M // We recently went to Target and you found a beautiful, hardcover notebook.  While I usually just buy you cheap composition books, we splurged this time and you have been writing away ever since.  You sometimes let me peek inside and I love what you are writing.  My favorite entries are the ones where you include cartoon drawings of our family.


D // You made great leaps in school this month and I’m so excited for you, I could cry.  On one particular day, I was so excited that I started cheering and jumping up and down!  You gave me that “Mama, you are so crazy!” look, but I think you’re pleased too.  I just introduced you to card games and you are hooked.  Your favorite is Crazy Eights, but Old Maid is a close second.


J // My sweetheart boy.  Daddy and I want to bottle you up and never let you grow any bigger.  We love how much you love our family.  You are extra protective of Sophia and you two are quickly becoming best friends.  When we were at Target, you were constantly saying, “Come on, Sophie!  Hold my hand.” or “Guys!  We can’t forget Sophia!”    


S // Like I say about all of you at two years, you are equal parts sweet and rotten.  Full of opinion and “I do it myself” and tantrums.  But at the same time, you are so loving and funny and absolutely precious.  My favorite memory from this month was one particularly hard night while Daddy was away.  TJ was extra fussy, so I was pushing him around the house in the stroller, praying it would help him go to sleep.  Next thing I know, you are following behind, pushing your baby doll in your baby stroller, copying my every move.  When our babies were finally asleep, we “parked” our strollers side by side and then cuddled together on the couch.    


TJ // You didn’t make it into the monthly picture, but that’s because we stayed warm inside while the big kids played in the snow.  You just turned five months and I can’t believe how fast time is going.  You are almost sitting up by yourself and you love when we stand you up.  You give big slobbery kisses and like to “high five”, which is what we call you slapping our outstretched hand again and again.  I think I’m still your favorite (for now!), but nobody gets bigger smiles out of you than your Daddy.    

Love all of you to the moon and back again, Mamma

M // I am just so proud of the little boy you are becoming.  You are kind, helpful, imaginative and funny.  One night we both were in tears, laughing about something silly.  I sure love your belly laughs.  You have been talking a lot about the future and that makes your Mamma so happy and yet so sad.  You want to be a Lego creator someday and have been asking me what colleges would have the best classes for that.  You have also said that when you grow up and have your own apartment, Mamma and Daddy can visit and you’ll cook steaks for us.  You are so excited for your First Communion this spring.  We found and purchased your suit and I loved to see the pride in your eyes when you tried it on.    


D // You are my baby whisperer.  When I need help with TJ, you are the first one begging to take him.  You have perfected the “sh-sh-sh” and the bounce.  I am so thankful for you!  This month, you have been obsessed with all things Ninja Turtles.  Raphael (or, “the red guy” as you sometimes call him) is your favorite.  You love to draw and I find your artwork all over the house.  I am so impressed with your imagination and we always put my favorites right on the fridge, although it’s hard to choose.  In school, you are trying hard and love your math book the most.  Mamma is so proud of you.  


J // Oh, J.  You are my biggest cheerleader.  Every single day, you pop over and out of the blue say, “You are so beautiful” or “Did you know that you’re my favorite Mamma?”  Do you know how much that means to me?  You are my cuddle bug and my helper.  You are full of passion, which sometimes comes out in growls and frustration, but I’m getting better at helping you tell me what’s on your mind.  You are so loved.   


S // You are so wholeheartedly two, torn between wanting to do everything yourself and being frustrated when you can’t.  You have a flair for the dramatic, but I’m convinced your passion for life will be beneficial when you are older.  You are helpful, kind and tender to your brothers.  You shoot Nerf guns and then turn right around and love on your baby doll.  I think you are the coolest girl ever and I’m so glad you’re mine.  


TJ // You, my sweet baby, are my joy.  I can hardly believe that you are four months old already.  You are so happy, with a big drooling grin on your face all the time!  We are two peas in a pod and rarely apart.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.  


Love each of you to the moon and back again, Mamma

loving : watching Sophie toddle around the house.  Just like that, I’ve got a toddler.  Bittersweet.
reflecting : on M’s fall soccer season and how nice it was for us as a family.  A little sad that it’s coming to an end, but happy to not be on the field freezing.
planning : for guests coming next week.  I’ve been busy creating a guest room, starting a menu and making a list of activities.  We love visitors!  
brainstorming : more ways to give in 2014.  The Pajama Drive was a huge success and I hope it becomes an annual event. 
running : has been lacking, as I’ve been in a huge rut.  October was a wash, but I’m hoping November is better.  And surprise!  I actually quite like running in cold weather.
considering : growing my hair again to donate to Locks for Love.  You can only donate if your hair is less than 10% grey, and let’s be honest, my days are numbered.  Gotta fit in a donation while I can!  
thankful for : my husband.
drinking : coffee, lots and lots of coffee.  
dreaming : about all of the vintage items I’d like to sprinkle throughout our home.  Too bad with all these little ones, I rarely get to the antique or thrift stores.  Anyone want to be my personal shopper? 🙂  
noticing : Friday family movie nights are becoming routine and something anticipated by everyone.  A Netflix movie, cozy blankets and popcorn – the perfect way to unwind after a busy week.
baking : pumpkin crumb cake this weekend.
working on : a cross-stitch kit found deep in the craft “stash”.  Working a little each day and it’s so calming!
excited : to see our family photos done by my new friend, Lucy O Photography! 

loving : the weather lately: cool in the mornings and just warm enough in the afternoon.
reflecting : on my baby girl’s first year and how much she has grown.  The picture above is aesthetically busy and cluttered, but one of my favorites from her party.  On her knees, playing with her new tea set…how did she get so big?
planning : weekly menus for all of our meals…Eat At Home October is on!
brainstorming : how to inexpensively turn our fourth bedroom into a guestroom.  We are expecting visitors next month.  
running : five days a week, attempting to improve my 5K time.
hoping : to finish my book, The School of Essential Ingredients, before midnight tonight.  The first novel I’ve finished in months!
addicted to : my guilty pleasure, Grey’s Anatomy.
thankful for : the health of my children.
drinking : coffee, lots and lots of coffee.  
making : a mini scrapbook of our summer vacation in Maine using a kit I received from a penpal.
dreaming : about an organized laundry room/mudroom, a project that I hope can be completed this winter.  
noticing : the imagination of my boys as they dress up as Star Wars characters.
baking : gluten-free cookies from Immaculate Baking Company…so good!
working on : a big piece of art for the dining room that holds lots of sentimental value.
excited for : a long overdue date night!