This weekend was both happy and hard for different reasons. Happy because I got to celebrate my birthday surrounded by loved ones but hard because we marked the one year anniversary of losing Elliott. I still can’t believe it. The work her parents and brother have done this past year and the strength and resiliency they, and those closest to her, have shown has been nothing short of breathtaking. So Sunday, we honored her with a balloon release and the crowd that gathered was such a sight to behold 🤍

Back at the beginning of the weekend, a trip to the zoo for Dempsey, Lydia and Landon — I’m so grateful that these cousins get to grow up so close to each other — a delicious bowl of ramen for me and after the kids went to bed, MI2 for Joey and I. Thought they might ditch the face mask thing but instead, they doubled down 😂

One more week of soccer left, thank God! It’s been fun, but it’s been exhausting 😅 We started the day with blueberry yogurt multigrain pancakes. Been serving eggs alongside Dempsey’s pancakes/waffles for something a little more filling and Joey got some that morning too. We actually had it together this week and weren’t rushing over to the field 👏 Steve, Lorna, my sister and Wayne were all there to watch. Watch me chase Dempsey around and beg him to stay on the field, that is 🤪 They scrimmaged at the end but Dempsey was definitely just sitting in the grass or in the goal the whole time. Hit the park afterward for some swinging then back home for lunch and naps.

During nap time, we started MI3 and once the kids were awake, Joey took Dempsey on a trip to the office and I made some new purees for Lyds to try this week. Let’s hope she likes peas and squash! Threw together a really simple dinner of pesto bowties with chicken sausage and tomatoes for dinner and when I asked Joey if he wanted a glass of wine to go with he said “no, we’ll get a drink at the movie tonight,” so that was a fun surprise for me! Big listened-to-a-pod-about-a-movie-and-then-really-needed-to-see-said-movie vibes from him 😂 But I’d also heard really good things about Past Lives and wow, I was really moved by it! I had such a big grin on my face through most of it and then BAM, it broke me at the end. I highly recommend it. Lori was watching the kids and they were both peacefully sleeping when we got home 😊

Here’s to 34! Got cuddles and kisses from my babies and such good presents from Joey 🤍 Then we loaded into the car and went to have breakfast at Snooze. It was as chaotic as you imagine a restaurant experience with two young children to be but I loved it. We headed over to Elliott’s balloon release on time, but had directions to the wrong park so we were late and felt to bad being the last ones there 🤦‍♀️ Lydia blessed us with a car seat blowout too, so that was fun. Couldn’t have been better weather though. I’m so sad Lyds never got to meet Elliott but she let a balloon go in her honor! FIVE new babies at this gathering, isn’t that amazing?!

We stuck around for a little but then headed home to get those littles napping, then proceeded to act like we had a lot of time to sit around and do nothing, followed by us rushing around to do laundry and salads before the kids were back up 😅 We had plans to meet my family at Chautauqua Park for a picnic to celebrate my brother and I’s birthdays but there was a miscommunication on the time, so we arrived an hour later than everyone else, oops! And yeah, Lydia did grace us with another car seat blowout. Love to arrive everywhere with a baby that needs a complete outfit change 🤪 Anyway, aside from all that, we had a really lovely evening at the park. Thanks to my mom for handling all the set up and food. She really is the best 🤍 Feeling a little out of sorts today but I’m ready to re-center and start another trip around the sun! Happy Monday to you all 😊

We had the best holiday weekend and I’m already so sad it’s over! I think the 4th of July should always be on a Tuesday because it meant having four whole days off and being able to fit in so much fun, relaxation, projects and family time. I hope you all had a great weekend as well 😊

Friday started with a trip to the dentist for Dempsey and he came home with a new toothbrush and tube of toothpaste that he’s been very excited about 😂 After work, Hannah, Josh, Mason and Henry came over for wings and then the boys ran around like crazy all night. We definitely need to work on our hitting still but otherwise it was a fun night. Hannah brought a dessert that her dad has been perfecting and I’m happy to be his taste tester any time!

Started Saturday with Lydi snuggles 🥰 She loves those feet! Made us whole wheat buttermilk pancakes afterward and then rushed to soccer because we are always rushing to soccer 😅 Lots of kids were out of town for the holiday so we combined with another team, which meant Joey had another coach’s help and it seemed way easier that way! Dempsey seems to think practice is one big game of running off the field for a drink of water but he participated for a bit of each of the activities at least. Had a chill rest of the day, which involved packing up Lydia’s 3 month clothes 🥲 and then I headed out to dinner with my sis. I recommended Lady Nomada after enjoying it a few weeks ago with Hannah and I’m still a really big fan. We ordered the same drink and the same dinner because we’re those sisters and it was so nice to spend some time with just her 🤍

Looking back, Sunday was my favorite day of the weekend! Started with breakfast at the newly opened Fox And The Hen and it was killer! Griddled blueberry muffin, huevos, croque madame and two cute babies to share the experience with. They were both in good moods and we had a fun time! While Lyds was down for her morning nap, Dempsey and I took a trip to WF for ribs (which I threw in the oven that afternoon and baked for something like four hours!). Afternoon naps were followed by a visit from Grandpa Steve and then I made us one of our favorite salmon dinners and we gave Lyds some potato which she seemed into! Put the kids to bed and decided a week before the new Mission: Impossible movie comes out is a good time to start watching the other 6?? 😅😅 After Lydia’s dream feed we moved her into the nursery for the night and crossed our fingers neither of them woke each other up all night. It worked!

A very chill Monday, featuring alternating running time for Joey and I, breakfast at home, a trip to the pediatrician 😬 and impromptu fireworks in the front yard when we let the forecast for Tuesday freak us out. After breaking out in hives from both avocado and yogurt, our pediatrician recommended we bring Lydia in. She chatted with us for a bit then recommended we see a pediatric allergist so we’ll be looking for one this week. Bummer! Banh mi sliders for dinner and then Lori, Chad, Delaney, Lorenzo, my sis and Wayne came over to light sparklers and fountains. I think Dempsey was a little nervous and a lot excited about fire and loud sounds 😂 We had a lot of fun 🤍 Lydia slept through it all and had another good night in her crib!

Happy 4th of July! We had to wake both kids up at 7!!! Got one fed, both dressed and in the car to first, pick up coffee and breakfast burritos and second, head to the lake to fish! Lyds and I wanted up see how it’s done. They didn’t catch anything this time around but we still had fun. Demps is getting so good at casting! While Dempsey was down for his nap, Lydia and I started watching the hot dog eating competition then while she was sleeping, I finished up some prep for the BBQ.

Both kids were up and ready to party at 3 when the rest of our family showed up 🎉 I made a melon mosaic that turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself and everyone brought some really good sides to go with the ribs. The weather ended up holding out so that we were able to be outside the whole time! Spruced up some store bought ice cream sandwiches for an easy and festive dessert and got a pic of all three kids in the beignet outfits Lori bought while we were in New Orleans 🤍 Started to rain, hail, thunder and lightning just as everyone was leaving. We got both kids to bed and finally finished our movie. I liked it! On to MI2! I truly hope everyone had an equally nice weekend 😊