Family Brunch

Emma, Isaac, Amira

First Birthday Girl

A house full of family to help celebrate this beautiful girl's first birthday. 

We love you, Emma Noelle. Just as Maria, who helped usher you to the world one year ago said, you make this day a truly joyeaux noel.

Emma is One

My beautiful Emma Noelle is one today. My littlest love.

I've had a difficult time accepting that a year has passed, that she is one; it has been an emotional month for me. Since having Emma, I have felt charged with the responsibility of raising a strong, confident daughter. One who has the tools necessary to break the barriers the world has set against women. It feels like a huge responsibility, both for me and her. And it is. And I think that is part of why I have felt so sad about Emma turning one. She is no longer a baby, and that means I am a little less able to protect her in the ways I would like to.

But look at her. She is beautiful, inside and out. I am awed by her beauty, right along with everyone else. How can I mourn her babyhood for long when she has so much living to do?

I thought I knew what having a child meant, what it made you feel. Anything I thought before has been multiplied, divided, expanded. There is so much love in our family, and for this little girl. And I am so excited to watch as she continues to grow.

To Emma Noelle, on her first birthday:

To my littlest wild one,
You were born with spunk and audacity, silliness and curiosity. You are fiercely independent and fearless, and my wish for you is that you live your life embracing those qualities. They are what make you, you. 
My promise to you is that I will work to protect your authenticity. To help you cultivate your dreams, strengthen your mind and your heart. Give you the tools you need to soar, because you were born to do great things. 
Most of all, I want you to be happy. You are loved and supported in every way. Never let anyone dampen your spirit, Emma Noelle, because it is so beautiful.
You are so loved. 
Happy birthday, baby girl,
Mama

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning is so magical with kids. This morning, Isaac woke when it was still dark outside and asked if we thought Santa had arrived yet. He thought it was still the middle of the night. I told him it was very early in the morning, and that Santa had likely already visited Grandma's house. He whispered excitedly that he would like to sneak downstairs and see if Santa had come. So Ben, Isaac and I all crept down the stairs in the dark to find out. . .

I love that the presents are an afterthought here, and Santa's magical appearance (and the disappearance of the cookies we left for him) was the most wondrous part of it all. Sweet boy.

We waited for Emma (and Grandma and Grandpa) to wake before Isaac tore into his gifts. Of course Emma was more interested in playing with the wrapping that her brother left behind than opening any of her own presents. Spending Christmas in Minnesota this year was truly a gift, in itself. It was so special to be with Grandma and Grandpa and to experience the wonder and magic of Christmas morning with them. Their presence made the holiday even more special than it already is.

Playing with the gifts Santa brought us:

This fall we received one of those Fat Brain toy catalogues in the mail, and I immediately threw it in the recycling bin, not giving it a second thought. But my littlest hoarder quickly spotted it on top of the pile and pulled it out, berating me--as he always does when I throw something of "his" out--about throwing away a precious magazine (pronounced with a long 'i'). He brought it to his room that night and looked it over in his bed, and in the morning, he excitedly showed me every toy and explained what each did. And then leafed through once more and told me what he would ask Santa to bring him for Christmas. On the top of the list was a super marble track, with a trampoline. Thankfully, Santa pulled through!

And next on the list? Magna-tiles. Since he plays with them every day, Santa couldn't turn down that request. 

And finally, each year we pick out a new ornament for our Christmas tree. Before Emma, it was often an ornament representing something Isaac loved over the past year (a fire truck, a train), and before Isaac, it was something that represented a place Ben and I loved or somewhere we'd been together (a tree ornament from Estes Park, a wooden moose from Silverton). This year, I decided I would give each of my babies one of their own ornaments, handmade by their mama. 

Merry Christmas!

Celebrating Christmas in Green Bay

We spent a packed few days in Green Bay to celebrate Christmas with my family this weekend. My mom now lives in Algoma (by Lake Michigan, which is so beautiful) and my dad lives in Abrams, and they live an hour and a half apart, so we decided to rent a few suites at a hotel in downtown Green Bay where we could all stay and make the most of our short trip home.

Here are a few photos to highlight the trip:

Swimming with the three baby girls.

Brielle and Isaac, looking out over the hotel lobby. They are such buds.

Grandma and some of her grand-babies.

Grandpa and Sawyer

Grandma and all of her grandchildren.

Christmas family photos:

So much fun to get all the grand-babies together. What an experience it is to have three babies in the family! So sweet and so busy. 

We celebrated this little sweetie turning one, too:

I can't believe we are already wrapping up our trip to Wisconsin. It's been a busy and fulfilling few weeks. We are so thankful for the generosity our family has shown us thus far. We love you guys!

Now on to Minnesota.