I'm Still Here (Update on Life)

You can't tell how much I love blogging by my lack of doing so as of late, but I swear...I do love blogging! A lot!

Believe it or not, but I think about blogging all the time. Whenever something happens or an idea pops in my mind, I get so excited to blog about it, but life has been so busy lately.

And time flies even faster when busy, which I hate because that means Tristan's growing up so fast.

We went to my parents' cabin a week ago, where Tristan got to experience snow for the first time. It was great spending time with my parents on this mini-getaway. I love watching them love on Ella and Tristan, as only proud grandparents can do.

A picture of God's masterpiece, where the air is fresh with a crisp bite, the sky is bluer than blue and a smile is permanently glued on your face.

Charles, the snowman Aaron built for Ella. Picturesque snowman, if you ask me!

Charles looks so real!

And, of course, Bob came along. I can't say he was a fan of the snow, but he semi-willingly followed us around in the snow, tiptoeing through the ice. Poor guy.

And, of course, you can't go to the snow without eating some!

The girls.

The boys.

Aaron running up the hill with Ella for some sledding. (I only took video of them coming down, otherwise I'd share pictures of their descent). :)

All three of my boys. Muah!

Tristan slept most of the time we took him outside. I think the snow was just too bright to look at, so he just closed his eyes and fell asleep, after much fussing.

Ella went through some new experiences for the first time, too.

She broke her ankle. Not a serious break, but rather a minor fracture of her growth plate. She had a fiber glass cast put on for a week, and it's off now, but her injury is not completely healed. The rest of the healing can be done without a cast, though.

As seen in the picture below, Ella wore my socks over her cast most of the time to keep her little toesies warm. And yes, this is how my little girl loves to dress. You can't get her to wear jeans and a normal shirt ever. It's all about color and tutus. In fact, whenever she wears jeans to school, she must wear a tutu over them. No joke.

Ella also lost her first tooth! I came home from work on Friday and she excitedly told me her tooth was loose. I cried, of course, because this milestone in her growing up simply came too fast. Two days later, after much convincing and bribery, I asked if I could try to pull it out, and sure enough, it came right out!

Ella's new smile! :)

Examining her tooth.

So, keeping up with the kids's new experiences and growing up has surely kept me busy, but on top of that, I've had the joy of watching them grow closer together.

While folding laundry, Ella curled up on the bed next to Tristan and just began cuddling with him. She carried a conversation with him, and he just smiled back and her, totally mesmerized by her every word.

Aaron and I are raising such cuddle bugs! :)

I'm sorry I've been away from my beloved blog for so long. I hope I still have people interested in my going-ons and thoughts! I will be sure to come back very soon. :)

Ahoy! My Sailor-Themed Baby Shower!

These pictures are long overdue, but I just have to share them with you all. The little party coordinator in my friend had a ball planning this sailor-themed baby shower. She did a wonderful job. Each detail was carefully considered. It was so much fun having a mixture of family (from both sides) and friends from all walks of life (new and old) in the same room, sharing in this special little boy growing inside of me.

It all started when this adorable invitation arrived in the mail.

Because a good amount of people were invited, the shower was held in a reception hall at my friend's church. Perfect location.

The kid table set up with crafts and candy galore.

Delicious finger foods and homemade cupcakes that were SO GOOD!

Ella stalking the cupcakes. I can't even tell you how many times she asked if she could have another.

My beautiful mama, who was a co-hostess.

The master planner and my good friend, Theresa. What a blessing she has been in my life.

Praying before we all dug in.

I asked Aaron to come take pictures, since I figured nobody would be taking any. I'm so glad he came (although, I'm sure by the end of the time there, he had enough female intake to last him for a long time). However, as a result of Aaron being the photographer, I have A LOT of pictures of Ella. Hey, she was probably the least camera shy girl there. I wonder why?? :)

Holding one of her new favorite toys from her birthday (which we had celebrated 3 days before this shower).

Tristan is so loved by so many.

Ella was a wonderful helper opening presents with me, holding gifts up for display and "ooohing" and "awwwing" with the rest of them. :)

Tristan got so many cute outfits. He's going to be such a little stud muffin!

Ella checking the table behind her for any gifts we might've missed.

If you can't read that sticker, it says "Amazing Big Sister." That she is!

I could just eat her up in all her cuteness.

A pug...one of the many gifts Ella received this day - either for her birthday or for her becoming a big sister. Either way, it was so thoughtful for everyone to make Ella feel special, despite the shower being for her baby brother.

The frog-themed diaper cake of awesomeness! :)

Reading a card together.

"Don't wake me...I'll wake you." I plan on having him wear this his first night with us. :)

I hope you all enjoyed scrolling through the pictures. It was an amazing afternoon. I am so blessed with so many wonderful people in my life, family and friends alike, who have all been such a support as Aaron and I went through the ups and downs of conceiving this very special boy. Tristan is loved by so many already, I can't imagine what it'll be like once he's actually here!

It's All About the Little Moments

This past week has been filled with special moments. Moments I wish to cherish forever. Moments that may quickly go unnoticed in the busy-ness of life, but moments that I'm trying to stop, soak in and remember.

Moments of Aaron swimming with Ella, encouraging her to doggie paddle without her floaties, tossing her around as she bravely holds her breath, happily screeching and demanding for Daddy to throw her higher and higher. Witnessing their bond, smiling at their smiles - it's truly any woman's dream come true to call these two mine.

Moments of Aaron and Ella coloring "monsters" together, both left-handed, both with the same pursed lips and look of concentration. Ella is seriously a little Aaron in so many ways. It can't help but make me wonder if Tristan will be like his mama?

Moments of laughing at Ella's silly-ness as she wore her cool shades.

Moments of happily feeling like a third wheel on a trip to the park. Ella was consumed with Daddy, and Daddy with Ella. I just watched from the sidelines, seeing their love for each other shine.

Moments of watching Aaron patiently (yet unsuccessfully!) teach Ella the rules of tic-tac-toe.

Moments of teaching a stubborn 4-year old how to swing...

...which clearly didn't go so well. (Tears of frustration).

Followed by moments of watching Daddy jump right in there and calm Ella down, helping her regain her confidence after not understanding how to do it.

Moments of the kid coming out in Aaron as he role models for Ella on what to do.

Moments of watching Ella climb a tree and shine with pride.

Moments of girl-time shopping with Ella and watching her eyes light up as I put her new cross necklace on her, a necklace she refuses to take off because it's "so special and reminds [her] of Jesus."

Many new moments of spending my mornings with Ella before taking her to kindergarten, filled with picnics, story time, dancing, Sesame Street, playing with Bob, and more story time.

Take these moments away, and my life would not be the same. These moments link together to create my days and weeks. Life without moments like these would be no life at all.