Garden Gnomes

Maine, 2015

Just a few snaps from our end of the week visit to Camden, Damariscotta, and the Botanical Gardens in Boothbay (it happened to be 'fairy Friday' and Axel had a wonderful time running around in the grass with his wand.

Lately

Maine, 2015

It feels a little like our summer is winding up as we head back to New York a week from today.

It's also the eve of Axel's third birthday, though we're not celebrating until Sunday.

And what a funny little fellow he is. This morning at the beach, I left Ozzy playing contentedly on a patch of sand for a while and Axel came up to me and said, "You forgot your baby."

It's wild to think that three years ago this week, this is what we were up to.

Oscar: Seventeen Months Old

Oscar, 2015

Here is sweet, tough, funny Ozzy at seventeen months old. His favorite words include: mama, no, down, car, ball, boat, oh no, uh oh, car, and dog. He is especially fond of ice cream.

And here's a look at his big brother at the same age.

North Haven

Maine, 2015

Just back from our annual siblings and outlaws trip to Nebo Lodge on North Haven island. The bump and I managed to join in on a fifteen mile bike ride in the blazing sun, but it was all worth it for the fresh focaccia from Calderwood Hall and the window of time away from the little ones.

Lately

Maine, 2015

Give me an excellent club sandwich and I am a happy woman. Axel appears to feel the same way about ice cream, wheelbarrows, and boats.

Herding

Maine, 2015

The tempo in Maine can be a little intense with so many children underfoot, but Oscar in particular seems to love being in the thick of things, truly believing he is central to the game, whatever it is.

Once in a while I have a pang of missing city life, but then I see all the new words Axel is learning (paddleboard, lever, dinghy, hermit crab) or watch Oscar get more and more sure-footed, running, throwing balls, and climbing anything and everything and it's pretty clear that they're in heaven. Even their little scrapes and splinters and bruises feel like a testament to a good summer.

I am also trying to relax into the chaos that is my life most of the time now; obviously with a third on the way the dust isn't going to clear anytime soon. Have to figure out how to find my zen in the middle of it all, somehow.

Lately

Maine, 2015

A fresh batch of cousins have arrived and both boys have been thrilled with all of the older kids.

We are generally happy but pretty tired since Axel has decided he'd much rather come into our bed (and kick us as he flails about) than sleep through the night in his own, plus Oscar wakes up at 6:15 regardless.

I guess we'll catch up on sleep in five years or so?