Valentines...love goes on

So, I'm about a month delayed, but

here's what Valentine's day looked like at our house this year...

we relaxed, loved on our little man...

then went sledding with Ryder and Breckyn in the frigid cold and ice 

sledding photos circa 2014

neither of these sleds would make it home in one piece 

Eric's crazy sledding gave him a reputation of pain,

and Breckyn dubbed me Safety Sam and only wanted to ride with me most of the day

(and had ice cream on the way home in case we weren't chilly enough)

These were the little valentine treats for the nieces and nephews

(a toilet paper roll covered in contact paper,

filled with a big punching balloon and some candies,

and decorated with ribbons and hearts)

Then we headed home for a Pioneer Woman inspired dinner-Yummo! 

This cake was delicious!  

I know how it looks, but it was so moist, so sweet, so wonderful for days to come. 

Thank you Eric for continually making my dreams come true and for being my very own valentine for yet another year!

Let's build a snowman!

It's been said that "snowmen come from heaven unassembled" 

Well, I make it my personal mission every year to do some of that assembly.

last year's rooftop snowman

circa 2011

 This year we were so lucky to have an invitation from our good friends the Bigelow Family.  

Poor little Kate took ill earlier in the day so she and her mamma were stuck indoors, but they watched us construct from the front window! 

 It was the BEST packing snow and fairly warm for a snowy Indiana winter day so I didn't feel too bad wearing Leo and letting him be a part of the fun. 

His first snowman, "Let's call him Henry!" Audrey said. 

Caroline was just happy to eat Henry's craisin mouth as we put on the final touches. 

She was like a little squirrel scattering about as the loose ones slipped off his smooth face. 

 With no full-sized carrots in the house, we lucked out when Ashley found this super-sized gem of a baby carrot in the bag-jackpot! 

What fun! 

With the bitter cold that is coming, I'm especially glad we were able to assemble Henry last weekend!  Thank you Audrey and Caroline for some snowy memories!

Happy Saint Valentine's Day!

Sending you Hugs and Kisses

and Valentine Wishes!

Happy Saint Valentine's Day;

we hope you enjoy the day no matter how you spend it

...know our love is sent out into cyberspace for you!

4 months old already?!

 

Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the chubbiest of them all?

It's our Leonardo Manford!

Are you talking about me?

 Weighing in at 17.5lbs at his doctor's visit this week, he's not quite off the charts,

but he's in the 90th percentile for weight and 24 1/2 inches long

...and he impresses us daily with his new skills

...no bo staff skills or nunchuck skills (yet).

He is able to hold his head up really well

and even push himself up on his hands. 

He can grab, hold and even toss toys.  He smiles and chats if talked to...mostly ah goo

EVERYTHING goes into Leo's mouth right now

...oh this truck feels nice,

 

I wonder how it tastes...

 

He is becoming more content laying on the floor

 and checking out whatever we put in front of him...toys, books, mirror.
Sometimes he'll even spin that body of his into a full circle (if he's laying on the floor long enough)

He has a musical giraffe from Aunt Ruthie and Aunt Rose...

it plays the same song as a stuffed pig Mommy had when she was a baby

and it is becoming a fast favorite around here. 

Leonardo's "baby gym" is perfect for him at this age 

and he reaches for the little critters hanging from the bars. 

Sometimes that chiming little fox tail makes it into Leo's mouth.  

Just this week he learned to pull down a birdie to make it vibrate.

  At times his hands will get into his line of vision and he'll stop just to stare at the marvel of them. 

Leo's got a great grip with those hands of his too (he likes to grab fistfuls of Mommy's hair)
Maybe he's longing for his newborn hair which has fallen out...
 with the exception of a few strays on top.
(We helped out in the back mullet with a little trim)

I know all of these new-found baby tricks seem minute and insignificant,

zonked out after a big night at the circus

but each one is a tiny miracle and we are so privileged to witness.

Leo, 4 months old

...a happy smiley baby everyone seems smitten with him;

such a chunk right now, it's hard to stop kissing those swollen cheeks and swishing his rolly thighs

...so impossibly cute. 

We feel so incredibly blessed to have you in our life;

we are forever changed and eternally grateful.