one year ago

 We welcomed you into this world and today our lives are all the better...

wondering

"Why do babies smell so good?"

Buddy asked this question again this weekend.  He's been thinking about it I can tell.  He has even developed his own theory that involves the vernix soaking into babies skin very deeply and explains why their good smell is stronger right when they are born, and the scent lingers, but gets washed off a bit with each newborn bath.  Ahh, a young boy knowing so much about babies and birth, it makes me proud.

And it makes me wonder.  Wonder, why do babies smell so good.  I am not quite sure, but I know that the smell is intoxicating and wonderful and can sway you to pass the time with your nose buried into their sweet necks and wrinkly fists.  My big kids can't resist the lure of his fragrant ears and feet.  I even adore the scent mingled with that just-spit-up breastmilk smell.  All of it so sweet and warm and oh so fleeting.

There is much I've been wondering lately...

:: Why Lovey picks each and every bloom in our yard, despite the many reminders to let them keep growing.  She loves those flowers so.

:: How a kid-made bird feeder is so delightful.  Maybe it is the anticipation of the birds to come that is the true delight.

:: How that first day of swimsuits and sprinklers in the back yard holds a magic that can't be duplicated any other day of the summer.

:: Why every time I see this cup of toothbrushes that I feel happiness and disbelief all jumbled together.  How did our family grow to be this size, and Pal doesn't even have teeth yet.

:: How it's possible that soccer last weekend involved snowflakes and scarves and this weekend involved sunscreen and sitting out on a blanket.

:: Why, no matter how caught up with laundry I get, that there is always more, and ever more.

:: What the routine will be for the summer.  Wondering alot about my ability as a parent to make it  lovely and calm and fun and memorable.  This summer will be so different than any before, so I have such high hopes.

:: How, with the busy that is to come with summer, I can make sure to enjoy my own summer daydreams too.  I've begun daydreaming what my list might be this year.

:: About my next project.  There are so many, little and big, that I want to do.  So I am always wondering what I can successfully squeeze in between and among this role of mothering.

What, my friends, has you wondering today?

scenes from a babymoon

Well our babymoon has been spent with lots of hugs, kisses, snuggles, naps and more hugs and more kisses.  These pictures happen to be the ones where Pal's face was actually showing.  I have tons of photos where he can't even be seen because of the heads and bodies of his siblings hovering about him in an almost constant state of snuggling, or hugging, or kissing or holding.  All. The. Time.

I think Pal gets 100 hugs and 1,000 kisses a day.  Easily.

These past few weeks have also brought countless diapers.  Some well-slept nights and some not-so-well-slept nights.  Lots of breastmilk.  A wee bit of spit up.  And one very impressive poop incident.  (I am sparing you the picture that I texted to Daddy.  Trust me, it was impressive.)

I've re-learned the art of doing many a task while holding a baby.  And I've made myself abandon some tasks and simply sit down and enjoy gazing at my youngest.  My three older children being my everyday reminders that these days are fleeting.

We've fully enjoyed this time of soaking in the sweet warm smell of a newborn and the squeaky lovely sounds he makes. 

We've also been graced with home-made meals from family and friends and helping hands here to hold Pal, play with the littles, help with errands and take out the trash if needed.  Oh how blessed we feel.

I also received these sweet gifts in the mail from blogger friends.  Erin sent these darling fabric bags, perfect for carrying just a few diapers and wipes in my purse.  Somehow she knew it was the exact thing I needed!

Amy sent along a mama merit badge.  Oh I've been admiring these, and boy it sure feels like I earned this pregnancy badge this time around!

During this time I was so inspired by the poetic honesty of my guest bloggers.  Their stories -- each uniquely their own -- were gifts to me as I continue on my journey of motherhood.  I am so grateful these amazing women are in my life, whether in person or through our blogs.

I look forward to being back in this space with you my dear readers!

this moment

Joining Soulemama, and many others, in this moment. 

In Amanda's words: "A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

Please link to your moment too -- I love to see what you are savoring this week!

Wishing you a weekend full of all things wonderful!

and why I haven't been hanging at this water cooler much

I've been a bit busy.

Going to bed early.  Sometimes right after dinner.

Sneaking naps.

Eating steak.  Lots of steak.  Sometimes at 11:00 pm.

Squeezing into drawstring yoga pants.

And not being propped up by coffee, or chocolate.  Oh my.

All of this, my friends, can only mean one thing for me.

I'm expecting.

Happily.  In a very tired and always hungry sort of way.  Ahem.

So our days have also become sprinkled with questions about umbilical cords and the auditory capabilities of a baby in a belly.  "Yes, the baby can hear what you are saying."

There is daily brainstorming by Buddy of names I might like.   "Hmmm, that's a neat name, Buddy.  Though I don't think I would name our baby after a character from Phineas and Ferb."

There is the giggling at pictures of how a baby in a belly looks at 8 weeks old.  "Yes, it does sort of look like an alien."

This time around has a whole new kind of fun with it.  Kids who realize that a new little person will be joining us, so they keep asking when.  "After Halloween, and Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and New Years and Valentine's Day.  And most likely after St. Patrick's Day too."

Which right now seems far away.  But I know will come in a blink.  So, good thing Buddy's list of names gets longer each day.