Preschool Concert

Today was Zoey's first (of many, many) concert at school. In order to celebrate spring, she and her classmates sang songs and recited poems about frogs, flowers, bees, and the like.

We, as her parents, totally did not do the crazy-parent picture and video taking during the concert. We also totally did not arrive early for good seats or fight over said good seats. We are totally not those parents, okay?  Please stop looking at us that way! (Okay, okay... we totally are those parents. Sue us!)

Happy New Year

This little lovie started Primary today.  She's the cutest Sunbeam I ever did see.

preschool

Today was Zoey's first day of preschool.

We wrapped an apple for Mrs. Drew and Mrs. Manna...

...we posed for pictures with our new pink boots and butterfly bag...

...we posed for several more pictures...

...we would only allow Mommy one picture once at school because we were so excited...

...we RAN out after school to see Mommy.

 Zoey, this is what I want you to remember about today: After yesterday's disappointing cancellation of your first day, I think you were doubly excited to go to school this morning.  You insisted on wearing your new pink boots even though it was 85 degrees outside. You went right into the classroom, put your bag in your cubby, gave the apples to your teachers, found your name tag, gave Mommy a kiss, and didn't flinch once. No tears, no clinging, nothing. Mommy cried all the way down the hallway, until I saw another mother sobbing and then I just started laughing and I was fine. Mrs. Drew emailed us later in the day to say that you loved the stop sign game and were attentive and helpful all morning. My favorite part of today was when you came running to me after school exclaiming, "Mommy, mommy!" It made my day. I also loved hearing about your morning the whole way home and at random times during the day. You seemed to remember every detail and I loved hearing your version of everything. I am so excited for you to have this time. I sure do love you.

Happy 4th of July

We celebrated the 4th in Vermont a couple days early because some of the husbands had to travel back to work on the 4th.

These little critters turned into this deliciousness:

I've never had lobster before today and it was fantastic. Thanks, Uncle Bobby! The next morning the little girls asked where the lobsters went... eye contact was averted and giggles were suppressed.

Zoey and her cousin Maya received matching cowgirl hats from Tia.

history in the making

Never in the history of the world has this happened:

But it happened today!  

TV on, toy in hand, food in mouth - fast asleep.  This transitioning to NO NAP is slow and painful torture - for ME!

a baby blessing

 We were thrilled to be able to bless Kaia at church today and so grateful my parents could be here for the blessing.  My mom made Kaia's gown from my wedding dress, just like she did for Zoey. It is a beautiful blessing gown - absolutely perfect.

the one with success

We were extremely blessed to have 5 straight weeks of help after Kaia was born.  The Seguine family cared for Zoey the entire week of Kaia's birth.  They loved her and spoiled her and made sure she looked cute every time she visited the hospital.  They also brought us flowers and gifts galore!  Brian took off work for the week of the birth, a time I will always, always treasure and for which I will long. And then my sister Lara came for the following week.  In my opinion, the week following a C-section is worse than the actual C-section.  I can't lift, drive, go up and down stairs, not to mention sleep or sit comfortably.  Lara was a HUGE help and had to arrange schedules for the three boys she left at home, for which I am so, so grateful.  After Lara my mom came and stayed for almost two full weeks.  There is something about a homemade meal by mom that makes everything seem better.  Then Melissa came for two whole weeks (overlapping with my mom for one) and made us tons of yummy food and cleaned my house frequently.  Last came Dianne, Brian's mom, who played and played with Zoey and held Kaia while I napped every day.  THANK YOU for coming and THANK YOU for everyone who helped you and/or allowed you to come.

So, today was my first day alone with the two girls.  The success?  I ran a quick errand with Zoey and Kaia and we all made it home in one piece!  No meltdowns (by me or the girls), no potty accidents, no rude people - just a normal, quick errand out and back.  BY MYSELF.  WITH TWO KIDS.  Please be impressed with my small success.

the one where we're finally home

Here are a few pictures from our first days at home with both of our little girls:

This last one is just one of the many ways Zoey likes to "help" Baby Kaia.

the one with the first haircut

On a whim, because I was tired on Zoey's hair in her eyes, I took Zoey to get her first haircut today after work. She was super excited, until we got in the chair, and then she was a pill until we were finished. When we got home and she could look at herself in the mirror for a longer period of time she got excited again. She refers to her bangs as the haircut, e.g. "Mommy, please comb my haircut down." The ONLY downside to the haircut - and it is a biggie - is that Zoey looks SO GROWN UP. UGH.

gratitude...

Gratitude pops up in the darndest places.

Like the Doylestown Emergency Room.

Gratitude for level-minded Ed, caring Jen, and fast-driving Brian.

And mostly gratitude that Zoey's tears finally stopped flowing when the doctor fixed her dislocated elbow (aka boo boo elbow owie).

happy Friday...

In my opinion, there are not many better feelings than leaving work on a Friday afternoon. (It helps when it is 70 degrees and sunny out, too.) Today as I left work, I felt a sense of accomplishment. I have been trying really hard to not complain about having to work, and, instead, to be positive and helpful and efficient with my time while I am at work. Gone are the days of chatting by the water cooler (really, the water cooler) and catching up with colleagues who work on the other side of the building. And I am okay with that. Instead, I wake up really early so I can get to work really early so I can get done all the things I used to do after school before the students (and most of the faculty) even arrive. I have the copier and my classroom all to myself for about an hour, and I love that quiet time to return emails, grade papers, make copies, and plan for the next day. So, why the sense of accomplishment as I left school today? Because I am doing it. Somehow, I am managing to work full time and still spend precious, precious time with my little lovie and my bigger lovie, not to mention taking care of our house and my church calling. Is everything perfect all of the time? Of course not. But, everything is perfect some of the time, and that feels good.

all good things must come to an end...

Though I have been back to school for nearly two weeks, tomorrow is my official first day with the students. As such, my year-long maternity leave is over. Some of you may wonder how I can possibly leave my little lovie in the care of someone else besides myself. I wondered the same thing many times, and then a small but real miracle occurred. Jen offered to do what I simply cannot do right now: be home with Zoey. Jen is everything I want to be - beautiful, kind, and patient, not to mention a nurse and not afraid of bugs. She'll be good for Zoey.

Zoey clearly does not get enough attention with the Seguines...

...nor does she have a good time.

In all seriousness, this is the most difficult thing I have had to do thus far in my life. Will even more difficult situations arise over the years? Most certainly. And surviving this will only make me stronger.

So, Zoey, have fun and be safe. I will think about you each second we're not together and look forward to 4:00 each day when I can see you. Oh, I will most likely continue to sneak in your room at night and watch you sleep, too. It's okay to miss me a tiny bit (though I don't think you will) and to look forward to the weekends (goodness knows I do). I love you more than life itself.

lovin' my locks no longer...

Inspired by my beautiful niece, Joslyn, I did this today:

Hopefully someone else will be lovin' my old locks soon!

early celebration...

We celebrated Zoey's first birthday a few weeks early in order to use the Olsons' beautiful backyard one last time (sniffle, sniffle). We could not have asked for better weather, yummier food, or nicer friends.

happy mommy's day...

I'll admit it: I have not always liked Mother's Day. It was a painful day for many years and before that, it was just an awkward day when someone forced me to take chocolate, insisting that, "Someday you will be a mother." Today was different. Because of this little lovey, today I walked confidently into the cultural hall after church and accepted my little chocolates graciously and looked around briefly... and couldn't help but have a little heartache for those around me for whom today might still be painful. So, this post is for you. Miracles absolutely do happen. Above is a picture of ours. Happy Mother's Day.

first babysitter...

Tonight Zoey had her first babysitter and both of them survived. There are only a few girls Brian and I would even consider asking so we were glad Hayley was available - and we hope she will come back again. (We tried to take a picture before we left, but Zoey was anything but cooperative.) We love you, Hayley!

can you spell...

T.R.O.U.B.L.E.?

We can.

easter poses...

We hope you had as much fun with your eggs as we did with ours (and that you had warmer weather than we did)!