In D.C. before the snow came- at the Air & Space Museum

Before all the snow last week, we visited the Air & Space Museum in D.C. We lucked out with the best parking spot! 3 hours free just a few steps from the entrance! I love the off season! Except it's frigid cold (that's why we drove.) This was a big reminder to me that we only have a few more weeks of tourist free museum days before Spring Breaks start/Cherry Blossom Season. Navigating a stroller (try a double!!) through a crowded museum is not easy!

See- not a soul in sight. 

This trip was different from the many other times we had gone. With our friend Ellie, we focused on the Earth, how we can see it from space, astronauts, and just digging into the science behind it all. It was really exciting to see Taryn listening and enjoying the exhibits in a way she had never observed them before. 3 year olds are thirsty of knowledge! This is really a fun stage of life. I thought of all the potential "mini school" sessions we can have before the tourists get here.

Taryn looks like so small but also so big in this picture. Yup - that's my little girl, dwarfed by the planes hanging above, walking all by herself around the Air & Space museum, exploring what is to be seen.

This was also our first major outing (besides parks, church, some shopping, and grocery stores) after being Potty Trained. I wonder how I would have done it without my friend Nikki there. Because the second I started nursing Hadleigh, Taryn had to use the restroom. Oh boy! I feel like after having Hadleigh, I have relied so much on the help from others. Someone else pushing Taryn in a swing while  I grab my fussy baby, someone watching Hadleigh while I take Taryn to the bathroom, just juggling the ins and outs in general of getting somewhere! 

Our 6th Valentine's Day Together

Valentine's Day!

We made Banana Pancakes, dyed red & in heart shapes for a fun start to the morning and we all made sure we wore some sort of red, pink, or purple (with hearts if possible!)

It was Tyson's 2nd day working from home due to all the snow we received which meant we were able to spend his lunch break together!

During Tyson's lunch break we made little Valentines for each other. Taryn was seriously overjoyed by the Valentine that Tyson gave to her. She held it like it was the most precious piece of paper and exclaimed, "Oh, thank you Daddy!!!!" while hugging it. 

Our good friends insisted we go out on a Valentine's Day Date!!!! Thanks to Lynne & Chris for taking our girls so we could have that time together (see- we're getting better at this dating each other!) 

I loved all the snow covered the grounds as we walked around after dinner.

Happy Love Day!

"Sleeing Booty"

Over the past few months, Taryn has fallen in love with princesses. I think it has a lot to do with those adorable Fancy Nancy books and some cute gifts from both Grandmas. Taryn affectionally calls Princess Aurora, "Sleeping Booty."  

She is our little sleeping beauty.

She's a big kid now :)

How is it that in just one week, our Taryn could change so much? 

By Sunday both Tyson and I were marveling at the fact that she seemed to change over night into little woman. It's like she knows that she will be three years old in less than two weeks and wanted us to know what a big girl she's become. 

The biggest triumph of the past week was her becoming potty trained. We couldn't be more proud of Taryn and her determination, focus, and control. It was a breeze compared to the first time we tried a year ago (almost exactly!) and then again 6 months ago. 

She was just ready for it this time and it had to be on her time schedule, not mine ...i.e. wanting her potty trained at 2 yrs, or not wanting two kids in diapers!! 

We were all so very patient (yes- even me!) and the whole process was so so easy! I've taken mental notes on how to handle the whole potty training thing for next time. These poor first borns have it so rough! True "testers" of their parents' parenting. Maybe that's why they are so strong!!

Her patience with everything has increased and we feel such a difference in the day to day life, not facing as many battles as before (but don't get me wrong…we still have some!) She is a comedian and has a very strong silly personality that keeps us laughing. We are amazed at her abilities and new found willingness to try different foods and activities. 

I feel like I should wait to write all of this for her birthday but it's on my mind now and there's no harm in saying these things again!

We love our [not so] little girl so much!

Pretty pretty princesses at Preschool

Thinking back to a month ago when Preschool turned into a Princess party :)

What these girls do

Hadleigh loves her thumb and any one of her fingers really

her smiles are precious!

Taryn likes to take her favorite toys for a ride on her "decorated" scooter

Taryn also likes taking lots of really close up pictures of Hadleigh

And of the toys she plays with

Sister cuddles…even when one ended up not too happy about big sister wanting to be in her space

She found my skate board under our bed and has been taking rides on it ever since

Oh soccer! Taryn loves you so much!

Squirmy

We got ready for the picture, but by the time the photo was snapped….

she wanted nothing to do with mommy…..

and everything to do with these cool bubble water wall arts….

Can't win them all… :)