reading :)

MJ is enthralled with her board books lately. Often, I peek in on her in our sunroom, surrounded by dozens of books she's pulled from the shelves. She's sitting there quietly turning the pages and looking at all the pictures. Sometimes she babbles a little - she's reading to herself!! :)

Yesterday I caught these photos before she realized I was looking over her shoulder....

"Hey, Mama!"

...I'm just readin' ;)

March Style

MJ is now just the right size to fit into a beautiful hand-knit green shrug made especially for her. The aunt of a good friend of ours, has amazing knitting skills - and without even knowing me or MJ, she knit this adorable green shrug as a baby gift! What a sweet woman!

I've been treasuring it and waiting until MJ can keep it on her shoulders. And, now she can!! :)

I love spring green!

spring walks

We got out our "heavy duty" :) pack for MJ this weekend and took several lovely walks together. MJ loves riding up high and is so interested in everything around her - lots of pointing at trees and people as we go, and giggles when she realizes she's even taller than Mama!

Vincent and MJ

This spring, I'm caring for another sweet baby for several weeks. Little Vincent is 3 months old and such a cutie! He and MJ are already quite fond of each other - MJ especially gets excited when he comes, and is always eager to "help" him play with his toys. :)

Meredith loves to sit by him, (every now and then dancing to the music of the play mat) and gently touch his hands and feet.

What a handsome little man!

Spring is here!

This weekend was absolutely gorgeous! Sunshine, green sprouts and buds everywhere and fresh air. Yippee! :) It's been food for our souls...so very thankful.

On Friday, MJ and I spent time here and there throughout the day outside soaking up some much needed sunshine. Yes, vitamin D!!

snacks are always good, whatever the weather

clothes pins! MJ new favorite "spring" toy :)

it's bright out here!

warm sunshine!

Erik officially began planting this weekend - on the first day of spring. :)

We are excited to see how our garden does this season, now with 2 years of compost mixed into the soil.

And, as part of my weekend rest and refreshment, I did some sewing. I made curtains to brighten up our bedroom with some fresh colors. They help sooo much and we love them! MJ immediately noticed the difference and now loves pointing to the different colors and fabrics. :)

3 years!

Erik and I celebrated our wedding anniversary yesterday, March 15th. We've had THREE joyous and full years of marriage. :) We kept the evening low-key, relaxed and special. I made an extravagant meal (for us, anyway!) of lemon-rosemary salmon with sides of a grain mixture from Trader Joes (sooo yummy!) and green beans with nutmeg. Delicious..if I do say so myself! ;)

Meredith had her first taste of salmon....hmmm....I think she doesn't really understand how delicious it is!

Later, after MJ was asleep - we had ice cream and brownies and we popped (quite literally - the cork flew from where we stood on our back porch to land on the patio...about 40 feet away!) our last bottle of champagne from our wedding. Still as sweet as the day we first had it and were toasted into our journey of marriage!

Family time!

Jane's parents, and youngest brother, Will, visited with us this past week from North Carolina. We had a great time together and MJ soaked up lots of special time with her Uncle Will, Granna and Granddaddy.

Reading together was a huge highlight for MJ - especially those amazing "touch and feel" books!

You've got to move it, move it

Meredith is quickly moving beyond turning in circles these days. Balls are a big playtime favorite right now...and oranges are no exception! :)

One more month to go...

This weekend MJ turned 11 months! Can't believe that there are a few more weeks until she will be a whole year old! :) Time is flying by...so quickly that lately I've been snapping away with our little camera - trying to capture moments as best I can. Here are some of our favorites recently...

she's taking it all in...quietly observing

look at all her teeth! eight teeth are popping through right now!!

Daddy and MJ in the sunshine

It's about time that Daddy wrote a blog post. Jane has been doing excellent work at keeping up with things, but I certainly need to add my perspective once in a while.

So, as one might expect, Meredith is growing fast and furious in many ways. I can say most confidently - now that we are almost upon a year - that there are many advantages to leading a "simple" life at home. Taking the time to be with my daughter is precious and sweet. It is only through sharing moments with her that I notice subtle things. The monumental achievements of development are obvious, but it is hard to catch small, elusive things that suggest the deeper maturing of her individuality, personality, and expression.

Today was one of those days where I was reminded that there is nothing I'd rather be doing when I find myself with her. And I saw things that showed the wide range of characteristics that MJ is already exhibiting. Here are just a few...(photo credits to Jane)

I love this look of amazement as MJ is enthralled with what is happening behind the camera.

This photo captures the depth of her eyes and shows a glimpse of her moving from "baby face" into a little girl.

but she can still be shy... :)

chilled out and carefree.

the tickles are really starting to come.

This picture makes me think of the many "daddy-dates" we will have together as she grows up.

and this photo - this is who Meredith is...period.