Hold on...

Don't blink. It all happened so fast and I tried to hold onto all those precious moments. The first words, the first steps, first giggles and belly-aching laughs. The first day of school, first friends, first (and last) soccer game, first piano and ballet lessons. Embracing her role as a big sister (twice!) and being so very good at it - most of the time.

Becoming more independent with each passing day. Growing into herself, knowing what she likes and doesn't like. Learning to enjoy the surroundings, welcome change and going with the flow.

She's 10. I blinked and it happened. She went from needing me every second, every minute and then... she didn't.

I'm proud of her creativeness, her moodiness, her shyness and bold temperament. I am in awe of how she loves. She is who she is and there is no one else like her.

My nature lover, my girl with a dash of free spirit, a love of reading, hugs and cookies and sprinklings of bravery, humor and appetite for life.

The girl that first called me "mama" turns 10 today. I couldn't hold my breath, it was destined to happen.

Happy Birthday my wonderful girl Sofia Vincenza!

Reminiscing her first year...

Just another day and Sofia Vincenza will no longer be in the single digits. This little, sweet bundle that brought me into motherhood will turn 10 this week. It sounds so cliche to ask where the time went. With everything in life it just keeps moving, nothing to slow it down, no stop to get off on this never ending train ride of life. Her first ten years and looking back it seemed to happen in a snap of the fingers.

No book, no well-meant advice, no YouTube video can ever prepare you for the second the nurse hands you your baby, says to you "Congratulations Mom, here she is!" and how your life will no longer be the same. Yes, the developmental milestones, the sleepless nights, the first smiles, crawls, steps, foods, books, toys, cuddles, kisses, squeals. Nothing can prepare you as honestly and directly as just being in it and moving along. Going with the flow, be it the lulling waves or the turbulent waters of parenthood.

Those first real looks...

Those meaningful moments...

Those smiles simply meant for you and only you...

The budding of your little flower, finding her personality...

Showing you her various moods...

Letting you know early on her first real loves...

The breath of fresh air that was always present in your life but you never really knew it until she breathed it right alongside with you.

Her sweet side...

Her silliness, moodiness, snuggly and adoring little ways...

Sofia letting you know in the span of a relatively short time how much she learned from you, needed you, wanted to share things with you, be near you and of course, loved you.

Ten went by so fast, too fast. Still so much to learn from this amazing gal.

a quick (and healthy) snack

It's been a few posts now so thought I would go back to my number 3 muse...my little man eating a mandarino. He is thankfully a very good eater in that he will eat a variety of foods, he loves fruit especially which makes this fruit-loving mama very happy. And I feel better about him also enjoying a piece of chocolate or an occasional cookie since he is really an overall great eater. Hopefully this phase sticks around forever. Makes my heart swell when I make sauteed spinach and baked salmon and he's enjoying it too.

A little blurry but I don't care. Those eyes just get me every time.

And those lashes, goodness what women do to get lashes like that and he's got them naturally.

As much as you tell the kids not to play with their food, how adorable are those little fingers stacking and re-stacking little mandarino slices?

flower obsession

Bringing Spring to me, one flower picture at a time.

a taste of spring

I was getting used to the idea that Spring was nearing, that is until we're due a major blizzard. Tomorrow. School has already been cancelled and bread, eggs and milk purchased. Hopefully it amounts to nothing. Or it could be one last hurrah for Winter, the kids enjoy the snow, I get exercise shoveling and then do what I do best on snow days - engross myself in the kitchen cooking and baking.

for the love of reading

I'm so proud that right now I can say all three kids love books. They either love reading on their own - the oldest- love reading on their own AND being read to - the middle - or love being read to - the youngest. It's something that has been a part of their lives since I was pregnant with each of them and continues to be a part of their day.

I especially love when the two big ones just go off to read on their own. They grab a book, find a comfy spot in the house and can be there for a good bit of time in their own little world. My little man and I find time to read every morning, before nap, after dinner and before bed. So, naturally, I love it too when I find that he's off on his own playing and I go in to peek on him and he's got a book on his lap and he's "reading" to himself.

Makes this book-lover very proud!

time to play

there is always time for play whether you are a 3 year old little man or a 38 year old big girl. finding the time to play is an essential part of our day and something we try very hard not to pass us by. little man is great playing side by side with me but has mastered the imagination play on his own too and is a favorite of mine to witness.

from the other room, i hear him talking and occasionally i will answer him and he says "no mommy, not you, the truck." he comes up with these great little 3 year old sized stories and i like sneaking up on him to see him in action. he sometimes picks the best (and most unusual) spots to play.

this time i caught him up on the radiator. not a care in the world - just a boy and his toys.

make your own time