For weeks I'd wanted to do a "life lately" post. The truth is October was hectic. Between going to New Orleans for a weekend for my brother's wedding and then Brian traveling and doing recruiting events for work, it's been a little different from our previous months of adjusting to life as a family of four. I could write about what it's like to juggle a 2 month old and a 20 month old all by myself but honestly, summarizing it in one word is simple enough: tough.
I'd love to sit down and write about all the amazing places the babies (but more so Hartley, as she goes places with Nana and Poppy) have been but I'd easily be writing all day long. In the spirit of quickness a list should suffice: Stribling Orchard, Pumpkin Village, Great Country Farms, Meadowlark Bontanical Gardens, Cox Farms, Frying Pan Farm Park, Chuckie Cheese, visiting the great grandparents in Maryand, and every playground Reston has to offer. Yes, October has been busy but wonderfully fun.
Anyhow, back to Brian and I talking last night, he told me he was proud of me. He told me lately I've had a positive attitude and a great handle on things. Honestly, I have my bad days just like everyone else but he's kind of right about being more positive. I think it's Hartley's age and the glorious weather and all the help I've received from my parents, it's working for me. And yesterday afternoon, the sun was cast in such a beautiful way on everything, Hartley crunched around in the fall leaves while a Patrick snoozed in his stroller - and I wanted to freeze time and stay in that moment. I felt exactly how we're told to feel in November; I felt incredibly thankful.
A few months ago, I was terrified at the thought of having two small children to care for - every moment of every day. And maybe there was something stronger than just the smell of leaves in the air yesterday but I realized, I am so incredibly lucky. I have two beautiful, healthy children, and to say I'm thankful is probably the biggest understatement of all time. Every day I get to hold the most important beings in my life. I get to watch them grow and learn. And yesterday, I got to watch Hartley give her baby brother a kiss before he was whisked away by Brian for bath time. It's cheesy and cliche but the three of them melt my heart, and the fact that we're all here and healthy is the greatest gift.
While I absolutely love my boys, Hartley is the one who teaches me the most about thankfulness. It may just be her age but everything through her eyes is amazing and fascinating. Yesterday I was so thankful to get to watch her. We were walking to the playground and she found all sorts of treasures: sticks, leaves, rocks and acorns (which she calls corns). Everything was so beautiful; it all had to be explored and studied. When we finally got to the playground, there was a dog, which meant I had to ask if Hartley could play with the dog. I always hold her back until I get I get the green light. I let her loose and she immediately went in for kisses and she pet him. Then once they established they were friends, she hugged the dog. The owner smiled from ear to ear because there really isn't a cuter sight than a 1 year old snuggling a dog. Hartley laughed hysterically at the dog wagging its tail. She popped her face in front of his, laughing so hard, almost to tell him, "you know that thing behind you is really silly, right?"
In that moment, my heart felt like it could burst. I'm so thankful for this girl who has the very best spirit. She always wants to run wildly and yet she needs to stop to soak in her surroundings.
She found her way to the playground where she greeted these cute, older girls with a sweet "hi". She marveled at them, and I was so relieved when they gave her the time of day. They were so nice and very maternal with her. It's amazing how as a mother you just want the world to be kind to your babies even when they are very little and don't fully understand things yet.
She crawled up the slide. She teased me as I tried to get her to come down but she was more interested in doing "fake outs".
There is not a thing in the world that compares to watching your children smile and laugh. This is what I am most thankful for. I'm thankful that even on our worst days I know I can get smiles and laughs out of them.
I'm thankful to hear Hartley's soft voice say "mommy". She says "mommy" more than any other person. I'm thankful to feel her arms around my neck when she hugs me as I carry her. I'm thankful for Patrick still nuzzling and sleeping on his mom. I'm thankful to feel his warmth on my neck when he falls asleep on my chest. I'm thankful for his adorable, healthy rolls and his sweet gummy smile.
I could write on but I'm being summoned by these sweeties for which I'm so thankful.
I will return before the month is out to reflect on what I'm thankful for outside of my babies. Until then, enjoy all this cuteness. Babies in fall. It doesn't get better.
