baby Luna

October 14, 2020

Five.

Five. Incredible.

This birthday feels more surreal than the others have. Maybe it’s because it’s 2020 and your year as a 4 year old was cut short thanks to a pandemic. We’ve all been stuck together for 7 months mostly indoors and peppered by some sense of normalcy: a play date at a friend’s, beach days, rides on the boat, car rides to quick photo adventures. Four was hard for you. It hurt you to not see friends, to not run around on a playground, to not go on family adventures. You laughed less, and cried so much more. Mommy did the same.

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October 12, 2018

Three.

I am having a hard time processing the fact that I am writing your THIRD birthday post here on the blog.

Even though you are only 3, your big personality is shining through. I have loved getting to know you, and am going to love every second of continuing to watch you grow and evolve into the amazing human being you are. Sometimes, when you put your face close to mine and giggle infectiously like only you can, I take a moment to take you in. REALLY take you in. And I can’t believe you are mine.

Your imagination is wild, and you love to make believe. Dressing up is your favorite and I can only address you by whomever you are dressed like at that moment or you will quickly prompt me otherwise. You hate conflict and will constantly try to make things right – even when your friends get into disagreements or are sad. You are so social and affectionate. You love to hold hands, group hugs and seeing others smile. Your smile, though, is the one that could light up the whole world.

You love fashion and prefer to wear dresses over anything else. Every day after school, you ask to change into a different princess dress, although if Elsa is an option, you will always choose her. You dance. Constantly. When you aren’t dancing, you are performing a scene from one of your favorite movies or TV shows. You really love PJ Masks and Blippi, and could watch Frozen Fever for hours on a loop. You are easily scared by villains, but love to watch Jurassic World. Blue is your favorite and I’m pretty sure you have a crush on Chris Pratt.

You inherited your mom’s sense of adventure. You are curious and love to explore new situations and places. You prefer to be out and about, but sometimes will ask for home if you are really tired. You love spending time with our friends, and love their attention. You are at your core, a happy child: full of energy and a free spirit. You are playful, talkative and expressive. Your eyes are constantly sparkling with joy, and you have no idea how much my heart swells with unconditional love for you.

I say this often, because it is true. I have no idea how we got this lucky to have you. Sometimes I feel like you can’t even be human. You are so pure and magical and UNREAL. I don’t want anything to taint you. This you I see right now. You make me feel like a child again too, and that has been such a gift. I see the world through your eyes and it is so beautiful, even amongst all the ugly that surrounds us.

Happy third, my lion.
One | Two

All pictures by Agustin Sanchez.

March 29, 2017

Life with Luna: Supercalifragilistic

I know these posts initially started to highlight what Luna was wearing, but it has kind of turned into a very vulnerable window into my life as a mother at different points in Luna’s life. And I’m pretty OK with that. What I’m not OK with at the moment? Transitions.

I’m not going to lie and say that I have everything under control. I don’t.
I wish I could be home with my daughter more than anything in the world. Going back to work full time was not an easy choice. I know I was lucky enough to be able to wait until she was over a year old to make the transition, but it has been just as difficult. I cry. A lot. Like, almost every day. Sometimes it hits me mid day when I’m using the bathroom at work. Sometimes I cry the entire way to work. Having to deal with problems at her current daycare have only made matters worse. So things have been very emotional over here these days, and that is putting it very lightly. Compile other extraneous (and unnecessary) stressors and sometimes I feel like my sanity is being chipped off ~~slowly~~.

However, in the same breath, Luna is spectacular. Our moments during the week when we are together are so special and peppered with so many giggles and hugs. Our routines are smooth, and she is for the most part, a very happy and sweet little toddler. She is still my “wild child,” often running around faster than I can believe and not wanting to hold my hand, but so so loving and amazing. Breathing her in when she is sitting on my lap is better than any anti-anxiety medication, although I still abide by my one-drink-a-night-to-stay-sane rule.

Overall, life is messy. And I don’t have it figured out.
But it’s my mess, with my favorite people. And it’s not really a mess. It’s just life.

Onesie; c/o Younglings
Pants + Cardigan; Target {no longer available}
Shoes; Converse
Hat; H+M {not available online}

ps; any other mommies have lengths of time where they are extremely emotional?

February 8, 2017

Life with Luna: This Kid

Hello fellow freaks and geeks! Good news: I’m alive! My schedule has drastically changed, causing me to not have a lot of time to post frequently, but fear not! I will still have a post a week – you can’t get rid of me that easy. 😉

With that said, I now appreciate my weekends even more. I try my best not to schedule too many extra-curriculars so that I can spend them with the people that matter the most: my little family. Luna has become increasingly difficult to dine with (what do you mean I can’t grab everything on the table and toss it all over the place?), and just wants to run, run…run every time we are in a public space (and don’t try to hold her hand…), but we still find the special moments within the maddening ones. You have to, amirite?

Tees; This Kid Clothing Co. {1 & 2}
Pants; Target

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January 20, 2017

Life with Luna: Tiny Wizard

Although this would mean we birthed a Hufflepuff {gasp!}, my little Luna reminds me a lot of Newt Scamander. She loves animals: all of them. She gets beyond excited whenever she sees a dog or a cat (just recently even said “cat” for the first time), and is a big fan of nature in general. She squeals on our walks whenever she sees an especially lush or tall tree – bonus points if it is swaying in the wind. There’s just so much wonder in those eyes, and I know this is something that is found in all children. Only a certain handful of adults get a chance to carry this with them as they age, and Newt is definitely one of them. I hope she can fit into that elite little group down the line as well.

Onesie; c/o Younglings NYC
Pants; Target {no longer available}
Denim blouse; Old Navy {similar}
Wand; Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Can I also share how magical it truly was to see Luna holding one of my wands? I can’t wait until we can take her to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and she can fully grasp the context!

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