babylux ** thoughts on a domestic life

Our family adventures. First there was Europe, then there was Rosemary, then Anthea. Now we are home. We added one more for good measure--welcome, Murray! Want the full story? About Me See the Archives Read posts about Rosemary and posts about Anthea and posts about Murray. Read my letters to Rosemary and more letters to Rosemary. Read my letters to Anthea and more letters to Anthea. Plus, letters to Murray and more letters to Murray. See a bunch of family videos. See belly pictures from my first pregnancy and belly pictures from my second pregnancy and my third pregnancy. Read Rosemary's birth story and Anthea's birth story and Murray's birth story. See Rosemary by week and by month. See Anthea by week and by month. See Murray by week and by month. Got a question? Ask. Or, contact me via email. **All photographs and words © babylux.tumblr.com unless otherwise stated, and may not be used without permission** Amazon.com Widgets Amazon.com Widgets

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Murray drew this for me at school and folded it four times and put it in an envelope with stickers. I don’t want to forget his face when he pointed out me and him, when he told me that was a heart above us.

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Mama, I look just like Captain America.

Murray, as I placed red, white, and blue bows and leis on his bike this morning.

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Do you wish time would speed up or slow down? For me it’s both, every day. Today, Thursday: I had a call with my boss in London, and later my coworkers in Singapore and Canada, and the world seemed smaller. I also made a k’nex rollercoaster for Murray and, later, homemade pizza. And extracted a Koopa Trooper head from the garbage disposal, then cleaned up a Croc the dog ate alone in the dark backyard. I read a chapter from my book and some news that sucked. I want to put sadness and expectation somewhere, but they just sit together on the shelf with hope and wonder. There is nothing to look forward to. There is everything to look forward to. You should hear how annoying this track sounds whipping past the cardboard shark. And how much it delights my 4-year-old, who will never be this little again.

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I’m sure we’ll all look back on this fondly. Murray was on Splash Mountain floating through the lower ride and we passed the big drop above us. He looks up as people are going down screaming and says, “Oh there’s Splash Mountain! I don’t wanna go on that one!”

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I was reading old posts. Letters and notes and photos and updates of the girls when they were babies. I wrote about them smiling and growing teeth and eating Indian food and first steps. Milestones so minute yet monumental. One day you look up and….

Weeks and days when I couldn’t believe how fast they were growing.

I still can’t believe it. My babies are such actual people now. Such strong little women.

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Our library has this stuffed Mouse from If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, of which Murray is very fond of both the books and tv series. He saw it there and fell in love. When this guy arrived at our house from eBay this morning he was so happy. “I’m just going to sit in my chair and look at Mouse for a bit,” he said. They’re off taking nap now and I was told they’ll need some cookies when they wake up.

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Last day of school for these cuties.

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After the girls’ performance of The Greatest Show.

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Twinning with Grandma Jane.

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Murray’s passions in life: Water slides, rollercoasters, fans, smoke detectors, the Beatles’ song “Obla-Di Obla-Da,” corn dogs, and pants with food on them. 😅

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My sweet Anthea is 7! She had an LOL themed swimming party last weekend with lots of friends and fun. Today, on her actual birthday, Andrew volunteered at her school. I brought in cupcakes and we went to Red Robin for dinner. She got lots of LOL stuff and blue roller skates. I will say this every year, but time is going too fast. It seems like just yesterday she was in a crib, I was rocking her to sleep, she fit in one arm, her feet stretched in soft footie pjs. If I focus on it, I can still remember minute details: the shape of her baby head, the weight of a newborn in my arms, the ringlet curls of toddler Anthea Bee, the Minnie-Mouse voice she somehow grew out of. She’ll always be my baby girl, my counterpoint, the most beautiful soul, and probably the tallest in her class. She’s the coolest kid. The best joke-teller, because she’ll knock you down with her wit. She’s intelligent and sweet, giving and generous, strong-willed and always surprising us. She’d eat cheese and juice for every meal. She reads as well as someone much older and is a good big sister and friend. We love you, kiddo!

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Legoland, Vegas, and very tired kids.

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Universal Studios part 2.

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Universal Studios.

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When Murray met Kylo Ren, he said “Are you ready to join the Dark Side?” And Murray replied, “Do you gave lollipops?” This tells you everything about Murray. 😂

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Murray’s face on Gadget’s Go-Coaster. Plus, meeting up with my cousin Shannon and her kids. And Pooh Bear!

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Disneyland day 2. One of the best things this year was going on the big rides with Rosie check out that Splash Mountain face). Also Murray and the characters. And Anthea’s continued love of Small World. It rained a lot this year, which sucked.