Caroline

We've gone from 3 to 4.....

And we couldn't love her more.

Caroline Brannon Fox Hill.

At 6 weeks old, she is a social butterfly.  Talk to her, lock eyes with her, and she lights up with the sweetest grin.  She talks back in coos in gurgles.
Her big sister is already her protector.  Checking to see that visitors have washed their hands, retrieving her pacifier when she needs it, and making sure that wherever we go, Kiki goes too.

So here I go, with a restart on the blog.  Photos, and working on the photography business, and Izzy's later bedtime finally got the best of this little blog.  But we're still here and growing.  So why not try again, for the girls. :)
xo

thanksgiving 2015 // warrenton, va

Some of Christmas 2015

a freckly moment

Tonight, we were lying on Ibby's bed, when she picked up my (very freckly) arm, and said, "freckles!" in her Ibbyish way... I didn't even know that she knew the word??!  Then she asked, "Ibby? Freckles?" So we examined her arm for freckles, and.... lo and behold, she has TWO!!!!  This discovery really tickled us both..for different reasons?  I suspect for the same reasons... Gosh I love her.  

My freckly Ibby girl!

Yay.

XX, 

Cassie

2 // Belatedly

I am a procrastinator.  Obviously.  Izzy's birthday was almost one month ago. In this case, I think we can attribute it to my being in just a teeensy bit of denial that my (formerly) tiny, 6 lb, wide eyed, nursing infant is now a walking, talking, kissy, huggy, silly, loving, wild, sassy, sweet souled little 2 year old toddler.  And time is going by so quickly. 

This little person has opinions, likes and dislikes, fears, and passions.  For instance, she feels passionately about Curious George (adores him)...after dinner walks (loves them).... bows in her hair (hates them- especially when placed there by yours truly..)... dogs -- "buppy!" (obsessed)... jumping on the bed (duh)... etc etc etc....  oh and she loves her family!!  mama, dada, aunt-tee, gigi, dahdoo, popop, mimi, aunt-tee, and uncle will (her version of this is still unpronounceable for me..)... OH and bayuh (bear!)... Loves hot dogs, loves chipotle... Loves wearing dresses that have been sent by Anna. (she puts them on and says 'ahhnaah').  

The amount that we love this little person and her emerging personality is indescribable...We love her  more than we ever knew we could love -- and that is the truth (and I KNOW.. that is exactly what every parent says/writes/proclaims, but it is the truth)... 

So I just got interrupted by a little Izzy wake up.... and was reminded...She likes to be snuggled back to sleep, while rubbing my earlobe... And anytime she's upset/not feeling well...I'll pick her up, and she'll rub my earlobe... for strength ;)  I've seen her rub her own earlobe a few times, while drinking her bubba, but someone else's ear is preferred.. 

Oh what else.... I don't know... But I DO hope that you (you, Izzy) can get more out of the pictures that I take... Because lately, that's where my heart is. with my little muse, my 2 year old sass-pot...With the most perfect curls, expressive eyes, lucious lashes, sparkly smile and vibrant everything... 

Two years old - and it just keeps getting better.  

We love you Ibby. 

xx,  

Mommeee, Dada, (and everyone else!)

PS

these pictures are from the 2nd birthday extravaganza, where we camped at the beach and went for the coolest bike rides ever!!!  

Cozy // Ibby talks

Dearest Ibby, 

I've been putting off writing a little update here on the blog mainly because I'm so overwhelmed by your cuteness and affection and hilarity and silliness... I just know that a) I can't do it justice in writing.. b) i'm overwhelmed at the prospect of even trying to express it in writing.. which is probably why I take so many pictures.. and c) writing down the cuteness, so as not to forget it later, is just a reminder that twenty years down the road you're not going to be this wriggling, sweet smelling nugget who wants to cuddle cheek to cheek with 'momeeee'... 

Oy vey. 

But oh well. 

So about your cuddling.  It is THE CUTEST thing ever.  Actually, it transcends cuteness and is something that I didn't even know existed.  Some months ago, when you were dropping your morning nap but still kind of needing a morning nap...I'd say to you, when you were getting tearful or whiny, and generally nappish... i'd say, 'let's go get cozy'.. so we'd get your bottle and lie down on the couch with a blankie together...sometimes on my bed..and we'd get nice and cozy.... and this was before you were talking a lot... but you learned what it meant to get cozy ;) so I don't know when, but at some point you learned to say cozy, and now you ask for it when you're feeling whiny or tearful or tired..or cuddly... you say it with varying inflection, which can carry different meanings.... for example, 'cohdee?' (let's get cozy) or 'cohhhdeeee' (this is so cozy and cuddly and wonderful)..'cohdee cohdee' (stay here and stay cozy with me and don't move)  you'll also add some other nouns to paint the full picture of what you want: 'cohdee? bed... bubba'  which means... let's get cozy in the bed with my bubba... or you say it at nighttime when i'm putting you to bed and you want me to lie down with you... 'cohdee?'.... honestly, it is the cutest thing that i've ever heard uttered, so it's IMPOSSIBLE for me to refuse...when you were sick the other day, we were in my bed, watching Elmo, and your fever was so so nasty... you pulled my face in so close to yours with a 'cohdee? cohdee?'.. and when i tried to move my face away from your sweaty little head, you'd pull it back in and say so softly 'cohdee.. cohdee'... 

So.  I just want you to remember, that you can always ALWAYS come lie your sweaty little head next to mine when you're feeling sick, tired, whiny, tearful... when you need to reset... when you need a reminder, when you need a really good cuddle... 

you've taught us so much and you're not even 2... ?!

to be continued.... 

xx

Mama