Lily the little Celebrity

Isn't that such a pretty picture of Faith? Minus the chip in her mouth of course. This past week there have two of the most BEAUTIFUL days we have seen in a very long time. The girls and I took full advantage of this. Thursday, after gymnastics, we spent three full hours at a really neat park nearby. Both girls had so much fun. They played really well the entire time!I couldn't believe how brave Faith has gotten! She was more of a monkey on all of the equipment than ever before, wow!

Then we came home and played outside some more! Most of the time Lily loves riding in the car with Faith. That is, until she starts driving like this -

Then Lily wants to get in her own car.

She is so adorable. Then Friday we spent the day at this awesome park downtown! We had a picnic and played for hours. The girls both played in the water the majority of them time. Can you believe it? January and swim suits! Ha. Well, swim suit, I should say. I didn't bring a suit for Lily. I actually didn't bring a swim suit for Faith either. Faith stuffed it in the bag when we were leaving while insisting, "It will definitely be warm enough for me to get in the water." Low and behold, she was correct. So, Lily ended up in her diaper. Guess where else she ended up? In the Houston Chronicle! Look here. She is so funny. Faith was really upset that her picture didn't end up in the paper. I told her that it was okay because I had plenty. Here are a few-

What a wonderful couple of days! We were way overdue for some outside time. Other than that, the week has been your basic eventful, busy week! On our way out the door to a parent/teacher conference for Faith on Wednesday, Faith accidentally shut Lily's hand in the door. Needless to say, I missed the conference and we went straight to the pediatrician. I really adore their pediatrician and know that we are lucky to have one that is as great as he is! During the visit he told me that he suspected that Lily might have a fracture. Of course after this kind of news I was even more shaken up! Mean while, little miss bundle of energy was with us still because I hadn't had time to take her to school yet. So ,in between the ped. office and going to get the x-ray I dropped Faith at school (this made for a much easier x-ray and a much calmer car ride) and grab a coffee...it was 9:00am and I was already dragging.When we got to their other office they got us in almost immediately and we found out that there is no fracture. Halleluja!!!! I can't imagine Lily having to have anything on her hand for an extended period of time. I am so grateful that neither of them have had a serious injury yet, and oh so glad we escaped this close call. here is Lily grocery shopping with me after her traumatic morning. 
She loves Violet (her leapfrog dog) very much. I'm glad she has gotten a little more attached to one specific toy. Faith never really did, but I think it will be good for times like this. For that matter, it will probably be good for any stressful or overwhelming time, which- let's be honest, is almost every day in the Bowden house! Well, that's all I have. I'm exhausted, and it's really late. Off to bed I go!

Catching up!

Oh wow, I haven't posted on here since Christmas! Goodness! Well, let's start with New Years. Zach and I had an AMAZING anniversary trip/New Years. We went to the Retreat at Artesian Lakes for a few days of relaxation! We definitely got it. The word relaxation is foreign in our house. With two incredibly energetic little girls, we rarely have a meal without some sort of episode. We love it though. It was wonderful to be able to spend some time alone for a few days. We did absolutely nothing but lay around, sip coffee on the porch swing, and go for walks. How rejuvenating! Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the trip.

 

Isn't the picture of the sun coming through the trees beautiful? I love it. Well then we came home to our little munchkins and two very tired grandparents! Shortly after we got back it for REALLY cold. I think this picture of Lily is hilarious in her warm outfit. 

She was cheesing big time. What a mess. Here is a nice one of Faith with her first black eye =(. Hopefully her last. She stayed the night with her Auntie Chelle and came home like this. Haha, it always happens when other people have your children. She was going potty and had been in there for a really long time. Rachelle decided to go check on her and when she opened the door, Faith was standing there pulling her pants up, and the doorknob hit her cheekbone. The next morning she had a black eye, Poor baby. She was surprisingly pretty tough about it.

I got a bicycle and bike trailer for Christmas! Woohoo! I had been wanting a bike, and we had been talking about getting a little seat for the back for Lily. Faith is four, and knows how to ride a bike of course. So she could ride along with us right? Wrong. When we go on bike rides with Faith, we maybe make it halfway around the block, and then this happens. We are always far away from the house, and everyone can hear, ugh. We are blessed with two very vocal children, to say the least.

So, as I said, we decided a bike trailer would be the solution. Here is a picture of our first family ride. 

It wasn't quite as pleasant as I had imagined. However, the next go around was much better!

We learned that snacks and drinks are a necessity for a successful Bowden bike ride. Ha! We are going back home today. The girls and I came up to Austin for the weekend to see Granny and Nana. It seems as though that is the only time I am ever really able to update these blogs! I don't know how everyone keeps up with them so well. I am trying though! Oh, one more thing- this past Wednesday we had Girl's Night In at my friend Jeni's to watch The Business of Being Born. I just want to say that EVERY woman should see this documentary. It is absolutely amazing. You can watch it online for $5.99. Here is a quote from the move (so VERY true)  

"Birth is a miracle, a rite of passage, a natural part of life. But birth is also big business."
I am such a believer in everything this documentary stands for. I had Lily naturally with a midwife, and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.  Take the time to go at least watch the trailer. You can watch it here. So awesome. Ok, I really am done now. 

What a Wonderful Time of Year

We have had the BEST Christmas ever. It was so nice for Zach to have time off of work and see our families. The girls and I went to Austin the weekend before Christmas to have Christmas up there with Granny. We also got to go to Gatesville and see my cousins Jerry and Nicole and their children. I was so glad our kids finally all got to meet. She is absolutely amazing with all of the things she makes. Anyone who is interested in the things I make would LOVE her blog. I only hope I can be as talented as her one day! Nicole's Blog. Anyway, of course I forgot to take pictures. I am really bad about that. I did remember to charge the camera for Christmas Eve and day woohoo! We had our first Christmas Eve in our house. It was so much fun. Then Faith woke up to her Barbie car. She was actually a little surprised. She said, "I can't believe he moved me back to the 'Nice' list!". We really had an awesome Christmas.

Christmas is almost here!

The past week has been so fun. Faith had her Medal Ceremony at gymnastics and got her GOLD medal. She is really doing so great there. I'm very proud of her! We got our family pictures done. Jeni is so awesome, everyone should use her for the pictures. Even if they don't have children. Her santa session was only $25.00 for all of these pictures. There are actually a couple more I haven't even saved yet. And you don't have to wait in the ridiculously long line like at the mall. We will never go to the mall Santa again after this!Jeni Hendricks Photography, everyone go check her out! Now the girls and I are in Austin. We came up for the weekend to see my mom and grandma. We are all enjoying ourselves. I'm sure Zach is enjoying having a quiet house too =). Here are a few pictures from the past week! I have so much to do to get ready for Christmas that I can't stay on here any longer!

Advent Service at Church

Last night at our advent service Faith's preschool sang three precious songs. The kids were adorable and did SO well. I was very proud of Faith. She has becoming such a big girl. Watching her on stage last night almost made me cry. Lily is still at Nana and Granny's. It is so very strange not having her at home. Our days are going by so much slower its crazy! Faith asked me this morning if we could go and get our Lily back. I'm so glad she misses her. I'm grateful to have two little girls that love each other that much. I will try to remember that in a few years when they are fighting over clothes. Anyway, I have a ton of things to do today. We are off to gymnastics then to hobby lobby to stock up on some supplies. Then it is home to work I go! Here are some pictures from last night. I also am putting these two pictures of Lily trying to sneak and brush her teeth. Isn't she funny. I should also mention that I just bought her those pajamas at Gymboree last week. Can you guess what size they are? That is right, 3-6 months. My fourteen month old little girl is just as tiny as ever. They fit her perfect. Even though I had to force myself to get them in that size ha!

Playing in the Snow

The girls absolutely loved the snow. It was so much fun watching them play together! Then on Saturday we had our Christmas Cookie and Book exchange. The kids all had a great time. We will definitely have to make it an annual event! Faith loves to read and get new books. This was such a fun way to do that! Of course the cookies were a good bonus. Then after the party we traveled to Austin once again. I sure miss it. We have been visiting pretty often throughout these holiday months though. Mom and I went and did some Christmas shopping on Sunday which I really enjoyed. We hardly ever get to spend time together anymore. I mean we see each other pretty often, but most of the time is filled with little interruptions. I have a really busy week ahead of me. I have to get ready for the Christmas Market on Saturday. I am so excited to have the chance to sell some of my items! Lily is staying the week with Nana and Granny to help complete the weaning process. I miss her so much already, but it was wonderful to get a full night of sleep. I felt like a different person this morning! Here are some pictures from everything!