Quarantine, 2.

From the days we spent together, mostly. Isolated from the rest of the world. Escaping for fresh air and a bag of groceries. Filled our days with work and tidying and calling distant friends. Keenly aware of what we were going without, even more so of what remained.

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From quarantine.

A wedding ceremony in our living room with Hugo the officiant, Maisie the bridesmaid and Gus the groomsman. Fake flowers for bouquets and a banana bread cake. A tea set for the reception. Vows forgotten by the officiant. A dance to "The Book of Love" - from our first dance nearly 10 years ago. Rivaled the real thing, in fact.

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Working from home.

First time we had both kids home during the COVID-19 quarantine, and they won this one. 

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A promotion.

To VP. In the midst of lots of craziness around COVID-19 (which is not to be taken lightly), some good news over here. 

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Maisie Austen, nearly 2.

Maisie Austen, nearly 2. Not so much a baby anymore. Loves playing with "Beep Beep" (her toy car) in the basement, pretending she's off to work. Listens to the Moana soundtrack on repeat. Eats blueberries and popcorn and chocolate chips any time of the day. Sweetest in the morning, bleary eyed. All I had imagined when the doctor said, "girl".

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Hands Offering Hope.

For International Women's Day, we went to a cocktail party supporting Hands Offering Hope - an organization that empowers and equips young people in Mexico to become leaders. The fundraiser was specifically for their Women's Collective, which focuses on young women who are overcoming incredible odds to evolve their communities. My college roommate is now their Director of Development, and hearing her talk about these women absolutely inspired me - we're headed down to Mexico this summer to support the work further, and cannot wait.

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Sunday mornings.

The ones we'll talk about when we're old and grey. The noisy ones that start at 6am, become a mess of spilled coffee and tiny feet and stuffed animals in the bed. The gold in a string of ordinary days.

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A benefit dinner.

From last night, during which Sarabeth Levine (in the flesh!) assembled and handed me the most amazing chocolate mousse. From presentations by Marcus Samuelsson and Tim Zagat to spicy hard boiled eggs and vegetarian lasagnas and red celery juices for the enjoying. All in support of culinary scholarships and big opportunities in food.

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Torn ACL.

Our poor pup tore his ACL this week. It's been happening slowly over the course of several months, but only within the last day has become painfully debilitating to him (likely became a full tear). Blake and I took him to the vet yesterday, and we've decided to treat it first with pain meds before exploring surgery - which comes with its own risks. It brings us back to this, which doesn't feel like it could be eight years ago.

And I'm not sure what else to say other than that these dogs will fill your heart and break it and make you do crazy, expensive things. We love him so.

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Valentine's Day.

His first time writing his own Valentine's Day cards. Her pigtails and love of strawberries and Toy Story jammies (never wants to take them off). A flower delivery at the office. Our fifth annual Valentine's Day brunch at home.

Can't help but love this holiday.

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Baby Jack.

We gained a new nephew this past week: James Amadeus Huberty, who goes by Jack. If you ask Hugo, he will tell you he named Jack long ago - his imaginary friend brought to life.

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Visiting Baby Ernie.

From the weekend I flew to Denver to meet Rachel's new baby - a 7 week old Ernie, who is just as sweet as can be. We spent hours making meals, went on walks through the snow, took Rach's first postpartum spin class.

There's something really special about seeing your oldest friend become a mom. She's someone who has cared for my own heart through all of the joys and upsets of life to date, and this is a role she was destined for. To have a mother who is patient, strong, kind, full of life and adventure - an enormous stroke of luck.

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A weekend in January.

a race in support of local refugee support programs.

a date at a new favorite Indian spot.

 a new home for our books. 

New Haven Symphony Orchestra's children's concert.

and some time with my favorite astronaut. 

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Lately.

Embracing the greys and the 5:30 wakeup calls. The late nights in the office and the mediocre cups of coffee. Listening to The Daily during morning workouts and Veggie Tales with the kids during breakfast. Reading The Power of Habit. Catching up with friends via Marco Polo. Feeling antsy with the state of the world, and still thankful in all of it.

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Reading and writing.

From the month he started to read and write - a door opening to language and him sprinting through it. Four years old and a lover of words. Everything I had hoped for.

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Axe throwing.

From the best date night: pasta and axe throwing. As someone who excels when underestimated, guess how good I was at this??

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A December baby shower.

From a small celebration for my big sister's little boy, due in February. 

We can't wait to meet you, baby, and thanks for keeping the cousin gender ratio equal. This is the kind of appreciation for detail that will serve you well in this family. 

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Lately.

The kids have been asking to bounce in the basement every evening. We've been working hard: Blake busy with investor meetings, me with two new accounts at work. We've been planning family trips this year: to Croatia for a wedding, Mexico for a project I'm passionate about, Martha's Vineyard for a beach weekend. I've been reading a new book on habit formation and willing myself out of bed in the cold, early hours for a run (hardest this time of year). Blake has been playing basketball on Tuesday nights and (still, always) carving out time for UConn games. I've been taking a good look at the kids: four years and one year old, still excited for things like pizza picnic and treasure hunts.

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Ringing in the New Year.

...with a little boy who insisted on wearing a bow tie to the party, and was 100% prepared for the countdown. I'm a very big fan of him.

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From 2019.

The highlights:

In January:
Hugo ran his first race outside of a stroller. Blake went to a work conference in California. I began some research work outside of San Francisco. We all braved the cold temperatures.

In February:
We went to Disney World with my family and began work on our basement renovation. I celebrated 7 years at Edelman. We had our annual Valentine's Day celebration. I drove up to Boston for a baby shower.

 In March:
We played in the snow and took the kids bowling. Blake and I went to see Jason Robert Brown in the city. I traveled to Charleston for work. We continued house projects and I took my niece to her first manicure.

In April:
We celebrated Maisie's first birthday and were visited by my friend Michelle. I flew out to California for their state dietetic meeting. We had a quiet Easter at home with family. Hugo had his first art show. I began training for another half marathon.

In May:
We celebrated Hugo's fourth birthday. I traveled to Japan and San Francisco for work. We watched the Kentucky Derby with friends. Hugo and I spent a Saturday volunteering at a women's shelter. We saw the town Memorial Day parade.

In June:
I turned 30, we celebrated 9 years of marriage, and we went to see Hamilton in the city. Poor Maisie had a trip to the ER (and was fine!). Blake had his 10 year college reunion in Providence. Hugo had his last day of school and we took a family trip to Martha's Vineyard. I made a trip to New Orleans for a conference.

In July:
I was back in California for work, then made a trip to Colorado to run a half marathon in celebration of my, Rachel's and Jessi's 30th birthdays. Hugo rode with my parents in the 4th of July parade. We drove up to Boston to meet a friend's new baby. We celebrated Gus's 8th birthday and had a farewell party for friends at the beach.

In August:
We celebrated Blake's 32nd birthday. We made a trip to Stowe, VT as a family. Hugo and I ran in a race benefiting the Children's Rescue Mission in Honduras. I traveled to California for work meetings and met up with some friends in LA. Maisie and I went to a baby shower.

In September:
Blake and I made a trip to London and the Cotswolds. I had a trip to Arizona for a work conference. Maisie started walking. Hugo started PreK at a new school and soccer with the town league. We went to the town fair and I threw a baby shower for my friend Rachel.

In October:
We visited the pumpkin patch and dressed up as Peter Pan, Wendy, Captain Hook and Tinker Bell for Halloween. Blake made a trip to Florida for work. I traveled to Philly for a conference. We moved my office downstairs and Maisie (finally) got a crib. Blake and I went to see Noah Gundersen in Brooklyn.

In November:
We went hiking and had birthday parties for Hugo's stuffed animals. I visited the Museum of Food & Drink with work and traveled to Chicago for meetings. Blake and I went out to dinner to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the day we got engaged. We traveled down to DC for Thanksgiving with family and Hugo and I ran a 5K.

In December:
We made a trip to Disney World, where Maisie was excited to meet Mickey and "Googy". Went to the town Christmas tree lighting and celebrated the season at parties with friends and colleagues. Spent a Saturday in NYC - brunch and meeting Santa at the Plaza. Finished the basement renovation and surprised the kids with a clubhouse.

From 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2010.

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