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?

With A Heavy Heart

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever and love me, I pray
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care
And take us to Heaven to live with Thee there.

*note, this is not our elf. This photo is not mine*

My daughter went to school yesterday morning, the same as every day. I woke her up at 6:20, gave her a banana, toast and milk for breakfast. Shoes on, hair and teeth brushed, lunch packed and jacket zipped, we were out the door at 6:45 and she was at school by 7:00. I signed her in, put her backpack on its hook, and walked away with a quick "I love you! See you later!" over my shoulder as I walked. She repeated my words back to me, and I went to work  smiling.

I don't think I've ever held my daughter tighter than I have since 3:30 Friday afternoon. I don't think I ever noticed the freckle on her neck, just under her chin before. Or the slight curve of her right big toe. Just little things I've noticed in the last few hours as I've tried to absorb every detail of my beautiful girl. I've memorized the tone of her voice, her cadence, her inflection. The difference between laughing at something funny, and laughing at something that makes her nervous - most often, Mowgli. I know every shade of every strand of hair on her head. And it took a tragedy in Connecticut to make me sit still and look. To hush up and listen. To take the time to take her in. This is not the first time tragedy or senseless disaster has struck our world during my lifetime. It won't be the last, I'm sure. But for some reason, this one really hit me. Maybe it's because I'm older. Maybe it's because I'm a mom. Either way, my heart is hurting.

This post is for Lily. This post is for the children I have yet to bear. This post is for my students. This post is for the children I love, the children you love, the children we all have yet to know. This post is for you. This post is for me. This post is for

Charlotte Bacon, 6
Daniel Barden, 7
Rachel Davino, 29
Olivia Engel, 6
Josephine Gay, 7
Ana Marquez-Greene, 6
Dylan Hockley, 6
Dawn Hocksprung, 47
Madeline Hsu, 6
Catherine Hubbard, 6
Chase Kowalski, 7
Jesse Lewis, 6
James Mattioli, 6
Grace McDonnell, 7
Anne Marie Murphy, 52
Emilie Parker, 6
Jack Pinto, 6
Noah Pozner, 6
Caroline Previdi, 6
Jessica Rekos, 6
Avielle Richman, 6
Lauren Rousseau, 30
Mary Sherlach, 56
Victoria Soto, 27
Benjamin Wheeler, 6
Allison Wyatt, 6

This post is my very small part to recognize these people by their names. Each one - even the adults - is someone's child. I say their names out loud for them.

 I say their names out loud for their mamas. My heart broke with theirs. I cry with them, I grieve with them, one mama to another.

And I will never forget to not just watch my daughter, but see her; not to just hear her, but to listen to her; and to be thankful every single day she comes home to me.

God bless Newtown, Connecticut. God bless those children and educators. God bless their families. God bless us all.

November - it was wonderful

Yes, I know it's December. Similar to my October post, I just have a few random pictures and some captions to try to piece together a month full of crazy beautiful wonderful stressful emotional fabulous heartbreaking - yes, heartbreaking - month (see Seminole football). That, plus the fact that I don't have a SINGLE picture from Thanksgiving, all adds up to one hot mess of a mama. Between work, grad school, Lily's activities, Jason's insane work schedule, my volunteer commitments and the holidays, I haven't had time to take a breath, much less take a picture. New Year resolution: take more pictures. I feel like I've said that before...

 

Anyway, here's a breakdown of the month (minus Thanksgiving....bad, mommy, bad!)

 



 

 

 

 

The first weekend of the month actually skipped forward a bit on the holiday calendar, as the Junior League of Tallahassee put on our annual Jingle Jubilee, our premiere holiday shopping event featuring vendors from all over the country. Fabulous shopping, performances by local dance companies and a special pancake breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus for the kids (and me...). It was wonderful.

 

 

Speaking of wonderful, I adore this time of year. Fabulous décor and pumpkin flavored goodies aside, this time of year is the best simply because it's the time of year when everyone comes home. I am one of the few who stayed here in town after high school, and one of even fewer who set up house here after college. I love seeing pictures of my friends in all of their dream-following, change of pace and place lives. Some day, when flight rates drop, I'll visit them. But for now, text messages and phone dates get me through the week. While I haven't yet regretted staying home - Tallahassee is proving to be a perfect place for our growing family - I do miss them something fierce. Come November, though, communication changes. Their voices are clear because they're in the same room as I am, not at the other end of a phone line. The sparkle in their eyes is brighter than ever because it's not being blurred by webcams. Their hugs and smiles beat a text message alert any day. I love it when they come home.

 

 

 

Kyla came home for a blink before she had to head back to NYC. No worries, though, she'll be moving back to Tally in January! Woohoo!

 

 

 

Lisa also came home along with our friend Kristen (from D.C and Las Vegas, respectively). We all met up at the FSU v. UF game to cheer on our Seminoles! Apparently we weren't cheering loud enough....I don't want to talk about it. Heartbreaking. Just heartbreaking. But it was just fabulous visiting and tailgating! #NoleFanForever

 

 

The end of Thanksgiving and the FSU/UF game mark the official beginning of the Christmas season. I met up with some Junior League gals at our local Painting With a Twist and made a new item for the house:

 

Yep - I'm an artist, now. No big deal.

 

 

The new art, plus our usual decorations, plus a whole new heap of decorations (after an emergency run to Hobby Lobby. The décor we had to decorate our townhouse barely covers a single room in our new house. That just would not do!) have all been put up, minus a Christmas tree and a few other finishing touches. Working on the tree....have I mentioned we're busy? Anyway, after the stocking were hung by the chimney with care (because I have a chimney now! How cool is that?!?!), we lit our first fire. As with everything else, it was wonderful.

 

October - all of it!

Yeah, it's December. Not even going start with the apologies or excuses. You know how it goes!Here's an October dump for ya.

 

 

Pumpkin picking to kick off the month!

 

 

 

 

 

With the pumpkins picked and carved, pumpkin spice lattes in hand, we began Halloween celebrations!

 

 

Candy Corn outfit for Halloween day. Thanks, Aunt Annette!

 

 

 

Tucker, his family, and Alisha came over for trick-or-treating! A little pre-costume photoshoot.

 

 

 

Quick costume change and some candy pre-gaming. Lily definitely has her eye on the prize!

Family pic! Happy Halloween!