there she is!

"There she is!" ...is what she screams when she pops out from behind the curtain after 10 seconds or so. Her favorite game to play. 

Oh, let's not forget the "B" quartet (books, balls, bubbles and bananas) the four things that just completely encompass her thoughts.

Elleanora is so eager to learn these days. It's just amazing what words come out of her mouth at the end of each day or what motions her chubby, little body performs out of nowhere. Animals sounds, downward dog(?!) and dancing are her "things" right now. She really cracks us up.

And, yes, the day came when she uttered the word "No!" for the first time. Her will is getting stronger, and tantrums are on the rise, but we are committed to staying consistent with discipline, and she is responding quite well. I think she has a little more Christopher than Jenna in her. Thank. You. Lord.

spring summary

Ah, I finally found a few moments to write here. It's Friday night, I'm at home, Christopher is at youth group, it's raining, Elleanora is soundly asleep, and Jameson is kicking away. I'm also sucking on a cough drop because I am so, so thirsty but need to stop drinking at 7:30pm these days. This way, I'm only up twice in the night (instead of 5-6 times) to use the bathroom. Some nights I am up a lot due to other discomforts, and the following day is hard to get through.. especially since I've been working quite a bit. Eating isn't too enjoyable. As soon as I swallow a few bites and take a sip of water, I feel like my organs are literally being smushed together, causing a whole lot of discomfort. But, hey, before I know it, I will be holding and kissing my son. Cannot even wait.

Above, are a few pictures of our long awaited spring. Elleanora felt grass under her feet for the very first time, we celebrated our 2nd year anniversary, Nana Kate came for a visit, we offically became debt free... along with plenty of beautiful and not so beautiful days in between.

I have been trying to choose joy no matter what. That grumpy, snappy behavior can so easily creep in when I'm having a dead to the world kind of day. But, in those tough moments, I'm learning that God's grace can keep me gracious. I can be honest about how I feel minus the bad attitude. Always learning with each new situation that arises.

Well, my eyes are shutting, so this post ends here.

Cheerio, loves!

a little, two-year reflection

It's been two years (and a few days) since our wedding day, and, quite honestly, it feels much longer than that. Maybe it was the two preganacies in a row, the natural disaster (Sandy), intense ministry-related situations, close relationship fall outs...all this and more PLUS learning how to live life together. Not just functioniong together, but continually, romantically persuing and serving each other. It's been beautiful, exhausting, difficult and thrilling all at once. 

We've seen the worst and the best in each other over these past few years. We've said some of the meanest words, and some of the most up-lifting, heart-warming words to each other.  Any married couple will tell you the same thing. The goal is not to avoid conflict or to ignore it, but to find specific strategies that help to resolve the daily conflicts that will inevitably arise. And by our God's overwhelming supply of mercy and grace, we are finding those strategies while falling more and more in love as time passes.

Christopher has to put up with a lot when it comes to living life with me. I steal the blankets at night, I move all of his important papers that pile up on his bureau, I leave gum wrappers in cups, I make us late in the mornings (pregnant or not), I have a habit of knocking into his legs under the table while we're eating, I steal food off of his plate (I'm Italian, he's English), I don't always look at washing instructions for his J. Crew clothes.... etc.

 I could go ahead and list his flaws, but I'll refrain. ;)

It's funny how much we've both fought and laughed over our silly, little habits. We're crazy about each other, but we can easily drive each other crazy. That's usually how it goes, right? 

Laughter helps. It's so important in a marriage (in all of life, really). Espeically laughing at yourself. It's amazing how sour a conversation turns when I get into defensive mode... when my I take myself so seriously, and my importance level (in my head) flies through the roof. It's ugly. Pride and self-importance are ugly, and it's the best recipe for an ugly situation. 

Simply put, when his desires become more important than my own (and vice versa), we can't lose. 

letter to Jameson

Jameson Clive, 

You've had life for about 26 weeks now... kicking quite vigorously, but not causing me too much discomfort. You made me dreadfully sick for about 12 weeks (much like your sister), but I am grateful that it only lasted that long. These days, I need at least 9-10 hours of sleep each night in order to function. I have a hard time breathing through my nose at night, but there are worse things. You've been enjoying a lot of green smoothies, almond-flour oatmeal cookies and chicken salad recently. I hope you enjoy food as much as Elleanora does... I often wonder what you will have in common, and how you will be different from one another. Will you be just as or more strong-willed and determined? Or will you be a little more relaxed? Maybe you will look more Italian than Irish or vice versa.. I just can't wait to meet you. 

We don't have to do too much to prepare for your arrival, considering the fact that your sister is only 16 months older than you. People have been so kind with lending us some clothes and gadgets for you. You're already so loved.
The first picture (above) is the first thing I ever purchased for you, and the sweater was originally Elleanora's from your Auntie Ashley and Uncle DT. They were smart in giving her something that you could wear too (even though no one knew you were alive yet when we opened it!)

In other news, your daddy is going to pick up a Volkswagen minivan this Saturday for all of us (!!!); I didn't think our family would grow to four this soon, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I can't wait for you to meet your big sister; she might try to beat you up for awhile, but I have a feeling you'll be the best of friends. My heart and hands will be very full with both of you. I love you, sweet boy, and I pray for you often.

Kisses,
Your Mama

favorites.

Elleanora,

I never thought a baby could make me laugh so much. Whether it's the way you blow kisses to every mirror and stranger you see or the way you grunt when you bend down to pick up a ball that is double your size. You are an entertainer.

You have plenty of favorites. Wallets are way up there on the list... any kind of ball, red plastic cups, taking clothes out of drawers, Nonna's sauce with meatballs and ravioli, big pillows, 

and screaming "Papa" whenever you feel like it. You're also loving green smoothies these days, which makes my heart so happy. Favorite shoes? None yet.. because you don't really wear them. Your feet are just a little too chubby.. see that sore on your foot up there? Yep, too tight. We'll figure it out.

My favorite thing about you? I think it's when you climb up on your little chair, cross your legs and make your hilariously, heart-warming sounds while turning the pages of a book. You. Love. It. And you just really love life in general.

Kisses,

Mama

12 months.

Ok, it's true. I blinked, and an entire year has passed. 

Let's do a quick milestone overview, shall we?

At 2 1/2 months, she cracked a smile, and we heard the sweetest giggle for the first time.

At 3 1/2 months, she was rolling over and doing cartwheels around the room. Also, she was holding her bottle (when I supplemented) and started sleeping 11 hours through the night (!!!). 

At four months, the swap from the bassinet to the crib happened. 

At 5 1/2 months, she started the army crawl

At 6 months, she started eating solids/sitting in her highchair (get the OXO highchair, people)

At 7-8 months, the crawling stage began

At 9 months, waving and blowing kisses

At 10 months, "da-da" was uttered 

At 11 months (late)... walking! saying "ma-ma", "hott", "bye-bye", "baby", "up", "papa", "nonna", "ball", "thank you" (sorry, this is merely for me to remember) 

At 12 months, she held her first almond butter and jelly sandwich and ate it like a big kid; I thought it was a pretty big deal. 

to listen

"The word obedient comes from the Latin word audire, which means 'listening'... Jesus' life was a life of obedience. He was always listening to the Father, always attentive to his voice, always alert for his directions. Jesus was 'all ear.' That is true prayer: being all ear for God." - Henri J.M. Nouwen 

Sometimes my daughter demands my full attention. Being her mother for almost a year now, I know the difference between her hungry/sleepy/teething/dirty diaper cries and her "whiney for no reason, cater to me and ONLY me" cry. Learning to ignore the tantrums or to take action and discipline takes practice. The easy thing to do is to just give in to my child's tantrums, allowing her actions to control me. 

This aspect of parenting reminds me of the loud, anxious thoughts that can take over my being. I have a choice: I either sit back and let the anxious thoughts control me or I discipline my mind and heart to listen to the Holy Spirit's guidance. Learning the discipline of solitude is key in this. Anyone who's human knows how hard it is to cut out time in the day to be quiet. There are too many distractions to count, but I can make excuses for the rest of my life, and that will get me nowhere. It's a constant battle, but like any discipline, it gets easier as time goes on. So, a year from now I will look back on this post and have this completely down. An hour of solitude every day.

Haha, Right.  

My goal right now is 15 minutes of complete solitude each day. 

It's doable, but we'll see...