Dost Mine Eyes Deceive Me?

Is that a counter top and sink I see?!

Perfect Love

Although different tulip colors carry distinct meanings - yellow tulips symbolizing cheerful thoughts, white conveying forgiveness and purple representing royalty - a Turkish legend may be responsible for the red tulip's symbolism. The story goes that a prince named Farhad was love struck by a maiden named Shirin. When Farhad learned that Shirin had been killed, he was so overcome with grief that he killed himself - riding his horse over the edge of a cliff. It's said that a scarlet tulip sprang up from each droplet of his blood, giving the red tulip the meaning "perfect love."



When faced with the daunting decision as to what flower(s) I wanted to carry down the aisle on my wedding day, I was stumped. I've never felt strongly about one particular flower because of course, any flower is nice as far as I'm concerned. And so, after discovering that in the "flower culture" certain flowers are known to have symbolism and meaning, I quickly arrived at the decision to carry tulips. Although I don't think Chris chose them on purpose, the tulips that I discovered on my kitchen table Sunday morning meant more to me that any other flower could have.

However, how many women can boast that they not only received a bouquet of tulips but also some under-cabinet lighting for Valentine's Day?




Our plans that day were to head to Hanson for a turkey dinner which we were all pretty pumped about. Maeve was so pumped, she decided to accessorize the top of her head with some mouse ears and insisted that her Dad do the same. Getting out the door these days is pretty hectic as we strap the kids in and make certain we have all their diaper bags. As we settled in to our two vehicles to make the trip north, I noticed Chris jump out of the truck to grab something inside. What he came out with, was his headband which Maeve had presented to him earlier. He placed it on his head, strapped himself in and gave me the thumbs-up sign as he and Maeve backed out of the driveway in the pick-up truck. Michael and I followed behind and most of my trip was spent giggling every time I caught a glance of my husband and his headband. But the best part for me, and a reminder for me of why I love Chris so fiercely, was when he pulled into a gas station and very confidently began pumping gas - headband in place. I love you Chris for all that you do to make our lives better and for all that you are. Don't ever change a thing, not even your headband.

Slave to Love

Life's pretty good when you're a 3-year-old who's been Valentine's Day party hopping all week. She's been so looking forward to this week and there was a period of time when we wondered if she'd make it to either party with the threat of the Nor'easter looming. But, the weather proved to be no match for Seekonk and Maeve enjoyed party #1 at Knotty Pine Nursery School this morning. Tomorrow it's off to Rocky Hill Day Care for party #2. Here are some shots of the little party-goer readying her love notes for the morning. She's been working hard at her writing skills. Put a little love in your heart people.

It Won't Be Long Now!

The countertop is ordered, the lights are on their way and soon we'll be firing up the new dishwasher for her maiden voyage. We have turned the corner ladies and gentlemen and the end really is in sight...

Night Terrors

I'd have to say Chris and I had one of the most unnerving and traumatic evenings that we've ever had as parents a couple of weeks ago. We found ourselves at the emergency room of Sturdy Memorial Hospital with poor little Maeve at 11 PM following a seizure-like episode that shook Chris and I to our cores. With her cries intensifying by the minute accompanied by facial distortion due to the retraction of her lower jaw and an inability to speak clearly, what we thought may have been a seizure has been more or less ruled as an episode of night terrors. I had never heard of a night terror before this experience and quickly learned of the large distinction between a terror versus a nightmare. There is plenty of research and literature available on the subject and most children grow out of them by about age 8 but I wouldn't wish this experience on any family and have my fingers crossed that our little Maeve doesn't have to endure another one. Although she has no recall of the event, it doesn't make the possibility of another night terror more bearable.

Another Bundle of Love

The newest addition to the McNamara clan arrived on 12/4/09 and my greatest apologies to the little guy for not getting this information posted with more immediacy. Welcome Kayin Effie Reid Freeman born to Katie and Olase. Arriving by c-section, he weighed in at 8 lbs., 15 oz. at 8:03 in the morning at Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket. He is loved by all and is thriving in his new environment. Although we don't get to see him as often as we would like, we savor each moment we have with him and look forward to watching him grow.

Listening...we're working on it

So we're now charging head first into the world of Michael as more of a toddler and less of a (dare I say it?) baby. His favorite activity is climbing and his forte? Defiance. For the time being, his belligerence is still amusing Chris and I as you'll see in these two clips. The amusement will surely give way to exasperation in the not too distant future.