Best of Friends

How cute are these two??!

Watching your child develop her first real friendship is incredibly satisfying. For a while, they go along playing rather independently of the other children in their lives, and then, when you're not looking, they turn a fairly significant corner. It seems that is just what's happened for Bowen and her friend Esme! In the past week or so, they have been absolutely adorable together - giggling, squealing, hugging, and running after each other with smiles ear to ear! You can see the affection between them and it is just so sweet and totally heartwarming. What's interesting to watch is that this affection is very specific and does not apply to everyone. B & E seem to have captured each other's hearts and genuinely enjoy the other's company.

Esme's mom, Jill, and I met last year while attending the same music class with the girls. We were both pregnant with baby #2 - due within a couple weeks of each other. If that weren't enough, we're both American and the guys both in finance! Henry and their 2nd, Paloma, were born 6 days apart! With all this in common, it's no surprise we became fast friends and it has been so lovely getting to know their family. Watching the girls have so much fun together makes it all especially rewarding. This past Monday was a bank holiday, so we decided to brave a trip out (ALL of us) for brunch. The main challenge (aside from the slow service!) was keeping our train of thought in the midst of the toddler and baby chaos! But, we succeeded and managed to have a really nice time! It's incredibly comforting to know that your friends not only understand where you are, but are right there with you!!!

Thank you Jill, Christian, Esme & Paloma for a lovely morning out.

Can't wait to do it again very soon! xxx

oh - and the fact that the girls were wearing virtually the SAME color was totally coincidental, but similar things seem to happen quite frequently! :)

Party Princess!

Happy happy 2nd birthday to our little fairy princess!

More to come on birthday festivities of the day... xo

Henry is 16 Weeks Old!

How could he be 16 weeks? Where does the time go? Henry is such a sweet little boy and as you can tell, also very cute! He's changing all the time, becoming very expressive and much more proficient with his hands. What a fun age! Just this week, he started pulling down on a little penguin that vibrates as it goes back up. It takes a good bit of strength - I was impressed he could do it over and over! As I was taking these photos, he found his toes for the first time - which was very sweet to watch. I've also noticed that he has become much more snuggly lately, grabbing my arm, shoulder, finger, or hand in an attempt to be with me and get closer. Those moments are just the best. In the past few nights he seems to be getting into a deeper sleep during the night. We haven't given him a night feed since he was about 13 weeks, but he continued to wake multiple times to talk or yell out or play. I don't want to speak too soon, but it looks like that might be coming to a close - and thank goodness! We love our little H but we are all happier when we get our sleep! :) That said, he's so easy during the day, we could hardly complain and are grateful to have such an even tempered little boy. Unfortunately, it looks like he might be headed toward his first cold, as sore throats and runny noses abound here today.

Henry, we adore you. Happy 16 weeks!

Enjoy the pics!! xo

in my jammers

A favorite sequence of mine lately. From one of our lazy mornings since being back from holiday. Bowen has become re-intrigued by all the fun little baby toys that are back out, now for Henry. She was being so playful... in and out of the basket, batting those beautiful dark eyelashes.

Too much fun. xo

I Love My Hands!

Sweet Henry was 14 weeks on Thursday, and that boy just LOVES his hands. Whereas Bowen loved her dummy (until we took it at 4 months old!) H is completely content to chew on his fingers! Some of these pictures remind me of ones I took when he was just hours old sucking on his fingers in a crazy way. So cute to think that even from that very young age, some things are just a part of them. What a content, patient, happy, sweet little boy he is. Everyday just gets more and more fun as he continues to develop his personality. He's starting to grab hold of things and entertain himself with a few toys - a favorite being his little chicken squeaker! His legs are getting super strong and he has great neck control and strength. He hasn't had any interest in rolling over yet, but scoots on his back on the play mat and in his cot. Bowen sat up at 20 weeks, which was early to her peers, so I'll be curious to see when that happens for little H! Oh, it's such fun watching a little one learn and grow! xo

be still my heart

Taken just this morning. Look at them. They are each other's very first loves... brings a tear to my eye. xoxo

Downtime

Since last weekend was our first back from holiday, we welcomed the opportunity to take it easy and spend time as a family. We've been having some really good times in the garden lately. Bowen LOVES it and has found a little concrete spot in the corner that we call her 'fort'. She's is finally content to hang and has stopped speeding off in the direction of the P-A-R-K as soon as we get out there! (She did this for the longest time!) Stew gave B a golf lesson while we were out there too. I don't have any still photos of that, but took video and it was pretty funny. At one point, he almost fired one straight into her forehead! (Just to be clear, this was a plastic golf ball, not a real one!!) Oh, and how cute does Henry look in his little summer hoodie?! It zips down the back making it super easy to put on - perfect for cooler London summer evenings. Just a laid back little guy chilling out!

Can you tell we're enjoying our downtime? xo

My little loves.

Love these photos Stew snapped at the park this past weekend. So unusual for me to get a shot with both of them! We were having a fun and enjoying ourselves. The weather was perfect - just the right bit of warm, airy and beautiful. Henry is 13 1/2 weeks here and Bowen just over 23 months.

We call it happy shmappy. xo

Big Girl Swing

This past spring, Bowen became very interested in the big girl swings. At first I admit I was nervous, but after explaining the importance of holding on tight, we gave it a go and as she's grown it has become a firm favorite. I snapped some photos this past weekend so I could remember this time... she's growing up and things like the big girl swing, that only a few months ago were a little dangerous are now just old hat!

What a big girl you are Bowen! xo

Waiting for a Swing

Sweet moments. xo

Henry at 12 Weeks Old!