Thursday, February 28, 2013

Matty's Birthday Recap

I intentionally avoided giving Matty any cake until we had his Cake Smash. But since then? There's been absolutely zero restrictions regarding cake consumption and it's safe to say that he's eaten himself right into a cake-coma--where he has remained for a good 3 weeks.

We celebrated his birthday for the third time last weekend with a handful of friends and family, and a goal of keeping it simple. I think we succeeded. Subway, a couple of last minute pasta salads and Target style cupcakes? Why not.

It was nice to have a break from handmade decorations, custom cake toppers and individualized treat bags. Not that I don't love me some good party planning, but it was wonderful to just focus on the gift of life with this little guy.

Oh, how we all love him.









Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Dear Matty

Last night, as I wrapped my arms around you and held you close, you didn’t attempt to wriggle free. You didn’t flail your legs, contort your body or tangle your little fingers in my hair. Instead, you laid your head against my chest, relaxed your pudgy legs and tucked your thumb securely into your mouth. You gazed up at me, your sleepy eyes still the same blue-grey hue they’ve been since birth. I brushed the hair from your face, dimmed the lights and hummed the tune of your favorite song, the Itsy Bitsy Spider. For nearly an hour, I rocked you in my arms and studied your tiny features; your button nose, the slight dimple in your chin and your deliciously chubby cheeks. I said a silent thank you.
 
To any other mama, the act of rocking her baby to sleep may sound ordinary or even insignificant, but I’ve learned how truly priceless such a moment is. Despite your outgoing personality, sweet disposition and penchant for blowing kisses, you are not a snuggly baby. You welcome affection but the slightest sense of confinement sends you bounding in the opposite direction. Bumps and bruises do not require incessant consoling  and bedtime is not prolonged with lullabies and the soothing sounds of a rocking chair. There was a time when you were tiny and you would fall asleep on your daddy’s chest or nestle into the crook of my neck, exhaling milky breaths onto my cheek. That time, however, was fleeting and too soon became a treasured memory.
 
Those quiet afternoons snuggled on the couch have been traded for learning and adventure and while it has been absolutely amazing to see you grow and change, a part of me yearns to rewind time. To pause just a second longer to inhale your newborn smell or to replay the first time I heard the sweet sound of your giggle. I would give almost anything to relive the day you met your big brother; to witness once again the immediate love that will forever bond the two of you together. The truth is, I simply cannot believe that a year has passed since you so seamlessly took your place within our family. You have brought us an indescribable joy and while I may not be able to rewind and relive so many priceless moments, I find solace in the fact that there are many more ahead of us.
 
I love you so very much. Happy Birthday, sweet Matty.
 
 





 
 
 
 

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Love Day

The day began with Tyler bounding into the kitchen, clad in PJ's and serious bedhead, holding a stack of hand drawn valentines. He could barely contain his excitement as he showed Ryan and I his pictures, explaining each one in great detail. "Karen let us cut up all of her old Christmas cards," he squealed. He had worked hard to select the recycled Christmas cards he thought Ryan and I would love the most and he was so proud. Such a sweet boy.

 
The boys quickly opened gifts from Ryan and I; a new Wii game for Tyler and a toy phone for Matty. I didn't get any photos though because weekday mornings at our house? Complete chaos.
 
Ryan sent me flowers to the office, and just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I came home to a clean house and Chinese takeout for dinner. Floors I didn't have to clean and food I didn't have to cook? That guy knows me too well.
 
We played a few games of Mario Brothers, read a handful of books and tucked the boys into bed. Ryan and I watched a movie that he had picked up from the Redbox, but not before I paused to take in the sight of a spotless kitchen.
 
....and I'm glad I did because when I got home from work today? It looked more like this: 
 
 
 back to reality.
 
Xoxo
 


Monday, February 11, 2013

This boy of mine

This sweet boy of mine seems to be growing like mad lately. He's looking so much less like a baby and so much more like the "big kid" we'll be sending off to school in the fall. Watching him become this person with thoughts, ideas and strong opinions has been a complete joy, yet I'd still give anything to freeze this time.


Right now...
  • He hugs me less and tests me more. He's stubborn and independent and 100% his mama.
  • He's constantly complaining that his feet are hot. He can't stand socks and has some pretty compelling reasons why we should let him play outside without them. The fact that it is the dead of winter and we have a foot of snow on the ground? Doesn't matter. 
  • Video games trump all...including books which, if you know Tyler, is saying something {perhaps that his parents need to enforce some serious time limits.}
  • He insists on wearing a sleeveless shirt under EVERYTHING.
  • Any object can be transformed into a masterpiece. Toilet paper rolls? Instant submarines. Kleenex boxes? Creepy space aliens.
  • Anything and everything is worthy of a collection.

  • Hand drawn pictures of people, buildings and animals have taken the place of the superhero art that once adorned his bedroom walls. I may be biased, but I'm pretty sure we'll be selling this stuff someday.


  • Last night he yelled out "Free mom on Craigslist!" It seems that he's had enough of me and dad can come back from his fishing trip any time now.It also seems that his mother should stop threatening to sell him on a sketchy website every time he gets a little sassy.
  • He broke up with Catie. Apparently she squealed "MATTY!" one too many times and well, that's a completely acceptable reason to end a relationship. Squealing is annoying and paying too much attention to the baby brother is absolutely intolerable. Said split has not stopped Tyler from writing "Catie" on every piece of paper he can get his hands on.  
  • What else? He's the world's greatest big brother.



Words can't describe how much I love this boy. The baby he once was and the "big kid" he's becoming.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

2013 Blog Awards!

A couple of days ago as I was checking my email I came across one from Parents Magazine. The email stated that my blog was chosen as a finalist for the 2013 Parents Magazine Blog Awards, under the category “Most Likely to Wow You with Photos or Videos.” To say I was ecstatic would be an understatement. Mostly because this blog is still in baby phase, yet someone {other than my husband} read it and thought it worthy of nomination.

I am in great company in my category. Well established blogs that I read religiously, that have thousands, if not HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of followers, and that inspire me in parenting, photography and everyday living are listed next to little ole me. My chances of winning are nearly non-existent, but I’m going be be excited nonetheless.


You can vote once a day through February 24th, so if you feel so compelled please take a minute to cast yours. And check out Under the Sycamore—cause Ashley? She’s got my vote every day of the week. 

You can cast you vote here.



Wednesday, February 6, 2013