Tripp's One Year Photo Session

Tricia, our photographer, recently posted Tripp's one year photo session on her blog. The pictures are so great! In the sequence of pictures where he is eating the cupcake you'll probably notice that he has a big red bump on his forehead. He busted so bad on the brick walkway. It was actually pretty scary for his mommy! But he bounced back pretty quickly and returned to eating his cupcake. Kids!

See all the pictures at Tricia Lee Photography

Cold Hearted Snake

by Paula Abdul ... apparently, Sophie really likes this song. She started busting a move to it when it came on the other day. She kept asking me to dance with her, but I had to grab the camera instead. She was so funny. She was saying "mommy, do this" and shaking her booty to the right. Of course she wouldn't do it on camera (smart girl LOL) even though I kept asking her, but she did hop up on the ottoman and dance ... I thought to myself, "oh God, she is certainly taking after the girls in her family" LOL
Enjoy!

Muffins for Mom

The kids' school hosted "Muffins for Mom" this morning. I so totally love this event, because I get to go as a mom and eat breakfast in the cafeteria with my kids and sit in those little tiny chairs. How fun is that? Thank goodness my booty still fits in those chairs! John told Sophie about it last night and she woke up this morning saying, "I want eat muffins with mom." It was so cute. Incidentally, she also said something else that was beyond cute. She said to John "Daddy, I cold. Cold like this ..." and she put her arms around herself and moved like she was shivering and said "burr". So sweet.

I packed both kids up in the car, drove to school, and had a very nice breakfast with them. There was a spread of various muffins and o.j. (Sophie's favorite juice). Of course, I couldn't identify all the muffins so I stuck to good 'ol blueberry muffins. They were cut in halves. I kid you not, Tripp ate 6 or 7 on his own. Sophie and I each ate 3. Sophie proceeded to spill o.j. all over herself. The funny part of that is she spilled her cup of o.j. last year, so we are 2 for 2 in that department. I guess it's our tradition. This was a really special day for me. I’m so glad their school hosts and event like this.

Actual Mother’s Day was low key. The kids got me a very nice running watch, which I am so excited about. They gave it to me Friday night so I could wear it in my race the next day. I’ll talk about that 5k later. I’m bummed that I didn’t get an actual picture of me and the kids on mother’s day, but there is always next year. I love being a mom, I love my kids, and it’s so fun to be honored on a special day just for me (and, well, all those other mommies out there!).

My little Sophie bear

Tonight we had major meltdown with Sophie at bedtime. We had gone on a family walk and Sophie wore her new flip flops. Soon after John put them on, she fell and scraped the top off her foot. It was yucky and bloody so as soon as we came back from our walk, I, being the good mommy that I am, decided I needed to clean the boo boo with peroxide. I told Sophie that she was going to have bubbles on her feet and that it might tingle, but that the peroxide would clean the scrape. Well holy moly, the screaming and crying that came out of her because the peroxide "hurt" was something you would expect if I was beating her. I thought she would be happy if she got right in the bath, but that was worse. John had to bathe her very quickly. She cried the entire time. She cried when we got her out of the bath until I put her band aid on. She's really into band aids. Anyway, she actually likes when I sing to her, so I was singing to soothe her. I made up a little song. She loved it so much that she made me sing it for no less than 15 minutes. Here's the song:

I love my little Sophie Bear
She's my favorite girl (tickle her back)
I love my little Sophie Bear
She's my favorite girl (tickle her back)
In the whole wide world! (tickling legs and belly)

As you can see, the song really isn't anything earth shattering, but she loved it. Giggling the entire time I sang it and then saying "do it again mommy, do little bear" when I was done. She's so silly and good-natured, I love it! I also love that she loves when I sing to her. I've always been able to soothe Sophie by singing and I'm glad to see that is still the same. She's so sweet.

My Mommy is a Survivor

I have a friend who lost a child before her baby was even born. She had to deliver her sweet daughter knowing she would never take one breath or cry out for her momma. I can't imagine going through something like that. My friend certainly is a strong woman, an inspiration to me. I didn't know her when this happened, but I did know her husband. I felt crushed for both of them when I heard the news. I prayed for them daily for months, and I still do on occasion. My friend is blessed with a beautiful little girl now, but in her heart she will always remember her first daughter as will her friends and family. I think she is a wonderful mom and friend. I find it amazing that she honors the life of both her daughters. And when asked, she says she is a mother of two. Afterall, she is, isn't she?! I think so. When she told me this, my heart broke for the circumstance but filled with joy for the life of both her daughters, even though one was taken too early. I love and admire that she doesn't let the grief of her loss overcome the memory of her angel baby. It takes a strong woman, a wonderful mom, to continue to remember and honor her daughter.

She recently posted a poem and as I read it I was brought to tears. I thought I'd share it here, as a sweet poem for those of my friends who have experienced such a loss or for those of us who have friends that have. We should do what we can to bring comfort to our friends and to remind them that their little angel babies are up in heaven watching over them, protecting them, and waiting patiently for their time to meet again.

My Mommy is a Survivor

My Mommy is a survivor or so I've heard it said,
But I can hear her crying at night when all others are in bed.
I watch her lay awake at night and go to hold her hand
She doesn't know I'm with her to help her understand.

But like the sands on the beach that never wash away...
I watch over my surviving mommy, who thinks of me each day.
She wears a smile for others... a smile of disguise!
But through Heaven's door I see tears flowing from her eyes.

My mommy tries to cope with death to keep my memory alive.
But anyone who knows her knows it is her way to survive.
As I watch over my surviving mom through Heaven's open door...
I try to tell her that angels protect me forevermore.

I know that doesn't help her or ease the burden she bears,
So if you get a chance, go visit her ... and show her that you care.
For no matter what she says ... no matter what she feels,
My surviving mommy has a broken heart that time won't ever heal ...

-author unknown