Lucy Hope 2 Year Old Check Up

In case Instagram ever crashes (that would be awful), I need to start documenting Doctor Stats on the blog again! Lucy went in today for her 2 year old well check. We got to bring big brother with us which was treat. While Jack was there to be an encourager he was the one that made a loud scream at finger prick time (and then claimed it was "incredible" that she didn't cry). Got to love him. 

Back to Lucy Hope now. At 2 years old she is 34.5 (80th percentile) inches tall and 25.2 pounds (25th percentile), BMI is 10%. Basically Lucy has stayed on the same curve since she was born and all of her bloodwork checks out perfectly (love that the doctor does that to confirm she is getting everything she needs nutritionally). Looks like Lucy is a lucky lady born long and lean! For comparison, at this age I was the same height but 34 pounds! Maybe I ate more brats and cheese then fruit and salmon:) Lucy has all of her teeth and has already gone to the dentist with a no cavity appointment. Physically she is a speedy little gymnast and verbally she is putting 3 words together when she isn't being shy. 

Sleep is awesome! Lulu goes down around 8:30/9pm and would sleep until 10:00 am if I let her. Really not fair that the second child is a sleeper and I am always having to wake her up! Nap time changes depending on the days activity but I can usually get a solid 2 hours from my little blondie everyday. Only thing to work on with Lucy is her major separation anxiety. She is not anxious about anything else, we can take her anywhere and she would jump on a horse if she could, but she does not like for me to leave her. While that has made ME anxious at time I have to pray for patience knowing that this too shall pass:) 

Going for the kids checkups feels like my Mom job review. so I happy to come out with a good one! 

Thank you God for this sweet healthy blessing! 

Waiting

I have been thinking about how I need to post. Waiting to update. The kids keep me busy (like every other Mom). Since we have bought the house I feel like I have been committed to Louisville, so that takes time to making new friends ect,. Happy to feel more at home here, I'm busy with the kids and connecting with friends, but at that same time I'm sad to not be by family. My heart aches to not be in Chicago suburbs, Grand Rapids, or Wisconsin. Even Alabama where I had a wonderful group of girlfriends. While my days are never unoccupied, at times I feel crazy alone. And still I wonder. For what? This was by far not my plan but I have to trust that God has a way bigger one. Heart aching and soul searching, but not lost because my kids are precious reminders of His way to make me grow in everything most importantly love.

Keeneland April Meet 2014

Spring is finally here in Kentucky! Sunday we headed out to Keeneland for a day of horse racing. It was 81 and sunny, a perfect day for a picnic, except the crazy wind! It was such a fun day and Jack even got his first big win of $60 on "Fifty Shades Lighter". Feeding the Outrider horses peppermints is by far Lucy's favorite part of being at the track. Jack and Lucy are becoming the best of buddies and it is making family outings so much for fun! Love spring time in Kentucky! 

Oma & Opa...late night calls

It was 11pm at night, so I called my Opa up (he is a night owl), about my struggling evergreens and what to do with them. He answered, as always, and gave me some solid advice. My grandparents are not  distant to me, no I rely on them heavily. No one can garden, can, sew, cook, clean things, like they can...and if I was closer we would have once a week Oma & Opa trips. At least! But I cherish the relationship we have built with our distance. In Heaven we all be next door neighbors!!!! Thank you Opa for answering my late night calls, and Oma my constant questions through the days, love that I can always count on you! 

It's Spring...Right?!?!

On the calendar spring has started...but I'm not feeling it! And oh my word are we ready to get outside! The other night after the kids went to bed I did a "Quarterly Evaluation" of my 2014 Goals. 

While I have gotten back into working out (thanks to a super convenient cute gym 2 minutes away), and cooking more than two new recipes a week, I HAVE NOT been blogging. And this makes me sad because I love looking back and reading on my days with Jack at Lucy's age. Is it bad that I am already forgetting things? The blog brings back all of those wonderful memories. Jack at 4 is too sweet and funny, my best friend and co-parent during the day, I need to document these things. Lucy at one and a half, she is tornado of trouble with the prettiest stinkin' face giving out big neck hugs that let her get away with anything. 

Also, I am convinced that I take way too many pictures and it takes a lot of time to just go through them. Excuses. Pretty certain I could come up with fifty. It's out there I have been slacking in the blogging department and plan to step that up. I mean if I can learn to do yoga and figure out how to make cauliflower delicious I sure can figure out a way to sit at the computer for 30 minutes 3 times a week! 

And let me not forgot about the daily "blessings". This occurs 50% of the time at the dinner table and 50% of the time in the car. Jack loves coming up with his daily blessing! Love that new tradition!

Valentine's Day 2014

 I love celebrating Valentine's Day as a Mom! And this year we actually got to spend it will Daddy too:) Yes I'm a hopeless romantic. But also I view making this holiday a fun event as a lesson for Jack. Treat you lady with love. And for Lucy to only accept a man that treats her with lots of love!

The potential snow put a little damper on our plans,  school was cancelled and so was Jacks party. But we still woke up in the morning and made cinnamon roles, decorated Valentine's, got fun mail from Mimi & Papa, went out for milk & tea, cooked a yummy steakhouse meal, decorated cookies, and exchanged fun little gifts. Wonderful to spend our first holiday in our new home. Saturday night I got to celebrate my 11th Valentine's with Preppy. Love him more and more with every year. He makes me laugh more than anyone and it's such a treat to have a couple of hours of conversation without, "Mom, please excuse me". We have our flaws but after 7 years of marriage I think we are starting to embrace them rather than focus on them:)

On Tuesday Jack had his super cute school party and wanted to take a picture with his class Valentine! Too cute.  School has been amazing for Jack and I love the school parties because I get to see how happy he is and how much his teachers genuinely care for "Mr. Movie Star Jack".

Each year gets better and better with my funny Valentines. One blessed Lady!