Tom’s 30th Birthday

October 30, 2011

Early October Sophie and I joined my mom and dad for a trip to North Carolina to help celebrate my brother-in-law Tom’s 30th birthday. Because they already had a full house we stayed in a hotel, which Sophie loved. She had so much fun running the long hallway to our room, admiring the swirly carpet. She was ecstatic about sharing a bed with me, without having to plead. She loved that there wasn’t a footboard on our bed and that she was able to slide down off the end of the mattress and onto the floor over and over and over. And oh, the breakfast buffet. She discovered Fruit Loops—I don’t think she realized cereal could be so colorful or full of sugar.

She was great on the drive. We left late Friday afternoon and got to the hotel very late Friday night (or, morning, rather).

The next day we went directly over to Katy and Tom’s house, and Sophie was instantly put to work icing cupcakes.

The task had an added benefit, which she was quite happy with.

And then Colleen woke up from her morning nap. Sophie and Colleen sat on my mom’s laugh and just smiled and giggled and smiled and giggled. Oh for the chance for them to do that every weekend with each other …

my dad and Colleen

Tom’s sister Christine made lovely party decorations.

There were several children for Sophie to play with at the party—these two were practically inseparable.

Happy birthday, Tom!

Katy with Colleen and Max—see, Katy, you’re so good with two! 🙂

Everything was beautiful. This is Katy and Tom’s garage. It was spotless and filled with tables, chairs, mums, football on TV—a perfect party.

I love this picture.

We spent a lot of time in the hammock.

Nini and Colleen

Pop Pop and Colleen

Sophie made Tom a birthday card.

Tom’s sister Christine and Colleen

Tom’s family bought Tom Legos (which he loves) and graciously gave a kit to each of the children. Sophie loved her little boat and loved helping Tom with the other kits.

Sophie and Alex

Tom’s mom and a sleeping Colleen

Once darkness fell there was fire and we roasted marshmallows—a first for Sophie. This is one of my most favorite things to do and although she was exhausted and pretty much at her breaking point, I loved introducing her to this well-loved life treat.

beautiful Katy and beautiful Colleen

Saturday night Sophie woke up suddenly, coughing like a seal. Yes, croup. So she was unable to see Katy, Tom and Colleen Sunday morning, before our drive home. Sophie and I stayed in the hotel room and colored while my parents had breakfast with them and Tom’s family, and then my parents took Sophie to a park so I could say goodbye to Katy, Tom and Colleen.

The leaves were beautiful on the drive home.

“Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life!” —Albert Einstein

Happy 1st Birthday, Quinn!

July 28, 2011

Matt and Christi’s beautiful son Quinn turned 1 several weeks ago and we were so grateful to be able to attend the party—November was the last time our children and Quinn played together and everyone has changed so much.

Owen, Sophie, Quinn and James, crawling up and down, up and down, up and down two steps.

Happy birthday, buddy! We’re so happy you live (a little) closer now (Michigan vs. North Carolina) and we can’t wait to celebrate many future birthdays with you.

“May you live all the days of your life.” —Jonathan Swift

Happy Birthday, Mom!

July 13, 2011

“We turn not older with years, but newer every day.” —Emily Dickinson

Becoming 1-Year-Olds

May 27, 2011

James, May 19, 2010*

James, May 19, 2011

Owen, May 19, 2010*

Owen, May 19, 2011

*These are the only pictures I have of my beautiful boys on the day they were born—I never saw them in the delivery room. They were whisked away to the NICU too quickly. After delivery I was wheeled down to the NICU where I was able to hold them close, for just a few moments—my mom took these pictures. Shortly thereafter I was dealing with postpartum hemorrhage and was confined to a hospital room, in another wing of the hospital. How far we have come.

“You’ve got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was.” —Irish saying

A Handmade Puppet Theater

May 24, 2011

In April we had another, small birthday celebration for Sophie at my parents’ house, as they were unable to join us on her actual birthday because they were in North Carolina, where my sister and her husband were welcoming their new baby into this world.

My mom and dad had cooked Sophie’s favorite foods, and my mom had set the table with all her Beatrix Potter china—including chocolate milk in a little china teapot.

After dinner—and cookies from BonBonerie—Sophie opened her gift from Nini and Pop Pop …

Sophie's Birthday at Nini and Pop Pop April 9, 2011 007

a handmade puppet theater!

My mom designed it so that it fits a doorway perfectly, with the help of tension rod. For now we use binder clips to fold the bottom up so that the opening is Sophie’s height—but as she grows, the theater will grow with her.

We most often use it in the doorway between our entry way and the writing nook.

When not in use, you simply roll the theater up and put it in its matching bag (which my mom also made). My parents bought Sophie a sewing box and filled it with handmade alphabet puppets leftover from my mom’s kindergarten teaching days. (I think my favorite is “T,” the turkey, who is wearing a tutu.)

Lately, every night in the half hour or so before baths and bedtime, Sophie gives us a show. (Or, more specifically, 26 shows.) Sometimes they’re dress-up shows, sometimes puppet shows. Regardless, the boys love it. Owen, especially. He claps at every “ta-da.”

“The theater is so endlessly fascinating because it’s so accidental. It’s so much like life.” —Arthur Miller

Your Third Birthday

April 19, 2011

Dear Sophie,

For months you’ve been talking about the Grand Party. We have no idea how this beautiful, all-consuming, dream-like event birthed in your brain, but you’ve talked about it and talked about it. Some details were ever-changing, others, quite specific: There were to be two cakes—a pink one and a purple one. The decorations were to be red, pink and purple. The guest list changed, particularly if you were mad at one of us. Although Owen, James and Zoey were never un-invited. At times you became downright giddy about it, asking us if it was “this day” or “next day,” eager, waiting, patient.

So we decided to give you the Grand Party, for your 3rd birthday. We tried to imagine everything you imagined it would be—although we did have to convince you it had to be at home, and not the doctor’s office next door (which is where you told us it was going to be, every time we left the house).

One night, while you were sleeping, I made invitations. They were red and purple, stuffed into bright pink envelopes. They were pretty terrible. (I’m sorry about that.)

I made three tissue paper flowers, and hung them from the ceiling.

We ordered you a bouquet of pink, purple and red flowers. You and I made the trip to Fort Thomas Florist together, to pick them up. Despite the daffodils already being in bloom, it was snowing.

Daddy made you a homemade strawberry cake with pink icing, and a chocolate cake with purple icing and red sprinkles (which you helped decorate).

Grandma and Paw Paw joined us for dinner, along with Marty, Angel, Zoey and Mya. Nina and Pop Pop were with Aunt Katy and your new cousin, Colleen! We had spaghetti (with Daddy’s homemade sauce), salad and homemade garlic bread—all of which you requested.

After dinner, you made a wish and blew out three candles on your pink, strawberry cake.

Your gifts were placed on the window seat the night before your birthday—you were so patient to open them, waiting all the way until after dinner.

But oh were you so excited!

Zoey helped you open your gifts.

Owen and James bought you a new Ladybug Girl book about dressing up.

In addition to princess magnet dolls, a Princess and the Pea floor puzzle, sparkly shoes and feather boas, you got a purple princess costume and your very own Ladybug Girl costume (which, by the way, you asked for for weeks but haven’t worn once). Zoey gave you your very own superhero costume and mask—your dress-up box is lovingly full now.

Then came cake and ice cream, with your best friend, on the ottoman.

Happy, happy birthday, my love. Your vivid imagination, questions, little (two fingers pinching my knee) hugs, overwhelming demands, surprising conversations, dances, memory, singing, squealing and love inspire me every day. I’m so proud of how you’ve embraced the role of big sister. I love spending time with you—often, I take you places even when I don’t need to simply because I just want to be with you. You may be challenging at times (what 3-year-old isn’t?) but you always have my heart. I love you with all of it and I can’t wait to watch you, help you, let you grow this next year. I hope your party was, indeed, grand.

Much love,
Mom

“The trick is growing up without growing old.” ~Casey Stengel

Becoming a 3-Year-Old

April 19, 2011

March 30, 2008

March 30, 2009

March 30, 2010

March 30, 2011

“Everyone is the age of their heart.” —Guatemalan proverb

On the Eve of Sophie’s 3rd Birthday

March 30, 2011

It’s almost 2am. The presents are wrapped, the paper tissue flowers are made and hung, the cakes are cooling (but still need iced) and the card is half-written (still searching for the right words). Right now I’m thinking about:

• all the late nights my mom and dad put in for me that I never knew about.

• the tablecloth and if I really need to take the time to iron it.

• how I was feeling three years ago—in labor, anxious, happy.

• my sister Katy who is due to have her first baby any moment—and the many joys she has ahead of her.

• how much I would freak Sophie out if I went into her room and kissed her at 2:27am (her time of birth).

• the two gifts she specifically requested (a Ladybug Girl costume and a crown) and if what we got her will live up to her expectations.

• how crippled I was with worry her first few months, fearing I would drop her or not feed her enough or feed her too much or not hold her correctly or not mother her well enough—and now, how, she’s this amazing, surprising, intelligent, beautiful little girl (with no help from me) who sings to herself (constantly) and makes up the best stories (that always end “happily ever after”) and loves her brothers (most of the time) and likes pickles (which Andy and I totally don’t get) and makes me—all of us—at some point, Happy Storlanees every single day. (All that worry, for nothing.)

Even though I’m tired (so tired) everything is tinged with excitement for me right now. I feel like how I used to feel like on the eve of my birthday—a feeling I don’t get on my birthday anymore. Instead, I feel it now, in this moment—on the eve of my daughter’s birthday.

I suppose that’s what being a parent is all about.

“Suddenly, through birthing a daughter, a woman finds herself face to face not only with an infant, a little girl, a woman-to-be, but also with her own unresolved conflicts from the past and her hopes and dreams for the future…. As though experiencing an earthquake, mothers of daughters may find their lives shifted, their deep feelings unearthed, the balance struck in all relationships once again off kilter.” —Elizabeth Debold and Idelisse Malave

A Tea Party

March 28, 2011

Friday Sophie’s best friend, Zoey, turned 2. Wednesday Sophie turns 3. (How did this happen?) To celebrate, Angel and I took the girls to their very first afternoon tea (although tea parties at home have long been an afternoon activity) at The BonBonerie. While I drank “Apricot Afternoon” (Sri Lanka black tea, dried apricot, dried papaya, blackberry and lime leaves calendula and sunflower petals), Sophie drank her favorite—lemonade—from her tea cup. And we all dined on fruit, scones, tiny sandwiches and pastries, and, of course, many, many desserts.

We hope to make it a yearly tradition.

“Another novelty is the tea-party, an extraordinary meal in that, being offered to persons that have already dined well, it supposes neither appetite nor thirst, and has no object but distraction, no basis but delicate enjoyment.” —Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

Lizz’s Birthday

February 22, 2011

Mid-January Andy’s sister Lizz came for a visit, along with her boyfriend, Eric, and Andy’s parents. Sophie baked a cake (with help) for a belated birthday party for her aunt. We had such a nice visit—we just with it had been longer!

“Youth is happy because it has the ability to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.” —Franz Kafka