A Sweet Mantle

With all of the help I've been getting from my sweet Mom and those two naps a day that my sweet daughter is taking, I was able to get a jump start on my Valentine's Day decor. I've never decorated for V-Day before. In fact, I've never cared all that much about the holiday at all. But just like having a child changed my feelings about Halloween, it has also changed my outlook on this cute little holiday. I figure, why not soak up all the beauty a day dedicated to pretty little things, sweet candy and paper hearts has to offer. 

Here are a few pictures of my Valentine's day mantle...well it's not really a mantle. It's an old  IKEA table that Jared sawed in half for me so that I could have a place to put all my pretties. But at any rate, here it is ;)

And while I'm on the subject of pretty little things, here are a few pictures of the prettiest little thing of all!

I love her feet. I seriously think I could snap a hundred pictures of these little piggies every day.

Jared's cousin sent her a musical mirror with a little comb, makeup brush and lipstick that she just loves.

She loves playing with the baskets that corral all of her toys. She pulls toys out, peaks inside, tips them over, and sometimes crawls right in.

Sweet.

Freedom

So, as I mentioned before, I came down with a very nasty stomach virus after we got home from New York. What I didn't mention is that I became so dehydrated that I was unable to produce any milk for three days and then, the medication I was on left me unable to nurse for several more days. I never pump and so we had no milk reserves in the freezer. Long story short, Jared had to give Emerson formula. Much to our surprise, Little Lady loved it. She takes a bottle down like it's her job. I'm no longer on any meds, but we figured that if the transition from breast to bottle was this easy, we might as well keep it going. It was definitely bitter sweet to stop breastfeeding (I may have shed a tear or two the first time I gave her a bottle full of formula) but we were planning on beginning the weaning process at nine months anyway. I guess we're lucky it was easy?

Anyway, on becoming a "free woman", we asked my parents to hold down the fort Monday night after Emerson went to bed and my sweet husband took me to one of our favorite restaurants for my very first alcoholic beverage (apart from a glass of wine here and there) in 18 months. We sat down at the bar, and before the bartender could finish welcoming us to the establishment, I asked, with the enthusiasm of a 7 year old ordering her favorite ice cream flavor, for a "dirty martini-straight up. Kettle One. Extra dirty." And it was delicious. I nursed that martini as Jared and I talked about our next move, work, and our sweet girl. I know it's just a drink, but I kinda felt like me again. Well, I always feel like me. I am me. but I guess I felt a little bit like the old me. Not that that's better or worse than the new me...oh, whatever. It just felt good!

Something else that feels good is having some energy. Emerson is FINALLY sleeping through the night AND napping twice a day. And what a difference sleep has made for both of us! She is a happier baby, I am a happier mama. A happy mama and baby is a very good thing! With my new found energy I have been on several loong bike rides. I usually take off just after laying Emerson down for her afternoon nap. I can relax more that way. The weather here in the Keys is simply perfect right now. Not too hot, and there is a nice breeze most days. I take my hair out of the ponytail I wear it in all day long (to protect it from tiny, grabbing fingers), and allow the soft breeze to caress my head. Really, it's like therapy for me. I get that dog hanging out of the car window. Ears and tongue flapping in the breeze feeling. Just free.

Life is pretty sweet these days. Bring on the sleep. Bring on the freedom. Bring on the happy. Floppy ears and flapping tongue happy!

Little Bird

Dear Emerson Faith,

I can't believe that I'm writing a letter to you in your eighth month. Emerson, you are eight months old and I never thought I could love you more than I did in your seventh month, but I do. I love you more and more every day.  Each day, you reveal more of your intoxicating personality, your unreserved enthusiasm and eagerness, your determination and resolve. I never could have predicted 8 months ago who the beautiful pink and screaming baby in my arms would become, but I can assure you that you are more than I could have ever imagined. 

Being your mama has been the most beautifully challenging thing I've ever done. You have pushed me to my limits and brought me to my knees and I absolutely love life more because you're in it. Your existence has made life more meaningful, more lovely, more everything. Thank you for allowing me to see the world though your eyes. Waking up every morning to your infectious smile has been such a gift and loving you--well all I can say is my heart will always hurt loving you and I am so thankful for that. 

I love you so much. And I will spend the rest of my life trying to show you just how much I do. I love you, I love you, I love you. Sweet girl, you are everything. Our heart's desire, our dreams fulfilled. 

Happy 8 months, sweet girl.

Love,

Mama

New York

This post has been a long time coming! The day after we got back from New York, I came down with that nasty stomach virus that's been going around. Awful! Just after I got better, my parent's came into town, so I've been soaking up lots of good, quality time with them. Not a lot of time to sit down and write, but now here I am, enjoying a few quiet moments of picture posting and writing...

Here are a few (hundred) pics from our week in New York...

Our trip started out with a 4 hour layover in Orlando. Yikes! We laid out a sheet in a not-so-busy corner of the airport and brought out toys and food to keep Emerson busy. Can I just say that our sweet girl did wonderfully! We didn't get to Long Island until about 10:00 at night. By the time we got Emerson all settled in, it was after 11:00. What a day!

When I woke up on our first morning in New York, I wanted to take pictures with my new lens. Jared's parents have a beautiful backyard and I wanted to capture as much winter beauty as I could. I set the shutter speed high and the aperture low to get a bokeh effect. I have a lot to learn yet, but I'm pretty happy with how these pictures turned out :)

My handsome husband. He doesn't seem too pleased that his wife is sneaking shots of him. I can't help myself sometimes;)

The best part of our visit was meeting this little guy. Our nephew, Frank Logan. How cute is he! Being around this sweet boy brought back so many memories of Emerson when she was that small. Her sweet newborn scent, that sleepy smile, the way she curled into my chest when I held her...I didn't think I would, but I had forgotten so much.

We spent lots of time over at Jess and Frank's place. Just relaxing, eating yummy take-out and admiring our sweet babies.

I love this picture of Jared, Jess and our girl.

Jared's mom had a little get-together so that the extended family could meet Emerson and Logan . It was so nice. Lot's of food, chatting and of course everyone making a big deal out of our sweet babies!

My favorite pictures from the week? These two. Oh, these two! My heart is bursting over these two! Oh, and my stomach is growling as I remember what we were eating...and drinking when I snapped these pictures. Dunkin' Donuts. Oh Dunkin'. How I've missed you!

Some more lovely  outside pics. I love taking pictures of the outdoors. So inspiring.

 One night, Jared and I spent some time exploring the basement. So. Much. Fun. Jared's mom has saved everything and going through those boxes was like taking a little trip back in time. Things really have changed so much since we were kids.

Yep, that's an Andre Agassi troll doll!

VHS! Ah, I can remember very clearly the feeling of sliding one of these bad boys into a VCR. How it felt when the cassette got pulled in, making that clicking sound. I loved that sound as a kid!

Playing peek-a-boo with daddy.

Playing with Nesting dolls with Moncu.

Playing on the step that separates the living room and kitchen. Emerson loved playing here. 

Some more cuteness...

And no trip to see family would be complete without some family photos!

These are hilarious! Not one of these pictures has all of us looking at the camera at the same time. Still, I think they're perfect!

It was the perfect trip.  A little bit of time with friends. New York food, a little shopping and even a pedicure and massage. And most of all, time with the ones we love. Our family.