5 Days until 3 Years

Julia, like most babies, loved to hear "baby talk." She especially responded to baby talk by Sydney and Isaac. They had the sweetest way of talking to and interacting with her. She would look for them when she heard them around the house and would zero in on them when they talked to her. I also loved to hear Sydney and Isaac talk to Julia. Their love for her, their baby sister, was so evident in their words, their tone, and their gestures. I am thankful that they were so willing to love her with their whole hearts. I am very proud of all of them. 

Cherry Blossoms 2013

The arrival of cherry blossoms is my absolute favorite time of the year in Washington DC. We try every year to make the 20 mile trek downtown to see the cherry blossoms blooming around the Tidal Basin in DC. Some years it is cold. Some years it is rainy. Some years it is perfect weather. This year the weather was perfect when the blooms arrived. Knowing that the peak window for the blooms is only a few days, the kids and I decided to go see them early one morning last week before school. The trees did not disappoint! (Parking is a different story!) I am so thankful that every year at this time I can remember that we shared this special time with Julia.  I think I will always associate cherry blossoms with Julia. I like that. This year was Cohen's first visit to see the trees and he was a trooper!  We had a wonderful morning and even managed to make it back to school only a bit late. :)

2011

2011

Snow Day

Recently we had a few snowflakes fall and stick for a couple of days. After the blizzards we had in the winter of 2010, snow has been scarce here. This was actually our first snowfall since we lost Julia as well as our first dunce Cohen was born.
I thought Cohen should experience his first snowfall and Sydney and Isaac couldn't wait to play outside. Cohen was not too sure about the cold air and the cold, wet stuff we kept sitting him in and putting on his fingers. Oh well! Hopefully we will have lots more snow for him to enjoy.

Halloween 2012 Photos

Halloween 2012

Pumpkin

Hermione Granger

Luke Skywalker

Getting ready to trick or treat!

My Pumpkin Patch

My Halloween Pumpkins!

 All four kids have now worn the same pumpkin as their first Halloween costume.  

For the girls it was a little big, and for the boys it was a little small.  

But they all look pretty cute!

Day 24: Siblings

 Day 24: Siblings

Sydney, Isaac, Julia - Dec 2010

Feb 2011

April 2011

July 2011

Sydney, Isaac, Julia - Nov 2011

Sydney, Isaac, and Cohen

To read a post written by big sister Sydney earlier this year, please click here.


October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month. This national observance month was established in 1988 by President Reagan.  This post is part of Carly Marie's "Capture Your Grief" 31 day photography project for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

Basket Photos

Here are a few of our Cohen in a basket photos...

These are reminiscent of our Isaac in a basket photos...

and the Julia in a basket photos...

and last, but certainly not least, Sydney in a basket.

A Year Ago Today...

...we celebrated Julia's 10 month birthday.  It was a beautiful fall day, and Julia was feeling good and in good spirits.  Julia, Isaac, and I went for a walk and played on the playground. We celebrated that night with a celebratory cake just like every month on the 30th.  She was definitely something to celebrate.  Julia, we miss you terribly, and are thinking of you on your 22 month birthday.  We think of you every single day. Many times a day.  We love you!!! - Mom, Dad, Sydney, Isaac, and Cohen

Growing Up

Isaac started kindergarten this week. Sydney also started a new school at the same time. I already miss both of them terribly. I love having them around all of the time, even the moments when they make me a little (or a lot) crazy. However, my sister reminded me recently of a very important point as her son started kindergarten. This day, this first day of school, of kindergarten or third grade, is a milestone and therefore it should be celebrated as such. One of Julia's legacies to our family is the idea that every day is a gift. My son beginning kindergarten is a gift. My daughter's new school and the new possibilities it brings is a gift. Cohen's amazing growth and all of his milestones are a gift. So I tried to remember that my tears (and there were not too many!) on Isaac's first day of kindergarten and Sydney's first day of third grade, are tears of joy that we get to share such milestones. I am excited for the new school year-- for new friends, new experiences, new independence, and new growth.

Week 2

Happy 2 weeks to Cohen!  He's such a sweet little guy! We had a busy week in addition to the normal newborn stuff.  We attended Isaac's preschool graduation, had a fun visit from Uncle Jamey and Aunt Naomi, and enjoyed a Memorial Day cookout with our neighbors! Here's a look at our growing boy from his second week...

Growing Up

This is a big month for Isaac! Today was his last day of preschool. He has had such a great experience at his preschool over the last two years.  He likes it so much that he wanted to stay another year.  After convincing him that all of his classmates would also be going to kindergarten, he has accepted that he must move up, too. He is now kindergarten bound!

He also lost his first tooth this month.  We did not even know it was loose!  Somehow, during a pizza dinner at Ledo's (his favorite!), Marc noticed the gap in Isaac's teeth! We never found that tooth...

Isaac is also busy playing soccer (for the second season) and tee ball (for the first season) this spring.  He already loves soccer and is still learning all about tee ball.  He has remarkable focus and attention in both sports. No picking clovers in the outfield for this guy!

Finally, Isaac became a big brother again when Cohen was born.  He is very sweet with him, just like he was with Julia. He is a little freaked out by the umbilical cord that has not completely fallen off yet.  :) He has already promised to show and teach Cohen his "awesome moves" when he gets bigger!

Isaac, we are so proud of you!!! We love you very much!