The Tale Of Two Mornings

Or the tale of all mornings, really. Poor guy gets smothered with more kisses than he knows what to do with. 

Sunday, January 29.

Monday, January 30.

But he's not complaining.

Absolutely Glorious

I love to snuggle Micah right up under his neck.  I want to breathe in as much of his sweet smell as possible, so I get my nose as close to his little neck crevices as I can, even when I know it's mixed with some formula and a little lint.

Hannah Kate, she can give the best hugs this side of Texas. I love it when I'm sitting Indian style (is that okay to say anymore?) and she runs to throw her arms around my neck. Her little body almost knocks me backwards and her little face finds the perfect place between my shoulder and neck. And sometimes, she's just too excited and she squeals and almost burst my ear drums. 

And my sweet Elizabeth. She is getting so big. She's finally mastered the art of not giving sloppy kisses. Well, that's if her nose isn't running.

It was in the middle of the chaos of three little children running around and a very messy house that I knew I wouldn't trade anything in the world to be here. Here, still in my pajamas, hair not brushed (but thankfully the teeth were) in the midst of the three diapers I haven't had a chance to throw away yet.  

I'd rather be deaf from hearing Hannah's screams of delight and feeling her warm body embrace me than any 5 figure salary.

To have this perspective tomorrow will be if-y. There's nothing very romantic about motherhood. Or glamorous, for that matter.

But glorious? Absolutely.

Auto-tuned Bed time Song

Thanks to this app!

Catching up with the Parnells

The last month has been a whirlwind. Here's a little catching up (in pictures mostly):

Uncle Joel came to visit.

Then Grandma.

Christmas morning happened.

and then she turned 4! 

Poppy, Granna, and Uncle Aaron came to visit.

He shaved.

She got cuter, if that's even possible.

And him? 

Well...

He grew.

UP!

OVER.

NIGHT!

Oh. and we bought a house.

and yes. this is our amazing backyard.

Also, in case you haven't noticed, I became a .com. So now to get here, all you have to do is remember my name: www.MELISSAPARNELL.com .

We close on the house February 15 and will move in shortly afterwards. We are excited. And nervous. And I'm a little sad. There are lots of memories in our sweet duplex. But if you know of anyone in Twin Cities area looking for a place to rent the first of March, we know some pretty awesome landlords.  

Happy Birthday, Elizabeth Grace!

 

Happy 4th birthday, my sweet, imaginative, free-spirited, extroverted, artistic, pays-attention-to-details, glad, particular, compassionate, and affectionate little girl!

You have filled our family with such gladness and joy. And our lives have been forever (happily!) changed because of you. 

May Jesus make his face to shine upon you. May he be your portion forever. And may your heart be intensely satisfied in your Maker! 

I love you to the fairies and back, my darling!

All things Hannah Kate

Hannah went in for her two year appointment. She is currently 34 inches (45 percentile in height) and 26 1/2 pounds (42 percentile in weight). We were pleasantly impressed by the 3 lbs she packed on since June. Overall, she is growing and developing wonderfully--something we certainly don't want to take for granted.

Some other random things about our dear Hannah:

• She refers to herself as "Hannah Tate!" 
• She calls Micah "ga-ga" and if she refers to him as Michaiah it's "me-ga-ga"
• She calls Elizabeth "la-la" but more recently she will randomly say "wit-a-beths"
• She moved from saying "da-da" to "daddy". It melts my heart.
• Sadly, she has started to abandon mama and resorted to mom. She is 2 going on 15.
• She takes apart her sandwiches. 
• She likes to string her string cheese.
• She loves bananas.
• And elmo.
• And Woody.
• and Wendy (from Peter Pan).
• and princesses.
• She also likes shoes. and jackets.
• She doesn't like to wear mittens.
• And she likes to touch the snow. 
• Yeah, not a good combination.
• She loves, LOVES the "kismas twee." 
• And I love to hear her say it so much, I may never take it down.
• This kid has some hilarious dance moves.
• Her first question in the morning is always, "where daddy?"
• And her favorite question is, "why?"
• She counts like this: one, TWO, free, nine, TWO! It's too cute to correct right now.
• She's a really great helper. She will take shoes to the front door, try to hang up her jacket, grab a diaper or the wipes, and throw diapers and trash away. 
• And if I can't get her to do any of those things, Woody gladly does it for me. 
• She likes music.
• And she likes to wear big sister's pajamas. 
• She knows most of the animal nosies. But if she doesn't know, she will say "meow"
• She quivers her chin when she says "Naaayy." 
• She is loaded with personality.
• She likes to say, "A-MIN!" for amen.
• She is currently cutting all 4 of her 2 year molars. Poor girl.
• She gets the most compliments on her hair.
• And the next, being those big blue eyes.
• She's a cute one. and she knows since "Wook at mee!!" is a common phrase.
• If she gets caught disobeying, she freezes. except her eyes. They are moving up and down and side to side with big blinks in between.
• She hates getting her hair brushed. 
• If she doesn't like her food, she likes to say, "eww! uck!"
• She's a hoarder. She would hoard her food and toys if we let her.
• She likes to snuggle.
• And put her cheek next to yours when you slow dance.

And these are only the beginning of the things I love about her.  

Photo taken by Jordan Cave

Our Christmas Card

Merry Christmas!

Love, Hannah Kate