We had Nathaniel’s little birthday get together scheduled for 10am this morning so I exercised soon after I woke up and by the time I showered and got dressed, it was already time to go. David was in a good mood and playing with his brother. He put the hat on and told me to take a photo.

Then he put it on himself.

These are the looks Nathaniel gives me when he knows he’s doing something wrong and he’s been caught (he was putting stickers on the stool.).

And David asked me to take a photo of this, too.

Since the boys were all dressed up nice I asked Jake to take a photo of me with them. They didn’t really want to accomodate though so this is the best we got.

Last night I found this dress on sale at Anthropologie. It is a size two. TWO! I have never been a size two in my life.

Nathaniel was not in a good mood when we gave him his cake.

He didn’t care for the candlelight and didn’t understand why everyone was staring at him.

And gave us all a good “nooooo!”

He played until 11am or so when he started having continual meltdowns and I knew it was bedtime. So we put him down and brought everything back inside. I was in quite a lot of backpain (still am) so I rested and sketched and did a bit of art. David played Wii. When Nathaniel woke up, they both had lunch and then it was time to open presents. David was super frustrated with how long Nathaniel was taking and how patient he had to be.

But they both loved all the presents and Nathaniel played with them immediately when David went back to the wii.

A lovely fulfilling day. For the first time since I started my project I didn’t like either of the weeklong pages I made in my journal today. I’m ok with that however because I think I can likely turn them around when the week comes and if not i’ll deal with them. That’s the great thing about a project like this: it’s the sum of the parts that counts, not each part.

Plans for tonight are small. A little time with my love, the April check-in, a little journaling, and bed. Btw, the newsletter goes out tonight with new digital downloads so last chance to subscribe to make sure you get the May one.

I hope your Saturday was peaceful and joyful.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that our neighbors showed up for Nathaniel’s little cake time and it was so nice to see everyone with their kids.
2. I am grateful that I did some art, even if I am not 100% pleased with it.
3. I am grateful for my size two dress. The numbers on the scale might go up and down and I know Anthro clothes run a bit big but it’s amazing to fit into a size two of anything.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I had some of Nathaniel’s cake. {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played wii and did my workbook.
3. I am grateful that I rode my bike, played soccer and chess with daddy.

Well last night’s issue meant working and working and then having another sleepless night and getting right back to work this morning. But thankfully, it all went ok. At least appears to be so far. One can never be sure.

Little boy is obsessed with David’s Didj. Loves it and tries to play with it.

And I love him.

Even with the way he scratched his face. Especially with that. And all his little boy stuff. I adore him. So much. So deeply.

And this one, too. I adore him. Just looking at the photo makes me feel like hugging him.

I love how excited he gets when he’s telling me a story.

And how he smiles and laughs so much. I’m so blessed.

We tried to cajole the little one to come but he was playing didj and would not leave. Laughed at us a bit, though.

I did finally get him near the light. look at this boy. my boy. my angel.

While I worked in the afternoon, David drew pictures for him. Choo choo, Nathaniel requested.

I love how they are head to head.

And here’s David’s masterpiece. It’s so awesome!

I am completely wiped. From head to toe. My plan for tonight is to work on my art journal and go right to bed. I really really need the rest. I’ve been thinking about summer planning lately. I think I might finally have an idea for my etsy shop and for some other things and I am working on plans for David, too. Too much to think of and I am so exhausted. So thankful tomorrow’s Friday.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that the stable push happened successfully (again!)
2. I am grateful that tomorrow is Friday. I need rest so much.
3. I am grateful for all the help i have around me, at work, at home. I am so blessed and lucky and people are so kind and generous and I am so grateful for that.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that mommy and i finished our book {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I am watching the Sound of Music.
3. I am grateful that I played on the phone for a little bit.

I had a big push at work early this morning so I was all worried and stressed out all night. I ended up not being able to sleep. I had weird dreams, tossed and turned and even woke up with a pounding headache at 4am. I took two Advils and went back to bed hoping to get one hour of sound sleep before it was time to start the day.

Thankfully I did. Then the alarm went off at 6am, I quickly made David’s lunch and breakfast and was on the treadmill by 6:25. by 7:30, I was showered and ready for the push. Nathaniel discovered the doodle toy upstairs and was showing his dad how to use it while I worked.

Thankfully the push went smoothly and then I rested for a short period and then had to rush out to Nathaniel’s two-year check up. The good news is he’s all great. Perfectly on track with just about everything. Bad news was the got really grouchy and the one shot he had to get didn’t help. By the time we came home he was grouchy grouchy. Would not eat, play, or nap. Whined and whined. Finally after several tries, he did fall asleep but then shortly after I had to wake him up to pick up David and he got super duper grouchy at that.

Meltdown after meltdown and finally he got back to his good mood from the morning, thanks to the toy.

when I asked him what he was doing, he signed “flower.” I guess he was drawing flowers.

this is the only shot I got of David today. Not sure why exactly.

And here’s the little boy playing with stickers as David and I read.

Well I’d write more but an emergency came up at work so it turns out I have to go. More tomorrow!

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that the stable push happened successfully.
2. I am grateful that Jake helped me so much and it helped my stress tremendously.
3. I am grateful for advil today. I’ve been in a bunch of stress which always translates to a bunch of pain so i am grateful for a simple medicine that works for me each time.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I played lego universe at school {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I got my bandaids off.
3. I am grateful that I gave my friend a sticker at school.

What a wonderfully full day we’ve had here. We started off our morning with some family shots (after I exercised of course). The kids were distracted with other things.

Like my watch. Or the remote.

We kept asking Nathaniel where the camera was (to get him to look at it.)

Tickle time.

Then we celebrated Nathaniel’s birthday with a little cupcake (we’re having a birthday celebration for him next weekend since his birthday happened to fall on easter.)

He was skeptical about the cupcake and the candles.

But once I gave him a spoonful of icing, he decided to give it another chance.

And even gave me a smile.

Then it was time for the egg hunt. I told David to leave the easy ones for Nathaniel.

Last year, Nathaniel sat on the grass and cried the whole time. This year, he seemed to get into the spirit of it.

He picked up the eggs.

And put them in his basket (which is a halloween one since David had the easter one and I didn’t have two.)

He even found a few David didn’t.

The last one was the trickiest for all of them, here’s David looking for it.

Our eggs had jelly beans in them this year and they got to eat only a few eggs each. We then watched Chitty Chitty Bang Bang together (which I LOVED as a kid) and I sort of knew the sugar would get in the way of naptime but I tried anyway. While Nathaniel played in his bed, I sketched and David worked on his workbooks. We’d already read our book for the day so after we were done, we picked up the little boy who was still not sleeping and ate lunch. I did my leg lifts, etc and now we’re all relaxing. Family night began early tonight with The Wizard of Oz and a picnic in the living room.

All my boys are watching with great joy. And another Sunday is almost over. This week will be a bit rough but I am feeling rested and happy. So bring it on!

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for a full and wonderful day with my boys.
2. I am grateful that I got to watch two of my favorite childhood movies .
3. I am grateful for my simple but wonderful life.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I watched chitty chitty bang bang {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that family night is watching the Wizard of Oz tonight.
3. I am grateful for easter candy.

Happy Saturday. I didn’t have any plans today so I just woke up and did my usual things but I did them more slowly with more patience. I exercised and then we took family photos. Here’s David as I am setting up.

The boys both really want to use the remote.

Still looking for it while I’m trying to get a shot.

Today’s Nathaniel’s last day as a little boy. Tomorrow he will be a two-year-old.

After the shots, David and I read our book together. We gave Nathaniel a whole bunch of stickers to occupy himself with. Then it was time for Nathaniel to nap, David to play wii and mommy to sketch. We all did our work and then Nathaniel woke up and we all ate lunch and then there was more resting and relaxing.

Nathaniel kept hugging his brother again and again. I always seem to catch these a split second too late. He’s so cute, he opens his hands so they’re behind him before he hugs all big.

Then I worked on my art journal for a bit and now we’re going to go out to a family dinner. Something small and nearby. There’s been a lot of eating out this week and I am sure I will regret it when I get weighed next week but I am trying to be careful and eat as well as I can. The rest of the night will be hugging and snuggling up with Jake. Tomorrow’s a big day between the birthday and easter and family night and I am looking forward to it.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for a quiet day and some snuggle time with both my kids (and Jake’s coming up too).
2. I am grateful for my family. I can’t believe the little boy’s going to be two tomorrow. How did time pass so quickly?
3. I am grateful for all the Tv I have saved up. I love having the TV on when I do art.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I will play Wii {* his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that we’re going out to dinner.
3. I am grateful tomorrow’s Nathaniel’s birthday and easter.