It's The Little Things :D

Locking people out of the car and pretending to drive away.


Finding money you didn't even know you had lost.


Being the first table to get called up to the buffet at a wedding reception.


The gas arrow.


When you pull up to a red light and the guy in front of you nudges up just enough so you can make a right turn.


Wearing clothes fresh out of the dryer.


Any food that requires wet naps and a stack of napkins to eat it.


Making a stack of pancakes that looks exactly like the stack on the box.


The smell of rain on a hot sidewalk.


Sweat pants aka track pants aka jogging pants aka commmmfy.


Perfect parallel parking on the first try.


Adrenaline.


Finally getting apiece of that popcorn kernel out of your teeth that has been in there allll day.


Getting a trucker to blow their horn!


When you're really tired and almost asleep and someone places a blanket on you.


Hanging your hand out of the window of a car.


When the only other person in the elevator is going to the same floor as you.


Taking your shoes and socks off after a really long day.


Getting piggy-backed anywhere.


The smell and sound of a campfire.


The other side of the pillow.


Crying.


When the socks from the dryer all match up perfectly.


Pushing those little buttons on a soft drink cup lid.


WHen a public bathroom has paper towels instead oh hand dryers.


The smell of crayons.


The sound of rain from inside a tent.


Seeing someone laugh in their sleep.


That moment at a restaurant after you see your food coming from the kitchen and before it lands on your table.


Dangling your feet in water.


Placing the last piece of the puzzle.


The final seconds of untangling a really big knot.


A long hug when you really need it.


Peeling your socks off under the sheets.


Taking your pony tail out.


That one guy in wal-mart that knows exactly where every thing is and is always willing to help even if it's not in his department.


Drawing on steamy mirrors with your fingers.


Nudging the shower faucet a little bit hotter than just a little bit hotter.


Giant morning stretches accompanied by stupid noises.


Finally peeing after holding it forever.


When your pet noticed you are in a bad mood and comes to see you.


When a baby falls asleep on you.


When someone who doesn't like pizza crust gives you their pizza crust.


Boat waving.


When a Christmas tree gives off the only light in the room.


Laughing at a stranger with another stranger.


When you find that spot on a dog that makes it's leg go crazy.


Driving down an old road with trees that touch and form a canopy over everything.


That moment when you get to the top of a hill on a rollercoaster right before you go down.


When you hear someone's smile over the phone.

SUPER EXCITED ABOUT TTC!

Growing up as an only child, I didn't really feel jealous of my friends with siblings — but now I do. My parents are divorced, my mom remarried. My childhood, in retrospect, was lovely in many ways but also lonely. I had an imaginary friend in our poop green colored refrigerater, put on Broadway shows all by myself in our front yard and cut all of my barbie dolls hair off out of boredom. And now, I wish there was someone who was there with me when it all happened, someone who could help me decipher my mom’s bouts of depression while going through a divorce and my dad’s alcoholism. I also worry about taking care of my mom all by myself as she ages. I imagine this crazy household where my husband and I co-habitate with my mom, my mom’s husband, and their three dogs. But of course I will take them in with open arms, my Mom raised me all by herself and I would do any thing for her I just hope our house is bigger by then!

My husband, on the other hand, has two sisters. Now I know that, like all families, they too had their unique quirks and issues, their embarrassing and strange moments. Except Justin got to live through it all with his sisters. It’s not like they talk constantly about their past — or even always get along in the present. But when you spend time with the three of them, it’s obvious they share a common history, a common language and culture all its own. I envy their inside jokes, their years-old traditions, their arguments and alliances. I think it would be amazing to know two adults who knew you when you were small, when you were at the very beginning of who you are.

The thought of all of this is one of the many reasons we have decided to try again to have another baby. Because we think that having a sibling will make Stori's life better, and ours, too. Stori certainly did.

There have been times when we are out as a family, hiking, at the circus or just eating at a restaurant etc.and I stop for a minute and take it all in. The crying from Stori but more importantly the laughing. The things she has learned and the little lady she is becoming. I love the occasional glance Justin and I share when we are both thinking "we made that" while staring at Stori. I notice women around me calming their new babies and instead of cringing, I am now able to trace the path that had led from there to here. Without all the mess, the sleepless nights, the anxiety, we couldn’t have had all of these perfect days. I close my eyes, and I can finally see it: another perfect day, when instead of the three of us, we would be four.

I've Learned

I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on and it will be better tomorrow.

I've learned that some people just aren't meant to be in your life and you have to accept that. You probably learned something from them.

 I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

 I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life.

 I’ve learned that making a “living” is not the same thing as making a “life.”

 I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

 I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.

 I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. 

I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.

 I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that it really is about the little things in life.

 I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

 I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.