Christmas 2013

Kiera's first Christmas was a huge success! Lily was an excellent Holiday Helper as she guided Kiera through the festivities. From cookie baking, reindeer and Santa prep on Christmas Eve to the fine art of unwrapping and feasting, the sisters were in it together from start to finish!

Christmas Eve was fabulous. Kiera practiced her Christmas carols, Lily set out cookies and reindeer food, and the two spent some time snuggling under the Christmas tree. (OK, that last bit was a lie. That picture is totally staged and you can even see my hand reaching out for Kiera's head as it made its way to the floor)

 

 

The trees! Ours on the left, Kiki and Po's on the right.

 

 

Our tree sporting a very special new ornament!

 

Santa came! He was careful to wipe his boots on the mat we provided. He obviously enjoyed the brownies and carrots we left (carrots, in case he had gotten sick of sugar by the time he got to us. We left reindeer food for the team outside!) and even left some cookies behind (way to show off that will power, Santa Baby!) Lily was thrilled with her red tricycle! Classic! Kiera also went straight to enjoying her new play mat.

 

A few cups of coffee and some breakfast casserole later, we went to Kiki and Po's for more celebration. Kiera got to spend cuddle time with Great Grampa, while the rest of us opened gifts and feasted on rib roast AND turkey with all the fixins!

 

 

Baby Girl appreciates the good life. Ahhhhhhhh.

 

We went home after 2:00 dinner for Christmas Round 3 with Meema, Peepa and Aunt Heather. More gifts and more food!

 

A day full of cuddles and snuggles!

 

 

These are a few of my favorite things! A BEAUTIFUL emerald ring from Jason. Hot dawg that boy done good! I had to send it off today to be sized. My finger feels naked already! A magnolia attachment for the Happy Everything platter, a Keurig, more of my perfume (I was running way low!) and some fabulous gift cards to fabulous places!

 

 

Kiera's First Christmas 2013

 

And to all, a good night!

 

As this year comes to a close I am overwhelmed at all with which Jason and I have been blessed. A warm and lovely home, two beautiful daughters, friends to celebrate alongside and a wonderful family that showers us with so much love. Looking at the growing pile of paper-filled trash bags and empty boxes near the front door would normally stress me out to no end (no joke, it's creeping up the walls), but it is nothing more than a glorious reminder of the care taken to set up our Nativity scene just right, the smell of the house as we baked cookies for loved ones, the joy on my daughters' faces as they unwrapped gifts, their excitement as we found small hints of Santa's presence in our home, the satisfaction of dining together on some of the most delicious food the Season has to offer (back to Square 1 on losing that baby weight!) and the overwhelming love shown to us through so much giving. God bless the trash bags and dirty dishes. God bless all of it. I am thankful.

 

Best wishes to you and yours during this wonderful and Holy time! 

Kiera at 3 Months and a photo dump

Darling Kiera,

You are now three months old, and I can't believe how quickly it has gone by. Since your arrival, we have celebrated two major holidays (Halloween and Thanksgiving), I have gone back to work, you have started school, and we are gearing up for your first Christmas. The house is decorated, you have visited with Santa, the outfit that matches your sister's has just arrived and the gifts are wrapped. You are a smiley girl with a wink and a giggle for everyone you meet. Social and a half! You are not one for schedules, you tend to enjoy life as it comes without set plans to hold you back! Instead of sleeping in stretches you catnap, and instead of meal times you graze throughout the day. Very European!

You are such a treat for your big sister who loves you to the moon and back. She shares all of her stories with you and you are just enchanted with her voice. Her favorite thing to do is sing to you, and when you are upset, Lily's voice is a sure-fire fix. Your sister loves you so much. She just bursts with pride when you smile at her and she can't wait for the day when she can truly play with you.

You have excellent vision and are able to track easily. You can recognize voices and love it when Daddy comes into the room - he's your #1 cuddle buddy! You love to move around - can't be in one place for too long - and see and hear and do all you can. You're a mover and a shaker and we love it!

We are all looking forward to sharing your first Christmas with you, and showing you some of the joy and wonder this world has to offer. Enjoy it, lovey. Enjoy every second.

Love always,
Mommy


For the rest of you, here's what we've been up to!

 

A few glamor shots

 

Thanksgiving, holiday décor and Polar Express day at school - PJs!

We had 5 holiday parties so far, and doctor visits for both girls

 

And I've been working out like a fiend (including...gasp...running. Ick) trying to get back in shape. Success! (please excuse the uber classy bathroom mirror shot, but I had to document the progress and I was the only one awake at the time. C'est la vie.)

Taking Shots and Talking Turkey

We made it to two months! Kiera rocked her 2 month check up, measuring 23 inches and weighing 10lbs 14oz. The visit ended with some needles, bandaids and tears, leaving me wanting some special "shots" of my own. I suggested to the receptionist that a full-service bar would be a splendid idea for the waiting room. She disagreed.

OK back to Kiera. This little girl loves eating (she is mine, after all!) and gulps down 3-4oz every 2-3 hours. Her only fasting stretch comes at night, when she sleeps from about 9-2, and then is up every 2-3 hours again. Maybe she's prepping her tummy for holiday festivities?

Speaking of, we have quite the lineup! Our social calendar is filling up fast. I'm hosting a holiday party at the house this weekend, meaning (oh darn) I have to decorate the house early for Christmas in order to set the tone! Monday I'll have to shave back the Christmas décor a bit to prepare for Thanksgiving on Thursday. My first time hosting! Never thought I'd be so intimidated by a turkey...
After Thanksgiving, we are in a whirlwind until New Year. Kid parties, Grown Up parties, school parties, church parties, work parties - we are truly blessed!

Now, about those shots...

Halloween And A Creepy Comparison

Happy Halloween!

 

We had a wonderful time, kicking off the holiday season. Lily had two costumes this year, due to a school rule. You see, Lily has a fierce adoration of superheroes, particularly Superman. Unfortunately, young kids dressed up as superheroes and then put them together, they will naturally need to try to battle it out for super/wonder/bat/spider/norse god/hulky domination. Not good. Moms worry enough about grass stains and lunch spills ruining kids' costumes before the Big Night....blood and rips don't need to be added.

 

So, Lily went to school as Princess Grace of Monaco!

 

 

 

 

And after school, did a quick costume change into the Real Deal: Super Lily! She had a cape and everything, and was super stoked to wear SuperLily eye makeup. She was positively glowing with glee!

 

The whole family joined in with her Super Vision: We strapped a few glow sticks to Kiera, who went as Kryptonite. Daddy shaved his head (don't get me started) and went as Lex Luthor, and Mommy donned her glasses and a snazzy blazer and became Lois Lane. We made it about 4 houses into Trick or Treating before Kryptonite began to explode, so Super Lily and Lex continued with our dear friends the Campbells while Lois and Krypto went home to drink (wine and milk, respectively) and pass out candy. Not a bad way to kick off the season!

On another note, I'd like to point out how scarily similar my girls resemble each other. Twins? Maybe!

 

Lily, 3 weeks

 

 

 

Kiera, 3 weeks.

 

 

A side by side of each girl at 3 weeks old. Call me crazy. Just try. Twins, yo.



Happenings!

Things are settling in nicely around here. We're working our way into a routine and trying to get it all together to prepare for when Mommy goes back to work - and Kiera joins Lily at....*gulp*....school! Definitely having torn feelings about all this. I'm missing my interactions with my friends, colleagues and students. I'm missing the rush of the hallways. I'm missing the old routine of a school day and the very special kind of tired a teacher experiences after a long day of making kids think.

 

However, the house has never been cleaner, and dinner is always on the table by 6:30. I adore my time with Hoda and Kathie Lee in the mornings and actually having time to spare when it comes to getting things done is just fabulous. Being able to schedule a doctor's appointment in the middle of the day isn't bad, either. I have a little less than 3 weeks of maternity leave to go, and I'm clutching on to every second I have before I have to give my littlest to someone else during the day. It was hard with Lily at 18 months, but something about Kiera being only 10 weeks makes it almost a cruelty. 10 weeks! So little. The only consolation is the very clear understanding that it will be harder for me than for her. As long as she is held and fed, she's happy. Definitely my daughter.

 

Here's what's happening around here:  

 

 

 

Nap time is sacred like whoa. This little girl is up more than down, and when she's up, she wants to be in someone's arms, around people, and eating. Chunky Monkey Supreme!

 

 

 

Mowgli is just as great a big brother the second time around as he was the first! So attentive and oh so gentle, he loves this new addition.

 

We're working on smiles! It took a bit of practice...

But we nailed it! Presenting the next Miss America!

 

 

 

We also got the chance to spend some time with Lily at her school's open house. We got to meet her friends, and share in circle time. Lily showed us the ropes and we caught on pretty quickly! She was especially excited to show Daddy her sweet dance moves and the new songs she learned. Kiera was there, too, and thought the whole experience was super cool. She was awake the whole time taking it all in! 

 

 

We attempted a family picture right before Mommy, Daddy and Kiera had to leave. Bad timing. Lily was not happy - Kiera didn't seem to mind, though!

Welcome, Darling Girl!

I got big. Way big. Not that I didn't enjoy every moment of those extra servings...

 

 

 

But it was worth it! Kiera Laurel, you were born on September 20, 2013 at 6:33 am under the remains of a full moon. You began your journey to the world the night before (your original due date) after WEEKS of teasing - naughty, naughty -, and in 9 swift hours and 9 whole minutes of pushing, you were placed in our arms and in our hearts forever. You sang your first sweet notes moments after you arrived, and have been vocal ever since! You never hesitate to let us know when you're needing or wanting, or just want to chat about sweet musings, music, art, history, fashion....whatever strikes your fancy! You hate to be put down, because you can't stand to be away from the people around you. A social butterfly for sure, but I've been calling you Kieraluna (a la Stellaluna) because of your "lunar landing" and your love of the night life! Welcome to the world, baby girl! This crazy, beautiful, wonderful world!

 



 

First picture! You were 19 1/4 inches long and weighed in at 7lbs 14oz

 

Since coming home, you've settled in quite nicely! You have found your happy place (snuggled up, close to anything and anyone nearby)

 

 

Big Sister Lily loves you to the moon and back! You and she are Daddy's girls for sure!

Welcome, darling girl! You are so very loved!

And We're Back!



Oh hi.....it's been a while. Like....8 months. I could go through the list of what we've missed, but, I think this pretty much sums it up:

 

 

 



 

 

Yep! Our family is definitely blooming! As well as a few other parts of me.... Baby girl number 2 is due in about 4 weeks and wee are all in a tizzy. Lily started PreK3 last week, mommy goes back to work tomorrow and daddy has been working like crazy stocking up on leave time. We're gearing up for late-night feedings, zombie-mode, diaper changes and messes. Glorious messes.

 

Already, just as with Lily, it feels like we have a pretty good idea of who this new family member is. She's more active than Lily was, and does not seem to have and particular preference for any particular position, food, etc. Easy going, constantly moving, up for anything all-day all-night party girl. Read: trouble. Crazy beautiful fabulous trouble. Get ready, daddy.

 

As we prepare for the arrival, we are doing our best to try to cherish and treasure the time we have left with our only-child. Who, is very much the ONLY-CHILD. I know her world is about to be rocked, I know it'll rock in the best way, I just hope learning to roll with it won't be too difficult. I love that she will have a sister. A secret-keeper, a confidante. I love that this new little one will have a sounding board, a guide. I have been googling, blogging, forum-ing and contacting as many friends with multiple children as I can find to figure out the best way to ensure Lily will embrace this new role in her life with ease and joy. The overwhelming response? She will. She will....she will....New mantra. She will (be proud) She will (love her sister) She will (continue to feel loved) She will (never forget how much she means to us) She will (stay confident) She will (be fine). She will. She will.

 

Sometimes I look at Lily and can't believe how little she is (usually as I'm tucking her into her big-girl bed). But more often, I am in awe of how much she has grown. Not a baby anymore. MY baby, but not A baby. At three years old, she loves ballerinas and Superman. She wears princess dresses with fairy wings as she asks to be referred to as the Red Power Ranger. She likes schedules. She likes order. When the schedule changes or the order is messed up, she gets uncomfortable. She can be painfully shy or incredibly present, depending on the day. She is as stubborn as ever and has a fear of hibachi restaurants (the fire freaks her out like whoa). She loves school and wants to hear the story of Snow White every night, as she is most proud of her ability to identify and name each of the seven dwarfs. She loves to bake. She loves to swing and slide. She loves zumba. She loves her daddy. She loves.

 

 

 

the 3 girls

 

 

With only weeks to go, we have been showered with love by friends, family and colleagues. Just last night we celebrated with a Chocolate and Cheese baby shower at the Melting Pot. Pregnant or not, chocolate and cheese I think will become the theme of most of my personal celebrations. No judging.

School starts tomorrow. Gearing up for a new year full of change and general craziness. Aren't you excited?