The Lost Tooth

One late night in Paso Robles, Brian and I were waiting not-so-patiently in our hotel bathroom while the kids fell asleep in the hotel room. We were all tired from driving all day in the rain on our way to visit Brian's grandparents in San Luis Obispo.

After numerous attempts to get the kids to sleep we thought we were successful until a little knock sounded on the bathroom door. Out of frustration I firmly bellowed, "Go back to bed!" The little knock came again. I opened the door. Isabella squinted from the bright light, held out her tooth in her palm and grinned a bloody grin.

She had finally lost her first tooth!

I love how in her mind (and a bit in my mind too) loosing a tooth is a right of passage. She's been wanting a loose tooth since she started school and was surrounded by kids bragging and sharing stories of lost teeth. This seems to be the beginning of the passage from little kid to big kid. For me, it's exciting and scary at the same time. She really needs to stop growing up!

 

 

After all the excitement and photos we put her tooth in a little container, she stashed it under her pillow and promptly fell asleep. The instant she woke up in the morning, she flipped over on her knees looked under the pillow and excitedly retrieved her gift from the tooth fairy. And then she shook her daddy awake to share the exciting news.

Later that day, from the backseat of the rental car, she inquired, "Did you really leave the money under the pillow?"

Hmmmm....

 

 

 

Sunshine + Family

I try and come to California every February for a couple of reasons; but the main reason is to escape NYC during its dreariest, coldest season and soak up some California sunshine while visiting my wonderful family.  With NYC having one of its most mildest winters ever I was wondering if I had timed my trip all wrong. But my sunshine state does not disappoint. Northern California is also having a very mild winter, or should I say early spring. It has been sunny and in the mid 60s everyday this week (well, except the one day it wasn't, but I've already forgotten that).  (Usually it is a little cooler and rainy in February.). Yesterday we played outside in the 70 degree sunshine all day!  It was amazing, fabulous, and so good for my soul. 

 

 The last time we were able to visit I was 7 months pregnant with Simon and Oliver wasn't walking yet. As much as I wanted my kids to go exploring, it was exhausting for me to chase Isabella around my mom's few acres. But this time feels so different. With Simon on my hip I can chase after Isabella and Oliver almost all day.  It is so much fun!  

 

 Three of my five brothers: Kayle with Kate (Brett's baby), Sean with his Marek, and Brett with my Simon.

Yes, Sean and Brett (my "little" brothers) are twins. When Isabella first saw them (it's been a long time since she's seen them together) she quietly came up to me, a bit perplexed, and said, "Your brothers look...the same."

There is an age gap between the oldest cousins and the younger ones. Which actually makes for some very fun playmates, extra helping hands and awesome babysitting while we visit.  This is the amazing Emma becoming reacquainted with Oliver (aka making him laugh really hard).  I love that my older nieces and nephew completely adore my kids. 

All Terrain Vehicles

My older brother, Kayle, is a great brother. The kind of brother that always knows how to show everyone a good time. A brother who has lots of fun toys and generously shares them with us.

We love riding Kayle's ATVs around my mom's few acres. Even though I drive slow and steady the kids always beg for more. I think Oliver is addicted to riding them.

My Amazing Flight

Our flight out to California was epic. Three little kids and one mama. People said I was crazy. Other people said I was brave. I didn't think much about it, other than I wanted to go visit my family in CA and that was the only way it was going to happen.

That's not to say I wasn't nervous. I was crazy nervous! The few days before we flew I kept playing over and over us checking in, getting through security, getting to the gate, getting onto the plane, etc, etc, etc. I thought I had it down. No problem!

Well, until I checked my bags and the guy told me I'd have to check my stroller too because the wheels were too big. When I told him I could just take the wheels off he looked at me like I was crazy. Which I was. He was adamant. I almost started bawling. Of all the things I worried about, loosing my stroller at the beginning of the trip was not one of them. Luckily my trusty ergo save the day, again. Luckily Oliver was so excited to get on a BIG plane he was willing to obediently walk by my side the entire time. Luckily Isabella was her usually amazing self and carried the kids bags and held Oliver's hand. Luckily going through security was the easiest it has ever been (since I've had kids). Luckily everything I actually did worry about never happened.

We were so blessed (other than loosing the stroller) the entire trip. The fight was only half full (or should I say, half empty). Each of the boys slept 2 hours at different times. The flight attendants were super sweet and helpful. The whole flight went so well.

It was beyond AMAZING!

California Oranges

 My mom has a small, young orange tree that produces yummy fruit.  There's nothing quite like a super fresh orange!

 I am attempting to publish this while on vacation using a new gadget and app...hope this works!

Right Now

California here we come!

You know your kids are New Yorkers when...

...they fold their pizzas.

Isabella taught her cousin, Roman, how we do it around here.

Becoming a Better Mom

Here are some bits and pieces that have got me thinking lately.  I hope I'm always improving; becoming better.  Especially as a mom.  My little ones are so perfect and precious.  I want to be the most amazing mom...for them.  Because they are the most amazing people.  

I just came across this quote today and I love it!  I need to read it often and remember "do not try to choose it all."

"Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of the world’s goods in order to spend more time with their children—more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all. Their goal is to prepare a rising generation of children who will take the gospel of Jesus Christ into the entire world.  That is influence; that is power."  -Julie B. Beck

------------------------------

I recently purchased Mindset for Moms for only a few dollars (the pdf version) and I love it.  I love that it is simple and concise.  I really need to have more positive thoughts and energy in my mothering lately.  It's been good to have these simple reminders of finding the joy in motherhood.

-----------------------------------------

This is a TED video of a father, actually, but I apply his insights to my mothering.  Ric Elias was on the plane that landed in the Hudson River a few years ago and he shares his story and how that event changed his life perspective.  I hope to remember and learn the lessons he learned without a near death experience.  

Guy Smiley

This is my new favorite photo of Simon.

P.S. Simon loves the wind.  He gets so excited when big gusts blow by.

The Year of the Dragon

We use to have a New York City "bucket list" on our wall.  It was all those things that we wanted to do while living here.  That list is long gone (in one of our many moves, I'm sure), but I seem to still have a mental list going.  (And since NYC always has new fun stuff to do, my list is never ending.  I'm coming to terms with the fact that I will never be able to do everything in this amazing city and must accept that 95% is enough.)

Going to the Chinese New Year parade was on that mental list.  This year--our 7th winter in the city--I was going to go!  I marked it on my calendar a month ahead of time even (very rare for me).  The morning of the parade Brian felt sick (he finally caught what the kids had), the kids were bouncing off the walls, and I was thinking it wasn't going to happen.  But, somehow, when I really want something to happen, it does.  Everything came together.  Brian started feeling better, Oliver feel asleep in the ergo on the way there, and Isabella always thrives on being outside--so she was a trooper.

Since Chinatown was going to be beyond crowded we left the stroller at home; Brian had Oliver in the ergo and I had Simon in the sling.  It worked so well.  We got there a bit late, but found a decent spot and watched the parade for about a half hour.  Then we headed to Joe's Shanghai for yummy soup dumplings (my fave!).  After that, and the best part of the day, was when we wandered the streets full of confetti, shot off some confetti canons ourselves and just enjoyed the day.

Right Now

Enjoying this amazing warm day.

My Weekend Off (aka My Husband is Awesome!)

Last weekend Brian took Isabella and Oliver up to his parents' house in Connecticut for two whole days.  Originally it was just going to be Brian and Isabella but when Oliver caught wind of what was going on he insisted on being included.  "ME!  Neti-neti-nut!"  He repeated it at least a half dozen times.  Brian wasn't sure how he would juggle two kids on the busy train.  He looked into Oliver's eyes and asked, "Will you be good?"  

Oliver met Brian's stare, "Dyes."

"Will you listen to Daddy?"

"Dyes."

"Mommy will be here at home, do you still want to go?"

"Dyes."

"Do you really, really, really want to go to Connecticut?"

"Dyes."

I've never seen my sweet, happy boy have such serious eyes.  He was committed.  With some slight hesitation Brian agreed.

My mouth said, "Are you sure?"  My heart exclaimed, "YEEHAW!!"  I couldn't believe I was going to have two whole days just me and the babe.

I seriously couldn't believe it.  It snowed most of Saturday which stopped all my plans to go out and run all over the city with just one baby.  (I miss going anywhere, anytime now that I have 3 little ones.)  Instead Simon and I took it easy.  We stayed in.  I made banana muffins.  I relaxed!!!  It was uh-mazing!

When Brian and the kids got back on Sunday I was a whole new me...or should I say, the old me was back.  I felt happy and cheerful again.  I felt renewed.  It was a wonderful break.

Thank you Brian!!!  You are amazing!!!

At Grandma & Grandpa's house.

The Climber

This little dude is a climber!  He's determined to get higher and higher each time.  I wish I had photo documentation of all the surfaces he's scaled, but some are just too dangerous to not immediately remove him.

I actually love these phases of each of my kids.  They have each had at least one phase when they innately had to perfect a physical skill.  They are determined to keep at it until they've got it.  Nothing can stop them!  I love it!  Isabella use to jump everywhere, off everything.  Oliver insisted on sitting at a very young age. Simon, he loves to climb.

It's a tricky one.  He has two older siblings who constantly move chairs and stools to very fun climbing spots.  (They both love to help me in the kitchen.)  And a mother who is a bit more distracted.  I'm getting into the habit of scanning the room and putting all chairs against the one open wall or the couch before putting Simon on the floor.  He's been known to try and push an older sibling off a chair so he can get on, or attempt to climb onto the chair while it is still being used.  Fortunately, he hasn't figured out that he can slide chairs to climbable spots.  At least not yet!

Warning: removing him while in the act will result in extreme body convulsions and ear piercing screams.

My Sickies

A few weeks ago Isabella got sick.  Mild fever, cough, etc.  It lasted for a good two weeks.  Then Simon got it.  Now it's Oliver's turn.  His was pretty mild and I had thought we were almost done, until last night.  Here's to another week of hibernation*.  Another week of lots of movies.  Another week of lots of cuddles.

*This year I am finding joy in slowing down and hibernating during the winter.  It feels good to spend time focused inside, making food, reading, cuddling and just enjoying this time.

Christmas Highlights

Christmas was lovely.  Simple, pure loveliness.  The Carini's came down for a few days from Connecticut (they stayed in a hotel, cause there is no room in our "inn") and we celebrated the holiday with them.  It was surprisingly simple, fun, and dare I say, calm.  Just the way Christmas should be.

Christmas Eve

Grandpa was an excellent sport donkey for the Christmas story, carrying a pensive Mary; guided by an adorable Joseph (or was Oliver a shepherd?).

Great Grandma with one of her 15 great grandchildren

Exhausted Mary.  Gentle Joseph.  Squirmy Baby Jesus.

Christmas Morning

A highlight was walking to and from church on Sunday.  Spencer played Christmas carols on his accordion the whole way.  It was beyond awesome!