Let it Snow

We had some craaazy weather in Dallas the last couple weeks!

It started out with a bunch of ice, which meant school was closed Monday and Tuesday. The ice melted, and then some real snow fell Wednesday morning. 

It wasn't enough for a snow day, but Ava loved watching it fall that morning before school. 

The weather forecast called for more winter weather on Friday, but schools were open and we weren't expecting much accumulation. One of Ava's teachers sent me this picture of them playing outside as it was just beginning to fall.

As the day progressed, it became clear that the snow was accumulating much more than anticipated, and the road conditions were deteriorating quickly. 

The kids' schools closed at 3:00, so we all headed home for an actual snow day. 

We bundled Ava up as best as possible, including the classic plastic-bags-over-mittens look that most Texas kids have rocked at some point in their lives. 

Ava was in snow heaven, and the first order of business was a snow angel. 

She also learned how to throw snowballs. 

And of course, we had to make a snowman. 

Ava had so much fun!

Rylan...not so much. 

"I know it's my first real snow day, but it is freezing out here!"

One of my favorite things about snow days…the hot chocolate!

And then just when we thought it was all over, another round of winter weather rolled through the next week. We woke up to quite the winter wonderland, by Dallas standards at least, with at least three inches of snow blanketing our yard.

Snow sliding, anyone? 

All these snow/ice days were fun, but they also meant spending a lot of time cooped-up inside with two small children (after four days home with them the prior two weeks due to the stomach bug).

We went through every puzzle, game, toy, and activity in the house.

The natives got super restless, and mama was definitely in need of a cocktail (or five). 

I don't know how stay-at-home moms in colder climates make it through the winter. Bless them.

I love living in a place that usually brings at least one snow day each winter, but I am also very much looking forward to spring weather!

TBT: Funny Faces and Silly Aunts

I am going to start writing "Throwback Thursday" posts to capture photos and stories that slipped through the cracks during busier months as well as to document old vacations and adventures from our pre-blog days. 

For my first TBT post, here are some hilarious photos of Ava with her silly aunts, Lily and Sara, from our trip to Austin last August. We were dying laughing as they were taking these gems, and these three are just the tip of the iceberg...I think Ava insisted upon taking about 100 photos.

Thank goodness for fun aunts!

Rylan - Eight Months

Another month has flown by, and Rylan is that much closer to his first birthday (tear!). 

February was rough as he had pink eye, a rash/fever virus, and a stomach bug. However, last month also brought the best milestone ever…sleeping through the night. Hallelujah! He still wakes up at night on occasion, but we will take what we can get. 

Especially when the little boy waking you up is this darn happy and cute...

Stats: 

No stats this month. 

Milestones/Firsts:

• FINALLY sleeping through the night. 
• First Valentine's Day. And what an adorable little Valentine he was :). 

• Two top teeth (four total). 
• Lifts his arms to be picked up. Love! 
• First (kind-of) haircut. It was time for those sweet Charlie Brown hairs to go. 

• Gets up on all fours and rocks back and forth. He also attempts to pull up a bit. We really need to start baby-proofing. 

• Babbling a little more, and may or may not be saying "baba." 
• First finger food (puffs). I don't know who was more excited about this development, Rylan or the dogs. 

Likes:

• Eating! I swear he eats more than Ava. Favorite foods include oatmeal, bananas, avocados, carrots, sweet potatoes, apples, and puffs. But Rylan would probably eat anything you give him. 

• Playing peek-a-boo. Particularly with Ava.
• Going on walks. Really anything that involves being outside…which is another reason February was a rough month. 
• Sleeping on his stomach with his arms by his sides and his butt in the air. So adorable. 

• Putting everything in his mouth. E-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g.

• The Fisher-Price musical table. Ava showed him the ropes. 

• Bath time. 

Dislikes:

• Bibs. He tears them off immediately.
• Waiting for food once he is hungry.

Funny/Random Tidbits:

• Rylan does this shy smile, that is the absolute best. He will also turn his head and tuck it into my neck when he is being really shy. 

And finally, a few other cute pictures of Rylan from the last month…

The only good thing about a sick baby is the snuggles. 

And this one I will keep forever and always.