things that make my heart sing

As much as I love winter and cold weather, the sunshine today and yesterday have really made me happy. Now that I'm home all day with Grady, it is so nice being able to go outside and exercise.

It may seem silly, but I am loving my morning french vanilla cappuccino. It's worth all 70 calories! Some days I may even splurge and have 2 cups of its yummy goodness.

I was going through my phone the other day and found something I wrote in my notes. I believe I wrote this about two months ago. "You know you've had dogs for a long time and love them a lot when your dog comes up to your son and licks his hand and you say, "Aww, she just licked his paw!" The worse part is your husband is the one that brings the mistake to your attention."

I LOVE minty, tingly shampoo! While in Chicago, I bought some Tea Tree Tingle shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. I can't help but to smile every time I use it.

My husband really loves to cook. I don't think I realized how much he enjoyed cooking until recently. He loves to experiment and try new things on his own. Many things he cooks are spicy. And if you know me, you know I can't eat anything spicy (unfortunately). So, more often than not, I don't get to enjoy his cooking. Last week he made bacon wrapped jalapenos with cream cheese. He seasoned the cream cheese with lots of spices. They looked amazing! I really loved watching him enjoy every last one of them. He told me that same night to buy more jalapenos so he could make them again - hopefully for his friends.

Grady slept in his own room all night for the first time. This is the face I woke up to this morning.

I kept telling myself today as I exercised that I have strength, determination, and willpower. I ran 15 minutes without stopping! :)

I love Instagram pictures. I shouldn't enjoy the stupid filters so much, but they really do make pictures that much better in my opinion.

Chicago

Recently my mom, Grady, and I made a nice little long trek up to see my brother and sis-in-law. Let's just say that packing just became so much harder with a newborn. We crammed everything into my mom's new Santa Fe and crammed even more on our way home. It was a wonderful trip. The weather was a little wet and cold so we didn't get to go on walks and such like usual on our visits; nevertheless, we had a great time enjoying good company, good shops, and good food. Here are some lots of pictures from our visit.

happy baby on the trip to Chicago

road trip tummy time

Grady was clearly happy to see his uncle

just chillin' in the stroller as we walked around  at local shops

enjoying the nerdy store - marbles

one day I plan on buying this game

how neat

I always think these are funny.

visiting aunt jes at the book store

beautiful pages hanging in their apartment

mother doing what she loves - cooking for people

cleaning dishes

the boy child and I

:)

classic mirror pic

sibling/baby love

Grady sure looks content

Grady laughin' with aunt jes

juna is such a quiet dog

happy 28th bday, nate

mom made dinner - always the best

one of the sweetest pictures of my boy

enjoying dinner together

make a wish!

opening a nice large gift from jes

relaxin' in uncle nate's arms

enjoying World Market

Grady got tired after a full day of Ikea, World Market, and being in the car

classic nate as we wait for dinner at a local Hispanic restaurant

CATAN - such a fun game

handsome boy ready for church

love that little grumpface boy

a natural

classic nate/em pic

beautiful flowers from Trader Joe's

concentration

I nearly beat Nathan twice....

aunt jes is crazy

... and goofy

Grady loved to be bounced around

you can't visit Chicago without indulging a little, right?

mom, nate, and grady

<3

are you ready for the ride home, little man?

sweet boy ready to see daddy!!

Much love,

Em