ummmm, Easter pics. Only a week late. Sorry!

We had a really nice Easter weekend. It Started on Saturday evening with coloring Easter eggs. Which was really fun even though Stella just wanted to put her fingers in the dye. Cliche as it sounds having children really makes you appreciate holidays and all the little things that will become your family traditions. We are hoping to have the energy for even more tradition development when things are a little less chaotic. It was amazing to think that last year at this time Stella wasn't walking.
ANYWAY, here are a couple shots Brian got of the egg coloring.

Easter morning was a bit chilly in the backyard but I put Stella's coat on over her pj's and she was sooo confused! Putting a bucket in her hand and plopping her in the back yard didn't really clear things up but she had a blast once she figured out there were eggs for her to find. Especially the ones that looked like Elmo. Our neighbor commented to me this week that she heard the giggling and had to peek out the window at how cute she was. It was really fun to see her so excited.

So...we got the kids all dolled up and Jacob looked beyond silly cute in his too big suit and I had Talking Heads songs in my head all day looking at him. I couldn't help putting him in this get up and even Brian had to admit it was too funny not to love. Stella and Jake looked stinking cute together. Speaking of stinking we had to leave church early after Stella was asked/begged to vacate the nursery. Reason number 456,000 to start potty training!

Dinner was yummy though I can't seem to get it all cooked at the same time and all on the table with sippys and bottles and rice and PB&J so we had a real basic version. As the years go by we will try to get a little better at some of this stuff. It did make me wish more of our holidays we spent near or with family so hopefully that will change too as the kids get older and naps and feedings and diapers and tantrums aren't ruling the days.

That being said we are very excited for Jacob's baptism next week and Stella is happy that all her Grandparents are coming to town to see her. They may feel differently after experiencing the above paragraph first hand but it should be a memorable time for sure!

Picture thursday!

What a big week for our little man Jacob!

He turned 5 months old on Monday! On Tuesday he had solids for the first time! On Wednesday he met the Easter Bunny and today he went on a swing for the first time! For his actual first time eating we only got video so I took a few pictures of him eating today.

He grabbed the spoon from me and gagged himself. Sigh.

Swinging away at playgroup today.

Can't forget Stella B! She is riding the 'rollercoaster' at playgroup.

Here she is in the bounce house!

On the seesaw with Jack and his mom.

I just threw this in because he is stinking cute!

Easter Bunny!

We had a fun day today with my friend Lauren and her little guy Ryan. When I told Stella last night we were going to see Ryan she totally lit up and said RyRy with a huge smile on her face. They were each others first friends and it is sweet to see them together and hear them calling each other's names. We have been getting them together for Christmas and Easter pics since they were born but Ryan wasn't having it AT ALL! He wouldn't come close to sitting on the bunny's lap although he happily gave him a high five. TeeHee! Maybe next year RyRy! Thanks for a fun day!

Stella 2 years and Jacob 5 months

I did snap a couple shots of Stella and Ryan hanging out in their strollers.

Just chatting away like the old chums they are!

No clue what they are doing but they are silly cute!

Last year.....

Stella 15 months Ryan 16 Months (roughly)
And the year before....

Ryan 5 months and Stella 4 months (roughly)

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!