Savor It

Signs of Growth.

Jonah at 20 months

Things are changing around here.  I can feel it (literally) both internally and externally.  It's in the little things--like Jonah eating his snack at the table like a big boy--and it's exciting, because it reminds me on a daily basis that I can't get too attached to any one thing, because before you know it, it's over and we're on to the next thing.  Lately I've been trying to hold on to an attitude of gratitude to remember how blessed I am to spend so much time with a little person who grows and changes every day.  And how exciting (not scary, not scary) it will be to have two and not just one!   

The belly at 6 months pregnant

This time of year and its impending coldness and darkness is always a difficult time for me.  I would spend all winter in bed (if I could) hiding from the cold, so it takes a lot of mindful effort for me to keep moving, stay motivated and get anything at all done.  But in a mysterious way, as my energy ebbs and flows these days I find myself getting inspired and settling even more into this life of motherhood.  It's like I'm finally getting my head and heart around the idea that this is my life.  Not something temporary or some project I have to manage, but my one and only life, and I better getting cracking at making it the best one it can be! I keep wondering how long it will be (and how old my children will be) before I can fully embrace my claim as a mama, and how much longer still it will be before I can claim any small level of mastery in this arena. Any moms out there wanna fill me in on that one? :)  

I hope that you too can find some growth this winter, in a contemplative, slow and steady kinda way. That way, when Spring comes, we can all be ready to bust out of our hibernation-mode, pushing past anything that stands in our way, ready to take on the world. 

Hello December.

An oldie, but goodie...Jonah at nine months.  Photo by Sally Mannix.

Welcome December.  I can't believe you are already here.  Please be kind to us with the weather and help us remember the joys of the holiday season (instead of the chaos and craziness).  If you are looking for us, we'll be buried under some blankets, wearing leg warmers, drinking chai and dreaming of Spring. 

They never grow up....

What happens around here after Jonah goes to sleep....

Things Keeping Me From Blogging: Part 2--The Magical

Amidst the mundane nature of life around here, we've been pretty blessed to have some magical and out-of-the-ordinary moments tossed in.  I'm a little behind in sharing our exciting moments.  About a month ago (I told you I was behind!) I celebrated my 30th birthday by spending 4 glorious days in Amelia Island, FL--sans Jonah but with Jared.  We went all out and stayed here.  (Yay for points and off-season travel!) 

This is the view from the spa, where we spent an entire day (much of it was spent napping in the relaxation room). 

 

A scenic shot of the beach

This looks like a picture I lifted off of the hotel website, but honestly it was the room service breakfast on our balcony.  A treat I definitely could get used to!

The only bad part about the trip...well, it was COLD!  This was my actual birthday and the high was 64!  Perhaps I should have done a bit more research into Florida destinations because.....

This was what my warm and sunny Florida vacation looked like!  Brrr!  Apparently (and I'm sure YOU know this) but north Florida and south Florida are very different.  In my defense, they were having an unseasonably strange cold snap.  At least on the last day it was 74 and we were able to hang by the pool. 

Despite the weather, it was amazing just to get away and to relax and feel like grown-ups instead of just caregivers.  With the upcoming baby, it'll probably be another few years before we're able to get away again, just the two of us, so I feel very blessed to have taken this trip.

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And here's a few pics of our Halloween celebrations...

Jonah and his friend Nico at a Halloween party.  Both were firefighters and both look dead on their feet after the festivities.  Can we say sugar crash?

 

Jonah and his friend Manu after trick-or-treating.  Not the best picture of either, but it was an example of Jonah showing his love for his best bud (Jonah was prompted to give him a hug and this is what emerged.)  

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And finally, two weeks ago we took a quick 2 day trip up to Boston to visit a good friend.  Daddy and Jonah got some bonding time, while Mommy got some much needed girl time. 

Jared and Jonah in the Boston Public Garden

Us at the Union Oyster House, America's oldest restaurant and home to the best clam chowder ON THE PLANET.  It's hard to see, but the lobster is holding a fork and a napkin.  How is it that the lobster has better table manners than my toddler? 

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Well, that catches us up just a bit.   You can see it's not all mundane around here and for that we are very, very grateful.