feels like spring

It's been awhile since the last post mostly because we have been crazy busy and in the middle of packing and moving, but also because in the midst of all that I couldn't find the camera and we didn't have a single nice day to get outside and play. We are now settled in with my parents and had a beautiful day to get outside and run and play. Rowan loves having all this space and is also enjoying the constant attention. He is almost impossible to photograph these days because he never stays in one place longer than a second and is much more interested in running from one thing to the next.

Rowan was trying to climb a tree and got a little stuck in the process.

My mom got this little playhouse for free last summer and we finally had a chance to pull it out. Rowan had the best time going in and out of the door and exploring all the parts.

Having a snack

painting

A friend of ours invited Rowan and I over for some painting. I very nice distraction yesterday afternoon! It was great for us both to get out before we get snowed in again. Rowan really enjoyed his first experience painting, but was very serious about his work. I couldn't get him to crack a smile once, he just intently worked.




Jack and Maggie also had a great time creating!

60 degrees in January?

We had record snowfall in December and a 60 degree day in January. I actually thought our temperature gauge was broken this morning when I got up and it said "59". I don't know what's going on but today was just what I needed. The sky was gorgeous all day (once it stopped raining) and gave us a chance to go to the park, and not freeze while we were there! Rowan spent most of his time obsessed with a gang of kids on scooters, or throwing things into puddles, but Josh was able to get a few pictures of him playing.


The lighting was really beautiful when we first got to the park.

Best Buddies

Rowan and his best buddy Monkey have been inseparable the last few weeks. Lately, Monkey has even been showing at meals. This morning, Rowan came to his highchair with Monkey and a fake banana so they could have breakfast together. Rowan ate his entire breakfast with his arm around Monkey, sharing his milk and leaning over to give kisses. So sweet.

Rowan's little brother (or sister)

First photo's from a few weeks ago...

19 months

I can't believe Rowan is already such a little kid...there isn't much baby left in him. He has developed such a personality that is equally endearing and infuriating. He can tear a room apart in three seconds and then climb into your lap and give you hugs and kisses, then ignore you when you ask him to help you clean it up. He loves to play pretend, to sing and dance, to vacuum and cook you some food in his kitchen. He loves to use his tools to "fix" things for you and loves and cares for all his stuffed animals, especially his best buddy Monkey. He has started to climb everything and is trying to talk nonstop. Sometimes when he doesn't know how to say a word he just pretends and moves him mouth with no sound. He loves to play games and to tease, and has such a tender heart just like his dad. Here are few recent photos of Rowan making me laugh.

He really needed to sit in the laundry basket and "fix" his school bus.
He was so proud of himself for trying on Josh's boots and that he demanded I keep taking pictures of him.

New House!

We were surprised today with a call from a builder that the house was going to be set up today instead of tomorrow! Josh and my dad braved the cold and watched/filmed most of the process. Rowan and I showed up at the very end as they were putting the last piece in place and for a walk through. Rowan was SO excited to see all the cranes and big trucks...and the "imaginary" new house we have been talking about for months. Overall I was really pleased with all the finishes we chose. It will be so fun to see the progress from here!

Front view. Siding, gables, front porch, metal roof and stone work all to come.

Rear view. Lots of windows!

Kitchen, not very big, but I think it will work for us. The pictures make the cabinets look weird, they are way nicer in person. If you walked a few more feet and turned right, you would be in the playroom.

I am thinking about hanging some pendant lights over the sink area.

Breakfast nook

Playroom off of kitchen. This will have a double window where the cut out is and two single windows along left wall.

Living room

Standing in foyer looking at living room. Half bath on the left, closet on the right. The doors were a nice surprise, we really like the design.

Rowan was really excited to look out all the windows and get to explore upstairs.

He was also super excited about the giant rolls of carpet/padding he found.

Stairwell. We have two windows that brighten up the stairwell and hallway.

Master bedroom with view of backyard.

Small hall in master to the walking-in closet on left and on-suite bath.

Master Bath

Spare room upstairs with view of backyard.

Rowan's bath

The upstairs hallway from Rowan's room. The center studs will come down so it will be more open. Laundry is in the closet to the right, Rowan's bath is just beyond that and Josh is standing in front the spare bedroom. The Master is to the left of the framed wall.

Rowan's room

Rowan standing at his window in his new room...it had the best view of the big crane, so he was very pleased.

View from Rowan's room...I think he has the best view in the house.