Spring Has Sprung!

 

Spring is here, finally!  We were waiting quite a while.  The dreariness has lifted, the flowers are blooming, the world is becoming colorful again!  Easter was fun... with egg dying and three (!) egg hunts,  baskets and gifts (not pictured) from the Easter Bunny.  Dad said, "Since when does the Easter Bunny bring wrapped gifts?".  Umm, this year!  The weather is getting warmer which means lots more time outdoors and windbreakers.  No wonder this is Mommy's favorite season!

Autumn Changes

I can see and feel the changes that autumn brings all around me.  Some feel so, so nice... like the picture perfect sunny but cool days & chilly nights sleeping with the windows open.  The pumpkin lattes & mums popping up on neighbor's porches.  Some are taking a little getting used to...like the tired boys adjusting to their school routine & recovering from their first of many colds of the season.  The sun that is setting earlier and earlier each day.

I find myself in the midst of so much personal change as well.  Finding time to be a good mom to the twins with a brand new baby is the hardest.  I feel spread so thin and I know this will get easier as Amelia gets older (she's already growing so fast...smiling and squealing!) , wanting so badly to get my body & energy back after baby, trying to do everything just as I used to as if I am not currently dealing with all this change!

I am not the most patient of people (Andrew will say that is an understatement!) & I am realizing that I am not too fond of change as well.  Is anyone really?  There are lots of personal lessons to be learned right in these moments.  I am sure of that.  The trick is noticing them, learning them and getting through each day with gratitude and grace.  It's not easy but I am trying!

And my sweet boys and little girl love me so much that they are being so patient through it all.

How adorable are those shirts handmade by my friend Lauren!

Me, Pregnant

I told myself when I was pregnant with the boys that I would take belly pictures each month and I never did.  I did take some end of pregnancy shots, which are fun to look back on now, to remember just how huge I grew.

One of the boys took these pictures sometime last month, when I was 7 months, almost 8...with our one little peanut girl in my belly...who appears to be a pretty big peanut actually.

The doctors and ultrasounds say this baby will be big and I am measuring 2-3 weeks ahead at least.  But that's okay, I've carried around more baby weight before.  I am just glad for all the kicks and squirms in there, reminding me that in 6 weeks or less we will be holding a bundle of pink!!

Almost Four

My babies are almost four. I can't even believe it! Next weekend we will be celebrating their birthdays.

It all goes so fast!

This is what I looked like this time, four years ago!

Holy crappola, I was bigger than I remembered.

Mother's Day

I am the luckiest mom in the world.

What's New Around Here

1. Our house is UNDER CONTRACT! We are out of attorney review, appraisal & home inspection have been done. We should be out of our house by the end of this month or early April. Andrew's parents are so kind... they are letting us live in their Ocean City home for a few months while we look for a new house here in Point Pleasant.
Here are some pictures of a day trip we took to Ocean City on a cold February day to check things out and give the boys a change of scenery. Nicole & her girls, Jane and Clara, stopped by. The boys are learning to kiss girls these days...





2. Mommy turned 33! We had a visit from Christine, Kevin, Grandmom & Grandpop plus doggies. Yes, that is mom licking the ice cream scoop and Ben licking the table...







3. Mommy & her friend Lauren hosted their first Petite Tea party. It went well. Here are some pictures from the party...