Memorial Day 2011 Vergennes, Vermont

Yawn

Twelve Weeks

Gabe has finally reached the mythical twelfth week. The week where he finishes "the fourth trimester" and everything is supposed to get easier. It's also the week with the American Idol season finale, the So You Think You Can Dance season premiere, and a long Memorial Day Weekend in Vermont with dear friends. So we've been looking forward to this week for a very, very long time. And really? It does feel like things are getting a little under control. We moved Gabe into the nursery three night ago, and while he's still not sleeping through the night, his midnight wake-ups seem to only minimally disturb Ellie. And this afternoon there were 45 blissful minutes when they were both asleep in their cribs. Progress!

Heads Up!

Twelve weeks old and Gabe is finally really working to lift his head. Amusingly, he's wearing the same outfit his sister did when I got a very similar photo - when she was only 8 weeks old. Not that we're comparing, or setting up a lifetime of intense sibling rivalry. No, we wouldn't do that. You hear that Gabe? Your sister was sleeping though the night by 4 months. No pressure!

Prospect Park (again, still, and forever)

I could write a love poem to Prospect Park. The kids and I are there almost every day, sometimes several times a day. It's a safe place for Ellie to get out of the stroller and explore the world, and a haven from the noise and bustle of the city. It's also a kickass place for a picnic. The usual gang (Mike, Sari, and Leila, Sara, Andre, and Paul, and Todd and Bess) got together this Saturday to celebrate a day of almost-no-rain. (Seriously, I'm building an ark in the backyard. Who's with me?) There was wine for the grown-ups, cheese, and fancy beef jerky. It was really the best way to spend a lazy afternoon, ever.

I love that (other than a glimpse of Gabe) there are no children in this picture. Look! Grown-ups!

Andre and Paul explore the wonderful world of Tostito Chips.

Bess and Gabe continue their love affair.

There was lots of fun with my scarf!

And one of my favorite pictures of me and the kids.

Ellie Belly

Water Towers

Rainy Sunday

We hoped to have a BBQ on Sunday to coincide with our neighborhood street fair, but rain...and more rain, and some more after that. So instead we took the kids to the city to visit with Uncle Sri. Ellie loves his floor-to-ceiling windows, and Gabe stole the show smiling for Aunt Bess.

Smiles!

Scenes From the Day

Mike, Sari, Leila, Sara, Andre, and Paul joined us today for a picnic in the park.
We couldn't have had a nicer day.

Mothers Day - and Life

Today was an awesome Mothers Day. Not only did Brian make pancakes (yum!), followed by a picnic in Prospect Park, and a fantastic dinner still to come, but today is my first Mothers Day as a full time mom. Yep, I quit my job. The job I've had for almost 8 years. The one in my preferred field, with health insurance, 4 weeks of vacation, and a 401k. The one a lot of people would kill for. The one I struggled to return to after Ellie was born, and just couldn't go back to now that Gabe has joined her.

I could go on forever about the fears of making such a big change. How I wonder if I'll be able to handle the challenges of staying home. How I worry about finding a new position when it's time for me to go back to work. How I debate whether I'm setting the best example by working or staying home. But right now I'm choosing to focus on how amazing it is that I have this choice, and how grateful I am to be able to share this time with Ellie and Gabe.

So now begins a completely new phase of life. With a job that will be much more challenging than my old job ever was. It's me and these two kids - and that's incredibly exciting, and terrifying, and exhilarating.

Legacy

Much like George W. Bush's determination to continue his father's war with Saddam Hussein, Gabe is continuing his sister's valiant fight against the tyrannical purple elephant who rules the jungle playmat with an iron fist.

In Memorium

Brian's grandfather, Ellie and Gabe's great-grandfather, Poppop Eddie passed away this past Saturday. Our thoughts are with all of his family and friends. He will be missed.