This is a visual journal of our annual Spring break trip to Florida. I love watching you bond with your aunties and how you know where things are in the house, and how Florida is becoming a second home for you. Just like it is for me. I love watching you play in the backyard where I spent so many summers and reading on your Auntie Jill’s lap just like I did as a child. I hope you will always cherish these memories.
A few shots of my Sol taken after her first real haircut. We trimmed a tiny little bit of her hair last Winter but it wasn’t anything noticeable – more of a maintenance trim to even out her baby hair. I really wanted her to have an official cut and I think a bob on little girls is just the sweetest. I have a t least a dozen pins of this exact cut – from before Lillie was even born! Last week we jumped on the train to Brooklyn to visit our friend Rubi and she made my hair dream for Lillie come true! I am SO happy with it and I can’t believe how much of a difference a cut can make. I mean. She looks like a little señora and I’m in love!
Dress from Ladida
I’m a little late on this but I still wanted to share some photos and words from our Sol’s 2nd birthday party. Our closest friends and family came to spend the afternoon with us and it was truly the perfect day. I honestly still can’t believe Lillie Sol is two!
Dear my beautiful Sol,
Happy birthday! Two years around the sun! You came into our lives on August 1, 2015 and since then our world has been filled with magic and so much love. You completed our family in a way I can’t even begin to properly describe into words. You are FUNNY – so so funny and witty and cheeky. I have yet to meet another child who can roll their eyes the way you can. Sassy is putting it lightly. You still love to nurse and you refer to it as “goodnight” and recently you’ve been saying “I want boob!”. Your kisses are magical and your hugs are amazing. You are so affectionate and constantly tell Lucas, daddy, and I how much you love us. One of my favorite things ever is when you say “huggy time”. Your hair is growing and even though we’ve trimmed it, those little ringlets seem like they are here to stay and I am beyond thrilled for you to have daddy’s hair. You and your brother have the most incredible relationship and I am in awe of the bond you have formed together. You love baby dolls and playing in your kitchen but you also love Pokemon and legos.
I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you. I am so proud and honored to be your mama. You are forever mine and I am forever yours.
Love,
Mommy
Photos taken yesterday during a birthday trip to Wave Hill. Lillie’s outfit is from Telegraph Ave.
Bonnet from Petite Soul
I look back at Lucas’s baby/toddlerhood with such fondness. We spent so much time just hanging out, him and I. We would head out with no real plan and spend our days in parks, playing, and exploring the city. It’s much harder to get that one on one time with Lillie and so I have been savoring our mornings together especially now that the weather is warming up. Waking up, getting dressed, and heading to Central Park. I pack a few toys in the stroller, some snacks, and that’s really all we need until it’s time to pick Lucas up from school. Also, how much better are naps under the breeze and shade of the trees? Just saying.
We are in such a fun, spirited stage right now. Lillie Sol is almost 17 months and she’s a fire cracker. She attempts to repeat everything we say (she’s actually quite good!), she runs and holds her own with her brother, and we can see her personality blossoming with each passing day. She’s started randomly singing “happy birthday” and it’s prettyyyyyy cute.
Motherhood is a funny thing. Even though I am absolutely loving this stage, I find myself trying to remember her little newborn feet and that fresh out the oven smell. I feel like her newborn stage passed so much quicker than with Lucas and I’m sometimes left with a deep pang in my chest as if I somehow missed out on certain moments due to the craziness of adjusting to life with two. She was born a month before Lucas started pre-k and I didn’t have the same luxury of staying in bed all day and tending to one little persons needs. We were quickly thrown into a routine that consisted of interrupted naps, school pick up and functions, play dates, and birthday parties. I truly believe that the craziness of our first year didn’t effect Lillie at all but that “mom guilt” seems to always pop up from time to time.
So I’m rambling a bit here but I’m so thankful for our little lady and the spirit she has brought into our home. I’m so excited to do life with you my sweet baby girl. Thank you for your grace, your smile, and those slobbery kisses that make me feel like I’m doing something right.
What a beautiful afternoon spent celebrating our Sol. I remember Lucas’s baptism like it was yesterday – the memories, our friends and family – truly amazing. Both Lillie and Lucas were both baptized in Ivan’s childhood church (his mother still attends mass there). We chose Ivan’s sister and one of our dear friends to be the godparents. Two of the most incredible people we know and that are sure to be an inspiration and role model to Lillie as she grows. I just adore these photos and I hope Sol will look back on these when she’s older and feel the love from this very special day.
Happy birthday my sweet Sol! I can’t believe a year has passed. I remember the night my water broke like it was yesterday – it was a full moon and our girl was ready to meet the world. Some days I sit and stare at her perfect, round face and I whisper to myself..“my daughter”. She came into our lives at the perfect time. We asked for her. We prayed for her. She completes our family in a way that is utterly divine and magical. Because of her we are complete. My beautiful Vargas clan.
We celebrated this milestone with a party in Central Park with all of our loved ones and family. I couldn’t have asked for anything better – everyone who loves and cares for our girl was there and I truly felt like the luckiest mama in the world. How amazing is it to be surrounded by a group of people that truly love your children?
While we were in Mexico I completely switched gears on my original party plans (I was going for a rainbows and unicorns theme which I still think is adorable!) and decided a Frida inspired fiesta was more fit for my princesa. I am so glad I did because I was thrilled with how everything turned out! My dear friend Chloe is the most amazing chef and baker and has been doing Lucas’s birthday cakes for the past 4 years. I spoke to her about my vision for Sol and what she created was more than I could have ever imagined. Inspired by Frida Kahlo’s floral crowns, the cake consisted of two tiers. The rose layer was a traditional tres leches cake with cinnamon buttercream. The teal layer layer was a chile spiced chocolate cake with Mexican dark chocolate ganache. She recently launched an indie food publication, Technique, which reads like a cookbook and is focussed on ingredient integrity and sustainability. It’s available now on the app store..it’s free and amazing!!! The decor (balloons, place settings, banners, goodie bags..) are all from Little Lulubel. It’s my go to party site and has everything you could ever need or dream of for every party theme under the sun!
I was a little weepy putting this post together. It feels like time is flying by and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it but alas I guess that is part of the parenting gig. We made it! One year raising two miraculous kiddos. There’s been lots of bumps and tears along the way but truly when I look back at the past twelve months all I can do is smile. You tend to forget the nights you thought would never end and what sticks around in our core memory are the cuddles, the kisses, and all the love. So much love. Happy first year around the Sun my Sol.
Onesies from Hugo Loves Tiki
Life with two. It’s everything I dreamed of and more. It’s the kind of stuff Hallmark commercials are made of. You know the ones. They leave you a heaping, sobbing mess and you feel like your heart might explode because that mom in the commercial is you and those babies in the commercial are your babies and they are god damn unicorns. It’s also the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’ve never been so tired in my life and some days I stop and think to myself “what if I never, ever feel rested again? how will I survive? can people live off of no sleep? I mean, they have to..right? right?”
Lillie has zero nap schedule whereas Lucas went down every day at 1pm like clockwork. We leave at 2pm to pick up Lucas from school and usually she is just starting to doze off when I have to wake her up to make the walk to pick up. No naps make for a very cranky mama. She is starting to climb on furniture and puts just about anything she can get her hands on into her mouth. When we get home from picking up Lucas she wants to be held and I am have to make snacks, get homework done, nurse her, and try and get some play time in with Lucas. Some weeks I don’t leave a 3 block radius with the kids and it’s enough to drive anyone insane.
OKAY. Now the good stuff. Every sleepless night is worth it. I swear. Lucas tells me every day he loves me and that I am his favorite girl in the world (after Lillie Sol of course). Lillie loves the crap out of me and I am relishing in this baby stage when all she wants in the world is ME. I am her comfort and her safe spot. She can instantly stop crying in my arms and my arms alone. The way she looks at me when she nurses is enough to make my heart melt into a giant puddle and I stare back at her and can’t believe this beautiful little creature is my daughter. My best friend sent from God. On the days I am beyond exhausted and don’t think I can take another minute with a child’s foot or hand or mouth on me, we all cuddle and get ready for bed time and Lucas asks me to tell him a story and I forget my exhaustion. I tell him about the adventures of Prince Lucas and all the shenanigans he gets into while exploring NYC and these stories are his favorite. MY stories. The ones I create just for him. Then we tell a few jokes and he covers me in kisses.
And don’t get me started on the relationship my kids have with each other. They love each other something fierce and I feel so proud and lucky that Ivan and I gave them the gift of having a friend for life. Nobody makes Lillie laugh like Lucas does and she doesn’t mind one bit when Lucas uses her for jumping practice or covers her little body in Ninja Turtles.
I’m tired as fuck but my heart is so full. My kids are god damn unicorns and that’s the truth. My truth. Thank you my Lucas León and Lillie Sol for making me the happiest, proudest, sappiest mama in the world. I love you. Te amo.
You know when there’s a brand that just suits your children’s personality? Whether it be the colors, designs, or fabric – it’s just a perfect fit and becomes your go to. That’s how I feel about Children of the Tribe. With a bohemian feel and amazing shapes that allow your kids to move and feel like KIDS. Yeah. I’m in love.
