I’ve been away from home for less than a week, and am so grateful I get to return home today. Oddly enough, this was my first domestic trip I took since the flight from Phoenix to Fort Lauderdale nearly two years ago, when I moved to Florida with my dear family.
I’m in Madison, Wisconsin, and have to admit it is one beautiful town. Very picturesque and small-town feel. Driving through downtown, it is nice to see virtually no big-name stores or restaurants. It’s full of one-of-a-kind shops and eating places. I’m grateful to be here in the summer, because I hear the winters are brutal. The weather has been warm and sunny, and only today has it started to rain a bit here and there. The landscape is ever so green and hilly; I’d really hate to be here during an ice or snow storm!
@Rocky Rococo’s – home of best pan pizza in town!@ the Old Fashioned – downtown MadisonI was tempted to try this soup, but passed!deep fried cheese curds…yummy!home made frozen custard, less than a mile from the office..dangerous!@ Michael’s Frozen CustardI had the Chunky Monkey..delish!my Chunky Monkey sundae!
Well, I’ve enjoyed my stay here and made the most of my ‘free’ time away from home. Caught a couple of movies and enjoyed some frozen custard and local cheeses too. The time has come to return to my lovely family, which I’ve missed dearly.
I’m sitting in a hotel room in Mexico City writing this post, waiting for time to pass so I can Skype with my girls at bedtime. I miss them terribly, and would miss them even more if I didn’t receive daily photos of them showing them off in all their sweet glory. With all this technology these days, it makes the time apart just a bit more bearable. Before I left on my trip, I tried to take as many photos and silly videos of them as possible, so I could flip through them on my phone when I’m missing them (which is more often than not). Lucas was a good sport, too, cooing and giggling for me whenever I caught him on film.
I am travelling with a small photo book, featuring a few sweet shots we got while I was on maternity leave, which include the moment Eva and Zoe first met their baby brother. My heart melts every time I glance at those pictures. Every day, I take a moment to reflect on how blessed I am, and thank God for giving me such a sweet family. I have a loving husband who is very supportive of my career choices, and cares for and loves our children so dearly; I am blessed with such fun sweet girls who inject my heart with joy each time I chat with them online; and I am blessed with one sweet little boy who is healthy as can be, and will have the time of his life growing up in such a loving household.
Here are the most recent photos of my darlings, that I simply can’t get enough of these past few hours…
My baby, Lucas, so photogenic already, with arms outstretched just waiting to be picked up…
I long for the day I return home so I can feel his baby warmth once more
Eva and Zoe, taking a stroll in the old neighborhood
Am loving the swagger, but am also touched by their sweet display of sisterly love
I’ve got to go now. I am due for my evening Skype date with my loved ones.
May you be blessed with the company of those you love tonight.
Nothing is greater than a parent’s love for their child. I learned this quickly a few years ago when I first became a mother. Words cannot describe the emotions one feels when one welcomes a new little one into this world, and is immediately charged with protecting them and keeping them safe, in each and every way.
Those who know me personally are familiar with the challenges I faced with my first pregnancy, which continued long after the birth of our precious twin girls, Eva and Zoe. After spending three weeks in the hospital under 24/7 observation, I delivered my sweet girls nearly three months early, only to have to leave them behind in the NICU for another two months before they could come home with us. It was an experience I could have never predicted, or prepared for, even with the dozens of baby and pregnancy books I had read.
Two years later, Eva and Zoe are doing great and are blessed with their new baby brother, Lucas. This time around I had more of a ‘normal’ birth experience, and am so happy I was able to spend the first few hours of Lucas’ life with him and also bring him home with me when I was discharged. I am grateful every day I am a mother, and feel blessed with the beautiful family God has given me.
I do not forget what we went through though, in our early days as parents, and because of this my heart always goes out to others who face similar fates with their new babies. I get a soft spot in my heart each time I learn of a new story like ours, as I did a few days ago when I discovered a new artist I instantly fell in love with. My husband, Victor, and I stumbled upon the art of Fabio Napoleoni in a private art gallery and it immediately caught our eye. His art filled a small space on a back wall, and it drew us both in at once. Hearts were everywhere in his art — a large one with stitching on it, dozens of tiny ones floating the skies. The characters he painted appeared solemn and hopeful. The colors he used were vibrant, yet dark at the same time. It appealed to us on so many levels.
We slowly learned of the symbolism and meaning behind his art. These beautiful paintings were created by a father who had also struggled with pain and uncertainty when his precious daughter was born. When his daughter was born, she had to remain in the NICU due to heart complications. Since then, she has had several surgeries and is now doing well. In his paintings, he depicts himself and his wife as ‘rag doll’ characters, and uses a heart to represent his daughter. Fabio turned to art as an outlet for what he was experiencing as I am sure it was also difficult for him to find someone he could relate to. His images caught my eye even before I knew his story, but once I learned of his inspiration, I was even more touched by his art.
To celebrate the arrival of baby Lucas, we decided to hire a professional photographer to take some newborn and family photos for us last week. It was a bit chaotic behind the scenes at time, with Zoe and Eva running circles around our photographer (Alison) but we managed to get some really beautiful shots that capture the essence of our little family these days.
Lucas was a natural, sleeping through most of his camera time, while Eva and Zoe played coy at times while secretly loving the attention of the camera lens.
Here’s a sneak peek of our session, posted by Alison Frank Photography.
I hope you enjoy the glimpse into the nursery, as well. More pictures to follow separately, once a few finishing touches are complete.
On Saturday morning, March 31st, 2012, at 11.29am, we welcomed the newest addition to our family. Lucas Benicio Duarte was born weighing 7lbs 3 oz, and 19″ long. Full head of hair, and milky white complexion; our family was blessed with the arrival of our sweet little boy.
Lucas Benicio Duarte
Eva & Zoe met their little brother on Sunday afternoon, and were in awe of his tiny body and tiny little feet and hands. It was love at first sight. They were anxious to shower him with kisses and tickle his tiny feet.
Zoe & Eva meeting Baby Lucas
Lucas and I were discharged on Monday evening, and it has been nice to be home again. Eva and Zoe have been great with Lucas, and are already trying to say his name clearly when they refer to him. Zoe was holding the baby monitor last night and called into it ‘Hello LuLu’, after I told her it was for listening to Lucas if he woke up crying. Eva called him ‘Baby Luc’ when she was talking to him this afternoon. They wave their hands in front of his face, cooing “Hi! Hi!” and have been very helpful with him and very playful, too, which has really helped them transition over to ‘big sister’ status for both of them.
This is a huge relief, considering we were so worried about dealing with feelings of jealousy and neglect once we brought Lucas home. They know we still love them very much, and we both take time to read to them and play with them still, despite having brought a new baby home. Lucas is one lucky baby. He has been brought into a home full of love and warmth, and has two loving sisters who adore him so much already. We thank all of you for your blessings and best wishes as we adjust to our newest addition.
{how sweet life is} 