March was for savoring the quietude of maternity leave, but April was for finding a new family groove as I returned to the office (can’t say we’ve quite found that groove, but we’re getting there day by day).
Goodness, I dreaded saying good-bye to my babies after seven months of full-time momming… Juliette and I had a good cry in her bed on Sunday night as I tucked her in, which I think was therapeutic for us both; by the time I had to leave the next morning for my first day back, she was cheering me on with, “Don’t miss your bus, Mama! And I love your shoes!” Isaac went with the flow and loved hanging out with Nancy that first week – I think he hardly missed me, but was still awfully happy to land back in my arms at the end of the day.
Shane’s parents came out to visit and watch the kiddos during my second week back at work (the daycare waiting game is no joke!), and both kids ate up the extra attention. Juliette played a song for them on her keyboard and Denny about fell out of his chair as he gushed over her talent. #1 fan, no doubt.
Isaac took to Grandma and Grandpa right away – he loved sitting in Pat’s lap and pulling on Denny’s beard.
Grandma is the BEST baking buddy.
Juliette wowed Grandpa with her batting skills…
And Isaac did what he does best, which is look cute.
We missed them the minute they left – good-bye felt especially hard this time around, as we know Isaac will be so much different next time they seem him and Juliette becomes more emotionally attached to her grandparents with each visit. “It’s just so hard that they live so far away!”, Juliette cried as they hit the road that morning. I know, kiddo, I know!
Once Denny and Pat left and we’d dried our tears, I offered to take Juliette out for a little pick-me-up. It was the last day of her Spring Break, so I thought we were due for an adventure – I gave her a handful of options and she chose a visit to the Space Needle.
We let Isaac tag along because Shane had to work, and because like I mentioned, HE’S CUTE.
There was an hour-long wait to go to the top of the Needle, so we passed some time at the Seattle Center playground.
Baby boy really likes the swing.
And then, it was time!
I haven’t been to the top of the Space Needle since they replaced their wire mesh fencing with these panes of floor-to-ceiling glass, and wowsers! It’s pretty remarkable, stepping off the elevators to an obstruction-free panoramic view of the Sound on a sky-blue day.
Don’t lean back, Juliette! That’s some thick glass, but still…makes my stomach flip.
Chilling on the glass floor…
And our final descent…Â Our Spring Break mini-adventure was a total hit with both kids – such a stunner of a day.
We celebrated Easter morning at home, with bunny ears in bed and goody baskets and the church service streaming while we ate our cinnamon rolls.
Juliette grabbed these ears from the Target dollar bin and was so excited to matchy-match her brother. He really is like the best-ever baby doll sometimes.
Isaac can’t be trusted with hard-boiled Easter eggs, or with jelly bean-filled plastic eggs for that matter, so squeakers it is! These have been the gift that keep on giving.
We put the finishing touches on our Easter treats and then headed over to the Rusts for Sunday brunch.
Hat buddies!
Juliette really wanted to do an egg hunt and the older boys were so sweet to indulge her and join the fun.
Ok, let’s be honest – the thirteen year-old was totally into it.
The photos we’ve taken on these steps! So many memories with this bunch.
Buddy, I promise not to make you wear this headband again (for another 11 months), but lemme tell you…it looks so, so good on you.
And Mama-Jules pics, because hey! I wore something other than leggings on a weekend.
My mom arrived on Easter evening to watch Isaac for week 3 (and 4, 5, 6…). Again, he was a friendly little dude and settled right into Grandma’s arms.
There were a handful of days when Isaac ran her a little ragged (he’s not a dream all the time), but she took it in stride and loved on him throughout the short naps and the bouts of fussiness. Plus, the extra set of hands in the kitchen to cook and clean up was invaluable as I adjusted to my new work day. Shane and I were so, so thankful for her help.
In hindsight we should have done this more often during her time here, but on one precious evening we handed all kid duties to Shane and headed out for a cocktail. We earned it.
April also saw the start of Spring soccer, and Isaac and I have found the lawn at Alki Playfields to be a perfect place to pass a Sunday afternoon.
Juliette gives it all she has every time, zipping up and down the field with flushed cheeks and tired legs. Girl’s got heart.
And softball season continues! Our weekends are a myriad of sporting events, and I love it.
Isaac loves it, too.
April evenings were spent walking around the neighborhood, savoring that fleeting season when the cherry blossoms and the tulips burst with peak color.
Our neighbor, Miss Pat, has an amazing collection of tulips – much as I’d love to make it up to Skagit Valley in the Spring, this suffices.
Isaac had a doctor’s appointment recently where a nurse told me that he had a “very mature face” (like an old man, I believe she meant?), and I see it here. Maybe it’s the pre-bedtime sleepy lines under his eyes!
Juliette bikes around the block while we walk, and we cross paths every now and then.
One of my most favorite cherry blossom trees…
And a Friday morning walk with Nancy for more blossom viewing.
April felt busy as I transitioned to a new work-life balance, but there was still plenty of home time, plenty of hanging out in the yard…
Lounging on the sofa…
Puzzle-doing…
And lazy weekends with late wake-ups (Isaac, take a memo from your sister!).
Onto May – the joy in the juggling act continues.