....time for Plaza tea.....

.....after the last blog post gushing about my love for my boy, I have to even it out to make sure the pendulum stays somewhere in the middle.....the balance of the scales, so to speak; it must be the libra in me.....

.....actually, I don't know the faintest thing about horoscopes, but I do know that the libra has something to do with a scale and I am a very ebb and flow type person.....when one area of life suffers due to bigger and better in other compartments, I medicate the one that needs healing, neglecting the flourishing area and the whole process begins again......so after reflecting on the sweetness of my little man, I found it only appropriate to reminisce glamming it up with my girls..... 

.....I would drop anything or everything for opportunities like this with my little ladies because they are truly decadent.....

.....Sara graciously planned the second annual Tea at the Plaza and this year was even more enjoyable because our little ladies and men this time around, were one year older and understood how to have manners and be fancy......they even scored their own table so we Mommas could have our own.....many of us reluctantly relented to the idea of being separated from them in such an upscale establishment, but to our amazement, every single one of the 12 children held their own.....

.....and I even heard Elsie's little voice ask, may I please have some more cherries?.....

......reciprocated with this......

.....big steps for my oldest girl, who is socially figuring out when she wants to be bold and when she wants to be timid.....for afternoon tea at the Plaza, however; she decided on bold......

....it must be something for females when they have get togethers with their besties.....there is scientific evidence that spending time with girlfriends is beneficial to our emotional and physical well being.....studies have been done citing that our immune systems are boosted, our stress levels decline, our happiness levels rise all from spending time with the circles with whom we share our secrets.....the friends who celebrate our victories, console our sorrows, listen to our frustrations and struggles and revel in our joys......and they are also the ones who also nurture our babies like their own......

.....I full heartedly agree with many of these proclamations based on my own experiences and the after glow of time spent with a bestie; but after observing my two little girls who dearly love their friends and noticing that their friends also whole heartedly love them; I would venture to say that the beneits of friendship start at the ripe age of three.....

....and Elsie crafted each friend a personalized place card and proudly passed them out as our little people made their way to their table......

....you make my heart melt, sweet girl.....

....the love of dressing up and adoring a pretty dress in also inherently engrained in us as young girls....

....so is donning a new hair piece that needs to be placed ever so perfectly....

....as well as the favorite piece of jewelry that completes the look of the outfit....in Callie's case, it was her pearls that matched the white lace trim of her favorite purple dress.....and I watched her several times slightly touch her pearls to make sure they were placed and draped evenly over her neckline.....

....in many ways, our little ladies are so similar to their Mommas.....

....and as the children discussed their favorite pastries and indulged in grenadine soaked cherries with long stems, the Mommas weren't too far off basking in uninterrupted (almost) conversations......exchanging stories about our children, our husbands, our future plans, and the new babies who will one day join us on this anticipated occasion.....

....and we Mommas were able to savor one last cup of tea and pleasant conversation when the littles were done with their scones and sweets, thanks to tent like long table clothes and smart phones.....

....whatever works.....

....and upon hearing her name, the children made a mad dash to Eloise's tea room where her infamous piano and playroom reside......she must always be out having a fabulous adventure with her nanny when we stop by.....we've never seen her, but she always obliges us by sharing her fancy things.....

....and lately it's been so busy at home with showings and daily cleaning and open houses, that I haven't had much time to reflect on the things that I will miss when we are no longer urban dwellers....

.....but upon leaving the Plaza on our spring day outing, I couldn't help but acknowledge that next year, we will be taking the train in for this grand day.....

.....and I was both excited and saddened by the thought.....

....thank you, Sara, for planning such a lovely Saturday afternoon.....

....Tea at the Plaza is an occasion that is now etched into my description of spring in New York City.....it is part of the reason the girls and I will look forward to the new season; included with the anticipation of cherry blossoms, tulips, light pastel coats and vivid blue skies..... 

....and a time to reconnect with all the women who are not only neighbors, but have also become friends.....the ones who have all raised their babies together in this blessed, beautiful NYC life......I am grateful for the experience and the friendships that have been cultivated over the years.....

.....maybe next time we'll find Eloise.....

.....April 11, 2011.....

......today marks a special day......

.....the day that ends the first year.....a finish to each of the phases that hold their own moments of sacredness, exhaustion, excitement and joy.......newborn to infant, then infant to baby......all of the fleeting minutes that felt endless while immersed in them are distant and short lived in hindsight.....

......another year ahead that begins the venture into toddlerhood and a new pristine world of beginnings....first steps, first words, first phrases......the moments around the corner that will slowly reveal more of his personality, temperament and disposition...... 

.....today celebrates a sweet baby boy who made his mark on everyone in this family with his unique and captivating demeanor......

.....and it wouldn't be a proper celebration without a bit of reflection on the last year as we adjusted to being a party of five.......

.....It's no surprise to people who know me well that when I carried my third child, I secretly hoped it was a girl.....not for any particular reason, other than I already had two girls, loved everything about girls, thought it would be sweet to have three little princesses in the house; and since I grew up in a home with two brothers, the pink, lace and frills was a delicate and feminine change......

....I wasn't opposed to having a boy, especially because I felt extremely blessed to have two wonderful brothers by my side while growing up.....so with that experience I knew my girls, the two sisters, would enjoy a brother in the house; but three girls (after the hope and desire of having a healthy baby regardless of the sex) was still a preference back in the days when it was just me, the girls and my baby bump.....

....well, God had other plans for us.....

....and God is so good and perfect in every way.....

....He knows what we need when we need it.....

.....even Elsie, who had named the baby, Lisa, would pat my belly and we would tell her, there is a chance that this baby could be a boy......she would silently shake her head no and declare, Lisa......

.....upon meeting Brody for the first time, she was speechless, adoring and amazed at this tiny baby.....gender didn't matter because he was a perfect, tiny newborn so alert who was all of ours.....it was love at first sight.....

.....Lisa was quickly forgotten and we never looked back....

.....Brody captured our hearts and changed all of us upon his arrival.....life before him in our family was instantly unrecognizable because his presence was so natural and so needed to round us off to our new fullhouse.....

.....and those first few days seem like they were just yesterday.....but in 365 days, we have come to love him so deeply.....I have memorized the way he curls his mouth upwards when he sleeps.....his head fits in the space between my neck and my collarbone perfectly.....he cocks his head to the right just before he laughs hysterically, however; if it's only going to giggle, then he simply raises his eyebrows just before his breathy little voice coos with amusement.....

.....and now, I find myself thinking that every Momma should have the privilege and honor of having a son.....how was I so lucky to be one of the Mommas chosen for the role of raising a boy?.....

....Brody, you are delicious....

....you slowly think things through, but when you've decided what you want, you jump in with both feet......

....or both hands....

.....depending which way you look at it....

.....you delight in all things.....

....you love to laugh....

....you seek an audience....

.....and the audience always adores you.....

.....my heart will always be with you in all your days ahead.....

.....and we have many more days to share together when I can enjoy all of you and all that you will become......

.....I know having three girls would have been a blessing too; as your sisters' epitomize everything that defines girly.....and that is still fun for me to dress up and have tea parties with my two little ladies.....I cherish my one on one talks with your sisters, as their emotional side promises me insightful and meaningful conversations in our future......

....but so many Mommas vowed, raved and promised I would see that there was a distinct bond between a mother and her boy......and I now understand that there is a certain specialness to it that differs from raising girls......not better, just unique it its own way.....

.....and again, I ask myself how I got so lucky to experience both individual bonds with a son and two daughters?......

....you captured my heart from the moment I heard the words boy and laid eyes on your precious features.....

.....and when we celebrate you with all of our close friends and family this week, I will be reminded that we have only scratched the surface of all there is to come.....

.....the first chapter may be complete, but we have an entire novel to write.....

.....I can't wait to fill the pages....

....I love you, Brody.....Happy first birthday......

Sara Blackburn Photography