Domino Farms

We headed to Domino Farms for play date with our mom's group this week.  The weather was a little cold and cloudy, so we practically had the entire place to ourselves.  Perfect when my 2 year old likes to run off and explore on her own.  

Lauren loved feeding and petting all the animals...especially the super friendly goats!

 Wills was just along for the ride, but as usual was all smiles!

We attempted to get a group picture and this was the best one I got...no one looking!

 Our entrance fee even got us a hayride.

Hard to believe Miss Lauren was the first one on!

 (Lauren and Max were awfully close...surprising, because he is totally wearing the WRONG colors:) )

The drive to Ann Arbor was just over 30 mins and after our visit we sat under a pavillion of picnic tables and had lunch.  

XOXO

Aubrey

I don't know how she does it?!?!

Sarah Jessica Parker's little movie has sparked a lot of web discussion. This blog post really spoke to me because I'm constantly feeling like just when I catch up on the cleaning, I didn't play enough.  So then I build towers and read all her favorite books only to find that the laundry piled back up.

But being the perfectionist that I am I bought a new planner to get me more organized because surely that is the ticket to doing it ALL, right?  Now armed with "the bible," I'm carrying it everywhere and writing my goals and to do's for the week.  Planner or no planner, its just as hard.  

(had a $25 off and its personalized...cutest planner ever)

 I do feel more organized and find I have a central place for all things Crawford, but realized that no one does it all.  You can't.  If anything, I'm starting to see that I can't compare myself to anyone else.  I'm the Chief Operating Officer and my boss is always telling me I'm my worst critic.  Its my show and instead of looking at what I didn't cross off the list, I need to say "you go gurrl" for the 15 things that were crossed off.  

Speaking of "I don't know how she does it,"  I co-hosted a lunch with my very talented cousin Colleen.  We split the responsibilities and she took hers to the next level.  She put a lot of thought, time and energy into what she did and it truly showed.

The bellini bar...

 and amazing grilled chicken salad with homemade salad dressings were to die for!

 Its about the memories we make.  And the more and more I let go, I'm finding that balance that makes our family work best.  I'm not wired to play Candy Land with a sink full of dishes, but I'm learning to.  Because she'll never remember how clean the house was, only how TOGETHER we made the mess!

 Four generations of Dutt's women, thank you for a wonderful afternoon!

XOXO

Aubrey

Six months

Wills is 6 months!

Everyone always says that it goes by fast...and it is.  He is really sitting up and rotating around the floor on his tummy all day long.

Everything is going into his mouth and he is drooling a ton.  No teeth, just drool.

His wild hair has a bit of a curl to it.  I wanted to cut it for our upcoming family pictures, but Billy didn't.  He won.

My most devoted reader asked me awhile back if I felt more a special bond with William because of the difficult pregnancy and loss of my dad.  And at first I said no, but Billy and I are planning a weekend away in a few weeks and I'm getting so nervous to leave him.

I never felt this way with Lauren so it made me think of her question and how William and I have barely been separated since he was born.  I'm not sure if its because I'm not working or because he wasn't taking a bottle or the emotional pregnancy but there is something special between us.  He follows me with his eyes whenever I'm not holding him and smiles at me every chance he gets.  My sweet William.

He is weighing in at 14.5 lbs, gaining 1.5 lbs from his 4 month appt.  Even though he gained his rate slowed down and the doctor wants him back in a few weeks to just make sure everything is ok.  He could just be going through a growth spurt, but she wants to be sure.  We are adding veggies and fruit to his diet, as well as some formula to hopefully pack on the lbs.

Have a great weekend!

XOXO

Aubrey 

And they play...

This is what I caught them doing on Sunday afternoon.  Playing together.

Lauren wants so much for William to be able to do what she does and you can really tell William wants to do what she can.

She was saying things like "there you go" or "you did it."  I'm not really sure what she thought he was doing, but heh, good for him!

 He seemed pretty happy with himself as well.

 It was one of those moments where you just know its gonna get better and better...these two, our family.  

 Yesterday.... 

Who needs toys when you can make a "train" out of yearbooks!

XOXO

Aubrey

First Day of School

Tuesday was Lauren's first day of pre-preschool.  Because of her December birthday, she missed the cut off for preschool this year, but I really felt she needed something without me.  Well, we both needed it.  I made a big deal of the day.  A new dress that she got to pick out and a special pasta dinner the night before to carb up!

She was excited to wear her new outfit, complete with new shoes, of course.  And use her new backpack...

Backpack courtesy of her canadian grandparents...thanks Annamaria and Mark!  She has pretty much shunned the pottery barn backpack I purchased:)

She even wanted pigtails like her friend Tinsley who always wears them and is in her class.

Probably my new favorite picture.  Its already on the fridge and will hopefully be making its way to the top of the blog...with the help of Billy.

Grandpa helped out with William while I took Lauren to school and was a nice stand in for Billy who was traveling.  But Billy was able to join us for day two!

Here we are at Hand-in-Hand...so far, she was still happy.

She started playing right away, but when I left she got nervous and there were a little bit of tears.  When I went to pick her up, the teachers said she did great, but when she saw me she hysterically started crying.  Apparently, "it was kind of scary."  She said "I cried, Tinsley cried, Tommy cried, that little boy cried..."  Par for the course, I guess.

We talked over the next few days that it is ok to be scared, but mom will always come back.  It seemed to help on Friday because she was great when we left, but did cry when I picked her up.  I think once she really realizes that school is fun and mom always comes back, she'll be ok!  I enjoyed a little break on Tuesday and power grocery shopped on Friday with William.  I'm welcoming the time with just William, the routine we will start, and some freed up weekend time now that I can tackle a few things with just one kid.

Happy Sunday!

XOXO

Aubrey

Flower Girl

Lauren was a flower girl last weekend at my cousin's wedding.  She said she was a princess, of course.

Our outgoing toddler turned out to be very shy and scared in her starring role.  Right after I took this picture, she started crying and clung to me the rest of the ceremony...which only lasted a total of 10 minutes.

 Congrats to David and Sam!

  Cousin David with Lauren and Uncle PJ

 Was someone else a little J-E-L-I-S of all the attention Lauren was getting?

First picture in awhile of Lauren holding William...she let go 2 seconds later.

The reception was a few hours later and Lauren made an appearance and then Billy took her home to be with Grandma and Grandpa.  It was nice to enjoy a few hours with my mom, PJ, and Billy without the kids.  

(belt courtesy of Megan L. -- thanks devoted reader, it totally completed my look!!)

XOXO

Aubrey

Something clicked.

Last week there were so many moments I was in awe of my little girl.  The rules, the manners, and the lessons we've been trying to teach seemed to have finally started to click.  After eating, she asks for her hands to be wiped.  She'll grab a book and "read" it.  I dreaded walks all summer because I feared Lauren would get hit by a car as she ran into the street, but this week, she listened.  She even told Sydney to "stay on the sidewalk."  This little girl is becoming a big girl.  I'm sad and happy.  The growing up is making some things so much easier and more fun, but I can't help but see that toddler door closing.

Lauren likes to assist me with cooking.  Every meal, everyday.  As soon as she sees me going to work in the kitchen, even if its just pouring a bowl of cereal, missy says "I want to help."  And people, this is not a question, it's a statement, and don't argue.  She pushes her chair over, samples, touches what she shouldn't, and actually helps in the least way possible.

On Friday, we baked oatmeal chocolate chip cookies to satisfy a craving Billy was all week.  She sampled leftover vanilla on the teaspoon and dipped her finger into the sugar.  But then, as I was going to pour my flour mixture into the bowl without her knowing, she said "can I please help, momma?"  What, she's asking me?

When you ask nicely and use please, I really can't say no.  I explained that she had to pour a little at a time and she did it perfectly.  I couldn't get over it, I was so proud of her.

So heh, why not let her try out the mixer?  The bowl may or may not have been spinning and almost fell onto the floor, but I blame myself trying to snap a picture.

Her favorite part, along with every other kids, this mama included....

And just because I'm in the bragging mood, she loves Memory.  Lauren's good, really good.  She beat me for realz.

Hope you all had a good weekend!

XOXO

Aubrey