Happy Birthday, Wellsy

Happy Birthday, my Sweet Wellsy Boy!

This past year has been a difficult one, there's no secret there. But it's my hope that you always know how important you were and are. You were the light that gave hope to the darkest of days. You brought peace and joy to everyone, even when there was nothing but uncertainty and angst. You have brought more love into our crowded apartment than I thought was possible. You remind me regularly that this World is still capable of goodness. You have given me purpose... and faith.

Watching you this past year, has been a joy. From your first smiles, to your first steps. You amaze me with your fearlessness and your endless giggles. And watching Jack become a big brother has been equally amazing. He is so proud and confident, loving and gentle. It's wonderful to see all that you are both becoming! I know first hand the joys of being a sibling. I hope that you and Jack continue to love each other, care for one another and challenge each other to be better. I am so proud of both of you!

I have so many wishes for you. But above all, I wish that anytime you doubt yourself you remember all of the love that lives inside of you. Your spirit is capable of anything. Be brave, my love, after all, life is an adventure.

Happy 1st Birthday, Wells Thomas.

Family

These pictures just make my heart happy. I love to see my boys getting loved on by our family.

 

Wells in the sling with me and my Mother-In-Law

 Wells with my Dad and his Mom

 Jack & my Dad

 Jack walking through Central Park with my Aunt & Grandma

 Baby giggles are the best!

But toddler laughs are pretty awesome too ;)

 

Brothers <3

Mother's Day

This year Mother's Day was a bit different... it was certainly bitter sweet and frankly, I spent a lot of time pretending that it wasn't happening. But all in all, I have to say that Mother's Day was a really nice day. In fact, it was a nice weekend :)

On Saturday, we took Jack to Philadelphia to see Pennsylvania Ballet's Peter Pan. It was his very first ballet and it made me immensely happy to watch him enjoy it! My Mom loved the ballet. When I was a kid, she would occasionally take us into Lincoln Center and get standing room tickets to see a ballet and she loved to take us to see the Nutcracker at Christmas time! When I got my job, she was over the moon about it - always asking about my students and visiting. So getting to sit next to Jack on Mother's Day weekend while he watched his first ballet felt like a real full-circle moment. It was really wonderful.

Then Saturday afternoon, my sister came down to stay for the weekend and we met up with our Nan and Aunt. We celebrated Mother's Day together and had a nice dinner together. I love to be with the three of them, because we inevitably talk about my Mom - and we often shed a tear or two - but it never feels too sad or too much. It feels therapeutic. I suppose it's because we can all relate to how each other is feeling. It feels really nice and I was so glad to spend some time with them.

Sunday morning my fabulous husband got up with the baby and took him and the dog out for the longest walk ever, so I could sleep until 8:15. In our house, 8:15 is seriously sleeping in! It felt amazing! Then  my boys were all up and they spoiled me with this necklace, which is exactly what I wanted! :) I love having my boys so close to my heart all day.

We spent the morning exploring the Bronx Zoo. It was lots of fun! Jack is totally into animals and Wells just giggles at Jack. It's adorable! The weather was incredible, so it was nice to be outside wandering around. After visiting with the giraffes, zebras, gorillas and the mountain goats, we headed back home. Jen and I had made plans to spend the afternoon with my Dad.

 

 

We decided that Mother's Day might be the perfect day to spread some of Mom's ashes... She had asked to have them spread in Central Park, at the beach and in Battersea Park in London. Up to this point, we hadn't even opened the urn. But we knew that it was time. Jen, Dad and I wanted to spread the Central Park and London ashes together. We've done everything together up until now, so this seemed appropriate. Mother's Day would inevitably be difficult, but at least we could spend the day celebrating Mom in our own way.

So Jen and I took Wells to meet my Dad and head into Central Park. We found 2 lovely spots where we spread Mom's ashes. It seemed like the right thing to do. As my Dad said, we put a piece of her body where her soul already was. I liked that. He's so right. She walks through the Park with me regularly, but I like that I can now walk by certain spots and know that part of her is there - literally. I hope that she likes the spots we picked, though I'm sure she does.

After spreading her ashes, we went to the Boathouse and celebrated Mom with a cocktail. It was perfect. My Mom loved the Boathouse and in turn brought us all there so we could fall in love, too. It's an incredible spot to have a drink on a lovely NYC day. It also happens to be one of the last places my Mom visited in the City as we were all there together for a special day just 2 days before my baby was born!

 

Though I miss my Mom tremendously, I am grateful that I got to spend my weekend with so many of the people who matter most to me, especially my babes. Mother's Day changed for me 2 years ago, when I got to celebrate it with my then 6 day old son. It changed again this year. I imagine that it will change again in the future. All in all, it was a lovely weekend. I absolutely love being a Mommy and I'm so glad to get to celebrate it each year :)

My Nan

My Nan is incredible. 

I have always known this, but it has increased exponentially in the past year.

She took care of jack 3 days a week for almost a year and today she was back looking after both my boys while our babysitter took a day off. How lucky am I?!

Not only did she take the boys to the park, play with them and then clean up after them. She looked after me, since I've got a little cold. She stayed until we ate and the boys were in their pjs and almost ready for bed. It was so sweet.

I count my blessings for my Nan regularly. She's an incredible role model of strength and she always knows what I should do when something isn't right with my babes!

Thank you for everything, Nan.

This is my Nan will Wells when he was just a few hours old <3

Happy Birthday my Sweet

My heart is completely swollen with love and gratitude. We had a beautiful birthday party today, where my boys were surrounded by love and friends! I was glad that I spent the day reflecting on this day 2 years ago, instead of last year... 

After a long but wonderful day, my Sweet (not-so-little) baby fell asleep in my arms, which is incredibly rare! It was his little gift to me. I couldn't help but think about the first night he fell asleep in my arms. It felt just as good tonight as it did then. 

I never thought that the title of "Mommy" would become my most treasured, but there ya have it. 

Jack, thank you for making me a Mommy and for filling my days with joy, giggles and love. You are my sunshine and I love you beyond words. 

Happy Birthday my Sweet xo

Boston Aquarium!

A few weeks ago, we visited the New England Aquarium in Boston and had such a wonderful time! Jack was fascinated by all of the fish and I could not stop taking pictures. I was so excited by all of the fish, I felt like a kid again. I highly recommend a visit. So far, this was our favorite aquarium!

When you enter, the penguins are right in front of you. There is a huge open display that houses three different types of penguins. Then in the center of the building there is a giant shark tank that is about 5 stories high with a walkway that wraps around the whole thing. So as you walk up around the spiral, you can look down and see the penguins. Right in front of you is the giant shark tank with rays, sharks, eels, turtles and tons of fish! Then on each level there are exhibits around the outside, too.

 

These are some of the smaller tanks.

 

 

Jack loved it all! He was mesmerized by the fish, it was awesome!

 

You can see that Nanny Sue had a good time, too! :)

  

This is the awesome shark tank. At the very top, you can actually see in from above the water, which is so neat. We happened to get up there just in time for feeding. Two guys actually dove into the tank to feed the fish. It was really cool to watch. Each type of fish was fed something different. Some ate fish, while others ate veggies. It was really such an awesome thing to see!

 And then there was a turtle. My dear friend, the turtle. I couldn't get enough of this guy.
Seriously, there was about 40 pictures on my camera just of him (her?).
It was really awesome to see him swimming through the tank.

All in all, we all had a really wonderful time! 

It truly was a day to be grateful for :)

Family Dinner.

Tonight my family all came over for dinner. My sister was here and then my Dad, Aunt, Uncle, cousin and Grandmother all came in. It was so nice! I love living close enough that everyone can come over for dinner.

I am infinitely grateful for the love and support of these incredible people.

My family is overbearing and crazy, but they are also so thoughtful, loving and compassionate towards one another. We all know that each other is hurting, but everyone does what they can to be supportive and helpful.

It's so nice and inspiring.

I couldn't imagine coping without them.

I love sharing a meal, some wine and my home with them. It was a wonderful evening!

Friends. Near and Far.

Today I am grateful for my beautiful friendships. I have mentioned before, that the past months have taught me just what friendship means and my gratitude continues today. I am blown away by the outpouring of love and support that people have shown me.

I finally decided to share this blog with my Facebook friends. Prior to today, I had only shared with a handful of people. I am truly overwhelmed by all of your responses and your beautiful comments.

My life is so full of love. I can't imagine anything better than that.

Thank you for reading, for sending prayers, for your support and most of all for your kind, beautiful words.

Thank you.

A Wonderful Weekend.

Tonight I am thankful for a wonderful weekend full of family and laughs.
We had a great visit with my in-laws! The boys loved all of the attention and were spoiled rotten! 

Exactly what a weekend with your grandparents should be. :)

Nick & I were also spoiled with two blissful nights of sleep, including a one-night getaway to Boston! It was such a wonderful combination of time together and time apart. I am grateful for such wonderful, loving, supportive in-laws!

Tonight, my heart is full. <3
 

Date night.

I am grateful for a wonderful date night with Nick. 

Good food, good drinks and great company!

We also had a great time at the Boston Aquarium! More on that later ;)

Love.

At 6:30 this morning, I am grateful for this.

Love.

(I know the picture is a bit dark. But it was just barely sunrise.)

Nick.

 I won't tell you just how many of these Dove chocolates I've had today... Don't judge! They are so yummy and I also enjoy the sweet notes inside. 

It's no coincidence that these two messages each appeared twice today. 

It's a reminder.

Today I am beyond thankful for my Nick. He has shown me what true unconditional love is. It is the love that laughs with you and cries with you. The love that brought us our perfect, sweet boys. The strength to bare my tears and heartache, even when there is nothing he can do but love me. It is the love that lives in his hugs and his touch. It is the love that helps me carry on. The love that makes me smile... and last night, it was the love that allowed me 9 full hours of sleep. 

In other words, bliss.

Last night my fabulous husband folded the laundry so I could go to sleep at 9:00. He then got up two times with our sweet baby (who refuses to sleep through the night) so I could sleep, uninterrupted. I woke up rested and better prepared to face the day.

I am so thankful for you and your love. 

I can only hope that my love for you speaks as clearly to you as yours does to me.

Thank you - not only for the sleep, but for always being there - No matter what.

Would you like a Dove chocolate heart? ;)