Oh to be Three Again!

My Dearest 3 Snowflakes,

Well I guess this is as good a time than ever to pick up our sweet story. No time like the Present!

August. Can you believe it? I swear we were just putting away the Christmas decorations (ok, for the most part we were...) Here we are at the end of the Summer with so much that happened and so much on the horizon. It is hard to know where to start! But rather than playing catch up at the moment, I think the best place to pick up is where the blog all started.

Happy Birthday Mommy's Best Big Boy Isaac!

I cant believe my sweet little Sir Isaac is four years old! Or as you like to say "Three Again". I have to tell you buddy, these past four years of my life have been nothing short of pure bliss with you. You are growing up to be one heck of a little guy! All personality and good looks too! YOu definitely have it all - and we couldnt be more proud of you!

For the most part, the past four years have been a whirlwind blur of diapers, sleepless nights, hair -raising tantrums, sticky hands, and dirty feet! Honestly, I dont think I can remember anything before four years ago! I feel like you have always been a part of me - my little inner voice reminding me of what is important in life and how to savor the feeling of seeing the world through the eyes of child. Not to mention the geographical whirlwind we have been on too! Five years, seven houses, three states - and counting!! You have been such a trooper! Putting up with Mommy and Daddy's crazy adventures and seamlessly falling into your role as our Mini-wanderer!

This past year you have definitely stepped up to the plate as the Best the Big brother! Going from our center of the universe to sharing the spotlight with your little brother AND sister was a HUGE task and everyday I am seeing the bond between you all strengthen. As a mom that is all I can ask for! And as a big brother I can promise you you are building a relationship that can never be broken and someday you will look at Jake and Lucy as more than Screaming little toy thieves - at least I hope you will!

You have made us the proudest Mama and Papa ever! You are Mommy's Best Big Boy and Daddy's Little Buddy - and best Worker Man! You are always the light of the party with a style and swagger all your own! I love watching you come into your own and seeing the little man your are becoming! Your insight on the world gives me faith in the future - and I know you will do great things with your life. You make me believe that sometimes your dad and I may be doing this parenting thing right.  I thank God for each night I get to tuck you in because I know in the morning you will be one day closer to being the big boy who doesnt need his 'HoHo" blankie or want his mommy to tuck him in. I know I am a bit overwhelming at times but



 I can only hope we are creating a childhood full of magic and wonder and not one that you will have to recover from! I know I cant keep you my little boy forever but I dont want to miss a thing! I dont want you to ever grow out of the little things that make my day - like seeing you snuggle up in a basket of warm clothes from the dryer or hearing the jingle of your Binky clip as you climg into bed.
 I want each day to be full of unimaginable magic and nonsensical laughter yet with strong roots that remind you who you are and where you came from. I want you to be strong and independent with an open mind and heart all of your own, yet know that Mommy and Daddy will always be there for you and support you in all you do.

Happy Birthday To My one-of-a-kind-Pickle-Eatin-Cowboy-boot-wearin-rock-collecting-monster-truck-jammin-superhero-lovin-worker-man! Let's see if we can get one more year out of that "Birthday Boy" shirt! I love you to the Moon and Back and more than all the stars in between!

I Love you all so much!
Love, Mommy

Words to Live By

My Dearest 3 Snowflakes,

As always - it has been awhile - as always - life has kept us busy (thankfully). the winter has been long and the spring has been gray - and through it all you have  been growing and growing and I have been loving the daily experiences and adventures we have been having and the memories we are creating.

Amid the crafts, the physical achievements, the tantrums, the activities, the breakfasts, the ice cream stops, the trips, the daily ups and downs, I cant help but feel a little bit of sadness. Sadness not because of you all - but Sadness for you all - and for all of the children of the world today.

Last week was a rough week. Nuclear tension, Bombs, Terrorists, Manhunts, Explosions, Destructions, Earthquakes and Flooding - and those were just the ones that made the headlines. As I watched the Boston terror unfolding on the TV, I couldnt help but think:  what is this world coming to? What kind of world are we creating for our kids? How can I protect you from all of this evil? What kind of world will you inherit? Will the madness ever really end? Has all the 'progress' we have made in the world really led to progress or will it ultimately lead to our destruction?


Sometimes I just have to shake my head and try not to make sense of it all. Not because I want to be oblivious (although sometimes I think that would be nice) - but because there is no sense to be made of it. This week a family will lay an 8 year old boy to rest merely because he was eating an ice cream cone and watching his Dad at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Where is the sense in that? There is no justifiable end to counteract the pain that family is suffering. What good is placing blame when it cannot undo the outcome? How do you pick up the pieces? How do you move on with the rest of your life? How do you not let the sadness and fear consume you? How do you to pick up your head and rise above? I do not know the answers and I pray to God I never find myself in the situation to have to figure them out.

 In the past few days I have written and deleted this post numerous times for fear of sounding too depressing and too negative. Now I realize I my biggest fear is sounding HOPELESS. The Sadness and fear will eventually subside but living without hope is not really living at all and I do not want my children to live in a world without hope.  As my dear friend has reminded me  - in the words of Frederick Douglas: "Its easier to raise strong children than to repair broken men." It is my responsibility as your mother and as a child of God and this World to secure the world for our children. We can't let the evil win. We must be the change we want to see in the world.



Parents, we are the example, we set the standard for which our children should aspire to and surpass! We have the choice to foster fear and hate in our kids or fill them with love and acceptance. It is our responsibility to teach our children how to make Good Choices. Of course our views will never all be the same - but if we learn to  simply be nice to one another and show some empathy maybe, just maybe, we can alter the course of where this world is headed -  If not for ourselves, then maybe for our children.

And you my Three Snowflakes, I promise you I will do all I can do to steer the course of your world in the right direction. I may not have it 100% correct all of the time, actually I can promise you that, but I will do my best everyday (psst - I can  probably do even better if you would all let me sleep thru the night once in awhile!)

To the family of those hurt and killed in the Boston bombings and the Texas fires my heart breaks for you and I hope you know the nation is behind you as you try to heal from these unthinkable tragedies. You are in thoughts and our prayers and will not be forgotten and may God Bless you all and America.

To my Isaac, Jakers, and Lucy I love you to Moon and back!

Love, Mommy

Gramma Maberta

Halloween 2009

My Dear 3 SnowFlakes,

Here we are in a snowy, chilly February already! Hopefully spring is peeping around the corner. We have had one hectic, roller coaster winter havent we? Holidays, birthdays, snow days - and of course sicknesses too! I think we were all a little excited when that silly groundhog saw his shadow!

Someday I hope you kids read these blogs and get just a glimpse of how much I love you  - and how much fun (and work) your dad and I have had with the honor of being your Mommy and Daddy. Parenting isnt always easy - and it isnt always fun - but it is always a blessing and your dad and I try our hardest to remind ourselves that each and every day.

Isaac in Gramma's sink!

Although none of you knew it, this past week was no exception to the trials of being both a parent and a child. This week your daddy and I had the unfortunate honor of saying Goodbye to your dear Gramma Maberta. In what has to have been one of the worst days of your Daddy's life, I have to admit I was a bit taken by the  strength he has shown throughout this whole ordeal and I can honestly say I have never loved your Daddy more then I do now. It is said you can tell a lot about the father a man will be by the relationship he has with his mother - and this week your daddy has proved he is nothing short of a stellar Daddy, Partner,  and Son.

November 2009

Although you did not get to see Gramma nearly as much she or we would have liked, there is no doubt she loved the three of you very much. She was so proud to show you all off at any given chance. Her walls  - which were once covered with her amazing artwork -  now tributes to our three little snowflakes. In hindsight it seems so obvious there was more we should have done. We should have called more, visited more, been better at keeping in touch. But thanks to Skype we were able to partially bridge the geography gap, and near the end I am sure seeing you little ones on the computer were the motivation she needed to get through the day.

November 2010

There was always a special place in her heart for you Isaac. I am sure she saw her 'baby Jason' every time she looked at you. You were the one who made her a Grandmother - and eventually coined her GrammaMaberta.  Gramma was sure you were going to be an artist like her and your Daddy. She thought for sure you had the gift - a gift Mommy surely NEVER received! Her last visit here you two spent hours in the basement painting and playing with clay. She commented how you had such an eye for detail and great concentration when you were painting (concentration??? my Isaac??). I hope she is right! I hope her passion for the arts has rubbed off on you too -  as it has on your daddy.  She loved you with all her heart and I know her spirit and memory will live on in you.

In Daddy's Baby Clothes!

Lucy and Jake, it will be up to Mommy, Daddy and Isaac to teach you about GrammaMaberta as you grow up. Unfortunately time was not on your side with her. Although you had but a year of your life with her, she loved you as if you two were always here. She beamed with excitement - and disbelief - from the moment she found out the TWO of you would be entering the world! She had plans for both of you! Lucy, I am sure Gramma Maberta was going to shower you with Jewelry, make up, and 'girly' trinkets - and Jake - she was sure you were going to be musical. She thought that from the first time she laid eyes on you. And I have no doubt she would have spent hours with the three of you making art projects and getting all covered in paint and glue!

Halloween 2012

 I regret that she wont be here to see you all grow up. I regret she wont be here to see HER baby grow into his role as a extraordinary father and my better half. And I regret I will never get to thank her for the amazing job she did raising the man of my dreams. I know it was not always easy for her, but through her struggles she managed to raise an amazing man. A man who is not only loving and strong - but adventurous, dependable, and loyal as well.  I take solace in knowing she is watching over all of you and she is finally at peace. Roberta you can rest assured knowing I will forever be taking care of your 'baby' as well - my biggest baby! :)

Chritmas 2009

Your Daddy and I will make a point of keeping the memory of Gramma Maberta alive in all of you as you grow up. Whether it is her love for the West or her passion for art and animals, I know she will always be a part of our life . I can already see a future scenario playing out: Me, feverishly fretting because one of you is not living your life the way I would have planned you to - and Daddy, coyly reminding me how Gramma Maberta never intended on her baby falling for an older, Catholic, East coast girl and moving him across the country. I can already feel my eyes rolling! THanks Gramma!

We love you and will miss you Gramma Maberta. May you Rest in Peace. xoxo

Love you all,
Love, Mommy

Happy Birthday Times Two!

My Dearest Snowflakes,

It appears this post will make it out before the Christmas post and before the year in review post. I dont know whats going on with the time machine people - but somehow it is now the end of January.



Its not only the end of January - but January 25. Which means one very short year ago our family trip to the Franklin Institute was preempted by the grand entrance of one certain Master Jacob Ronald Olmsted and one Miss Lucy Snow Olmsted. So much for the dinosaur exhibit!

By all accounts, this has undoubtedly been the shortest, fastest, most insane year of my life. One year ago today - when not puking my guts up in post surgery delirium - I didn't know how we were going to make it through the first week let alone the first year. Now, 365 days later, I still do not know how we all made it here!  It has had its ups and its downs - and more diapers then I could have ever imagined - but I would not trade a second of it for the world! Now, if only I could remember more of it! It went so quick it is like a blur!

Now here we are one year later and I find myself not able to remember a time before you both were here. Isaac doesnt remember being a only child - although he has asked if we can give Lucy "back" a time or two.

My Lucy Goosey - aka Boo - aka Goobs - aka Lulu Belle




I remember the moment the doctors put you in my arms - I thought 'Dear God, what am I going to do with a girl??? I am the least feminine person I know!" (I am sure your Uncle Ronnie thought the same thing!)  365 days later I can see I do not have to worry about that! You are crazier and more manic than I ever could've imagined - just like your Mommy! I Love it!

You are such a trip I do not even know where to start. The facial expressions? The overly dramatic screams? The flailing body? The tantrums? The way you can stuff an entire loaf of bread in your mouth while stealing food off your brother's tray? Im pretty sure you got that all from me! God Help me.
I wonder if you will be as rough and tumbly when you grow up as you are now. From the looks of things you have your mommy's lack of dainty-ness too!

Oh My Boo, I can tell we are going to have so much fun together! You are the reason I tell myself everyday to be the kind of woman I would want my daughter to be. My Daughter. Who would have ever thought! I hope I can teach you to be  strong and independent with a little bit of sassy and smart assy to boot! You are going to be the one to drive Isaac bonkers and I bet you have your Daddy wrapped around your finger by the time you are 2!

Happy Birthday and I love you my little Lulu Belle - dirty face and all!

My Jakers McQuakers
My little man with the mega-watt smile and eyes! One year ago, I remember touching your tiny hand and wanting so bad to hold you! Nine months is nothing compared to the 48 hours I had to wait to snuggle you in my arms. And what a snuggler you are! You may want to teach your brother and sister some of that some day! Those two are like snuggling a wet cat - you on the other hand - are Mr. Love & Cuddles. No wonder Noni rocks you all night long!

What an amazing year we have had! A year ago I was panicking on how we were going to figure all "this" out.- Now here we are and I just cant seem to remember what I was actually worried about. You are truly a Blessing and a Miracle! Sure you have given me my fair share of grays and wrinkles already - and we got to spend New Years Eve in the hospital - but just think of the stories we will be able to tell! I wouldnt change a second of it - well except for the Philly ER visit - that was kind of gross and (thankfully) pointless! :)




I think Uncle Ralphie better watch out - I think there is going to be a new Mr. Personality in town in a few years! Jakers I hope you always keep that aura of contagious happiness about you. Happy Birthday Quakers! You are my perfect little man exactly how you are and We couldnt be prouder of you!



And of course then there is my Best Big Boy Isaac.

We did it Buddy! YOU did it! We survived our first year with twins! You survived your first year as a big Brother! And I have to tell you how proud we are of you! You have made so many adjustments in the past year - and you have done it all flawlessly! You became a Big Brother  (twice!) - we moved (twice!) - you started school - and you got a girl friend ...or two, or three...

What an amazing kid you are! I couldn't be more proud of you! You are growing up so quickly these days. Its hard to remember you are only three years old! I see the changes gradually - no more Curious George and Super Why now its Superheroes and Army trucks.  Everything is "I can do it" these days too. I can tell my days of being needed so much are numbered. I hate that. And while normally I should be relieved that you are becoming so self sufficient, I cant help but think of how I want to keep you my baby forever.

I asked you the other day if you remembered a time before Jake and Lucy were here - and you replied "Weren't they always here?" I couldnt ask for more!

And then there is you Daddy....

How you and I survived this year I will never know! But....Somehow we made it this far and it's a probably a good idea we keep on keepin on. This year has definitely had its fair share of ups and downs. Yet we managed to weather them all - and we havent killed each other - yet.

If I have learned anything this year is that I cannot do this alone - and more importantly -  I wouldn't want to. We are a team - albeit at times a tumultuous-throttling-each-other's-throat-until-one-says-MERCY! - team. We win together and we lose together - and like it or not we are stuck together. :) And just in case I do not say it enough (and I know I do not...), You are an amazing Daddy and an amazing better half and I cant thank you enough for putting up with me. :)

Well kiddos - my goal of 2013 is to be a little more proactive with the blog. Let's see if you three cooperate with that! Happy birthday to my amazing little Thing 1 and THing 2! You two have brought us so much joy and happiness in the past year it is hard to sum it up into words. Just know that the three of you are loved beyond words and I couldn't be prouder as your Mommy!

I love you all  my little snowflakes! Good Night and Sleep Tight!

Love, Mommy