the easter bunny's got nothing on me

When I was in high school, and completely enveloped in my then-new relationship with my now-husband, a friend said to me: "Don't put all your eggs in one basket."

She was speaking to the insane amounts of time my now-husband and I spent together.

Of our near isolation from the rest of our friends.

On week days, weekends, school breaks, you name it ... We always ended up together. Just us. Whether over the phone or in person, that's just the way it was. We got along so well, why wouldn't we take advantage of those moments? Why wouldn't we want to be together?

The whole "eggs in one basket" chiding didn't sit well with me ... She was just upset that we weren't spending more "couples time" with her and her then-boyfriend. It wasn't really advice meant to help me ... More so to try and make me feel guilty about how my priorities were different than hers.

But sometimes you have to be selfish.

Sometimes you have to go with your gut.

Sometimes there isn't a "Plan B" to fall back on.

I am 100% confident that, if I hadn't taken the time to really connect with my now-husband back in our early days, to begin to construct that solid foundation, things would be drastically different today. If I hadn't made the conscious choice to dedicate myself to our cause, to really and truly immerse myself in us, we wouldn't be married and we certainly wouldn't have our sweet little son.

In many ways, I'm not much different from my high school self.

I continue to keep my "eggs" in one basket.

If I (stubbornly?) set my mind and my heart on an outcome, then there really is no alternative ...

If I sign up as a Biology major my first year of college, I'm going to stick it out no matter how difficult the coursework becomes.

If I take a job at the most dreadful Catholic grade school in all of Cuyahoga county, I'm going to honor my contract, even if most days end in tears.

If I decide on a natural labor and delivery, I'm going to see it through until the end (complete with unexpected back labor).

If I want to stay home with my child and simultaneously hold a full-time job, I'm going to make it work.

I'm not a quitter, and for as long as I have been me, I have never been one to do things "half way."

I see now that the key is maintaining focus. Putting your faith in something so much bigger than yourself and pressing on. Keeping your intentions true. Filling that basket with all of your eggs and protecting it with everything you've got.

Sure, sometimes an egg jostles loose, falls overboard, cracks.

Feelings are hurt, expectations squashed, dreams put in to question ... But you pick up the pieces and keep going.

You carry that basket ... Vow to handle it more carefully.

Learn from your mistakes.

But you stay focused.

Always, always stay focused.

You keep your eyes forward and take one step at a time.

If I stop and really think about it, I honestly couldn't imagine my life any other way than how it is right now. I know that everything that's happened to me up to this point, from the biggest of events to the seemingly insignificant details, has put me at this exact moment ... All of my eggs, tucked safely away.

Sometimes "Plan A" is enough.

crackers (with a side of cheese)

It's hard to be stuck in the house all week ... Especially for a toddler who has had a small taste of the outdoors (darn Cleveland weather!). So, I was really excited to get to spend an afternoon at a friend's house, with Malcolm along for the ride.

I wasn't sure what to expect of the little guy. Sometimes he's 100% outgoing and crazy, and other times he stays walled-up under a quiet, cautious little shell. For this particular visit, he started slow, but by the time we left, he was as comfortable there as anywhere.

In fact, he was putting on quite a show.

It all started with some Ritz crackers ...


Followed by lots and lots of cheese ...

Onesie: Old Navy ($1.50)

Tee-shirt: Baby Gap (thrifted for $0.50)
Jeans: The Children's Place (thrifted for $2.00)
Socks: Circo ($1.00)
Shoes: Stride Rite (thrifted for $3.00)

I wonder if this outing will make my friend welcome children when the day comes ...

Or scare her off of the idea for good!

independence is his middle name

As of Wednesday, Malcolm turned eighteen months (a year and a half!!!) old ...

This concept (a year and a half!!!), to me, is downright ridiculous!

Absolutely unbelievable!

I mean, just yesterday, I brought him home from the hospital ... All pink and squishy and new.

Just yesterday, I spent the afternoons laying with him on his ocean activity mat.

Just yesterday, I watched him roll over for the first time.

Just yesterday, I fed him his first solid food.

Just yesterday, I bid goodbye to his gummy grin as his first baby tooth made its appearance.

Just yesterday, I laughed as he bounded back and forth in his doorway bouncer.

Just yesterday, I watched (in awe) as he crawled across the living room floor.

Just yesterday, I teared up as I entered his room and saw him standing in his crib for the first time.

Just yesterday, I cheered him on as he took his first wobbly steps.

Really and truly.

Just yesterday, he was still a baby.

Today, he is (officially) a toddler.


It's definitely been a fun journey, so far.

I can't wait to see what's farther down the road ...

new kid no more

My sister-in-law gave birth to her second child a week ago.

A boy.

On one hand, this new addition thrills me to no end because Malcolm will have a little "partner in crime" for the rest of his life. He will have someone to hang out with during family functions and vacations ... Someone with whom to make memories ... And tell secrets ... And play games ... And have sleepovers. Ultimately, when they are big enough, he will have an instant friend, one that (unlike a sibling) won't have to compete for parental attention.

On the other hand, seeing this new baby makes me equal parts sad and nostalgic.

For one thing, just look at how gigantic my baby currently is!


At only a week old, the new guy is obviously a tiny, little peanut ... Yet he is already bigger than Malcolm was at this exact same moment a year and a half ago (in fact, he's got him beat by a full pound and a couple of inches!).

Was Malcolm ever really that small?!

It's hard to remember ... And now he seems like a full-fledged giant by comparison.

As if that biological clock wasn't ticking loud enough already ...

spring fever

The singular day of gorgeous weather at the end of last week did not go unappreciated in our household.

Instead of moping around the house (as is usually the case), Malcolm and I spent a good hour or so exploring the backyard.

Onesie (short-sleeved!): Circo (thrifted for $0.50)
Hooded sweat shirt: Circo (gift)
Fleece pants: Baby Gap (gift)
Socks: Circo (gift)
Shoes: Stride Rite (thrifted for $3.00)

There's nothing quite like a warm, spring day to boost your mood!