family day

Yesterday marked one year since the biggest event in our married life: becoming parents.  Up to that point, the most life-changing thing I'd done was get married, and, while that certainly did change my life, I got to ease into it a bit.  Steve and I had met and known each other long before our wedding day and, I think I can speak for the both of us when I say that we tried our best to make the transition a smooth one.

April 2013

There's no real transition period with a child.  You don't have one until- one day- you do.  And you've certainly never met them before (usually).  So I can only speak from my own experience, but I'd say that it's not something you ease into.  Easing into life with a two year old sounds about as ridiculous as easing into the day while your house is on fire.  In both situations, you'd better jump out of bed and figure out a plan, because things are happening and they're happening fast.

April 2014

There have been so many things bumping around in my head these past few weeks about the year we've had and the ones ahead and if I were blogging more regularly, you'd probably have to suffer through at least three more rambling posts about it all.  But life is short and time is precious, so I've narrowed it down to this one thought- 

All of the best things in my life- I mean the very best things- have arrived seemingly late, yet right on time. The things I've had to wait the longest for are the very same things that I can't stop pinching myself over and I don't think that is any accident at all.  

We spent last weekend celebrating Arthur Chen in every way we could think of- sushi and fried rice for dinner, strawberry picking, playing in the pool, ice cream in the middle of the day, a surprise walk to the playground.  He ate like a ravenous tiger, splashed us every chance he got, and kept exclaiming, "Happy day for me!"

Happy day for us all.  

all I have needed

Hello friends!  I was looking back at some pictures from previous Easters (you can see some here) and thinking about how much I want to be sure to document this one.  It will be Arthur's first Easter with us and we just love sharing new things with him and starting (or continuing) family traditions.  We're resuming our Easter lunch tradition this year and have been in full planning mode this week to work out all the details.  

I've also been in full-on bow tie mode and tearing through my stacks of fabric.  I'm seriously partial to spring and summer ties because I love the bright colors and I love to picture these ties parading around fancy weddings and garden parties, looking cheerful.  I've also got a nice new collection of indigo pocket squares in the shop that I'm fairly smitten with.  

This spring has been a cold one, so far, but we've still managed a few picnics and plenty of sidewalk chalk masterpieces.  Last week there were five little boys decorating my driveway at the same time.  I absolutely loved it.  And we need more chalk.  

We've grilled out a few times, have a few things blooming in the yard, and have put away some of the wintry-est of the winter clothes.  We're easing into spring and I don't mind.  I've been thinking a lot about last spring, also cold, when I barely noticed the weather because we were so caught up preparing for Arthur's arrival. And by "preparing", I mainly mean staring at his picture at least 20 times a day.  Now I kiss his little cheeks at least 20 times a day and I like this spring much better.  

Easter is Steve's favorite holiday and we've had so much fun talking about childhood memories and the kind of memories we want to make for our child.  Easter is also the beginning of a season of celebration at our house that will last right on through the end of May.  I'm celebrating motherhood, another year of life, another year of being married to my favorite person, our first year as a family of three.  And it's not particularly Easter-y, but this old hymn has been in my head this week as I prepare for Easter and the weeks to come- 

Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

all I have needed thy hand hath provided;

great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.

Happy Easter, friends!  I hope you find yourself this Easter with all that you need.