Friday, June 28, 2013

36 months.

Here's a little video I put together of some of my favorites pictures. There's one for each month with a couple bonus family photos. I hope you enjoy it! Of course it brought tears to both Chris's and my eyes.

Monday, June 17, 2013

Preschool.

Meredith finished her first year of preschool last Monday. It was such a great first school experience. It was just one day a week and it was a perfect amount of time for her to socialize and for me to get errands done with just one kiddo.

I am so proud of her. I remember feeling so nervous back in August when school started. I was sure she would completely meltdown being left in a new place with new people. That's actually why I signed her up. I wanted her to learn to be a little more independent of me, to push her out of her comfort zone a tiny bit. Of course, she proved me wrong by being completely unfazed by being left. She's loved school, her friends and her teachers. She's learned new songs, new animals and fallen in love with bicycles and scooters.

Comparing her first day and last day pictures is quite shocking. I guess there will never be a time when, in the moment, I look at her and think, "She's so grown up. There's no more baby left in her," only to realize, months later, there really was some baby left in her. I can't believe how much she grew up this year. And I can only imagine I will be saying that every year from here on out.

Her last day
June 10, 2012





Her First Day
August 27, 2012





Saturday, June 15, 2013

Mommy & Me, Vol. 6



Friday, June 14, 2013

9 months.

Nine months in. Nine months out.

Every month I say it doesn't seem possible. Time moves too quickly. And yet, this month it almost seems right. You don't feel like a newcomer to our family anymore. You have your place among us. You are beginning to share your personality with us. I don't know. It's just not feeling so shocking that you aren't still tiny.

This month has been fun. You've really started to crawl this month. You chase your sister around and get into whatever she's doing. You also pull yourself up. You love standing in your crib, in our big front window or outside at the water table. You've also started to be more interested in solids. You poor thing, I'm sure your diet isn't as well-rounded as your sister's was at this point, but you don't seem to mind. You'd be thrilled to live off mama's milk and cheerios.

This month I have really started to see some differences between you and your sister. Of course I have seen them from the start, but this month I just keep thinking to myself, He's such a boy! I feel bad saying that (gender stereotypes and all) but seriously! You grab and pull and bite and jump! jump! jump! You cry to be picked up and immediately launch yourself out of my arms. Physical. So physical.

Mostly, though, you are my happy guy. Happy to sit in the middle of a pile of toys. Happy to eat handfuls of dirt and grass. Happy to cruise in the stroller or doze in the car. Happy to go to new people and happy to return to mama. Happiest when you see your daddy and sister first thing in the morning.

Happy nine months, sweet boy!







Thursday, June 13, 2013

lately.

It's easy to get bogged down my the messes, the whining, the yelling and the nonstop nature of being a mom.

Last night, Chris was out with friends. Because I was on my own, I felt a little less ridiculous crawling into bed with Meredith and wrapping my body around hers. She was sleeping heavily, looking like a perfect little angel. I stroked her cheeks and ran my fingers through her hair. I pulled her close and breathed her in. I savored her presence while she was completely unaware of mine. As I lay there, I couldn't help but think back to three years ago.

Three years ago, my body was swollen tight with anticipation and a full term baby. My first baby was almost here. School was out, the nursery was ready and all that was left to do was wait. I cleaned, I slept, I walked. But mostly, I dreamed. I dreamed of what my baby would be like. I dreamed of what motherhood would feel like. I dreamed of rocking her tiny body and feeding her with my own. I dreamed of walking her in the baby carrier and laying with her in the park. I dreamed of introducing her to friends and family. I dreamed of holding her late at night, watching her sleep.

Last night, as I held her late at night, watching her sleep, I was struck, so powerfully, with the fact that my dreams have come true.