Poor sick baby girl

Finally asleep!!!!

Siblings

Abby loves Silas and tries so hard to take care of him.  "Sis crying" (handing me his paci).   "Okay" (short for it's going to be okay).  

Silas adores his big sister Abby.  He lights up whenever she is around and his eyes follow her.  

I can't wait for them to be able to play together. Abby tries though.

Silas 4 Month Photo Shoot

My adorable son at 4 months.  Indulge me while I show him off a bit.   His smile lights up the room.

Does that look remind you of anyone?

My three favorite faces!

Propped up because he's sick and having a hard time breathing....poor baby.

Trifle

This is one of my absolute favorite desserts...both to make and to eat. There are so many variations on this basic theme. This one has pound cake, whip cream and pudding and berries. Of course, I only make these for special occasions or for company. I tend to get carried away and make a ton! This one is completely healthy because of the berries :)

Just life

Abby got her first skinned knee on Saturday afternoon. She was running outside in loose shoes and fell on the rocks (we have NO grass, just rocks). She wasn't terribly hurt; more just liked saying and showing her "owie"

This is my new purse. It's my very first "expensive purse" all leather, etc. It's small enough that I can put it in the diaper bag when I am out with kids or carry it with me if I am out by myself. I only paid 25% of the price though. It was 25% off, then someone gave me a gift card for the store, and I was left with only a small balance. It's such a fun color but I am struggling with feeling committed to green. The store clerk said that if I chose green it meant I was down to earth....well, that's true so maybe I'll keep it.

Sweet Silas on his way to dreamland. Tomorrow he will be 4 months old!

Didn't make the cut

Our heads a little bit cut off

In transit

Abby pushed the button and the zoom went closer also focusing on the tree instead of us.

A blessing

One blessing that came as a result of my grandmother's passing was that my dad could meet my son. My mom was able to come visit earlier in January but my dad had to go back right away. I love that my parents can know my children as much as possible through skype, email, pictures etc, but there is just something special about having my mom and dad hold and love on my children. Maybe someday we'll be in the same town or hey! I'll even take the same continent!

Friends

Brothers from another mother

Stephanie, Conner, Abby and myself

Mama Kari and me

Family Ties

My cousin Tay on the far left, sister Debs holding Silas and her husband Erick holding Abby.  

Aren't they an adorable couple?

Sisters...sisters....

This is four of the five cousins on my mom's side.   My sister, Andrea, couldn't make it to the funeral since she was in Zambia.

The whole fam-damily....well, not quite.  We were missing a few people...Andrea and family, Aunt Carolyn and Robert.

Paying off the landscaper....j.k.   (It's an inside joke, sorry)

The guys

So sweet...Tay took such good care of Abby.

Abby in meltdown mode.....Mommy too but in the crazy mode before crying.   Silas....just hanging out.

Traveling

Abby excited for our trip.  This was pretty short lived but she loved having her own backpack.

Our layover in Houston.   Abby finally succumbed to sleep.   Daddy is watching the kiddos while I dash off to the restroom.

At the place we were staying, there was only one pack n play which Abby had.   My mom suggested having Silas sleep in a drawer which worked really well.   It was a drawer from my grandmother's house which introduces another whole story. 

My grandmother hid money all throughout the house.   There was money hidden in the oven, in bags, in aluminum foil, any random place.   As I was giving back the drawer, I removed the padding and blankets and underneath a paper lining, I saw an envelope slide.   Behold!  I found treasure.   Crisp money in the envelope.   I had to give it back but the thrill of finding it was pretty fun.

Grandma Sinclair

This is Grandma Sinclair! She passed away last Friday morning. Yes, she has been ill for quite a bit but it was still a surprise as it was very sudden. Apparently, the doctor went in to tell her that they were taking her in for a brain scan and five minutes later, they came back and she was gone. I think that is what makes me the saddest right now...she was all alone when she died.

I honestly didn't know my Grandmother very well. She kept to herself most of the time and didn't share much. It was only in recent years (like the past two) that I felt closer to her. I believe that she really did care and love for us but maybe didn't know how to show us that. When we lived in Springfield, IL last year, we were able to visit several times and I was pleasantly surprised by the interest she showed in my life and in the lives of my family.

The picture above is of my Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Carolyn and Mom.

The one below is of 4 generations. My great-grandma, grandma, my mom and myself.

And so, we are off to a funeral. I'm packing and trying to remember to get everything together for the next couple of days. I haven't processed yet the fact that my grandmother is gone. Perhaps I will in the middle of the funeral service.

Planting with Daddy

What a beautiful way to spend a Saturday afternoon on a spectacular day!

 

  

  

My favorite picture!