Picture Thursday & Welcome Declan!

Jake & Stella got a new little cousin yesterday, as Declan John McGann was born on April 1st. We're excited to meet him and are so happy everyone is doing well!

This past weekend, we went to Sayen Gardens to enjoy some muddy puddles! One of Stella's favorite shows is a British cartoon called Peppa Pig, and the little girl on the show (well, pig really) loves jumping in muddy puddles. So, we had a feeling Stella would enjoy that too. Jen got her a matching rain coat and boots which she got to try out earlier in the week. Since it had rained the night before, we knew we'd have some good puddles for her to jump in, and sure enough, she had her pick of many. We had lots of fun and I'm sure we'll be doing this again soon...

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!