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Monday, March 31, 2014

Happy Birthday Luca







Luca is six. 
It's a little hard for me to grasp. 
I like to still think of him in his Buzz Lightyear
pajamas, big round belly, holding beloved Woody. 

Now he's tall and skinny and 
packing Lego guys around in his pockets  

Smart, kind, funny and sincere. 

He really is becomming such a neat kid. 
Other kids all seem to like Luca and want to be around him.
I'm probably most proud of him for that, for just being a good kid. 
Whenever I drop the kids off at school I say, 
"be a good friend"...and then you hope that some of the things that you 
teach them stick and they're not the jerk, teaser or bully at school. 
 He's welcoming and kind. Its possible that he's the goofy kid in class
but I'll take that any day over a jerk or a bully. 

Sometimes he's hard on himself. 
frustrated by the things he isn't able to do on his own 
or discouraged at not getting something the first time around. 
Just keep trying buddy, do your best. 

Luca, we love you. 
You are such a fun kid to be around. 
Six is going to be a great year. 

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Luca's Lego Party










whether it's planned or not, boys end up in costumes, every time. 
weapons, superhero costumes and sugar...they ran
around the house loop about 25 times. 
the poor one girl that Luca invited from his class...

we made a Lego Ningago pinata in the week leading up
to the party. it had been many a years since I had made a 
pinata and I maybe overestimated how many layers were needed. 
the poor kids took turn whacking the thing, broke a bat, 
kept going with a replacement stick and still no spillage of candy. 
I took a bread knife to the thing to try to create some 
structural weakness but still no luck. 
Eventually Dustin and Justin each grabbed ahold and tore
the damn thing apart. The kids didn't care - end result the same. 

Luca was happy as can be. 



Monday, March 24, 2014

This is the Best.


Quite possibly my most favorite picture of all time. 

For five whole minutes I had their attention, 
no whining, no arguing, no baby tears.
Maybe a little bribery but how else do 
mamas get pictures. 

This picture was about ten seconds after we propped 
Adam up on his belly. 
The big kids thought it was absolutely hilarious. 

I love Ava's big girl toothy grin. 
I love Adam looking all awake and surprised. 
I love Luca giggling, watching the other two. 

The reality is that an hour later there was likely
a fight over Legos, feelings hurt when gum wasn't shared, 
a kid declaring this is, "the worst day ever",
a tired crabby baby and a mom still
not yet dressed for the day...
baseline household chaos. 

But this picture makes me happy.
really really happy






Friday, March 7, 2014

Two Months Old


Two months old. 
One more month and I'll be back at work. 
Makes me teary eyed. 

Love this baby. 

There have been some long, hard days
days when I don't get dressed, brush my teeth
or barely get off the couch. 
Days when I'm tired and cranky and lacking patience. 
Stuck inside during a never ending winter. 
But stuck inside with a sweet sweet baby. 
(except from 5-7pm when he screams) 

Fussy days, sleepless days, gassy days. 

But now, he smiles. He coos. 
He takes breaks from nursing to shoot me a grin. 
He's happy when sleeping belly to belly 
or tucked in the sling.

Snuggly days, hungry days, lovey days. 

Love this baby. 



Sweet Thang



Saturday, March 1, 2014

Photo Goals


My goal for 2014 is to get into the pictures with my family. 

When I scan through the past several years the number of 
pictures of me with my kids is so small. Too small. 
Even fewer are the pictures with both Dustin and I. 
Admittedly I have likely deleted many handfuls of pictures 
due to a double chin, excess arm fat or some other 
super critical view of myself. 
I don't want my kids to look back and wonder
where mom was. 

So, either I'm passing the camera on to family and friends
or setting the self timer for candid day to day snaps. 

Oh and also I should back up all my pictures, make albums,
actually print some pictures, make memory books for the kids,
finish baby books and learn to properly use my camera.