Happy birthday, dear Mia...

On Sunday, April 29, my Mom would have been 58 years old. As we're coming up on the one year anniversary of her death, her birthday marks the official "last" thing we're experiencing without her for the first time. Some days, her absence feels familiar and manageable. Other days, the loss of my Mom that hollowed our hearts feels like it happened yesterday. I often make myself relive those last few days so I don't forget them. Five of the hardest days of my life. An unreal experience. Maybe that's why I make myself think through all those moments in hospice, to make sure they're real.

We keep her alive in so many ways. Traditions, stories, celebrations.

We had spent Easter weekend in Toledo (post and pics coming soon), as we typically do with Emerson, so we also combined our annual "Easter the Sequel / Eaquel" Lineberger tradition into this past Sunday (hosted by Jessica Rabbit). We had carrot cake whoopie pies on the "special plate" (a random Avon plate my Mom purchased 25+ years ago and used for accomplishments, birthday dinners, etc.), sang happy birthday to Mia, received and gave our baskets, and then headed out to the game.

This is the fourth year of an annual tradition started when Emerson was 8 months old. A family outing to the Clippers game. We have a very generous friend, who loans us his first row, right-behind-home-plate tickets every year. There's not a bad seat at Huntington ball park, but these are the best.

Thanks to Mia, we ended up with gorgeous weather. We all even got a little sun! If you know my Mom, you know how much she cherished that sunshine and a little color on her cheeks.

"Happy birthday to you..."

Daddy got a whoopie cushion in his basket from Jessica Rabbit!

Would you expect anything else from Uncle Jayed?

A few pics of a boy and his Dad...

And a boy and a seal!

He has such a great smile.

And sometimes snarky.

All 7* of us.

A day well spent.

Breeding Baby Sumos

Remember way back when Emerson was born, at a burly 9 lbs. 7 oz.? I had warned my doc for weeks that I was having a large baby. To which he said, "Mmm-hmmm, he/she is probably around 8 lbs." In the delivery room, one of the first things he said to me after "Congratulations!" was "You were right, he is big!"

Well, I just passed the 24 week mark with this pregnancy, and am fairly certain I'm breeding another baby sumo wrestler. I haven't gained a lot of weight, but I certainly have a belly. And have quite a way to go. This child is doing all kinds of flip turns on a regular basis, which creates for big, early movement. Jason has felt some big somersaults the past few nights.

I've been focused on eating really well this pregnancy (eating kale chips as I type), largely in an attempt to not deliver a newborn that looks like a 2-month old. It doesn't seem to matter. I think this little one is already trying to rival big brother.

And I realized recently that these pregnancies were timed JUST right that I get to watch the Summer Olympics again while on maternity leave. Score!

Make it rain!

We recently installed a basketball hoop in the driveway, and Emerson and Jason are two happy little boys! I think there will be many evenings outside enjoying the hoop!

Here's a quick video of Emerson draining a shot!

A Buffalo Bill!

Emerson has always been very physical. Acrobatics in the womb, rolling over at a few weeks old, crawling at 5 months of age, walking at 10 months of age, etc. Since entering toddler hood, it's become even more evident just how much Emerson needs physical activity. The boy has boundless energy. He's used to playmates all day at school, and expects lots of fun on the weekends! To the point that we're totally exhausted at the weekend's end. This is one first-born child that needs a permanent playmate.

We started Emerson in Locker Soccer this past fall, and he loves it! Our newest sporting adventure, is flag football! Now, this is a sport that this Mom can sink her competitive teeth into! Yes, Emerson is three years old. And yes, Emerson is on the P-Squad at that age (Practice Squad). But I can already sense the excitement in him (and us) for what's to come with football! They even had a "draft" where Emerson was selected by the Buffalo Bills. Emerson loved going onstage with the Commissioner of the League!

While five 3-year old toddlers on the field is like herding cats, it really is a blast to watch. Each child has their own interests on the field. Some pick dandelions. Some leave their spot to check out the chip options at the snack bar. Emerson and his fellow Bills teammates are still learning, but you can just see their little grins from ear to ear when they get that ball and get to RUNNNNNN!

I am beyond excited that our Spring weekends will be spent at soccer on Saturdays, and football on Sundays!