For Christmas, Conor gave me a pottery class. It was a perfect gift and was medicine for my soul. I got out of the house, learned something new and did something that was for me. I made a bunch of pieces, most very beginner but that's how one learns. I had fun bringing home a box of all my things all glazed and having my family ooh and ahh over each piece. The plate rail in our dining room has been the ideal display place. Slowly pieces have been moved from the plate rail as they become used around the house. A salt cellar, a vessel to hold tooth brushes. Flowers in a vase. My mom took a few things home with her when she visited. I sent a pot for my sister. I've enjoyed it so much that I've purchased a wheel and a kiln. I've wanted to learn pottery for years and now I'm doing it!

My beautiful baby boy in all his diaper wearing glory.

My little fella, Ira, is almost always clambering to get into my arms or on my body. He's such a momma's boy right now! Most of the time, I'm so flattered. Occasionally, I'm exhausted.

I wanted to take a couple snaps of Ira looking out the window but as soon as he saw me he made his way over to me. Ira holding onto my pant legs is my mother view right now!

My darling Greta turned 11 years old. I think she'll be stuck at 10 in my mind forever though! All Greta wanted for her birthday was books! We had a birthday party for Greta at the local park's outdoor fireplace where we roasted hot dogs, marshmallows and starbursts. On Greta's actual birthday (a Monday), we ate waffles and opened presents and sent Greta to school late. Greta wanted fancy pizza for dinner - yum! And after school, Greta and I played card games together. I love my Greta!

This past year has sped by! Has it already been almost a year since Ira was born? Ira continues to be a joy! A few weeks ago, he decided to start crawling on his hands and knees and hasn't really looked back. He's crawling around all over the place and pulling himself up to standing constantly (my couch is covered in Ira height snot smears). Ira's like a goat in that if I'm sitting or lying on the floor, he's climbing onto me.

Let's talk about sleep. Conor and I made some desperate (but deliberate) adjustments to Ira's sleep life. He now sleeps at night in Conor's office and naps in our room. I get him up and feed him at around 10pm before I go to bed and then he sleeps until 7 or 8am. This is an incredible improvement! When I go get Ira after his naps, he always scooted into the corner closest to the door waiting for me.

Ira loves to eat and has decided that spoon fed baby food is for babies and he'd like to eat with his hands thank you very much, unless he's being offered yogurt, in which case, shovel 'er on in. He can reliably drink from a sippy cup (finally).

Ira can say "uh-oh" and "hi" and has an adorable little wave. He's cuddly, something I really love about him. I melt every time he snuggles into me. To get really close, he'll roll himself right into me nice and tight. He did that to his big bro, E, the other day - rolled into him for a snuggle.

Ira loves taking a bath. Water is where it's at for him! I'm looking forward to summertime and swim lessons. Ira likes to be outside and when I get out his snow suit, he crawls over to it and holds it until I put it on him. Ira continues to be a really easy going and good natured guy. His body weight and size is so compact and sweet. I sure love my pumpkin pIra.