the littles and i spent several hours yesterday at a nearby splash pad playing our tiny hearts out in the water. or the kids did at least, while mama enjoyed sitting on the warm cement nearby not doing a thing besides watching from afar. (i so appreciate this when my fatigue levels with my current pregnancy are out of this world higher than what i experienced with both eleanor and samson.)
having a two and three year old is like a dream for me this summer… no one is just learning to walk that i need to shadow, or putting weird clumps of dirt or leaves or other odd things in their mouths, and for the most part, they play nicely with each other and are at those fearless ages where making new friends everywhere we go comes easy to them. there isn’t much for me to do but sit on the side of the playground and observe…. only stepping in on occasion to reapply sunscreen, offer water or snacks or to mediate when the big boys (dare i say bullies? they were really getting on my mama nerves) would come by to pour large buckets of water on samson’s head.
maybe every half hour or so, little samson would come over and lay his tummy down beside me to warm up in the sunshine on the hot cement and keep me company. “hiiiiiii mama!” he would say. i’d comb out his wet hair away from his face with my fingers while he talked quickly about lots of things, only catching a few phrases or words here and there before he was off again to splash in the water. (oh this boy and his phrases! he is such a little chatter. always working in the word “firetruck” into anything he’s talking about. this is going to be so much fun come the next month or two when we aren’t just nodding “uh huh!” after everything but really understanding and comprehending everything he is trying to share with us!)
somedays being a mama feels more overwhelming than i’d like it to. and i struggle keeping everyone calm and quiet with my own patience in check. but then there are afternoons like yesterday, where you watch your little ones making new friends and laughing happily as they splash in water fountains and enjoy their time outside, where they happily acknowledge you when you tell them 2 more minutes at the end of the day with a smiling nod and miraculously come when you summon them once more to get ready to go. (it usually takes several attempts on my part to get everyone loaded up and on our way when we’re heading home from anywhere…) and all i can think is, i love this life so very much. my simple, though chaotic and hard-at-times, life as a mother. and here’s to hoping for a few more days like yesterday this summer, as we hop around to the different splash pads in this city while making new friends and working on our tan lines together.
Hi Naomi!!
Well, I really think you’re a great mother, and you’re doing a very good job with your little ones!!!
I love reading about your life…when you share some bad moments…well, I had them tooo!
Have a great summer, dear Taza!!!
Awwww that smile of his could light up the night sky. Summer and littles are a magical combination. Can’t wait for my own little baby girl to get here (going on 7 months pregnant). I look forward to my own Mama Adventures. Your blog always makes me look forward to motherhood so much.
Xo, Randi
http://eye-see-you-randi.blogspot.com
In the picture up top, Samson is seriously the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
Aren’t they adorable! This sounds like a great day out with the littlest! New York has always looked amazing.
Oh Naomi! What a sweet mama you are, It is truly a blessing to get in a day like this, it makes up for all the others that didn’t feel as good. Enjoy it :)) and may you have a million more just like that!
I can relate so much to this post. Today I took my little ones to the pool. My boys (twins that turn 3 in Oct) are pretty independent allowing me to sit at the edge and watch (but like you said, stepping in when needed). I have a 6 month old as well but she is an angel and is pretty happy hanging out in my arms or in her carseat. Being a mama is the hardest thing I’ve ever done but it’s also the very best. I often feel bad for my husband who’s stuck inside working all day while we run around and have fun. What a good life we lead. Today I too am feeling blessed. :)
PS… Of all the blogs I follow, yours in my favorite.
gorgeous! i love this post.
http://www.modernsuburbanites.blogspot.com
you are such an incredible mama. i will never stop saying that because you inspire me so much even though i’m so terrified of being a mother. and i’m still super excited for your 3rd baby! i don’t know your family but i feel like i do. you four are another family i pray for and i’m just incredibly excited to watch another baby grow from the pregnancy to the actual birth. i didn’t get to go along with the blog ‘pregnancy to birth’ postings like with eleanor and samson because i just discovered your blog at the beginning of last year but i’m really happy for y’all. and your little ones definitely seem the perfect ages. my niece will be 2 in october and i’m just eating up every word and funny face. she’s perfect to me and she’s not even mine! every day is an adventure and i’m glad to be a part of that with her.
but thanks for bringing us along your journey! it’s been such a wonderful experience just reading it all :)
This sounds like the perfect afternoon!
xx Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
such a nice photo! I can totally relate to this post as I’m in the same page with my almost 2 year old boy.such a fun age right?
Thank you for writing such a wonderful and inspiring blog. My little ones are pretty close in age to yours and I love the picture you paint because it’s exactly how I feel! Motherhood is so fun and rewarding, but definitely trying at times. I love how you focus on and celebrate all the wonder of children, and occasionally acknowledge the hard stuff so the rest of us don’t feel like we are comparing ourselves to some “superpower mom” who never loses her patience or gets tired or frustrated sometimes. You have a beautiful family!
I had the same kind of day with my almost three-year-old boy yesterday. My favorite moment on our splash pad days is when he walks over dripping wet, wanting to be wrapped up in a towel and snuggle in my lap for a few minutes. And the finger combing the hair, I live for those sweet mama moments.
Hi Naomi!
Last days I felt the same way, life as a mother is the best thing I have done in my life (my little India is 3 years old and my litlle Titouan is 8 months)But it’s the hardest thing sometimes. So when I read your blog I think I’m not alone ! Thank you Naomi for share bad moments too!
I’m sorry for my poor English but you know I’m french…
I started reading your blog a few months ago and I am hooked. I really related to this post- I appreciate how honest you are in such a public setting. I have to tell you I read your posts and look at your photos and I always think, “wow she has got it all and she’s got it all together”, but I appreciate reading about the times when you feel like its more challenging because its real. Thank you for sharing, it brightened up my day and gave me some inspiration and hope with my own family.
What an adorable little posts! I don’t have any little ones myself but it’s always nice to read about what my future may be like!
So sweet! Can’t wait till I can get around easier with my two little ones (my youngest is only four months). Just curious, what sunscreen do you use for the kids?
Loved this honest and real (and longer than usual) post, Naomi! I’m sure your summer will have lots of amazing things in store for you guys.
Aww your sweet son. I was just thinking how fun it’s going to be when he actually starts putting full sentences together. My friend’s son is 3 and starting to do that, it is the sweetest thing,
xoxo
Allison over at Allison’s Eye
I’m about to welcome my first little one into the world at the end of August! Really looking forward to being a mom, thanks in part to great examples like you. Love your blog.
Heartbreaking lovely! Thx for this very special post. This is so much being a mama.
Greetings from Hamburg, Germany.
Susann
I have not had children yet but I think thT you are a great mother taza! I work with children for a living but I always wonder how I would be with my own little ones. I know there will be challenging days but also days like the ones you described in this post. You are an inspiration!
Danica
http://lovedanica.blogspot.com
So I loved this! I can totally relate- that was me last summer and this summer I have a 10 month old, a almost three year old and a four year old. It is crazy but I absolutely love it! Thanks for sharing!
This sound like so much fun. –Hanna Lei
I love it when my son got to be more independent too! It’s really the sweetest to see your kids making new friends and playing with them.. Right now I can’t wait for my 1st child to be a big brother as our 2nd child will be born anytime soon. I hope they will be the bestest of friends! :)
A letter to my unborn son: http://smittenbyangels.blogspot.com
I love days like that. Such wonderful and simple and beautiful in so many ways. I hope you have many more days like that ahead of you!
xoxo
Taylor
Greetings from Colorado! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to check out your blog on my iphone during lunch
break. I love the knowledge you present here and can’t wait to take
a look when I get home. I’m surprised at how fast your blog loaded on my phone ..
I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, great blog!
He looks so much like Josh! It’ll probably take him a few years to develop that beard though ;)
I feel like everyone is going to splash pads except me! I’ve never even see one before!
As a Mom you may think this link is funny, ” Body After Baby- Shit they don’t tell you.” http://www.inallofhersplendor.com/2014/05/13/10-most-stylish-colorful-printed-sports-bras/
this was beautiful! im so happy you and your little family are so happy!
i started to get upset when reading about those boys dumping water on samson!
but a wonderful post, it’s so refreshing to have a blog like this to read, instead of the ones with all the perfectly manicured and curated pictures/videos/stories (those are nice too sometimes).
One thing I especially love about my toddler’s daycare is that they have a splash pad. He loves it!
That is the cutest photo! :) And sounds like a wonderful day! :)
Love this. I truly love reading about your family’s updates and adventures. I run to my husband every night and tell him how much your blog makes me anxious to have a family :)
<3 Melis
Sounds like so much fun! I’m feeling exactly the same right now with pregnancy fatigue, and the rest! Im 30 weeks pregnant today and having a little one to look after while having SPD and being constantly tired is not easy.
Take care.
Brigid
http://www.cr8v-design.blogspot.co.uk
so wonderfully said. honest, real, candid. thank you for sharing. wishing you many more splashpad kind of days.
xx
This is the sweetest, it really does sound like a wonderful life.
xo
Michaela
http://michaelajeanblog.com
Firstly your kids are just adorable, your blog is such a pleasure to read. I love coming to visit New York but was thinking we would have to cut our visits down once we have kids as I guess going there without kids you don’t really see all the child friendliness NY has to offer. Your blog has shown me how much stuff there really is to do little ones there too, so thank you so much for that :) Fingers crossed you will get a beautiful NY summer x
Summer time is just the best. I have such fun memories of going to Wet n Wild all summer as a kid. I can’t wait until my baby boy is here so I can dress him up in some little trunks and take him to the beach!
http://www.floatonblog.com/
Hello Naomi
I’ve been following you for 2 years now and i just want to thanks u for your incredible enthousiasm
You and your Family have a Wonderful way To see Life every day
I hope you lots of more happy moments
Salima from France
Sorry for my bad english
Merci pour ce que tu fais et ce que tu apporte aux autres par ton petit blog bien sympathique et rafraichissant
he is such a cutie! yay for happy summer days :)
xxoo,
nikki
http://www.dreaminneon.blogspot.com
Just re-read an old post of you Naomi, from january 24th 2013, the day you were SO happy to be over… Had to smile a bit while reading it cause that day we celebrated my son’s first birthday ;-) I quite enjoyed that particular day and never wanted it to finish.
Funny cause on lame days I always think “someone is having his/her birthday today’, and for some reason that kind of gives the day a little bit of special lining.
Love your blog, been following you since E. was a couple of months.
Beautiful and inspiring throughout. You are such an amazing woman Naomi!
Oh this is so beautiful! What fun! My little two year old also chats constantly, and throws in the word ‘Fireman’ or ‘Fire’ with everything :) What is their obsession with Fire Engines?!? :)
This is so sweet and so well said!
Thank God for splash pads!
And I know what you mean about feeling ridiculous amounts of fatigue. That was my least favorite part of pregnancy. Life is just so much harder, all around, when the sleepy feelings never subside.
I hope your energy levels bounce back up soon!
And, for the record, you are a pretty awesome mom!
Samson and Eleanor are blessed to have you.
i so feel you on every level of this post. love it. congrats on #3 – you’re going to be in heaven as a family of 5!!!
love a good nyc splash pad
http://www.babycordle.blogspot.com
Hang in there with your pregnancy. Summer pregnancies are hard (having finished one recently). You’re doing a great job with your littles. I hope you have many more peaceful days.
You’re the greatest mama. Thanks for your sweet example of kindness to everyone out there. I sure look up to you
Loving the photos!! Hugs from Russia!
http://www.marispark.ru
You’re a wonderful Mommy! Glad you’re getting some time to sit back, relax and observe your kiddos.
Have a great summer!
Maria xx
http://www.cheekypinktulip.blogspot.com
Sounds like a super fun day! …everything aside from when Samson had water poured over his head. :(
I had one of those days today. At 30 weeks pregnant with an 18-month old, energy is often hard to come by. He played contently in the yard for almost an hour while I closed my eyes and enjoyed the warm sun.
Thank you for your honest, beautiful post, I’ve been following you for years and this is up there with my faves!
My wife and I just took our daughter to the splashpad for the first time. She was terrified. Had no idea what was going on. Thought it a bit odd because she loves the bath. I finally got her to play in the really light sprinkles but I had to go in with her.
Hmm it appears like your blog ate my first comment (it was
super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the
whole thing. Do you have any recommendations for
first-time blog writers? I’d certainly appreciate it.
Splashpads are the BOMB! Sadly, since we’ve moved out of the city (chicago), I can’t find any free anymore. My daughter and I both really miss it! Enjoy your summer :)
Samson is the cutest! I love this picture of you both!
Nawww, that lil smile! What an absolute cutie pie. You guys sure do make cute babies! I hope you continue to enjoy the sunshine and splash pads. What a life, being a kid!!! :)
jemimax
http://www.jemimajaneblog.com
I’m wondering where you got the sunglasses that you are wearing in this pic? They’re great. Samson is pretty cute too :)
hi! thank you! they are really old sunglasses i got at madewell a few years ago.