True Love

True love is taking your wife out for a night on the town, especially when it consists of masquerade themed parties and dancing.

Let's be honest here, those aren't actually our masks.  We borrowed them from our friends for a picture.

But even without the masks we had a splendid time.

Every year the dental school holds a ball with dinner and dancing and door prizes.

This was our third opportunity to attend such a bash and finally we decided to go.

It was so much fun!

I mean how often do you get to dress up a little fancy, drive into the big city (downtown C-bus), have the valet park your car, and enjoy a night of appetizers, drinks, dinner, dancing, and great friends?

Not to mention a whole night alone with the hubby.

The night life is totally for us.

True love is embodied by this 21 pound, 29 inch gem.

My she looks thrilled to be having her picture taken in the middle of lunch.

The past week of motherhood has been quite possibly the most difficult yet.

Stella caught a nasty cold at the tail end of our vacation and brought it back to Ohio with her.

I know am enjoying it as well, and if I am ever able to breathe out of my nostrils again it will be a miracle.

To add to her misery Ryan discovered she was getting not one, not two, not three; but at least four more teeth.  And most of them were molars no less.

Let's just say we are all a little tired around these parts.

Between almost completely sleepless nights, a whiny baby, and feeling a little cruddy myself I am ready for spring to be here and for a hiatus on the teeth growing.  I mean she now has 14 of them, I think she can take a little break!

Even though it has been difficult the past few days, I am always amazed at the love I feel for my baby girl.

She is learning so much, so quickly.

In the week we were away from Ryan she learned to go down the stairs on her own, say "hi", a few new signs, and started taking some steps.

Since we have been back she is walking more and more each day and continues to learn and grow into a little toddler.

I really didn't think the jump from baby to toddler would be so obvious so soon after her birthday.

Children are amazing things.

Today is the day of love and I am so grateful that I again get to celebrate with two of my favorite valentines. 

They both have taught me that true love is unselfish, it is kind, and it is eternal.

As long as they keep loving me in return I know I will be able to get through and accomplish anything that comes my way.