Strawberry Dress Girl

Yesterday morning I woke up and saw that on the same day, four years ago -- February 20, 2013 -- I had posted a couple of pics on Facebook.

They took me back to a memory I love.

I was headed to the grocery store with my two girls: one, a two-month-old little bug in a rug that wasn't content unless she was in my arms, and a four-year-old companion who was intent on bringing her baby along to the grocery store, too.

(Because, #twinners.)

First of all: Mia is adorable.

Second: I love her outfit. 

I totally hearted her in this dress, and this is still one of my very favorite pictures of her from that time.

Once I got up and running yesterday, I headed out to run some errands with that girl of mine that was the baby 4 years ago.

Not anymore. 

We went to pick up 40 lbs. of fresh chicken to package, and then to get a treat and drop it off to a friend for his birthday. 

We listened to Jack Johnson and John Meyer as we drove, and having just looked at those photos, I found myself thinking about how it was just like me and Mia. But it was her sister this time, almost the exact same age as that little strawberry-dress girl of 4 years ago.

Kind of a bit tender, but in a happy way.

I've been so lucky to have them.

And?

My days of small-errand-companions are almost over, 

and I can hardly believe it. 

In My Arms

Last week as I held her, sleeping in my arms, I took photos.

These are from three different days.

I love this cute face.

I love her sense of humor.

The way she is talking so much.

Her fiery spirit.

Her huge, expressive eyes.

The way she still wants to be held.

The way she lights up our lives.

But man.

Watching her grow makes me wistful.

I remember this poem in my aunt's house when I was growing up.

I hold my little Claire and this line comes back to me:

"I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep."  

Blessed with Beauty

 Some snapshots of the weekend's festivities:

On Friday evening Scott and I went to a solo piano recital of a good friend of ours. 

Not only was it jaw-dropping, phenomenal, and every other superlative adjective, but it left me quietly alive inside.

Awe-inspiring.

Soul feeding.

Stretching.

Deep.

I got to hold another friend's three-week-old baby during the last 45 minutes of it.

It was like going from one sense of beauty and wonder, and then glancing down and seeing this perfect bundle of beauty and composition.

The summa cum laude of human endeavor.

I was stirred by the music and talent, someone's creation that continues a domino effect of inspiration in anyone learning the piece in their own fingers, and to anyone who sits to listen.

Moved by this new, gentle, sleeping baby, the greatest perfection of human possibility and creation.

Sitting there, I was reminded of this favorite line:

"In contemplation of created things, by steps we may ascend to God."

--John Milton

I am glad that God has gifted us with such beauty, such sublimity in the world.

Happy Halloween!!

Good Morning Mom!

Happy Babies

Yesterday morning after their breakfast (so to speak), this was what I saw. How can you not smile when you wake up to this?

My New Living Room Furniture

Hurray! Hurray! You're Two Months Old Today!!!!

November 11, 2006 - Two Months Old

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