This perfect life

I'm sitting here soaking up life and it couldn't be sweeter. I owe everyone a very long update on how great everything's going, but for now I'm just enjoying it. Will post soon!!

Half Birthdays

Dear Lily,

Today, you are 2 1/2 years old. For some reason, I've always been nostalgic on these half days and this one strikes me as being the one where you're officially a "big girl."

I remember your first half birthday at the beach. It had been a day I had been dreaming about since you were born. Daddy wrote me this note when I was 8 months pregnant with you.

"Just think that in 7 months you me and the kid will be chillin on the beach in Isle of Palms!!! Sitting in the sand watchin lily get splashed by little waves and falling on her butt. Then takin her to the boardwalk for some chicken fingers. Good times!!!! Hopefully that will put you at ease. I love you baby!!!!"

When the time finally came, it was so special. Our first family vacation.

Your second half birthday knew a new girl. You could toddle around and even could say a hand full of words. You loved the zoo, outside and playing with your Mommy and Daddy. Most days you wore two little pigtails and had us wrapped around your pinky finger.

When I first found out I was pregnant, the first thing I figured out was how old you'd be. 2 1/2 seemed like light years away. Today, it is here.

Today, you are about to embark on a new adventure. In a few days, you will be a big sister. I know you will be great at it. Even at 2 1/2, you are kind, loving and a bit sassy. You keep us laughing constantly. You are such a blessing to us. I never knew I could love someone as much as I love you.

Today, we did some of your favorite things. We watched Mickey Mouse just so you could say "Meska Mooska Mickey Mouse!" and "Oh Toodles!". At Target, you requested your favorite by name, "hot dog and pop." (Yes, Mommy said she wouldn't give you pop, but you're just too darn cute!) I love how much you love our Mommy/Lily Target lunches. We played outside and now you are napping in my arms.

I love you so much, Little Girl. More than words can ever say. Happy half birthday!

Love,
Mommy

19 more days...

I can't believe it. After wishing... Hoping... Praying... It's almost here! And we're so ready to meet our baby girl.

The last few days have been full of amazing surprises for a worn out Mommy...





Not even born and this girl has the cutest shoes in the house...





You've got mail!









A friend that knows me so well, she beat me to the punch at buying this adorable dress for my newest girl...





And a surprise visitor from California!

... Who then insists we take some last minute belly shots to commemorate this last beautiful pregnancy...









Baby Onesko, we're ready for you!

I love this part of the day so much...

I love this part of the day so much...
Not because she's quiet.
Not because I get a break.
Because in this moment, I get to reflect on all that was so wonderful about my girl today.

I get to remember that today I told her she was lucky and she looked at me puzzled and told me, "Mommy, Lucky is at home with Mimi. I am Yiyee and I like to party." (Thank you, Daddy.)

I get to picture the baby animals perfectly lined up on the windowsill and her proud face when she told me to open my eyes and said "ta da!"

I feel the body slam that follows an announcement that we needed a "big hug!"

And I even see the wariness in her eyes as she shows Grandma and Papa the room that will be her baby sister's and her excitement when they next want to see her room once more.

I look at this perfect person who has changed me in so many fabulous ways and fills me with so much joy. I remember the way it felt to look at the sun baking her newborn skin through the window two years ago and drink in the fulfillment she's brought me every day in those past two years.

I love this part of the day so much...

Easter Part 1

It's not even 11AM and I can't help but write about how much fun we've had. Last easter was fun, but I couldn't have begun to imagine what great things this easter had in store for us. Last night, Lily and Rob had a great time coloring eggs.

Lily was so proud of the beautiful eggs that they colored and would've been perfectly happy to end easter there.

This morning, we woke up to a note from the Easter Bunny.

At first, the idea of the Easter Bunny in our house terrified Lily, but once we explained that he was gone, she really got into it. She was so excited to hunt eggs.

And she couldn't believe that the Easter Bunny knew she liked animals!

And even shared her candy with Mommy and Daddy...

More easter fun to come!

I always forget...

How good it feels to laugh until I cry.










How I fall in love with my husband again every time I see him play with my friend's kids.




How happy it makes me to see my girl love people I love.







That sometimes the things that seem like obstacles turn out to be the best blessings.

Traditions

Early in the morning.
Early in the morning.
When I'm fast asleep.
When I'm fast asleep.

I'm little. Little enough to be enveloped in my Mom's arms. Cold from just getting out of a bath, but warm and snuggly cuddled up in a towel close to her. She sings to me and I wait to sing my part. The way we sing every night. And will sing for many nights to come.

Fast forward 23 years give or take a few. She's cuddled up in my arms and she doesn't quite know the words yet. But she knows she likes it. She knows to ask for the "bird song".

Tonite is special. I hold her in my arms and when I sing the first line, someone else sings back. She sits there mesmerized watching her Mom and "Mimi" sing the song they've sung so many times before. The song they know by heart. The song that
she'll someday sing to her little girl.