Ingrid Nightingale turns TWO!

I can't believe it!  I officially have a TWO year old!!!  Happy Birthday my sweet love!!

more to come!

Ingrid's birthday party

This past Saturday we had Ingrid's 2nd birthday party-and I just can't believe it's already been a year since her 1st birthday party!  While nothing about the day went quite right, (Ingrid woke up sick, and is still fighting a fever and cold) it was still fun to celebrate!  We had my friend Erin make kitty cookies, and it's a good thing too because our cake fell apart!!  Woops!  Tonight we are going to make her kitty cake again, and have her blow out her "2" candle tomorrow on her actual birthday!  I am hoping she is feeling a little better to be able to enjoy cake and presents!  I am so thankful for Ingrid.  Even on days like today, when nothing satisfies her because she is sick, and I feel like my back might actually break in two, I am still just so amazed and thankful for her.  Thank you Lord for such an extraordinary gift!

Earring Holder: Accomplished

So it didn't turn out exactly like I had envisioned, but it works-it's functional-and I had fun doing it! :)  

Supplies you need:

Branches

Spray Paint

Jar

Spanish Moss

decorative string

Earrings

I think the rest is pretty self explanatory...:)

8-2-2009 to 8-2-2011

Since Ingrid's 2nd birthday is coming up in just 14 days I find myself looking back at my maternity photo's when I was carrying her.  It's so hard to believe that that tiny little newborn has grown in to a walking, talking, full-of-spirit little person.  I am so proud of who Ingrid is becoming-Michael and I were talking the other night and we feel so lucky that Ingrid has turned into the exact little girl we always envisioned ourselves having.  Full of life, personality, will, and humor.  Simply put-she's the best.  (doesn't every parent feel that way?!)  Having said all that, I will be honest-it hurts to look back at my maternity photo's.  It was a time in my life that was so magical, so wondrous-and I've said it once and I'll say it again-nothing will ever compare to the experience of carrying a child.  I was sad for about a year after she was born that I wasn't pregnant anymore, I love it so much!  Now looking back at those photo's I feel a twinge of pain in my gut as I still deal with, and process, the grief of loosing our 2nd pregnancy.  My heart desires another baby in such a magnificent way-yet my head struggles with the thought of risking myself again.  I probably think about having another baby 50% of my waking hours, and the time that I am not thinking about it, I feel it-because it's on my heart always.  As we look forward to celebrating Ingrid's 2nd year of life in a couple of weeks, I pray for clarity of thought, and stillness of heart, knowing that we will receive guidance in the future.

Earring Holder

So I created a list of "to-do's" this week-among many mundane tasks on the list like finishing up packaging CD's, organizing my closet etc...is a fun little earring holder project.  I found many amazing tutorials on awesome shabby chic earring holders, but frankly-I have a (almost) 2 year old that I would rather be spending time with, and during many of her naps I am working on photography tasks....but this tutorial on a tree branch earring holder looked perfect-in fact, I think Ingrid could definitely help me with this project-which is even better!  Hopefully next week i will have a finished project to show off!  Happy Sunday everyone!

(A few picture updates-PS, in the last few pictures Ingrid figured out how to ride her "bi-ci-ca")

Thursday Night, Concert in the Park

We had SO much fun last night at our town's weekly "concert in the park". Cabin of Love played, and it was awesome-it makes me feel like maybe there is an ounce of culture in this town (don't get me wrong, I like it here--sometimes I just get frustrated with the lack of interest)  Ingrid had a blast too, she was busy dancing all night long-and she didn't care one bit that she was the only one in front of a crowd of people...she danced and danced and danced.  I accredit all the Justin Beiber video's she has been obsessed with lately.  Girlfriend can break dance.  A few photo's of our night...