re-connecting with old friends

On our last day full day in Wayland my two best college friends, Eryka and Alicia, came to visit us. I was a little worried because of the snow fall, but none of it stuck and the roads were manageable, so it ended up being ok. Eryka, Alicia and I all met within the first week of our freshman year at UMASS Amherst. We lived on the 4th floor together and became fast friends. It was a new experience for me, to have fun girlfriends! We explored UMass together and got immersed in our fair share of drama, but that's what college is all about, right?

I've kept in touch with Eryka for all these years, but the two of us lost touch with Alicia toward the end of our 4 years out in Amherst. Thanks to Facebook we are able to be in touch again and to my delight, when we found each other, Alicia was preggie with a baby girl! I was so happy and I felt this huge desire to know her again, especially since we were both new mamas! It felt good that she was just as enthusiastic to be part of my life again too. I was so impressed and touched that she drove, all the way up from Plymouth with a 7 week old, her 1st trip that far away from her home with the baby, to see us! Thank you, Alicia! And Eryka, After a 14 hour drive from North Carolina to Mattapoisett, Ma the day before, put her boys back in the car and drove up to spend the afternoon with us- thank you!

Here is Eryka. She is a wonderful friend. We were a great match as friends in college. I needed someone to help me come out of my shell and she needed someone to listen to what was inside of hers. We complimented each other well. No matter how long the time between phone calls, or visits, it's always the same with us. There is a genuine love in our friendship and I know it will never grow old. I'm grateful for you, Eryka.

These are her 2 beautiful boys. It's amazing to know I have held them both as infants and now look how big they are! Beylor (left) is 4 and Jackson (right) is 6 today!!
Jack says, "I'm 6!"
Ava wanted to watch Frosty The Snowman (again). After I put it on and plunked her in Poppi's chair, I came back to find Jack sitting next to her. How sweet!

Eryka, Cass and Beylor


Eryka and Jack
The sun came out in late afternoon, which helped ease my anxiety about Eryka and the boys getting home safely.
After sitting in traffic on rt. 3 (poor Alicia and Leighton), Alicia arrived with baby Leighton! We were so happy to meet her!

Alicia is training Leighton to take a bottle in preparation for going back to work. Leighton did well, but would much prefer nursing, of course!

Isn't she sweet? And so so pretty!

Ava sat with Leighton for a few minutes and held her hand. She had a tough time watching me hold Leighton. ooooo oooo jealousy.
Ava's thinking: I like you're belly, baby L. Nice and plump, like mine. :)

Alicia stayed for dinner and we caught up as quickly as we could. It was so easy to talk with her. She is so open and in touch with her feelings. I felt close to her again without effort. In 8 years gone by it felt like no time at all. I'm so happy to be re-connected! It's funny how your love for a friendship can spark again so easily. And it's fun to know we are sharing similar life experiences, though luckily for her, Leighton is very mellow. I dream about my next baby being like that. please, oh please.

Leighton is all packed in and waiting for her Mama to put her in the car. Bye Leighton. I hope we can see you this summer!

Ava's date with Nana

When Brad and I returned home we heard Nana and Ava talking to each other and when we peeked in the kitchen we found them making Christmas cookies! I know, a day after Christmas? Well, it was too chaotic before xmas and we love them too much to take a year off. It actually worked out well. It was a perfect late afternoon activity and Ava LOVED decorating the cookie tray (I would say cookies, but I think it was accidental when she sprinkled any sugar on a cookie)!

Poppi was there too to help decorate. We use a cookie press to make these cookies. We can make christmas trees, wreaths, and pinwheels. We decorated them with red and green sugar and rainbow ball sprinkles, oh and of course, candied cherries. yum!
licking fingers is one of the best parts :)
fun fun! And look how happy and relaxed mama is for having some time alone with daddy!
Thanks for babysitting, Nana! I wish you were closer. We'll miss you.

A date with daddy

As you all know, Ava has really struggled with separation anxiety since she turned 1. Brad and I have made every effort to love her through it and gently push her to be with our babysitter, Brendy. Because of this we haven't given ourselves many opportunities to go on dates together. Our "dates" have been cuddling up on the couch with tea after Ava goes down for the night and catching up on our days, or watching our favorite programs on DVR. And to be honest, I love those "dates". We haven't struggled with feeling connected to each other at all since A came into our lives. If anything, I think we feel more connected. We are lucky in that sense. But still, who wouldn't love to get away together for a few hours and just be together?

Ava took to my mom the minute she saw her. When my mom would get her in the morning I could hear them giggling and playing. I knew I could leave her and she would be just fine. So, after a few thousand reminders to my mom to make sure Ava didn't fall down the stairs (I'm traumatized from AC) Brad and I went on our first date alone in 20 months, on a walk around Walden Pond. Ava watched me put on my coat and boots (at this point normally she would be crying and getting more and more worked up) she just reached up for Nana and said "bye bye mama". It was one of the most comforting moments I could have had. I smiled and said "bye bye, Ava" and left with Brad. I didn't think about her on our walk. I mean that in a really good way. I was at ease and that made the "date" with Brad exactly what it should have been.

Walden Pond, no matter the time of year I visit, takes my breath away. It's serene and the reflections on the water have such depth. It's a place that reminds me that God exists. It's a place that helps me feel re-connected to myself with the inspiration of Henry David Thoreau and the lessons he learned here.
Brad walking ahead on the trail...
sun getting low and peeking through the foliage
parts of the pond were still frozen over



the boathouse in the distance
Reflections of the clouds above

the moon and clouds

jet liner streaks the sky and still water
ice is melting
What a nice walk. Thanks, B for being my hubby and loving Walden as much as I do! xxx

Christmas Dinner with the Hanson's

It's 5pm and Ava is dressed in her party dress and party shoes for Christmas dinner. She is knocking on auntie Mina's door to see if they are ready too!

Ava couldn't have looked any cuter in her dress and shoes. She loved being all dressed up! She didn't want to take her shoes off for one second! She even convinced Nana to let her wear them the next morning in her pj's. I awoke to little feet tapping down the hallway in pj's and patent leather mary-jane's! I wish I had a picture of that!

Ok, we're all set! Let's go!

This is the Hanson's beautiful home. It was fun to be so close as kids. Just a hop, skip and a jump across back yards! Now, it's the dogs that love it :)

We were welcomed by Holly and Romeo, the Hanson's beloved dogs. They are such sweet and loving labs. This is Holly.

Ava found the Christmas Tree first and made sure to check out all the ornaments she could reach!

Then she found and cozy spot on the couch and Auntie Mina kissed and snuggled her for as long as she could take it. I can relate, Mina, I can never get enough kisses on her little face! Sometimes I feel like I could eat her!

snuggles with Auntie Mina
ok, that's enough, says Ava. I have been smothered enough! Mina says, 'no! more more!'
such cutie pa-tooties!
Dad and Mom (aka: Poppi & Nana)
Brad and Sam really bonded this visit. They had a lot of really good conversations.

I spent a lot of time with Ava. She was SO good considering she was at an adult christmas dinner. She found everything she could play with and amused herself well. I got a kick out of observing her.

playing with Mama is always fun for us!
She found a game under the coffee table, but to her they were great blocks to stack!
fitting the blocks back into their spots in the case was fun too!
She found Louisa's red sox beanie and amused herself putting it on and taking it off repeatedly. She also like to cover her eyes with it and play peek-a-boo.
She explored Annie's kitchen cabinets thoroughly. Thanks for your patience, Annie.
And she played with Romeo. He was so sweet to her.
She hid in small spaces and then screamed for help to get out! :)
and she mastered getting on and off the bench by the fire. Man, was she proud of herself!
Annie set a beautiful table for dinner and the whole family contributed to the meal. It was amazing! Roast beef, yorkshire pudding, stuffed baked potatoes, kale, green beans, and for dessert, chocolate tort and chocolate walnut pie! What a Christmas dinner! Ava sat through the whole meal in her little high chair sucking on french bread and clementines.

After dinner, we played a really fun game of charades! If you ever want a good laugh, play with my Dad- he's terrible! Sorry Dad, I still love you though! :) Here's Sash making Ava into a bunny!
Thanks to the Hanson's for hosting a wonderful Christmas Dinner. We had such a good time! You are wonderful! Merry Christmas! xoxox