Happy 1st Birthday to our Sweet birthday Girl

 Wooo Hoooo Ava turned one and turning ONE is a huge milestone in my book!  I think as a mom it is a bittersweet time as the baby phase becomes a distant memory yet  I know so many new adventures are ahead.  I remember like it was yesterday: calling my parents to come watch Mason, heading to the hospital but not thinking I was in labor, worried about all the unknowns.  Never leaving the hospital and coming home with the tiniest little baby I had ever seen.  Heading back to the hospital because she was loosing too much weight.  Adjusting to life as a family of four; making sure everyone was getting what they needed.  I hesitate to admit this but I had the mom of one thing down pat but adding the second rocked my world a bit. I'm happy to be out of the newborn fog and creeping toward the next chapter....life with two toddlers (wow, does that sound odd).

Our sweet Ava girl has made so much progress in a month!  She is cursing the furniture, walking with a walker, opening drawers/cabinets, throwing balls & food and yapping up a storm.  Ava heads for the stairs whenever possible and can make it all the way to the top (never alone of course).  She can say mom, dada, ba, hi and this.  She loves to scream at the top of her lungs with her brother and giggles when you tell her no.  She is happiest playing in the cup/bowl draw I set aside for Mason.  Ava still loves to be held but when having a good time she is just as content playing or crawling around.  The bond between Mason and Ava has grown this month.  Mason tells Ava often how much he loves her and gives her kisses too.  He wants to play with her and interact with her more as well.  Ava loves his attention until he hovers on top of her or is pushed down in all his excitement. Seeing them together melts my heart.

We started Ava on whole milk a few days prior to her bday.  It was like many of her other transitions; talked about and then all the sudden complete.  Not relishing in the moment of "the last."  Ava still fits best in 12 months clothes but I'm starting to buy 18 month sizes just to get more use out of them. She takes two naps a day more often then not.  The first one is in the car and the second is on me.  These options aren't ideal by any means but poor baby girl is tired.  Matt and I had a few afternoons of rest when she did actually take an afternoon nap in her crib.  It made me feel like a whole new person.  For now I lean in and do my best to enjoy her weight on my chest, a few minutes of napping/quit to myself while checking emails.


Likes:
paper
food (any food)
stairs
bath time
playing in the basement
walking with walker


Dislikes:
getting diaper changed in the a.m.
putting your coat on
napping
reading books (wants to eat them)





Baby Girl - Thank you for being you!  You are sweet and a bit feisty all wrapped into one strong little body.  You are absolutely gorgeous and I can't believe you are all mine.  I look forward to the adventures that await us; I have a feeling we are going to have some fun.

Love you so much!
Mama

We threw a birthday party for Ava on her birthday!  Needless to say she had fun celebrating with all her family.
 It truly was a special day.  

Mason 12 months 

J & M: 3rd Anniversary!

J & M 3rd Anniversary Video 

(visit the blog if you can't view)

To my husband on our 3rd anniversary- I look back on our wedding day fondly. It was by far one of the best days of my life. I'm pretty sure I never stopped smiling that day even when it rained (more like poured). While I reflect on the last three years one word comes to mind: busy!  We have since had a baby, moved to the burbs, you started a new job, started school, sold my condo, put yours on the market and are now expecting a precious baby girl. Wow!!! Maybe busy is an understatement.  I am not sure we could have packed much more in. Regardless of what is going on and what life decision we are making at the time my favorite part of it all is I have the best partner to share these adventures with. We make such a great team and I'm always impressed on how well we handle what comes our way. I love you and can't wait to see what the next year has in store for us. 

Love,

Jenn

{Aunt Mia}

Aunt Mia & Mason readying books April 2014

"It takes a village," this is something my mom always says about parenting!  I'm really lucky to have extra hands all around me, be it Matt, my parents or my sister.  I appreciate what each person has to offer to Mason and myself and the different interactions Mason gets to have with each person that he encounters. Mason is so loved!  Although, I love and cherish everyone involved in our little "village" I have to dedicate this post to my sister Mia.  For those of you who don't know my sister she is everything I am not and I love and admire that about my her.  She is a free spirited, glass always full, best day ever type of person.  She spends her days working with children (usually those who suffer from autism) and teaching yoga to adults and children (her newest adventure includes Smarty Pants Yoga, if you live in the area check it out).  Basically, she lives a life that makes her happy day in and day out (impressive, right)?!?!  In between her hectic schedule she pops in for a few hours a week to spend time with Mason.  Many times she is here long enough for me to run an errand or go to class.  But most importantly Mason gets to spend time with one of his favorite people.  Mia is great with Mason, she uses her teacher voice to keep him in check but also allows him to do the the things he loves the most (like play in the sink and make a mess).  The bond the two of them have is so precious and I think it is so fun to watch them interact.  Mia's visit also fulfill the adult interaction I long for during my day.  We usually chat and catch up over coffee or lunch which is so nice.

Mia, I want to thank you so much for everything you do for us!  You mean the world o me (us) and we appreciate and love all the time we get to spend with you. Mason loves you so much, his excitement when seeing you is heartwarming.  I can't wait to see where life takes you; I sure know you will enjoy the journey. I hope I can return the favor someday and be your second set of hands. We love you so much!

Love the Murrays!
PS: There really are no words just how much you mean to us and how much love we have for you but I sure hope this post lets you know how much I (we) appreciate you.

Aunt Mia and Mason Christmas Day

A love for motherhood!

Words can't describe the joy Mason has brought me! I love being a mom and more specifically I love being Mason's mom. Being a mom is the best job I have ever had and the job I always dreamed of having. Now, I am not trying to glorify the task at hand (hello, I have to turn this little guy into a man....a strong, kind, intelligent  loving, gentleman). And don't get me wrong my "to do" list never gets completed 100% and 6am comes early each morning. But I am in love with our son; everything about him. And I love being a mom.

In spirit of Mother's Day I have to thank my mom! Her love and support for me is endless and I feel it everyday. I can only hope I am following your foot steps as a mother and one day Mason can say the same about me.  I did learn from the best! Love you so much mom; thank you for everything.

I can't believe Mason is already 7 months old! Where is the little baby that was once in my tummy?

Mason is pretty much sitting up on his own. He Loves music, being outside, bath time, rolling around in his crib and food!

Happy Mother's Day to all moms!

My Valentine!

Clearly our lives have changed drastically and our focus is on Mason (which makes it easy to forgot how we got to where we are today).  This Valentine's Day we might be celebrating at home over a home cooked meal and by exchanging cards, however we can't forgot how we got here.  It all started with just the two of us and the love we have for each other.  I'm so lucky to have Matt in my life; he is not just my husband he is my best friend!  I love the way he loves me and the way he loves and cares for Mason.  So, even though life is all about Mason right now we have to remember each other and how we got to this point.

I won't get too sappy (mainly cause that isn't my style) but in honor of Valentine's Day I want to give a shout out to Matt!  Thank you for being you; love you so much.

Honeymoon in Greece

Trip to NYC April 2011

Sara & Joe's Wedding

Engagement Picture