Mother Nature gave us a beautiful fall day over weekend that had me marveling at our Pittsburgh autumn yet again. I love the seasons we have up here in the northeast, especially as we transition into what can feel like a never ending winter. Being the not-so-great-at-planning-ahead Mom that I am, I tried hard to get my little girl crew out for their Christmas Card photo before we missed the opportunity and were stuck trying to get a nice picture in the bitter cold weeks before (or as has happened once or twice- right after) Christmas day. So we loaded up the mini van with pretty dresses and boots and quilts and casual clothes (and maybe a giant bag of lollipops) and headed to the park right as the sun was starting to go down.
My scared face before we started. Do not be fooled- it’s no easy feat taking photos of your own kids, people. I did feel awesome in my PinkBlush outfit- my favorite women’s online boutique for cute dresses for women (and tops too)! *Giveaway is at the bottom of this post!*
My wonderful sister in law came with us to help me wrangle kids, wipe noses, put boots back on and get a few photos with me actually in them. I’m so so grateful for you, Haley!
I stood in awe of these little girls laughing together. Looking at each other with so much love. I see them all cuddled up like this and my heart actually hurts. I have the privilege of raising these three little girls, three little people who really won’t be my babies forever, but who will be each others’ best friends, support system, and mother-tribe someday. They’ll have each other forever, even when I’m not with them anymore and that brings me so much joy and sadness at the same time. It’s hard to grow up. This is I know very well. But it is so much harder to watch your babies grow up. To feel so much happiness and excitement with each new skill they learn and sentence they can speak while feeling heartache at the same time. It’s thrilling and so wonderful to have Lilly stand with me in the kitchen. To hear her chit chat happily as we unload the dishwasher together. She helps me tidy up and take care of her sisters and I marvel at how grown up and darling she is. Kind, sweet. So thoughtful and funny. But I see flashes of her baby self in the way she giggles at her Daddy. And I see just a tiny glimpse of the dimples she had as a toddler. Her pants no longer need to be cuffed and her baby curls are falling ever so slightly into hair that I’m pretty sure will be straight someday. She shares her kindergarten gossip with me and as I laugh at the grown-up storytelling she is so good at, I also hear flashes of her baby voice in the fewer and fewer mispronunciations I love so much.
Then there’s our no longer “forever baby” as we used to call her but can’t really anymore. Grace is so grown up too. Even in the span of just one year she has changed and matured so very much. She’ll remind you that she’s not a “big girl” (she emphatically explains that she is a very small short girl which we find so amusing). She’s literal and very outspoken even when she’s silently speaking ASL in full sentences. We are constantly catching up with her growing sign language vocabulary and can’t believe on a daily basis how well she can communicate.
It’s been truly amazing to see Grace take on the role of big sister. Sally adores both of her sisters of course but there is something totally magical about the way Sally looks at Grace.
I’m so proud that these three girls call me Mama. I’m so proud that these three girls love each other so well.
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I’m also pretty excited to share a $25 giveaway to ShopPinkBlush.com! Their line of maternity clothes was a lifesaver for me throughout Sally’s pregnancy and after when I was really struggling to find fashion forward wardrobe items to accommodate my ever growing bump! PinkBlush Boutique is one of the only trendy boutiques online that I’ve tried that hasn’t left me feeling disappointed. I love the effortless casual style all of their pieces offer (washable, comfortable, well made) and their price points are actually affordable. I know so many Mom’s like me who constantly need a little closet refresh but just can’t afford tons of money to be spent on their own outfits. Pink Blush offers so many beautiful clothes that you’ll actual feel beautiful wearing!
I’m wearing this top from PinkBlush Boutique and I love love it. I think I’m going to wear it with some black leggings and fancier boots for Thanksgiving!
Use the form below to enter to win a $25 gift card to ShopPinkBlush.com!
Good luck!
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This post was sponsored by PinkBlush. As usual all thoughts and comments are my own! I only share what I love and think you’ll love too to keep this blog fun, free, and full of great content! Thanks for reading. <3
KATE SCHWARTZ says
Girl price is ALWAYS a big factor! Not to mention fit, mama bodies be ever changing! 🙂 and those sweet littles!! We miss you all!
Stephanie says
This post broke my heart and swelled it at the same time! Your family is made up of so much love, but is also surrounded by it- there are so many people who love watching your girls grow up and blossom! I miss those little babies too, but am so ‘proud’ (can I use that word?) to watch them grow into bigger people. They are so special!! Thank you for sharing the journey with all of us.
Kaity says
My little one is only three months and somehow it’s been the happiest, saddest, fastest and slowest three months of my life
Lauren Hamilton says
Such a sweet post, and gorgeous pictures. Your girls are just so cute.
Corie says
Post third baby, definitely fit.
Kate says
I absolutely love that necklace! I always so for statement pieces like that, but stop myself because I think “how often can I wear that” vs the cost. And your girls are so cute! You are one of my favorite Instagram feeds to follow 🙂