Time moves so quickly and despite wanting to document ever minute, I've simply been living in the moment and enjoying being present. Someday Luke will complain about the lack of baby pictures and I'll remind him he's the youngest (like his father and I) and so he's spoiled rotten and the lack of baby pictures is just what he'll have to live with for the life of leisure! Here is a photo from yesterday of my two sweet boys together




I adore this photo. Grant looks just like he does in real life-full of excitement and wonder with a beautiful smile and big brown eyes. Luke looks a little chunkier than he really is in this photo, but it is well worth it to have a picture where they are both happy and smiling. Luke is a super smiley baby-very happy-but a mama's boy for sure. If Mom is around very few others will do. He's growing so fast and is very physically advanced for his age-rolling over both ways at will and desperate to sit up. He's getting a set of matching dimples on his cheeks, which he'll use to make the ladies swoon in another 20 years. He's also started laughing a little and we've found he's ticklish on his tummy and his neck. Big brother loves the little guy and often includes him in games of pretend. This weekend he was Cubby from Jake and the Neverland Pirates. I have a feeling the nickname may stick. Luke also goes by nicknames Luka-Pooka, Pooka-Nut, and Lukie-Poo...the last from his big brother. Luke likes nothing better than watching Grant run around and play. He's facing forward now in his front pack, so he's happy to be able to see more of the world around him. My guess is he is an early walker (unlike Grant who was our lazy boy and didn't walk until 14 months) and once he starts moving he'll never stop.

Taylor and I try to enjoy ever moment with them and keep up with the demands of real life. I've been back to work for a few weeks and Luke is doing well at Laura's. He's exhausted when I pick him up most days from being with all of the big kids all day. He seems to be thriving though and Grant has adjusted to having him there full time. I like knowing that they are together throughout the day and have each other to lean on. It seems like just yesterday that Grant was this size and we were finally moving into our new house and yesterday for the first time I suggested we've outgrown our space and need to think of expanding. Three years goes by in the blink of an eye and I try to be very aware that in another three we'll be at tee-ball games and getting ready for the first grade and preschool and this will be a simple memory.

Other aspects of life are doing well. I'm excited to become an auntie and godmother in a few short weeks to sweet baby Elinor and to become an auntie once more in January. That the girls and I will have three new babies in under a year seems unreal. talk about live moving fast and things changing. it was just G for so long, then G and Sam and next time we're blessed to be together there will be five of them! I can't wait to have the noise and the craziness that goes with it. That's what family is supposed to feel like-sprinklers and Popsicles and bare feet and laughter from children who wear nothing but swimsuits all day and glasses of wine and burgers and early bedtimes and adults catching up around the fire. We're not quite there yet, but peak ahead two summers and you can see the simplicity and ease of it all. I can't wait!

Summer days are rolling by and we would love to see any and all of you. We're sticking close to home this summer with no vacations planned. If you're nearby, please connect with us. So many of you have had changes in your own life and we would love to reconnect and learn about what makes your life special.

My Sweet Boys!

Welcome Baby Luke!

Luke, after much anticipation, was born on April 2, 2011 at 5:26 am. Mom woke up in labor around 1:30 am, woke Dad when contractions were ever five minutes and we were off to the hospital at 3:00 am, once Laura arrived to take care of Grant. We arrived at the hospital with contractions every 2 minutes. The doctors broke my water and within 90 minutes and three pushes Luke was here! It was an intense 90 minutes, but we couldn't ask for anything more as Luke was as perfect as a newborn could be. Weighing in at 8 lbs even and 21 inches, he was much bigger than big brother Grant had been. Luke is actually "tall" and has already started outgrowing his newborn clothes.

Life has certainly changed for all of us. Grant adores his big brother-always wants to give him hugs and cuddles. Luke is a pretty good sleeper, which is great for all of us. Dad went back to work after a week and Grant has been going to Laura's to play during the day. This helps him stay in his routine and allows Luke and Mom time to bond and nap :)

Family and friends have been a blessing to us. Visitors are always welcomed and encouraged. Days can be long for Mom and Luke and adult conversation is much appreciated.

Dear Grant,

Mommy loves you more than you'll ever know. And so, it is hard for me to admit that I've lied to you. You are my sun and moon and I would never tell you things to hurt you on purpose, but I think I may have done you a disservice when I told you the baby would come after all the snow came and all the snow melted. Mom wasn't really thinking this was the winter we were going to have. I didn't think that when I looked outside this morning we would be up another full foot of snow. I didn't think we would have snow banks over four feet high in our driveway. I never thought I would be afraid to put you down outside for fear I would lose you in the mountains of ice and literally never find you again. Beanie will certainly be here before the snow melts. Even if she isn't early and doesn't come until April. But if she is early and comes in March, she may still be here before the snow stops falling and unlike the unseasonable warm November day when Mom and Dad brought you home, I'll be bringing her home in a parka, not a cute little outfit and hat. So much for having a spring baby. So, my sweet Grantie-G, Mom is sorry to have mislead you. You probably believe you've got months and months to continue being an only child, but you are very much mislead. Mommy and Daddy will work hard to help you understand that you really have just six to nine weeks to enjoy this quiet time of being the show and having no competition. The good news is, eventually Mommy will get her lap back once the baby comes and snuggling will get a little easier. The bad news is, instead of eating for two, I'll be snuggling two, so you will have to share. Don't worry Pumpkin, you'll always be my first baby and will always hold a special distinction in my heart. I'm sorry I lied to you. I'm sorry we live in New England. I'm sorry for another foot of snow today. I'm sorry we don't manage to get a snow day for it. I love you,

Mom

I'm officially opening the Baby Name Draft Board. Suggestions are welcomed-one boy and one girl per person. If we pick your name, you can be a godparent. or, if that is too scary, I'm happy to give you cash. We're in a real pickle with boy names, so this could be your chance to be the winner! Suggestions are welcome in comments or via email, phone, whatever. Bring it on!

Vacation is over-and really, not a moment too soon. Its been lovely, but our whole family needs some routine to get us back on track! I'm not really looking forward to going back to work because I'll be swamped and stressed for the next 10-13 weeks, but my new graduate assistant starts soon and that should really help things. Yeah for Carolyn!

We took Grant bowling for the first time today. We were desperate to get out of the house, but didn't really want to go to far or do to much. It turns out, he's not really big enough to roll the ball all the way down the lane by himself, what with barely being three and all. They have this ramp thing that you can put in the lane and he can carry the ball over and put it on top and simply roll it down. He loved it-and outscored his mother.

I'm not going to lie though, bowling at 27 weeks pregnant might have been a mistake. I've had some nice pain in my belly since we got home. I think work will be the best thing to happen to me in terms of taking it easy! no more lugging around a 34 pound kid all day! and lots of sitting in chairs and in meetings, not jumping up and down off the floor or trying to find a way to carefully create a lap so both kids are comfortable and neither kid is being smooched. Good problems to have though :)

Taylor now has unlocked a wookie on his Star Wars game. such a cute little lego wookie :)

My friend Britt starts working at the same place as me again tomorrow and Amy is going to be induced. January 3rd, you're looking like a vast improvement over January 2nd!

Taylor got the Star Wars Legos game for Christmas. It's actually pretty fun to watch. I think it is just because Luke Skywalker is a pretty funny little lego man. We do a lot of legos in our house these days. I can't wait until we see Yoda.

Yes, to answer the question we've received lots, we did get stuck in the "blizzard" over Christmas. We were at a family party just a little over an hour from our house and couldn't get back. we made it about 15 minutes when we decided the roads were just too unsafe and got a hotel for the night. 22 year old Heather in a craptastic car would have pushed through (hello ice storm of 1996-who knew the highways were closed?) but 32 year old Heather in her all-wheel drive car with her young son and baby on the way realized some risks aren't worth taking. How we grown and mature as time goes on. Nothing gives you perspective like a little person kicking you from the inside, or a slightly bigger little person singing Rockin Around the Christmas Tree on repeat from the seat behind you.

Lots of exciting things happening to my friend and family over the last few weeks. My brother got engaged, as did my friend Erin. I'm excited for the both. I've heard of a very special baby coming this summer, saw pictures of two friends who have very little new babies, and my friend Amy will be delivering her last baby on Monday. Such blessings.

We had a lovely and quiet holiday. Just 5 of us at Taylor's parents on Christmas morning, which is a huge difference from my first holiday there. Even the dinner crowd was smaller this year. The intimacy of it all was nice, but we missed familiar faces around the table.

I really want to read a book before the baby gets here. I know that the next year of my life will be a total blur and not even a little bit about me, so this is one of the things I want to do for myself before she arrives. This, and start getting regular pedicures before her birth so I don't have to apologize to any nurses this time about the chipped polish!

Taylor just became a "true Jedi". Don't know what that means, but it made enough noise that I looked up.

The basement is almost finished. The carpet when in today. It looks so great. I wish we could leave it completely empty! No mess and no cleaning! But I know that both of my boys will really enjoy that space. Taylor is still waiting for his TV to arrive, and I'm still waiting for the media crap that is cluttering up my living room to make the move downstairs. Seriously-it looks like Best Buy in there! Another week and we should be making the move. Calling to check on the statues of our furniture tomorrow. Can't wait to see them get that sectional down our stairs...should be fun to watch!

I know I don't blog much anymore. Probably because of facebook in large part. Also, because I was hiding my pregnancy for so long from the world. 2010 was an interesting year for me. The early part was all about healing from the lose of our baby, the middle was all about trying to remember how to move on, and the last half has been about enjoying our family of three before we expand and the dynamic changes so dramatically. I guess because I can't even remember life before Grant, I'm nervous about what is to come when Beanie gets here. Grant is such an amazing kid, I'll really miss getting to give him my undivided attention. I know there will be plenty of love to go around, and that a sibling is probably the greatest gift I'll ever give him, and to be clear-no one wants a baby more than I want this baby-but I do feel a little like I would like the next 12 weeks to slow down so I can savor every last moment we have together before the next phase of life begins. If you're looking for me, I'll be watching Sid with my son cuddled up on the couch.

Happy NFL Weekend!

Family tradition-the self-portait all in our jersey's before the first game of the season. It's been a great game so far-Go Patriots!

Also, please note that I've added back the link for slick deals-this is for you Pam!

Grant and I made cookies together for the first time this morning. We had a ton of fun. He was a big helper at adding in all of the ingredients-even helping to measure and stir. I let him decorate them when we were done with little stars that were left over from his birthday cake. He was hysterical-he wanted to stack them all on top of each other for some reason and actually put a whole in a few cookies by trying to push them flat so he could add more.

Of course, he ate so many cookies and surgery stars that now he's having a hell of a time taking his nap. That's okay, he's up in his bed and he's relatively quiet, so I'll take it as a win. His big kid bedroom set is ready to be delivered. We went out this morning and got a pillow and mattress pad and a set of sheets. he's going to be so excited when we get it all set up-maybe next weekend depending on when his mattress gets here. I can't believe my baby is almost three!

I miss my Mom. I'm not sure if it is the rain, or the feeling overwhelmed by most everything in life right now, or that I'm seeing my girls this weekend, or that I am really just a 6 year old at heart, but I miss my mommy. I want to sleep late in my small twin bed in my room (my room-not the spare bedroom which houses my actual bed so that we can have a queen bed in what once was my room) and have her make me a cup of coffee and maybe some pancakes for breakfast in my pj's. And I want to sit and play cards for a few hours as the morning slowly winds away, in a way we haven't been able to do since well before Grant was born. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change a single solitary part of my life right now (except for that stupid red sox rain out I had to go last night), but I would very much like to be kid home on college break who is getting spoiled a little by my mom. I think that deep inside, most of us have a longing for home sometime-that place where we can be 100% safe, wear our glasses and not straighten our hair, where make up is a joke and those five extra pounds are simply not important under comfy jeans, soft socks, and a warm hoodie. Mommies are the best-go call yours. I'm looking forward to doing just that!

The second pre-season football game is today. Go PATRIOTS! Heather needs a nap if she is expected to stay awake long enough to watch four long quarters!

How are all of you?

I hate birds!

5 things, 5 fingers

...coincidence...i think not!

1. Where were you living 5 years ago?
In our adorable first house with the blue triangular toilet named Sully and "natures pool" in the back yard. With a lawn the size of a postage stamp that we put hours into mowing and weeding. with the perfectly painted light yellow spare bedroom just in case and the blue master and the "Mandarin moon" living room which was beautiful or hideous depending on the light. patiently waiting for Blackberry season. I loved that place!
2. Where would you like to be living 5 years from now?
I am perfectly content to be living exactly where I am today in another five years. I would love some paint on the walls, some pictures on the walls, furniture in the dining room and living rooms, and a few extra babies to fill the place with happy chaos. I love this house, despite it's flaws and look forward to continue making it a home.

3. 5 things on your to-do list today

• vacuum-the cats are shedding like it is their job
• head cheerleader at swim class
• mommy of the year
• laundry
• call JJ

For those wondering-I went 2 for 5

4. What are 5 snacks you enjoy?
Watermelon
Chocolate chip cookies-warm and soft please
Ice cream of almost any variety
Pita Chips
peanut butter

5. What are 5 things you would do if you were a billionaire?
Buy a houseful of children
Set my parents up for life
endow a (few dozen) scholarships-education shouldn't be a financial decision
take a really nice vacation-and bring Laura and her whole family so I could be a good mommy and still read a book at the same time
decide what i want to be when i grow up, and follow the path wherever that dream takes me

its amazing to me how time works. we wish the days away and beg for them back all in the same breathe. it is a blessing that we don't have control over these things.

Spring is my favorite season. I'm a May baby! Spring in New England is simply beautiful. Life comes back to the earth after the cold gray winter and even the muddy brown that covers everything changes to the bright green of fresh grass. It is a miracle in its most basic form. and yet, with my job, i miss most of spring. the first beautiful weekend of the year just causes my heart to beat a little faster as i realize that reunion is coming and I'm giving up everything that i know for the next few months to make an amazing weekend for a few thousand people. i miss sunny mother's days in the yard with my little boy. i miss first trips to the zoo. i miss my birthday each and every year. its fine-its my life and i do really like my job. but it is the same job that makes me dream of June, so it will all be over and I can think again about more than swipe cards and media and memorial services and the mean and drunk people who i will make jokes about for the rest of the summer. so at the same time, I am begging for more days between that first sunny weekend and June so I can get it all done and I wish for the days to be done so I can be through it all and back with my family.

I face this same dichotomy in other aspects of my life right now, oh so many other aspects. I dream of the day Grant will be potty trained, sleep in a big boy bed, color in the lines, things like that. And I am desperate for him to never be able to say "I'm Funny" instead of "Me Funny Mama!". I can't wait to see the little man he'll become and I never want him to stop being my baby. And what I find truly amazing is I see him having the same debate. He'll tell you he's a big boy, a little boy, or a baby depending on how he's feeling. he is at the "me do!" phase and then will turn in an instant and put his arms up for you to pick him up and hold him close and make it all better. He is excited to put on his own shoes and buckle his own car seat (yes, we do it with him!) and yet wants you to help him get dressed each morning. I wonder if he is picking up on my feelings of wanting time to fly by and stand still simultaneously or if I'm picking up on what is a normal part of growing up. and maybe he isn't the only one growing up, maybe I'm still growing up too. but all i know is I want to hold on to each day of his childhood with two hands. and i want to never get to a place where I'm "Mom" instead of "Mama or Mommy". Mom is the one who drives you to lacrosse practice and drops you off the block so none of your friends see. Mama and Mommy can kiss boo boos, and read stories about the moon. Mama sings Super Why each night at bedtime to make you smile and covers you with a blanket each night on the way to bed. And so I'll take every day of hell that comes in Spring for me just so these days don't fly by. I'll hope he remembers these days with fondness-even though eventually these days will leave his memory completely. But that feeling of happiness that comes when you think of your childhood is the job of a mama, and I will work hard to never let him down.

man, the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to dump a ton of money into Make A Wish. The luck of having that kid announce their pick-saved them so much harassing!

in case you didn't figure it out, it is NFL draft time. Cutie Grant was very excited to get out the mini-helmets that Taylor collects to put them in order. He was trying and trying to get the Kansas City helmet on his head saying over and over "it doesn't fit". So cute!

think Tebow and that other dude picked to wear matching shirts? ridiculous!

waiting and waiting for Bill to trade down. Just cause he can.

We are on the clock! I'm thinking trade. Taylor is whining about someone I've never heard of.

and there is the trade and here is Alexander on the phone. Last year he was here to watch the draft with us. This year we go back to the phone calls. Thank god we have two laptops, I'm working while Taylor enjoys.

Think the draft was sponsored by Coors? Nah...

I wonder how I could be the event planner for the draft. I would have been smart enough to pull the extra chair off the stage in the pre-game since Tebow was a no show. If I knew in my living room, how did they not know in real life?

It turns out I am a fan of Darius Rucker from Hootie in the Blowfish. It makes sense, I loved them back in the day, but Pandora taught me that I like him as a "country" singer. Thanks Pandora. And thanks for having a Glee channel. I like the music much more than the show.

What do you think I should be when I grow up? There is something for you all to think about and comment about. I was just literally reminded I wanted to be in the space program when I was a kid. How awesome would that be?!?

It is almost May, so I'll disappear now for Reunion. Wish me luck and think sunny thoughts!

NFL Draft starts tonight. DRAFT COLT MCCOY! BEST FOOTBALL NAME EVER! I think he's just adorable. Let's go Bill!

I would write more if you commented more. Simple but true
Making Pomegranate martini's and brownies right now. Martini's are for me. Brownies are for the kids Easter egg hunt in the morning. I've decided that the Easter egg hunt in our neighborhood resembles spring weekend in college. there will be lots of people, 75 degree temperatures, bounce houses, liquor, and people drinking out of sippy cups. I'm thinking of getting tee-shirts made.

I miss Jen and Krissy. I'm not sure how our two reunions managed to fall on the same weekend, but I'm pissed about it.

we took our passport photos last night because I was having a good hair day. I heard that Emilie doesn't think we'll visit Paris. I think she's pretty nuts. If we're lucky enough to have another baby, perhaps I'll miss the trip, but at least one of us will be headed abroad. I think it is funny that we have a reputation of not wanting to leave the country. I'm virtually from Canada after all. I'm used to my food being labeled in English and French for goodness sake! Give it a rest. I know, I know, you guys went to Mexico on your honeymoon-you're like Balboa! You virtually discovered an ocean. Relax-we're excited about the trip once you get in and get settled. We will wait for an invitation though-it is the polite thing to do.

48 days until Reunion. Yup, that's a reason to drink a martini. 15 days until our anniversary. That might be a better thing to count down to!

Okay, time for catching up on some Flashforward. Bring it D. Gibbons!

And thank you to Jeniffer for the most thoughtful gift anyone in my life has ever given me. Please, those people who say I don't have sisters clearly don't understand the bond I have with my girls. Family are the only ones who know enough how to help heal the worst pain a person could ever have. And to think some people never even called to ask if we were okay.

Did you know that Miley Cyrus is in a new movie? Taylor knows all about it...he really likes to talk about. Ask him details!

just blogged for 2 hours about the oscars. then it was gone. boo. that's all i have to say.

Welcome to March. Can we go home now?

watching the opening ceremonies

• Bob Costas brought the funny
• I think the guy who made the video just got back from Disney and rode Soarin
• why or why don't some of these countries import crappy athletes from other nations to bulk up their chances?
• I'm looking a sport to get Grant involved in now to get him a chance at the Olympics
• This brings me to my lifelong statement that I believe everyone has the ability to be an Olympian. How do I know that I wouldn't be good on the half pipe? curling? skiing and shooting? I've never tried-maybe this will be the year I find my sport (but I'm guessing it is white water kayaking)
• Glad that Visa got Morgan Freeman. James Earl Jones must have been busy
• Poor Georgian guy
• Remember Jimmy, from the Olympics in 1998 (I think). He did skeleton. He and his dad and grandfather did the cell phone commercial with the ring tone of the song, "who's calling Jimmy"? No, that's okay. Call me and I'll sing you the jingle.
• The Queen couldn't come and she couldn't even send one of the princes? terrible
• Lots of Winter White this year
• You know what they say about Vancouver...
• Iceland can only bring 4 people? And one of them is about 60? come on now
• Never mind Iceland, India is only sporting 3 athletes. Now that's ridiculous!
• I miss Jodi whenever I watch the Olympics
• Be honest, you couldn't locate Kazakhstan on a map before Borat
• Has completely lost her voice in the past few hours. totally fine at lunch, no voice by 2. I feel like Jeniffer!
• I wonder where Macadamia is
• Not a fan of the new We are the World. Terrible. Just terrible.
• there is snow in 49 of the 50 states. cool.
• Norway! The all time winter games medal winner. and the makers of a cool ride.
• Taylor is mean. He's making fun of my voice. Jerk-a-saur!
• Boy, those dancers must be getting tired-we're all the way to R!
• I want to visit South Africa
• Wonders if Robin Sparkles will sing later tonight
• If I were running this event, there would be mandatory flag carrier training. you've got to learn how to hold that thing-this is your moment to shine for most nations and boy are some of them blowing it!
• Lindsey Jacob-Ellis should get a hair straightener and some better lip stick
• Love the US hats-and Love Shawn White (don't know if that is how he spells Shawn, but it is how he should spell it!)
• O Canada!
• So many flip cameras!
• I hate Nellie F. But who doesn't love Bryan Adams?
• Grant gave out temporary tattoos with his valentine cards. I am the most hated mother in daycare.
• wonders why they are all putting on ponchos
• Still holding out for a Denver Olympics.
• I want to go on my own parade of nations-in Epcot!
• You know, I'm basically from Canada. Maine is pretty close! It's where we grocery shop! My canned corn has a label in French and English.
• Donald Sutherland is Canadian? Does that Jack Bauer is Canadian? He runs the US Counter Terrorism Unit. This seems odd.
• This is my song with Grant! Ordinary Miracle-It's from Charlotte's Web. I love it. And, in case there was any question, I love Grant-my little miracle. We fell in love with this song on the day he was born and if I have my wish, this will be the song we dance together to at his wedding, sometime around the 2038 Olympic Games.

Bye Tai Shen! It has been fun watching you grow into a fine young panda man!
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/02/04/pandas/index.html?iref=allsearch