Sunday's Best

My sweet boy, dressed in a green shirt that I thrifted for $1. I know I'll miss this age when I can dress him in anything without complaints. But I also love when he picks out what he wants to wear. Sometimes it's a shirt covered in dinosaurs. But usually it's a white t-shirt with different trucks all over it. Today, I chose this soft linen button-up. Perfect for a Sunday at church.

We usually start each weekend off with a long walk to the park. Max is constantly picking up rocks and flowers along the way, putting them in his big plastic dump truck. He refuses to leave the house without a truck in tow. He loves anything with wheels, and has been known to lie on the ground to watch the wheels turn. Forever thankful for every moment I get to spend with this adventurous boy.

Easter Weekend

We celebrated our 3rd Easter together as a family of three. Max was born on Easter weekend 2015, so our first Easter was spent with a 2 day old baby. Needless to say, that first one together was a blur. All I can remember is staying awake all night with a newborn who wouldn't fall asleep unless he was lying on someone. We would stay up all night watching Fixer Upper marathons. We joked that Max would grow up thinking that Chip and Joanna were his parents. But, I digress. This Easter was such a fun one. When I gave Max his Easter basket he said, "wowwww!!" and eagerly ripped into all the toys and books. We took a long walk and blew bubbles and dyed eggs with whipped cream.

The owner of the Italian restaurant gave Max a handful of biscotti when we walked by. He's the sweetest man - always saying hello and giving Max treats. Over the summer, he'd always have fresh strawberries or blueberries for us. I love living in a neighborhood where we actually get to know our neighbors and business owners. I mean, I'm sure this cute little bunny boy helps with people being friendly ;)

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter! Please excuse me while I go chip away at a giant chocolate rabbit. G'night.

2 YEARS OLD

We had a beautiful celebration for our boy who is TWO!! Time has flown by and it has been a joy watching him grow and learn and develop the past two years. His personality is coming out more and more each day...he is strong-willed, funny, silly and sweet. Tonight we were playing a game where I would say, "ummmmm, I love you!" and he would respond, "Yes I do" and it was the cutest thing ever ever ever. His is such a sweetheart, always wanting to make us laugh and smile. 

My parents and sister were able to come to his party, which was a blast. Watching him with my family is so special. When my parents play the same little games with him as they did with me and my siblings...just melts my heart! 

Anyway - here are a million photos from the party and all the details I had so much fun making:

Happy Birthday, my sweetheart/angel boy/tiny giant/honey bee/pine nut/beebee/sillyhead. You are the light of our lives. Can't wait to see what these "terrible twos" will bring us ;) 

Evening Shadows

We took a walk around the neighborhood yesterday evening. The sun was out, casting long shadows everywhere. It was so nice to not have our huge jackets on, trudging through snow and fighting to keep our faces from the wind. No, last night was none of that. Just light sweaters and our faces in the sunshine. All of us are happiest when we're outside. We crave fresh air and nature and open spaces. I know one day we'll live on a farm or near an ocean.  But for now, we're enjoying our time in a city. It's nice to have a playground nearby with a cafe on the way. Last night, Tim and I both forgot our wallets and the guy at the cafe said, "No worries, just pay next time you're around. Oh, and here's a brownie for your son." I love that about our community...people knowing each other's faces and saying hello. We've found a rare gem in this east coast city - a neighborhood that feels like a small town.

Tonight's agenda consists of ice cream and (finally) watching Arrival. Hooray for quiet evenings spent with the ones you love.

Tree Hunt

Yesterday we drove out of the city to get our Christmas tree. We usually cut our own down, but we ended up having a slight problem...a cash-only farm and no cash! So we walked around with this little red tree cart that Max was obsessed with. After snapping some photos we ended up at a pre-cut tree lot. We picked a little 6' Douglas Fir that fits in our living room perfectly. We spent the evening listening to Christmas music and making sure Max didn't break any of the ornaments! Holidays sure are a blast with him in tow.

A Perfect Sunday Afternoon

We took a walk around a little area called Manayunk this morning. It's a short drive from our place and such a cute part of Philly! There are lots of shops, cafes, and pretty brick walls to take photos in front of ;) After we snapped a few photos, we grabbed coffee and headed to church. Max is usually really good about playing in kids church with some of his buddies. He definitely cries when we drop him off, but is always running around having a blast when we come to pick him up. He's equal parts shy and outgoing. I kind of love the way he clings to us when we're around new people anyway! He's such a little joy - always making us smile and see the beauty in everyday. Oh, and he won't let go of this little school bus I bought him when I was in Indiana. I made a big deal of giving it to him when I got home, and he's been obsessed ever since. It's soooo cute...he even brings it to bed with him

Now can this weekend just last forever, please?!

Autumn

Totally forgot to post these photos from last week! Whoops! Well, here ya go. Some words from last weekend:

We met up with some friends at our local orchard last weekend, and it was such a blast! We went earlier in the day so the air still had that slight chill. This is my favorite season, especially with my little boy in tow. He makes everything a little more magical. We're spending our weekend cleaning our apartment with the windows open and Sam Cooke blasting. Hope you're all having an equally perfect day! 

Twilight

We usually go for a twilight walk, after we've had our fill of dinner. The days are suddenly shorter, leaving us with cotton-candy-pink skies. Max loves looking up to find planes and birds up in the evening sky. He is such a joy to be around, even as we are seeing his toddler stubbornness come through recently. He has strong opinions about what he wants to do. I'm hoping this is a sign that he will be a strong and brave leader someday. But for now, we do our best to be patient as we shape him into the best possible version of himself. But for the most part he is our constant angel. He is always smiling and giving high fives to new friends. He has a little girlfriend Lucy who lives up the street. He has somehow remembered the way to her front door, after only one time visiting her house....a little prince charming in the making. I think it must be love. 

Last Days of Summer

We're holding onto the last days of summer...taking walks around our neighborhood, munching on fresh watermelon and enjoying the summer sun on our skin. As much as I'm looking forward to autumn, I will miss these long days filled with sunshine. I cherish our evening walks after I get home from work. But autumn will bring new traditions like apple picking, pumpkin carving, and letting Max taste his first hot chocolate. 

I love seeing him discover new things. The way he spots planes before any of us even notice. How he will always stop and smell flowers. The way he runs to the window whenever he hears a fire truck.  How he tries to repeat words we say to him. The way he's quick to say "Hi" and "Bye" to strangers and give them a big, cheesy smile. How he looks back and makes sure I'm holding his hand when he's unsure of what's ahead of him. All of these moments are ones that I will forever hold so dear to my heart. And while I see how big he's getting everyday, there are those moments when I realize he's still a baby; unsure of the world around him and happy to have me by his side. I think I will always see him as my little 7lb 8oz baby boy. But I know one day he'll tower over me and not constantly need me to help him along. So for now I'll cherish the times when he runs after me when I walk out of a room or yells "ma ma ma ma ma ma!" until I appear. Because having someone love and trust you so fully and unconditionally is an incredibly special gift.