Thursday, September 24, 2009

Happy Year Five

Tomorrow marks the fifth anniversary of my marriage to John. Five years. Three children. Millions of kisses and too much love to fit in my arms.

Tonight, John put the girls to bed so I could go out and get a quick hair cut and a pedicure. He had me dash out, dirty dishes in the sink, babies ready to sleep and toddler in play mode just so I could go and feel pretty. He always manages to make me feel like the most loved person on the planet. His concern for me, for our daughters and our extended family never ceases to amaze me. He is a rock. Dependable. Solid. Responsible. Never, ever boring. His sense of humor is wicked and his take on life is refreshing and relevant. He plays a mean game of Mario Cart and never lets me win. Because he knows I just love the chase.

I have been blessed with a partner who always kisses me when he comes home from work. I have been blessed by a man who goes to work each day and makes it a priority to have me stay home with the kids. He rarely complains and loves the food I cook for him. He is my biggest fan and cheerleader. I hope he knows that I am the same for him.

Good times, bad times (well, with him even the bad times aren't so bad) I am able to experience them all with John by my side. I thank my lucky stars every night for putting him into my crazy path nine years ago. And I am so proud to point him out to anyone we meet and say, "There is my husband."

I love you, sweets. Happy anniversary.

Monday, September 7, 2009

One

What a week. Busy doesn't even cover it. And this week is going to be even more of the same. But first, a moment to think about what is going to happen tomorrow.

Stella and Elise will be turning one.

We've all gone from me not even knowing I was in labor, to a wonderful non-eventful birth, to a week--the worst week in our lives--of being in and out of the NICU to finally having both our sweet tiny babies home with us. And then learning how to raise infants all over again. In stereo. But with breakfast.

What a year. In some ways, the best year I've had so far and in many the most challenging. Many tears were shed. Many frustrations vented. Many laughs shared. Watching Stella and Elise grow into themselves and become the creatures they are right now and knowing that this is who they are going to be as adults in many ways has been fascinating.

Watching Maia grow as a toddler, now pre-schooler, and learning how to be a "big sister" has been amazing. The three of them have wonderful complex interactions. As siblings should. I think I'm blessed at having three so close. I hope those girls are forging some good life time relationships.

I'm amazed at where our little family is. I hope this next year provides us with more of the same...but maybe less crying. ;)