Ephraim Turns Two

This week has been really great. Yesterday, our baby turned TWO! I'm not really sure how this can be, but I am excited to have a two-year-old again. Though Ephraim is able to say quite a bit, it will be nice to hear him start to speak in sentences and really be able to express his thoughts and feelings! I will miss the cuddly baby stages, and goodness will I miss his chubby cheeks and juicy legs when they slim down!

 

Our week started off with a trip to our closest big shopping town. It was kind of last-minute, but when you find a day in January that is supposed to be 40 and sunny, you take that drive! :)

 

We made it to Home Goods and Target, with lunch at Chick-Fil-A. Though I could have stayed and shopped all day at the many other stores, it was time for E to head home and nap in the car.

I snapped a couple of photos of Ephraim to use for his party :)

At the beginning of the week, I caught a glimpse in the mirror of how long my hair was in the back, and I knew I had to schedule a cut asap. It was getting close to touching my jeans! My new friend and hairstylist Carrianne fit me in yesterday, and she made my hair look so much healthier at the ends (and she even curled it for me!) 

While Ephraim was watching Daniel Tiger yesterday morning, we surprised him with a birthday present--five little Daniel Tiger figurines! He loved them! (And tried to carry them all at once by hoarding them under his chin :)

The four of us went out for birthday donuts, and MorMor joined us too!

 

Ephraim slept away most of the afternoon, and then we went on a big grocery trip to Walmart. When we got home, he opened his other present, which was a track for the boys' Chuggington trains. We found it on serious markdown at Home Goods on Monday--only $5!

Nolan went to bed scheming how he is going to get out of bed at some terribly early hour so he can sneak downstairs and play with the track before E wakes up :)

Hope you have an amazing weekend!

And if you want to see more of our birthday celebrating this weekend, check in with me on Instagram @rachel.zimm!

White Snow & Rosy Cheeks

On Saturday, we went over to my mom's house to play in the snow! Ephraim had never officially played in the snow before since he was just learning to walk last winter. The boys donned thick snow-pants, knit hats, boots, and mittens, and we headed out into the backyard. Ephraim promptly took three steps and then faceplanted in the snow. After yelling, "Help, Help", and getting picked up, he carried on. :) 

Even though we could tell he loved getting pulled around on the sled, he had a really serious face the whole time.

Nolan made his first snow angel! He's cringing because he's afraid the snow will get in his face ;)

The best daddy!

Our little Michelin Man :)

Exploring with MorMor :)

E was so excited to actually touch the snow! He kept trying to take off his mittens and feel it his bare hands, which soon ended us back in the house to warm up.

I loved this day together. Now, I'm not much of a cold-weather person, so this was about my fill of snow for the year. But, I would do anything for these little boys. And I'll definitely treasure these photos of their joy in the snow. :)

A Cold & Cozy Week

Hello Friday! I've been thinking a lot about scaling back my posts from five days a week to three. I think this will greatly help me balance all of the pulls of motherhood, so expect new posts Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays!

This week has been COLD, and aside from a few small errands, we've really been really comfortable at home playing trains, eating lots of snacks, and reading plenty of books.

I'm not sure how many Cars cars we have (30?), but all four of us know all of their names like the backs of our hands. :)

 

Our bathroom remodel is so close to being done! With Ephraim's contributions, it'll be ready in no time.

Pulling out all the tools to help Daddy.

Last Friday, we joined MorMor and Papa Don for a Pizza Hut feast.

E was too busy dipping breadsticks to smile :)

On Tuesday morning, my friends and I surprised our friend Heidi with a baby sprinkle for her little boy due next month. My boys were so excited to sit at the booth with all of their buddies!

N and E love getting chocolate chip pancakes at restaurants, but I didn't account for the cupcakes from the baby sprinkle, and the cookies that Eat N Park gives out to kids. Sugar overload!

Happy little cookie monster. :)

 

Nolan got a Planes Fire and Rescue "Chutes and Ladders" game for Christmas, and he is really loving it. It's so fun to see him learn how to play board games, understand the rules, and accept both winning and losing.

 

I made my Aunt Meg's Mexican dip, and I posted the recipe last night. Check that out here-- it's my absolute favorite salsa dip!

Some of the best moments happen when putting these two to bed. For many months, Nolan always says the exact same prayer, "Dear God, thank you for my family. And thank you for my little brother, Ephraim." He has never changed his wording, even when we've encouraged him to. But last night, out of nowhere, he added, "And please help Mommy to make the signs for Ephraim's party." At some point in the day, he must have overheard me telling Steve that I was having trouble designing them. How perceptive, and how sweet of him! I love age four.

Thanks for stopping by today. Have a great weekend! Stay warm!

Keep up with us on Instagram @rachel.zimm