13/52

'A portrait of my daughters once a week, every week, in 2014.'

Sweet C: This child is a bundle of energy. Talkative, silly,  a tad too rambunctious sometimes. But give her some paint or markers or stickers (or sand/water to pour) and she settles down into the quietest, most intent little artist. 

Lolly: She's not into peeling and sticking and re-peeling stickers like her sister. But she loves to paint. It's very serious, thoughtful work. Bonus when she gets as much paint as possible on her hands/face/arms/feet/whatever. 

Drew: Hates tummy time. Loves kisses. 

12/52

'A portrait of our daughters once a week, every week, in 2014.'

Sometimes life's just going along swimmingly and then all of a sudden you have two toddlers throwing up in their car seats as you drive to an appointment. Nobody wants pictures of that week. {Actually, I did take pictures but they were mostly of two sweet babies on a couch sleeping off a terrible bug. Which I've posted before. And, can I just say, cleaning puke out of the tiny crevices of car seat buckles makes you feel like a real, legit mom. Such a mom. Also, I'd like to give a special thanks to my mom for doing things like that for me growing up. I now have a different appreciation for her.}

I feel like so often I have things I want to get done. Not even big things like organize my entire kitchen/house/photos/life. Just little things like take one picture of each baby for the week. And by the time last week was over and I came up for air, I realized I couldn't even do that. In the shuffle of so much laundry (SO much) and cuddles and cleaning and sanitizing and getting everyone healthy,  I didn't even get my camera out. Exhausted was an understatement for the week. 

I'm reading Desperate by Sarah Mae with a group of wonderful moms and last week these words spoke life and gave hope right when I needed them.   

But even in the midst of the tiredness, I can look at my children and see that they are loved, well taken care of, secure, happy, healthy children. They didn't suffer as terribly as I assumed they would because there were days when Mama barely did more than kiss and feed them. And those kisses and that food, it was enough. 

So that was last week in a nutshell. A bit of a wash by most peoples' standards. But not to these three that I get to kiss and feed and love. 

And this week? We've been kicking butt a bit. All three dressed and ready with a breakfast casserole for Bible study on a Monday morning? Who are we?! Honestly, we're not quite sure and we're definitely not entirely implying such butt-kicking will continue. But the kisses and cooking will. And that truly is enough. {Oh, that and Veggie-tales and the Frozen soundtrack on repeat.}

11/52

'A portrait of my girls once a week, every week, in 2014.'

Lola: Little explorer. She's still just so tiny. So much a baby in many ways. But you'd never know by the way she tries to sweep the kitchen or build her train track or discover new places to play. Her 18-24 month leggings may still slide right down while she's playing, but that tiny one is fierce. I promise. 

CG: My constant kitchen companion. If I'm cooking she's usually right there on the counter ready to stir or mash or pour. Sometimes she's a little too helpful and I'm a little too frustrated by it. But most days I just love to have her right there. To dip the lime in the guac and lick it off. {Don't worry though, if you come for dinner, I'll make sure she doesn't do this. Promise.} 

Drew: Doll baby. In between naps, she's now smiling and grabbing anything around to chew on. Every once in awhile we get a good laugh. Her eyes get big when she hears her sisters coming--a mix of sheer terror at the thought of the not-so-gentle kisses she's about to get and pure adoration of those big girls that love her so well. 

pure joy

Springtime and cousins.

For the record, we're not down with things that claim to be for single riders only. Never fear, we will fit two toddlers on there.

10/52

Charleigh Grace: Life is good when you can fit in a paper bag with one pig tail and an audience to appreciate such shenanigans.  

Lola: Life's also good when you can snuggle a baby while holding a water gun (??) and wearing an elephant shirt, tutu, and leg warmers on your legs and an arm.  Because you can. And because two is clearly old enough to pick out your own outfits. 

Drew-bee: That hair. 

9/52

'A portrait of my daughters once a week, every week, in 2014.'

Lolly: Doc McStuffins from head to toe. With the recent discovery of all things princess (thanks to Frozen), it seemed the girls' year long obsession with Doc was over. They still slept with Lambie every night but it honestly felt like the end of an era. And it made me a little sad. But then there's this. Doc jammies. Doc headphones that aren't attached to anything. And stickers on her nose. 

CG: Tippy toes and clean hands. Speaking of obsessions...this girl could wash her hands for an hour straight and be happy. 

Baby Drew: It seems like I have a hundred pictures of her just like this. Probably because this is basically all she did for the first two months of her life. Oh, but now, coming up on three months and in-between naps, she's all smiles and coos and personality. And she can now blow spit bubbles. Even in her sleep. Little prodigy.