March Joys

By far the highlight of the month for the Patterson crew was the arrival of

Baby Isla early in the month!  We haven't met her but from what we hear, she is beautiful perfect!

  DM already talks about Cousin Isla a lot!

 

 Later in the month, DM worked hard to plan Mimi's bday party! 
She picked out the plates, napkins and hats, and set the table!

 

 

And had to wait a REALLY long time for Daddy to get home for us to start the party!
It was killing her to look at cupcakes without eating.

 

Of course she helped Mimi blow out her candle!



 

 

Happy Birthday, Mimi!

Running the River

Me being a fairly intense, serious person can sometimes be more for me, much less my family, to take.  When that happens, David graciously offers to watch DM or do whatever it is that I need done so I can run.  (IE:  Refocus!)  I am not a very good runner.  Running no longer keeps extra weight at bay for me.  My running doesn't use my long legs to my benefit. (My stride is laughable!)  I could really use to go to running school.  

But none of this matters.  I am able to take time for me, talk to God (when I know I should be listening) and watch the beautiful world go by! 

Running is made all the better when I can find a new path, and a few weeks ago, I did just that!

This is my latest running path:

In all the beauty and peace, I can't overlook this new construction coming up on the river.  I am in awe of it.  You don't "just" build on the river anymore.  There is a lot of red tape, etc.  The house looks just my size, too, as I am not one for anything too big.  The same contractors have been working on it the past few times I've run by.  Thinking about stopping in for a tour (and to see if it is for sale for a hearty bargain)!



Happy Birthday, Tahoe!

 

Because Tahoe is a leap year baby, he didn't technically have a birthday, but I couldn't pass up a chance to make yet another attempt to get him to look happy in a birthday hat!

 

 Once the Pawty was over and he got his ice cream and present (and hat off), he was much, much happier!

Happy #9 to our faithful bug!

Avoiding A Big Girl Room!

What do you do when you refuse to acknowledge how big your little angel is getting?  You buy her a thrifty little twin bed, thereby putting off a "big girl" room for another year! 

If you know me, you know that I think twin beds should be reserved solely for criminals, which little DM is of course, not!  However, I just couldn't stomach transitioning her nursery  to something more mature so here is our band aid for the situation until she turns 4!

 

Dentist!

Big girl went to the dentist today!  She had the full exam, including x-rays, and was AMAZING the entire time!  Let's just say the pediatric dentist's office has changed since I was young, or maybe we visited a really swanky one today?  She picked up so much swag - stuffed monkey, stickers, all kinds of teeth cleaning loot! 

The waiting room was full of entertainment - fish in an aquarium, toys and a mini-movie theater!  Her chair had its own tv monitor, and there was so much to watch during the exam!  Now this is our first experience with pediatric dentistry in modern times, but wow!  Not usually a fan of so many distractions but there are some times (like going to the dentist) when the distractions make the whole situation more tolerable! 

So proud!



Happy 3rd Birthday, Love!

Like every parent says about their children, we can't believe our sweet DM is 3! It seems like just yesterday she was born! She is in such a sweet season of life.

I never knew I could learn so much from such a little, but full spirit. There is no holding back when you are 3! Every moment is lived to the fullest! Some of the latest ways she embraces life  and makes us laugh include:

1. She'll embrace a sweet treat. As in devour it long after her friends have moved on!
2. Her favorite foods aren't just good! They're delicious!
3. She'll nearly always cheer for a runner or biker that we pass! (Okay, that one took some training, but I love hearing her being encouraging!)
4.  Given that I didn't care too much for books in my early years, I am thrilled that she gets excited about new books!
5.  DM and Tahoe have always had a bit of a rockier relationship than I envisioned.  Really, he is terrified of her, which has made for many fast scrambles on Tahoe's part in the past couple years.  However, this relationship seems to be improving as DM is ever so slowly becoming more gentle with him.
6.  She will belt out "Jesus Loves You" and many other songs without a fear of embarrassing herself or offending anyone!
7.  Sometimes she is all girl with carrying her "purse" and putting on her "lip gloss" (chap stick) before getting out of the car.  Other times, not so girly!  This kiddo refuses to wear hair bows as of late!

 

Of course we celebrated turning 3 all week long! 

We had a birthday playdate with our MP friends!

 

 

 DM was the special helper for the day at school!

We got to have our own cart at Trader Joes!
(Something I avoid like the plague on our typical weekend visits!)

 

 

And followed up Trader Joes with Chick-fil-A  and cupcakes for birthday dinner!
(Birthday girl's choice!)

 

 

We continued our week with a party at MP with our class!

 

We wrapped up the week with Mimi, PawPaw and the Birthday Bear!

 

Next up, Tahoe's birthday!



Valentines Love

I think February brings more opportunities for complete chaos to our house than Christmas!  We have multiple family birthdays, Valentines Day, Mardi Gras, Lent and the list goes on and one. 

 

Here are some of the highlights of the first couple of weeks of the month:

Making cookies with neighbors!

 

 

Valentines with school friends!

Family pizza night on Valentines Day!

And our February "event" that doesn't have any photos:

I say all the time, we are beyond blessed to have so many friends who love on DM like she is their own.  One is a friend I have known since I was 12.  She's seen my highlights and low lights (hair & life!).  Sweet friend is single, and for years D and I have said we really don't understand how she is single.  And we've meant it not out of sympathy, but as in "Wow!  Some guy is missing out!" 
  She is AMAZING!  Guess who brought a boy over for dinner?  She did!  We love him.  My heart is so full for those two!