snapshots: a little behind

So I have fallen a little behind in my portrait resolution,

and just keeping up here on the blog.

I have always told myself that this blog wouldn't get in the way of

being a mom, but would be a nice creative outlet for me in my free time.

And lately my free time has been spent doing other things I love,

playing, reading, sitting outside in the beautiful weather,

going on family dates, napping, and spring cleaning.

We have been well.

We celebrated our favorite guy's birthday early in the month of April,

had a wonderful Easter feast with friends, and spent a week loving on and being 

loved by my brother, sister in law and their new puppy.

1. birthday tradition, I make a cookie cake for him and he decorates it :: 2. their favorite eggs :: 3. I just love her face here in our easter outtakes :: 4. Easter clothes from Grandma :: 
5. Waiting for Bracken, Grace and Mugsy :: 6. quiet afternoon book time :: 
7. Our favorite Engineer and Ballerina before they headed home.

:: :: ::

Follow me on Instagram @edendaygreer, 
for more day to day quips about our life.

little cordie is 3

Hi little 3 year old,

I can't believe it, you made it!!

After 3 years of crazy illnesses,

weird bites, odd rashes,

and horrible head bonks,

you are still here!

And we could not be more thrilled.

All joking aside, your dad and I are some of the most blessed parents on the planet.

You are hilarious, so fearless, and headstrong.
You love to sing, play and joke.
You, our 2nd daughter,
are a beautiful child.
So often, while watching you play and interact,
I am wowed by your marble-like, sapphire eyes
so focused on figuring out how to make those blocks do what you want.
You purse your lips too while you work,
and those same lips can produce the biggest pout I have ever seen.

You love all things Superman still,
and I like that.
You are also fond of the snowman from Frozen, Olaf,
and lately have asked to watch "The Croods" every day since it came on Netflix.
You made your own cake this year, chocolate bear-shaped cake,
with white frosting, blue sprinkles and Superman on top.
It was delicious!
You are a great and intentional helper.
You try to always look for ways to help me,
and I find it inspiring and challenging!

As I sit here this morning, just 5 days after your birthday,
watching the gorgeous snowfall,
I reminisce about the day you were born.

February 1st, 2011
during the huge blizzard.
You were by far my easiest delivery and 
were simply the sweetest,
quietest little infant.
You had the most delicate features,
surrounding these two searching eyes.
Your hands and feet were a little purple,
so I warmed you up by laying your new baby self on my skin.
The way you looked at me, I felt like I had known you for so long already.
You are my favorite snow day gift.
As we left the delivery room,
I remember being wheeled down the hall,
windows on each side,
watching fat fluffy snowflakes cascade down all around me.
I was in a snowglobe, and for someone who adores watching snowfall,
it added to the specialness of the day you were born.

I hope you always stay brave, headstrong, and curious.
God has given us you, this special girl,
and I hope to help you grow to know Him, love Him and serve Him.

Dear girl, your daddy and I love you times a billion!

XOXO,
Mama

five

Well, I have a 5 year old,

and so far, I love it!

Not that I expected not to, but 

this is the first age of my girls that has felt big.

This year I offered Nora the choice of a birthday party,

or a family date, and much to my joy and surprise she chose a family date.

So we had a fun day planned, but when Thursday came around,

my best friend wasn't feeling so well,

so we improvised, postponing family date till he felt better.

Her 5th birthday consisted of,

- Chocolate chip muffins made by mama and the Cord

-Presents

- McDonald's with Playplace time 

- A trip to the mall with just Mama for photo booth pictures

(she wanted a little bit of lipstick for them and I obliged, eek)
- a visit from some great friends

- Facetiming both sets of grandparents,

(we are generously blessed in that department)
- a photo shoot in the leaves.

- Her favorite supper: Mac and Cheese, Chicken, Carrots, and Applesauce
- white chocolate raspberry cheesecake, complete with pony and raspberries

- And more presents

I think for improvising, it was a very fun, special, and full day for our girl.

And here is 5 facts about our 5 year old:

1. She wants to be just a mom when she grows up, 

but she doesn't know what to do with her kids all day.

2. She wants to dance in the Nutcracker,

she doesn't have to be Clara, she just wants to dance.

3. She loves to stick out her tongue in pictures.

4. Her favorite color is pink, purple, red, turquoise, and violet mixed together.

5. She is very thankful for her family.

27

Hooray!!

I am now 27!

We had a very quiet, simple day,

complete with steak, playground,

a cake my husband made, 

and a wonderful birthday surprise

that brought tears to my eyes.

Birthdays are my favorite!

speaking of favorites,

here are 9 random favorites of mine,

some may be a surprise:

1. It Takes Two -- I know almost every single line from this movie,

and oftentimes quote this quirky Olsen Twins classic.

2. R&B -- I own 3 Boyz II Men CDs, can still sing

U Got it Bad by Usher in it's entirety.

(and I sometimes attempt to dance like him too, you're welcome for that visual)

3. Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens -- read it junior year and 4 times since.

Second favorite book is Great Expectations.

4. Mossimo Boyfriend Tees -- I have the same shirt in 5 different colors,

that is shopping for me!

5. While You Were Sleeping -- favorite Christmas movie.

6. Jess -- favorite of Rory's boyfriends.

7. Pinkie Pie 

8. Colonial Williamsburg -- favorite childhood vacation

9. York Peppermint Patties

Also, it's friday!! so here are our feet!

"November brings birthday cheer and Christmas cheer! 

Our home warms up with Christmas, even if our schedules are busy.

 Lovely evenings curled up on the couch next to the tree

 watching the Gilmore Girls... just lovely."

--Samantha of Elah Tree

My awesome night consists of my 3rd piece of birthday cake today

and Foyle's War (another netflix favorite).

After a week of partying, this is a night I have been needing.

Wishing you a happy weekend!!

Dear Little One

Dear Little One,

     One, one year old, ONE?! How?! Why?! 

I love you, Penelope, you are a beautiful soul!
I love your constant smiles and laughter,
(after your first three colicky months, whew).

I loved watching you dive into your first birthday cake,
like you had totally done this before,
like you thought it might go somewhere.
We like to joke about that poor piece of cake,
you couldn't get enough.
You appreciate food, a lot.
You're favorites include but definitely are not limited to:
avocado
sweet potato fries
peaches
bananas
cheerios
oatmeal
chicken with rice
and obivously, birthday cake

You love to be outside.
Swinging is your favorite thing to do at the park,
and you would sit there all day if I allow it.
Whenever we go outside I follow chase you around 
grabbing everything from your mouth.
You crawl so fast, I know that once you start walking/running, 
I won't be able to catch you.

You are passionate.
We can't wait to see the little girl you will grow into,
but at the same time, please don't grow too fast.
You play intently and you love toys and eating books.
You are persistent and focused.

You love your family,
you just love to be around us.
You play with your sisters and can definitely hold your own,
cracks me up how awesome your grip is.
And even the doctor remarked,
"Wow, she is very strong for a 1 year old."

 I love seeing your face light up when you see me or your dad.
(I won't hold it against you that you have said "Yea-yea" before "Ma-ma",
I may bring it up from time to time though).
You love to wait at our glass door, smacking it till you can see us coming.
You shower us with so much love, we are thankful.

Little Pip, you are our joy! 

We are blessed by your life!

I can't wait to celebrate more birthdays with you!

Love,

Mama

xoxox

Pip is turning 1: Friday Feet

Happy Birthday Pip!

We are so excited to celebrate you this weekend!

And all the way in California...

Samantha : "Roses, roses, and more roses! It has been absolutely lovely. 

And I started running again this week. 

Wish me luck!"

Happy Weekend Everyone!!

#arhfridayfeet

Pip is turning 1: 7 to 12 months

seventh month

eighth month

ninth month

tenth month

eleventh month

twelfth month

Tomorrow is her big day!! I am so thankful for our littlest daughter!

Pip is turning 1: the first 6 months

first month

second month

third month

fourth month 

fifth month

sixth month