Viv's Birthday: The Butterfly Conservatory

I can't believe it's taken me so long to finish Viv's birthday posts! 

Ugh!

I haven't even planned her birthday party yet. 

Double ugh. 

The same day that we were at The Strong Museum for her birthday we decided that she was probably old enough to enjoy the butterfly conservatory (inside of the museum).

We've been wanting to take her during our other trips but knew she wouldn't care much and we didn't want to spend the $8 to go through if we would have to just leave right away because Viv was too antsy.

I am so glad we went this time!

Viv was in awe and had magic in her eyes the entire time. 

We were the only ones there which was really, really nice.

The butterflies flew around Viv and kept landing on her arms and in her hair. 

She giggled the whole time!

I wore Penny in my sling and she kept reaching out to try and touch the butterflies as they flew by.

We loved watching the girls in such wonder.

Viv's Birthday: The Strong Museum of Play

For Vivienne's birthday (the day after, actually) we decided to get out of the house for the first time in months!

With the girls being so sick and it being such a terrible winter, we haven't gone anywhere as a family besides to visit family or to run errands. 

The girls were starting to feel normal this week so we took them to the Strong Museum in the city. 

I know I've posted pictures of trips there multiple times already, but when it's cold and snowy, there's not too much else to do around here! 

Viv was so excited to go to her favorite place for her birthday and to get her energy out! 

Every time we would tell her it was her birthday she would jump up and down and scream "yay!!"

She was such a thrilled little birthday lady. 

We loved watching her light up with joy and excitement. 

Even though we've been to this museum multiple times with her, she's older each time and it's really cool to see how she's growing and developing every time we go.

Now, let's talk about Penny for one second. 

I can't even begin to tell you how incredible this girl is. 

Both of our girls never cease to amaze us and make us fall even more in love with them. 

This was the first real interactive place she's been since she's been old enough to care about what's going on around her. 

She had SO much fun watching, listening, and playing!

I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am for springtime!

Now that Penny and Viv get alone so great and Penny can keep up with her sister, things are just going to be so much fun! 

I cannot wait. 

This season of life for us, and for the girls is the most beautiful time of our lives. 

Tomorrow I'll be back sharing our trip to the Butterfly Conservatory at the museum! 

XO. 

Another 2nd Birthday Post

Viv's birthday was pretty laid back.
We're throwing her a big party at the end of the month, since everyone seems to be suffering from different bugs and sicknesses.
So for her actual birthday we just stayed home and celebrated!
I got up before she did and did a little decorating and blew up some balloons.
Then I made her pink, heart shaped vegan pancakes with sprinkles and coconut whipped cream!

I sang Happy Birthday to her about 20 times throughout the day.
It excited her so much and I loved it!
I love that she knew that it was a special day for her!

In the afternoon one of her friends came over to play.
They played with Margaret, dressed up like fairies and danced around, and drew pretty pictures together.
I made them veggie pizzas for dinner and Josh brought home Viv's favorite ice cream sandwiches!
It was a simple day, but it was so, so special.

She's 2!

I know it's what everyone always says, but I cannot even wrap my head around the fact that Viv turned two yesterday! 

Where does the time go?!

Time is such a weird thing.

It goes so slow.

It goes all too fast. 

Though now, in this time of my life, it only passes too quickly. 

It's a funny thing how children make life go by so much faster.

The days are so full and they pass with only a blink. 

It feels like only yesterday I was rocking this girl to sleep as a tiny babe. 

Now she's speaking and having opinions of her own. 

I am so proud of this beautiful soul. 

She's a special one, that's for sure.

She is feisty and opinionated.

She is kind and generous. 

She is loving and nurturing. 

 She is adventurous and fearless. 

She is devoted and loyal.

This girl,

the one who made me Mama,

she never ceases to teach me new things every single day.

She is my light and an incredible happiness in my life.

Happy Birthday Week, my Vivy. 

XO.

Oh! 

And...for those of you who don't follow me on Instagram and have been overwhelmed with photos, we got Viv a kitten for her birthday! 

She is the sweetest little doll I've ever met.

Her name is Margaret Prue and she is our Sweet Love. 

Two Under Two: 3 Months In

Two kids under two.

Well, in my case it was two kids under a year and a half when Penny was born. 

I always heard people talk about how hard this is.

How I'll go out of my mind and not be able to keep up.

Honestly, people scared me a little.

While I was pregnant I was almost dreading what things would be like once we added a new baby into the already smooth flow of our family. 

I thought that life was going to be out of control. 

Now, I will say that things aren't perfect...and they're definitely not always easy.

But things are a whole heck of a lot easier than I thought they would be. 

Viv has really stepped into the role of "big sister" and I'm so proud of how much she's grown and matured.

Her patience and wisdom is astounding for how tiny and young she is. 

There are definitely moments when things get hard.

Times that I have to speak to her with a firm voice and try to explain things to her. 

Times where she just doesn't understand.

But I just keep reminding myself that my eldest is still a baby herself.

And that helps put everything into perspective. 

I guess it also helps that Penny is a really fantastic baby.

She has her moments of fussiness, but as her mom, I can figure out what she needs almost instantly.

She's a very easy little girl to read and doesn't require a whole lot other than milk and lots of close snuggles.

The hardest part of having two so young is going places without Josh.

Play dates, parks, etc are a breeze but when it comes to going into a store alone with them...forget about it!

I actually have only gone out with both of them to the stores one time - I usually just wait until Josh is home and just take Viv with me...then it becomes a fun little shopping date with my big girl.

If someone were to ask me if we wished we had waited longer to have a second child there would be absolutely no question about it.

Having two this close together is ALREADY so much fun and it's just going to get so much better as they get older.

It hasn't even been three months yet but I haven't had a day where I've felt tired or burnt out.

We pace ourselves and schedule and it makes life easier.

We lead with love and it makes life simple. 

A Summer Evening

My favorite place to go is the beach in the evening.

Especially in the summertime.

So, when my birthday came Josh knew without asking what I would want to do to celebrate.

A few things came up on the night of my birthday (aka: flat tire) so we had to wait and go to the beach a few days later.

We went on an evening that was about 85 degrees, humid, and cloudy.

I loved it. 

I still want to get back one night before the weather starts to cool down for a real fabulous sunset.

But this night was just perfect.

The water at the lake was as warm as bath water.

We didn't bring our suits but we swam anyway.

Vivienne is our little mermaid and has to swim wherever, whenever.

She's taught us how to be spontaneous and carefree.

These simple little outings with my girls and my Love are more than I could dream for. 

They make my world go round. 

xo.