Letter to Noa Month- Almost 14

Dear Noa, In a few days you'll be turning 14 months, and it appears you're ready to make some major milestones. Although you've been "walking" while holding fingers for a few months now, you haven't been ready to venture out on your own. But this weekend, you took 3 solid steps between papa and mama.. and I imagine more are soon to come. (Although as soon as you realized you were doing it on your own you sat down. Your fearlessness only goes so far.) You're also trying to talk more. You seem to want to talk the most when no one is looking, but lately you've been trying more to imitate what we say. Just yesterday, papa had you saying open.. with a big emphasis on the O. O-pen. Second Thanksgiving under your belt and I cheated again. We went out to eat. I'll try to cook next year. I do love to cook, but for some reason I've been terribly daunted the past two years. Last year you slept thru your Thanksgiving meal. This year, we went with Grandma & Grandpa Montana and Carey, Craig and Caleigh to dinner. You were pretty excited to see Caleigh.. but Caleigh was more interested in eating than you were. We finally were able to get you to eat the roasted beets and apples, but no potatoes, turkey, or stuffing. (And of course cheese. You and Sena are seriously helping the dairy industry two-handedly.) We are getting really excited to be taking you to Asheville for Christmas, but also trying to come up with really clever toys that you'll find interesting for longer than 2 minutes. Thus far, electronics are occasionally a hit, or whatever your sister has. We know better than to think you might sleep. We love you honey. love, mama

Happy 1st Birthday Noa

Dear Noa, This time I really can't believe my daughter is turning one. When Sena turned one, it had passed both slow and quickly, as your father and I learned how to navigate parenthood. But with your first year behind us, I'm in shock. And it isn't because we've become pros at this parenthood thing either. I think having two children makes time fly even faster. The two of you keep us very busy! The last year you have brought us such joy and added a dimension to our family that we hadn't realized we were missing. I remember wondering last year- late September- who you were going to be. I imagined a daughter that did have your looks- bright blue eyes, dark hair (didn't realize it would be curly), but couldn't put a spirit in my imagination. When you arrived you came with such a rush. You were ready to be in the world, to navigate the world, to meet your family- and we were ready to meet you. Over the last year, you have brought us many smiles and laughs as we watch you try so hard to keep up with Sena. It won't be long. You are a mover. I have all of these "baby carriers" that I never used with you. You wanted mama, but only in your vision. Being held by mama is only of interest for moments at a time. Otherwise you have a world to explore. Your latest adventure is watching our reactions as you crawl off as quickly as you can for such things as the stairs, the hallway, or the bathroom. You'll pause half-way there, "Is anyone seeing this?!! Hee hee..." And off you go. I can only imagine what this will look like in a few years. I'm preparing myself for needing to keep you quite active. Your sister will want to read to you, and hopefully you'll listen, but you'll most likely want to be kicking a ball or jumping up and down at the same time. We love you honey. We cannot wait to see how the next year unfolds, but as I've said several times before. You CAN slow down. We'll wait. love you, mama

Letter to Sena- 42 Months (aka 3 1/2 years)

Dear Sena, For the last few days you've battled your first real bout with the stomach flu and were such a trooper through all of it. And although papa and I have tried to explain that everyone gets sick and that it is okay, each time you got sick over the weekend, you'd look at me with your sweet and sad eyes and apologize. Sorry Mama. Oh honey. Last night as you sat eating crackers and soup, while your sister had macaroni and cheese, you asked me if you could call the doctor. I told you she wasn't in and you said, "I want to talk to the doctor and find out what is going wrong with me." I told you that you'd be better soon, and you said. "When you talk to Dr. Samuelson can I talk to her too?" Normally, your days are filled with an extraordinary imagination. Your daily activities revolve around Princess, and although I'm trying to stress to you that princesses are also smart and creative, you're mostly interested in the clothing they wear- which for you means ALL of your "princess" attire at once, aka a shirt from grandma, an old cheerleading skirt, a real princess dress, a crown, shoes, and TONS of jewelry. You've got your sense of style and I suppose in a way it is more stylish than mama right now, as I hear the 80s are in. And you're rocking the 80s for sure. Watching your personality continue to develop as you become such a little person is pretty amazing. You hear everything and see everything. Just yesterday we were driving to Target and you were talking, but I didn't understand you. So I asked you, "What did you say honey?" And you said, "I was just talking to myself." Got it. I love you honey and am so thankful everyday that I get to be your mother in the easy moments and in the difficult ones. You make me a stronger person, as well as a softer one. So thank you. love you mama

Order in the World

Sena started preschool (for the 2nd time) this week, and it is going so well. She is so eager to be there and play and learn, although the two things she talks about when she comes home are the boys in class (is it an all boys class??) and snack. My daughter.

Creating order in a world of chaos.

Letter to Noa Month 11

Dear Noa, The last few months have flown by. I can hardly believe that your birthday is around the corner. Where did the last year go? It doesn't seem possible that last year I was oh-so-pregnant at this time, wondering when you were going to arrive. And when you did.. you were ready to go! We just returned from your first trip- at least via airplane. We went to visit Grandma and Grandpa Montana. As per usual, on the plane your sister was the one relaxing, lying on papa's lap, while you- my mobile, on-the-go girl couldn't be still and didn't want to be contained (and it was your nap time). You stayed happy most of the flight and only at the very end started tossing your snack on the floor. I apologized to the stewardess, who just gave me a faint smile... You were an awesome traveler otherwise. You adapted to the modified schedule so easily, to the pack and play, and smiled at all of the new faces. It gives me encouragement for our flight to Asheville in December. Although I'm not sure what we'll do on the plane to keep you entertained! Although you are only 11-months-old, you're ready to be a big girl. You're trying to feed yourself with a utensil, and want to play with anything that isn't technically a baby toy- focusing especially on whatever Sena is playing with. Sena is a good sport about it though.. and the two of you laugh when you look at each other. You have a similar laugh.. one that makes me smile with a joy I can't put into words. Milestones? You're waving now. And babbling... a lot. love you mama

{this moment}

On the Move

For those of you who didn't know Sena as a baby.. she didn't really ever crawl. We tried everything to encourage her to move, but she really wasn't interested. It wasn't until around 13 months old that she really started moving. Her sister on the other hand started crawling at 8 1/2 months and is now so proficient that she can get around the house at warp speed, meaning mama can hardly get started on anything without having to go find her daughter with her hand in the water bowl, with a clump of dog hair stuck to her lip, or playing with the vents. We have toys all over this house, but none of them peak her interest for longer than a few minutes.

The funny thing is that Steven and I are so enthralled by her crawling because Sena never really did it. By the time Sena was moving she was able to communicate (or at least that's how we remember it).. So watching Noa as she squeals with delight when she gets to her goal and then claps for herself, makes us smile too. Now, if I could just figure out how to make dinner.

{this moment}

-Noa is into EVERYTHING! As witnessed here.
-Sena bathing in the kitchen sink. Yep, she still fits!

{this moment}

{this moment}

letter to Noa month 8

Dear Noa,

Clearly, the two child thing keeps me busy... but in a good way. So years from now, when you look at your not-quite-full baby book, or scrapbook with letters that are a little more than a month apart, I do hope you'll forgive me and remember that we were busy in a good way.

Each day I wake and feel so incredibly blessed. You are such a happy child and seem to delight in nearly everything around you. You are very different from your sister in your determination. Sena is determined, but more in a book-ish way. (She's right, I'm wrong, etc.) And while you will probably have the same feelings but can't verbalize them yet, right now you express your determination in your desire to try to do everything yourself. Yep, at 8 months. Whereas your sister crawled at 13+ months and then walked, you are about to crawl.. and pull yourself up.. and you think you should feed yourself too. I imagine you just want to keep up with Sena. Yesterday the two of you actually played together. (Or at least with the same toy.) And I had this little glimpse into what our future might hold (without any bickering, too!?) You smile frequently and really just glow with happiness.

As my last posts have shown, we tried to take you on a family vacation, and although you were really a trooper, we canned the vacation after one night due to lack of sleep. We'll try again in a month or so, and we really hope that family vacations are on the horizon.

I came across this quote this morning that felt perfect for where I'm at right now, and also for where I'm at..
"So there are weeds in the garden and bills paid online last minute and many other things that fall through the cracks. That's alright. I've stepped into the river, and allowed the life force, the wonderous current, to pull me along, As a mother, I've learned to just enjoy the journey and trust that the destination is exactly where I should end up."

I love you honey,
love
mama

Love

a few pictures from last week.. sena's first dance/gymnastics combo class and Noa just sporting her summer hat.

Summer is Here

The weather is warming (probably too quickly) and the girls' are enjoying their time outside.. and I'm enjoying the fact that I have two girls that Steven says I play dress-up with. Might as well. In not too many years they will both protest when I try to fix their hair or adjust their clothes, so I'm running with it. How cute is this jumper?!

Staying Put

So, last week we set off on our first family vacation. The plan? Breckenridge for one night and then Crested Butte for four (and then making the 5+ hour drive home). The result? One night in Breck, followed by the rest of the week at our home in Louisville.

It was probably overly ambitious for us to embark on such a long car ride for our first family vacation. It was probably equally stupid to try while Sena was sick (and then Noa and mama, too). We had a nice time in Breck, but for the most part it certainly wasn't relaxing. And before all of you mamas out there tell me that I'll never "relax" on a vacation again, let me tell you that we've had lots of vacations with Sena that were incredibly relaxing. Just not sure we can do that with two.. at this age..

So, we came home. And it was the best decision we could have made. Once everyone was feeling better we spent the week exploring and enjoying the area. Enjoying having papa around. Going for hikes. Going to the Botanic Gardens. Having picnics nearly every day. It was so relaxing that it will take quite a bit to persuade me to try anything different for quite some time.

{this moment}

A Friday ritual. We are skipping the single photo this week.. and providing a few from our Staycation. (See next blog post!)

{this moment}

- My first weekend parenting solo. We miss papa but are having a good time! Happy girls.

Letter to Noa Month 7

Dear Noa,
As I write this, you are bouncing... again.. You get into toys that don't bounce and try to make them bounce. It is really pretty wild. I wish I could just record the sound of you bouncing- you'd think you'd have a concussion- but no, you're happy as a clam.

Your name means movement, and we should have known you'd be a mover and a shaker. You are determined to crawl even though you can't sit on your own yet.. and have definitely got the rolling thing down pretty well. It blows my mind how different you are from your sister. Sena could roll, but chose not to. In fact, we would put her down to sleep at night and twelve hours later she'd be in the exact same position. (You don't sleep that long- yet at least...) You on the other hand, roll, twist and turn and when I go in there in the middle of the night I always find you in some new position.

You are saying "mama" and I think you at least partially associate that with me. (I figure one of my kids should say mama first, right? I mean I did deliver you.) You are still totally smitten with Sena. Just today, I had the monitor on in Sena's room (she was talking herself to sleep). You were awake, and you heard her voice. A huge grin followed while you started looking around for your big sister. The adoration is palpable.

We love you Noa and look forward to what the next month shall bring. Baby proofing?



{Your first Easter... not thrilled about the backpack either.}


love you
mama

{this moment}

Letter to Noa Month 6

Dear Noa,
Yesterday I took you to your 6 month well baby appointment and you were so happy to be at the doctor! You are such a happy kiddo- it makes everyone around you smile. I can't really believe that 6 months have passed, although it does seem really long ago already that you were getting up every two hours and sleeping non-stop. Now you want to move! We should have anticipated a mover, however.. the second kiddo is never like the first and your name means movement. (Silly us.)

You are getting pretty adept at rolling. You now roll to your belly to sleep, which also means you're sleeping longer stretches (yeah!). But you do not want to lay on your back when you're awake, and honey, you can't sit on your own yet, so this means mama is propping you up, or holding you so you can stand like a big girl.

Your sister is probably your favorite thing in the world after milk that is.. and she doesn't even have to do anything to make you smile. If she looks at you, you laugh. I cannot wait to see what happens when you two can talk to one another. (I know, 10 years from now I probably will take this back on occasion.)

You've started eating solid foods and seem to enjoy eating just as much as Sena did/has. We are good eaters over here, as evidenced by the rolls on your thighs. (Although you are only 25% for weight?)

Honey, I know being the 2nd child means hand-me-downs, and a mama who is not as on top of writing these letters to you. But do know that it isn't because I don't want to.. I'm just so busy, and so absorbed in watching you grow that I don't even want to stop and pause. Wait, I actually do want to pause. You're growing up too quickly and knowing, most likely, that you're our last baby I just want to snuggle for a few more minutes, or months... so please don't move too fast.

love you
mama

Three Year Succession

drum roll.. Every year on her BIRTH day!

Three Years

Dear Sena,
I really am in shock that I have a three-year-old. I know how proud you are to be three (you continue asking each day if you're still three!) but I really just feel like the last two years have flown. (Yes, I said 2. The first year was a little longer and relatively sleep deprived.. but not as much as your sister's first year may prove to be.)

In the last year you have gone from a chubby-cheeked baby to a full-on toddler and now "kid". When we moved into the house you were hesitant on the stairs and sleeping in a crib, and now you have a giant bed filled with at least 17 "friends", and navigate the house relatively confidently. (Although you did fall down the garage stairs the other day.. mama lost at least a year for that one.)

Your birthday was a big event this year. We took you to the Denver Children's Museum (no camera. sorry.) and then had dinner with Grandma Sheree and Grandpa Thomas. The next day Grandma and Grandpa Montana arrived and we went out with all of the grandparents (lucky girl) for pizza and ice cream. (When your ice cream cone fell to the ground, to avert tears and a disaster your father scooped it up and licked it clean.... that's love for you (or stupidity?)!)

We then had your actual party at Monkey Bizness this crazy bouncy house madness that I never thought I'd be a part of. But just like I didn't think I'd ever by those shoes that light up when you walk (yep, did that too), we went for it and it proved to be a fun party to boot.

Needless to say, you have become a glowing child. Your curiosity and memory astound me every day. I love watching your mind work, and sometimes just smile waiting for you to say your next thought that comes to mind. Other times I can't believe what you're saying and I just want you to stop and slow down. For instance... I asked you if you wanted a boy or a girl monkey cake. Your response, "Boy. I like boys." Okay dear.. but just so you know, your father says you have another 15 years to go before you can date. Unless you count taking your papa as your date.

Love you honey,
mama

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. Simple, special, extraordinary moments. Moments I want to pause, savor and remember. via SouleMama

Letter to Noa Month 5

Dear Noa,
Whoops! I guess we missed month 4 somehow.. but I seem to remember the month starting out with you nearly sleeping thru the night and ending with you definitely not ; ) But, honestly I'm not sure what happened last month to make it go by so fast. Everyone says that your second child grows up even faster than the first, which is hard to believe but oh so true, and oh-so-sad. I don't want you to grow any faster, especially knowing (or at least mostly knowing) that you're our last baby.. you don't need to grow so quickly honey.

I know you're ready to chase your sister and play with her. Your delight each time you see Sena brings me such joy. Sena has no idea what kind of trouble you'll cause one day when her toys go missing, but for the time being you can each just eye each other and everyone can stay in harmony.

You've learned to roll.. from back to front... which isn't usually the case. And you don't do it that often. You are drooling a lot, but no teeth have appeared, and you really show very little interest in learning to sit. I think standing seems much better to you since that brings you closer to Sena's level.

You are such a happy little girl. I have to apologize that I thought you had colic a few months back. Those were the hormones talking honey. Some day you'll understand. Sigh.

Love you,
mama

{this moment}

A little late, but better than never!

Things here have been really busy. As of February 1st, I'm the official co-owner of the new Yoga Junction in Louisville! I'm very excited, and feel incredibly blessed to have this opportunity. I'm hoping that in a few months things will slow down a little in terms of getting systems in place, etc. so that I can still have the time to do what I love.. be a mama.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. Simple, special, extraordinary moments. Moments I want to pause, savor and remember. via SouleMama