Brunch w Mama

Seth landed on the East Coast this morning, and we had a quick brunch before a ferry whisked him away to Provincetown for a couple weeks of summer fun.

Sleeping Beauties

"There never was a child so lovely but his mother was glad to get him asleep."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Gabriella's 1st Bike Ride.

Armed with her pink panda helmet and red strawberry raincoat, Gabriella heads out on her first bike ride with Geoffers as precious cargo.

It wasn't long before Gabriella--true to form--managed to injure herself on this extremely safe stoller masquerading as a bike.

Gabriella may not be athletic or even coordinated, but she sure is cute. And let's face it, cute gets you pretty far in life as a toddler.

DJR @ 3 months

Here is my Love Muffin, my Chicken McNugget.

At three months old, Dominic is really a great communicator. You know when he's tired (he pouts), bored (he whines) or hungry (he yells). The kid would be attached to my left boob all day if I didn't set limits but we're down to two feedings at night (hallelujah!).

Dominic is also a ladies' man. Just make eye contact and you'll most likely receive a flirtatious grin. His first giggle came in response to the word "Mama." (Not bragging. Just sayin'.) And he's been known to make his sister laugh ... genuinely, even hysterically.

So please excuse my unabashed use of foolish food-inspired nicknames. I'm obviously head over heels in love with this little dude, who is actually not so little in Size 3 diapers and Size 6-12 month clothes.

Happy Birthday, Gabriella!

On Gabriella's actual birthday, we went to Pizzeria Regina, which she loves as much for its name as for its food.

After a dinner of salad, pizza and mac & cheese--the birthday girl thoroughly enjoyed an ice cream push pop.

Then the waitstaff came out to sing 'Happy Birthday' and, well, by then Gabriella was over the moon.

Gabriella's 2nd Birthday Party

Mumpy and Nonnie's backyard is currently Gabriella's favorite place on Earth, and Geoffers is currently her favorite person on Earth so we celebrated her 2nd birthday with a giraffe-themed party at their house.

For weeks, we counted down to the highlight of any child's party: the 'Happy Birthday' serenade.

And when the singing finally began, Gabriella realized, quite unmistakenly, that it was indeed for her and turned to me with all the innocence and awe of childhood and said, "Mama, wow!"

As if we were the only two people in the room. As if I had just hung the moon. Then she turned back to the crowd to enjoy her moment, and I cried.

Motherhood is harder than anyone ever told me, or perhaps just harder than I would ever let myself believe. To do it right, you lose yourself a bit, at least in these early years when your children can't do much for themselves. It is no doubt an occupation marked by sacrifice, frustration, loneliness and exhaustion. But it is also filled with even greater happiness, joy, love and pride.

Happy birthday, baby girl. Being your mom is my greatest privilege.

Happy Birthday, Michael!

We celebrated Michael's 41st birthday at his parents' house. The afternoon was low-key, spontaneous and family oriented--just like the birthday boy himself.

Here Michael blows out the candles on his birthday cupcakes with Gabriella--who tries to help by puffing up her cheeks, even if little to no air escapes--and Dominic, who looks on in moral support.

Second Child Syndrome

This is not the first time we have run out of Dominic's diapers late at night, forcing him to wear his sister's too-big swim diapers from last summer until morning.

Touch a Truck Day

We took Gabriella to 'Touch a Truck Day' in Charlestown today. Rather than look at, touch or climb in any of the dozens of trucks there--she plopped down in the middle of the parking lot to play with a small rubber duck.

We soon realized that Gabriella had more fun when we dragged her to Sears to buy a new washer and dryer.

Then we ran into my dear old friend Amy and her kiddos, Eleanor and Charlie. Things were looking up.

Gabriella flirted with Charlie and looked up to Eleanor (both figuratively and literally).

Finally, with lollipop in hand and the summer wind in her face, it was time to go home.