{this moment}

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

Pregnancy belly...

We're looking at 38 weeks now. These photos were taken about a month ago, so you can only imagine what size I am now! Anyway, a few favorites..

Umm, Month Blur?

Dear Sena,
I'm sorry that your last post didn't get posted, but it hasn't been for a lack of activity around here. In fact, it is the amount of activity we're trying to pack into these last few weeks that has made relatively simple tasks, like updating the blog, difficult.

Needless to say, it has been a pretty big month for you overall. We took you to your 2nd Folks Fest in August, with Will, Juli, and Chad, and although we definitely listened to less music than the previous year, I think you enjoyed it more. Your pregnant mama, however was relatively uncomfortable unfortunately. Next year will be a new surprise. You'll want to be there and who knows what your lil' sister will be doing.





We finished your room and your baby sister's room complete with wall decals (stickers) that you so thoughtfully placed throughout the room. You seemed to really enjoy helping and it was fun to see your delight when it was finished.

And, drumroll.. you started preschool last week. Oh, the emotions! You've done so well with school honey; mama is having a tougher time, but I'll get through it. Don't worry about me. I never thought I'd have a hard time taking you to school, but when I leave the number of emotions I'm going through—from sadness to feeling proud at how "independent" you are— (not to mention my pregnancy hormones) causes me to have tiny breakdowns each time. (Just tiny ones.) You still haven't really interacted with the other children, mostly the teachers, but I've been assured many times over that this is normal for your age.

First day of preschool.

We only have 2 weeks left until baby sister (Orange) is expected to arrive. I'm scared, excited, and mostly overwhelmed with emotion. I can't wait to see you as a big sister. And your little sister will adore you, even if you only will call her Orange.
love you,
mama

Trip to the Mtns- Year 3

Here are a few pictures of our recent visit to the mountains.

Month 28

Dear Sena,
Clearly, I'm getting tardier and tardier with my posts. It has nothing to do with lack of inspiration or stories to tell, but more to do with the state of our household and life right now.. which I know is only going to get crazier.

You're quite aware that your baby sister is coming. You seem excited and also more attached to me lately, which is so sweet yet so hard when the tears come when mama has to go. I try and tell you that I'll always come back- and I will- but when the fat tears are rolling down your face, its hard to not just stay. And really that's all I want to do. Work, shmork, right?

Just this morning at your gymnastics class another mama asked you if you were having a baby brother or sister. You replied, "Baby sister." She then turned to me and asked me if we had any names yet (um, no, we named you just a few hours before we left the hospital!). Before I could reply, you replied for me, "baby sister's name is orange." Hmm.

The little person you've become brings me such joy and such laughter. Your father was trying to help you with dressing/undressing your dolls (your favorite thing to do), and you were frustrated that Rainbow Brite's clothes wouldn't come off. (You have Rainbow Brite, courtesy of Grandma Montana who clearly keeps WAY too much- these dolls were mine- and look like they are 25+ years old. Yikes.) Papa finally said to you, "Honey, I'm afraid they won't come off." You replied, "I'm afraid they will." Determined girl you are.

Adventures this last month include a trip to the mountains to celebrate mama and papa's birthdays, which was full of hiking (as much as a 31-week-pregnant mama can do), eating, ice cream, eating, and trying to play bocce ball. (Mama, these are heavy!) We had a wonderful visit, and you wowed everyone with your style.

We also went to the Boulder County Fair with Juli & Will. You both were mostly smitten with the tractors—nope, not the cows, sheep, goats, or chickens, but the tractors. Lesson learned.

I love you honey. I know there are a lot of changes underway, and I know that some of them will be quite difficult at first, but I love you more than you'll ever know. And I'll do my best to make everything as easy as possible for you.
love
mama

Letter Month 27

Dear Sena,
I'd like to take this time to point out that I'm early with this post, and I think it has something to do with a mindset I'm trying so desperately to adapt... that I need to value my time and prioritize. No more to-do lists that are miles long. And no more saying yes to things that I'd really rather say no to. What I really want to do is be here for you. I want to spend mornings crafting and coloring your new (and yes, I'm proud of this) cardboard playhouse I made. I want to listen to you sing. I want to watch you as you watch the world..

This last week your aunt Tanya & uncle Charles and cousins, Ella and Shiloh came to visit. You instantly became smitten with Ella.. and it is so amazing for all of us to see. Ella is incredibly gentle with you, and slows down enough that you can join her on her journeys. She even offered you some of her cupcake the other day, and holds your hand when you want to walk with her. Watching the two of you, and knowing you'll be just as close with Shiloh is amazing and also a little sad. Unfortunately, we live quite a distance apart from your only cousins, and we only get to see them about once a year. So, we'll have to figure out some way to keep everyone involved. I'm not sure how, but I'm hoping that some creative thoughts come across my mind.





You're convinced that not only is your new baby sister's name Orange, but that you ALSO have a baby in your belly. You proudly show me your belly whenever you notice mine (which is hard to Not notice) and tell me baby sister is in there. In some ways I can't wait to see you with your sister, and really can't wait to see the two of you grow up together- especially after watching you with your two cousins. In other ways, however, I just really want to savor you. I want to enjoy all of this one-on-one time we have and cherish every minute, listen to your every thought and your every opinion on the world. And really this is what wins out.. Being present right now for you and for all that life is.

We love you very much. Your latest and greatest is your fascination with the Beatles. You know nearly all the words to Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da, as well as Yellow Submarine and are quickly learning the words for Octopus' Garden. I'm going to get these on video and post as soon as I figure out how to do so... so the world can see.

Love you,
mama

Mama's baby bump about 28 weeks..

Letter Month 26

Dear Sena,
As I'm writing you your letter (a week late- yes), I'm anxiously waiting for you to wake-up. I'm fortunate you're such a good morning sleeper (it's 8 a.m.), but I'm also worried because yesterday you had a fever and felt awful. You've only been sick a couple of times in your two years of life, and each time it shakes me to my very core. It's hard to describe to anyone who isn't a parent or mother for that matter- but when your child is feeling bad your entire being breaks. You'd do anything to help them feel better. So I held you and rocked you, and kept a cool washcloth on your head.

Meanwhile, I think your baby sister (YES another girl for the Williams' clan!) could feel you resting on my belly. She proceeded to kick and squirm more than ever. My thought was that she was telling you 'hello'. Or perhaps she needed more room.. both will be quite likely once she arrives this fall.

I have to say honey that you are the most adaptable child/human I've ever seen. Our house is in total disarray as we gut the entire main floor, revamping everything from the paint to the floors to the entire kitchen. We've moved your play toys from room to room as we move around the house, and each time you just find it interesting where your toys will end up. You don't mind that you can't go in certain rooms (i.e. construction zone), nor do you find it odd that all of our meals have to be cooked outside. While your papa and I struggle with the chaos, you seem to thrive in any environment. Something we need to learn from.

This month you've been busy in gymnastics- your favorite thing is the rings, which surprises me, but you love hanging there! You're still very into singing and have started making up a lot of your own songs about things you see around you. For instance:
Kona & Cash were playing in the back yard- like dogs do (biting, nipping each other).
Sena: "Kona's eating Cash again, Cash again, Cash again. Kona's eating Cash again- early in the morning."

This was followed by:
Mama drinking decaf coffee.
Sena: "I'm having coffee. No, no, no. I'm having coffee, no, no, yes!"

We'll get these recorded soon for any future auditions you have.

Honey, we love you. I hope you feel better soon.
love,
mama

A few pictures..

Having dinner with Will.