Savor It

Sharing a moment when my eyes were opened wide.

 

Today I have a post over at the lil omm blog, sharing my experience of doing yoga with my boys (my oldest in particular), and speaking publicly for the first time about Jonah's SPD.  Now that I've cracked that vulnerability wide open, it may make more of an appearance here, too, over time.  If only I could find more time to get here at all! ;) 

Here's to hoping that you are able to see the beauty and progress in life's littlest moments and to remember to celebrate when you do. I'd love for you to visit me over at lil omm !

 

 

This weekend.

WE....

:: Woke up early to raise some money for charity while at the same time lightening our load.  Yard sales are good for the soul. 

::Built community with our neighbors at our annual block party.  Sadly, no fire engine made it this year.

::Pretended we were spies and climbed through some duct work, checked out awesome spy cars and learned to disguise ourselves with mustaches.  (keep an eye out for photos soon!)

::Created circle books here inspired by Gertrude Stein. Love exposing the kids to art museums.  Jonah was really taken with some video and photos of people from this exhibit. 

::Lost our voice completely due to laryngitis and too much socialzing fun!  (Well, I did anyway..the rest of the fam is fine). 

::Collapsed into bed with complete exhaustion, but filled with bliss about how great life is right now.  There is nothing like a beautiful fall day in D.C. acting like a tourist in your own home town.  I love it. 

Hope you had a wonderful weekend as well! 

Feeling Cherished.

(the decadent mushroom ravioli from Newton's Table)

Last night caught me by surprise, for sure. I thought I was going home to dinner with the hubby when I was whisked away to an amazing birthday dinner with three incredible, thoughtful, strong women and my closest friends who I don't see nearly enough.  Thanks ladies for making me feel so loved, so cared for, so SPECIAL.  It was just what I needed to remind me that I am seriously blessed in all aspects of my life, because of the people I have in my life.  We need more girl-time, and definitely more ruby slippers (their signature cocktail that was to die for)!  Sending lots of gratitude out into the world today. 

The best birthday present ever.

Eli and Jonah went to the park with our lovely babysitter and upon returning were in extraordinarily good moods.  Jonah especially.  When I asked him why he was in such a good mood, he got a huge grin on his face and replied, "because I love you."

I think my heart exploded into a million pieces.  What more can a mama ask for? Note to self: no need to look elsewhere for spiritual guidance or wisdom.  It comes to me in my living room from my 3 1/2 year old buddha.

32.

Woo-hoo!  Today is the day.  My birthday.  Can you guess how old I am? ;)  I am so excited about this upcoming year.  Something about the number 32 seems really special to me.  Whereas 31 seemed a bit boring (not that the year turned out that way, but I think the extra 32 mojo is going to really allow me to rock this year).  I also think I have an affinity for even numbers rather than odd, but that's a topic for another day.

This upcoming year I will have a 2 year old and a 4 year old (holy smokes!).  This year I will gain more clarity around what meaningful work I want to put out into this world beyond my role as a mother.  This year I will continue to get stronger and make healthful choices.  This year I will continue to carve out more time for peace on the meditation cushion. (it's really working!) And maybe more time for creativity. And I might try something new.  But I'm not making any fancy promises or holding myself to impossible standards.  Because frankly, that is SO LAST YEAR. 

This year, I'm going to celebrate the small accomplishments along with the big achievements, breathe through the struggle that is bound to come, and keep reminding myself again and again to savor it all, truly, madly and deeply.  Oh, and in between, I'm going to eat some cake.  I'll save you a piece.  ;)

Oh, ordinary day.

I just got this book from the library. I'm so excited to read it (although I may be a bit late to the party because it's been out for a while).  If it's anything like this video, I may be crying the whole time. 

 

Whirlwind.

Lest I should ever look back and forget the reason why I was so tired when my boys were little:

  Last night's bed time....post bath, diaper on, Jonah proclaims "Mama, Jonah run in circles!"

Indeed.

Finally cornered him.  Pajama shirt on. 

Running in circles commences.

And continues. And continues...and in fact, first thing upon waking this morning...continued.  I have a direct mathematical theory (not officially proven, of course) that there is some kind of inverse proportion stating that the more energy your child has means the less energy the mama has, or something like that.  And if that makes no sense...well, it's because I'm tired. ;)

 

The very first day (and then the second...)

  Breakfast on the big day--pancakes and peaches



Jonah on his first day of preschool with his tote bag. This was the best shot I got.  He would not stay still and was not very intersted in looking at the camera!

Tuesday was Jonah's first day of preschool.  It was a very short visit (just 45 minutes!), but it marks a very BIG milestone: the formal start of his educational journey.  I hope his journey is filled with tremendous curiosity, joy and a lifelong love of learning. 

Here's how the first day went down:

Arrived at the preschool.  Went into the classroom (we already met his teachers and viewed the room).  I was carrying Eli, asleep in the car seat, and Jonah was running at top speed, making a beeline directly for the cars and trucks and trains.  He settled in in about 6 seconds.

Me: Jonah, honey, Eli and I are going now, but will be back soon.  Have a lot of fun!

Jonah: Okay, Mommy.  Bye-bye. (I go to walk out of the room.)

Jonah: See you laaaatttteeerrrr, Mommy!

Me: Bye Jonah! 

And that was that.  Really really good for both of us.

And then, today when I was pulling up the driveway of the preschool he says, "Yay, {insert name of preschool here}! Mama, Jonah happy!!"  I replied, "me too sweetie, me too." And then I rushed back home for some way too short, but definitely sweet, moments of silence and bonding with the other babe.  School is going to be a very, very good thing.

 

Welcome Elias.

We welcomed Elias Henry to our little world on Sunday, February 28th at 7:38 pm.  He weighed 7 lbs 5 oz and was 20.5 inches long. (He waited and ended up being 36 weeks 5 days, just 2 days shy of being considered "full term.") We are home now and very busy staring at tiny toes, munching on chunky cheeks and enjoying that delicious new baby smell. :) Oh, and one of us is learning how to be an incredible big brother.  Already protective, and already a bit frustrated that the baby is not able to get up and play.  All in due time, little man, all in due time. 

Things Keeping Me From Blogging: Part 2--The Magical

Amidst the mundane nature of life around here, we've been pretty blessed to have some magical and out-of-the-ordinary moments tossed in.  I'm a little behind in sharing our exciting moments.  About a month ago (I told you I was behind!) I celebrated my 30th birthday by spending 4 glorious days in Amelia Island, FL--sans Jonah but with Jared.  We went all out and stayed here.  (Yay for points and off-season travel!) 

This is the view from the spa, where we spent an entire day (much of it was spent napping in the relaxation room). 

 

A scenic shot of the beach

This looks like a picture I lifted off of the hotel website, but honestly it was the room service breakfast on our balcony.  A treat I definitely could get used to!

The only bad part about the trip...well, it was COLD!  This was my actual birthday and the high was 64!  Perhaps I should have done a bit more research into Florida destinations because.....

This was what my warm and sunny Florida vacation looked like!  Brrr!  Apparently (and I'm sure YOU know this) but north Florida and south Florida are very different.  In my defense, they were having an unseasonably strange cold snap.  At least on the last day it was 74 and we were able to hang by the pool. 

Despite the weather, it was amazing just to get away and to relax and feel like grown-ups instead of just caregivers.  With the upcoming baby, it'll probably be another few years before we're able to get away again, just the two of us, so I feel very blessed to have taken this trip.

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And here's a few pics of our Halloween celebrations...

Jonah and his friend Nico at a Halloween party.  Both were firefighters and both look dead on their feet after the festivities.  Can we say sugar crash?

 

Jonah and his friend Manu after trick-or-treating.  Not the best picture of either, but it was an example of Jonah showing his love for his best bud (Jonah was prompted to give him a hug and this is what emerged.)  

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And finally, two weeks ago we took a quick 2 day trip up to Boston to visit a good friend.  Daddy and Jonah got some bonding time, while Mommy got some much needed girl time. 

Jared and Jonah in the Boston Public Garden

Us at the Union Oyster House, America's oldest restaurant and home to the best clam chowder ON THE PLANET.  It's hard to see, but the lobster is holding a fork and a napkin.  How is it that the lobster has better table manners than my toddler? 

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Well, that catches us up just a bit.   You can see it's not all mundane around here and for that we are very, very grateful.