Dear Lou,

There is some pressure on you, the (never say never but certainly) last baby. It’s hard to explain, but you are sort of “every baby,” in that you represent love and growth and, well, motherhood in a way. At 15 months, you are a love. You 

- are busy and constantly on the go.

- are full of smiles and very friendly. “Hi!” “Hi!” “Hi!” You like to go up to the pandemic zoom meetings until you see your face, smile big, and yell, “HI!!!!”

- are not a cuddly sort of baby but you would prefer to hold hands and nurse all night, every night. I’m tired. Maren and Mags were very cuddly; Annie was not. You are more like her in that regard except you never discovered your thumb or pacifier. It’s hard to explain, because you adore being held. 

- have become a toddler. Babies must grow up, but I can still be sad about it. Your run for the street and the ocean. You like to go on stroller rides and bike rides.

- talk just a little. “Mama” then a grunt and a point. We all know what you mean.

- love being outside, digging in the dirt, playing in the water, or swinging on the spider web.

Really blonde hair, really brown eye, really tan legs:

Love swinging:

Biking! (Hole-y Harper teeth!)

Easter 1:

Easter 2:

Dear Annie,

We could not ask for a better oldest sibling than you. You embrace the role. Like your mother, you love babies. You rarely complain and possess a naturally sunny disposition. You are bright and kind, and you work hard at dance and school. You love baking and you are a mess doing it. I’m so glad you are in our family. 

Pandemic times:

For pandemic art (you love ballet and pointe):

Crazy hair day at dance:

Easter: 

You are absolutely lovely. I adore you!

Love, Mom

Day 17

Remains much quieter than normal in the ER. The rare report we see says 10 cases in the hospital currently, with 12 PUI.

Already tired of wearing a mask constantly.

Unsettled. The calm before the storm?

Really enjoying homeschool and having my kids home all the time. Maren likes to make jokes in her google classroom when signing in for attendance. She has done, “is Maren here? Check again!” Yesterday, she typed, “This is Maren smells like updog in here!” Luckily Mrs. Zettler responded, “what’s up dog? 😊”

Mags has had the hardest time. She has been crying and upset l, which is unusual for her. 

The above ground pool has been a winner. Meghan the neighbor heard splashing from next door and texted, “did you get an above ground pool?!?! I want one.”

Dear Mare,

Dear Mare,

At nine (9?!?), you are awesome. You are funny, loud, and smart. You were an awesome basketball player this year, a fabulous knitter, and you know how to make people feel loved. You have a humongous heart and are deeply in tune with others’ emotions. You FEEL. You take charge of your homeschool and pretty much everything else in your life. Your CCD teacher told me, “wow, Maren is a great kid. You can just tell she really has it together.” And, while that made us laugh, it has always been true. 

For homeschool art:

I told you that you were like a rainbow during the pandemic when you came out like This:

Easter:

Always on roller blades:

My fellow water girl and swimmer:

Love this picture AND you!

Love you so much,

Mom

Dear Mags,

At four (and a half), you

- are the sweetest, nicest, cuddliest little girl.

- are a maniac on your bike. You learned how to ride about a month ago and now you fly! You put your left hand on the handle and your right hand on the bar inside the handle. You stand, you bounce, you put your feet on the middle bars. 

- have been ROCKING speech therapy but definitely can’t say your “R’s”.

- loved school with Ms Marcella this year and are having a hard time with quarantine. And you’re right. It’s hard and confusing.

- sleep like a rock, are considering oysters for your birthday dinner, and crack us up.

- are just so pleasant. You are funny and just nice to be around.

- are SO LOVED by your family. We just love you so much.

I had to go to Publix and I carried you like a baby.

Baking bread in your pandemic headband;

Easter pose (you love to pose):

So fast!

You are a most loved sister and daughter:

Spring Break posing:

Backyard 💕 

So loved by your sisters. You are easy to love!!

I love you so much, Mags!

Love, 

Mom