Let's get this party started

This one snuck up on me:  2.  I can't believe that my baby girl turns 2 years old tomorrow! I have been thinking about it for the past month (or two).  But, surprise! It's here. Boom, she's 2.

This afternoon, while she napped, I ran out to the store and picked up the balloons we ordered, and some flowers, as a surprise.

I think waking up to "boons" and "fwowahs" was the perfect way to kick off this party weekend.

See ya

Honestly, this is probably the extent of our festivities!  It is going to be a pretty low-key affair. But one thing is for sure:  this baby girl, this almost-2-year-old, will be surrounded by love on her birthday.

xo

Because that is his name

Last night, RWF and I were tucking Bode into bed.  Bode mentioned "Nichoras."  I paused, and then said, "You know, Bode, maybe his name won't be Nicholas."  Without any hesitation, Bode replied, "No. His name is Nichoras, because that is his name. That is what he wants to be called."

I am struggling with naming this baby.  I have several names, and they are all different (traditional, boho, eclectic, etc.). I guess I will just keep my list, and then refer to it when the baby arrives. 

I really believe that seeing the baby helps seal the deal. 

And I hope, that whatever his name turns out to be, that he won't mind also answering to "Nichoras" because I think his big brother Bode will insist on it. 

xo

Amusements

Sunday, RWF pulled out the sandbox, thinking that maybe the children need more things to do while we are in the yard.  My reaction was, "Meh...."  but then I watched Gianna play in the (empty) sandbox and thought better of it:

I love taking the babies to the bookstore.  Right now, we're in love with anything written by Mo Willems. We all crack up at his hilarious stories. We have a million books at home, but I can't leave the bookstore without buying at least 1 (or 3).  This week, we brought home, "There is a Bird on Your Head" (an Elephant and Piggie story). I think I laughed the most while we read it. 

And of course, no visit to the bookstore is complete without a stop at the cafe for a treat.

We also went to the Children's Museum.  With our rainy weather, it  has been crazy busy in there.  This visit, we left without visiting the art room, and Bode threw a royal fit outside when he realized that we were leaving without any craft time.  He has never acted like this before.  I took him home and put him straight to bed for a nap.  He slept for a solid 2 hours.  I think he is exhausted from last week's events, and is slowly catching up on much needed sleep.

Gianna loves the bandstand (making music).

Seeing what creepy-crawlies live underground. Euuw!

Inside the bubble maker.

And finally, we are taking Priscilla to the dog park these days.  She is completely traumatized by the lake flies (I call them horseflies).  She refuses to leave the house, and is just miserable all-around.  Sunday we discovered that the dog park is a good alternative.  There are no flies there, and we can all enjoy a trail walk together. 

I am really worried about P.  She is so down, and all she does is sleep on her bed all day.  I hope that a daily visit to the dog park will lift her spirits.  Hang on, P! 

See ya.

And that is our week so far.  I have some thoughts about the end of the week, to celebrate Gianna's birthday. The weather is supposed to be super-hot (90s) so we decided to nix our outdoor plans completely.  We'll celebrate, indoors and with food!

Happy Wednesday.

xo

It ain't me, babe

A long, emotionally draining week has past. I left my babies and buried my mother, and the two events damn near killed me.

****

After saying goodbye to Bode and Gianna, I walked into the nearest airport restroom and cried.  I thought I was being quiet and private (as private as you can be when you feel like your heart is being wrenched out of your chest, in a public restroom).  I composed myself, and I opened the bathroom stall to find a (kind) lady standing there, waiting, with a concerned, sympathetic look on her face. "Are you okay?" she asked.  I nodded and burst into more tears. "I'll be okay," I stuttered through sobs. "Are you sure?" she asked. I nodded and left, to be by myself. 

The kindness of strangers always surprises me. And I am always grateful when I witness it.

****

Right now, I don't really want to write about my mother's burial and spending time with family. I imagine I will, in time. But right now, I want to stay far away from it.

****

Once reunited, we spent the weekend together, but apart. We were together, but tried  hard to give each other space, time to rest, and also gave the babies lots of love (because it was HARD being apart).  I was so happy to be with my family again, but also needed time to adjust. It is hard to go from one emotional, exhausting  ride and then jump on another, equally emotional and exhausting ride. 

RWF and I are both physically and mentally spent, for different reasons. So we worked around each other when we could. One of us would care for the babies while the other took a few minutes for himself. When one of us snapped, the other would allow it, or simply walk out of the room to allow for more (needed) space.  Sunday, we were listening to music while I cooked dinner.  All weekend, I have  had "It Ain't Me, Babe," (by Bob Dylan) drumming through my body, so I requested it. Without a word, two seconds later, RWF had that song blasting for me.  We sang along.

There is still a part of me that needs to hide out, grieve, cry, recharge and get my act together. I still have a lot to process. I have a lot of thinking to do about this past week, along with all the other baggage.  But I don't have time for that right now, so somehow I have to do it in the small increments of time that I can carve out for myself. 

I am tired. Grateful, but tired.

****

Photos from this past week:

My sister thoughtfully ordered bouquets for my mom, from each sibling, containing flowers from each child (sibling) and grandchild.  The two white roses represent me and RWF, the two pink roses represent Bode and Gianna, and the pink rosebud in the middle represents Baby F.  I like the way the little daisies are kind of hiding the pink rosebud in the center. Little Baby F has not made his debut, so it is fitting that he is tucked away like that. 

I brought home some fun (tacky) souvenirs for the babies (from a trip that I did not want to take):

On Sunday, we took a much-needed family walk to recharge and regroup:

We really, really miss our family walks that we used to take in California.

See ya.

I hope that everyone had a restful weekend (dontcha wish it was longer?).  Coming up this week: a birthday for Miss Mia Gianna.  I can't believe that she's going to be 2!

xo

Happy Father's Day, Daddy

We love you.

Thanks for talking, and listening, to us.

Thanks for the rides.

And more rides.

And more.

Even when you think you're "done" giving rides, 

another baby comes along and says, "my turn, daddy"

Then she storms off if you ask for a minute to rest.

But then you give her your drink, and  all is well.

You take us to the Farmer's Market.

And we eat food that you buy for us.

We sit on your lap and drink your drinks.

And still, you give us more rides.

"More, daddy."

More rides.

You fix bikes, tires, toys and everything else we break.

With you, every moment is an opportunity to learn.

You fix things that we break trying to "fix" ourselves.

You appreciate every little thing that we do,

and you always make us feel appreciated  and loved.

And that's why two of our favorite words are, "Daddy's Home!"

For this, and all the other countless things you do and say, and for all the love you give to us that is available to us every day...we say, "Thank you," and "We love you, Daddy."

xo