Peonies

 Three years ago, my mom and I dug up a few peonies from her garden in Queensbury and carefully wrapped them for my plane ride back to Maryland. As soon as I got home, I planted these finicky plants in the ground and waited for them to grow. For the past few springs, I've watched my neighbors' peonies thrive and multiply, while mine would fall short of blooming.

 

 This year, with a little extra help (we sprinkled sugar water on the buds so the ants would do their job), I finally have the beautiful white peonies I remember from growing up.

 

At my wedding, my bridesmaids and I all carried these pretty white flowers from my mom's garden, so it feels extra special to have them growing right outside my front door now.

As I have learned, it is worth being patient as these flowers have found a new home, just as I have, in Maryland. 

Thanks Mom!

Mother's Day (a few weeks late)

This mother's day was pretty awesome, thanks to Margot's great planning. She's a precocious 1 year old, of course. And yes, we spent the day looking like twins, though it was due to laziness (my own, since very little fits me these days) more than anything. Margot was mortified, but she played along since it was Mother's Day.

We started out the day by eating at the Parkway Deli - MY FAVORITE. Margot is good at knowing what her mom likes.

 

We then headed to Baltimore to do a tiny bit of shopping, check out the harbor, and visit my friend Kelley. We so rarely spend an entire day doing something fun (chores often creep their way in) so this Mother's Day was a real treat.

 

Thanks Margot (and Tucker)!

NJHS

These 4 letters - NJHS - have been nagging at me all school year. They stand for National Junior Honor Society and every time I see them, I think of the dynamic group of kids I have who I'm responsible for helping to do something noble and needed for the community. It can feel like a daunting task...

Their vegetable garden

 While the kids have been peer mentors and volunteers at evening events since September, this garden has been the most fun and rewarding project they've done to date. The ideas came from students, and I had a blast purchasing the materials, soliciting donations, and generally pretending like I knew what I was doing. Along the way, the kids learned about annuals, perennials, mulch, what a raised bed is, what verigated means, and most importantly how it's fun to get covered in dirt.

 

Replacing two dead shrubs with two new rhododendrun bushes.

 

The kids will come in over the summer to earn community service hours (needed for graduation) while they water and weed.  We're off to a good start and hope this is project is one that grows with the kids.

New Beginnings

About 2 weeks ago, Tucker's new boss invited us over for dinner. I got to meet many of the AFGE crew and everyone got to meet Margot. She ran herself ragged until waaay past her bedtime, which she loved.

 

 

Beth, Tucker's boss, and her husband Alan made us feel right at home. Beth is also from west Texas (Bovina) and made us all feel at ease, the way Texans do. Great music played all night, and when the torrential down pour set in, we all relaxed on the big screened in porch by candle light. It was not your average office gathering, that's for sure. 

At the end of the night, Beth brought out a cake that read "Welcome Tucker, Meghan, and Margot (!) to AFGE". I couldn't believe how thoughtful and kind it was. We felt very welcome and humbled and Tucker looks forward to working hard with such wonderful people.

20/20

It's hard to believe that I've already passed the mid way point of this pregnancy. Over the past few weeks, my belly has become more basketball-esque, and Baby McD #2 is kicking day and night. It's a really good feeling.

I hesitated to post the picture below, simply because it feels so personal. Yet, I think this little guy is precious, and as this blog is serving as our family's scrapbook for the time-being, I thought it deserved a place here. Isn't he a cutie?!

 After I came home from the doctor visit, I spent a some extra time playing with Margot, and put her to bed a bit later than usual. Though she knows to say "baby brother" when I ask her what's in my belly, she has no idea what's to come, and my heart breaks a little for her. Knowing that things are going to change reminds me to stay in the moment with Margot more often, 

and appreciate the way things are now.

We know that hindsight is 20/20 (you saw that coming, right?) and for the next half of this pregnancy I'm going to try my best to slow down more, enjoy this time with Margot, and enjoy (what may be) my last pregnancy. There are no do-overs, so when I look back at this brief phase, I just want to feel I enjoyed it as much as I could.

May, so far...

I know I am always saying this but things have been so busy lately. Tucker has been traveling and our weekends have been filled with yard work, parties, and fun. I must also confess: I haven't been whipping out my camera for every life event that's happened. It's kind of been nice.... 

Anyway...here are a few snapshots of what we've been up to.

Last week, Margot had a check up with Dr. Gitterman. It was the most laid back check-up yet, mostly, I think, because I've stopped worrying about every little thing. She's a great eater, sleeper, walker, chatter, and is exploring everything. She's loving her little life, and we love her.

As you can see, Margot enjoyed showing off how big she was while we waited for the doc.

Here are Emma and Margot at Chase and Brice Lamont's birthday party last weekend. We all got to ride the train through Cabin John Park and see a magician.  It was the quintessential kids birthday party, seriously. Thanks Helen and Steve!

 On Sunday, Tucker, Margot, and I went to my school where Tucker so kindly installed a raised bed for my National Junior Honor Society students. It was oh-so-peaceful, just the three of us. The kids will be planting vegetables, shrubs, and flowers later this week, (or whenever the rain stops). 

While Tucker so kindly worked, Margot and I explored the courtyard. She loved school!

Margot, being her happy, silly, sweet self!

More soon!