my world, my true

Knox Knows...

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 16:39:18 -0400

At almost 3, Knox knows how to be the best big brother in the world.

Me (responding to Lately’s squeals & screams from the back seat): Lately, are you okay? What’s the matter baby?

Knox: Lately are you looking for me? I’m right here. Hi, Lately! I’m right here, you see me? You see me, baby, I’m right here! I always am right here, Lately!

Knox must be a Seinfeld fan. Today while using the restroom at the studio where we have music...

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 21:36:28 -0400

Knox must be a Seinfeld fan.

Today while using the restroom at the studio where we have music class, I realized (after dragging all three of us in one stall & using the toilet) that there was no toilet paper. So I asked Knox to run to the other stall & grab me some.

He came back with one square. “Here Mommy. I got you some toilet paper.” So proudly. I asked if he could get me a little bit more.

One more square. Yep.

Knox Knows...

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 13:00:44 -0400

At almost 3 years old, Knox also knows how to be discreet.

Me (handing Knox a donut hole): Would you like one?

Knox (taking it and eating it): Yummy.

Me: Yes it is. Mommy needed a pick-me-up.

Knox (finishing the first one): Mommy, can I have another pick-me-up?

Knox Knows...

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 22:23:29 -0400

At almost 3 years, Knox knows how to forgive.

Me (having accidentally just tipped Knox over, making him fall): Oh my gosh, buddy! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to make you fall. Are you okay?! I’m sorry!

Knox: But, I’m sorry, too, Mommy! It’s not your fault.

Me: Aw I’m sorry, I think I was my fault.

Knox: No, it’s not your fault it’s just my fault.

Me: No baby, you didn’t do anything. I just knocked you over. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to.

Knox: No, Mommy. It’s not your fault! It’s my fault. I was just crawling like this and I just fell down and bumped my face like this.

Knox Knows...

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 22:17:00 -0400

At almost 3 years old, Knox knows how to avoid brushing his teeth.

Me: “You don’t want to get cavities, do you?”

Knox: “I just want to have cavities forever and ever!”

Photo

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 20:00:39 -0400

Knox drew a stegosaurus today. Not to shabby for an almost 3...

Wed, 29 May 2013 21:18:22 -0400

Knox drew a stegosaurus today. Not to shabby for an almost 3 year old. #proudmommy #kidart

Knox Knows...

Wed, 29 May 2013 16:00:53 -0400

At almost 3 years old, Knox knows how to sympathize.

Me: I’m sorry we had to be in the car all afternoon. And now I have to turn around & it’s going to be even longer. I know you are ready to get out.

Knox: Where are we going Mommy?

Me: (sigh) We have to turn around and go back because I left my planner at the bank.

Knox: Why did you leave it there?

Me: I didn’t mean to. I was distracted & I forgot to bring it with us when we left.

Knox: But….that’s okay, Mommy. I leave things all the time. I leave things at Dah’s house, at Joanie’s house, at the park, at the store…I leave everything everywhere all the time!

A Sound Garden

Mon, 27 May 2013 15:46:48 -0400

After lots of research (read: productive procrastination and see posts here and here), a thorough evaluation of our families finances and of course our current possessions, we decided to scale everything down in the birthday department this year. As I mentioned here, Lately’s party was simple. Well, so were her birthday gifts.

When I realized that I couldn’t remember what we gave Knox for his first birthday, other than a ridiculously over-planned and over-decorated party, I figured out how to conserve our resources, yet still give her something I knew she would love. After visiting the Charlotte Nature Museum recently, and also finding inspiration from one of my favorite blogs, I created this banging wall for Lately (and Knox, of course!). I couldn’t think of a better way to combine her two favorite things: playing outside and music. It has been a hit with both kids so far.

I am planning to add to this (with the help of my wonderful husband!) and create an entire sound garden. I also have a vision of a natural playspace that is coming together quite nicely….in my head. Hopefully this summer we will be able to find the time to make my ideas a reality, perhaps beginning with a special little man’s birthday? We shall see.

Lately's First Birthday Celebration

Sat, 25 May 2013 14:36:19 -0400

Life has been a bit of a whirlwind recently, so I’m just finding the time to post about Lately’s birthday party now, almost 3 weeks later. It’s been a brutal season for sickness in our home, unfortunately, and her birthday was no exception. He had a wicked cold that wouldn’t quit. We had planned to have a party with her little playgroup friends during the day, another celebration with Tarrell’s parents and yet another with my parents that weekend in Charlotte. Well, the playgroup party never happened because she was not well enough to be around other children, but we still ended up having a sweet, quiet, relaxed little family party to celebrate the big day.

In the past, I’ve been known to go overboard, but this year overboard was just not an option. I fought my desire to push myself to the max and let it be a simple recognition of our little girl. And, you know what, I’m glad I did.

I’m not sure I’m capable of throwing a party without a little added stress, because, even with this little family gathering, I was sweating it more than I should have. I love making my kids birthday cakes, but I didn’t realize until this year that I actually have only ever made cupcakes. Frosting a cake is hard. I’m thankful my wonderful husband swooped in to save the disaster of a cake that this was before.

See?! Disaster. I love Tarrell.

After failing at cake decorating, I added a few natural, feminine, strawberry-inspired touches to spruce up the patio. Fresh flowers from our rose bush, daisies, lanterns, burlap, twine, ribbon…I think it came together pretty nicely.

She loved making a mess, but wasn’t a fan of actually eating the cake I slaved over.

She preferred the asparagus Daddy made.

But, thankfully Knox appreciated the cake very much.

Reading her new book with Grandma “Dah.”

Hanging out in the backyard with Paw Paw.

And we still got to celebrate with my parents, Joanie & Paddy, that weekend at their house with cousin Elliot & Uncle Brendan, even though she was still a little under the weather.

One is a pretty big number for this little lady. I’m so glad we got to celebrate her special day with the most important people in her life.

We are fast approaching his 3rd birthday, and his first freckles have arrived. I’m in love...

Sat, 25 May 2013 13:49:00 -0400

We are fast approaching his 3rd birthday, and his first freckles have arrived. I’m in love with each little one. I check each day to see if more have come. Tiny footprints from the sun rays, they scream “little boy” louder than anything else these days. They’re very faint, but they’re letting me know he’s growing up, he’s growing into himself…and what a wonder it is to watch him bloom.

💋👫😂👼👼

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:36:44 -0400

💋👫😂👼👼

2 weeks late, but...Lately is ONE!

Sun, 19 May 2013 23:46:03 -0400

“She is just not happy on the ground, is she?” Tarrell said to me recently as he placed Lately safely on the floor after interrupting her climb up to the coffee table. He’s right. She’s always looking, reaching, climbing, stretching, jumping, tip-toeing…yearning for up. A lot of children are perfectly happy sitting with some interesting toys and books on the floor, crawling, playing down there - not my Lately. She wants up.

She’s growing into the most vivacious little girl I’ve ever met. She knows what she wants and she knows how to get it. She’s not afraid of anything (except the vacuum) and she’s certainly not shy about making her wishes known to the world.

She is a friendly, free-spirited, wide-open, sweet and lively lady. She loves things or she despises them, there’s no in between for little Lately. Yes or no, she lets you know. She’s taken a liking to animals and has begun making noises trying to imitate them when she sees them (or pictures of them), but most of the sounds resemble a scary duck or a hoarse lion…precious little beastly sounds they are, though.

Give Lately the outdoors and she’ll be yours forever. It’s all she needs to turn a frown into a smile, or a belly laugh. Whether its a long nature walk (moving back and forth from riding her trike to walking), a ride on the swing, a shady picnic, morning at the park or a splash in the water, she will take it.

And what do I love most about Lately at age 1? My most favorite thing about her right in this moment…her constant kisses. She’s always wanting to give them…she woke up at 1:30 a.m. recently, opened her eyes wide, made her kissy sound “mmmmm,” leaned right in & landed one right on my lips…and it goes like that all day long. The sweetest. After kisses, though, come her soft, pudgy legs…the way they look under a summer dress is to die for. Someday soon, the baby fat will fade away and I can already feel how much I will miss it. Then comes the dancing…yes her love for music is still so alive. The child loves to dance, and I love to watch her crazy moves. And lastly, the way she looks on the potty. She has become fascinated with the toilet and demands to sit on it regularly (usually fully undressed). Her little legs are so short, they don’t even hang off of the side (with the help of a potty seat). Her (not so) little belly pooches out, resting on her chubby thighs, almost reaching her knees…like a little marshmallow, she perches and waits. It’s perfection. I know I will miss the baby days (everyone does), but I think I’ve reached the point in parenthood where the future, and all it holds, is exciting rather than scary or sad. I know there will be many more kisses, lots of dancing, and I know she has so much to teach me that I can’t wait to learn. So, keep climbing, baby girl. Never be satisfied with your feet on the ground. We will be here cheering you on the whole way up to the top, because we know you won’t stop until you get there.

Happy 1st Birthday to our wild & wonderful Lately Violet!

Mon, 06 May 2013 21:02:46 -0400

Happy 1st Birthday to our wild & wonderful Lately Violet!

She has 5 babies in a cradle in her room. This tattered, VERY...

Fri, 03 May 2013 12:57:52 -0400

She has 5 babies in a cradle in her room. This tattered, VERY loved old baby doll of mine is clearly her favorite. She picks her up everytime we play in here & dances around with her chewing her fingers (which are already chewed off because I used to do the same thing!) 😍😍@jfkeane @marysuzn @kkeane213

We Love Aunt Kristen. We’re very sad (for us, not her!)...

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:58:56 -0400

We Love Aunt Kristen. We’re very sad (for us, not her!) that she moved across the country last week, but so very thankful to have her in our lives. My babies’ godmother and one of our family’s greatest gifts. We are so proud of her and wishing her the best during this exciting time of her life!

Knox Knows...

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 21:53:24 -0400

At almost 3 years old, Knox knows about familial relations.

Knox (playing his piano): Okay, I am going to sing a song about when Mommy was born.

Me & Tarrell: Oh sounds good, lets hear it!

Knox (singing): Mommy was a wittle baby in my tummy…

Me: In your tummy?

Knox: Yes, sometimes you were so tiny you could fit in my belly and den you comed right out when you were born!

Me: Wow, so you’re my Daddy or my Mommy?

Knox: I’m your Mommy!!

Me: Aww, that makes me love you even more!

Knox: Yes, and sometimes you were so wittle that Lately thought you were a baby just like her!

Me: So is Lately my sister?

Knox: Uh-huh! She is!! Lately is your sister & I’m your Mommy. That’s how you were born!

Happy Earth Day!

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 23:00:39 -0400

Happy Earth Day!

“All I want is the best for our lives my dear, And you know my...

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 06:49:45 -0400

“All I want is the best for our lives my dear, And you know my wishes are sincere.”
~Beirut

Knox and I danced and danced to this song the other night. He never wanted to stop. “Spin me, Mama,” he said with his growing fingers clasped around my neck, “one more time!” Exhausted from the typical goings-on of the day, it took all of my energy to keep it up, but we both just laughed and danced and spun and sang (me, through tears of utter joy) for as long as we could. An after dinner dance I’ll never forget, a million hugs and kisses and giggles and smiles wrapped around my tired trunk. Lots of rest, alone time, lazy days, a clean house, a quiet moment - there will be plenty of time for all of that stuff later. This short time won’t last forever, but some moments happen and, right then and there, you’re fully aware of how special and unique and wonderful they are. That heavy feeling comes over you when you realize how much you’ll miss that moment as soon as its over and you will want to replay it over and over in your brain until every part of it is a part of you forever.

There are times when I’m convinced that escaping real life for a recharge will be just what I need; to go for a run, a pedicure, date night, whatever it may be that feels refreshing at the time, but the truth is, moments like these cannot be scheduled, and being present and open and fluid enough to take it all in - that is really all the boost I need to keep going. And, I think, if I am careful enough to continue to surround myself with amazing people like the ones I’m raising, then these things will keep happening just as often as I need them to.

1st Birthday Inspiration

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:55:33 -0400

I’ve been collecting lots of party ideas here recently, so I thought I would share some of the images and colors that have inspired me to get to crackin on Lately’s first birthday party. I don’t have any details ironed out, but I’m a sucker for a theme party, so whether we gather in our front yard, with lots of people or just a few, there are a vew things I am envisioning for sure: strawberries (her favorite), balloons, a picnic, music and flowers.

1. Bowls via decor8blog. {Color Inspiration}

2. Basket image found here

3. Envelope via poptasticbride

4. Baby on picnic blanket image via coreymoortgat

5. Mini picnic baskets via BlueLilyEvents (love this whole wedding!)

6. Balloon picnic image found here

7. Daisy cupcakes via YummyMummyKitchen

8. Strawberry Gingham Bubble Romper

My plan is to keep things somewhat lowkey (ha! those of you who know me are laughing right?), at least so that I am not a stressball beforehand. I’m going to throw some mini-parties instead of trying to get everyone we know together in the same place at the same time - that always makes me crazy. Wish me luck!