Mother's Day Weekend is my absolute favorite

I adore Mother's Day. How could I not? Let's just talk about the weather for a moment. This is what I've been waiting for THE ENTIRE YEAR. Within the last week all the trees have leaved out, flowers are blooming and the world looks like heaven.

E was gone for work all week (Detriot) and decided to take Friday off. Since the weekend of Mother's Day is always jam packed, we decided to have a BBQ with E's family on Friday night so we could spread out the fun and not feel so rushed on Sunday. PERFECT idea.

The weather was glorious, but I've already mentioned that.

We could not wait to see baby Emilia again. James and Juliet met her two weeks ago when we delivered dinner to Chelsea and Joe in Midway. We were so excited to have her join us for her first family party. James spotted her out front and ran to the back to tell me "she's this big! She's tiny!"

James was so excited to see his family. As each person arrived he asked where the next person was. It was darling.

Juliet was being quite the pillski before the party. Luckily she sweetened up in time to see Damma and tug on her earrings. (Is this not the sweetest photo? And look at baby girl's hair!)

Mostly people wanted to obsess over Emilia. And Chelsea? Newest mother of the group. Being a new mother is a stressful time, so we showered her with love.

Little lady dressed in yellow.

I could not wait to hold her. She's tiny!

And both my children were being darling with her. James took great care to bounce the bouncer just so, and touch her tiny head so carefully.

Daddy with his tiny tiny babe.

Other Daddy with his not to tiny babe who loves upside down neck kissies.

Can we just discuss how sweet new Daddies are?! I did not pose this photo. He was looking at Emilia like this, so full of love, I just knew I had to snap this photo.

After dinner was served and dessert devoured a rain storm moved it. We cleaned up the lawn and moved to the garage to watch the storm. 

Nothing much happened for a couple minutes so we taught James the art of rain dancing. These moments, dancing in the rain with the people I love are the moments that I never want to forget.

Soon the rain really began and a rainbow appeared. We convinced Chelsea and Joe to brave the rain and show Emilia her first ever rainbow.

Lots more rain-dancing ensued.

And the skies listened. It started pouring.

The sky got darker and darker and the evening grew late. James stayed up two hours post bedtime (all while Juliet slept inside) and the entire evening ended with magic.

More (lots more) Mother's Day goodness to come.

Juliet is 15 months!

What a HUGE month it has been for Juliet. Lots of amazing amazing things happening.

Walking! Only days after she turned 14 months she took her first steps and she's gotten better and better since then. Still only five or so steps at a time, but she's doing it more and more.

So many new sounds and words. She says "mee mee" when we ask her what a kitty says. She loves to say "boom!" along with her brother. A few other words she says: more, blue, moon, ball, bird, and a few others. She also is understanding us so much. Such a fun time.

Started to really play with James. They wrestle. They laugh. They splash in the tub. They totally ignore me when I'm saying "settle down please" and love to amp it up.

She has turned into such a "girl". James has always been so "boy". He loves diggers, wrestling, cars, etc. Well Juliet loves all those things too (she does have a big brother after all) but E and I have both commented that over the last month her personality has really bloomed and she is such a girl! Kisses, baby dolls, only wanting Daddy, and of course drama. Oh the drama...

She started sleeping through the night! At about ten months Juliet started sleeping through the night and then lost the ability on her birthday when she got RSV. It's been a long three months getting her back to it, but it's here and it feels wonderful!

Eating has gotten better after three really really tough months where she ate virtually nothing. Now she's eating somewhat well again, so I can rejoice!

She got a nasty bump on her chin yesterday. I photoshopped it out on the above photos, but let it be in these next two. Bumps are part of babyhood.

Now, onto likes and dislikes.

LIKES:

• Laughing with James. Oh boy do they get laughing. 
• Kissing James. It is the most tender thing. She hardly kisses me or E, but James comes in a three foot vicinity and she tries to plant a kiss on him. 
• Splashing in the tub. The entire bathroom is drenched when she and James are done.
• Daily walks with the wagon. 
• Wrestling Daddy.
• Brushing her teeth.
• Popsicles.

DISLIKES:

• Being told no.
• Morning nap.
• Being in the stroller. She's big and doesn't like the stroller anymore, because apparently they are for babies. 
• Getting her nose wiped. Or her butt for that matter.
• Being yelled at by James when all she needs/wants is a hug.

She finished teething on all four molars! Now her mouth is full of teeth! Twelve in all.

Finally, from 1 month until now:















Outfit details -
Dress - Etsy find
Hairbow- Etsy

Family walk

Day to day life with my two babies (because both of them will always always be my babies) usually includes many hours outside. Even when the weather is cold, we are out. Since having children I've taken neighborhood walks. Hundreds of them, if not thousands.

We go just about daily. Sometimes twice a day. We go whatever the weather, and have three or four little routes we take. Some longer, others leisurely.

This morning was a typical Saturday morning. We were up at 6:15 with Juliet (why must she rise so early?!) and James shortly after. We had a hot homemade breakfast on the table before 8:30 and were out the door at close to nine. Not always are we outside so early, but today was one of those nearly perfect days that you've got to saver.

E and James worked on mowing the lawn. I did a tiny bit of yard work before Juliet woke.

I quickly dressed her and grabbed her baby stroller before heading outside again. She practiced walking up and down the driveway. E finished the mowing and the first honeybees of the season buzzed by.

Her dress is another one from my childhood that my mom packed away for thirty years, until I had a daughter of my own.

The air was perfection. Warm but not hot and scented with the most beautiful smell of blossoms. 

Out front James took great care to help Juliet up the sidewalk. I was thrilled. Lots of times he barrels into Juliet or not letting her pass. This kindness was something to enjoy, quite rare.

Soon E was done with the lawns and we decided to switch the baby stroller for the wagon and take a nice long morning walk. James chose the ponds, which is a bit of a longer walk, but when the weather was this magnificent, nobody minded.

Everything sparkled and sang.

The wagon my mom and Chuck got us for Christmas has been our favorite spring time toy. We use it daily, both kids pulling it and riding in it.

Once at the ponds James got right to work looking for big rocks to throw in.

Mostly I was just mesmerized by the beauty of it all.

I think she was too.

Before turning back toward home we had a snack under the most brilliant pink blossom covered tree. 

And of course we had time to throw just a few more rocks.

If you want to see more photos from our walks (there are a lot of them!) check out the hash tag #DailyWalkWithJames on IG. There are some of my favorite shots in that group.

xoxo