Simply Incredible

Happy Halloween! 

Blessed

Our sweet Margo Baby was baptized Sunday, April 28 surrounded by our family and closest friends. Our dear friend, Lynsay serves as Margo's godmother, while my baby brother, Joey is smitten and happy in his new role as godfather. 

While we were unable to use the same beach chapel we had used for our wedding and previous baptisms, we were honored to have the baptism officiated by Brother Bob. 

I do believe there was some degree of divine intervention in this event. 

Let me submit the following evidence:

1. Not only did I find a dress in my closet that fit my post baby body, I also discovered a pair of fabulous red heels that worked beautifully. 

Winning!

2. During the ceremony there were nine children present. Throughout the nearly thirty minute event, there was barely a peep, even from our youngest guest, Zoe who is 10 days younger than Margo.

They made the faces AFTER the event. 

3. Margo was happy the entire event.

Okay, not the entire event, but the entire ceremony, even as the water was poured on her head. 

She even calmed down enough to get a photo with her sisters. A photo in which they all were looking at the camera at the same time!  

frame worthy

4. Finally, my sister was able to keep the baby in...

for only three days later, we met our newest member of the family, 22 days early.

Tiny, but feisty!

Welcome to the world Danny!

What a week! 

Photos courtesy of Ashley Pierce Photography. 

So Long '12

Happy New Year!

With the addition of dear Margo, time seems to be running away from me. The first few weeks (months) with a newborn really leave little if any free time for things like showering, cooking, and blogging. Thus, my yearly photo recap which I would have like to have accomplished prior to the New Year, has been instead left for today, January 1. Please reserve criticism for this entry, as the majority was written one handed, with sleeping baby resting quietly in the other.

Let me share, my favorite photos of 2012. 

January
Our Sunshiny Maevie Baby's 2nd Birthday Party

February
Excitement as we head to see the Laurie Berkner Band

March

An unseasonably warm day the end of the montt brought out the Ice Cream Man

April
Moira's Fourth Birthday Pirate Parrrrty

 

May

Fun at the local street fair

June
We let our little surprise out of the bag!

July
Fourth of July Bry & Maeve with the fireworks

August
The four of us at Jeanna & Ian's wedding

September
Sunset Beach, Cape May NJ
A most perfect end to a wonderful beach day.

October
Boo at the Zoo
The morning before the mass distruction of Superstorm Sandy damaged so much of NJ. 

 

November

Fun with the fall leaves

December
A most perfect Christmas present!
All three of our gals underneath the tree.

We truly have been blessed with a fabulous year filled with lots of fun and family.
Here's hoping 2013 only continues on the same path! 

Just in Time

Here she is, 

just in time for Christmas. 

Introducing 

Margo Elizabeth

December 15, 2012

8 lbs. 20.75 in. 

Big sisters Mo & Maeve are just as smitten as their parents with their little sister. 

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas! 

Birth story to follow. 

Mother's Day Snap Shot

"What do you want to tell me today on Mother's Day", I ask as she's playing with her toys.

"Because you're the best." Mo says, looking up with a string of gold pearls around her neck.

"Why?" I ask.

"Because you're nice."

"What do you mean I'm nice?

"Because I love you."

"Is there anything else you want people to know about mommy?"

"I like to play about you."

"What does that mean?"

"Because I love everybody. I play with you."

"huh? Well what do you want to tell everyone."

"Happy Mother's Day to you, and all you computer people!"

She's four, immersed in her imaginative play. Of course, she can't be bothered by her mom.

Turning to Maeve, she's sitting on the arm of the chair. Lounging, finishing the rest of her cereal bar.

"Is there anything you want to say to mommy today?" I ask.

She looks up, away from the Wiggles and says, "Yup. Happy Birthday Mommy."

Looks like a perfect Mother's day to me! 

That Mom

It's Tuesday a school day for Mo.

But today isn't just any ordinary Tuesday, it's her first Valentine's day in school!

The first time for the tissue box mailbox, 

the first time for Valentine cards, 

Valentine cookies, 

a Valentine party.

Valentine's

Valentine's
Valentine's!

It's time for the adorable heart tunic and the red leggings.

It's time for the crafty and utterly cute photo Valentine cards with the lollipop, totally stolen  inspired by the Pinterest project.  

It's time for the bags of Lindor truffles and thank you cards for the teachers. 

It's time for the delicious pink pancakes with heart sprinkles made with love from mama to kids. 

Thank you Fiona for the inspiration!

It's time for Mama to come in to class and lead a Valentine theme project.

the valentine hug
by: Moira

It's time for Mama to calm the f--k down, because I'm way more excited for Valentine's day then Moira.

When did I turn into THAT mom?

Or wait,

have I always been THAT mom?

Bry and I hardly ever celebrated Valentine's day before children. Sure, there were a few nice dinners here or there, the occasional card or candy or cupcake, but nothing really over the top.

Now I'm adding pink food dye to pancake batter and trying to one up the other mom's coming up with photo Valentine's cards instead of a box of cards. I'm eagerly signing myself (and my friend Danielle begrudgingly) to plan and lead a craft for Mo's preschool class.

I'm drinking the Valentine's day Kool Aid, this year. Hell, as I'm typing I'm wearing red & white heart socks.

What has become of me?

I've only been a mom for less then four years, but based on the facts, I think it's clear to say, I am THAT mom.

I'm the one that gets overly excited for birthdays and holidays. The mom that starts planning birthday parties months into advance. The one that has a gift closet, and puts way too much time and energy into things.

I'm THAT mom.

I'm the one taking photos of every silly milestone. The mom that has a multitude of pinboards on Pinterest dedicated to celebrations, party planning, & kid crafts. The one whose kids seem to have overtaken my life.

I'm THAT mom.

I'm the one that looks for that smile. The mom that can't wait for the laughter. The one that is fueled by the whispered "Thank you!".

I'm THAT mom, and I guess, for now, I'm okay with that.

Plus, I've got a fourth birthday party to plan for Moira. Those parties don't plan themselves so I don't have time to worry.


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12 in 11- The Photo Edition





As I scour the photos I have accumulated this year, I cannot believe all we have accomplished, all we have experienced.

 This year has truly been remarkable.

I realized a few things:

1. My photography skills leave much to be desired.

2. I have taken a ridiculous amount of pictures this year.

3. I rarely, if ever, am captured on film.

4. I really do have a pretty good looking family.

5. Wow, we did a lot!

Not soon before Maeve's first birthday, I had the quiet realization that the girls actually started playing together.
Their first tea party in our playroom, captured in January

On her first birthday, I had grand hopes of a cake smash of epic proportions with the hand made snowman cake. Instead, it turned into the emotional meltdown of epic proportions!
Poor Maevie baby, but it was a Happy first birthday!

We were reunited with Bryan's brother Casey this January as he visited from abroad, meeting our girls for the very first time. This visit also afforded us the opportunity to meet his lovely wife and son.
Most memorable, indeed!

Moira vs. the Potty
Someday she'll hate me for this photo
Thankfully, diapers went bye-bye around someone's third birthday!

My..I mean Moira's Somewhere Over the Rainbow celebration

Fresh Beat Band at Sesame Place
Front Row
Major parent points for Bry & I on this one!

Our first beach trip of the season
Maeve hated the beach

By the end of the summer, I had to fight to get them to come in.
My two little beach bunnies!

Where did the time go?
This September at the ripe old age of 3, Moira started preschool.

Halloween 2011
Reusing that Dorothy costume from her birthday, I had fun with tulle to transform Maeve into Glinda.

After a summer of anticipation, Moira finally was able to play Tot Soccer. With Bry as the coach, we braved the field early each Saturday morning. Looks like the start of something beautiful, my girls & sports!





Holiday hugs & Giggles

Linking up with My Front Porch Swing & Four Plus Angel's 12 in 12 photos or words

The Letter

Wrapping paper pieces covered the floor, as the last of the boxes was opened. Maeve held the stuffed Cookie Monster securely under her arm, as she paraded around the living room, while Moira walked over to her father's embrace.
"Did you get everything you had hoped for." I asked. Her blues eye met mine, and without hesitation she began.,
"Santa didn't bring me the accordion or the drum kit. He didn't get me the *twister too."
*turntable, microphone, & headphones that a DJ would use
"Were you naughty?" Bryan asks.
She is adamant, "I was more nice then naughty this year. I promise!"

This year, at three and half years Moira "got" it. She understood the idea of naughty and nice, and after a few conversations, she respectfully created a wish list of only three items. The list would occasional change as friends and family would ask, but when sitting on the big man's lap, she asked for the drum kit, an accordion, and a twister set. From that day on, those were her three things. She understood that Santa would most likely only be able to get her one, but she understood. There were many children who wanted gifts and she did not need to be greedy.

And here it was, Christmas morning and under the tree there was no accordian. There was no twister, or drum kit.

She could not hide her disappointment.

I knew how to cheer her up.
"Remember last night when we got home from Mom mom's house late?" I asked.
"Yes". she nodded.
"Well, because it was so late you and Maevie didn't get a chance to put out cookies and milk for Santa".
Her gasp filled the room.
"Don't worry" I said, "Daddy took care of it. He put out a few cookies and milk, and a carrot I think? Why don't you go check it out."

She scurried across the room, to the dining room table. Maeve at her heels, unaware of the mood instead interested in chasing her sister.

"There's a letter! There's a letter!" she screamed. "Can you read it Daddy? Can you? Can you?"

Her mood had lifted, as a note from Santa found it's way into Bryan's hand.
In a loud voice he read,

At breakneck speed, she ascended the stairs, leaving the rest of us in her dust.

Up the stairway

Do you see the plaid pajamas through the rail?

Grabbing Maeve and placing her on my hip, we followed.
"Slow down!" I yelled. "Daddy needs to check it out before you go in!'
With camera in hand, he captured that moment.
The one she had been waiting for since she first asked.

Little Girl and her red drum kit

Of course, her sister had to have a turn as well.

As we returned to the kitchen an hour or so later, I casually asked Mo what she thought about Christmas this year.
"Mommy" she said, "This was the best Christmas ever!" as she threw her arms around my waist, hugging me tightly.

I agree Moira. I agree.