It cracks my heart wide open.

Grady has never been a particularly snuggly kiddo. She’s wiggly, she’s busy, and she likes to figure things out on her own. It’s taken her almost two years to figure out that a hug from me can help her feel better when she’s sad. This trait of hers is partially why we love nursing so much; some days it’s the only snuggling we get in.

But recently, this little sweetie has decided that it’s nice to snuggle with me. She loves to fall asleep with me before I bring her to her bed, and I am definitely not complaining. It’s my favorite feeling in the world to have her fall asleep on my chest. I look forward to it more than anything else. It’s so nice to hold the person I love most, to smell her hair and feel her breathe. Motherhood can be pretty wonderful.

Seriously, there is nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby or toddler.

One year ago today.

Look at that little peach-fuzz head. With Grady’s second birthday quickly approaching I’m getting all sentimental. She’s such a wonderful girl and thrilled and grateful to spend every day with her.

Bah-lub bah-lub bah-lub.

That’s the noise Grady makes when she’s bouncing. She’s an old pro at jumping on beds and the trampoline now, but these bounce houses in July were close to her first experience with jumping. Pretty adorable.

Polkadots + Bananaphone

Having a chat on the bananaphone before visiting the pool in Vegas.

This is how you embroider like a lady

Because it’s too damn hot to sit any other way. Also: Sneak preview of something I’m working on for the shop! While I was trying to get a bird’s eye camera shot of myself (no easy task, I tell you), somebody snuck up between my legs for a surprise hug.

What a sweetheart.

Bright side of the road.

These pictures were taken during our last vacation, right after we hit the road. Before we all started getting sick of each other, before we hit the sweltering heat of Northern Arizona, before any of the real fun started. It’s really rare that anyone sits in the backseat with Grady, so she was loving having me back there to keep her company.

As you can see, I remain hopelessly untalented when it comes to taking self-portraits.

Frankly, while this trip had its fun apsects, remembering it makes me want to avoid traveling with Grady for as long as I can. Traveling with a toddler was just not fun.

Anyway, while I’m at it: Happy Independence Day.

Hey! Hey you guys!

I have an idea! Let’s blog about every thing that isn’t sad and/or confusing!

Bean sprouts are probably some of the best things in the world. Just yesterday morning these gigantic babies were still under the soil. Bean sprouts are just so dramatic and satisfying. I also like how the seed is part of the sprout in a way much more obvious than in other plants. (Those two bottom fake-leaves are actually bean-halves. Totally awesome.) I’m growing three variations of garden beans this year; one green, one yellow, and one deep purple. Those tall babies in the background are corn, obviously.

Also, this just made me realize I should blog about the specific ways I overcame the magnificent massacre that was last year’s garden. Noted.

Jeanette gave me this awesome dollar-store candy bracelet the other day, and I loved it. Huzzah for awesome lady-friends.

Grady prettymuch tries to copy everything her Grandpa does. When he took a wee grass-nap, she tried but only lasted about 30 seconds. Toddlers must never lie down! Did you know this? In any case, I am obsessed with this photo.

Norm! I heart Cheers so much right now. I’m watching it all the way through (as it’s available for instant streaming on Netflix) and it just brings me so much happiness. Currently in season 8, which came out the year I was born.

Smooshy sleepy baby. There is nothing better in the world than holding a sleeping baby. (Excuse my near-boobage; Grady fell asleep atop me while I was wearing a bathing suit.)

Straight from smooshy sleepy baby to fancy drinks? I suppose so. I made this strawberry gimlet thing and am super proud of it. ‘Twas delicious.

AAAAH I LOVE HER SO MUCH IT HURTS. Also, I like how she kind of makes intellectual faces while watching Bubble Guppies.

Squee, bathtub baby! She has recently decided that bubbles are the most delicious things, so we don’t do bubble baths any more. So I thought I’d capture her last bubble bath for a while.

The bike, the crown, that face.

 

Ah-gouk.

(That’s how grady pronounces “yogurt” – her favorite food is plain Greek yogurt so I hear this alllllll the time.)

Grady is usually pretty clean (for a toddler) while eating, so I was kind of thrilled to see this mess she made of herself. Her grandpa let her try to feed herself yogurt for the first time. It’s possible that some of it actually made it into her mouth.

She’s a pretty big fan.

Grady is a little obsessed with bubbles. The only television she will watch is Bubble Guppies. She’s learned how to work a mechanical bubble blower we have. She’s even learned how to make bubbles rise back in the air from the ground, as evidenced by the above (totally legit) gif.

Magical powers! Already! Too bad we still have to wait a little less than a decade before she gets that letter from Hogwarts.