Do you think it’s possible for someone to say “I hate baby animals?” I mean it’s such an absurd statement. I maybe get being indifferent, but can you even imagine someone not loving baby animals? I even like saying “baby animals”. One of my favorite things about Spring is not only the warmer weather but that the baby animals make an appearance at the Hancock Shaker Village out in the Berkshires. We headed out to visit those adorable animals on Sunday to celebrate my Mom’s birthday. Rowan was in heaven. I have said it before but one of my most favorite things about being a parent is experiencing new things with them. I was reading up a little bit on the book The Child Whisperer and Rowan is most definitely the “Fun Loving Child”. It gives me no greater joy then to let her be free, to run wild, to make a special say for her and to be there right in the midst of the adventure holding her hand. This girl loves adventures…

Update: As I was typing this I actually asked my sister if she thought anyone out there has said “I hate baby animals?” She laughed and then told me she actually said those words the other day. Have I mentioned that my sister is April Ludgate? Oh I love her.

Also, have you seen this post over on Small Fry Blog about activities to do with your kids for each personality type The Child Whisperer talks about? Love it!

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I don’t know why, but this video just cracks me up! I think it’s the fact that she gets consecutively better with each throw and how she flings her back arm at the end. Sometimes there are just no words for this kid. She is pretty darn special.

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I feel like I’ve been coming up short lately when it comes to blogging. There just doesn’t seem much to blog about at the moment. Not that life has been boring, actually it seems quite the opposite. I think we’ve just been enjoying life so much lately. We have fallen in to a nice little groove as a family of four and we are all quite happy. Sometimes it’s just nice to back away a little and enjoy the small little moments of life. I am especially thankful for all this time together in light of all that is going on. Makes you realize how important your loved ones are.

Here are some iphone photos from the past few weeks…

Happy Weekend Everyone.

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I know this is super nerdy, but one of the things I was super excited about after giving birth was getting Finley’s birth announcements out. Oh man, I love actual mail and stationary. I’m pretty picky when it comes to christmas cards, invitations, etc… I love good design, thick cardstock and nice printing. When Minted.com contacted us about trying them out for our announcements, I was excited because I had taken note of them from a few christmas cards we had received that year. Oh the selection they have!!! It took me 4 days to decided which announcement to choose. I had about 25 tabs open on my computer. Anyway, we were thrilled with how they came out…

We got nothing but compliments from family and friends when we sent them out. I would like to think they were all because Finley is such a cutie, but I’m pretty sure the card had something to do with it too…

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We woke up this morning excited about the spring weather that was waiting for us outside. I was also super excited about the marathon. Growing up in Massachusetts it’s hard not to be excited for Patriots Day. Plus, being a marathon runner I absolutely love the Boston marathon. We spent the morning outside playing, chasing ducks, throwing sticks in the water, and riding bikes. When we got home I heard the terribly sad news about the explosions. My heart sank.

As I sat on the couch watching all the news coverage during Rowan’s nap, I couldn’t help but think about the sweet innocence of my girls. How I want so badly to protect it, to shelter them from anything bad. I thought about how sweet they are and how big, wonderful and amazing they think the world around them is. I wish they could have that perspective forever. As Rowan gets older though you can see the darkness of the world creeping in. It breaks my heart when she talks about things being scary. Of course when she woke up from her nap, off went the news and on went something about princesses. We sat there cuddled together and I thought if only things could be so simple.

It’s a funny thing about innocence though, there is a tricky balance I want to find. For as much as I want to shelter them from this fallen world, I want them to know that with every great disaster, comes great heroes as well. I want them to understand God’s true love. I want them to grow to be strong, courageous and compassionate girls. That even when faced with hardships will be able to see the glimmer of light. Girls who will be running back towards “the explosions” to help, to fight. This world may be dark at times but there is still good. I want them to see that.

Tonight we are praying for the families affected by this tragedy and we are praying for our country, that we may find the good and cling to it.

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I am always on the look out for fun crafts to do with Rowan. When I saw this post over on A Beautiful Mess a little while ago, I thought this would be great! Besides, painted sneakers would look a million times better on her than me. I found some plain white canvas sneakers at Walmart for $5. $5!!! You really can’t go wrong with that price. I think we might be making hundreds of painted shoes this summer. We woke up to a very grey, rainy and cold day today so what better way to brighten our spirits than bright colored paints. Rowan is pretty head over heels in love with them. She hasn’t taken them off yet.

Materials:
Paint Smock
Craft Paint (I love Martha Stewart!)
Mugs
White Canvas Sneakers
Sharpie
Paint Brushes

I added the paint to mugs and then watered them down a little bit. I wanted a more watercolor feel. Plus, it helps when it’s watery because Rowan loves to glob on the paint. Thinner paint goes on way easier for a toddler and then we don’t waste a bunch of paint. I also put a paint brush in each color so there is no mixing of brushes in different colors. I just kind of let her have at it for a while. When they dried I colored part of them black with a sharpie. I debated added polka dots but decided to just leave them be. Super cute! Super fun!

It’s so cute to see her so proud of the things she makes. It is always the first thing she tells Kev when he comes home. She usually goes running when she hears the garage door open yelling “Daddy! Look! Look! We did Crawfts!” Love her.

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Thanks so much to everyone who left a comment on my last running post. It was so encouraging and inspiring to hear all your running stories. I got a few questions that I am hoping to address in this post. Training has started slow. With some crappy weather last week I didn’t get out all that much. Hoping for a better start this week into the next.

A few of you asked to see my running calendar. What I normally do is look around the internet for a bunch and then sort of combine them all into one that works best for me. I am not someone who can train 5-6 days a week. I just don’t have the time. I know realistically I can maybe do 4 runs a week. I made my calendar look pretty similar to this Hal Higdon Intermediate II training schedule (except I dropped the Saturday run) and then added the training for a 10k to get up to the 10 mile start week. I think when making a running schedule you have to be realistic in your goals. Really consider how much time you have so you don’t always feel defeated by not getting it done. I mean you do have to put in the time, but I don’t think you need to be running every day of the week.

Another person asked if I was still breastfeeding Finley with the training. This isn’t going to be a breastfeeding post but yes, I am still exclusively bfing her and plan on continuing to do so. I do have a goal of loosing some weight but consuming enough calories to still provide food for her is my top priority. I am looking forward to continuing to eat lots of healthy food and good protein in things like greek yogurt, whole grains, beans, dark greens and nuts (with some ice cream on the side of course). I have gotten in a good routine of feeding her when she gets up and then getting everyone ready and out the door for a run right after that. That way its the most comfortable for running- if you know what I mean…

I am loving our new BOB Revolution Duallie. Unless I am running uphill I hardly know I am pushing 2 kids. Fresh air does us all good in the morning…

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Guess what? It is going to be 70 on Tuesday and my heart feels like it is going to leap out of my chest. This winter has been rough! I know the weather is all anyone is talking about lately but how can you not? It’s April and it snowed last week! Ugh! I am welcoming this warmer weather with open arms. How has your weekend been going? Rowan went to visit her Grandparents this weekend and Kev and I have had a great relaxing weekend with just Finley. It’s nice to have some one on one bonding time with her. What a little sweetie she is! Here are some favorite items and blog posts from around the internet this past week…

1. This dress is like my dream dress! *Swoon!!

2. Hint. Hint. Mother’s Day gift?? Wink. Wink.

3. I could not have written this post better myself. Totally on the same wave length these past few weeks. So encouraging to hear another mama talking about her struggles.

4. J.Crew is hands down my favorite place to get a bathing suit. They fit like a glove. Love this polka dot one.

5.I could not love this sweet Hawaiian family any more than I do. Hope to visit them later this year!!

6. Love this look on Sydney!

7. Adorable dotted shorts for summer.

8. Seriously cute! Love Kaelah to pieces.

9. Hello cute neon toe oxfords, please come live in my closet!

10. Loved Amanda’s thoughts on this blog post. Do you think you will ever out grow the need to blog?

11. Just ordered these rubber boots for Rowan to play in our muddy spring backyard.

12. Couldn’t pick just one blog post. I just love Brandy, her family and her blog.

13. Love this super cute DIY clay house mobile.

14. This is such a sweet little summer dress. So beautiful!

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Easter is always one of my most favorite Holidays. I love the idea of welcoming spring, spending time with family and the self reflection over why we celebrate Easter. Plus I LOVE the old Easter Hymns that we usually sing in church on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. My parents and middle sister came out to visit us this weekend. It was so nice having them here. I always miss them so much!! I wish we all got to see each other more often. Sunday morning I had to wake up super early to go and decorate the church for Easter. I love getting to pick all new decorations for special services. This year I went with vintage glassware, fake succulent plants, rocks, a pretty floral print and the words “Oh Happy Day”. I was really happy with how it all came out.

Whenever we get dressed up I always try to make it a point to take some pictures because well, it doesn’t happen very often. I was so excited for all our new easter outfits. We were looking dang good if you ask me. Ha! We were pretty much a walking Gap advertisement. Can you blame us though? Everything is so good in there lately!

I think I’ve decided that Finley looks just like my Dad, which in turn makes her look just like me! Between my Mom and Dad, I look way more like my Dad. I think Finley is a little Mini me of him. I was feeling quite blessed by our wonderful families this weekend. Wish we got to see Kev’s parents as well.

OUTFIT DETAILS:
Finley’s Dress: Gap
Rowan’s Skirt: Gap
Rowan’s Top: Gap
Rowan’s Boots: Minnetonka
Jen’s Shirt Dress: Gap (it is seriously so soft and perfect for nursing!!!)
Jen’s Boots: c/o Wanted
Kev’s Jeans: H&M (similar)
Kev’s Shirt: Gap
Kev’s Tie: H&M
Kev’s Boots: DSW

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These shoes totally make me feel like a million bucks! They are so classic and simple, yet paired with some skinny jeans make me feel so chic (even though I have baby spit on my shoulder). Granted I’m not wearing them on my day to day with the kiddos but they are perfect for an evening out with Kev, even if its only to the coffee shop. Don’t you just love shoemint? Hello, free shipping and returns!

As I was taking these pictures, Rowan became slightly obsessed with the camera remote. She kept wanting to take turns posing and pressing the remote button. Little fashion blogger in the making. We totally didn’t even plan on sort of matching. This seems to happen a lot though. I swear I end up matching one of the girls at least twice a week. I feel like lately it’s becoming more and more apparent to me how grown up Rowan is. Here are a few things she does at the moment that I would like to rememeber forever…

1. She likes to add an “s” to the end of words. She says things like “wanna play dress ups?” “a waffle with syrups” “Let’s do makeups” It cracks me up.

2. Every time we go out the garage door to the car, she has to run out on the driveway and scream “DOGGIES!!!” at the top of her lungs. She says she has to wake them up.

3. The way she calls Finley or any baby for the matter “honey”.

4. She is always asking Finley (well she calls her Baby Finley) “You like that?” when she does something to her.

5. She is getting so good at playing by herself. I love hearing her play at her dollhouse. She usually makes her dolls recreate some scenario that has happened in real life that morning. It is super funny to over hear them talking.

6. When things are missing she likes to say it’s a “mystery”. Then she walks around the house with her hand above her eyes like she is looking/searching for it.

7. As soon as Kev walks in the door at night she goes running to him to give him the biggest hug. Then proceeds to say “play seek with me Daddy”. She loves playing hide and seek.

8. Rowan LOVES to sing. She is convinced that she knows all the words- even to songs she has never heard before. In the car no matter what is playing she will be mumbling words along with it. She does however know all the words to the yo gabba gabba cds and belts those out. Yesterday she even had hand motions going on.

9. She is obsessed with all things Princess and Cinderella.

10. Kev and her like to go back and forth yelling “sayyyy whaaaaat???” Don’t ask but it’s funny.

11. When she doesn’t want to do something she usually says “I too little” to try to get out of it. ha!

12. Just how much she loves her friends. Warms my heart.

13. How well she listens at soccer. She is in her first non parent involved class. Ahhh how is she that old?

14. How much she LOVES school. When we went on interviews the other week. I am pretty sure it was the greatest day of her life. She can not wait until the fall.

15. The way she says marshmallow, lunch, and donut.

16. She continues to be just the smartest, most passionate, brave and spirited little girl there ever was. Boy, oh boy she melts our hearts.

OUTFIT DETAILS:
Peplum Tank: Target (similar)
Moto Jacket: Forever 21- old (similar)
Jeans: Madewell (old)
Heels: c/o Shoemint

ON ROWAN:
Flutter Sleeve Sweater: Joe Fresh
Striped top: H&M
Jeans: Old Navy
Boots: Minnetonka

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