Lettuce

Lettuce - the green, leafy stuff that grows in a garden - I was never a fan of it. We didn't have lettuce salads on the "menu" growing up. If we went to a restaurant that offered a salad with a meal, I opted for cottage cheese or something of the like. On a salad bar, I skipped the first half containing lettuce, dressings, etc. and went for fruit, pickled beets and cottage cheese. 

I remember an internship experience I had in college that I went to a nice restaurant who served a salad. I didn't want to draw attention to me having a 'special' order, so I managed a few bites and stirred it around the bowl. 

I just never saw the point in it; it seemed like a filler. 

Then, I met Brent. 

And somewhere in the last ten years, I turned over a new leaf (ha! ha!) and love a good salad.  You will most likely find lettuce in my refrigerator on any given day. 

There is another salad eater at our house, too.  Lucas loves lettuce and in the last year, we've come to learn that if Brent and I have salad, Lucas MUST have some on his plate, too.  With a big dollop of ranch dressing and croutons. 

Lucas finished his lettuce and most of his pizza...

then he reached over to my plate and helped himself. 

My favorite place for salad?  That Place - they use Fritos instead of croutons.  

all smiles

Hannah started smiling a couple of weeks ago and it has taken me that long to capture it!

It is instant heart-melting for mommy and daddy.

Sam, the yellow Lab

Sam, the yellow Labrador Retriever, became a member of the Perry family in 1997. He was a typical farm dog, but a lovable, well-behaved four-legged friend. The boys were mostly teenagers by the time Sam came along, so Sam never really was around little babies. Then, Lucas arrived... and Lucas loved Sam but the feeling wasn't mutual. When Lucas was very little, Sam would not come close to him... in fact, he'd walk the other way, or turn his head and ignore Lucas crawling/toddling toward him. As time went on, Sam warmed up to him.

Lucas has named every stuffed dog he owns "Sam." That includes Sam the yellow lab {the original}, Sam the old-school pound puppy, Big Sam the round-ball from Great Grandma and the most recent edition, Sam the pillow pet.

After some health issues and mostly just old age, Sam died last summer. We were all sad and certainly have missed him this winter when the "outside" dog got to come "inside" and enjoy the warm fireplace.

Hannah's church party

Hannah's baptism was Sunday, February 20th. She had a very pretty white dress to wear and the cutest pink shoes (that were too big for her itty-bitty feet).

It was a very nice mass and lots of people who love her were there to celebrate with us.

Her Godparents are her Aunt Karen and Uncle Dominic.

Cousins picture: Lucas, Nick, Caleb, Abby holding Hannah, Claire, Adele, Will.

Grandma Connie and Papa Steve.

Grandma Mary and Papa Richard.

*Lucas wanted to know what all of the food was for and why we were having visitors, so we explained the special day to him and that he had a church party, too, when he was a baby. So Hannah's baptism day was referred to as her 'church party.'

Lucas says... and Hannah grows...

Holding Hannah last week, Lucas looked at me and said, "Let's keep her." I agreed that we should keep her. "I love her," he said.

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Lucas: I grow big soon.
Me: I don't want you to grow up; I will be sad.
Lucas: Don't be sad.
Me: Do you promise to always give mama hugs and kisses no matter how big you grow?
Lucas: I promise. (followed by a great big hug)

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Hannah started smiling at five weeks - so much fun to see her eyes light up and smile! She started cooing and "talking" at six weeks. Two nights ago she slept from 11p.m. to 7:15a.m. and last night 11:30p.m. to 6:00a.m. Yippee; let's hope it continues!

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Lucas brought home a sheet of paper that had Hannah's name on it for her anticipated arrival at daycare. It made me super sad.

Me: Lucas, who's name is on this?
Lucas: Me and baby.
Me: Why is Hannah's name on it?
Lucas: She's going to school.
Me: Will you check on her?
Lucas: Me take care of her in the baby room.

~~heat wave~~

It's been a heat wave lately... temperatures in the mid-40's... in February... in Iowa! I was anxious to get outside and get some fresh air.

Lucas COULD.NOT.WAIT. for me to get his bike out.

Hannah loved the ride and slept cozy the whole time.

The next day was in the 60's and some of the snow in this picture is gone. We still have a lot of snow in our neighborhood and now a lot more mud, but it is so nice to have had a taste of spring!