I am so thankful for the loads of advice offered up by my mom, mom-in-law, grandma, Essie, Angela and pediatrician to help make Alaire a happier baby and allow me to retain my sanity – especially in the first few weeks of motherhood.  From giving baths in the sink rather than the tub, to using Caldesene powder rather than diaper cream, to propping Alaire up while she sleeps to ease congestion, to beginning each nursing session on my finger to ease the initial latch-on pain .  In the “what in the world am I doing?” moments, it has felt like life saving advice.  But, some of the best advice I received came unexpectedly through a text message late on a Sunday evening from my sister-in-law, Nicki.  She wrote, “I was just reflecting on my kids, and really how quickly it goes, and wanted to say to you that no matter how hard and frustrating parenting can be (and it will), the clichés are correct.  Stop, hug, look in their eyes, play, talk, do the boring things they love, love the messy house they make :-).”  Each time I re-read this text I get really choked up.  I know I will need to hear this advice over and over again when I go back to work in the fall, especially if guilt creeps when housework takes a back seat to sitting and holding my lovely beautiful and amazing daughter.

Maternity leave in the summertime is a beautiful thing.  Each day offers a menu of warm weather options including long walks, yoga on the patio or soaking our feets in the kiddie pool.  Most anticipated are our 6 mile walks to meet Graham/Daddy for Friday Lunch Dates.  Alaire wears her sweet little summer dresses (that I feel silly dressing her in on days we stay home) and I proudly sport my running skirts (that I was convinced during pregnancy would never fit again).  Graham and I sip IPAs in the warm summer sun talking about life, our family, Alaire’s adorable new tricks, Kenzie’s feet chewing, Graham’s work projects and what fun meal we should make together for Friday night dinner.  Above all else, I’ll miss these Friday lunch dates with my husband when I go back.  We might just have to figure out a way to continue them…

We all look forward to our almost daily 4 mile walks.  Kenzie gets to sniff and show her baby off to the neighborhood dogs, I get my beloved excercise and Alaire gets a nice long nap bumping and swaying along in the BOB stroller.  But on Wednesday’s walk, no nap!  Alaire stayed awake during the entire stroll.  To my amazement and amusement, every time we walked under trees, her eyes grew wide and bright.  At first I thought a bump in the sidewalk caught her by surprise, but the pattern continued every time we strolled under trees.  I told her that Grandpa Vail (who is a retired forester) will be proud!  Watching Alaire’s wonder of the trees makes me so incredibly excited to witness all of her next discoveries.  Be curious Alaire – for curiosity is one of life’s most exciting gifts that will lead you to many adventures!

The first post is dedicated to our dear friends, Eric & Essie Stutzman and their gorgeous children, Jonas & Alice.  Essie started the little stutz blog just after the birth of Jonas and we love the chance to read about their funny moments, see photos and watch the kids grow up from afar.  Inspired by Essie’s beautiful storytelling of life’s every day moments, I shamelessly steal her idea to share Alaire’s life with our family and friends.