Picture Thursday

*I had computer problems last week so this is quite late*

It is sort of hard for me to let go of my last post. I feel like keeping it at the top forever is the least I could do. Yesterday Brian and I attended Maureen's funeral and it was very moving and emotional for everyone there. Lots of tears and it is a testament to the amazing woman she was. When I returned home yesterday I learned that another dear woman I was fortunate enough to know, Joyce Shelby, had also passed away last week. In fact the night before she died sent me a message on facebook saying she couldn't wait to meet my kids. I am so sorry that will never happen. So as I approached Picture Thursday I felt a little uneasy but today at playgroup the kids walked in the rain and it was so fun. I certainly have a new appreciation for the little things after this past week so so in that spirit I am diving into to Picture Thursday with a full heart.

This is one of my all time favorite photos of Stella. Taken by my friend Maggie.

This is Maggie's little one Pearce

Ready for a walk in the rain!

A little post stroll play!

My girl! I love you Stella!

Momo

When I moved to Princeton a few years ago I started a new job with a new husband in a new place with a backbrace on and no friends. Maureen Carr was one of the first people I met at my new job at Princeton High School. We became fast friends as I was totally drawn to her incredible wit and fabulous use of sarcasm! She was quick to laugh and quick to cry....so am I. She was feisty and honest and real and wonderful. I was blessed that she also called me a friend. Shortly after I began working there she went for a routine colonoscopy and they 'found something' but it would be removed and all would be fine. And it was for a while and then it was in her liver and finally her lungs. 3 weeks ago she called to tell me there was nothing else they could do. I told her I was pissed off and we cried. We talked a few more times and we always cried too. Just over 2 weeks ago I picked her up from work and drove her home. She looked good. Thinner, yes, a little tired, yes...but she really looked good. In the car on the way home she tearfully told me how some of her co-workers had responded so emotionally to her news. I tried to get her to understand the amazing impact she has on the people who are lucky enough to know her and she cried and shook her head. She wanted me to bring the kids with me and they were wonderful. I think I even blogged that day about it. Stella has always known Maureen as Momo and I have pretty much called her that myself for quite some time. She hugged Momo and ran around her house after the dog and Momo watched her and smiled. She didn't hold Jacob that day because she didn't feel strong enough to handle his notable girth but she stared at him and he replied with big smiles. I left that day and said see you soon and we cried a little bit. I called her Tuesday and even though she picked up she couldn't really talk. I waited to hang up to cry that day. On friday I went to see her and it was not the Momo of mere days before. I held her hand and remarked its warmth and softness. She barely responded. Her husband Rich sat and talked a little while....she wasn't in pain, she knows I am there and she hears me....she told him she is ready to go. I told her I really just wanted to hear her say Mother Shitter one more time. (a silly joke that goes way back) Sure enough Momo muttered "Mother Shitter" and I had to smile through the tears. I had brought some flowers and a little bunny Stella picked out...for momo, for momo she kept saying in the car. I placed the little bunny next to Momo when I left and I told her thank you for the millionth time and that I loved her and was so grateful for her friendship and support during some of the toughest days I have had in the past 3 years. She didn't really respond but I have to believe she knew. I hope she did.

Momo died today at 1:15pm. My heart is broken and I will miss her terribly. I served Stella dinner on a winnie the pooh plate Momo got her at the goodwill-I washed it but you should wash it again, she had said...again and again. Brian read Stella books tonight and made sure to include the one Momo had given her. As I write this I know that she loved this little McGann family and we were so blessed to have been loved and touched by her.

Stella meets Momo for the first time.

Momo, Margaret, Stella and Flat Stanley all out for hotdogs.

Maureen gave Stella these adorable shoes for her 1st b'day and I have given most of Stella's clothes and shoes away but couldn't part with these!

The Carr Family let me take their pics and I am so happy to have these.

Maureen this past summer proudly and beautifully showing off her short hair. I loved how feisty it made her look because she was really a fighter.

This is one of my favorite shots of Maureen and how I will remember her.

Smiling, fighting and beautiful.

Jakey Picture Thursday!

Today's Picture Thursday is devoted to Jacob for the simple fact that Stella-being TWO-refused to cooperate. I have one shot of Brian holding her upsidedown and another of her hiding UNDER Brian. Neither of which was very good. So, Jacob being totally unable to crawl away from me was left taking the brunt of my camera this evening. I used a lens I don't use often and no flash so the depth of field is very shallow and might seem a bit odd but he is cute none the less! Love you Jacob! Love you too Stella and I have hopes for next week!

I love his hair in this one!

TeeHee! He was saying what Stella was thinking about the whole thing!

Thanks to Brian for this one!

Chalk!

Stella was given a bucket of chalk by one of her playgroup buddies last spring but I never cracked it open. I don't like how chalk feels....I actually debated giving it away but I am glad I didn't. Last night we took a walk as a family and she kept pointing out chalk on the sidewalk as we strolled along. I knew today was going to be a beautiful day and Brian had to take the car to the dealership (ARGH) so we would be homebound for the am......so I busted out the chalk! Here are some fun pics that I got.

She is actually looking at an ant and then she lost him and was saying "Ant, where are you?"

I think she had more fun with the bucket than the chalk!

I told her she had chalk on her hiney and she ran away saying "Chalk-Hiney"!

Dancing circles on the sun!

BooBoo's

Yesterday, on my way to Jacob's 4 month wellness appointment, I missed a turn and had to turn around. Stella was very confused as I pulled into a random driveway and I explained to her I had made a mistake. For the rest of the drive she kept saying Mommy drive booboo.
Jacob is a whopping 17lbs 4 oz and is 26 1/2 inches long.....according to the charts he is in the 90-95th % and his height and weight are totally in proportion. "He is just a big healthy thriving baby boy" says Dr. Swayne. Yay! I checked out Stella's stats and she wasn't this big until about 6 1/2 months. I do sorta feel like he is slowing down a bit though so we shall see where he is at his 6 month appointment. Stella did great hanging out and waiting while all this was going on and even got VERY interested when it came time for him to get his shots. I wish I could have taken a picture of her face about 3 inches from the needle with the most curious look on her face as poor Jake screamed in pain and shock. 4 shots and one oral immuz later we were headed home with Stella remarking on Jakey Boy's booboo. Jake's lower lip curls down when he cries and it is so pathetic looking! Your heart just breaks when you see it. In fact later in the day I went to the grocery store where he was upset for the last 4 isles and as I rushed through at least 3 people stopped to look at him and commented on his sad face. "I know, I know" I told them throwing yogurt and what not in the cart...as if I didn't feel bad enough seeing it myself I had to hear about it from total strangers! He is really just stinking adorable! Here are a couple shots from the dr's office.


Stella waiting patiently with her apple juice


Today we went to see Miss Amy sing at the library. Maggie and her 2 kiddos joined us and we played outside for a little while afterwards. Stella and Pearce were having a lot of fun just running back and forth.....not sure why I don't seem to find running fun. Anyway, Stella tripped and Pearce was right behind her so there was a little pile up and a face plant! Ooooops! Well, Stella got her first fat lip! Quite a little booboo. She enjoyed eating a popsicle when we got home as I thought that could serve as icing it. It looks fabulously Hollywood and I can't wait to see it post nap! Here are a couple pics from today as well.

Enjoying a cookie before the 'incident'.

Pearce trying to hug Stella after the 'incident'.

Stella's fat lip-hard to tell coz it is a cell phone shot.

Picture Thursday!

This morning I asked Stella what she wanted to wear and she said 'dots'. I think it is great she has an opinion on what she wants to wear.....I am sure I will NOT feel that way in the future so I should put it in writing today! I usually hold up a couple of items that I would like her to wear and ask her to pick from them. I can usually sway her by the lure of pockets or flowers or something like that but lately she has been loving the dots. After she told me which one and I said ok....she responded with "good choice". TeeHee. So dang cute! We had a really nice day and loved driving around in the BAV. It is quite fancy and it took us a while to figure out the doors. OH! Anyway, here are the pics for this week.


I got a new basket to use at photo sessions and Stella was trying it out for me!


I love this black and white shot of her in motion!

Jake loves chewing on stuff or gumming at it anyway. It is odd though he doesn't really do a pacifier or suck his thumb. The shot below is from earlier in the week but he was having a great hair day so I thought I would include it!

Finger Painting!

I find this is a hard time of year....spring is so close you can feel it in the air and see it by the increase in spider sightings. sigh. I saw one last night that was so big it had a saddle. Anyway, I digress. So, you wanna go out and you are ready for a change and yet you have a little brother who fusses and really cramps your style! Poor Stella was wanting to do anything but come in the house after a fun fun trip to Bj's and I finally lured her in with the promise of finger paints! Here are a few cute pics.

I have to say that Stella is very much a TWO year old. She is mastering the NO, although she has softened it somewhat by saying rather sweetly...no-ope. She has mood swings that could knock over furniture and somedays I just want to pull out my hair over doing her hair. BUT she also amazes me MANY times a day with new words and creativity and excitement. She listens, holds my hand, helps push the cart, comes when I call, sings along, turns the pages, gets the wipes, cleans up with a smile and even a song (not always), hugs, makes happy face, dances, pours the tea at our tea parties and a million more incredible things that make me head over heels in love with her! I know that when we can finally bust outside she will find even more ways to amaze me and I can't wait. I love you Stella!!!

Silly Saturday!

We had quite a day today! We went out to Freehold to 'look' at a minivan and BOUGHT it! It was a great deal and we decided to go for it. We should have it next week and it is my favorite color....black! We are calling it the BAV-as in bad ass van. TeeHee.

We got home from there just in time for me to meet up with my friend Lauren for some much needed mommy time off. We went to paint pottery and had a great time chatting and catching up. She is preggers with her second baby and I may have scared the crap out of her telling her about some of the fun things about having 2 wonderful children! TeeHee. Sorry Lauren!

The day finished with some silly playtime as we all wore these silly glasses that I bought at shoptrite the other day. I am a sucker for this sorta stuff. I have spent a small fortune on the $1 novelty items at Target. Sigh. Anyway this was so funny!

In other news Jacob turned 4 months old yesterday! He is so sweet and he laughs easily and is just a joy. He is sleeping through the night, eating us into the poor house and loves any bit of attention he gets. Stella is still not his biggest fan but has shown some signs of increased tolerance. She even shares her toys with him...sometimes. We love you Jacob!

Here is a sweet shot I got of Stella and her daddy playing the piano.

Very Special Picture thursday, Grandma Cole's Birthday

Today would have been my Grandma Ellen Cole's 102nd birthday. I loved her dearly and even named my son after her, Jacob Cole. Today has been a bit crazed but she has been on my mind for much of it. I would have loved for her to meet my husband....she would LOVE him and of course to see my beautiful children and hold them in her arms. I would point out how Stella's eyes are so like hers. Though they don't get as blue as my Grandma's did they often seem to change colors and are beautiful just like hers were. Then I would make her hold Jacob right up under her nose to smell that sweet baby smell. I know she watches them from above and I picture her with my Grandma Kitchen wondering why I don't clean the house more. I have one shot of my grandmother that I found in a box....but I can't find it today and I really wanted to post it. But here are a few others until I find it! There is more I wanted to say but her little name sake is crying pretty good so I should go!

I remember her telling me about this picture. She was so proud to have a car and was about 18 in this shot. She also told me this coat was genuine chinchilla!


Here she is on the far right at my mother and fathers wedding. My grandmother Kitchen is in the middle and my Aunt Kay is on the left.

I love this shot so much! She is sitting in a chair that belonged to my Grandpa and Grandma Kitchen and was in storage. Apparently she was taking a break as they cleaned the storage unit.


This is her in 1994.
I love you Gram, we miss you!
I have a letter that she wrote me that I planned to add but Jake is really having a fit now!