Calling all Princesses and Princes...and the Queen of course

Sparkly crowns, princess dresses, princes dressed to the nines...a royal ball?  No; our sweet Norah's sixth birthday party!

 The Missouri Botanical Gardens is a fabulous birthday party destination.  Rainy weather doesn't dampen kid's excitement for birthday parties.  Rain coats on; party the afternoon away.  This was Norah's first birthday party inviting her classmates; she was thrilled to celebrate with all of them and even more excited to see them dressed up for her Princess/Prince party.

a few months ago...

Norah: Mama, I want to have the girls be Princesses and the boys be Princes
Me: That is a great idea; what will you be?
Norah: The Queen. It is my birthday 

Love that girl.  Apparently birthday lovin' comes from deep inside and genetics

    There were slides, a creek, a huge treehouse, a general store, a music garden, rocks to climb, ladders, rope bridges, a sandbox (um...not great on a rainy day.  Can't keep the kids away though.  At least socks were removed....well, most), and so much more.  A magical place for a birthday party.  So much happiness and laughter.

Sweet Six

Six.  Three simple letters that hold so much.  Six years ago today; we met our beautiful daughter for the first time.  I became a mother; Brian a father.  What a magical, wonderful night. 

Dear Sweet Norah,

You are such an incredible little girl.  You have a heart of gold and love to bring love and kindness to everyone.  You are fiercely protective of your brother and sister; and "mommy" them whenever possible.  This has been a big year for you - Kindergarten!  You learned how to tie your shoes, read, do addition, subtraction, multiplication, and even division!  You are so incredibly smart and while the good-bye in the morning is hard; you love school.  I love that your favorite part of most days is "spending time together" and "coming home". 

As bittersweet as today is...turning SIX, I am more happy than sad.  I am so proud of you and so happy to be your mom.  I hold all our memories in my heart and look forward to every single one in the future.  You can do anything my love, it's all there waiting for you.

I love you,

Mommy

Turning Two

Turning two...what a huge milestone for a baby.  It amazes me how, on that special day, they seem to transform from baby to little boy/girl.  The personality that has been shining through from day one now streams out loud and clear for all to see and hear.  Sweet William is trying to run, he mimics and laughs full belly laughs at his sisters, he is talking non-stop; saying new words every day.  He, for the first time in his life (while not on 24 hour feeds), sleeping through the night!  (Thank you William!!)  He is hilarious and finds joy in unexpected places. 

Tractors have found their way into William's heart, so the theme for the party was born from his love of them.  We had tractor rides, pony rides, and a duck pond.  The kids had fun getting wet and playing with each other. 

Family and friends came to help celebrate this wonderful day. William was surrounded by those he loves and couldn't be a happier sweet little boy.

My dear Sweet William, Happy 2nd Birthday!  I feel so lucky to be your mom and to be able to spend my days with you.  I love how excited you get when we see a tractor, a truck, or a "choo-choo"!  Your joy in every day is contagious, and I hope that never fades.  You are a miracle and are so strong.   You fight through everyday issues without losing your happiness.  I love you.  Love, Mommy

Laughter, bedtime stories, Easter celebration, sandy beaches, rocky beaches, trains, rolling hills, frozen lands, delicious food, hugs, togetherness, comforts, tall buildings, cities, love...all of this and more were present on our Canadian Vacation.

At the Cobourg Beach

Sharing a sweet kiss over lunch

Norah on the boardwalk at the Cobourg Beach

Mimi and Papa showing William sand for the first time on a beach

 The kids couldn't contain their excitement the Wednesday evening before we were supposed to leave, so Brian and I, in a moment of shared thinking; said "Let's go tonight!".  We loaded everyone up after baths and teeth brushing and were on our way.  10 minutes later, all three babes were asleep and we were moving across the states. 

We had the best vacation spending time with my parents and seeing Canada.  Norah, Bella, and William have never been across the border, so everything was new and exciting - it was to Brian and me too, but it is so much fun to see things through their eyes. 

Papa and William

Daddy and Bella getting close to the VERY cold Lake Ontario at Cobourg Beach

Norah and Mimi looking across Lake Ontario at Cobourg Beach



Papa, Daddy, Norah, and Bella - the girls touching Lake Ontario at Cobourg Beach



Mimi and William



Daddy and Bella - flying Bella

Shells at Cobourg Beach

Oh La La - Norah at Cobourg Beach

Easter Morning - William and his new lamb

Easter morning - Bella egg hunting

Easter Morning - Norah egg hunting

We had a perfect mix of time spent relaxing and time spent sight-seeing.  The five of us loved every minute of it.  Somehow the week passed too quickly and it was time to come home. It's funny how vacations seem to stretch endlessly before you at the start but so quickly they are gone. 

Thank you to Mimi and Papa for a fantastic week; none of us will ever forget a second.







Papa and William at the Port Hope Beach



Sweet Bella wanting so badly to wear her new "farkly" flip flops to the Port Hope beach - this was the compromise due to cold weather!



Happy Norah building sandcastles at the Port Hope Beach

One of my favorite photos - Mimi, William, Norah, and Bella on the train to Ottawa

Bella playing in the rock puddles at the lake access by Mimi and Papa's house - we spent a lot of time here!

Our Memory Jar

Daddy and flying William at Cobourg Beach

The birthday season

Spring has come - finally, thankfully, it appears winter's long stay is over.  There is such a freshness that comes with the start of each season.  You feel renewed and ready to bask in the wonders of the new weather- for us this means spending longer days outside; getting dirty and hearing endless giggles and little voices bounce all around us.  I am happy Spring has arrived, I missed this.

This month is also the start of our little's birthdays.  William. turns. two.  How is this possible?I ask myself when each of the children reach a new age.  William is doing so well right now.  He has been minus a g-button for 5 weeks.  For the first time ever, he is in charge of his food and liquid intake and is a rock star.  Yes, he is little.  He is smaller than the girls were.  He is perfectly William.  It seems like yesterday he was fighting for life; a point made even more so by Bella who lately brings up how scared she was when he stopped breathing.  She talks a lot to me about hoping he doesn't stop breathing again because she doesn't want us to have to be in the hospital again.  The road has been rocky, but it has been a road laid out for us by God.  He held all of us and now that we are over the first mountain (I am sure this is a mountain range with others in the distance), we can see the sun. 

I feel retrospective during the birthday months of our children.  I remember feeling them kick and push against me in those last few weeks.  The overwhelming excitement of knowing we would have our baby to hold in our arms in a short time.  The fear and nervousness of the unknown.  My heart bursting with even more love than I ever knew possible seeing each baby for the first time.  The beautiful music of their first cry, all their giggles, their stomach-deep-throaty laughs. the thumping of baby legs crawling through the house, the pitter patter of itty bitty feet that fit in the palm of my hand.  The late night calls and the pushing me out of my bed during restless sleep.  The family bed on weekend mornings where it holds more love than humanly possible.  It is all going so fast.  I am thankful for the wisdom of others who told me in the early days of my pregnancy with Norah to take deep breaths and remember each moment.  How did I get so lucky to be a mom to three?  I know this is where I belong and am happier than ever.

My baby...our baby baby is turning two.  Incredible and amazing.