Happy St. Patrick's Day!

From my crib to yours...

And check out the curtains grandma made! They are green and white gingham with polkadot accents and little Hansel and Gretel buttons. We love them!

4 Months Today!

A Year Ago Today

On March 9, 2008 John and I found out we were expecting. What a blessed--confirming what I "just knew"--and what an amazing year it has been to experience Nicolaus growing inside me and to welcome him into the world. Each day offers many blessings as well as a fair share of challenges and I wouldn't change a thing. No adjectives can describe what I feel as a mother or how much my love has grown for John over these 12 months. To celebrate this special anniversary, I share a poem I wrote while pregnant.

Night Talk

Soft light sneaks

in through the bedroom window

Gives the fullness of my belly

a moon glow

A stirring from within

whispers the meaning of love

in a language only a mother can know

This nighttime conversation

My favorite hour

when you speak to me with

kicks and rolls

Somehow I understand everything

Will you remember how I tell you

life's possibilities are as infinite

as the winking down stars?

Just Photos

Our family is getting over a host of ailments including colds, ear infections, and a hurt back, so not much has been happening except for tearing through an abundance of tissues, diapers and wipes. Enjoy the new photos!



My best friend Amy and her son Kian (7 months)

Turning 3 (months that is), Tummy Time and Why Every Outfit Should Come with a Matching Bib

Today our little man turns 3 months old and I cannot believe how much bigger/older he actually looks. When I look back at his newborn pictures he almost doesn't even look like the same baby. All things baby are going well. Most days he sleeps from between 8:30 and 9:00 at night to 5:30 or 6:00 in the morning. We can't complain about that and he is the perfect little alarm clock for John. Tummy time is going fantastic and I have a feeling he will be able to lift himself up in no time. In fact, he gets very frustrated that he can't do that now. So stubborn and hard headed...wherever did he get that from? Penny seems to think Tummy Time is for her too and I think Nicolaus likes having a partner in crime. The only thing I am not sure I will ever get used to is the spit up. Now, I don't mind the spit up itself, just the fact that it is a constant occurance. Sunday we went through 3 outfits before church. I know this is all a lesson in patience from HIM. Is it too much to ask that baby clothes companies please make a bib for every outfit? The fashionista in me hates making Nickles wear a bib that doesn't match and if he's not wearing one, well, see below...

Snow!

Outside the sky drops
white -- sprinkles without stopping.
Eash flake is a petal.
White dust settles
without the slightest sound.
The flakes weave a cover,
crystal lace. The blanket keeps
our Mother in silent wintry grace.

--Written in 2000

This past week brought the season's first significant snow to much of the East Coast. While there were no snowball fights or snow angels this year, Nicolaus got outside for a little bit...though by the look on his face, I think it was a bit too cold for his liking.

First Laugh

On Monday Nicolaus laughed for the first time and John just happened to catch it on camera. Granted, we are biased, but he has the cutest laugh in the whole world! (You can turn off the music at the bottom of the page to hear him better.)