Motherhood has been the greatest gift in my life! Sure, there are challenges, but even on the hardest days I find myself wondering how I could ever be so fortunate to have such an amazing little family. Isaac and Isla bring me immeasurable amounts of joy, and I am so thankful to them for showering me with love every day of the year. Mother’s Day feels like icing on the top of an already incredible cake! My second Mother’s Day… where to begin? Each and every little detail reflected the thought and effort that went into creating a day that I would love. And I loved it so much! It was truly perfect, and my sweet husband’s thoughtfulness meant the world to me.

Isaac had everything planned and made all of our delicious meals. Our morning started with family snuggles in bed and a wonderful back massage. When we came downstairs, Isaac poured mimosas and I opened gifts.My sweeties collaborated on this beautiful piece, and I still cannot stop staring at it! Isaac hand-lettered my favorite of all of Isla’s sweet toddler phrases, “I yuh you, Mommy,” on top of one of Isla’s beautiful paintings.Isaac also created a gorgeous book with all of our weekly belly photos from our pregnancy with Isla. My heart fluttered and I could not stop grinning as I looked back through these images and remembered all of the excitement we felt anticipating Isla’s arrival. Isla loved looking through the book as well, and enthusiastically identified us both in each image.“Mommy, purple shirt.”“Mommy, red shirt.”“Mi-yuh!!!”My sweet girl and her painting… I yuh YOU, Isla!Isaac then set to work making breakfast while Isla rearranged the spice drawer. She must take after her Nana J.We enjoyed a delicious breakfast of strawberry pancakes and bacon. Yum!After breakfast, I sipped on my mimosa while Isaac gave me a foot massage (could life get any better?!) and Isla practiced her yoga. Isla does not usually watch TV, but we have made an exception for this wonderful yoga video. Isla absolutely loves it and I am amazed that at one and a half she is already beginning to learn some basic poses! I am really hoping we can find some good Mommy and Me yoga classes when we return to Portland this summer. Anyone have any suggestions?After our leisurely morning together, we hopped on our bikes and rode to Zhou Pu Park for a picnic lunch. It was a gorgeous day and I am so glad we spent so much time outside.While everyone was watching Isla…she was busily picking up every twig in the park. Literally.Isla also got to go on her first carousel ride. She was not sure what to think about it at first. I could feel her getting nervous, so I started chanting, “Up, down, up, down,” along with the horse’s movements, and that seemed to help her relax. Before long she was cheering along with me, “Up, down, up, down!” A week later she still says, “Up, down, up, down! Horsies!”We settled down in a quieter area of the park on a little patch of grass to enjoy our picnic lunch. Isaac made quite a spread!Isla devoured the sun-dried tomato hummus like it was her business.We forgot forks, so used “carrot chopsticks” instead. Smart thinking, Ikey.We are slowly getting more used to all of the random strangers who pick Isla up and pose for photos. Baby Girl’s face says it all… totally cracks me up!Bring your tent to the park and camp for the day!Love these two so much!!! Thank you for making me a Mommy!Once Isla went down for her nap we popped a bottle of bubbly and spent the afternoon in the backyard, basking in the sunshine. Absolute perfection! Thank you, thank you, thank you, Isaac and Isla for such a wonderful Mother’s Day celebration.

Isaac and Isla collaborated on this beautiful painting for me in honor of Mother’s Day…  I will treasure it forever!