Father's Day

It is crazy that this is Marc's 2nd father's day... and he now has a second daughter!!  Our house has been pretty crazy lately, but I have to say that Marc has been the glue that has held us all together! The past 3 months have been so difficult on so many levels - we learned we were going to be adding Ellie to our lives 3 weeks early because of my Bell's Palsy, and while everyone warned us that two kids was a big change, I don't think we were quite ready for 2 under 20 months!! Maree is so fun right now, but so busy, and I think I forgot how dependent a newborn is with EVERYTHING/not to mention she's colic.  Throw in the fact that  my face hasn't worked/moved in almost 3 months... it's been quite challenging.  However, Marc has been amazing -- I have had a ton of face appointments and he's either gone with me or he's come home to watch the kids so that I could go... never once  has he ever complained... On my days when I'm upset about how awful I look, he's right there to help change my perspective.  On days when Maree is especially needy because she's a bit jealous of my attention to Ellie, he's there to take her swimming or just play with her.  And on days when Ellie is crying so much that I'm ready to lose my mind, he's there to provide a break and take a turn with her.  No matter the situation, he's been whatever I need him to be, and for that, I'm so blessed, and so grateful.  My girls have a wonderful daddy, and I have a wonderful husband.

Some of my favorite memories of them this past year include the tradition of saying MAAAREEEEEEEE when he walks in the door - her little face just lights up and she rushes to either hide, or she runs to find him

He often takes her on Saturday mornings to go on an Iced coffee run as a special treat to me.  One day he came home and said, "I didn't understand why she kept bending down when I was holding her, but then I realized she drank half of your coffee"

Every night at bedtime he kisses her feet through the crib and she thinks this is a great game - and she has her name "Maree" spelled out and hanging above her crib... however, she realized she could reach it and started pulling it off the wall.  After a few "no, no" warnings from dad, every night when he puts her in the crib and points to her name and says "Maree" she immediately says "no,no,no,no" and shakes her finger

She loves to turn  the lights on and off, and Marc is very dramatic with "waking up" and "falling asleep" on cue with this.  She is delighted every time and it is adorable.

Marc should also be proud because Maree would much rather play with any ball in her toy bin over a doll or her kitchen...

Some of my favorite pictures over the past year - well since last father's day are:

So excited to learn about baby #2
 

Pool time 

Playing at the park

His football princess

Time for cuddles

Her "I will not quit until I've mastered this" face

Little girl, big daddy

Milkshakes

Lifeguard daddy

Baby Ellie 

Daddy even plays with dolls

Daddy and his girls

So Marc, this house has lots of love for you, and we thank God for you everyday.  Last year, was easier to get Maree to sit still (b/c she wasn't walking) and get these Hawkeye pictures taken...

This year, we tried it again... your little Hawkeyes love you!