Project Life: Week 5

Project Life: Week Five




This was a busy, family-time filled week. Some days it can be tough to think of what picture to take (our days seem so monotonous!) but I'm always thankful I have. With that said...

Saturday, January 29th

Although we moved in July, we are just now getting around to some of the real finishing touches of our home. Today, Josh put up curtain rods in our bedroom. Elaina was happy to "help"!


Sunday, January 30th

Today I wanted to take a picture of a very special family event: my sister-in-law, Nikki, was baptized. However, a nasty headcold had other ideas. I felt so horrible that Josh went grocery shopping by himself (this is usually a family affair). In addition to the groceries, he came home with a get-well package consisting of 3-ply kleenex, peanut M&Ms, and a valentine bear that says "I love you." So sweet!

Monday, January 31st

Still exhausted from being sick, Elaina and I relaxed after I got home from work. She's getting so big, but I never tire of rocking her to sleep!

Tuesday, February 1st

Snowmaggedon. Snowpacalypse. Blizzaster. Whatever you want to call it, it started today around 11:00. It was so nasty they let us out of work early. I picked up Elaina and waited for Josh to get home safely. Elaina was fascinated by the weather!


Wednesday, February 2nd

15 inches of snow later, this is the view to our patio. Had a wonderful family day at home. Not that I want a blizzard every week, but a "Saturday" in the middle of the week was pretty nice.


Thursday, February 3rd

Elias isn't the only one who likes to "model" Mommy's underwear on laundry day. Elaina had a ball playing peekaboo until she discovered she could create a fashionable cotton necklace out of it as well.


Friday, February 4th


Today Elaina had her 15 month check-up. Other than being on the teeny side (18.2 lbs--and she eats like a horse!), she is completely developmentally on track and healthy. I am so, so thankful for that...and for her smile!

Project Life: Week 4

Week 4:


Saturday, January 22


Tonight Josh made supper: ribeye steak and roasted potatoes. He did a great job!


Sunday, January 23rd
The Serrano household was eerily quiet during the Bears/Packers game, and the mood didn't improve with its outcome. After the game, I threw my sweatshirt on the top of the laundry, to be washed and put away for another season. Sigh...


Monday, January 24th
Elaina came down with the flu, so after an afternoon and evening of caring for her needs, a hot cup of tea was in order after she went to bed.

Tuesday, January 25th

Recently, nothing makes Little Miss happier than pulling her books out of the basket, plopping herself in the empty space, and pulling the aforementioned books over herself to read. Tonight she occupied herself for quite some time doing this!


Wednesday, January 26th

Josh is an incredibly talented self-taught guitar player, and today he was putting some finishing touches on his most recent song, which he wrote for me. Have I mentioned how incredibly blessed I am?

Thursday, January 27th

E has been sick all week, so we've missed seeing this precious smile. Thankfully, she seems to have turned the corner and enjoyed playing with her kitchenette tonight!


Friday, January 28th

Did I mention how much we love this smile?

Project Life: Week 3

Week 3

Saturday, January 15th

Tonight we went had dinner with Josh's family. Every one was there, which was really nice--it was the first time we'd all gotten together since Christmas. Elaina and Arcadia had a lot of fun together!

Sunday, January 16th

Josh and I were going to try a new church this morning, but when Elaina went down for a nap at 9:30, it didn't happen. While she slept, Josh looked out the window and saw a coyote wandering through our backyard! We often hear them at night, but this was the first time we saw one. Unfortunately, the nap didn't help Little Miss--another nap, a nagging fever, and a trip to Prompt Care later, she was diagnosed with yet another ear infection. I am so thankful for antibiotics!

Monday, January 17th

The office was closed today, so I was able to stay home and snuggle with Elaina. We met Josh for lunch, and after an afternoon nap (for both of us!) I was able to make Roasted Chile Stew with Cilantro Corn Dumplings for dinner--not a common occurrence on a week night!

Tuesday, January 18th
One of Elaina's favorite activities of late is "rearranging" the lazy susan (if you understand "rearranging" to consist of taking all objects currently residing in the cabinet out, and exploring the contents as they sit at your feet). She is particularly enamored with Bacon Bits. I take full responsibility for this (even if she's never tasted one...).

Wednesday, January 19th

In addition to rearranging the lazy susan, E loves "help" with laundry. Makes it a challenge to get things folded, but it makes her happy :)

Thursday, January 20th

Today was the first day I had to use my new Beband because I couldn't button my pants. Hello, second trimester!!

And I'm including this picture, too...just because I love it.

Friday, January 21st

I believe it was -4 when I got up this morning...this has been one of my favorite views this winter!

Project Life: Week 2

Week Two:

Saturday, January 8th


After the chaotic celebration of Rachel's wedding, we went out this morning for Gramma Beck's birthday. I got the pleasure of sitting across the table from them at Cracker Barrel. Love them so much!

Sunday, January 9th


Today we recouperated as a family (I think we were in our jammies all day!) During dinner, Elaina decided she wanted to use the spoon herself. She was pretty successful!

Monday, January 10th



Josh and I went in on a cow with Jeremy, and today Josh picked up our quarter. 220lbs later, our deep freeze is stocked for the year! Josh is already fantasizing about grilling. And the best part: we got all of this less per pound than what you pay at Kroger!

Tuesday, January 11th

Today I told my boss the news that Josh and I are expecting baby #2! Here is a belly shot from last week (please ignore the stretch marks...courtesy of Lil Miss). I am 14 weeks now...it's going so fast!

Wednesday, January 12th.
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Elaina loves to be read to. She'll often bring a book to me, place it in my hands, and the look at me expectantly until I make room on my lap.

Thursday, January 13th


Mom had a doctor appointment in Peoria today, so we got to meet them for supper. It was great to see them. What I love about this picture is that it's hard to tell who's happiest! :)

Friday, January 14th



Our little lady was feeling under the weather today, but being pushed on her scooter brightened her right up.

Project Life - Week 1

Thanks to TheMomCreative, this is one of my new year's resolutions.



This is my first go at Project Life, so....here we go!!

Saturday, January 1

Josh and I celebrated the new year by going grocery shopping. Unbeknownst to us, Elaina decided to sample the tomato we bought on the way home. We thought she was napping...


Sunday, January 2

I bought Josh a book on the West Memphis Three for Christmas, and he had his nose buried in it all week. Today, he finished!


Monday, January 3


I had a couple hours more than normal with Elaina this morning, which was a wonderful blessing. I was able to put her hair up--she looks so grown up!


Tuesday, January 4


Elaina has discovered the joys of climbing, and she is constantly trying to pull herself anywhere she can. Today, she opted for the "karate kick" method to try to hike herself up onto the couch. She's still a bit small for it, which made it even cuter. (I eventually "rescued" her and pulled her up myself.)


Wednesday, January 5


Tonight we played as a family and Josh snapped this picture of our little girl. I love this smile.


Thursday, January 6


Today we traveled to Rockford for Rachel and Lips's wedding. Here they are at their rehearsal!


Friday, January 7


To put it simply, the wedding was a beautiful success.

Labor Day Fun

While Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer, it was the official start of a very busy autumn for this Serrano clan. Per tradition, we traveled down to Colchester to enjoy the festivities, including a trip to Argyle, time with family, and the parade.

After a restful night visiting with Mom, Dad, and Rachel, we got up early and headed out to Argyle. We couldn't have asked for more perfect weather--sunny, cool, and clear.

Mom showing Elaina the finer difference between"trash and treasure"

Unfortunately, the timing wasn't perfect where Elaina was concerned. While she can seemingly breeze through an entire week with only a half-hour nap in the morning, Saturday was not one of those days. She started fussing before we even got through the first row, and it became clear a nap was going to become necessary if we didn't want a meltdown in the middle of the park...

Sleepy girl with Auntie Rachel

Josh and I took her back to the van, and after a 45 minute nap, she was good as gold. We continued on our adventure and got a few things here and there, including kettle corn and the most delicious lemon shakeup--the kind that comes in the Styrofoam cup--yum, yum!

Nothing says "comfort" like Daddy's arms!

After the park, we came home, relaxed, and enjoyed time together as a family, especially when Jeremy, Nikki, and Brycelynn arrived. Later in the afternoon, Gramma and Grampa Beck, Gramma Copes, Aunt Naomi, and Uncle Todd all came over for dinner. It was so great to be together!

Me and Grampa Beck

Brycelynn--the newest Beck!

Elaina got some exercise with Grampa's walker

Gramma, Elaina, me and Gramma and Grampa Beck

Cousins playing

On Sunday, we headed back out to Argyle to finish up our shopping. Josh and I found a quilt rack for Elaina's room, and I got some decorations for our home. Elaina had a nap before we left, so it was a much more successful venture for all!

Elaina got to enjoy a ride around the park, Mommy-style!

(In the afternoon, we headed downtown to watch the annual parade. So much nicer to watch than to march!) Again, it was a beautiful day--so nice to be outside with family!

We left shortly after he parade, but our adventures were far from over. Three kittens had decided to call Mom and Dad's home, home, and Mom and Dad were nervous they'd either meet an unfortunate end at a car, another animal, or starvation. So after a few phone calls, Josh found a place in Chillicothe that would take them. We loaded them into the car, and after Elaistna was asleep for the night, we gave them the first of two flea baths. Good bonding time for the ol' husband and wife, if I do say so!

Scrub-a-dub-dub, three kittens (and a wet husband) in a tub!

Kittens off to their new home, we went to a cookout at Josh's godparents' on Monday afternoon. Here, Daddy and daughter are ready to go!

We had great food and enjoyed a good visit. Elaina enjoyed the swing with Logan....

...and hanging out with Papa!

All in all, we were busy but blessed. Our autumn is booked mostly solid, so this was a great way to kick it off!

My favorite scents

This morning I woke up to what has become one of my favorite scents.

I had heard about "the baby smell" before Elaina was born (this referring to the lovely, precious smell of her hair and her skin, and not the smell produced elsewhere, which is quite the opposite of lovely and precious), but I'd never noticed it on other babies. I think I assumed it was another old wives' tale, like the one about how lying with your feet in the air will effortlessly and magically cause a breech baby flip. I can personally attest that this will only result in shortness of breath, sleepy feet, and a c-section scheduled for the next week. Moving along....

I don't remember the first time I noticed the scent of Elaina's little head, but it didn't take long before I was hooked. I caught myself sniffing and snuggling and trying to hold the scent in my memory. I remember telling Josh perhaps returning to work wouldn't be quite so painful if I could just find a way to bottle it up; then, when I missed her during the day, I could just take it out and have a smell and somehow pull myself together for the next few hours. And if I had it to make it through work, well, then perhaps I'd capture a little more of it to carry me through as she grows, to hold her babyhood close when she's a little girl playing with her Barbies or a surly teenager trying to figure out her place in the world or a beautiful woman preparing to become a mother herself.

But there is no way to keep the smell of my baby's hair and fresh, clean skin. One day she won't have that wonderful scent; it will be gone and I'll never have it again. There is no way to keep her a baby. And when I'm not swooning in her scent, I realize that is not just how it must be, but how it should be as well.

Until then, though, I'm going to soak it in, like I did this morning.

This morning, when my sweet baby was still asleep and I crept into her room and picked her up out of her crib, still sleeping, and brought her onto our bed for an early morning snack. In those few minutes, when I was snuggled between my two favorite people on this entire earth, safe in my husband's arms on one side, and breathing in my baby on the other. Moments passed, and the alarm went off, and my day had to begin. But in the in between, the only thing that mattered was the thump of the heart behind me and the scent of the little light brown head in front of me.

In and out, in and out, in and out.

With any luck, tomorrow morning will greet me in the same way.