May has been such a fun month! We can already feel summer knocking at the door, and we are taking advantage of every beautiful day. We feel grateful for some season firsts, as well as some firsts EVER for our little Hs. This is May:
The first weekend of May, I ran in my second half marathon. One of my friends gave me the great idea of mile dedications, where each mile you run is dedicated to a different person. During my training, I decided to do this, liking the idea of having an intention the way you do for a yoga practice. My mile dedications made a tremendous difference, inspiring me to push further, dig deeper, and work harder. The race was on a spectacularly beautiful and warm day. I drove up to the race with Becca, our good friend and the Hs' daycare teacher, who was pacing the race. Then Dallin, Harper, and Hunter came up separately to meet me at the finish line. Seeing them at the end of the race was the best sight ever. Of course, I ran special miles for them that day: mile two for Harper, my second baby; mile three for Hunter, my third baby; and mile eight for Dallin, eight years of marriage later and going on infinity. I would run a thousand miles for my crew, but 13.1 felt like enough that day. AND not for nothing, but I beat my October record; yay!
Speaking of my babies, Harper is quite the little mama herself. She is obsessed with her baby dolls. This one, Lizzie, is her favorite. It was actually a gift from her beloved pediatrician (also a family friend) when she was first born. When we took it out of the box when she was around 1, she had a total meltdown; I'm talking, she was TERRIFIED. Oh how far she has come! Lizzie (who gained her name a year ago from the story of Babar the elephant--only after being called "Pink Baby" for much of her existence) is definitely Harper's favorite baby doll. Now, you're not supposed to have a favorite child, but a favorite baby doll is, I suppose, acceptable. Lizzie has some red crayon on her head that refuses to come off, and Harper is always relaying the story of how Lizzie "fell off our bottom step and cracked her head open on the planter." Sound familiar? She is a sweet mommy to all her little dolls, and it is cute and funny to watch.
After we left Walden, our next stop was at Kimball Farms for ice cream. Our friends rave about Kimball, but we had actually never been to that location before--only the larger location, where Harper's NICU reunion was held back in 2012. The ice cream did not disappoint, especially when enjoyed with some special, sticky friends. We are SO ready for summer if it means repeating magical days like this one.
Our year of dance class is winding down, and we are looking forward to Harper's first dance recital in a couple of weeks! Her class costumes arrived this month, and so the girls were allowed to try them on in class, much to Harper's excitement. I'm still unsure about how the actual recital is going to go; I think there is a 50/50 chance she gets on stage and panics. But I could be wrong! She LOVES her dance class, and she seems really comfortable with the moves. With friends by her side, she may very well love being on stage. Only time will tell!
Hunter turned 20 months old this month! He is as wild as he is sweet, equal parts daredevil and snuggler. He loves being outside, going down the slide (usually head first), playing with sticks, kicking a ball, and digging in the sand or wood chips. Give him a bucket and a shovel, and he is good to go. Simply laying eyes on a shovel excites him. "Shovel! Shovel!" he will shout, though it actually sounds more like, "Shubble! Shubble!" He is a boy to the core, but in the same breath he will say, "I want to hold you, Mama." Translation: I want you to pick me up--which I will always gladly do. After all, look at that sweet, dimpled face! His snuggles melt my heart.
Little man's athletic prowess continues to grow. He is obsessed with balls, sports. At the park, he will run across the field when he sees "big kids" playing soccer, wanting in on the action--or at least wanting to steal their ball. He truly lights up, even when he sees a football or basketball game on TV. He and his Daddy are two peas in a pod in this regard.
Now that he's such a big, grown-up boy, Hunter even got first haircut! This was a big deal, especially because we haven't even cut Harper's hair yet. I probably would have let it grow longer, embracing that shaggy look, but it really was just growing longer in back and a little over his ears so it needed a trim to even things out. He did a great job at the barber shop. We went to the same place that one of Hunter's little friends from school had gone to so we knew they would be able to handle a little guy. They were great! They put a show on TV and worked quickly, and it was a total breeze. The barber even put some curls in a plastic bag for me to save the evidence of Hunter's first trim and his baby curls. Somehow, a little trim makes Hunter look SO grown up! He is such a dapper little gent.
School days are still our favorite days. Harper and Hunter love their Tuesdays and Thursdays, which is really a gift to a working mother because I know they are having an absolute blast with their favorite people. Our daycare is so much more than a daycare--it's like a family. I really can't imagine what our lives would be like without our school friends. Teacher Appreciation Day was this month so Harper and Hunter painted the little pots for these succulent plants for the best teachers/mothers/friends ever in gratitude for "helping us grow." We are better for knowing such special people, and I love all the memories our children make each week.
This month is also Mimi's birthday and Gramzy's birthday so Harper especially wanted to do something special; this cute girl LOVES birthdays, hers or anyone else's. She painted a bird house for Gramzy for her 94th birthday, which we celebrated at a surprise party the weekend before her actual birthday so that she wasn't expecting it. Gramzy was so happy and so surprised--and of course she loved her bird house too. Harper and Hunter had so much fun at the party, given that so many of their favorite people were all in one place. It was a beautiful day so they spent all afternoon running in and outside. I couldn't help but reflect back on how amazing it is that Harper and Hunter have the opportunity to spend so much time with their great grandmother. She has seen and done so very much in her amazing lifetime, and it is such blessing that they get to soak up special memories of and with her.
Hunter has been doing his fair share of crafting too. He loves painting, but it's really a full body affair, with a bath immediately required afterwards. I never tire of watching my children painting, though it makes me wish that they were able to paint with their Grandpa Nick. I know he would love seeing their free expression, their wild little spirits through art. I often wonder what he would be like as a grandparent, and I wish they had the chance to know for themselves. Still, I can feel him smiling in moments like these:
The weather outside has been fantastic this month, and I know I sound like a broken record when I say we are enjoying every possible moment--but it's true. We took a special field trip one Friday to explore a new park in Boston on the Esplanade. We pass it all the time when we are driving on Storrow Drive, but we have never made a point to get to it. One afternoon, we had plans to meet up with friends downtown, but at the last moment, no one else could make it. So the Hs and I took an adventure on our own, braving the chilly wind coming off the Charles River and walking a ways… But it was worth it! We were the only ones at the park, and it was magic. The bright crisp air, the excitement of a new place… We were totally and completely happy. The cherry on top was that our beloved Aunt Annie came and met us afterwards, having just finished up at a hair appointment in the North End. We walked back over to Beacon Hill and had JP Licks before parting ways. Perfection.
The more she does, the more we are realizing how much Harper is growing up. She is such a sweet little spirit, with a sense of confidence and independence that is ever growing. I love her so much, I sometimes feel like my heart might burst.
Block party! This month, our street had its first block party. What a fun time! Everyone on the street hung out in front and back of our next door neighbor's house. We grilled, the kids played on the slip and side and ran around happily. Hunter especially LOVED the slip and slide. He wasn't wearing his bathing suit, of course, and he got soaked. We live on the best street. I love our neighbors, I love that there are so many kids who play well together, and that the parents are just as fun. It's such a gift to have a happy home.
Block party! This month, our street had its first block party. What a fun time! Everyone on the street hung out in front and back of our next door neighbor's house. We grilled, the kids played on the slip and side and ran around happily. Hunter especially LOVED the slip and slide. He wasn't wearing his bathing suit, of course, and he got soaked. We live on the best street. I love our neighbors, I love that there are so many kids who play well together, and that the parents are just as fun. It's such a gift to have a happy home.
Mother's Day was this month too! Harper and Hunter worked hard with their Daddy to make the day a special one. They brought me breakfast in bed, with a special bouquet of "flowers" made from cookies and gum drops (supplies courtesy of Grammie Eccles--love her!). They also got me a gift certificate for a massage, which is the best gift ever. I'm looking forward to using it after my next long race to help relax my muscles, or next time I am super stressed--whichever comes first. Later on in the morning, I got to go for a nice long run, and when I got home, Dallin and Hunter were napping so Harper and I went outside to lounge by our little pool. The trees were blossoming, the air was warm; it was a perfect quiet Sunday, and Harper was as captivated by the magic of the season as I was. She kept reaching out to catch the blossoms as they floated down in the wind. I love that little girl, and I love my sweet family for all the love and light they bring into my life and into my heart.
Like I said, this month has been so busy! Here are some other special May moments that we have enjoyed:
Hunter surveying the site of our new town pool. Little man with his stick, watching a big tractor. This is heaven for him.
The other day, we arrived at dance class early. The studio wasn't open yet so we explored outside a little bit. We discovered a really cool mural and a bike path. Harper and Hunter were thrilled at the unexpected opportunity to run around, gather flowers, and take in all the Boston images on the mural. I love where we live more and more as our little family grows.
Little Daddy. Hunter is so sweet with the little baby dolls, and he loves pushing the stroller around the house with as many babies inside as his big sister can part with. How we love this sweet little man!
Donut picnics. We are addicted to donuts from the bakery near our house, and the kids love eating them outside, especially at the park. This donut was practically the size of Harper's head, but that didn't stop her.
Little besties. Harper and Hunter are the sweetest little best friends. They love to laugh and be silly together, and their hugs always turn to collapsing on the floor in silly giggles. They truly play so well together, occasionally fighting over a toy or book, but the norm is sharing and loving one another.
Exhausted as we are, we are totally ready for summer! We are looking forward to more beach days, ice cream, a very special wedding, and all the memories that we can fit into the long summer days. June, here we come...
