When the newness of motherhood fades….

Just recently while my kids were playing in the backyard and I was watching them through the kitchen window while cooking dinner, it hit me how independent my kids are becoming and with that thought came this…. the newness of motherhood is fading.  I am no longer completely captivated by a teeny tiny being. I am no longer excited to capture every. single. moment. I'm not lost in the wonder of "who they will become" and that's because it'a all happening right here and now. Glimpses of preteen years are right around the corner.

These little people are quickly growing up.

This is it.

One day you wake up and realize their childhood is happening right now. These are not only days you will always remember but they are now old enough to remember these days as well. It quite frankly takes my breath away when I really start to process that fact. So when I look out the kitchen window and my three healthy beautiful children playing in the backyard, I am in complete awe at the little life we are living and forever grateful.

A Trip To The Bakery

One of my goals this year was to take more photography classes and read more about documentary photography. I've come to realize that documentary photography is really where my heart lies and I aspire to one day be so much better at it.

Keeping with my goals I'm currently in the middle of taking a really wonderful photography/videography class. I also recently purchased an incredible break out over at Clickinmoms called Bring Your Fun by Jo Clark.  Combining my new knowledge and being inspired by both of these photography purchases I took Drew and Jillian on a trip to our new local bakery and documented our adventure.

In addition to the photos I took, I also put together a little video for my first project for my class I'm taking.

Video link here: Our Trip To The Bakery

The Year You Discovered Christmas

The older my kids get the more fun it is to see life through their eyes! Everything is so new and exciting to them and that seems to be especially true during the holidays.

Mallory, our oldest is 5 and she has vivid memories of what they holidays were like last year and the year before. However Jillian our 3 year old was only 18 months or so last Christmas. She has no memory of the holidays at our home last year and so everything is brand new to her this Christmas.

She notices and joyfully comments on every decoration in the house saying things like "Oh mommy, I like the sparkly gift decoration!"

She has such enthusiasm and excitement about every holiday event we do as a family!

Oh how she loves our Elf on the Shelf, Sprinkles. The first morning he arrived I overheard her whisper to Mallory "I think he came on Santa's sleigh!"

She loves visiting Santa Claus and couldn't' get enough of all our visits with him this year!

She asks many questions about baby Jesus's birth, The North Pole, and Elves.

She adores hearing all the Christmas songs on the radio in the car. Proudly declaring her favorite songs (Holly Jolly Christmas and Silent Night) to everyone and asking what our favorite songs are.

Sweet Jillian...you are three years old and it's the year you discovered Christmas. In a way, it's the year you taught me to rediscover this magical season!

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Making oatmeal cookies on a very cold wintery day!

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Bath photos so early in the project.....Usually these are reserved for down the line when I realize the day is almost over and I haven't taken my photo yet. Oh well, still managed to get some cute ones.

 

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Ipad girls!! This thing is a life saver. Before we got one I always thought "What do we actually need that for?" I thought I would much rather spend the money on something we need but when our lap top broke down we decided to go for it and splurge on this fancy device. Love, Love, Love it!!

 

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Besides this blog I also have an early childhood education blog where I post various activities and crafts I do with my girls. Before I became a stay-at-home mom I was an early childhood teacher for many years. I love to share the activities I used to do in the classroom with my own children now.

Here's the link if interested. www.imprintsfromtricia.com

Today we did a fun activity with all materials bought at the dollar store. I love the dollar store almost as much as I love Target! The girls had a blast using the tweezers to sort the cotton balls. (excellent fine motor skill use)

Seriously this entire activity (that they can play with over and over again) cost $6!

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She woke up last night complaining that her ear hurt. I immediately knew...ear infection. I gave her some motrin and she fell asleep and then early this morning she said her ear still hurt. We scheduled a doctor appointment and sure enough- ear infection. We all have coughs, colds, and now I have two kids on antibiotics for ear infections. Gotta love January!

 I had a play date scheduled so daddy took her to the doctor. She came back proudly showing me her Dora stickers from the doctor and loudly proclaiming "Mommy, the doctor didn't give me a shot!". (We never told her they were going to give her a shot but it's funny what they always seem to remember from past visits.)

 Tony said she did great, followed all the directions the doctor gave her. So different from her sister at that age, who was always a little more sensitive with visits and new experiences.

 If this is the worst of our January, I'll gladly take it!

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Jillian turns 2

On March 22, 2012 my baby girl turned two years old!!



We had a small Sesame Street party with family. I'll post those pics in another post. Last year I started books for the girls of letters written to them by me on their birthday and 1st day of school. Here's Jillian's.

Dear Jillian,

You are no longer my little baby anymore and I'm not quite sure exactly when it happened, that transition from babyhood to toddlerhood. I do remember recently rocking you in your chair before bed and being amazed at how much you've grown. Now, your feet dangle off the chair when not so long ago I could cradle all of you in my arms. Very recently you've started to want to do things all by yourself. Yesterday I was trying to put your shoe on and you said "No mommy, I do myself." I don't quite remember the exact day or time but somewhere in this past year you went from uttering some words to having full blown conversations with me, daddy and Mallory. You are constantly asking questions "Mommy, what's that sound?", "Why did you turn that off?", "We have Mac and Cheese for dinner, mommy?". I remember looking at you as a little baby and wondering what you'd be like, what type of personality you would have, what would make you giggle. This past year going from a one year old to a two year old your little personality has exploded! You are outgoing, waving hi to anyone that passes you in the cart at Target. Your beautiful brown curly hair seems to suit your bubbly loud disposition. You giggle over tickled feet and silly songs. You adore Mallory and in typical little sister fashion you want to do and say what she does, yet you are independent and stand your ground when necessary. You are a little love bug, a snuggler and ever so affectionate. I love how you say "kisses mommy" and pucker your little round lips to kiss me. I love when I cuddle with you, your head rests on my shoulder and I feel your little tiny hands rhythmically patting my back. That little gesture is so you, that's my Jillian. I'm not exactly sure the day, week or month but somewhere in the everyday-ness of our lives this past year the baby I once had truly turned into my little girl. You make me a better person just by being you and I will forever know I am the lucky one to be your mommy.

Happy 2nd Birthday sweet Jillian Faith.

Love,

Mommy

First big snow and bath time shots!

We had our first big snow this past week and Mallory enjoyed every last snowflake falling minute!  On a sad note my sweet baby girl Jillian came down with the croup.  We took her the ER because she woke up in the middle of the night coughing terribly and she was having trouble breathing.  I seriously thought her throat was closing up! Scary moment!

She's on the mend now and we're hoping and praying her sister is spared!