what a difference a year makes.

Our little bunny.

what really happens on holidays.

When you have children you can't wait to start those holiday traditions we all know and love.  We learn quickly that it really doesn't go as expected.  I've learned from previous holidays not to put too much expectation or pressure into those traditions during these early years.

This is how egg decorating really goes.

This is the closest the bunny ears will ever get to staying on.

Imagining pictures in adorable Easter dresses playing with the new toys, in turn ends up in diapers.

A good start to a family painting activity and how you imagine family time together.

But really she was way more interested in playing in the water bowl.

So it really looked like this.

We only halfway model the new vintage style swimwear (that mommy loves) from the Easter bunny.  And we sport a runny nose in every picture. :)

We picture the kids getting along.
But really one is loving and the other one hisses. :)

But it still turns into a WONDERFUL day.
And these are the memories that matter.

Lucy loves this new gift from the Easter Bunny too.

and this tops them all and we really wonder why we do this to our kids. :)

(she was there for literally 5 seconds, I got this one picture and snatched her up.)

holy teeth.

We are a little off this week. 
A little preoccupied and a little out of sorts.

Someone is breaking in her eye teeth, and those hurt!
And I've realized our 13 month old is breaking in teeth numbers 15 & 16 right now. 16 teeth!! That is a lot! I guess at least we are getting through all of them quickly.
Teeth have come early and come fast for this girl.
First tooth at 4 months and had all front 8 by 8 months.
Add 4 molars at 12 months, and now 4 more eye teeth (those pointy ones) at 13 months. The top two have appeared and the bottom two are making their way.
16 teeth. It's crazy. And it makes her look like such a big girl.

From those two little teeth...

...to sixteen little teeth.

I would have taken a new and better picture of the new munchers, however I am sparing future Quinn from pictures of runny nose, red face, and sad little "my teeth hurt" eyes.

So, we are a little out of sorts here.
Lots of cuddling in the middle of the night watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. :)
After 12 teeth taken like a rockstar, she deserves as many late night Mickey Mouse Clubhouse shows as she wants.

Hopefully this teething pain subsides soon. Todd and I hate to see her as not quite herself.

and with that, our little napper has just woken up.
back to boogie wipes, bottles, orajel and lots of snuggles :)

poor baby. poor bunny.

Easter is almost here!

A tradition has started to enjoy a little Easter Bunny Breakfast. Just mommies and kiddos. A couple of my best girlfriends and 4 boys and a little girl. In other words, Quinn and all her boys. :)

An egg hunt, breakfast, and pictures with the Easter bunny.
Unfortunately it was the chilliest day we have seen in all of March.
It didn't hold back the fun though.

ready for breakfast with the bunny.

one to remember :)   but....poor baby.

and...poor bunny.


Mommy's lap was a little more comforting.

Lots of love.  Lots of smiles.  Lots of fun (well maybe not with the bunny).
Another wonderful day.

big girl shoes.

Big girl shoes call for some big girl walking.

We feel a little bad that we didn't get her these big girl sturdy shoes earlier.  She has been walking all over for months , but still was not quite taking off without holding on to something.  As soon as we put these on she was all over!  Oops! 

A bad video (sorry) of these cute little feet moving.

Click here for that video.

Sometimes the walking doesn't always go as plan, and we get cute moments like this.

Click here to watch that moment.


Lots of time with daddy this week.
So nice to have a little more while he is off for Spring Break.

Have a great day!

on the court.

She is a coach's daughter.
She will grow up on the court.
She will crawl, walk, skip, run, roller skate and watch many games from the stands.
She will always be a part of the magic and spirit that takes place on a court.
It is unlike any other.
I am so happy she will grow up with this. I already know all that it will instill in her as a person, and it comforts me.

Last night we went to the boys' season home opener. Quinn's first volleyball game as a toddler. And after last night, probably one of the few as a toddler. :) She loved it, she was excited, but I spent the entire night chasing after a fast girl who wanted so badly to get onto the court where the action was. She got a crazy workout in, and so did I! It was constant movement, as she only wanted to be down on the court and not restricted to my (normally chosen) arms. She is a girl who already loves the game. However, I don't think we were able to see more than a single play of the entire match. So, I'm not so sure there will be many Quinn will attend during this stage (unless I ever have company with me, another set of hands to trade off with definitely helps). By the time it was all done, I think it is fair to say I was probably way more exhausted than any of the athletes on the court.

The picture above, is truly the one moment I had a still child. :)
And probably because she had a corn puff in her mouth to slow her down for a second. Quick grabbed my point and shoot, because I realized then I may not have many opportunities to capture her at this age, in a place that will one day become like a second home... on the court.


As I quickly realized we were not watching the game, I sought for some quiet, and a new environment to distract her. We headed out of the warm gym into the absolutely gorgeous 76 degree evening sunshine outdoors that was calling to us, and we found ourselves a quiet football field. It was empty, a few hurdles set up on the track, a young boy off to the side punting a football, and a setting sun gleaming off the bleachers. And I realized right then and there it is a happy place for me.   It calms me, clears my head and immediately floods me with happy thoughts. A football field on a cool fall day, a track on a warm spring day, a court filled with fans on the edge of their seats during an exciting game, it all calls to me and it makes me happy.

Well, I am a coach's daughter after all.