Into Everything!

Goodness, Ivy is in to everything these days! I mean, she's pretty much been into everything since she could crawl, but now she can reach higher so there's more trouble for her to get into. I guess destruction is a phase (please, Lord, a phase) but she is certainly at home in this phase. Her main goal is to take down or tear up anything she can get her hands on. Once she has wreaked havoc on a bookshelf, toy box, or room, she's done and ready to move on. Here, she has picked up and flipped over her tent. I ran to get the camera and came back to find her leaving the scene of the crime (through the bottom of the tent, no less). Of course this was the only picture I got of her inside the tent, because once it was down she didn't want to play there anymore.

Today she was playing in the laundry and ended up with my swimsuit top on. That was funny enough, but then she picked up her swimsuit. Earlier in the day she'd had on her toboggan that has ear flaps that fit under the chin. I think she thought this was like her toboggan!

Even when every room in our house is destroyed and even the laundry has been taken over, we know we are blessed to share our lives with this little girl who keeps us laughing and loving.

Love, Restaurants, and Racing Fun

Well, let's begin with Ivy's Valentine's Day! Nurse Jennifer made a beautiful heart shaped caked covered in rosettes for her party at school. Ivy shared the love with her papa.


Friday night found us at Kobe's. Ivy loves their soup. I know, you're surprised I let her partake since I don't know what's in it, but I'm really trying to give up a little control. For instance, last Sunday Alex let Ivy have her first french fry. My chest tensed as I thought of the unknown substances going into my little girl's mouth...the grease, the trans fats, the sodium. Just as Alex was assuring me that she would not keel over, she did something else. She spit the fry out! To say that I felt relief wash over me would be an understatement. I felt elation! I am a dork!


Alex and I spent most of yesterday enjoying his Christmas gift. We went to Lowe's Motor Speedway. We parked where the NASCAR trailers park, sat at the edge of pit road with Victory Lane behind us, and Alex took a qualifying ride around the track. All in all I think we both had a really good time. It was a unique experience, especially for two people who'd never been to the racetrack before. Here's Alex and a little of his adventure.

A busy day...

Today has been a very busy day, and frankly, I'm just too tired to update. I'll try to have a new post by Wednesday! Check back for valentine's, racing fun, and who knows what other antics....

Summer in February

God has really blessed us with beautiful weather this week. Ivy loves to spend time outside, and she usually cries (screams) when we have to come in. Well, she usually cries (screams)anytime she doesn't get her way. When the terrible two's hit, we are in t-r-o-u-b-l-e!

When the evening falls and it's too cool to be outside, Ivy spends time reading. Here she is sitting in her favorite spot, the toy box...
Today she got to take a ride on Mr. Giraffe. He's in the midst of restoration after several unfortunate falls led to his decapitation.

Superbowl Sunday marked the beginning of a week of restless nights for our little house. At first I thought it was just overstimulation from the festivities of the pre-game fun. Six nights later, with only one full night of sleep, I now think it has more to do with separation anxiety that hits in the middle of the night than anything else. Let's pray she moves through this quickly, so the nights look like this more than the mornings do...

Super Bowl, Super Fun!

Since all celebrations at our house have to end before 6 pm, we decided to sit out on the Super Bowl Parties, and instead we had a Pre-game Party with Ivy's friends.

Ben enjoyed his beverage of choice, juice, while Owen took over Ivy's favorite seat in the toy box.

Ivy and Noah decided to engage in a little parallel destruction, er, play as they took down all the videos and video games.
And then, the climbing began. Owen shimmied up the wedge and found himself atop the coffee table, and Ivy, not wanting him to feel left out, joined him. In fact, they found love atop the coffee table, or kisses at least.
Noah did not want to be left out, so he came on up and joined the fun.
We are blessed to have such wonderful friends!

Here are a couple of pictures of Ivy sporting her Valentine's outfits before school this week.

Here's to being loved!