(written saturday afternoon)

Quality time is on my list of “favorite things” — when I was younger, quality time with my friends was a rich cup of wellness. As I get deeper and deeper into parenthood and phases of life, spending time with my family has become the peak happiness. This afternoon we spent time out in the driveway throwing Millie her ball, and introducing Finley to her shadow. It was a beautiful day — no money spent, no hefty expectations, and I feel gratitude and fullness as I sit and reflect on today.

Last night Ron and I spent a long while laying in bed and looking at pictures of Finley shortly after being born. I feel like I spent so much time adjusting to motherhood and so little time soaking her in back in the first few months. It makes me ache when I realize how incredibly fast this is all going. So cliche — but so freakin’ true. Today we spent time as a family doing our usuals: dancing in the kitchen, pointing out family in photographs, singing songs, and getting out of the house. This evening I held Fin on my hip, and stirred together some cookie dough. When a song came on Pandora that she liked, she’d throw those hands in the air and clap.

“Go Finner! Go Finner! Go, Go, Go Finner!” I sung.

This afternoon we trekked to the dog park. Fin clapped at all the over-zealous dogs that ran to her face and swiped it with a slobbery lick. She makes friends fast, this one.

I’m ending this with the BEST picture of Finley EVER…

And… awesome.