Day by day.

 

And some days success is measured in ways that aren't easy to describe.  Content moments sitting in the trunk while mommy cleans the garage(ha!), smiles after lunch and gifts brought home from the park.  Some days the days are long, I feel restless with my inability to complete tasks but really when the day comes to an end the unfinished projects that stack and pile in little corners of my check list and closet mean nothing.  These little hearts and minds are the true importance.  If only I could always keep perspective.  Ha!  Isn't that truly what we all are working toward?  Oh perspective.

I constantly miss my grandmothers phone calls.  In the last couple years, they were daily sometimes a few a day.  She had perspective by the minute.  Living 82 years, 5 children, a lot of heartache, a lot of love will fix perspective close to your heart.  A meticulous housekeeper in her young days, she often reminded me that she never missed a single day of cleaning, but would give anything for a moment more of playing with her so loved children.

To perspective and her dear influence in my life.

Love you, Mana.

Welcome, Remy Mae.

On Monday, August 12 at 4:04am our littlest daughter was born.  With a squeal she was placed on my chest and took her first breaths while I held her in my arms.  It was just as I had dreamed it would happen.  Weighing 7lb. 6oz. and stretching out at 19 1/12 inches, her tiny body was pink, healthy and strong.

After a couple days of prodromal labor and 22 hours of "real" labor, her arrival, as I announced was "sweet relief" and so much more, that I don't even have words for.  She was born with a full head of dark hair, just as I did had when I was born.

We named her Remy Mae.  Remy- French (like Chloe) and Mae, with the relation to spring and all things growing.  And now, we have two little french flowers.  TWO as in-we. have. kids.  Every time I say, "the girls", it blows my mind.

Three months (gulp) have now passed.  I better get back to blogging so we can document such sweet time.  We've been savoring it and surviving it, day-by-day, often hour-by-hour. Postpartum recovery, around the clock nursing and a very active toddler.  Oh boy, sometimes I (we) really feel in over our heads.  But really, no one prepares you for the amount of love you feel for your babies.  It's extraordinary.  I can't keep myself from snuggling her, closing my eyes tight and wishing I could make time stand still.

So with a long overdue post, welcome to the beautiful world my dear Remy.  You've already have captured our hearts.

(For those who were following my birthing journey, yes, I was able to VBAC.  With the help of supportive doctors, the encouragement of my sweet doula and the dearest husband who coached me through labor.  I was so encouraged and best of all, I got to hold her within seconds of being born.  The best reward ever.)

Baby on the way, August 2013!

A few weeks before Christmas our prayers were answered, with confirmation that we have another little one on the way this year.  We kept our lips tightly sealed so we could reveal the news to our families on Christmas day.  When our parents unwrapped this photo of the three (four) of us.  It was a sweet moment filled with cheers and tears by all of us.  (Quietly, in my heart, I yearned for my mom to be there.)

Nausea kicked in full gear a few days after Christmas and we've been just doing our best to rest and wait out the first trimester.  I was totally caught off guard because I don't remember having a moment of sickness with Chloe.  This time it's a whole other story.  But, I'll save you my woes,  I get just too whiny when I think about it.  And let's face it, I can't think of a single reason to complain about and beautiful new soul entering our lives.

Here we are now, week 16 and I'm slowing coming out of hibernation.  Feeling stronger and more excited by the day.  As cheesy as it sounds, my heart seriously swells at the thought of holding another little love in my arms.

Photographs my Lisa Lytton Photography.

Happy 2013!

I have so many favorites, I couldn't just share a few. Our dear friend Lisa Lytton is a very talented photographer here in Phoenix. We met her at Market Street in DC Ranch to catch some candid shots of our little family. I was so happy with every shot she took and the crisp bright colors and natural lighting look so fresh. I can't wait to get one printed large scale for our new home, perhaps us laying in the grass.