2 years of friendship

We are all very different, yet all very similar. We found eachother 2 years ago and have made a point to get together once a week with our babies.. well now toddlers. It is the 2 year anniversary of becoming friends and starting our playdates. I know for a fact that being a stay at home mom wouldn't be as great without my mom friends and their children. We share our stories, milestones, and challenges. We are there to sniff another child's bum to see if it needs a change and we always have extra diapers or snacks to share. There are so many great memories shared in the past couple years. I know there will be more. Today we celebrated with cupcakes while visiting the clydesdale horses. The cupcakes were also good bribery to get the kids to sit for a few pictures..



Life is so much easier with a friend (or 4!) by your side...

little clothes

Over the past weekend I pulled down the monster sized bin of newborn clothing from the attic. I wanted my sister to go through it and take what she needs for Abby. Her due date is approaching fast (woohoo!) I picked out the pieces one at a time and held them up. No, I did not wheep into each piece of infant sized clothing with thoughts of my baby being grown. I did hold them up and say, wow I can't believe she was that small. I called Anya in the room to show her how small she was. She smiled and said, yeah! ;) I dug through and made two piles.. clothing to give Jill and another pile of summer dresses that she will not need for a fall baby. As I reached the end of the bin (holy crap I had a TON of clothes for that small amount of 3 months), I saw it. It was pink and little and I brought my baby home from the hospital in it.
I found Anya's going home outfit. A lump formed in my throat. It brought so many memories back. Yes, I did shed a tear or two. Yes, I even smelled it. The wave of emotion didn't come because she is grown up and I will never get that little newborn Anya back. I felt it because we have come so far. I remember when we took her home and that feeling of uneasiness and apprehension of the days ahead. I felt so much love and I knew we would make it but I didn't know what to expect. When you first become a mom you know you can do it, you probably know you will be good at it, but you don't really know the type of mom you will be yet. It's nice to know the type of mom I am... and it's even better to like who I see. Our family of 3 has evolved into something very special and I cherish every moment. Even the scariest moments of raising her have been the best. I would take each of those heart pounding moments over any other time in my life. You have always been the best part, Anya, and I will hold the memories I have with you and never let them go.
The outfit...


Now she is such a little spitfire. She doesn't stop moving. all. day. She will pick dinosaurs and trains over princesses in any situation. She makes funny faces and sings songs. Her specialties are Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and the Alphabet Song. This age rules and I am loving it. So, I will not yearn for her to be a newborn again, yet I will love the emotions a memory can bring.





got static?

Irene

I am not one to mess with mother nature. I know she could get us real good if she wanted to. The media is great at getting everyone worked up over nothing. We were expecting a hurricane so we prepared in our own way (made chili, checked for extra candles, had brother in law over to mix hurricanes)... the storm came and went and this is pretty much the extent of our damage (pic below). We didn't even lose power! I know there are many still without power, including my sister. I have my fingers crossed for you.

Well, at least the hurricanes (drinks) were fun!

soaking up summers end

Before I know it three years will have gone by and we will be packing up a small backpack with fresh crayons and pencils. Anya will have on her shiny new shoes and hair clips. I will stand at the door and cry as my baby gets on the big yellow school bus. At the beginning of the school year I always had a bit of anxiety as a child. Later in the years where I was the teacher going back to school, there was still that anxiety of a new beginning.
But for now, we play. We are pretty darn good at it if I say so myself. In three years I may look back and yearn for these days of picnics at the park with friends. I am soaking up each moment because moments are fleeting, especially the wonderful ones.

Yes, there is Anya in the middle of it all... she's good at soaking up the moment too.

Pinwheels in the wind

Four 2 year olds sitting at the same time.. a miracle!

One of her favorite things is to run down a hill to me. I, of course, catch her in dramatic fashion falling to my back in a big hug. ;) She also likes to pretend she is a butterfly with her arms stretched out. This summer has been great... you have a lot of competition, fall :)

Jill's baby shower

My sister's baby shower was a success. The morning of hosting a shower is always filled with a bit of anxiety. Did we forget something? Will we have enough time to set up? Between my mom, my sister's mother in law Trish, myself, and some help from the grandfathers/uncles we pulled it all together. It turned out to be a beautiful day and she received many wonderful gifts. Abby, we can't wait to meet you!
Look at these centerpieces. Tricia made them... AMAZING.. Jills nursery bedding has birds on it so the birds and birdhouses pulled everything together.

We love to do baby clotheslines. In the bottom right is the diaper cake I made her.

Isn't this hat the best? I can't wait to get newborn pics of Abigail wearing it.
The favors

I love my sister and I can't wait to be an auntie!

Here is my sister at 34 1/2 weeks pregnant.

These two are going to have a beautiful baby girl with them soon!

shined up

Dwight and I haven't been to a wedding in years. When we dressed up on Saturday to attend a wedding on a Boston cruise ship we made sure to get a photo. We had a blast!

More to come on my sisters baby shower which was on Sunday..

Hello in there...

Anya rubbing my sisters pregnant belly :)

Peach picking

It was a beautiful morning with temps in the high 70s and a nice breeze. We headed out to go peach picking and feed some goats with a couple friends. Anya LOVES feeding goats. I have to practically drag her away from them. She did great with picking peaches and got the hang of it. We will definitely enjoy apple picking this fall.

Chalk fun with ducky and moosey (behind her)

.. and my personal favorite..

..zzzzzz..

Anya and Haley pretending to snooze...

Vacation!

We have counted down the months, weeks, days until our lake vacation. Every year it is the highlight for my family. Last week was filled with swimming, boating, relaxation, and tons of family time. The highlight for me was Anya swimming with only floaties on her arms! We are so proud. She is a little fish in the water and every day asked for her swim suit, beach and boat. I made a slideshow of my favorite memories from the week. Enjoy!