#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Food and Life

Letter to My Son – Happy 8th Birthday!

August 2, 2010 · Narrative

Dear Nick,

I can’t believe you’re 8 years old today!  I still remember many vivid details from when you were born.  You were due to arrive on my birthday, and as fun as that would be, I really wanted you to have your own day.  The night of my birthday, your Dad made me Spaghetti Carbonara.  In the middle of the night, I woke up with terrible stomach cramps.  I momentarily forgot about being pregnant (as if!) and figured I might have had one too many pieces of crispy bacon (something you still love yourself).  Four hours later, the cramps were still there and I woke up your Dad.

I waited until 9 am to call the doctor and then packed my bag to go to the hospital.  I wasn’t one of those who had her bag packed weeks before.  Thank goodness you weren’t in any hurry to come!

There was an episode of Friends, where Rachel is pregnant, about to have her baby, and she’s in the hospital bed.  She’s waiting.  And waiting.  And waiting.  She hears people come in, have their baby, and leave.  And she’s still there.  That was me.  With you.  Twenty seven hours it took you to finally come, just enough to have your own special birthday, two days after mine.

And now here we are.  In another month, you’re going to enter third grade (third grade!!!), and a new school.  You’re excited, although just a eensy bit nervous, but I know you’ll do fine.  You are such a different kid than you were last year … less timid, way more outgoing.  You have come out of your shy shell so much that I’d really like to find just a few pieces of the shell to put back on!

I loved watching you sleep when you were a baby, and still love watching you sleep now.  Mouth wide open, softly snoring, sometimes having full conversations as if you’re wide awake, your little stomach going softly up and down.  Too cute!  Although I wouldn’t tell you that, because we’re at the age where you get embarrassed about such things.

LIKES:  iTouch, bothering your sister, loving your sister, your cousins, iCarly, skateboard sneakers, Heelys, Penne with Vodka sauce, music, swimming, salad, doing handstands under water, Silly Bandz (particularly the hard-to-find tie-dye ones) and art.

DISLIKES:  still most green vegetables, getting up in the morning, the dark, taking time to do anything slowly.

You are bright, funny, quirky and completely adorable, even if you think you are getting too old for some things.  You have a little bit of a mouth on you and come with a wallop of attitude, but we’re working on it.  You are helpful, considerate and kind and love being the man of the house.  You are a great big brother, and we’re so lucky to have you as part of our family.  It wouldn’t be the same without you.

xoxo

Mom

When he turned seven…

When he turned six…

When he turned five…

When he turned four…

When he turned three…

P.S.  No pictures tonight.  I usually add a picture (as you can see from the previous years’) of Nick wearing his Birthday Boy shirt.  The shirt he wore last year is too small now, and after two trips to the craft store, an hour of crafting and about twenty bucks, Nick decided he didn’t want to wear the new shirt.  Apparently he’s too old for such things now.  I get it, completely, but it makes me just a bit sad.  I’m not ready for him to be too old for things!  I do have a picture to add, when the laptop cooperates, hopefully tomorrow.

The reason he was most excited about turning 8 today?  He finally doesn’t have to sit in his booster seat.  The rule is 8 years old or 80 pounds.  He has been asking me, pretty steadily, for the past year and a half when he could stop using the booster seat.  Today was the big day!

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Posted In: Narrative

Comments

  1. Melissa says

    August 3, 2010 at 1:34 am

    Happy Birthday Nick! Isn’t it amazing how quickly the years seem to go. My son will be 8 this year as well. I am so enjoying these years and watching him grow into a young man. It truly is something special.

    Reply
  2. Joanne says

    August 3, 2010 at 6:21 am

    Nick is moving up in the world! Happy birthday to him! These letters of yours are very sweet and such a great idea.

    Reply
  3. Casey says

    August 3, 2010 at 7:08 am

    Good for you for sticking with the booster. So few moms do these days. I had Carter in his until the day he turned 8…..even though he was over 80 pounds.

    Happy birthday, sweet boy!

    Reply
  4. Kris #40 says

    August 3, 2010 at 7:27 am

    Happy 8th Birthday Nick! Have a wonderful day!

    Reply
  5. Debbie says

    August 3, 2010 at 8:01 am

    Happy Birthday Nick…Hope you have a wonderful birthday!!!!

    Reply
  6. Cate says

    August 3, 2010 at 8:29 am

    Casey – you ain’t kidding. A lot of his friends get in the car and complain that they have to sit in a booster. “But I don’t have to in my car!” I don’t care. My car, my rules. :)

    Reply
  7. Patsy says

    August 3, 2010 at 8:37 am

    Nick is so much like my 8 year old! Must be something about the months leading up to the 8th birthday and the shyness suddenly dimenishing (I know that has to be spelled wrong!).

    Happy Birthday to Nick! Hope it was a fabulous day. One day he will love to be able to look back at this blog and see how you shared bits of him growing up.

    Reply
  8. Ramona says

    August 3, 2010 at 10:43 am

    Happy B’Day Nick! Luv the post. Hope you are having a very special birthday. LOL…even though I think you’ve had 3 parties so far!

    Reply
  9. Meg says

    August 3, 2010 at 1:37 pm

    Happy birthday to Nick! Hope he had an awesome day.

    Reply
  10. Suzi says

    August 3, 2010 at 8:31 pm

    Happy Birthday Nick!
    You are an awesome kid! Your Mom has written so much about you and your sister..i think my favorite is what a great big brother you are..you have a kind heart…your Mom is rightly proud!

    Have a great birthday!

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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