My 32nd.

 

16 days after little Remy was born, I celebrated my 32nd birthday.  It was low key, just as it should be with a newborn at home.  A pediatric appointment and a quick stop for breakfast at a favorite local cafe.  Several family members visited later that day.  They were really there to see the baby, but being with family made my birthday Happy!

Coming home.

After one night hospital stay we drove home and snuck in the front door and I could hear the last words of my dad reading Chloe a bedtime story.  I walked upstairs and peeked my head in to see Chloe sleeping soundly.  I'm pretty certain our heads hit the pillow within minutes of arriving home.  A few hours later Remy woke in a loud cry and I heard Chloe's feet hit the floor running.  Upon entering our room she squealed, "Mommy, there is a baby in here!"  Kevin and I couldn't stop giggling about her reaction.  I think we were pretty delirious too.  We spent the next 3 hours huddled together. Chloe checking out her tiny fingers, her teeny toes and talking a mile a minute about her baby sister.

In the days that followed she would proudly announce to each visitor who came, "Here is our baby!".  And inside my heart swelled to ridiculous proportions.

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.)

She's here. (and nearly a month old)

Well, I'll spare you the whiney details of late pregnancy aches, pains, sleepless nights and the anticipation of labor...lucky for you, we can skip all that, because our sweet baby girl is here!
Now, let me find the proper photos and words to appropriately welcome our tiniest love.  I will tell you this much, love is in the air.  

Sprinkle.

It was a truly beautiful, heart-filling kind of morning.  Chatting, laughing, delicious food, ogling over the sweetness of baby items and some really great friends.  My sweet friend Lisa, hosted a special party for me and baby girl on the way.  Everything was so beautiful, special and yummy.  Let me just say, homemade quiche.  (How she pulled it off while tending to a toddler, newborn and photography business is beyond me.) And the cake was over-the-top darling, Lana.

I felt so blessed to have this special morning with my Arizona friends and Kevin's Aunt Sheryl before our little lady is born.  I'm already missing these ladies and this room of laughter.  Dear Friends, Thank you for sprinkling me with your love.  Honestly, I felt so honored to be celebrated in such a loving way.

Our littlest lady will be so lucky to be born already surrounded by so much love.  August is just around the corner.

Morgan turns 30!

My dear cousin Morgan came to Phoenix with a slew of girlfriends to celebrate her 30th birthday.   It was the perfect opportunity for them to escape the still cold weather in Idaho and soak up some sun here in the desert.  I was thrilled this was there destination so I could join in the fun and celebrate this dear friend who happens to also be family.  We are lucky that way.  I snuck away for a night to celebrate with the girls, spend time by the pool and join in all the shopping, dining fun.  It was sucha  great refresher and then Morgan joined us for a few days at our home.  Chloe was so excited and we even got to go to Disney on Ice together.  Such a treat to have her here.  Chloe is still asking when Cousin Morgan will come back to visit.  We hope soon!

Happy 30th Gina!

Several weeks back, while we were in California for Easter, we also got to celebrate this dear friends 30th Birthday.  We got up and headed fresh-faced to the day spa for the whole afternoon.  What a treat for both of us.  The pampering and the time together were so cherished.  Gina and I have been friends since we were in diapers and I can't tell you how strong our bond really is.  Growing up she really was like my other sister.  After sun, massages, floating around in the pool we came home to pretty up and meet up with the guys and head out to a fancy, italian dinner.  It was such a special way to celebrate and I couldn't be more delighted to have this girl in my life for the last 29 years.  She is the epitomizes enthusiasm, compassion, and has a vibrant love of life.  Happy 30th Gina Beana!

Trip to MacDonald's Ranch.

Her special horse, Felina.

Bird lover.

Cheesy family shot in the pumpkin patch, we had to.  Check out those cactus. 

It was hot and dusty but we made it out with some perfectly festive pumpkins.  And Chloe rode her first horse.  I could hardly reach her to hold her on to the horse as we walked a long, and she was totally silent until it was time to get off.  Then naturally, she wanted more.  I see more horse riding in our future.  The chickens were her favorite part of the petting zoo. This girl really is a bird lover.

And then we splashed!

Kevin with his darling Aunt Sheryl.

It was a simple party with a couple of our local friends.  Summer in Arizona is too hot to be anywhere but in the water.  And a splash party is so much more relaxing for parents of non-swimmers.  We had so much fun playing at the Scottsdale Quarter and had a light lunch and cupcake before every one was ready for a long afternoon nap.  What a great way to spend the day.

We are so happy to have met a few great friends.  I'm certain we'll be friends for many years to come.