Puppy

Tonight Claire was entertaining herself by looking through pictures on Aaron's phone when I heard her say, "Awe, it's Puppy!", she had come across a picture of her and her best friend. I just thought it was so sweet and endearing the way it made her exclaim with excitement. "Puppy", is a yellow lab puppy who is also a stuffed animal that was donated to us by my bff, Kathryn. Her boys never played with Puppy and so he became ours. Kathryn is the Queen of garage sales, and my guess is that this one of a kind non-replaceable friend is from one of those notorious garage sales. This is only an issue because it will be the end of the world as we know it if anything happens to Puppy. So although Puppy goes with us everywhere, he is not allowed to leave the car. Puppy is also not allowed outside because he will get dirty, and heaven forbid he become dirty, because that means he will require a bath... baths are on a MUST need basis only, it is very hard for Claire to part with Puppy for that long ;). Puppy and a blue blanket (also given to us by Kathryn) are Claire's two bedtime partners, there is no bedtime without them, no replacement will do. This is not something I pushed on Claire, in fact I was trying to get her to love a bunny I named Lolly, lol! But no, she picked Puppy out of the crowd of stuffed animals in her play room and has never looked back, Lolly who? ;)
Here are some pictures of Claire with her beloved, Puppy...

I am joyful

I am a spring person. I love the colors, the smells, the events, and everything that comes with it minus the pollen ;) lol!! Life is full of constant change. Most recently the biggest change for me has been going back to work a couple days a week, I am really enjoying it. It helps when the office I work in throws a lot of perks at me too. Claire is adjusting really well to this new schedule, as she is spending a couple days a week at her grandparents house, who wouldn't love being spoiled on a regular basis? ;) It has been fun to make the most of the 5 days we are together now. We are busy, at times it's stressful for this peace loving Mama, but it's worth it. As my baby girl is nearing her 3rd birthday I am realizing more and more how fun and grown up she is becoming. She talks non-stop, and I just love listening to her. She is so full of joy and happiness and it makes my heart full to know that I have had a hand in making her that way. She is such a blessing. Here are a few pictures from our SPRING...