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  • Welcome to Counting My Kisses!

    Counting My Kisses is all about finding that silver lining, even on our most frustrating days. It’s about cherishing my little girls and enjoying being married to my best friend. It’s about taking a minute to stop & remember what’s really important in life—and to discover that each & every experience gives us something to be thankful for.

    I’m a daughter, sister, friend, writer, and most importantly these days, a wife & mother. My life is full of fun chaotic moments, and this blog helps me to capture the laughter and love that fills our house every day.

    Thanks for joining me on this adventure!

Hello, Monday! {daddy kisses + sparkly tutus}

June 17, 2013

Hello, friends!

And hello, brand-new week!

 

It’s sunshiney & gorgeous here today, which is the perfect way to start a Monday. We had a wonderfully busy & fun weekend~ Little O’s first dance recital was one for the memory books, our date night was fab & we had a lovely family-filled Father’s Day. Feeling so blessed this morning!

 

Shall we welcome the week & share some shots from this weekend? Let’s do it!

 

Hello…

beaming & proud Little O, in all her dance recital sparkly tutu glory. She was SO EXCITED, it was 100% the cutest thing ever. 

Hello…

to dancing queen H-Berry, who would have gotten up on stage with Big Sis in a second if given the opportunity. Next year, sweet girl! 

Hello…

to adorable daddy-daughter love. The Hubs bought Little O her very first bouquet of flowers~ Little O was SO thrilled! {also: I must frame this picture, what a keeper!}. 

Hello…

to mommy-daughter snuggles. My heart was bursting with pride & at the same time, slightly tender with how grown-up Miss O looked on Friday night. 

Hello…

to our proud little fam! We were cheering loudly for Little O + her classmates! 

Hello…

to Grammy & Grampy joining in the dance recital fun. We missed you, Mimi + Papa! 

Hello…

to our little tree-hugging H-Berry. She was doing a little dance recital of her own for us while we waited for the curtain to go up! 

Hello…

to Little O in the grand finale, waving like a pro. Love! 

Hello…

to a super fun & much-needed date night with my very favorite guy. Love him so much! 

Hello…

to daddy + his girls on Father’s Day. We had a great day celebrating him & the wonderful fathers in our lives! 

Hello…

to the sweetest of H-Berry kisses. Love love loveeee. 

Hello…

to our sweet girls, their I Love My Dad shirts & a fantastic weekend from start to finish! 

 

And hello to another fun & busy week! Beach time, parades and packing for a weekend away with college friends + their littles…should be a blast!

What are you welcoming this week, friends?

 

Counting My Kisses: It was a packed weekend of fun for us~ just the way we like it! Little O’s dance recital started the weekend off great {there really is nothing like watching four-year-olds dance + tumble around a stage}, and it just continued with our date night & Father’s day celebration. Three cheers for awesome weekends~ hope your was all sorts of fabulous as well, friends!

Linking up with Lisa Leonard’s Hello, Monday series!

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Two little girls {memories captured}

June 14, 2013

Happy Friday!!!

Hope you have all sorts of fun things planned for the weekend, friends. We have a great one ahead~ Little O’s recital tonight, an afternoon/evening date night for the Hubs & I tomorrow, and celebrating all of the incredible fathers in our lives on Sunday. I can’t wait to share pictures!

 

Today I’m linking up with Alison at Writing, Wishing and Galit at These Little Waves for Memories Captured. It’s one of my FAVORITE linkups, since it gives me the opportunity to take a step back & really soak in a moment.

 

There are SO many things I could capture right now:

~ Little O & H-Berry insisting on listening to Baby Nug before they go to sleep. They pat my belly, press their faces to my skin and talk softly to her. The kicker? They always tell her to have sweet dreams and that they love her. Love love love, so very much.

~ Little O’s mothering tendencies. She’s so sweet to her little sister that it can bring tears to my eyes. She’s encouraging, kind and patient~ and constantly taking H-Berry’s hand & including her. I melt {a lot} when that happens.

~ H-Berry’s talking explosion. In the past month or two, she has gone from talking a little bit to talking ALL the time. In mostly full sentences. Sometimes I stare at her & think, is this the same kiddo from a few months ago?! We’re so proud of her!

 

Those are just a few moments I’d like to tuck into my heart for safe keeping. In truth, I wish I could freeze it all right now. Even though the days can occasionally be exceptionally long & trying, I know I’m going to miss these ages fiercely.

Little O at 4 years old. 

H-Berry at 2 {and a quarter} years old. 

And our girls at the beginning of a summer full of adventure, giggles and fun. 

Love it.

Love them.

And love the chance to capture them like this.

Here’s to a great weekend, friends!

Counting My Kisses: I had such fun brainstorming words to use for Little O & H-Berry’s pictures. These two little girls are truly such gifts to the Hubs & I, and being their parents is the best thing we’ve ever done together. I can’t wait to celebrate the Hubs, my dad & my father-in-law this weekend~ and to all of the fathers out there, have a VERY happy Father’s Day!

See you back here on Monday, friends!

 

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Alison

They are so beautiful, and their cheeks! And smiles!
Beautifully done, Amy. Thanks for linking up with us.

[Reply]

jasbeeray

beautifully captured

[Reply]

Julia

I feel the same way about all these moments when they are small, I just want to capture them all.

[Reply]

Stevie

Hi Amy,

I’m stopping by from Memories Captured. Your girls are beautiful and this entire post just made me smile.

[Reply]

Just dance.

June 12, 2013

So.

Have you ever had one of those weeks?

 

The kind of week where for all intents & purposes, things are good & happy & busy.

 

But then {in no particular order}:

 

1. The four-year-old doesn’t want to nap {she’s too busy playing with her 98598 bed friends} and the two-year-old should be renamed Sobfest McGee {because every.single.thing brings on epic tears}.

2. Your allergies that haven’t bothered you in roughly a decade decide THIS IS THE YEAR. And so you alternate between sneezing, clutching your six-month-pregnant belly so you don’t pull a ligament during those sneezes, and rubbing your eyes because OMG they itch so badly that you don’t even care that you’re smearing your mascara everywhere.

3. The four-year-old throws an uncharactistically HUGE fit in public and the two-year-old climbs out of her big girl bed during nap time & knocks on her door, calling out “Mommy? Help me!” about four minutes after you lay down for your nap.

 

Right.

So let’s say you are having one of those weeks. A good week, a fun week, but a I’m-thinking-about-hanging-out-in-my-closet-solo-for-a-half-hour-so-I-can-regroup-on-life week.

 

But have no fear, friends. I’ve found the magic solution.

It’s a little something called dance recital rehearsal.

 

Little O & I went on Tuesday night…and it was fabulous. It was adorable. It was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. And possibly the funniest.

 

Hard to say what my favorite moment was:

1. Little O shake shake shaking it like a boss. Rock it, sweet girl! 

2. Little O cheesing for the audience. Note that everyone else has moved on to the next step. Lol. 

or

3. Little O coming back onto stage solo & posing like Miss America {for no apparent reason}. Now that’s just awesome. 

 

I’ve never been prouder. I laughed until I had tears rolling of joy down my face.

There’s something about watching your child go for something~ really, really go for something~ that makes everything else click into place. The temper tantrums, the bed escapee, the obnoxious allergies~ it all melted away.

And I just enjoyed.

 

Just dance.

Maybe Lady Gaga was on to something…because I’m telling you, friends, watching my daughter just dance was exactly what I needed this week. I’m still smiling~ and what’s not to love about that?!

Counting My Kisses: Friday night is the big recital! And after watching the rehearsal, I’m 100% confident that even if no one remembers even one dance step out there, it will still be the best thing ever. I can’t wait! Also: a huge thanks to Little O & her dance team for providing a little much-needed perspective this week. I’m one thankful momma!

Have a GREAT day, friends!

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Brittney

This made me laugh. All of us moms have days/weeks like this. Sometimes I wonder if I’m doing anything right or if I will ever get a break! Haha! But then they do something so funny like little O and her recital…so worth everything!

[Reply]

Hello, Monday! {Hello, summer fun!}

June 10, 2013

Hello, friends!

And hellooo, Monday!

I’m heading into this busy week with a happy heart & a big smile on my face. We had a GREAT weekend~ just the right amount of  fun activities paired with relaxing family time. I love it when that blend works out just perfectly!

Who’s ready to welcome the week with me? Let’s get started!

 

Hello…

Soccer Girl O! She just started her second season…and she rocked it like a boss. {so proud!}

Hello…

to Little O’s littlest but loudest cheering section. In between snacks, of course. 

Hello…

to happy swimmer #1! All smiles from Little O during swimming lessons. 

Hello…

to happy swimmer #2! H-Berry has a blast swimming with the Hubs {my favorite is when she says “kickkkk….kickkkkk…Daddy let’s kickkkkk!}.

Hello…

to our sweet girls. I melt. {taken at a close friend’s birthday party over the weekend}

Hello…

to super fun weekend visitors! Hard to say who loved having our cousin Kristin visit more~ the girls or the Hubs & I! 

Hello…

to lots of laughter, giggles & dancing for our wonderful visit with Aunt Diann & Uncle Rog. Can’t wait to see them again + their entire fam on vacay in just a few weeks! 

Hello…

to a family funday at our local beach {we were the first ones there!}. We had a fab time relaxing & enjoying our littles, and chatting the afternoon away with our good friends! Love! 

Hello…

to Little O’s lets-go-swimming-Daddy dance. The Hubs wins Father of the Year award~ he agreed & they swam around in the freezing cold water forever! 

Hello…

To our happy little waterer H-Berry. Thanks for rinsing off Mommy’s toes, sweet girl!

Hello…

to soaring summer swings. Watching them play together makes my heart so.incredibly.happy. 

Hello…

to bright blue eyes, a two-year-old grin and sweet, summer-swept hair. Love love love!

 

What are you saying hello to this week?

Counting My Kisses: It’s going to be a fun, busy week ahead for us! From birthday parties to strawberry picking to Little O’s first recital~ we have a schedule that is jam-packed full of awesome the next few days! It’s summer fun at it’s finest, and we’re loving every minute. Hope your week is off to a great start, friends!

Linking up with Lisa Leonard’s Hello, Monday series!

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Diann

We, too, had a wonderful visit with you and your lovely family. Such sweet little girls and such a beautiful family. Thank you for sharing so much time with us, making us laugh, and knowing how very precious that family is to you. Can’t wait for our time all together at the beach. Much love is coming your way, now, and always.

[Reply]

Susi

Looks like you’ll have a busy but fun-filled week ahead of you. I love bright eyes, big smiles and sunshine, too. :)

[Reply]

Amy

Thanks Aunt Diann!! We had such a wonderful visit & we’re counting the days until we’re at the beach with the crew! Thanks again, we love you!!!

[Reply]

Amy

Thanks Susi! Is there anything better?! :) We’re summer girls around here!

[Reply]

Birthday girl!! {Little O turns 4!}

June 7, 2013

Happy Friday, friends!

 

Today’s post is one I’ve been wanting to share for a while~ Little O turns 4! As soon as I can get my teary pregnancy hormones under control, I’ll be writing Little O a birthday letter {all I have to do is start thinking about how 4 is close to 5, and 5 is an entire hand of years under her belt….and yup, here come the tears!}.

But for now…let’s take the less teary option~ her birthday celebration!

 

Our birthday girl kicked off her big day with homemade Mimi pancakes & the infamous You Are Special plate, which made an appearance all through my childhood. Yum! 

Next up…stopping to enjoy the tulips {in her nightgown, of course!}. 

And a little happy birthday dance party with H-Berry & Cousin M. Love them! 

{Why yes, they are all in matching jammies! Good thing you can spot the birthday girl from her large BIRTHDAY GIRL button & tiara, no?}.

Outfit change! Little O is totally into Hello Kitty right now, in case you hadn’t noticed her shirt or tiara. Lol. 

Next up: a trip to the store with Auntie Jen to get graduation & birthday balloons {one guess what ballon Little O picked!}, and then home for lunch…and a special birthday cookie! 

Since Little O’s birthday fell on the same weekend as Sean’s college graduation, we decided to make the day one big celebration. It was awesomely fun to see lots of friends & family gathered together to toast Sean on his huge success~ and to wish Little O the happiest of birthdays.

I think it’s safe to say that she was excited about the whole birthday thing, don’t you??

We had the chance to snap a solo photo with our birthday girl before the party started, which was so sweet! {And if I wanted to cry a little more, I’d also post our first ever family photo together from the day Little O was born…but I’m going to stay strong & resist. Deep breath!}. 

After the family party & a birthday girl requested dinner {chicken nuggets, anyone?}, it was time for cake and presents.

Let’s be real: when you’re four years old, that’s the best part of the whole day!

Little O & Auntie Jen are birthday twins {just three days apart}, so we sang to both of them. Little O was on cloud 9! 

Love!

And then it was on to the presents, which were obviously all a huge hit. 

Cousin C watched the gift opening with a, “so…I have this to look forward to, eh?” expression {also: I adore his baby hair!}.

And H-Berry learned that patience DOES pay off!

In a surprise move that was one of my favorite moments from the happy day, Little O bestowed her birthday tiara to H-Berry for momentary safekeeping. My heart! {and OMG take a look at H-Berry checking herself out in the glass door reflection~ priceless!}. 

There were tons of birthday hugs & smiles to go around…

Of course, I insisted on snapping a quick family shot! 

And then it was time for the BIG surprise! We told Little O to close her eyes {and H-Berry naturally followed in suit}:

Success! Check out that excited face! 

Little O is now the proud owner of a hot pink balance bike. She loves it~ and the Hubs loves working on it with her too. What a great way to finish off a fab fourth birthday! 

Happy, happy 4th birthday, sweet girl! We’re so blessed to have you in our lives~ and your smile lights up our world! We love you! 

{just stop looking so grown-up for a while, mkay?!} xoxo

Counting My Kisses: It was a birthday for the memory books~ sharing a big party with Uncle Seanski, sharing a birthday cake with Auntie Jen, and being surrounding by loving friends & family the whole day. Oh, and a new pink bike! What could be better?!

Have a GREAT weekend, friends!

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