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Simply Sweet Days

Simple discoveries that make every day count.

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52 Project

My Last Baby #52project

I love this face. Over Spring Break, I have found joy in waking up every morning to the big, goofy smile of baby John.

I’m not sure why, but I’m finding that every moment with this baby is precious.    my last baby

I get a kick out of his silly smile. My heart warms when I hold his tiny body in my arms.

Although I loved them with all my heart, I didn’t feel that way with the other three when they were babies. Maybe it’s because I was young when Logan was born and terrified of the responsibility of single motherhood. Most likely I just don’t remember what it was like when he was a newborn, since it was 12 years ago. The first 4 months with the twins was a total blur, so I know I must have cherished their newborn-ness. I have Facebook pics that show me I did cherish them. But I don’t remember what the older 3 were like as babies.

I’ve had some dark times in the past year. Maybe finally pulling out of that darkness has given me a renewed sense of fulfillment in being a mommy. I see each special quality in my little ones. It’s as if the things that make them unique are more noticeable to me than ever before. Emily has a cute little dimple in one cheek and she is always trying to be silly. Madeline is easy-going, quick to learn new things, and she makes this deep frowny face when she’s concerned. Logan is intelligent, independent, and loves music and joking around. He is also an amazing big brother because he is very sensitive towards the needs of his younger siblings.

I have a heart for children, so we may find ourselves fostering or adopting in the future. For now I am relishing in every sweet laugh, every drooly hug, every cuddly morning. And I thank God that he’s helped me to see the beauty in each child. I know I probably sound like a rotten mother saying that. Sometimes life is just so hectic that the days blow by and you don’t even realize it until you look around and your children are grown up.

Just don’t grow up too fast, baby.

  TMB banner

#52project See You Later

Two weeks ago I stood in front of my aunt’s house and asked my mom to take my picture.

All our bags were packed and loaded into the car. Good-byes had been said, hugs had been given, and we were ready to make the return trip to San Diego.

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Doesn’t my aunt have the CUTEST front door?

There was just one thing left to do: Stop by the assisted living facility and say goodbye to my grandma. It was the reason we had come to Utah and yet I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

I couldn’t say “goodbye” because I knew that it really would be goodbye. Once we pulled out of the parking lot I would never see her on this earth again.

So instead, wiping my tears with a soggy tissue, I pathetically blubbered, “See you later, Grandma.”

She went to be with the Lord two days later.

This week’s #52project is dedicated to my Grandma, affectionately called “GG” by her grandchildren. See you later

See you later, GG.  TMB banner

#52project Grandpa

Apparently Grandpa is the favorite. ?

?

The girls got to spend an evening at their grandparents house while their brother had a zillion rowdy boys over for a slumber party last weekend. They had such a great time snuggling up under their fuzzy Frozen blankies with Papa.

My New Happy Place #52project Week 7

 

Several years ago (before twins and baby JP), I visited Yosemite with my husband. We were camping at Tuolumne Meadows, about 45 minutes outside of the “main” Yosemite village. Shortly after unpacking, we set out on a walk across the meadow with all the fixings necessary for a romantic camping picnic-a bottle of red wine, crackers, and beef jerky. The thick, yellow-green grass on the meadow stood at 6 or 7 inches high, hiding patches of boggy water and mud. The air was cool, with a faint breeze that kept us from getting too warm. A quiet stream wound sneakily through the tall grass. At the far end of the meadow are some enormous boulders. They look like sloping, grey hills emerging from the plain mountain meadow. After a brief exploration of the flat land, John and I decided to scramble up one of the large granite domes. High up on the Pothole Dome we chose a relatively smooth part of rock to relax on where we could enjoy the gentle breath of wind and look over the wilderness below us.

new happy place 2

new happy place

When I’m troubled in the middle of the night and too anxious to sleep, this is where I try to imagine I am. Instead of filling my thoughts with doubt, I try and mentally put myself back in that spot at that time, with the carefree spirit of adventure that filled me. Visualizing this happy place has always eased my spirits.

Recently I had a new blissful moment.

It started with a trip to one of our local theme parks. After a few hours of nonstop fun and excitement, the girls were so wound up they were practically vibrating. The hope was to get home in time for naps, but the girls didn’t make it that far. They slept a few minutes on the car ride and then refused to take an actual nap once we arrived home.

So there we were, everyone exhausted, and the little ones not cooperating with our ‘everyone needs a nap’ plan.

That’s when I took a chance on luring them to rest with promises of Mommy cuddles.

“Let’s all go lie down in Mommy’s bed!” I suggested, hoping my enthusiasm was enough to convince two 2-year-olds that group naps are fun.
It worked. We all piled into Mommy’s bed, and began settling down for a rest. Once both girls each had their pillows fluffed, teddy bears located, and favorite blankies tucked around their little bodies, they were finally content enough to go to sleep.

I stayed there and just enjoyed being with my two precious girls. All four of my children bring me so much joy. When their smiling faces cross my mind throughout the work day, thoughts of them bring peace to my soul.

I stroked their hair and tucked blond wisps behind their ears, I thought about the fun we had had. They were so peaceful. I could hear their soft, steady breathing. It was such a contrast from the wild energy of just a few hours before.   New Happy Place

This #52Project pic from that day reminds me to slow down, listen to soft breathing, and find my happy place in the comfort of my sweet little ones.

I’m curious-do you have someplace where you visualize yourself when you want to relax? When you think of it, does it put you back in that moment?

 

Happiness #52project Week 6

 “Happiness is not having what you want. It is appreciating what you have.” Unknown   

happiness

I’m going to bet Daddy put them up on the roof, he’s the one who took the picture!

I appreciate the endless sacrifices my husband makes for me and the children. My family brings me so much happiness.

What do you appreciate?  TMB banner

Workin’ the System #52project Week 5

 

This week for my #52project post I’m showcasing all 4 kiddos. I just couldn’t choose any one photo to share, so here are 2 photos and 1 YouTube video. Enjoy!

The oldest first. Ok, technically this isn’t from this week and it’s also not a photo. My Timehop app suggested I share it (thanks, Timehop!), so it’s from  this week, one year ago. Logan being his usually silly self, taking down the enemy with his teapot of doom. YouTube Preview Image

Then there are the twins. Workin’ the system, as usual. We’ve been bribing them with snacks like crackers and trail mix in an effort to get them to sit on their potties. This backfired when they started enthusiastically requesting to sit on the potty (a behavior which we were very excited to see), but as soon as they were seated they started demanding a snack. Now that they know how to get freebie treats, we need a new bribe! They’re fully clothed in this pic. Daddy gave them a cracker and they ran in to the bathroom to eat it on the potty seat. Clearly the concept of potty training is lost on these two.

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Then there’s my sweet little munchkin. It’s been pretty hot in San Diego, so one afternoon we let him hang out in just a diaper and thin blanket. He just loves being naked. He will be grouchy as all heck one minute, then you start undressing him and he’s all coo’s and smiles. Here he’s keeping Mommy company in the kitchen while she makes dinner.

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This week I’ve been pretty much a homebody. Maybe next week we’ll get out and do some stuff that’s worthy of some good photos for my #52project.

TMB banner

This Face

The face of an infant.

So fragile.

Dependent upon you for everything.

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When this face is sad it breaks my heart.

And when it smiles I find joy like nothing else.

I will always be by your side,

I will try to make everything right,

For as long as you will let me,

I will kiss the sweet cheeks of

This face.

IMG_3405

 

Soooo… Now What? #52Project Week 4

I don’t know if she knew how appropriate her comment was, but Emily cracked me up this week.

We were at Logan’s baseball tryouts. I had just deposited him at the correct field, just barely on time, and was carrying the baby while a terrible-twos Madeline was screaming hysterically because she saw a fly somewhere on the planet and flies terrify her. With the girls both going in different directions, I needed my hands free to hold their hands. It was essential that I get baby wrapped up in the sling (which I hadn’t done because we were in a rush to get to the field on time), and I needed to get back to the car so he could wait in his carseat while I got the wrap on. Wailing Madeline had to be drug to the car (because, flies), and Emily kept trying to run down the dirt hill next to the parking lot or stopping to pick up every.dried.leaf. We finally get to the car and baby is content to await his wrapping, meanwhile Madeline is (still wailing and now shaking with fear of flies) trying to shove her head into the seat cushion. Emily is standing next to the car, ever so patiently looking around at the baseball field full of dads, boys, and baseball activity.

Then, out of nowhere, Emily randomly asks “Soooo… Now what?”

I laughed out loud, internally agreeing because I wasn’t quite sure what to do with a baby,  an adventurous, watch-me-eat-these-berries-I-found-in-the-road toddler and a super unrealistic toddler (just writing that feels silly. What toddler IS realistic?).

Anyway, here’s my #52project pic of the week. It has nothing to do with the story. :razz:  Week 4 So Now What?

My husband took it Sunday while I was at work. Madeline has a gauze square first-aid-taped to her hand because she’s also afraid of scabs and bandaids. Emily is the happy one. This week.

Happy {almost} February, and don’t forget to laugh in the midst of chaos!

Just BE

It was just your average Saturday morning. The family had been dressed and breakfasted. Everyone was settling into their groove for the day: My oldest was outdoors with his friends, the baby was napping, I was cleaning (not that you can tell from the photo), and Daddy was playing with the girls.

In typical toddler fashion, each girl had brought him a toy, a puzzle, a brush, a book. One book turned into two, then three, and pretty soon playtime turned into story hour. The girls listened and watched as Daddy spun the adventures of the Little Engine that Could. Madeline picked up a baby brush and started fingering the soft bristles. After an attempt to brush Emily’s hair that was promptly thwarted by the twin, Madeline found entertainment in running the brush through her Daddy’s cropped hair. week 3

There, amongst the rubble of toddler playthings, the girls listened patiently for their favorite parts of the stories: They waited while Daddy read the Hungry Caterpillar’s Monday menu so they could chime in that the caterpillar was, “Still hungry!”. And when Little Critter’s dumptruck went “Vroom, vroom!” the twins happily repeated in a chorus of squeaky vroom-vroom’s.

Each week of this series reminds me to slow down and just BE with my family.

This week’s photo wasn’t staged or planned. It just happened when a daddy took the time to engage with his daughters. A daddy who, no mistake about it, is no sissy. His preferred attire of jeans and a plaid flannel shirt go hand in hand with his no-frills personality. Before we had children he was breaching doors and taking down bad guys. But on this morning he was perfectly at peace with his little girls, having his hair brushed and reading picture board books about furry animals.

These are the moments I treasure in my #52project, documenting the memories of 2015 in weekly photographs. I encourage you to do the same, and share your photos on Instagram (#52project). May you find time to just BE this week, and keep your eyes open for the good things around you.

52project: Emily vs. the Camera

Did you know that cameras are snobs? They are. Because there are some people that cameras just don’t get along well with, and one of those people is Emily.

I’ve been working on this 52project of taking a photo a week and sharing the story that goes with it. Last week I shared a photo of Madeline and how she managed to get some extra attention from Mommy and Daddy by rising at dawn on the weekend. This week I was really focusing on Emily, because, well, twins. What you do for one you must do for the other (Don’t worry, Logan and JP, your day in the spotlight is coming ;-)).

I have recently learned that it is next to impossible to get a good photo of Emily. Toddler behavior aside, 9 times out of 10 the photo is a stinker because Emily is doing something weird in it.

Emily moves too much!

Emily moves too much!

She is just so wiggly! In each shot Emily is either jumping away, running out of the frame, giving a last-minute, “Hold my hand, Mommy!” or randomly slouching out of the frame.  I know she’s a toddler but, geez. I mean, I have another one just like her and she’s not nearly half as much trouble.

I finally got a good one though. 

You can’t tell, but she’s sitting in one of her favorite seats: The bouncer that we used when she was a baby. We got it out of storage to use with baby JP, but he doesn’t really use it and Emily has reclaimed it as her seat.

Emily is so darn sweet.

She loves babies. Well, she loves baby dolls. Our own baby scares her when he cries. She takes his receiving blankets and wraps them swaddle-style around her baby doll and then ever-so-gently picks the doll up and carries her around. The girls each got baby dolls for Christmas (thanks, Mom and Lisa!:smile:), so pretty much everywhere you turn there is a baby just waiting to be swaddled. She’s even happier if you can locate a bottle to go with the baby.

Emily loves babies, blankies, and kitty cats (pronounced “key-cat”). Up until recently, all colors were yellow, according to Emily.  Am I a total sap for getting a little teary at the fact that she now knows color names? My baby is growing up so fast!

As far as this weekly photo project goes, next week may be tricky. I’ll be going back to work (wah!) and I’m not sure if I’ll have the time or energy to get any photos. We shall see.

It’s really fun to digitally document your year. I encourage you to do the same, whether by sharing photos on Instagram (#52project maybe? Oh, and follow me on Instagram too!) or by using a photo app on your camera. There is an iPhone app called 1 Second Every Day that creates a movie every month by using one second of your daily videos. Check it out, and keep your eyes open for the good things around you.

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Hi, I’m Nikki!

I'm Nikki, a lover of coffee, chef for 6, elementary teacher, and expert in the art of wrangling twins. I'm also a working mom with a passion for having fun and keeping a cozy home. Come along with me on the journey of a joyful mom! Learn More…

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