Sweet Bella Bean continues to walk to the beat of her own drum. She remains our fearless fashionista who can make any pattern or color scheme work. Her pace of life is about as fast as the clouds passing by. Her cadence paired with her empathy is a divine recipe. She has a sixth sense about noticing God’s handiwork from natural anomalies to a water color sunset. Bella is also the first to know who needs a hug. Her big hugs squeeze the hardship right out of you, leaving room for all her love she has to share.
My buddy and Dad’s best friend is living his best life. This budding second baseman would spend all of his waking hours playing ball with his neighborhood buddies. And, this summer, he has! Theo loves routine and he’s pleased with a copy and paste type of day. However, watch out when he and Bella get the giggles because they’re unstoppable. Their sillies don’t cease until they say so. It is a true privilege to watch this young man tackle life and learn from his inquisitiveness, gentle nature and saint-like patience.
Ellie Rose continues to find her way to the top in all that she does from schoolwork to gymnastics. They told us she’d be our determined one with all of the complication in utero and they were right! She is wise beyond her years and always able to call out the elephant in the room with ease and clarity. If she doesn’t find her way into the Oval Office in 2053 we are hedging bets that she’ll be a compassionate leader wherever she lands.
Now, a look back at our Ellie Rosie over the last year!
Silly Lily Grace has a heart of gold and a contagious smile! She is always ready to lend a hand and loves to fold laundry, a divine gift in this household. She spends the majority of her day in a magical world of her own and the other half seeking sibling playmates. Lily remains our early bird, up by six and on a mission for her banana, raisin bread and sunny side egg. Her day is not done until she has a “night pride” mission with Uti the koala at her side.
Join me as we take a look back at Lily’s last year!
This little firecracker is a pint sized package of energy, compassion and drive. She has the unique ability of seeing life from another’s shoes. She is already on a handful of mailing lists for climate change and environmental conservation. This girl is a natural advocate. She spots a problem, strategizes a solution and puts both her money and her mouth behind it. We are confident that her passion and discipline will leave this world changed. While this last year was a scary one for Rosie and our family, she rose again- like the Phoenix she is – with a fierceness!
Now, a look back at our Ellie Rosie over the last year!
Ellie at seven years…
Ellie at six years…
Ellie at five years…
Ellie at four years…
Ellie at three years…
Ellie at two years…
Ellie at one year…
If you really want to turn back the clock, check out Ellie’s First Year…
Mr. Theo’s approach to life is a perfect example of love and logic. He takes each moment at a time, he is able to find peace amidst chaos, and his questions progress his learning independently. When he is not running the bases, sitting poolside with Dad or helping in the kitchen, you will find his nose in quality big Nate book. Theo’s creativity in both science and life bring a balance to our crew. His compassion is natural. His heart is such a large vessel that it is capable of bringing stability to the unstable. If you don’t have someone in your life that seems to just make it better, you need to find a Mr. Theo. His love for his girls is clear and his desire for his walk-on song one day to be chasing girls.
Bella is Bella. Our country girl is beautiful inside and out. She also has the rare ability to live life slowly when it is whizzing by. Nature stops her in her tracks; she rarely misses a beautiful sunrise and only bedtime keeps her from witnessing a serene sunset. Her photo gallery is the largest as she is passionate about capturing all of life’s moments. Everything from a creative pancake and sausage assembled into a silly face to giggling sisters to God’s paintbrush across the sky can be found on Bella’s camera. She is the sweetest in the bunch and her heart bleeds empathy. She sheds the most tears and laughs the loudest which, tells me she pays attention to the little things in life. My prayer for Bella is that her precious approach is never tainted by this world.
This year we’re working our way from the inside out! Starting with lucky Lily, Quint #3.
You only live once. We knew it from an early age that Lily would be our little evil Knievel. She proved it this year bye launching herself off of a bunk bed. A nasty sprain and fracture took her summer but didn’t touch her spirit. Lily has a way of bringing fun to any situation. She never lets her nerves get in the way of making a new friend and purposely seeks out those sitting alone to share her joy. She is likely the chattiest – her teachers would agree- but this is how she feels her love tank each and every day. Whether you walk on two legs or four, everyone has a special place in Lily’s heart.
Join me as we take a look back at Lily’s last year!
The birthday countdown to 8 begins! This year we’re starting with Kali Mae!
As many of you know, Kali is a unique blend of sugar and spice. She has been on a journey of exploration this last year. The social isolation that accompanied COVID-19 was hard on Kali; she would often comment on how many days, weeks, months it had been since she saw her besties.
As we open back up, Kali’s spirit returns and is highest when she’s with friends.
Kali’s curiousity rivals Theo’s and her love for animals is great! She has also discovered a new adventure- horseback riding! She even hopes to become a professional equestrian!
Before we dive into our montage, due to copyright claims all music had to be muted in the videos. Kali’s song for this year was Refrigerator Door by Luke Combs.
Now, let’s look back at Kali over the last year…
Kali at seven years…
Kali at six years…
Kali at five years…
Kali at four years…
Kali at three years…
Kali at two years…
If you really want to turn back the clock, check out Kali’s First Year…
It has been quite some time since I posted. In all honesty, I didn’t have words or perhaps enough emotional energy to put my thoughts into words. The last 365 days have forever changed our lives. Rollercoasters of feelings as we witnessed a viral pandemic that sent us to our homes. It was hard to swallow the fact that for many their home may not feel safe or be secure.
Inequities came to light. Racial and class tensions grew. Politics continued to polarize and many didn’t know how to process. “Flatten the curve,” “quarantine,” “new normal,” “coronavirus,” “COVID,” and “pandemic” are all words that were foreign over a year ago and may be everyday language now and forever.
As the country re-opens, people are emerging from a yearlong hibernation. Some appear scared, timid, and anxious while others are over-joyed and excited to “get back to normal.” In conversations, at home, at work, at the grocery store you hear people recounting what they’ve learned and what they finally took time to do. Habits and routines they worked hard to develop and don’t want to lose, Some open up to share how old, ugly coping strategies have returned due to periods of high stress in socially isolated homes.
While we didn’t choose to share all of the events that unfolded in the last year, I believe our children learned more than we sought to teach them. I continue to be humbled by their perspectives and learnings.
Most dinners, the kiddos chat about anything and everything while the adults take turns playing crowd control and wait staff. But, the other night we shifted the conversation to reflect upon how this Spring break was different and what they had learned because of the pandemic.
Theo shared that masks are uncomfortable and don’t feel good but they’re important because they protect others. We need to continue to wear our masks.
Lily echoed Theo’s sentiments about masks but shared how important she believes it is to be kind and put others’ first.
Bella recognized how she hadn’t been to a store to browse, dream or purchase everyday items. She shared her gratitude for online shopping conveniences which helped us to keep home feeling “normal.”
Ellie pointed out that not everyone had it the same. She is grateful that we always had what we needed. She also shared how good it felt to be able to spend a lot of time with her family.
Kali wrapped up the children’s contributions by sharing how more time at home created more time for each other and other activities.
We sat and smiled and thanked them for their wise words. As I sit here now, I continue to believe that my children will forever teach me more than I will ever teach them. For this, I am grateful.
It is my ongoing hope that we’re raising game changers. We aim to preserve their precious outlook on life, foster their imagination and creativity, encourage their curiosity and willingness to ask questions and the ability to know when to speak up and share their voice and when to be quiet and simply listen. Our home has privilege and I believe our children are beginning to realize this. It is my prayer that they will continue to share this power, dismantle imbalances, explore history and its implications so that we can have a more equitable and just tomorrow.
Bump 2 Bab[y]ies 