Valentine's Playgroup

Today was playgroup at Miss Carolyn's! You had so much fun playing with your friends! 

It was kind of Valentine's Day themed- all the kids brought little Valentine's goodies for each other and Miss Carolyn made a few Valentine's Day treats!

It was surprising to get a picture of all of you sitting together!

(Bryson had been sick, so he didn't come)

Kathryn, Brooklyn, Sadie, William, Clifton

Pullen Park

This afternoon we went to Pullen Park in Raleigh to take advantage of the beautiful weather!

There is a man-made pond that has a great walking path around it, a little train, great playgrounds and swings, and a carousel. We had a great time with the Jacksons!

After your nap this afternoon, we went to the Jackson's house for Miss Carolyn's birthday dinner.

She turns the big 3-0 tomorrow!

last nursing session

Dear Sadie,

Tonight before bedtime was your last nursing session. Over the past 7.5 weeks, I have slowly weaned you from breastfeeding. One year, one month, three weeks, and one day. That's how long our nursing journey has been together. I really can't put into words what this special time has meant to me. I have absolutely loved it. I always knew that no matter where we were or what we were doing, when you needed to nurse, that was my time with my baby! It has given me such a sweet feeling knowing that your growth has been because of me (all because of me for the first 6 months of your life). Wow! I can't say it was easy (especially in the beginning), but I'm so glad that nursing has been a part of our lives. I love you so much and I am so proud of us- it was a team effort! 

Love you always, 

Mommy

I think your facial expression accurately depicts your feelings on what was happening tonight
(even though you didn't know it was the end) 

Playdate at Carter's house

Today you and I went with Miss Carolyn and Clifton to Winston-Salem for a playdate with Carter and Natalee! Unfortunately when we got there, we learned that Natalee was under the weather, so she didn't come, but Miss Chris still came all the way from Blacksburg to visit with us!

We had so much fun! There is always too much time between our visits! And hopefully Natalee will be able to come next time!

trip to Kentucky

This weekend we had a blast playing with the Williams family in Lexington, KY! The last time we saw them was in Feb. 2013 and a lot has changed since then! It was so fun for you to finally meet them and we were able to meet their new addition, Chase (8 months old)! Mason is now 4 years old (whoa) and Hayley is 2.5 years old. 

We left Durham at 3:50 AM on Friday and arrived in Lexington at 12:30 PM! We are so glad that we had all of Friday afternoon to spend with our friends! We all went out to eat at City Barbeque that night, which was an adventure with 4 kids ages 4 and under!

You were so excited to play with your new friends that you woke up on Saturday at 5 AM. We hung out at the Williams' house in the morning and went to a park near their house in the afternoon. 

It had been quite chilly in Lexington and the lake at the park was completely frozen over! Mason and Hayley (and your Daddy and Justin) had fun finding rocks to throw on the ice.

Sunday afternoon we went to the Lexington Children's Museum. You kids had a blast playing in all the exhibits. So much fun, in fact, that none of y'all took afternoon naps- y'all just wanted to keep the fun going!

We left at 11 AM today and we were sad to leave our friends! I hope it's not so long between our visits next time!

thirteen months old

To kick off your 14th month, we got up at 3:45 this morning and by 12:30 we were in Kentucky! So while month 14 is starting off on the right foot, we've also had a lot of fun this past month!

- We obviously had a lot of fun at your birthday party and celebrating Christmas and New Year's Eve!

- You started saying and signing "all done" when you were finished eating on Dec. 23.

- You starting walking over over the house while pushing your walker toy on Jan. 1. And you've been pushing everything that you can push since then!

- We had a visit from Nana and Aunt Beth from Jan. 1- 4.

- You learned to blow on food when it's hot.

- We had our first official playgroup on Jan. 9 at Miss Anna and Kathryn's house.

- We've been taking advantage of the occasional days of nice weather for walks (and rides for you on your new trike) and a few trips to the park.