little but fierce

it was birthday number 4 for our sweet mila a month back. above she is showing me one of her birthday presents: a glittery tutu, that represents that sweet side of her gentle feline ways, but the stance shows you she means business. mila has always known exactly what she wants and she is not afraid to share it. her little petite frame makes me forget her age much of the time, but make no mistake the girl has some serious will power. it doesn't mean mila is in your face. it could mean she just doesn't want to do what you would like her to, or she is going to remain quiet to the nicest of people...but those big doe eyes staring back are reassuring that she is 100% love. 

mila wants to be snuggled up to mama ALL DAY LONG. she enjoys school, but also reminds me that at home with me is where she would like to be. every night with the exception of maybe 7 over the course of her life, she has found her way into my bed to snuggle up to me in the wee hours of the morning. 

she constantly surprises us with the amount of info she is taking in. in the fall, she showed us she had written her name (and continues to write now knowing all her letters), she'll spit out some info about the solar system (thanks LAPS!) or sing a song that evia learned in school and mila knows in it's entirety. it's an important reminder mama needs to pay more attention, ask her more questions about her interests and just converse with my sweet 4 year old!

she wants to be a hair stylist when she grows up. the girl loves to do my hair and the styles are pretty fabulous. she also is one graceful lady. she has chosen at this time, not to dance (one month on one month off, but it's been several "off" now), but when she does interpretive dance (often), or an impromptu piece to the music that rolls the credits after a movie - i am reminded when she's ready - sign her up. 

she may argue with her sister just as often as she gets along with her, but the way she looks at evia for inspiration is unparalleled. i love looking in the rear-view mirror and seeing her big eyes pointed straight at evia as she absorbs everything evia is saying. i can see her little wheels spinning and learning from her big sis, right in front of my eyes. how special to look to up to your sibling. i am so thankful they have one another.

a few highlights from mila's year:

on her way to her first day of preschool

on her way to her first day of preschool

constantly awaiting evia's dismissal from school

special coffee and library dates every week

started writing her name

she brings her first pet, fish sparkle, home

this is her alley-cat face (classic mila) - halloween

this is her alley-cat face (classic mila) - halloween

first school pics

her pocket-contents art, "look mama a happy face"

one last hug of her house the day before escrow closed

she would stay at nana and grandpa's forever over moving to a new house, told me so

mila's first school-sing, xmas show 2015

completing a puzzle of grandpa and her great-aunties (when they were wee)

jumping into the new year 2016

loves puddle jumping

four(teen)?

lipstick and selfies

hairstyle

this nurturing soul loves her baby cousins

reminding us of her growth with her art and writing

her special birthday guest

birthday morning

birthday park fun!

the celebration continues: first manicure

sibling life often looks like this "mine."

she is six

my heart aches with love when i think of what to put on the page about my newly turned six year old. what words can i use describe this sweet-souled girl of mine? how can i explain the differences between last year and today?

aside from the educational strides and maybe a few social developments, really the same prevalent characteristics come to mind year after year. i will probably begin to see them develop more deeply as the years pass, but i hope none of them disappear.

members of her family are her treasures (please don't let her out grow this one)...one day she may not want us to hug her in public and will want is to drop her off a block away from the destination - but for now i soak up the love she gives exponentially to all the family around her.

her yearning to know more about so many things as they say, kids are sponges and mine wants to absorb any info she can get on areas of interest. she LOVES to learn. she is much like her papa, in that science and nature are at the top of the list...

she is a sensitive soul she is always thinking about what people will think of her, what that little person, or insect or relative is going through at any given time. she never wants to hurt someone's feelings and is easily empathetic in most any situation. this sweety can tear up at the thought of someone being disappointed in her or a person in pain.

she loves her papa more then anyone on this planet one of the sweetest things i see as her mama is the love she has for her papa. he is the first person she wants to share special news with, the person she wants to have one on one time with and the person she wants to help if he has a task at hand. they share walks together at sunrise and so many other beautiful father/daughter moments. he can make her laugh, like no one else can...a giggle that is contagious. a special bond indeed.

she is egg-allergy-free for the last 6 years, having an egg allergy has been one of her "characteristics" it has followed her wherever she goes and it has changed our lives in this household in search of egg-free recipes and learning to cope in social situations where the egg is such a common ingredient. 2 weeks before her 6th birthday we said goodbye to her epipen as we learned her egg allergy was no longer.  it has CHANGED HER LIFE. after many tests with baked goods with egg, we served up scrambled eggs this past saturday. an entire world has opened up to her and we are soo thankful.

i know that over the next several years, she is going to blow my mind from this little girl before me turning into a big girl and then a teenager. i will try to hold onto this tender time and embrace the lady she is going to become. i wish her health, a full heart, a good giggle and fulfillment in whatever she puts her mind too.
 looking back on her year's highlights:

that first day of elementary school: kindergarten

her first school bus ride, her request

bringing home her first pet: brownie

back-to-school night

i want to be my favorite animal for halloween: zebra

getting carried down the hall to bed for the last time, at the only house she'd ever known

giving the house one last hug goodbye

performing in the nutcracker

coming up with her own goals and hopes for 2016 (every new years eve since she was wee)

she enjoyed every minute spent at nana and grandpa's during the house-search

a rare one-on-one date with mama, but she really wanted to show this to papa

really coming into her own style...this day, she asked for 3 buns

everyday she is a little older and a little braver: science night

100 days of school

grandparents' day

thinking straight hair is pretty great

welcoming two new baby boy nephews into her life

went from learning how to read to starting her first chapter book (thanks aminah!)

getting her ears pierced on her 6th birthday

pancakes from mesa cafe, her first requested meal with no more egg allergy

birthday morning

birthday dinner in the rose gardens (in-n-out and mint chocolate, chocolate chip cupcakes)

showering the baby

my baby sister, the auntie, about to be a mama.

my baby sister is having a baby! after having my own babies and watching my sisters become aunties, i longed for the day when i would get to see them become mamas. i waited only two short years and emily became preggy with sweet grover and now anna a year later - what joy, like an instant extended family!

last weekend we celebrated and below are a few photos that detail the day. a resounding sentiment we heard is "what a fantastic mama anna will make." she is one nurturing soul, has been since she was a child herself...and we all know she will certainly be in her element as a mama.

cheers banans, we love you! we cannot wait to meet that lovely little one.

the beautiful mama

photo book table, with some of anna's

collection of vintage cameras. i took poloroids of individual guests with anna and then they put their poloroid in the photo book along with a personal message - for her to take with her after the shower.

poloroids hanging for baby's room of anna's belly and "you are loved," spanish moss and a birdy's nest my dad found on the property.

guests' favors. our ranch girl has a thing for horses and happens to be of irish descent where horseshoes as gifts are considered good luck. iron symbolizes protection and horses, transcending between two worlds - which our new mama is about to experience.

my mom did amazing things with the florals including creating this eucalyptus garland. 

tea, light bites, an amazing cake and some bubbly...mix in some people she loves and it was a sweet celebration.

mama + her mama

sissies