January 23rd, 2012
always on the move, always a blur…
This little peanut has discovered the magic of legs and she is hooked.
The lollipop really took off over the Christmas holiday and these photos are actually from our weekend at Grandma’s house, three weeks ago.
These days she is walking. Everywhere. And walking only. She’s so over the crawling…
It’s such a treat to see this little lady grow in confidence with each step she takes. I love getting to experience the joy of something that us grown-ups consider mundane – we probably never really think about how cool it is to walk – but to her it’s OH MAH GAH, IMA WALKIN’!!!
I’m so thankful to relive these little things through these girls of ours.
XoXo, Katy
tags: Milestones, Poppy
I thought this was a party...LET’S DANCE!
January 2nd, 2012
Last year at this time, we were eagerly and anxiously and nervously and excitedly waiting for our second little girl to make her way into our world. She had already taught me so much about myself through our pregnancy together, and I just wanted to see her face, kiss her cheeks, rub her tiny fingers. I wanted to thank her for teaching me how to be better.
When she burst into the world, so quickly that she didn’t even leave her amniotic sac, our suspicions were confirmed that she was a feisty one. The way, nearing the end of pregnancy, she’d bounce herself and kick her legs against the bed as I lay on my side at night. The way her movements inside my belly were more fierce and surprising than Ella’s had been. The girl has fiest. She’s been proving it since she came into this world.
She is also the sweetest thing. Offer her a blankie or stuffed animal and she takes it, keels over, and nuzzles so fiercely you think she’ll dig herself into the floor. She is a snuggler and there’s nothing better than when she sets her eyes on you and suddenly she’s in front of you, nuzzling into your arms or lap.
Poppy has a smile that comes easily. She is the happiest little person I’ve come across yet. She has a smile for everyone and is a mellow girl. Her demeanor is like her Daddy’s.
Her personality is perfect, and there’s so much of it in this little body of hers.
Last year at this time, I didn’t know for certain how our first baby would take to our second. Ella showed excitement, talked about the baby inside Mommy’s belly, told us she was going to share her toys and books. It seemed too easy, prepping this older sibling who couldn’t grasp the magnitude of how our lives were about to change.
Then one morning our preparation time ran out. No more talking about it, we were going to DO it. We packed Ella’s little red suitcase, kissed her goodbye (the last time as our one and only), and told her we were going to get Poppy and bring her home.
And so we brought our baby home. We began life as a family of four. Ella was remarkable. Interested, caring, thoughtful. When Poppy cried, Ella would decipher what she meant and deliver the translation for us. She was ready for this little sister. She was ready to BE a sister. Poppy wasn’t just Mommy’s baby, not just Mommy and Daddy’s baby, but OUR baby, Ella’s baby too.
And so we brought this baby home. And yet it seemed as though we’d always been this way. It seemed as though this was the plan all along. It felt unmistakably right. Of course we were supposed to have an Ella and a Poppy. Of course. It’s what we came here to do in the first place.
She has made me a better person, and I believe, a better Mommy. She has brought grace and calmness to my life and when I feel those elements slipping away in the day-to-day grind, I set my eyes on her and feel reminded.
She has made Ella even more vibrant than she was before. Last night Ella proclaimed that her best friend is her little sister. They’ve grown together already. I couldn’t feel more pride for the two of them.
She has brought more laughter to this home. She has brought joy and challenges and more consistency. Her presence has made our love for each other multiply. It’s funny how one tiny little thing can fill a space and round out a picture so completely.
Happy Birthday, PoppyLou!
We love you to the moon and back and around it one hundred times more…
tags: Birthdays, Poppy
1 Comment »
August 21st, 2011
Our little lollipop is seven months old!
(Well, seven months and three weeks to be exact.)
This month has been packed full of exciting developments with this little one. Since we’re nearing her eight month update, I think I’ll save sharing her progress for that post. In the meantime, here are this month’s photographs and a letter I wrote to the sweet girl on her seven month birthday…
August 2, 2011
Poppy Lucille,
Today you are seven months old. Your presence here has not only made our lives move faster, but you’ve made it much richer too.
Every day it seems you are up to something new. You scoot yourself around like no one can stop you. You navigate your way down hallways and into rooms. You’ve worked little callouses on your toes and the ball of your right foot from pushing off with them so much.
You are determined and feisty. This shouldn’t surprise me as I remember those months you spent in my belly and all that kicking and bouncing you would do. There were a few nights you seemed to enjoy bouncing on the bed. “She’s so feisty!” I’d say to Daddy. And you still are.
You love your bouncer! The second your feet hit the blanket underneath, you are off – pushing your tiny toes against the ground, bouncing up, lifting your knees, then waiting for your toes to touch the blanket so you can do it all over again.
Your first teeth made their appearance this past month. The bottom two popped right through as a pair. Now you’ve discovered that those little pearls can make noise and you enjoy tapping them against your toys.
You are loving your entrance into solid foods. You can’t get enough rice cereal and oatmeal. This week we’ll be starting you on veggies! I love mixing up your little meals because every time you see me with a brightly colored bowl and your milk bottle, you start squealing and kicking your feet and pounding your hands on your tray. We love your excitement over food, because Mommy, Daddy, and Ella, we love to eat good food!
This food business has me baffled, as I can’t believe we’re at this stage already. You are growing and changing faster than I can comprehend.
Daddy and I wake up every morning with you between us. You are the one doing the waking up. You scoot and kick, pull my hair and play with our faces until we wake up. But your sweet face being the first thing I see when I open my eyes makes up for the rough awakening.
You are napping so well these days. You take two lengthy naps, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. I lay you in your crib and you are so good at letting yourself drift to sleep. You also love a good car ride and can’t resist a little nap when we go on trips during the day.
Tonight you sat up, on your own, for the very first time! Your crib is pushed against the foot of mine and Daddy’s bed, and the bathroom is a few feet away. Tonight as I was washing my face, I heard you make a squealing sound in your crib. I turned around to see your shining little face peering at me. You were sitting up!! You were so proud of yourself. That squeal was pure delight. And I am so proud of you too. I think that is one of the best memories we’ve made so far. I have been reliving it all night, it was just the best thing to see you so proud of yourself, and the way you beamed at me over your accomplishment. And I can’t get over how cute and tiny you are when you sit up all straight.
You still adore your big sister. She can do no wrong in your opinion. Even when she gets a little rough or takes a toy away from you, you are ready to flash her a smile a few seconds later.
And she feels the same about you. I can’t express how grateful I am to mother a pair of sisters, this pair of sisters, you and Ella Faye, and watch your bond grow as you grow together. We are all blessed.
Our smiley girl, with the big hazel eyes…we love you so so much. You brighten every day with your cheeriness and sweet disposition. You bring so much happiness to our family, and besides that, a dynamic that rounds us out just right.
Love you for always,
Mama
tags: Poppy, Poppy Month to Month
1 Comment »
August 12th, 2011
At some point yesterday afternoon, I thought it was naptime. We’d done the usual – lunch, books, songs in bed and snuggling with stuffed friends, then turn on the music and a tuck into bed. That was for the older girl.
The littler girl was nursed, snuggled, and laid into her crib for a backrub.
At some point yesterday afternoon, I thought it was naptime.
My girls thought otherwise.
The older girl snuck out of her room and made her way to her sister’s bed. And they both thought it was the best thing ever.
These girls of ours, they make a good team. They are trouble already. And so darn cute while they’re at it.
Speaking of trouble, this is what Poppy’s up to lately…
And today she stood up, so we lowered the mattress. Now she pulls herself to standing every time she’s in there. Trouble. Just trouble…
Signing off with my hands full & happy, Katy
tags: Ella, Poppy, Sisters
I thought this was a party...LET’S DANCE!
recent posts
archives
subscribe