The Last Few Weeks...

We are still doing this and enjoying every minute of it!

We've even done this!  And I can't even tell you how much fun we've had!  Parker loves listening to Tessa giggle while we walk...and he'll reach over my shoulder from time to time and pat Tessa on the head, rub on her cheek or try to hold her hand.  Giggles in the front and the most fantastic stories from my 6 year old on the back---it's pure joy.

 Chocolate covered bananas!  Best, messiest dessert e.v.e.r.

 We decided the goodness and messiness was for us adults too!

Movie time with sweet friends :)

and a little Dr. Seuss hat making...

Lots of fun!

Tessa even got some snuggle time in with grandpa...one of her favorite things to do :)

She got some play time in with Rocky too...

It was all enough excitement to wear a girl plum-out!

And then we had snow!  Me and my little ninja just had to get out and play!!

Parker is one creative little snow-dude!  what a fun playground!!

Daddy shared some snuggle time with Tessa in her kp

And oh my goodness...this particular evening Tessa had enough smiles and giggles for the whole world.

She couldn't have been more excited about her bath time.

And she made my day, like she always does :)

I mean, ridiculously cute.

And then there she was...little miss beautiful on Sunday morning at church

I will forever cherish this picture.  She is stunning and she is mine.

So many blessings captured here for me...

Haha, this was Tessa early on a Saturday morning watching some friends play basketball...

I think she would have preferred her usual Saturday morning sleeping-in, but she was a trooper ;)

Here's daddy helping Tessa give hugs at bedtime.  Parker has ALWAYS kissed his sister goodnight on the forehead, but daddy came up with the idea of helping her hug him every night now too...

it's so sweet and they both love it!

Sweetest little boy I know.  So thankful for him :)

Somebody got a new boppy and absolutely LOVES it :)

She's a little crooked...but taking her walking time very serious...

bubble-bliss

my friend took this picture of us in Sunday School

this is during Tessa's typical nap time...so this is how we spend most Sunday mornings 

Wouldn't trade it for anything...

so cute.

whatever they were looking at was clearly waaay more interesting than mom behind the camera ;)

These two boys light up my life!

~Whitney

Just Some of What We've Been Up To...

Lots of Lovin:

Lots of Walkin:

seriously...look at her face! she loves every minute and so do I!! :)

the hard work is paying off - I'm down 16 lbs in two months

I can tell how much easier it is these days maneuvering Tessa around.

Getting healthier and stronger for my baby girl!! 

                                1/6/2014            2/8/2014             2/24/2014                              

here's a short video about my journey with Lose to Serve :)

and...
Lots of Silliness:

(daddy reluctantly let me take their pic while he was trying out the new kp ;)

~Whitney

Carrying in Style!

I mentioned back in early November about looking forward to new experiences carrying Tessa in our new Kinderpack.  It has been a blast!  We walk around the pond together, we jump in bouncy houses together, we swing & play on playgrounds together, we grocery shop together, we hike together, we walk on the treadmill together, and she takes naps, great naps, in her pack...even during Sunday morning church ;)

we even let our friends try it out :)  Carrying-fun all around!

And last week I was so excited to get Tessa the next size up!  A dear friend found her this preschool carrier (she's in a toddler size now).  I just love this print called "Going Places"....it's so appropriate since these kinderpacks open up a whole new world of 'going places' for us and Tessa!!

While Tessa was resting on Saturday, Parker was willing to load up and go walk a few miles with me.  I don't assume he'll make a habit of this, but it was super sweet to have him along for the ride.  Tessa is 30 lbs and Parker is 50 lbs....there was a huge difference carrying him, but I'm so thankful for the opportunities to continue to build up my core strength to carry Tessa for many years to come!

And this beauty arrived yesterday!  Tessa has been rockin the greens & blues, but life just wouldn't be complete without p.i.n.k!!  The preschool pack is a bit big for her right now, so I really needed another toddler size to alternate between and for backup.  As much as we've been using her pack, it will need to be cleaned a bit more frequently ;)

A precious friend gifted us with our first two kinderpacks.  She has helped change our lives in so many ways and we have been so blessed by her suggestions, encouragement, and support.  The investment she has made in our lives, in Tessa's life, has allowed for new experiences...and new experiences help keep life grand! :) 

~Whitney

My Sweetnesses

One of the cutest pictures I've gotten of these 3 in awhile.  

Tessa is feeling better and acting much more like herself these days :)

Love them so much!

Tessa was highly entertained by Parker's new sword.  

My first thought was "armed & dangerous" and then I was like, wait...it's more like "armed and so not dangerous, but super cute!"

Thankful for a healthier household!  And praying it can stay that way for awhile :)

~Whitney

Sickness is No Fun

Little miss got hit with strep again this week.  It's been a long week and we are so ready for her to start feeling better!  Hoping we can all get some good rest this weekend and praying Tessa feels better quick!

 

~Whitney

Birthday Lunch

This is a rarity!  Daddy and I both made it to Parker's school to have lunch with him today!  He was sooooo excited and I love it when he is so excited :)  

cutest little 6 year old I know!

so cute watching him while all his friends sang to him!

we failed miserably over and over again trying to get a family pic...this is the best we could do and we all found it pretty hilarious ;)

~Whitney