Happy Valentines Day

Our hearts are full of LOVE for these boys!

Alex and I opted out of giving one another gifts this year (not sure we've ever given V-day gifts) and instead had some friends over for a Valentines dinner the Saturday following V-day. It was such a fun and meaningful evening spent getting to know one another better. It was 12:30 am when the party broke up...I couldn't believe how late it was! I wasn't asleep until after 2 and definitely payed for it the following day. I can tell I'm not young any more!

Mardi Gras 2013

We went to the Highland Parade again this year. We arrived right when the parade was beginning and Perry had a freak out/melt down moment for some unknown reason. We were standing pretty far back from the street consoling him when out of nowhere a Moon Pie landed right next to us. I knew it must of been an angel sent to care for us, because as soon as Perry saw that Moon Pie, he forgot all about his "fit" and joined in on the Mardi Gras spirit! :-)

 Mills enjoyed every minute of the parade 

 Happy Mardi Gras!

On Cold and Rainy Days...

Daddy makes fun pallets with the pillows so everyone can jump and crawl around

 The boys push the wagon around the house (Perry always walks backwards)

 And there's usually a request to play in the puddles (this day wasn't so cold...just wet)

Mills 16 months

Mills,
You're such a happy, fun little boy. I just can't get enough of you! There are so many special and funny things going on. Here are just a few:
One BIG development...you're starting to walk!! It's not your primary mode of transportation yet, but I know it won't be long before it is. In a matter of several days, you've gone from walking just 5 steps at a time to down the sidewalk (just today)! You're very excited about this new accomplishment...and so are we! It's beyond adorable to see you working so hard at your every step. Before long, you'll be doing it without any thought!

(side note: Suzanne walked at 12 months; Alex at 18 months; Perry at 15 1/2 months; Mills at 16 months)

You're cutting two molars on top....ouch! There have been several incidents of you digging in your diaper when it was dirty. Need I say more? Now, we usually make you sleep in one piece outfits/pajama's. When you're wearing separates, we layer you with a onsie that snaps at the bottom. If given the chance, you still like to undress yourself when in the crib. The other day (when I was lazy and kept you in separates) I found you with your shirt on backwards! That means you got both sleeves off, turned it around, and put it back on by yourself! I was just relieved there wasn't a dirty diaper involved.

You like playing "crawling chase" with Perry and you really LOVE playing "make a mess of everything everywhere". You love being outside--walking behind push toys, playing with balls, and going down the slide--and you've finally decided that the bounce house is fun. You still enjoy reading books. You also like stacking blocks (and knocking them down). You're now wanting to feed yourself with utensils. You still need a lot of help with that though. You're a good eater--most recent favorite food is steamed broccoli. We're going to a dermatologist in a couple weeks since your skin is still giving us trouble. Hoping she'll have a better idea of how to help your eczema.

 cool dude

This one is for me...I love chubby baby legs and know they won't always be this way. Sigh.

I was writing a check today and as I wrote the date, 2/7/13, I immediately thought, "2013...Mills will be 2 years old in 2013". I looked up and saw you sitting in your highchair right next to me and almost started boo-hooing. Mills, you're growing up too quickly. I love you so much!