himself when they were awake.  

and to sweeten the weekend even more, we were able to drive up to DC to visit whit and allie for the afternoon.  sam had never been to our nation's capital and we were thankful to get to be a part of his inaugural trip.

thanks so much for letting us stop by, whit and al!  and thank you so much for making the trip, sam!  we miss you all already!!!

::my kind of snow day::

snow dumped down on us yesterday afternoon.  it was the first snow of the season and i have to admit that it was beautiful.  

and it was even more beautiful this morning when i ran in the silence of a dark snowy morning.  i love the silence snow brings in nature.  and i love how snow makes even the dark of early morning seem lighter.

and it was even more beautiful today as sun poured down on it and started to melt it all!  we had just enough time to make snowmen...they were already melting as we finished them.  but, it was the perfect snowman temperature outside...almost so warm you didn't need a coat!  the kids loved it and i love watching it all melt away...

i heart...

valentine's day!!

happy valentine's day to all those we love and adore!

::family portrait::

finn has just started drawing the typical first people drawings...a big head with big eyes and stick arms and legs. with no body of course.

i love these drawings SO much.  i remember being so excited when lily started doing these and i am equally thrilled to see finn making these same drawings.  i treasure them.

finn drew this one today.  it is our family.  if you wonder who the big person is, it is Goliath, naturally.  finn is obsessed right now. he looks ominous. i guess our family had better beware...

party!

lily's fifth birthday party was wonderful.  

thank you to all of her sweet friends who attended!  she felt so loved...

for my little birdie.  

 he adds sunshine to every moment of my day...