Dear Auntie Kate,

We wanted to send you some pictures of our very snowy day, just in case you were missing winter and feeling too hot in Florida. We miss you and wish we had been snowed in together.  So while you drink your iced tea and we drink our hot tea enjoy these pictures we took especially for you :)   

seven months

7 months. I can't believe it. Just five short months away from a year old.  

This month has brought on baby proofing! You are quickly pulling yourself around the floor, trying to catch the cats, and ending up under chairs :) You've got a little mind of your own and are making it very very hard for anyone to change your diaper or get you dressed...I can just hear your little voice, "I have NO time for being on my back! I have cats to see and places to go!" 

We love you sweet sweet baby Everdeen! You fill our hearts with so much joy, we truly are the luckiest parents in the whole world. 

six month update

five month update

four month update

three month update

two month update

one month update

{8/52}

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Everdeen Kate: You finally fell asleep after fussing for two hours this morning...maybe you're teething or maybe you felt tired of being so happy all the time :) I laid down next to you and fell asleep too. I felt so comforted and calm hearing you breathing and smelling your baby smell.  

Linking up with Jodi :)  

A Blustery Day

Yesterday we tried to venture out for a walk, but the wind was like ice hitting our skin. Poor Everdeen did not like it one bit and boo hooed at the top of her lungs the whole way home.  We just needed to get ouside and clear our heads.  Martin's been so sick and now I'm coming down with whatever he had, just in time for the work week. 

In the moments when the wind died down the warm sun felt so good on my face. I can begin to imagine warm Spring days. 

Soon.

We realized on our way to the park that it was one year ago this week that we found out we were having a girl!  And we just happened to be at the exact same park we were last February to take our announcement pictures :) I still can't believe that the little girl I'm holding in my arms today is the same little girl that grew inside of me all those months.  It truly is miraculous.

Universal Language

We are a music loving family.

Music seems to always be on in our apartment. We have it on quietly during the day, but sometimes I turn it up loudly to wash out the elephant stomping that is my upstairs neighbors.  We have a million stations on Pandora and let Everdeen listen to every type of music possible. Old timey banjo music to baroque to today's hits.  Whenever she hears Louis Armstrong playing the trumpet she laughs.

When Everdeen was inside of me I played music for her everyday using Martin's headphones that cost more than a rent payment. I sang to her any chance I got and she sure heard a lot during the day in my Kindergarten classroom.  Some mornings before school I would close my door and play my piano for her. Just me, my baby, and the sound waves. 

 The first time I felt Everdeen move was in the car on the way home from school.  I had one of my favorite songs playing loudly and I finally felt her.  Popcorn popping in my belly.  She was dancing along.

Last night we had another jam session. I love these moments as a family. Enjoying something that we can all understand together.  I truly believe music unites our souls together as we share in the beauty of song. But the best part of these moments is when Everdeen begins to sing along.  She belts out her version of the song loudly, with gusto and enthusiasm.  Nothing holding her back.  She can feel the music and she moves to it.  She may not speak any words yet but already she can speak the universal language that is music.

 

And for your viewing pleasure...

{7/52}

 "a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Everdeen Kate: You are one determined little girl.  You started pulling yourself across the floor last week and it looks like you're freestyle swimming across the great Persian rug :) I know one of these days you'll just get up and go, but maybe you can stay my tiny baby for just a few more days?  

Linking up with Jodi :) 

Happy Love Day

Yesterday we celebrated Valentine's Day elementary school style. Little paper Valentine's for our friends, boxes of chocolate, stuffed animals.  We read Valentine books and watched a Valentine movie. I told my little friends that Valentine's Day was all about loving our classmates. 

"EWWWWWW!" they all shouted.

If you are a teacher then you understand the wild energy that comes with celebrating a holiday at school. It is so exhausting. My principal walked into my room today and said she could still smell the sugar left over from our celebration yesterday haha.

It wasn't much of a celebration in the Wolfe household last night.  My husband has a terrible cold--he seems to be sick every Valentine's day.  But I got in some smooches with my baby girl and nephew. 

 

Hope you all had a wonderful day celebrating the ones you love the most! As for me, I think I'm going to sleep all weekend to recover from 27 sugar filled five year olds :)

Pink Is My Signature Color

{6/52}

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Everdeen Kate: I wish I could bottle up your baby laugh. It makes me happier than I ever thought I could be.  I laid you on the bed and bounced you lightly up and down...you laughed and squealed with so much delight. Oh that sound :)

Linking up with Jodi :) 

Two Glorious Days

This week was a teacher's dream week. 

Three days of school and two days off.

I live for these extra days off here and there.  I know that as a teacher I have it pretty good (except for the pitiful paycheck).  Whenever I complain about working my sisters usually put me back in my place reminding me that I get summers off as well as a fall, winter, and spring break. I guess if I have to work this is the best job to do while still being able to be a mama.

Today was too warm to be February. 

Everdeen and I ventured over to play with my nephew Sanford and we enjoyed the winter sunshine. I sat and watched as the two of them explored.  Sanford did the boy thing and went right for the dirt and snow while Everdeen was literally lounging in the sun daintily plucking grass from the ground :)