Friday 29 March 2013

Eggs, bunnies and hunts.

Okay guys. I'll make this short and sweet since this post is 1) one massive photo dump and 2) IT'S PAST 1 AM WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME. And if you're in a hurry like me, just scroll down to those photos at the end where the big bunny himself is squeezing the living stuffings out o' my Wugs. Pure gold! Although it may not seem like it, Mila was tickled pink by the Easter bunny, in sharp contrast to last year where she, not yet stringing words together, commanded him to WALK! WALK! (away from her). Oh no. This year, very much in command of her presence, she hugged him not once but twice before telling him she loved him. Before you awww I should note that Mila repeatedly told a dead fish how much she loved him just last week. True story. He was floating around in a fisherman's bucket and Mila only had eyes for the fish. Ocean, what ocean?

And to sum up on the eggs, here were my top 2013 faves: nail polish marbled eggs (exclamation point! exclamation point! exclamation point!), anything with the neon dyes (I had never even heard of neon dyes...where have I been?!), and our cascarones-- confetti (and fruit loops and glitter)- filled eggs that we broke over each others' heads at a picnic with friends. So fun!





























Thursday 28 March 2013

Fresh off the needles.


Honest mama confession: Mila's baby blanket was done in my third month of pregnancy. Dani's baby blanket was completed in her third month of life. It took me a year to finish. A year of off -and-on knitting, of stop-and-pick-up-another-project, of I-really-need-to-just-finish-this-albatross-of-a-blanket; must. get. motivated. I knitted it while glued to the tv watching the 2012 summer olympics, while waiting out a Wugs nap in the car, while laying in the hospital for the non-stress tests they made me do those stressful last 2 weeks of pregnancy. I wasn't too worried since I remembered all too well how Mila barely used her blanket that first year of life. There's swaddling and then sleep slacks before the beloved blankie comes into the picture. Still, I'm happy that Dani's blankie is finished and patiently waiting in her crib, ready to be loved and snuggled in when the time is right.



I do love that they're seaside, ocean colors--perfect for the girl whose birth was immediately followed by our return to Florida. The pattern is from The Purl Bee blog and the yarns are from Purl Soho--damnit if that place doesn't bleed my wallet dry every time, they're yarns are just so beautiful. I've been banned from placing any more orders there for awhile.




And while I'm at it, here's a couple other things that have been knitted recently. The house pillow was one of Mila's Christmas presents last year, I knit 99% of that thing while nursing a sweet newborn. It's from this book--I've made a few things from there (including the hat on the cover, very possibly my fave hat yet) and am always thrilled with the results. 
And something for our little home--this saddleback stool cover. I bought that stool just so I could knit the cover for it. Kinda nutty but very me. I love my knits, love that it's something I can (usually) do easily in the presence of my children and especially love hearing Mila begin sentences like, "When ME knit me is goin to..." When and not if. Makes a mama proud that little M knows her two hands are capable of making things.






Saturday 23 March 2013

First sleepover.


Mila had her first sleepover last week. It was at my parents', of course. We had planned that she would spend Saturday night there while we went out but everything went very very awry (more on that later! Our roughest evening with two yet!) so plans were cancelled. But Mila still wanted a sleepover as we had been excitedly talking about so the very next night it was. And even though we missed her SO much, it was nice having time with just one child. A mini vacation! It's as close to a date night as we can get these days and we'll take it.

This was the 'before' shot. You can tell she is really, really broken up over having to leave her dear old mom and dad for the night. True anguish. 



Besides, Marmousch was wonderful and emailed me pictures throughout the day of all their adventures. It kept me laughing and at ease knowing she was in such great hands.

All smiles at breakfast with her "baby Dush" as Mila calls it (Dutch Baby).

A little footsie dip in the pool

Chillaxing in mah raft

This one Marmee emailed with the caption, "3rd breakfast...oatmeal." That is SO Wugs; she would have 8 breakfasts if she could!
...with her dirty feet!
Naptime on Nonna and Nonno's bed...
I even got to see what her bedhead looked like.
 
Then she finally agreed to get dressed.

But before they headed back to us, Lamby Wamby needed one last ride on the scooter.

Mila had a ball and we were so grateful that she was getting showered with so much love! As a parent there is no one like your child and you want everyone to see how funny/smart/kind/etcetera they are; you ache for people to see them with the same eyes you do. And grandparents...they do.






Monday 18 March 2013

One year ago.

March 18, 2012. A Sunday. I got up and went to my CPR renewal course that I have to do every 2 years for work--mine expired in April so I was just getting in under the wire (as usual!). I sat through the class with a silly secret-smile grin. I had a plan. I dutifully learned the new regulations, passed the skills test, passed the written test, hurried home. Steve and Wugs were already napping and instead of joining them in our big bed I excitedly made a beeline for the bathroom cabinet under the sink, where one last pregnancy test sat, waaaay at the back. Waiting. Waiting for me. 

I could hardly wait to pee on that thing. I didn't allow myself look at the test windows but left the bathroom with every bit of willpower I could muster. Five agonizing minutes went by, and then heart racing, I crept back. Took a deep breath, and looked.

Double lines.

Double lines means positive. 

I was pregnant. The soul of our second child had finally come to us. Shortly after my little family woke up from their nap, I slyly snuck Mila the (capped) stick and had her bring it to Steve, and he examined it casually at first, then equal parts excited and shocked as understanding set in. And then we took on the Golden Gate Bridge. 





In my world, besides the one that Mila came into this world on, there has never been a more perfect Sunday. One year ago. Just look at that perfect soul now.




Thursday 14 March 2013

Auguri auguri auguri






Iphone outtakes while trying to send a birthday message. In other words, it's impossible to get a self-timer photo with everyone looking at the camera.

Today is Simona's birthday! Simona is wonderful. Ever cheerful, ready to listen, thoughtful, and she lights up a room just by walking into it. We adore her. A big hope of mine is that someday Mila and Dani are as close as Marmee is with Simona. Sisters. They make it look awesome.

We love you Simona. Thank you for being born!