Introducing...

...our sweet as pie baby girl! Sophia Marie was born nearly two weeks ago, on July 25th at 10:58pm...an hour and two minutes before her due date. She's perfect in every way, with blue eyes and a generous mop of dark brown hair! I was shocked she wasn't a redhead because after having two crimson haired boys before her, I figured it was destined, but I'm fine with a brunette too! I'm happy my husband has at least one child that takes after him in the hair color department, and truthfully, I could care less what color her hair is...I'm just over the moon that she's here and healthy!
These past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions. Everything from sheer infatuation and adoration to being completely overwhelmed by it all. It's been nine years since I held my last baby in my arms, so this has been like starting all over again. The most surreal part of it so far has been watching our household grow to a family of five. Getting in the car feels different {and certainly fuller with a carseat!}, laying in our king sized bed on a Sunday morning is cozier, and going grocery shopping is more chaotic than ever..but best of all has been seeing my two sons welcome their baby sister. They are smitten beyond words and couldn't be more helpful. I know the novelty will probably wear slightly with time, but for now, I'll take it!

I've been working on this post, a little here, a little there, for days now, but I'm at Sophia's command at the moment, and having any extra "hands free" time has been a luxury I'm rarely afforded. There's so much more I want to talk about and share with you...and hopefully, over the coming weeks I'll be able to. Since I was last here, I've had two amazing baby showers - thrown and attended by my many amazing friends and family members. The starting over part doesn't just apply to the emotional and physical parts of this process, but also to the material aspects as well. I got rid of every single last bit of baby gear I had from my previous two babies years ago and have had to start from square one with that too. I'll be sharing all of my favorite baby finds with you soon!

Bozo Pic of the Week...

My husband and older son were away at a hockey tournament on Mother's Day weekend this year. They got home in the early afternoon, so we were able to do some Mother's Day activities later in the day, but in the early hours...more specifically, the breakfast hours, I was home alone with my little guy. We hadn't discussed what we'd do that morning ahead of time, but I was aware that he was very anxious to give me the homemade gifts he had made for me.
I expected to be woken up with some clumsily wrapped presents, but never expected he would wake me with a gorgeous "breakfast in bed" platter he created himself. Orange juice, coffee with half and half {just the way I like it}, a sliced apple, and a toasted corn muffin with butter and raspberry jam. He explained that he couldn't make me anything "hard to make" but he did the best he knew how to do. I was blown away, and of course immediately started crying. I told him it was the sweetest thing anyone could do for me!

Today is his 9th birthday and I knew that I wanted to make him a equally thoughtful breakfast in bed...so he got his favorites...a 1/2 pound of bacon and pancakes. Being a second child {and soon to be middle child} he relishes attention more than my older son ever did. He loved every second of being a king for a day on his birthday, and I was happy to spoil him silly. I can't believe my baby is nine...and even though he told me that soon he wasn't going to be my baby anymore, I told him that because he was my baby for nine years, he always would be.
In celebration of his ninth year, I've collected some of my favorite moments on this blog featuring Bozo #2 - My Pumpkin | Hair Part One and Two | Soccer | Mangos | Early Scribbles | Preschool Grad | 4th Birthday | First Yankee Game | Roses | Chalk Art | 5th Birthday

Happy Memorial Day

These photos were taken at last year's Memorial Day parade as my son marched with his little league team. Today was another great day - gorgeous weather, New England charm galore while we watched another great parade, and a BBQ with friends. The commencement of Summer. But more than anything a day to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you to all who've served our country...past and present.
Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Happy Memorial Day!

Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal

This recipe takes boring old oatmeal to a whole new level. Officially called porridge - it's creamy, salty/sweet goodness...and your kids will love you for making a batch.
If you're like me, you grew up eating maple brown sugar oatmeal out of a packet. It wasn't until I had kids of my own that I started making rolled oats the old-fashioned way. As my kids got older, there were times I kicked myself for getting them hooked on the good-for-you stuff, because now they wouldn't touch a bowl of instant oats with a ten foot pole {it's a texture thing, not a taste thing}.

Happy Mother's Day

I love that Mother's Day takes place during the most beautiful time of year...spring! Not a coincidence I'm sure, because spring is the time of rebirth. New life is blooming everywhere you look.
I hope it's a beautiful day for all of you Mamas out there...and that you're getting spoiled silly as a reward for all the amazing things you do every day of the year!