My amazing little girl.

I know that every parent thinks that their child is the most talented, special little thing in the world. I believe that, to them, they are. I believe that now more than ever as I am completely blown away by the beauty and intracate design of my little girl. God does wonderful things with his creation.

Colette has been taking her time learning to crawl. Before she learned, she had her own special way of getting around. She would crawl halfway with one leg, roll into a sitting position, then flop onto her belly to repeat. Using this combination she got around fast. It looked crazy, and cute, but it was incredible. As I watch her growing up; learning to crawl, pull herself up, feed herself, pick things up, repeat sounds, clap her hands, "praise the Lord", etc. I realize just what a feat each of these things are.

While I continue to try and develop and improve myself daily, I am far from accomplishing what my little girl has. How does an infant teach itself to crawl? The adults around it aren't doing that! It is purely amazing and has been a true joy to witness.

I peek around the corner and spy on my little girl all the time. I am just so amazed by her. Thank you God for this precious gift.

Getting Bigger!

Colette has been showing so many signs of growth these past few days...she decided to crawl for the first time (finally!) on her daddy's birthday! The following day she pulled herself up for the first time.

With mobility comes so many new ways to get into trouble! Today I left the bedroom for a moment and returned to find that she had turned over the garbage and was going through dirty diapers! Here are a few shots of her-getting into my camera bag, wipes, and puffing up in front of a little competition!

"You" & "Always"

My Dear Husband, My sweetest Adam, I know you never look at this blog, but I still feel inclined to write you a little note. Yesterday, you brought up to me a conversation you had had at work. A conversation regarding a study of 580 women asked if they could marry again, would they choose someone else? 40% said "yes". You asked me, as we finished our walk along the melting snow, what I would do in such a situation. Adam, what answer could you ever expect but "choose you a million times over?" I love you. YOU. "Love has only two words in its vocabulary: 'You' and 'Always'."-Fulton Sheen I could never love another and will never love another with the unique and beautiful love I have for you. The love that we share. No one can ever possess it. Yes, we are so different. But, we are man and woman, what else is to be expected? Two opposite poles-of course tension is to be expected. You are rational, I intuitive. You impulsive, I calculated. You pine for justice, I for love. I am so grateful for these differences. It is because of them that I could never be without you. You complete, complement, fulfill me. I want you...always.

Popsicle Time!

Yes, Michigan is going through a mini ice age. However, my daughter, due to teething, has found that her newest favorite snack is popsicles! I make them for her out of yogurt and fruit. Usually I feed them to her, but a week ago I felt the urge to see how handled feeding herself. Then I let her attempt to clean herself off...here are the results!

Trying new things.

As she is getting older, Colette is taking even a greater interest in everything around her, especially food. She loved baby food for awhile there but quickly moved on to bigger and better things. Now she refuses anything that she cannot feed herself. Quite limiting to be honest! But she tries her best and is quite a champ. Here are some pictures along the journey.

Mommy's Little Helper

Laundry in this household is no easy task, despite the fact that there are only three of us. As we do not have a washer or dryer here, our weekly trips to Meema's are plagued with multiple trips up and down our treacherous stairs, arms full of laundry bags, hoping not to fall to our deaths. It seems though that just about every household suffers from some laundry problem. If nothing else, it is always unending. By the time one load is folded, its time for a new load to be cleaned.

My job of folding however is blessed with the cutest assistant. She helps by taking every folded item and inspecting that it has been done correctly. They usually aren't because she takes them apart again and hangs them upon her head. She enjoys when I throw random articles upon her head as well and she gets the opportunity to play "peek-a-boo". Her favorite game so far. Here are some photos of my lovely assistant.

Remember you are dust.

Well, today was Colette Therese's first Ash Wednesday! She begged to be exempt from fasting and I gave in, so she enjoyed a day full of bananas, apples, peas and cheese among other things. Because I am pregnant (two ash bashes in a row!) I technically don't have to fast either, but I know I can't indulge either. This year I attempted not eating in between meals, which I thought would be rather easy. It was not. Had it been any other day and had I not consciously decided to, I'm sure it wouldn't have been an issue. But, oh does Satan like to make things difficult!

Praise God, I did survive! We went to 7:00pm mass and I was thrilled that Colette received her first ashes!!! Its those little joys as a Catholic mother. My other little one was definitely enjoying being in the presence of our Lord...she kicked the whole way to communion (I've only started feeling her kick the past few days, and this was definitely the most!). I am so blessed by my little saints!

This year we have decided to change things up a bit in the way we attempt a fruitful lent. Thanks to an idea on Pinterest, we have decided to differ in what we do weekly. This first week we are fasting (from Netflix...which is SO hard!) and next week we're going to add on extra family prayer, followed by a week of thanksgiving, a week of service, and two weeks of reflection. I think this is a perfect idea for our family as I always tend to take on too much at one time and fail at it. Starting with a little and adding on more should hopefully work! We are so looking forward to this time.