Each anniversary has held a very different experience. In the spirit of NIAW, I'll admit I spent the 1st anniversary in tears. It marked a year of struggling unsuccessfully to be pregnant. "12" was the dreaded number (of months) because that's when the medical community acknowledges there's a problem.
I do look back on that anniversary and feel ashamed of myself; why didn't I stop and celebrate my beloved husband? I had, and have, so much to be grateful for. (And of course, this is easy for me to say this now that I have my babies. I shudder to think what it would be like if I was still in the midst of that.)

We were newly pregnant with Bradshaw on our 2nd anniversary and were keeping it a secret until I was further along. My mom (who knew) asked, "but how will you hide the light in your eyes?" It's true. We were drunkenly happy. We woke up and feel asleep with huge grins on our faces.

We were living in LA for our 3rd anniversary. Our had our cute chubby boy in the stroller as we walked the boardwalk, the promenade, and then got dinner at our favorite Thai restaurant.

Our 4th anniversary we were already living in Virginia. Dustinn was under a lot of pressure at work and I was shocked that he took the day off. We played in the sun on the coast of MD.
This was 2 weeks before Stefanie told us she had chosen us to be Olivia's parents.

Purdy Pictures

alternate title: Happy Anniversary to us!

We've been married half a decade.

For our 5th anniversary we spent the morning hiking and the afternoon at the National Arboretum. (We planned on having Bradshaw in the hiking pack but he walked over 3 miles. Go b-boy!)

We had twice the reason to celebrate because, just in time for our anniversary, the mailman delivered a very special package: our adoption decree!!! Olivia is officially and legally our little girl! Hooray! We are so happy.

Happy Birthday to you!

it's Stefanie's birthday!

clapping 'cause she's so happy it's your birthday

blowing raspberries kisses!

Not for long....

Olivia was not content with "just crawling" for long. On Sunday, she began pulling herself to standing. It is scary because once she gets up, she lets go. And just dives. She's doing this c o n s t a n t l y.
I have daydreams of a sticking a pillow on her back with a little masking tape belt. Totally joking but something Safety Commission designed would be nice. :)

Sunday

Dance Party!

Our days are numbered

Our days left in Virginia are numbered...at about 16. As I was walk

"and we'll all sleep together in a real pile"

Did you see Where the Wild Things Are?

At one point, Max, the main character, is trying to sell all his monster friends on the idea of building a fortress, and one of the main selling points is that they'll all sleep piled on one another...one big heap of fur.

Our family loves to "sleep together in a real pile." On occasion, when both kids end up in our bed, it delights me that Olivia will sleep nestled in the crook of my shoulder with my arms wrapped around her and Bradshaw will cuddle so close that we're cheek-to-cheek. (Added bonus: as he drifts in and out of sleep will give kisses to whomever is closest to him.) 3am a few nights ago:
This also happens during the daytime.
Bradshaw will lay on his stomach, chin cupped in his hands, in front of the TV. Olivia will repeatedly crawl back and forth over Bradshaw and every once in a while, she just flops across Bradshaw and lays there: belly up in the air and relaxed. Too cute.

Movin' & Grovin'

the way she holds her hands totally reminds me of the elephant march in Jungle Book

Catchin' up on posts. 4 new ones tonight.

Cherry Blossoms

You have to see it to believe it. :)

Coloring Eggs

O Canada

Instilling some Canadian pride in this lil miss. :)

(Dustinn's a dual-citizen.)

Reasons it's hard to work from home...

National Zoo

Yesterday we went to the zoo with Penny, Alex & Annie.
Bradshaw loves animals but was even more excited to see his friends.Bradshaw and Annie didn't even flinch when the gorilla pounded on the glass in front of them.

Isn't this uplifting?

the images are pretty too

NYC

We are lucky to have Dustinn's family living close-by in New Jersey. When we were visiting them a few weeks ago, we decided to take the kiddos into New York City. Bradshaw had a blast.

riding trains (the metro) +

riding boats (Staten Island Ferry)

= one very happy Bradshaw

We saw the Statue of Liberty, walked around Times Square, and ate at our favorite Thai restaurant.

PS When we lived in NYC (back in 2006) we discovered super cheap parking by the temple. And we were stoked to find out it still exists. 5 bucks 12 hours or less. Good, eh? Plus it has this cute sign that always makes me smile:

Happy Easter

the Easter Bonnie, mi madre, and my sister Polly were in town

(we miss them!)

Hope ya had a good one!