“The little things? The little moments? They aren’t little.” – John Kabat-Zinn
I love my tribe. I love that man. I love those babies. Sometimes I find myself fully immersed in a “pinch me” moment – my mind will wander and I just think to myself how damn lucky I am. We are still in the thick of a four day weekend home together and it’s been nothing short of lazy, family filled, and incredible.
We spent the weekend away in beautiful Cold Spring – just one hour our of NYC. It was just what we didn’t know we needed. Our friends recently moved from the city and have made this amazing town their home (and now I kind of have house and town envy..). We left Friday night and on Saturday morning we woke up, had breakfast, and headed out for a hike.
The weather couldn’t have been more perfect for a day spent outdoors. At one point we even stripped out of our jackets. The foliage was INCREDIBLE and the views were out of this world. Lucas had the best time (except for a few complaints that his legs hurt from all the hiking..city boy for life ya’ll) and Lillie was happy just to be strapped to the guys and take in all the loving. I swear even Humphrey (our dog) was smiling the entire time. The kids slept reallllll good that evening. The following day we took Lucas fishing and that was by far his highlight of the weekend – post coming soon ;).
I had been itching for a getaway out of Manhattan and this weekend fed my soul. To our dear friends Jackie and Jack, I can’t thank you enough for inviting us into your home and showing us all of this beauty. We can’t wait to be back this winter for the snow!
We visited this very orchard exactly 2 years ago with Lucas – one month before I became pregnant with Lillie. We decided to skip out last year because Lillie was only a few weeks old and we thought it might be a bit much driving 2 hours upstate with a newborn and a toddler in tow. Lucas had off from school last Monday and my mom and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to take the drive and go apple picking with kids.
It was honestly such a surreal and magical day. Seeing both my kids playing and walking and running through the orchard when just two years ago we were a family of three and about to embark on our journey as a family of four. I’ve said it before but time is such a crazy thing. Next on our Fall to do list: pumpkin picking!
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.
You have to find that place that brings out the human in you. The soul in you. The love in you. – r.m. drake
A few shots of my loves that I snapped on a Sunday morning. There is nothing extraordinary happening. Nothing posed or staged. This is what a typical morning looks like in our home on any given weekend and on this particular Sunday I had the urge to pick up my camera and take these photos. Just to remember. Remember when our queen size bed was packed with little legs and arms, drool, squealing, giggles, and so much love. Te amo. Te amo. Te amo.
A day to celebrate our superman. I woke up early with the kids and although the plan was to cook breakfast I cheated a bit and ordered in from our local diner. Gotta love NYC. Around 10am we snuck in the bedroom with handmade cards, balloons, and breakfast. We took it easy and headed out to Bryant Park in the afternoon. It was also Ivan’s moms birthday so we had double the reason to celebrate with our family. We had an awesome lunch and Lucas, Lillie, and I rode the carrousel – which Lucas seemed to love but then proceeded to ask me if there were any rollercoasters in the park! Sorry kid.
I just want to take a moment to thank the love of my life, my man, my baby daddy, for being the best damn papa in the world. He never complains (seriously), let’s me sleep in, is hands on in every way with the kids, works his butt off, and loves us all something fierce. He has given me my biggest blessings in the world and I love doing life with him.
A few snaps of my love bugs and I on mamas day. The weather was perfect and we strolled along the Upper East Side before heading to Queens to spend the afternoon with the grandmas and our family. I actually shared the day with Ivan who’s birthday happen to fall on Mother’s Day this year. So basically it was a mama/birthday extravaganza. So much love. All day long. I am wishing and praying for a million more days just like this one.
Last week the kids and I headed to Clearwater for Lucas’s spring break. My mama came with us and honestly it was such a relief knowing I was going to have an (amazing) extra pair of hands. Lucas went ahead with my mom and I flew out the next next day with Lillie. Alone. For the first time. I’ll say this – Lucas has been a champ flyer from day one. He snoozes most of the flight and has always been perfectly content either on my lap or now that he is older, playing games and watching movies. He has never cried on a flight. NOT ONCE. No way I could be that lucky twice. Right? Yea, NO. Lillie cried for a solid 20-25 minutes on our packed flight and I was that mom, awckawardly smiling at blank stares (and some pitty stares) and frantically hushing her baby. 25 minutes is a loooooong time when your trapped on an aircraft like sardines. I walked her up and down the aisle and nursed her until she finally passed out from exhaustion. At that point I was sweating, equally as exhausted, and to be honest all I wanted to do was sit down, put in my ear buds, and listen to some Drake. Can a mama live? I really wish I could say I was calmer and gave zero f’s what everyone else was thinking but when you’re in the moment it’s really a bit nerve wrecking and anxiety inducing. Anyways, an hour later and we were in sunny Florida!
These are a few of my favorite snaps from the trip. We really had such an amazing time and it was such a treat to be with Lucas for an entire week and get some much needed one on one time with him. If you haven’t been, Clearwater is such a beautiful, beautiful place to visit. I have been coming here since I was Lillie’s age on family vacations to visit my aunties. It’s a second home for me and such a comforting, safe space. It’s familiar, calming, and just what I need a couple times a year for a pick me up and when I need to get out of NYC. Lucas has come to love it as well and I can’t wait to continue our yearly tradition with both kiddos.
My mother is the most beautiful woman I know. Inside and out. I have vivid memories of watching her get ready as a child. Sitting on the toilet, my little legs crossed, watching in awe as she carefully applied rose colored rouge and and raspberry lipstick. She always finished with a light dusting of face powder. Before we would leave the house she would spritz on her perfume and I loved how the scent would float around the house behind her as she collected her purse and put on her shoes.
My mother taught me that beauty comes from within but that pampering yourself and a sense of self love is so very important as well. I take pride in putting myself together not just as a mom but as a woman who is ready to tackle anything the day brings. Whether that be a splash of perfume, a luxurious hair mask (Honey Treasures by Garnier® Whole Blends™ is my fave!), a fab outfit, or the perfect accessory – I always feel better when I look my best.
On this upcoming Mother’s Day (and all the beautiful ones to follow), I am spending the day with all the strong, confident women in my life. My mama, my mother-in-law, and my sister. There will be talk of kids, life, motherhood, laughter. I truly can’t think of a better way to celebrate being a mama. And we will all be in our Sunday best. Beautiful inside and out.
Here are some favorite flashback images of my beautiful mama!
I wish she had kept this velour jumpsuit. I mean – fab! My mama and I in Clearwater, Florida – my very first trip to the Sunshine state. Black and white portraits that I just love.
Now for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card, tell me in the comments below, how will you celebrate Mother’s Day this year?
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