Happy Valentine's Day!

I've always loved Valentine's Day.  My mom and dad did a great job growing up making this day a day about family and love within our home. Mom always had candy in these cute little hearts, heart shaped food, and of course, the SUPER KISS (made from rice krispie treats - so good!).  Dad always made sure (up until I got married) that I had a special Valentine's Day card just from him.

My nieces and nephews have always been great about sending me a valentine (thanks Jen!) and I've loved them.  I also have really enjoyed Valentine's Day in my classrooms.  It's been fun.  

Now, Lil' D is just starting to understand what holidays are for, and Baby A is clueless, so I haven't gone all out yet.  But, we did make Valentines for our family and then send them pictures.  This is the generic Valentine from Lil' D and Baby A to all of the rest of you:

We also made some delicious chocolate covered strawberry cookies (thank you pinterest) and made a special steak dinner for Daddy.  It was a fun day! 

These pictures are when Lil' D broke down in laughter while we were taking the Aunts and Uncles Valentine pictures - he's adorable!

Baby A - 1 Month

Our littlest one has been here for a month!  We took some pictures of her on Sunday (when she was exactly 1 month old).  At one month she is:

• very alert and loves looking at when you when you talk
• tracks objects and people by turning her head and moving her eyes
• able to find her hands and shove them in her mouth
• enjoying tummy time (especially when Lil' D shows her how it's done)
• letting Mommy sleep 3 - 5 hours at a time at night! 
• enjoying her first couple of short baths
• liking car rides
• does NOT like gas of any sort!

I can't believe how big she is! These pictures were taken in MY old red dress!  Thanks Mom!

Witn Daddy!

Proud big brother!

Happy 3rd Birthday!

 I can't believe our Lil' D is 3 years old (and has been for over a month)!  With Baby A making the scene, I've been looking back at Lil' D's baby books.  The time has flown. When he was born, he was SOOO tiny (4 lbs, 1 oz):

Lil' D in the NICU

At a year, he was all smiles and laughter!

At two, he started to talk up a storm!

And at 3 he's interested in everything and telling everyone all about it! 

Lil' D had 2 birthday celebrations!  He had asked for a cake with candles for his birthday and for people sing to him.  So, with me in the hospital on his birthday, we did just that!  My mom decorated a strawberry (his pick) birthday cake with the number 3 on it (thank you Pinterest for the idea), we gathered around and sang, quickly lit the candles, and watched as Lil' D joyously blew them out! 

The next Saturday, after I was home, we had his REAL party.  Big Sister and Big Brother came down for the weekend, along with Grandma Dee and Uncle Jim.  Grandma and Grandpa Ahrens came over and we celebrated by eating pizza, playing games with the balloons, and opening presents.  Lil' D loved the construction vehicles (an excavator, front loader, and dump truck) from the grandparents and Uncle Jim, Elepfun, a Little People school bus, books, and clothes from Mommy and Daddy, and an awesome outfit from big sister!  We had ANOTHER cake - dirt cupcakes in a new dump truck!  We decorated them ourselves - but here's the cake. 

Lil' D at three loves lots of things and does so many cute things, it would take forever to list them.  I do have an interview with him, that I'm sure I'll get around to transcribing and posting someday, but not today!  :)