Calm Before the Storm

Thursday |  June 5, 2014

I've been thinking a lot about how different life will be when our new family member arrives. Of course, I can't predict exactly what our days will be like with a new baby here, although a part of me sure would like to know what to expect. I wonder how Truman will handle being a big brother again, in addition to transitioning away from Lori's and into Junior Kindergarten this fall. Will it all be too much for him? Will he somehow be the difficult child all of a sudden even though I have the highest expectations for my first born and probably hold him to unrealistic standards as it is? I wonder how my... ahem, 'demanding' Cecelia will transition to being a big sister. She has such opinions on nearly every minute detail of life and she has her moments of really needing mommy. Will she throw even more tantrums with less of my available time? Will she understand that she will never again be the 'baby' of the family? How will she do as the big kid at Lori's when Truman goes to school?

And what about Nate and I? Will we be good parents to three children? Do we have it in us to dig deep for another set of parenting tools, even more patience, and the ability to mold another little life? I'd like to think we certainly do have the ability to be awesome parents to three...but it's still going to be different.

The change from being our comfortable, somewhat 'easy', family of four to the unknown concept of a family of five is going to be an amazing change. A welcomed change. A celebrated change. But the adjustment period might be pretty freaking crazy and we will certainly look back on our days with 'just' two kids and yearn for the routine. The predictability. The comfort of being settled, somewhat.

I definitely feel a sense of the calm before the storm lately. I am not scared of the storm, but truly SO excited I could burst. But it's absolutely a little bittersweet to say goodbye to these days as we welcome brand new ones. Ah, life. Always changing. Bring it on, baby boy, but first: we plan to savor every moment with just us four.

Last week on Thursday, Nate got home from work around 1:00pm. Once Cecelia woke up from her nap I suggested that the four of us pack a picnic dinner, load the double BOB up with the kids and food, and walk to a nearby favorite playground for some family time outside. The weather was unbeatable: sunshine, light breeze, blue skies, temps in the mid-70s. It was just one of those evenings when everything seemed peaceful and right, and it was a night when I felt extra emotional and reflective.

Since Nate was with me, I brought my big camera along for the occasion and proceeded to take over 200 pictures in the beautiful summery light. Two happy kids who ate well, played hard, got to see a passing train (THE BEST!!), and two parents who thoroughly enjoyed watching them love life.

It was a great night and very worthy of sharing here.


Tent in our back yard before heading to the playground in the BOB. When my kids wear their sunglasses I automatically smile at the cool cats before me.

First train spotted. And picnic time!




Cecelia was looking extra adorable this night and poses for pictures more willingly than her big brother.

My babes.


Our family.




And time to play. Kids on slides in the summer? Can't beat the joy.

And sandboxes, too.



My silhouette/Cecelia's reaction to the second train coming our way.





Such fun.







Classic 'Bruiser Cecelia' face.



Maybe my new favorite picture of her ever.

This girl and her daddy are too much sometimes.

Mister man made a new little friend and they played some sort of 'chasing' game the entire time.

While Cecelia was content to run from her daddy.


Right before we left, I got a few semi-blurry pictures that I will always treasure, imperfections and all.



Riding home.




What a fun, amazing night.