Happy Valentine's Day

"We love because He first loved us."-- 1 John 4:19 (NIV)

"No more pictures, Mommy"

Guess the title gives it away, it's Valentine's Day! I'm blessed to have two special Valentines in my life--my wonderful husband and our beautiful daughter! I am so lucky to have them in my life, and to share in theirs. I love then so much!!

Chase got his Valentine's Day present early. He wanted an otterbox phone cover and I couldn't see me having it (I bought it about a month early) and then him breaking his phone when we had the protective case all along. But I couldn't let my love go without a gift on V-Day so I made him this sweet momento I saw on Pinterest, aka the place where all my good ideas come from!

Dating Anniversary, Engagement Anniversary, Wedding Anniversary

My sweet girl also got a special valentines surprise...well I'm not sure how much of a surprise it was since she picked them out, but at this age I think it was still a surprise. Anyway, she got a few new little people for her castle. She got Tiana and Rapunzel and wedding day Ariel and Prince Eric. She loved them, especially Ariel who is her favorite! (And mommy loves putting the princesses in the castle a d hearing them talk---shhhhh! It's a secret!)

Blurry, but playing with some of her new girls before going off to Gammie's

My valentines surprise came a little later when I came back to my classroom to find a huge bouquet of flowers on my table. Honestly, I didn't think my husband was going to send me flowers--I wasn't getting my hopes up. Though as I kept passing the office, full of bouquets from other deliveries, I was secretly hoping he would surprise me. And he did!! Just one of the reasons I'm so in love with him--his ability to still, even after nearly 10 years and a girl who it's hard to get things by, surprise me.

Tonight Chase is cooking us steaks and we'll have a family Valentines Day with our sweet girl. I couldn't think of a better way to spend it than with the people I love. Blessed girl over here! I hope everyone else's day was just as magical!

Fun at Gammie and Pappy's house!

Relaxing with Pablo to end V-Day

Wow...

Pretty baby playing outside on a beautiful January day--it was near 70!

So I'm glad my New Year's resolution wasn't to blog more because I am seriously horrible at it right now! (And to the few who read this don't expect it to get much better since this is the busy time of year for school-based SLPs!)

January dragged on, but it's finally given way to February! January's end brought my little sweetie turning 14 months! I cannot believe it--where has all the time gone?!? But seriously, I'm loving every minute of watching my sweet girl grow and change.

Stylin' in some of Aunt Lys's beads!

My favorite thing she's doing right now is shaking her finger at you! (I'm sure I won't love this for long!) She will sometimes say "no, no, no" or "don't, don't, don't" while she does it and I can't help but smile--it's adorbs! :)

We're also seeing more of her strong will coming out. She lets you know when she wants to go up stairs and play, and you had better understand this is not a suggested venue change. If not she'll bust out the pointing and I'm-not-getting-my-way tears, which of course all stop the instant you take down the gate blocking the stairs!

Gymnastics anyone?

But she still is the happiest baby, I have ever known. She loves to run and squeal. She also loves to laugh and give kisses and hugs! She's Mommy's little snuggie for sure! She lights up my world as well as everyone else's that she enters! She's also fearless...not sure how much of a good thing this is. She sure is a sparkler!

"I'm ready!"

This past weekend was the Super Bowl, and while I'd love to comment on everything involved, I spent the majority of it playing with Augusta and chasing her around. (Hey, what's better than playing with your little and burning calories at the same time?) We did go to a Super Bowl party and it was great to see our friends and visit, but honestly I could've cared less about the game! Maybe next year, right? Doubtful.

But I'll try to be a more consistent poster! And here's to keeping that up! :)

Playing in her princess castle with her favorite--Ariel!

"What was that?"

Pure love and joy--Love this shot!