They are growing fast, here’s a few updated photos of our trio :)
Category: Kristen
Halloween 2014
Hope everyone had a SUPER Halloween!!!
family of 5
August 2014
sweet boys
I love these kiddos and I really, really love being their Momma.
**the photos are from a few months back**
32 years young
It’s been the best day! I have been loved on, cuddled with and cherished by all four of my guys. I laughed until I cried and spent a wonderful day surrounded by those I love the most. 32 is going to be the best year yet!
Underwater family selfies are the best!
Also, this is my 700th post. How can that be?!?
8 years
Eight Years ago we said “I do”. Best decision of my life thus far and it just keeps getting better ;)
happy birthday sweet boy!
Dear Luc,
I know that each birthday (first birthdays more specifically) are bitter-sweet, I know that I will be a big mushy ball of emotions;Â I’ve done this before. However, I also know I will find no greater joy than celebrating YOU today! Luc you are such a joy little one and every day I am so thankful that I get to be your Momma.
Luc you surprised us by coming 20 days early. You were in a hurry to join our family and man am I so glad you did. I didn’t know it at the time but I couldn’t have waited one more day to snuggle you. From the moment you entered the world you have been such a joy. You are a go-with-the-flow, easy-peasy baby. Rarely do you fuss or complain and there is almost always a huge smile on your face. You are the much-needed calm amongst our storm (aka your brothers) and you spread happiness wherever you go. You love to clap and wave and get such joy out of making others smile. I can only imagine what you will do with that gift as you grow. Right now you use it to be a cheerleader and appreciative audience for your brothers but years from now who knows; the sky is the limit. You love music and spinning around with your not always on beat Momma. You fuss occasionally when I have to put you down and do something else after we have been dancing. Which, if we are being completely honest, makes me scoop you right back up and dance some more. You are full on cruising now and while you stand on your own you have yet to take any steps on your own. I am really okay with this, having one more running little one is going to be quite the challenge! You love playing ball, your brothers did too, but you are the first to play endless games of “toss and catch” with me. You bounce any ball you can get your hands on with such enthusiasm and vigorously crawl after it when it manages to get away. You love the water, both pool and tub, and you love to splash until your heart’s content in either. Just tonight the bathroom was filled with the sound of your laughter as you happily splashed away in the tub. Your laughter is heard often in our home; whether it’s laughing at your goofy brothers or just finding joy in the things that surround you. I love the way you babble at us, fully expecting us to know exactly what you are saying. I can’t wait to see and hear the things you will come up with sweet boy, this world is going to be such a happier place because you are in it.
Like I said earlier, the passing of each of my babies’ first year is always bitter-sweet. I want you to grow and flourish and continue to conquer the world but at the very same time I want to hold you tight and have you never grow out of my arms. I know that one day the hugs and kisses won’t be as frequent, that I won’t always be your comfort and that I will long for the times when you were squishy and would fall asleep on my chest. I snuggled you for a little bit extra last night savoring the last few minutes of you being my “baby”. I promise to savor all of the snuggles I continue to get, however few and far between they may get, all the while proudly watching you spread happiness wherever you go.
I love you sweet boy!
Love,
Momma
letters to my boys…
So frequently, I stop and look at these sweet boys of mine and wish they could stay in this stage forever. I get so wrapped up in the day to day that when I stop, slow down and really see them they take my breath away. I just wanted to write a short note to all of them so one day when they look back they will understand how amazing I think they all are.
Dear Jay Bird,
You still refer to yourself as Jay Bird and I love that, I will most likely cry the day that changes. You are a ridiculously smart and talented little boy and each day you surprise me with all that you know and all that you are learning. You love to build, color and race your cars these days and are kept very busy with your wild imagination. You are constantly thinking up new games to play with your brothers; just today you and Charlie were jet skiing away from Luc the shark. And while I don’t think it was necessary to climb half way up the cat tree to escape him I do really love your imagination. The pictures you draw are so amazing and full of details and I love that your face is usually drawn with a big smile. You build the most amazing things, whether it’s a likeness of the Eiffel tower, a pretty detailed dragon or cars and race tracks with your new lego sets. Your creations are wonderful and I look forward to our special lego time at night after your younger brothers are in bed. I love that you run immediately to try and make Luc smile when he is hurt or upset and how you jump up readily to help me whenever you know you can. Your heart is so big, your laugh is infections and your imagination is limitless sweet boy and man o man do I love you!!
Love,
Momma
Charlie Tuna,
You have charisma and spunk like no other. You are fiercely determined and stubborn but man are you so gosh-darn CUTE! You adore being included (for the most part) in Jay’s antics and follow him around happily playing along with his games and schemes that he comes up with. You also dote on and take care of Wook (Luc) whenever he is around and are hugging him and kissing him frequently. You provide running commentary for just about everything right now and are rarely quiet. You talk to strangers and frequently ask me what their names are and where they are going; you love knowing peoples’ stories. However, you are cautious and very reserved when it comes to things that are new- play ground equipment, jumping into the pool etc. You take your time with new things and don’t go full throttle until you are sure that you can handle it. You give the absolute best hugs and sugar (kisses) around and I love that you give it so freely. You melt my heart with your sweet spirit and eager curiosity; I love you SO much sweet boy!
Love,
Momma
Luc,
Without a doubt you are the best baby ever. You rarely fuss, and when you do it’s for good reason- you’re hungry, tired or one of your brothers just squished you. You smile at everyone and clap like it’s your job and lately you wave ALL THE TIME. Daddy says it’s your way of spreading happiness. It tickles you to no end when people smile back at you after you wave! You are definitely a cheer leader and audience for your bothers these days. They goof off around you and you always respond with laughs or big claps; you love this “game” as much as they do. I sincerely love watching you grow and change lately, you are changing by the minute it seems! I love you, sweet boy, and cherish the sound of your sing song “Mom, Mom, Momma”; it’s music to my ears :)
Love,
Momma
such a special day
I am delighted to share a few photos from the beautiful wedding Jamie, Jay and I got to be a part of last weekend. On Friday the 4th Jamie’s cousin married her long time boyfriend Josh in what can only be described as the perfect day! The weather was beautiful, the bride was even more so, the details were thoughtful and springy and the whole day was just so full of love and joy! Maggie and Josh, we truly couldn’t be happier for the two of you and were so honored to be a part of your special day.
While there were SO many things and moments that I would have loved the opportunity to photograph at this wedding I simply didn’t get the chance. It has been so long since I have attended, much less participated in, a wedding that I didn’t photograph! However, I did get a handful of photos that I love. So please excuse the ridiculous amount of photos I am about to share. I really had way too many favorites to narrow it down any further than I did!
First up- Bridesmaids’ luncheon and mani/pedis
the rehearsal dinner
Jay has a hard time not making a silly face these days
The wedding day!
happy new year
2013 year in review…
January
We played outside (in diapers and underwear since it was SO warm), Jay learned how to ride his first bike and we celebrated his 3rd Birthday!
February
We made some updates around the house, I painted some new bedroom furniture, Jay was potty trained and Charlie really started running around.
March
We enjoyed a little bit of a cold front, found out that we would be welcoming another baby boy to the family, built our super cool backyard fort and hosted the shrimp boil.
April
We battled some a nasty cold where Charlie had to do breathing treatments, I finished Jay’s quilt, we played with cars, played outside and enjoyed our new slip and slide.
May
We celebrated Charlie’s half birthday, we grew butterflies, we played out front in our kiddie pool, started swimming again and played outside in the rain.
June
Charlie got his first haircut, we took a trip to Starbucks Springs, we swam a whole lot, I painted the boys joint big boy room and we vacationed in Anna Maria Island with family.
July
We welcomed our third beautiful baby boy, Luc, into the world, Jamie and I celebrated 7 years of marriage and I turned 31 years old.
August
We spent a lot of time in the pool, the boys finished their swimming lessons and Jay started preschool 3 days a week.
September
We visited with extended family while they were in town, attended Jay’s first school parade and swam some more!
October
Jamie celebrated his 33rd birthday, worked out the kinks of our new shared sleeping arrangements and therefore battled with some very tired boys; we built a whole lot of duplo towers, made some pretty adorable Halloween costumes and battled off some terrible preschool germs.
November
Jay attended his first Florida State football game with Jamie, Charlie celebrated his 2nd birthday and we enjoyed visiting with family when they were in town visiting.
December
We decorated our house for the holidays, enjoyed Jay’s preschool Christmas program, took a trip to Terra Ceia and enjoyed holidays with our boys and extended families.
Every January as I look back at our year I can’t help but feel so incredibly blessed. We have had a wonderful 2013 and I can’t wait to see what 2014 is going to bring!
the perreault family 