"Stubborn love..."
{Song clip}In two days, we will hit 38 weeks pregnant. Wow. Maren was born at 36 weeks, so this is a whole new frontier for us. I'd love to tell you that I am happily ensconced in the pre-baby joys of...
View Article"In spite of ourselves..."
{Song clip - a hilarious love song...}Yesterday, we discovered a treasure trove in the nearby city of St. Petersburg - a massive new and used bookstore! Set in a funky district with vintage clothing...
View Article"Waiting on the world to change..."
{Song clip}39 weeks, 4 days.And waiting.A very special thank you to my dear friend (and unbelievably talented film photographer) Lexia Frank for convincing me to get in front of her camera today. I was...
View Article"Here I am..."
{Song clip - this song is from one of Maren's favorite movies. It made me cry every time I heard it while pregnant...and it still does}Would you believe that I went into labor the night of my last...
View Article"You belong to me..."
Song clipMaren talked to Rhys every day he was inside me.She asked me how he was doing. What he was thinking. If he needed anything.She has been waiting, oh so patiently, to love him.I wasn't patient...
View Article"When I need you..."
{song clip}He came home from work early. Scooped her up in his arms. Bundled her in her baby brother's blanket. And carried her around the backyard. Singing the song he used to sing when she couldn't...
View Article"Always be my baby..."
{Song clip}Last weekend...My daddy taught the kids at Maren's birthday party to play ring toss while I tended to Rhys.He greeted me with, "Hello beautiful" on the morning all my clothes felt either too...
View Article"Closer to fine..."
{Song clip}Just days after Rhys was born, my sister in law came to visit. Young, vibrant, beautiful and newly engaged, she no doubt arrived eager to see the joys of a family newly expanding. What we...
View Article"Perhaps..."
{song clip}maybe your eyes see the photographs, but you can't find the time to pick up your camera.maybe you've been writing a blog post for 2 weeks.maybe you've recently had to double check:- your...
View Article"Standing still..."
{song clip}Friday, was tough. Rhys spent much of the day grumbling in my arms as he tried (and failed) to nap. I spent much of the day tidying the house, folding diapers and getting dinner ready using...
View Article"No ordinary love..."
{song clip}Three months ago today, my second child was born. Since I had been a parent for four years before his arrival, I expected to be a seasoned, confident mother with my son. And, in some ways,...
View Article"Mother Nature's Son..."
{song clip}Me: "Rhys seems to be grumpy no matter what we do today. Well, except when we are outside. He's always happy outside."Maren: "Yeah."Me: "Why do you think that is?"Maren: "I think it's...
View Article"Shine..."
{song clip}Last night, I took Maren for a spin on her new scooter and I watched the day's last sun rays shine. This morning, Jake took Maren for a ride on her new scooter and he watched her get her...
View Article"Running..."
{song clip}Maren: "Dada, how old will Rhys be when I am 6?"Jake: "He'll be 2."Maren: "And how old will he be when I am 9?"Jake: "He'll be 5."Maren: "And what about when I am old enough to drive?"Jake:...
View Article"Never grow up..."
{song clip}Almost exactly a year and a half ago in England, Jake got a black eye playing rugby and I photographed the progression of his bruise during the week that followed. So, when Maren got her...
View Article"I can't give you anything but love..."
{song clip}As parents, Jake and I get a whole range of emotions from Maren. We get the sweet, the sour and everything in between. But Rhys? He is completely and utterly doted on.Constantly...
View Article"Gray or Blue..."
{Song clip}I'm a bit too bossy.She's a drama queen.And he's a little mess maker.But, despite our faults, you keep on smiling.You keep on trying to see the best in us.And, somehow, that makes us the...
View Article"Simple kind of man..."
{song clip}Four months with a delicious baby yet not a single post all about him. Shame on me! Obviously I'm not going to be the bloggy mommy that does weekly or even monthly baby posts, but I can...
View Article"Hang on..."
{song clip}Jake's car died. The plumbing sprung a leak and the termites came back. The kids got sick and Daddy did too. The washer broke. And then the dryer.My plea for Jake and Maren to quit arguing...
View Article"i and love and you..."
{song clip}Me: "Do you know that I love you, little girl?"Maren: "Mama, I know that. I know it at the bottom of my heart. Because that was the first thing that my heart knew."Since your first. Until my...
View Article"Us against the world..."
{song clip}This weekend, Maren and I made a little teepee for one.But, she assured me it was big enough for two.And it was.
View Article"What the water gave to me..."
{song clip}My parents bought this sprinkler for Maren. Oh, and those goggles too.Toys from the dollar store, some water and a sunny afternoon.A perfect cocktail of summer fun.And while she splashed,...
View Article"Sunshine of your love..."
{Song clip}After I drop Maren off at camp, I come home and put Rhys down for one of his many catnaps of the day. I usually look forward to this time. 20 minutes on my own to listen to music or throw in...
View Article"I wish it would rain down..."
{song clip}"The world is mud-lucious and puddle-wonderful."-E.E. Cummings
View Article"My hero..."
{song clip}My brother joined our family when I was 13 years old.As a much older sibling, I vividly remember watching him grow up. Finding toy cars or army men lined up along the kitchen counter....
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