Thursday, December 22, 2011

A Mother's Christmas

Preparing for Christmas as now the mother of two small children floods my mind with memories of so many Christmas' from my childhood. How did my mother put together such wonderful holidays and stay sane. My two sisters and I always had thoughtful gifts, full stockings, dinner with all the trimmings, decorations inside and out.  One year we were even disappointed that she didn't wrap our gifts, just laid them out in piles. We had the nerve to complain!!!! So then from year on in, my Mother wrapped all of our gifts without complaint. I think I believed in Santa until I was 15 because she was that good!!

My shopping and wrapping are done. The decorations are up and today was the last school holiday function. I ran out of Elf on the Shelf spots three days ago. Cards are mailed. Advent calendar has lots of open slots.  I am exhausted and we still have three days until the big day. But when I look back at the memories of Christmas my mother made for our family, I want the same for my children.  I don't remember most of the gifts, but I remember my Mother preparing and caring that we had a wonderful holiday each year.
  I still go to my parents (and sisters) homes for Christmas Eve. My saintly  husband doesn't mind that we actually pack up the car of the presents, kids, stockings and our dog to drive over 2 hours to my parents house. I am 47 and could not possibly have Christmas Eve without sleeping in the same house with my Mother and sharing Christmas with her.  I know that I am incredibly blessed to be able to do so.  Bringing my daughter for her first Christmas will make it even more special.

I hope that in my children's future Christmas memories, they realize too that the crazy shopping, errands, parties, church plays, school concerts, Grinch/Frosty/ Rudolph movies, Xmas books, food and gifts were all done because they are and always will be loved. I hope they realize what I know now. Christmas was made special because my Mother wanted it to be, because she loved us.

Just to be clear, my father was no slouch in the holiday department. I'm just coming from a Mother's perspective. With three little girls at Xmas, I am sure just once he wished one of us would ask for a baseball.
Charlotte and my Mother, Mommie

Kerry and my Mother

Poppie and Charlotte

Walking at the Cape

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Referralversay!!


One year ago today we received the greatest, sweetest email of our life. The referral call for Yi Xiao Fei came one year ago. I was so nervous that day, finally knowing who she was, what she looked like, and thinking this was actually going to happen. One year later she is sitting right next to me playing with her baby dolls (she loves!!! baby dolls) and she is our daughter. Connor's sister. She is here, forever in our family. She is such a joyful, happy, and kind little girl. We are so blessed. I love that our referral came at Christmastime. New baby, new year, new hope and happiness.


December 17, 2011

Favorite Mickey ornament



Thursday, December 15, 2011

Christmas Card Outakes

We tried getting professional Christmas pictures done, but Charlotte was not feeling it that day. She was just afraid of the photographer and cried anytime she got near her. I felt so bad for her that we just left.  I have to say the only thing Charlotte is afraid of so far is photographers, (oh, and spiders, me too!) . In fact she liked meeting Santa, just didn't like the photographer. Luckily, she knows how much her Mama likes to take pictures, so she is fine when I am the photographer.  I decided to just do them on my own and it took lots of shots. Two kids smiling and looking straight ahead is harder than I thought!!

Funny face overload


Stop Laughing, no, you stop laughing!

Fa La La La AHHHHHHHH

You want me to look up to him??? You do know he makes a lot of poopie jokes.

Put the dress down!!

See what I'm sayin'....

This is taking forever!!! No tickling!!!

And then , we used this one...

this one.....


and this one, my favorite!!


Tuesday, December 13, 2011

FCC Xmas Party

Charlotte in red on left, Angela in black on right. Dancing buddies!
We attended our first FCC Christmas Party. Charlotte was not happy with the man in the red suit, but enjoyed playing with the other children, especially Angela. They kept dancing, and jumping, and more dancing. At least we worked off the pizza. Connor decorated a dozen cupcakes and was more than happy to to tell me Santa gave him a Lego he already had. Silly Santa!! So after the party, off to Target we went. Santa does his returns at Target as well.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

More Than Words


Words. They are coming fast and furious now. I love that each day Charlotte has added or trying to add new words. When she says more, she has now added, "More, please". That one is just the cutest, because it really sounds like "more peas". Toddler talk is c-u-t-e! She now says, up, down, bye, yeah, yay, baby, dog, mama, daddy, Gabby , (Yo Gabba), and your basic baba. Oh, the conversations we have! What I am enjoying is she doesn't say "no" yet, just shakes her head. I know it is coming, and when she is a teen , I  will tell all about the days she never said no.
Things she likes to do:
Play on my I-phone, play on my sisters I-pad. (she likes to move around the apps and plays a toddler matching game, she's not quite downloading any tunes yet).
Loves to say Anna for Annabelle when we walk in the front door from errands.
Likes to "read " books in the crib
Likes to count, she doesn't say the numbers, just the counting talk, her voice goes up , one...two...in baby talk.
Still loves to dance and do her version of baby yoga. BEST downward dog I have ever seen.
Likes to mimic funny faces.
The past two days she has added an awesome fake laugh!!! She laughs really loud and really phony at something she does, (food on the floor) and that makes me laugh.

Not the most exciting of blog posts, but hey, fun times!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Thankful For Playgrounds

Charlotte loves a good playground!! She loves being outside, trying news slides (the taller the better) and finally loves to be pushed on the swing. If the weather is nice, we try to get to our local parks asap. It's good for both of us to get fresh air and for Charlotte to see and meet some new friends.  As long as I have my cup of coffee, her bottle of water, were good to go! Luckily we live by four really good playgrounds, one by our local beach that we go to the most. It's our little routine and we love it! We have new friends and some old ones from just going to the park so much.  I am of course so thankful to have these special times with Charlotte. Thankful that she is now home with us, healthy, happy and growing.  I am thankful that Connor has grown to be the big brother I dreamed about for Charlotte. Loving and protective. He has done so well transitioning this year from basically being king of the house, to letting a Princess share in the love. 
We will be spending Thanksgiving with extended family. My family is healthy, we will have great food, and we will be all together. Happy Thanksgiving!!












Sunday, November 6, 2011

Boo!!

Here are a few pics from Halloween. We went to our friends awesome Halloween party. Every year they out do themselves with  decorations, food, fun, fun, fun!! Many of the adults like to dress in puns, so Peter thought of this one on his own. He is "Plastered"! Thankfully when most kids asked, they didn't get it and rolled their eyes.  He does all our home impovements by himself so most people just thought he was a bad spackle job. I thought he looked like Freezemeister from The Year Without A Santa Claus. Charlotte and Connor just ran around all night and had a great time. Charlotte is my daughter alright, she loves a good chip and guacamole.





Minnie was anti ears, tossed them!


Our clone trooper finally spots us at the Parkview Parade


Trick or Treating buds

Sleepy Minnie

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Rainbows and Unicorns


As I read over my blog,  I realized that I am only putting out there in the blogsphere a portrait of my life that I like to call all rainbows and unicorns. As in only the good and easy stuff. I just want to let everyone  know there are plenty of days around here that are HARD!! Adding to our family has been a wonderful , joyful, meaningful  experience and I don't regret it one second. But I don't want anyone to think that it doesn't come without a certain amount of frustration and sheer exhaustion.
Motherhood is hard. Hard if your working. Hard if you are home all day. It is impossible , at least for me, to feel I am always doing my best as a mother all day. I always feel I should be doing more. More reading books, more crafts, more attachment, more time, more itzy bitzy spider.  Motherhood the second time around at 47 is also challenging. I have never been so tired . I don't remember bending down as much the first time around. Anyway, I know in the sheer numbers of parents out there that I am not saying anything new. This whole parenting deal for as intense and crazy as it is , is just as rewarding and is exactly what I want to be doing. I just hope Charlotte's nap schedule lasts until she is 17.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Dreamy


It takes my breath away how beautiful Charlotte is when she is sleeping. I can't help it. I have to take her picture. I'm crazy! I know. But I think all Mother's feel that way. Babies asleep are beautiful.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

and a few more....

Eastham Lighthouse





Coloring at the Children's Museum
Our crew minus Aunt Kerry


Connor surf casting



Hydrangeas !!