Friday, June 24, 2011

The Luckiest

Okay, so I was just feeding Paloma on the couch listening to Pandora Internet Radio through our BlueRay player on the TV. We have a bunch of stations set up, but I was listening to the Joshua Radin Radio channel. (Do yourself a favor and set that station up - you won't be disappointed.)

Anyway, for those of you not famliar with Pandora, you create stations based off musical artists that you like. You type in their name, and then Pandora will play you similar artists to the one you chose. It's a great way to discover new music that you will most likely love.

So, I had just turned it on, and of course it played 4 great songs in a row; 2 I knew, 2 I didn't. Then Ben Folds came on. A song called The Luckiest. Paloma was done eating, we were working on her burp (I know, I know), and I instantly got filled with emotion. I knew the song. Very well, in fact.

When Solon and I were dating, I would leave notes on his car, just to let him know I was thinking about him. It progresses all the way through our engagement. As we were approaching our wedding (6 years ago), I wrote out the lyrics to this song because they reflected what I felt about him, and our future.

Here are the lyrics:
The Luckiest by Ben Folds

I don't get many things right the first time
In fact, I am told that a lot
Now I know all the wrong turns, the stumbles and falls
Brought me here

And where was I before the day
That I first saw your lovely face?
Now I see it everyday
And I know

That I am
I am
I am
The luckiest

What if I'd been born fifty years before you
In a house on a street where you lived?
Maybe I'd be outside as you passed on your bike
Would I know?

And in a white sea of eyes
I see one pair that I recognize
And I know

That I am
I am
I am
The luckiest

I love you more than I have ever found a way to say to you

Next door there's an old man who lived to his nineties
And one day passed away in his sleep
And his wife; she stayed for a couple of days
And passed away

I'm sorry, I know that's a strange way to tell you that I know we belong
That I know

That I am
I am
I am
The luckiest

****

So here I am, a little over 6 years later, my eyes overflowing as I hear this song (which is on my iPod with 4,000 other songs, so I don't hear it often), and I am now reflecting on how far we have come together. Still in love, with 3 additions (Forrest 1st, then Quincy, and now Paloma), and we are "making it happen" as Solon likes to say.

I don't know why I got so overwhelmed. Maybe because when you have another baby, the first few months get to be a little like Groundhog Day, where we're just repeating the day over and over. You get a little defeated when you have an awesome (hilarious, smart, sweet, loving) pre-school/toddler, who just happens to be a problem-feeder, who on top of trying desperatley to try new foods, you are also now trying to potty-train him. You get tired. Quickly. But today was a good day. And Quincy ate pretty well, and willingly participated in "potty practice" & wore his big-boy pants for like, 2 hours. And then, I have Paloma in my lap, and at 5-months is a champion eater, loves flavor and can't get enough, and I am just overcome with joy and fulfillment at my beautiful family (with Forrest on the couch next to me).

And Pandora hasn't played a single bad song yet!!! Like a said, today is a good day. No, GREAT day.

And I am thankful. I am the "Luckiest".

Forrest


Quincy (through our video monitor showing how he sleeps with his cars lined up next to him)


Paloma, my champion eater


My Solon, where it all started


Saturday, June 11, 2011

Paloma is 5 months!


Five months old, and the happiest baby I have ever met.
Paloma is eating solids now like a champ, and lights up everytime Solon walks in the room. She absolutely ADORES Quincy & Forrest, and laughs when I sing pirate songs from The Backyardigans. She has a really cute laugh. Paloma is exploring with her mouth - everything goes there first - and her newest trick is taking off her socks and trying to eat her feet. She is so cool. Solon and I have been truly blessed with our little family.

As usual, life hasn't slowed down for us. May began with my Aunt Nancy, Uncle Bill, and cousins Darcy & Kerry coming from Pittsburgh to visit. I LOVE THIS FAMILY. I enjoy every second I get to spend with them. My cousins are so beautiful and talented, and it makes me so happy to see them.
Aunt Nancy & Darcy meeting Paloma for the first time

Kerry Quinn!

Darcy Leigh!

The Jacobs' & Shaffners

Love these girls!

Paloma and her great-grandma Mama Mimi

My awesome aunt & uncle


We did a lot of celebrating for Kellan's 4th birthday with 2 parties and dinner out with all the family.

Kellan had a super-hero birthday party that I made a dessert table for - it was so much fun!


The kids had a blast in the bounce house


Our friend MaryAnn took these amazing pics



Paloma hanging with her Uncle Natan & Aunt Larel


She even got a [fake] super-hero tattoo


Playdate with Oren


Lisa (& Tony) came to town at the end of May to see us

And then flew back with us to Seattle where we visited for Memorial weekend.
We went on the Duck Tour & had a awesome tour guide


The floating house from Sleepless in Seattle!! (my favorite movie)

Everything in Seattle is so lush & colorful.

Lisa & Tony have the most beautiful flowers by their house, so I took advantage of the beautiful weather & snapped some pics of Paloma.



Quincy had so much fun, and got so tired that he fell asleep on the living room floor - he has NEVER done that before!

The other purpose of our trip to Seattle was to attend Vince & Anjie Giovannetti's wedding. Vince & Solon played football at Drake, and Solon was totally honored when Vince asked him to be the officiant and perform the ceremony! He did a FABULOUS job.


Mr. & Mrs. Vincent Giovannetti

Mr. & Mrs. Solon Bell

Elvis impersonators (me & the groom's father)


Drake Bulldogs - Randy, Vince, Luke & Solon

More fun on Grandma Lisa's patio

This is almost the whole group

We got lucky on the flight back - it wasn't full - so Paloma was able to sleep in her car seat which we put in front of Quincy's seat. This way he wouldn't be kicking the back of another passenger's seat.



It wasn't easy traveling with 2 kids (mainly b/c of all their stuff), but we did it, TWICE, in the span of 5 weeks, and I must say that we have it down now. We feel so fortunate to have been able to spend time with our family, and have our children in good hands while we had a little couple time. And we couldn't have asked for better weather. It was the most beautiful we had ever experienced while in Seattle. And Solon's wish was to have seafood EVERY DAY that we were there, and we fulfilled that wish! The food was wonderful!

Since then, we have just been laying low, and now trying desperately to beat the heat.

Here are some extra pics from the month:










Life is good.