Spring has Sprung

It is so wonderful to finally for the first time in your little life take you outside without a coat, hat, mittens, and a blanket! I love to take you for walks outside now in the beautiful springtime weather. I like to show you everything. It's the first time you have seen green leaves on the trees, birds in the feeder, flowers in every color, bright green grass. It's the 29th spring that I have seen, and it's amazing how differently I am looking at it now because of you. I love holding the lilacs up to your nose and just when I really think you are going to smell them like I showed you, you open that mouth up wide and try to take a bite! We walk past the lily of the valleys everyday, and I can't wait for them to bloom next week. I tell you everyday that they are my favorite flower. You always stop and stare at the wisteria, probably because it is the most beautiful purple I have ever seen. We walk past all the berry bushes that will be ripe in a few months. I point out the blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and cherries. When they are all ready to eat, it will be just about the time you will be eating finger foods...you are so lucky! You love to watch the dogs run around, and the ducks play in the water. When the warm breeze blows, it almost takes your breath away, but you always smile. You love to sit in the grass and just run your fingers and toes all through it. I can't imagine what goes through your little mind as you are seeing all these things for the first time. It's a big world little girl, we've got lots of things to see yet!

Please Stay Little

I remember when I was younger, Mimi always saying she was going to stop feeding us so Aunt Mitzi and I would just stay little! I looked at you the other day and I said the exact same thing! You really aren't a "baby" anymore. Sitting up, holding your own bottle, eating food, trying to talk...how did all that happen so fast? You've got this adorable personality and I have to admit that you are more fun now than ever before, but sometimes I can't even remember you as a newborn. It's a rollarcoaster of emotions both happy and sad. I waited my entire life to be a mom. I couldn't wait to get married, couldn't wait to be pregnant, couldn't wait for you to be born...waiting, waiting, waiting. Now that you are here, and every dream I've ever had for my life has come true it's almost as if someone pushed the fast foward button. I promise I won't stop feeding you, as long as you promise to always be my little girl...no matter how big you get. Deal?

Lunch with Daddy

Now that you are a little older and the weather is warmer, Daddy and I decided that on some of my days off the 3 of us would do a lunch date. Your Daddy works so hard and sometimes has to work so late that you are already asleep by the time he gets home. I know it makes him so happy when his schedule allows him to see you in the afternoon for a lunch date. You are just the happiest girl when you are with your him. I hope now that summer is almost here we get to have a lot more dates...just the 3 of us!

Rocking You to Sleep

I work the 3-11 shift at the hospital part time because I figure it is the least amount time I have to spend away from you, without affecting my sleep (cause we know I love to sleep). The only thing that I really miss is putting you to bed every night. So on my nights off, it is my favorite thing to do. You are an incredible sleeper, always have been, and go down without a problem every night around 8. I could just put you in your crib and let you fall asleep on your own, but I miss being with you so much on the nights that I work, that I can't help but want to rock you asleep in your rocking chair.
We turn off all the lights, except your small nightlight, put on your lullaby renditions of old classic rock songs by the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and The Cure and rock away. You are usually asleep within 5 minutes, but I sit with you in my arms and listen until the whole CD is done. I love your tiny head asleep on my shoulder, your little fingers holding on tight to your blankie, and the calm and peacefulness that takes over your room. I'm not sure how long you are going to let me rock you to sleep, so as long as it makes you happy I promise you on all my nights off, I'll rock you for as long as you want.

A Family Tradition

Your Great Grandfather, Pop Pop Marty used to make pizelles every single Christmas. I can close my eyes and picture him sitting in the kitchen for hours filling up coffee can after coffee can with them. The smell of anise seed filling the entire house. He made them the best, and no matter how hard we try, they never taste nearly as good as his.

Since he passed away, your cousins and I still try to get together with Nonna around Christmas and make pizelles. Its a nice way to reminisce and remember Poppy, and it has truly become a nice Christmas tradition. About a week before Christmas, we got together at Aunt Joanne's, I was so excited because I want you to always remember wonderful times like this with family. Since you came along traditions have a whole new meaning of importance to me.

Well...it's probably a good thing that you were too little to remember this night because it was a beautiful disaster! The recipe was all wrong, the pizelles weren't right, the house was filled with smoke from the irons, the house a complete mess, and after hours of attempting to make pizelles, we finished with about 50 edible ones.

After our attempt at pizelles, your cousin Erika wanted to try changing a diaper for the first time. With Aunt Joanne and Nonna walking her through it, and Devon video taping it, it was almost as funny as our pitzelles. Of course you pooped, she gagged, couldn't believe the mess, couldn't get over all the wiping that had to be done, but all in all she did a good job! We were all laughing so hard! She hasn't offered to change a diaper since!


Although the night wasn't exactly what I had pictured for your first Christmas tradition, it ended up being perfect! The entire night all we did was laugh, and that's really what it is all about! I can't wait until next year!

The Day Reese (and Baby Jesus) were Born!

Aunt Jen and I found out we were having girls before you and Maya were born. Aunt Jeanette wanted to be surprised! As soon as she found out her due date (December 22nd) she swore she was going to deliver on Christmas Day. She wanted a baby boy in the worst way, even though I was hoping for another little girlfriend for you and Maya Grace. Christmas Eve everyone always gets together at Mimi's house, and a very pregnant Aunt Jeanette stopped by after church. This is the last picture of her pregnant, because the next morning, Christmas Day, she went into labor.

I was siting at Christmas dinner, waiting for the call from her, giddy with anticipation and excitement, finally going to know if it was a boy or girl! At 6:59pm on Christmas night, Reese Ryan was born. I was screaming with happiness, your Aunt Jeanette had us so convinced it was a boy!
Reese was perfect and once again, for the third time in the same year...I was in love.

About a week later we took you and Maya to meet your new best friend Reese. As crazy as it was that we were now all mothers, we were all mother's to little girls. Growing up together and knowing how important your girlfriends are, I couldn't help but get teary eyed knowing that you girls were going to all grow up together and one day be as close as the 3 of us are.

Swinging

I took you to the park a few weeks ago. It was a weird warm spell at the end of March. It was your first time at the park, first time in short sleeves, and the first time on the swings! I wasn't sure how you were going to like it, but I had to give it a try.
As if that smile doesn't say it all! You were giggling every time I gave you a push! It was the first time I got such a big reaction out of you. Needless to say, as soon as I came home and told Mimi and Poppy how much you loved the swings, they went right out and bought you a swing for the backyard.

You have been happily swinging ever since!