To my darling 2 year old

Dear Leah-

You turned 2 years old this week. Two. How is that possible? In some ways, I feel like you were born yesterday.  When I saw your face for the first time and held you in my arms as a snuggly newborn is still so fresh in my head. The flip side, though, is that I feel I have known you all my life. It is as if we are kindred spirits and we just "get" each other. I felt a connection with you like nothing else I had ever known from the  moment I met you, but it has grown and grown to new heights as you have grown and grown into a little girl before our eyes. When I looked at you then, I saw a snuggly newborn. Now, I see a CRAZY haired, joyful, silly, beautiful girl with incredible eyelashes and dimples to die for.

You have truly lived up to your middle name, my Love. You bring so much joy into the world with your contagious smile, belly laughs, and the cutest voice and lisp ever. The laughter and love you have added to our family are immeasurable. I can barely recall the days before I knew the sound of your voice, the tug of your fist on my pant leg, and the warmth of your kisses and hugs. You have a way about you that is, for lack of a better term, very appealing. You are friendly with other kids, smart as a whip, curious and fun, and a ball of constant, very hard to keep up with energy. Although you are starting to show more and more signs that you need to assert your independence, you still maintain a sparkling personality through it all. I love picturing how you will grow and change int a young lady, because, so far, watching you turn into a little person has been so exciting!

Right now, you have a ton of things that you love to do! You are still a fabulous eater, and some of your favs are yogurt, fruit, cereal, toast, pizza, broccoli and peas, and "special treats"- the sweet tooth is in full force! One of your favorite things to do is dance in the kitchen. Just about every night, we have a family dance party to Paul Simon, George Harrison or Chicago, and you bust out the moves. You adore singing with your off key voice, and belt out most of Abbey Road by yourself. What other kids knows a whole Beatles album? Your Daddy and I have been exposing you to our kind of music since day one, and it still cracks us up to hear your little voice from the backseat requesting a specific tune off the best album ever. Cooking is also a big hit with you right now. You love "mix-king" in a bowl and watching things chance on the stove. Some of your favorite things to play with are Isabella, Makayla and Ty, your babies, strollers, books,  anything with a  buckle, your tent, hide and seek, paint, play dough, your new doctor kit ("I check you make you feel better, K?"), snow, and of course, your new baby sister. 

Your vocabulary is crazy, and you seem to say new huge sentences every day. People are sometimes taken aback to hear you talk. You are 25 lbs, soaking wet, but you talk like a 3 year old, stating facts and asking questions all the time. Your Daddy and I are loving being home with you to hear what you have to say every day. Watching those wheels in your head turn is so fun. 

To see the world through your eyes is a miracle. I try (not always successfully, but I said try) to see things through your eyes and learn a whole new perspective on life from you, cause you sure see the world with joy!

My wish for you is that you always keep these qualities that you now possess. Stay true to who you are, always- a sweet, sunny, hilarious, stubborn, smart, curious girl. I can't wait to see what the coming years bring as your little life gets it's start. You deserve nothing but the best that the world has in store. 

I love you beyond measure, my Sunshine girl. 

To my new baby daughter

Warning- this is majorly cheesy, but if you know me, you know that I am majorly cheesy, so deal. This is where I chronicle how I feel about my girls, so here it lands.  



Dear ______ (sorry, but you don't have a for sure name yet), but for now I will call you my little lovie-

We have a chalkboard that hangs in the kitchen, the hub of our busy and happy home. For weeks, we have been eyeing a countdown of how many more days until you are set to make your big arrival. Every morning after breakfast, your Daddy, big sister, and I head over there and  erase the number and delete one more day, as we are 24 hours closer to seeing your sweet face. And every morning, I get butterflies in my tummy when we do it. This morning, we got down to 25 days. Just 25 days until we will surely see you. Am I nervous to have 2 little girls to take care of, nurture, kiss, hug, feed, change, teacher, entertain, and, oh yea, turn into productive members of a society with sometimes questionable morals? Well, yea, I am. But the excitement that I feel when I think about holding you, caressing your cheeks, hearing your newborn noises, taking in your smell, and feeling your head nestled in my chest blows away the fear of the unknown. Watching you grow from a cuddly sweet baby into a little girl will, no doubt be one of the greatest joys in our lives, and I can't wait for the journey of YOU to begin.

It seems as though you were meant to be in our family from the start, when I think about how it has all happened. Your Daddy and I had to work very hard to get your big sister into our arms, but you, sweet girl, you just appeared. It felt meant to be right from the beginning, like you will just slide into our family as if you were always here. Always know that you are here for a reason, and we are excited to see all that you become!

Your big sister, Leah, is especially excited to meet you, even though, at just under 2 years old, she does not quite understand what your arrival will mean. She loves babies- everything about them- and she is already talking to you, trying to feed you through my tummy, giving you kisses, and blowing you raspberries. When we say our prayers every night, she even mentions you most of the time with no prompting (this melts your Daddy and I like nothing else in the world ever has, by the way). I think she can feel the love we all have for you, and, whether she knows it or not, she loves you already. I can't WAIT to see the two of you together. I can just imagine watching you play, sit at the kitchen table, share (and often not share) and grown and change while always loving one another. Your Daddy and I love our siblings so much, and we are so happy that you and Leah will have one another forever and always. Cherish that relationship, as few of them in  your life will compare to what you share with her. After all, who else int he world will understand what it is like to have us as your crazy parents?  :)

Many people say that when they were expecting their second child, they worried that they might not have enough love to go around. Although I have my fears, I am not worried about that. I can feel the bond you and I share every time you wiggle and hiccup. I know with all of my heart that I will love you as intensely and immensely as I do your precious sister, and I promise to always try to see you for who YOU are, and to support what you want to be. I hope, more than anything, that you always know how much love your Daddy and I have for you, and that we will always put you first, above all else in life.

You girls are our most precious gifts, Sweetie, and you always will be. You are loved, and many, many people are anticipating your arrival with open arms and waiting hearts. Although we are busy getting your room ready, washing clothes, installing you carseat, and all the other preparations, your Daddy and I know, without a doubt, that all that REALLY matters about this process is that you get here safely and that you join our loving family. Stay in there for awhile, though, baby girl, cause I will miss feeling you grow and move. You are such a miracle, and I never want to take that for granted.

I will see you, feel you, smell you, hear you, and love you (oh, and name you!) even more in just a few short weeks. Until then, my little love, keep growing and get ready for your beautiful life to begin!

Love,
Mommy

22 months old!

My darling Leah, at 22 months old, you...

- Weigh about 25 pounds, and are 33 inches tall. You fit perfectly into 18 month clothes still, but some 2T fits you alright.

- Sleep 10-12 hours at night, and nap for about 2 1/2 hours during the day. You DO NOT stop moving in between. You are the busiest toddler I have ever seen!

- - Are still a Mommy's girls much of the time, but some days you are absolutely stuck to your Daddy, and beg for him when he is out of sight.

- Have an incredible vocabulary. You speak in full blown sentences all of the time now, and you are really great at communicating your needs and at making us laugh! Some of your big sentences right now are "I'll be right back", "I love you, Mommy", "Eah go to the ____ "(store, museum, whatever), " Come with me, Mommy",  "Baby go night night time", "Eat eat dinners please", and the list goes on and on.

- Speaking of things you say- you are in a HUGE "It's MINE" phase, and have been for about a month now. You just have to tell everyone that everything under the sun is yours, all of the time.

-Have started to use the potty, albeit irregularly. Some days, you are very interested, and others, not so much. You are very proud of yourself when you go, though, and LOVE to wash your hands!

- Still eat quite well, but you have some days when you are pickier than others. You still eat your veggies just about every meal with no protest, though, so we are on the right track! You love yogurt, toast, sandwiches, all kinds of fruit, milk, water, cookies, mac and cheese, turkey, eggs, peas, and cereal with milk.

- Are bonding more and more very day with your baby sister, who is set to join our family in less than 2 months. You like to give my tummy kisses, blow raspberries, and even read your favorite books to her. It absolutely melts us!

- Like to play with other kids more and more these days. You light up when you see Emmy, Kayli, Isabella, Makayla, and Ty. We have been having a ton of playdates, so you are in hog heaven.

- Every night, when we say prayers, you get to pick one special person to think of that night. Your favs are Papa, Mommy, and Baby Sisser. It is darling.

- Adore singing! Some of your current favs are "Happy Birthday", "Clean Up", "Twinkle Stars", "ABC's", "Money Song (You Never Give me Your Money), "Old Mc Donald", "5 Little Monkeys", and of course, "Sunshine".

- Are head over heels in love with your babies. You have 2 strollers, 3 cribs, a highchair, a potty, 2 diaper bags, a bouncy seat, and a carseat for them, and you can play with them for an hour no stop if we let you. You have little conversations with them all the time. We hear "It's ok, I hold you", "Let's change diapers", and "Come here, baby" ad you play and play and play.

- You also love reading, watching videos of yourself, dancing in the kitchen, cleaning, bathtime, helping me cook, your Little People, Play Dough, running, jumping and climbing, and going outside.

- Are wearing me out like nobody's business as I near the end of this pregnancy, but your smile, giggle, and kisses make it all better. You are becoming a little girl in front of my eyes, and I am already so proud of the person you are becoming and trying to savor each day as you get smarter and more spunky every day. You have a kind, compassionate heart, a zest for life, and a darling disposition. I just love you so much, my girl, and I always will.

Giving Thanks

Last year, a student challenged me to find 100 things to be thankful for. This year, I am challenging myself, because sometimes everyone needs to take some time to reflect on the many blessings in life.

I am thankful for (in no particular order):
1. Finding the love of my life and sharing my universe with him
2. The other love of my life, Leah Joy Fasse, and for the privilege of being her mother
3. The fact that as I sit here and think of how very blessed I am, I can feel my little baby girl having a dance party inside of me
4.  My girls will be sisters! This is a dream come true.
5.  A roof over my head and a lovely place to call home in a safe, beautiful town
6. The most supportive, loving, fun parents I could have asked for
7.  Christmas music
8.  The warm snuggle feeling of the holidays
9.  My God Children- Emmy, Isabella, and Tyler
10. Flowers
11. Taco Bell quesadillas- my craving of the moment
12.  The friends I found in college- the truest friends I have ever, and probably will ever, know
13.  My students, past and present
14.  Leah's rockin dance moves
15.  The fact that my children have all their "cousins" to grow up with in our family of friends
16. Scarves
17.  Clean water to drink- nothing to take for granted in today's world!
18. Democracy
19. Concerts in the summer time
20.  My Nana, watching over us in heaven
21. Hand me downs from my incredible "sister in law", Beth!
22. A career that I truly do love
23. Dancing with my family in the kitchen after dinner just about every night
24. The most incredible in laws
25.  Greeting cards
26. Good hair days
27.  Weddings!
28.  Our sweet (yet annoying) cat, Maisy
29. The Beatles, Coldplay, Chicago, Genesis, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, and so many other fab musicians
30.  A (lot of) college education
31. Snow- just the look of it, not the driving 
32.  The fact that morning sickness does not last forever  :)
33. Watching my daughter and her daddy giggle together
34.  Vacations
35. My camera
36.  Cozy socks
37.  FuzziBunz cloth diapers
38.  Freedom
39.  Lake Ellyn
40.  My crazy, hilarious brother
41. Chocolate!
42. Wine and vodka- I miss you both!!!
43. Working in a safe, healthy environment
44. He deserves another shout out- my husband is just incredible, and I am so thankful for all he does for our family
45. AWESOME babysitters in our parents!
46.  Everything I inherited from my INCREDIBLE mother, even the not so great stuff
47.  Squeezy pouches for kids
48. Licking the spoon
49. Yummy smelling candles
50. Laughter that makes your belly hurt
51. Parties that are so fun you never want them to end
52. Ultrasounds so I can peek at my baby girl
53.  The girls on my board- 4 years later, and we are all still friends
54. Days off from school
55. Walgreens
56.  Having a loving, kind, patient woman to watch our precious daughter
57. Q Tips (that one is for you, Jenni)
58.  My Dad's second to none sarcasm
59. Country Music
60. Ceiling fans
61.  My two oldest friends, Molly and Heather
62.  The fact that our second child is healthy and due in a few months
63. Shutterfly!!!
64. Memories
65. The support of my 2 best friends
66.  Faith
67.  Inspiring people
68.  Hugs from people I love
69. Sleeping in every once in awhile
70.  Amazon.com
71. Pizza
72. The hand made blanket my Gram made for my children Long before she passed, and long before my kids were even thoughts
73.  Awesome neighbors!
74. The girls in my department at work
75. Fertility medication
76.  26 first cousins, 6 second cousins, 4 cousins in law and a whole lot of other farther related cousins!
77.  Flippy cup
78.  My blessing bracelet
79. Hair ties
80. The smell of a new baby
81. Christmas lights!!
82.  The glorious DVR- who watches TV without it?
83. Our almost done basement/playroom
84.  The sacrifices and time my dad gives to help us with anything we need, as much as we need
85. Leah's dimples
86.  My Godmother, Aunt Judie
87.  Homegoods
88. Prayer
89. Downtown Glen Ellyn
90. Cheese
91. The fact that my little love has slept through the night for a LONG time
92. Small businesses
93.  our nice snuggly king sized bed
94. All the priceless videos we have taken of Leah
95.  Comfy pants
96.  Starbuck's vanilla lattes
97.  Etsy
98.  Being able to put the people I love FIRST in my life
99.  Unconditional love
100.  The gift of life itself


Happy Thanksgiving week, everyone. I hope you are all surrounded by the ones that make you feel thankful this season. I know it sounds cheesy and dumb, but isn't that what life is FOR?  Enjoy!!!

Babies babies everywhere

This post may not be about what you think it might be. Yes, Paul and I are soon going to have another baby, but Leah is the one getting in all the practice! She has a baby with her ALL of the time. Many nights, she requests 2 babies at night. She loves her babies, and all the accessories, like her stroller, carseat, and crib. She talks to them, feeds them, gives them kisses... then proceeds to whip them across the room when she sees a new toy. Wish me luck!  Haha.

Fall fun

It has been a fun fall so far! We have headed to a bunch of pumpkin patches, carved pumpkins, headed to a bunch of Halloween parties, made seeds, played in the leaves a LOT, and have just had a lot of all around good quality time. Leah has enjoyed taking it all (ok, most- note the screaming photo- she HATED HATED HATED pulling the crap from the pumpkin) in and exploring!

20 Months

My Sunshine girl, at 20 months, you...

-Weigh in at just about 24 pounds. You are still teeny tiny!

- Have the most delisghtful disposition. Of course, you are a toddler, and you have your moments, but you are so happy, laid back, curious, giggly, and silly. You really are one happy little girl.

- I try not to go on and on about this, but you are one smart cookie. You can count to ten all by yourself, point to and name all the numbers, and sing the whole alphabet and identify about half of the letters (you LOVE to say "ABC's" all the time whenever you see letters). You posess an incredible vocabulary and talk SO MUCH. Now, you speak in 3-5 word sentences all the time. Your communication skills are off the charts, and it is so fun to watch you learn! It seems like you have something new to share with the world every day.

-  Have some favorite phrases you love to say! The big ones right now are: "Mommy (Daddy, Leah) do it", "Leah eat dinners", "Baby sisser in Mommy tummy", "Leah nice to ____", "Its dark outside", "

- Sing and dance all the time now! You love to help us sing "The Wheels on the Bus", "You are my Sunshine", "Itsy Bitsy Spider", "Somewhere over the Rainbow","Clean up"  and "ABC's". Sometimes, you just bust out with a song. You dance all the time, too. Pretty much every night we are home turns into an iPod dance party in our kitchenm and it is the best. You have some moves, for sure!

- Have this absurdly darling lisp now. You put it at the end of all of your "S" words.

- Are still a great eater, but you are definetly pickier than before, as you are getting older and older. Some of your favorites are berries, watermelon, mango, avocado, banana, grapes,  oranges, peas, carrots, green beans, craisins, eggs, noodles, cous cous, toast, cheese and crackers, hummus, turkey, beans, yogurt, applesauce, soup, grilled cheese, squeezy pouches, ice cream, and Nutrigrain bars. You are really not a fan of meat. You ARE you father's daughter.

- Are starting to really test us as parents. You are experimenting and learning to be independent, and sometimes this results in you "breaking the rules". We are working to make sure you are learning that you can't always get your way, you will treat others with kindness, and try to make good choices to leave the world a better place. We are all learning together!

- Love to play with your babies. You must sleep with at least one every night, and sometimes you declare that you need "2 babies" at bedtime. You have a stroller, a crib, carseat, bouncy seat, and blankies for your babies, and you play with them over and over. Some other favorite toys are your kitchen, your Little People, letter blocks, cars, phones, kitchen stuff, you broom an vaccum, wallets, balls, and anything outside.

-Have some favorite books, including 10 Little Rubber Ducks, Your Baby Bible (Jesus book  :) ), We're Going on A Bear Hunt, Big Sister book, The Strawberry book, Eloise, and so many others!  You say "gen" every time we read a book. I hope you keep loving books as you grow!!

- are the light of our lives, sweet girl. Every time you smile, say Mommy and reach for me, and tell me that you love me, I melt into a puddle of mush. I am baffled at how much love I have for you. Thank you for being my sunshine.

Baby Sisser!

A couple of weeks ago, we found out another sweet baby girl will be joining our family in February. We are just elated over the thought of having 2 girls so close in age! I always wanted a sister, and I am thrilled for my girls that they will have one another to grow up with. 

It struck me as odd that so many people assumed we wanted a boy this time. Yes, it would have been wonderful of course, to have one of each, but I am really, really thrilled over being a girl mom again. I keep crying thinking of watching them grow into little ladies, side by side. We are blessed and very at ease that this little girl looks healthy, and quite cute already.  :)

I am more thankful than ever for my wonderful growing family. Every day is not easy, and every day poses new challenges as we learn and grow together, but every also brings more love and beauty than I ever thought possible. 

Baby Sisser, we are very, very exited to meet you and welcome you into our family. We are waiting with open arms (but please stay put for 4 more months) and grateful hearts. 

Here are a few snippets from the dinner we had to share the big news.  It was a fun celebration!!

Uncle Jim hooked it up!

Leah got her very first hair cut (a trim of about a millimeter on her bangs), a few weeks ago on her Uncle Jim's awesome roofdeck overlooking the Chicago skyline. Not too shabby for her first salon experience!  

My brother was a doll, and was so patient with her. He does hair all day long, but at the end of the tiny trim, he said "I don't know how people do kid's hair all the time!".  Hehe. 

Here's to many more hair do's from her fav uncle.  :)

Last days at the lake

On nice nights when we have no plans, we love to head down to Lake Ellyn to let Leah run around and play. It is just gorgeous there, and they have a fabulous toddler area. She loves to slide, and can to it all by herself like a big girl now.  

Hopefully, we have a couple more weeks of nice weather to take advantage of quality time at one of our favorite family spots!