Dear Lily

Dear Lily,
You've been so lovely to be around lately- just a joy. I wanted to write to you to tell you how much I love you.

We've been professing our love to each other quite a bit lately, actually, and those usually involve food; i.e. 'I love you more than chocolate cake.' and 'I love you more than the ice-cream with sprinkles!' You've also taken to randomly saying, 'I love you, Mommy' and it melts my heart. I think it's so important to let others know they're loved-and I sure hope you feel loved every single moment of every single day.

You've got such a funny sense of humor, too. Lately poop and pee jokes are a hot subject in the house.

I also adore that you're a homebody like I am. Our favorite thing to do on weekends is to stay in our pajamas, make sweets and to 'do whatever we want'. Daddy and Rowan need to get out of the house, but not us!

School is going well for you- your best friend is Violet and she's a ball full of energy. When we pick you up from school you and Violet hug each other and then all of the other kids want hugs. Pretty cool.

You have a sweet little singing voice- You're trying to master vibrato. Haven't quite polished it yet, but you get the drift.  Your tone is great, though, and I love hearing you sing.

Anyway, I just wanted to say hello and to remind you how wonderful you are.

Love, Mommy

The reality vacation

It's really been a long time since I posted anything- Seems like time just keeps flying by.

It's early December already, and the holidays are upon us. This is always such an overwhelming time for me because I'm not historically a great traveler. I get anxious.

We recently took a trip to Buffalo Gap to Holly and Jeff's ranch for Thanksgiving. It was Grandma and Grandpa Mayer's 67th anniversary, Grandpa Howard's 90th birthday and was such a great reason for us all to get together.
I didn't get a ton of pictures, but we sure did have a great time.

Rowan was really out of sorts this particular weekend and it took a toll on both Steve and me. I'm sure it got old for the family, too- I felt like I didn't get to spend as much time having converstations with people as I'd have liked. And I know Steve was feeling similarly.

We are quickly coming to the realization of the overwhelming nature of special needs. We get a ton of help, that is for sure. But as the months go by and as Rowan gets bigger it is harder and harder to comfort him when he is upset. We also so rarely know what is even bothering him- and he seems to get the most upset on weekends, which gets difficult. 

He likes his routine and doesn't enjoy being cooped up in the house. We're learning that about him. He's starting to express himself; likes and dislikes, which is wonderful. 

I guess what I'm trying to say is that when we are home and in our own little world- the world seems a bit easier... when we travel and are out of our comfort zones, without certain resources, and are overtired- things are exponentially difficult.

Sometimes vacations do not feel vacation'y.

All in all, though, life is good- Lily is a genius... exhibit A:

And the ride home with Grandma Gretchen and Grandpa Doug was pretty pleasant:)