Today was my mom's birthday. Jack and I started the day off with a run to practice for the 4 mile race we were running later in the week on Thanksgiving. I mostly wanted to make sure that he would do well in the stroller, as I hadn't ever run with him before (that I can remember). For the record, Jack did well on our run. He liked it best when we were moving fast, so I knew he would do just fine on Thursday as long as I didn't take any walking breaks.
After that, we went over to my parents for lunch and cake and birthday hangs with my mom.
Luca's first time licking the beater while making Nana's cake.
Ready and excited for our practice run!
Post run stretches with my favorite four year old. In the second photo he was teaching me a new stretch that you can "feel in your pits". I was clearly feeling the burn.
Birthday girl!
(We were so focused on the photo, and Jack was so focused on the cake. He stuck his finger right in the frosting and we both missed it! The live photo version of this is the best.)
I completely forgot to get candles, so we used that lone candlestick. Which is ironic because I always remember to get candles and mom always forgets. In fact, I also have extras on hand, just in case. This year, mom remembered candles for my birthday and I had not only forgotten to get some for her, but also didn't have any extras leftover from previous birthdays.
BFFs.
Uncle Steven joined the birthday fun and played dinosaurs with Luca for a really long time. He is so, so good to our boys.
Later that night, we made a gratitude pumpkin while we ate dinner and then the boys watched football together. Lee was explaining it all to Luca and I thought my heart might burst.
Monday, November 20
Today was my birthday. After we dropped Luca off at school, Jack and I ran a few errands. Then we went to the mall and I grabbed a Starbucks drink and strolled through my favorite stores. Jack did so well in the stroller as we walked the mall, which felt like such a treat as I browsed.
After the mall, we went back to get Luca from school and headed home for lunch and naps. My parents came over that night and my mom made dinner. Which was such a treat because I really didn't want to get take out and I knew that if we waited for Lee to get home from work and cook it would've been too late for the boys. Thankfully, my mom offered to make the meal and dessert and even got off of work early and came over to hang while we waited for Lee to get home/while dinner cooked.
It was a great day overall, full of my favorite people calling, texting, messaging, face timing, all showing me lots of love.
I know this is so cliche and eye roll worthy but this year I just genuinely feel so thankful for Lee, Luca, and Jack. Their love and presence is truly the best gift I could ever receive. Everyday feels like my birthday since I get to do life with them (I know, eye roll worthy but I can't help my sappy self!).
My favorite Target partner in crime.
These two pictures get me good.
Tuesday, November 21
I worked in the morning and asked my dad if he could still stay for a full day so I could spend the afternoon cleaning my house (which had gotten seriously neglected in the crazy busy first few weeks of November). Sarah arrived in the late afternoon and relieved my dad of his duties and hung with the boys while I finished cleaning. I fed the boys dinner and as soon as Lee got home Sarah and I met my mom at some shops and looked for a few things my mom needed. That was so much fun, being together doing my favorite thing (shopping and styling my favorite (and only) client).
The only picture I have is of my leftover half eaten lasagna I sent because Amy requested it, twice.
Wednesday, November 22
H and Lou arrived in the am. They had driven through the night so they rested/hung at my parents while we ran an errand and grabbed lunch. Then we met them at a park across from my parent's house. After the park we had dinner at my parents.
Lee isn't a huge Thanksgiving food person, so I always make him homemade macaroni and cheese since it is one of his very favorite's. Last year, I was planning on making it but it wasn't until we were putting the food on the table to eat our meal ON THANKSGIVING that I remembered that I was supposed to make it and hadn't. In my defense, I had just given birth (two months prior, which totally counts right?). So this year, I made it on Wednesday evening to be sure I would have plenty of time and wouldn't forget.
Lazy morning pj hangs.
Clearly, I am his biggest fan.
It is so crazy to me that that photo is of Jack, and not Luca. Luca is not that little, and we now have another baby. Still blows my mind, 14 months later.
Sarah took this photo and later said to me, "the lengths your children will go to put their feet up" and she is so right. They are so chill, literally the most laid back babies.
Auntie H making Jack laugh.
Thursday, November 23, Thanksgiving Day!
I had signed up to run a 4 mile Turkey Trot in the morning before going to my parents house. When Luca was a baby, he loved running with me. We logged a lot of miles together, and we both loved every minute. Therefore, I assumed Jack would also love to run with me, so I planned on pushing him for the Turkey Trot. Lee, Luca, and Sarah were going to watch (there were bounce houses set up for Luca) and H and Lou signed up to walk it. We all met up and arrived together. Since Jack and I were running, we went in front of H and Lou a little bit.
About a half a mile in, Jack started screaming. Like, top of his lungs, get me outta here! screaming. After taking him out for a few then putting him back in and repeat for about 1 mile, I eventually gave up and realized that he was not going to go back in the stroller and I was going to have to carry him the rest of the way, while also pushing his stroller. So many kind fellow runners/walkers kept offering to help me, which was the nicest. I especially appreciated the woman who told me I was doing a great job because I definitely wanted to cry. I tried real hard to embrace it for what it was and be grateful that I was able to hold my baby, be outside, be together, be able to walk, etc. I have to be honest and say that even though I tried so hard to be grateful all I keep feeling was like a big, fat failure. Failed at running and meeting the time goal I had set, failed at trying to start a fun new family tradition, failed at knowing Jack would like it, failed at keeping Jack warm enough (homeboy refused to keep the blanket on). Even now, almost a week later I feel a bit ashamed and annoyed at myself that I couldn't shake those negative feelings and didn't choose to focus more on the positive. Especially since I know we have SO much to be thankful for and walking the race holding my healthy baby was not a big deal. At all. When we were in the hospital with Jack back in September, I remember longing to do the normal "adulting" things that had previously annoyed me. I remember thinking about how much we take for granted all the every day things that some families don't always get to do. Like being able to participate in a Turkey Trot with their healthy baby, walking or running, or even spectating. While I admittedly felt like a failure as a mom and person, I tried really hard to focus on the fact that I got to be with Jack. Outside of a hospital room. He was healthy and thriving and in my arms, only wanting to be closer to me. I wish I could say the latter outweighed the former, but I'd be lying. My human, sinful nature won out this time. However, being able to look back and reflect I have definitely learned my lesson and hopefully I will do better next time.
At the two mile mark, I realized that carrying Jack and pushing the stroller by myself probably wasn't going to work so I turned and walked backwards to try and find H and Lou. Thankfully, I found them fairly quickly and Lou pushed the stroller and H kept speaking encouraging words over me while also documenting our police tail with a number of selfies.
When we turned the corner for the last quarter mile, I saw my knight in shining armor/red fleece waiting to help me (sidetone: man do I love my husband!). He took Jack and walked the rest of the way with him and after my sister urged me, I ran the last quarter mile. It felt nice to run over the finish line, even if it was 20 minutes later than I wanted to originally.
After the race, we went to my parents for dinner. It was a fun afternoon, filled with good food and even better company.
Headed to the race!
Jack in the above photo is clearly foreshadowing for what was to come.
This is probably the greatest photo of Luca and Lee (sorry Sarah, definitely cropping you out and printing this one).
My dad's potato pot holder puppet may have been my favorite part of the entire day.
Feet up! (Also Miss Kim reading to Luca = all the heart eyes)
Luca made ornament place cards for everyone this year.
These outtakes kill me!
Trying to use whipped cream bribes for Jack.
Behind every family photo, is a squad like this all working so hard to get one good photo out of the million you take.
Just missing Josh and Abby.
Family.
Leftovers.
Friday, November 24
The boys (Lee, Lou, and my dad) went to lunch, went shooting and to play disc golf this afternoon. H, mom, Sarah, and I took the boys to the park. Afterwards, my parents offered to watch the boys so we could go out for some adult time. It was SO nice. We went to dinner then went to a dessert bar in uptown I had heard about. It was definitely a fun, adventurous night.
Playing outside in our pajamas.
Anyone that knows Luca knows that his favorite way to greet, converse, bid farewell is to "Roar". So when he saw Auntie Sarah on the other side of the door, you can probably guess how he greeted her.
Because whatever Luca does, Jack must also do. And because Auntie H was there, he got to do it.
Saturday, November 25
H and Lou headed home this day so after Jack's am nap we went over for lunch and good byes. After they left, we went home and did naps and dinner. After we put the boys down, I went over to my parents and we watched a new Hallmark movie together (mom, Sarah, and me- dad mostly slept through it). It was a lot of fun to be together, even if it was a super cheesy movie.
I just want to eat his cheeks.
The boys loved Mr. Lou's big truck.
Luca is such a lovey, he always tries to put his arms around Jack...
...and Jack always hates it...
...because he loves to do things himself.
Jack got his first fat lip this day- he fell and hit his head just right on my parent's coffee table. The swelling had gone down quit a bit after his nap (when I took these photos).
Again, anything Luca is doing Jack wants to do. When we let him do the same activity, he gets really excited, as evidenced in these photos.
I would also like to eat his cheeks.
I wanted it to be documented that Luca is big enough (and gentle enough) to get things out of the refrigerator himself. Which is so hard for me to believe since it feels like he was just born.
