Looking back...and forward

Earlier today I was thinking that, on this day last year, we were just beginning our wonderful family vacation in Italy!

We reconnected with family (here are Sammy, Tony and Brie with Great-Grandpa)...

And spent hours by the beach...

And that was just Day 1! Needless to say, it was a very special trip for us, and reminded me and Tony of how important family is. No wonder we started considering having another baby after visiting Italy!

For more of a look back on our fantastic trip, here are my posts from last May:  Post 1, Post 2, Post 3, and Post 4.

And, as hard as it is to believe, on this day next year, we'll have an almost-11-month-old for whom we'll be planning a first birthday party: CRAZY!

In honor of Baby D3's impending arrival, our extremely thoughtful neighbor Tab came over last week and took some "maternity pics" of me and the kiddos in our backyard. Check out these photos...real treasures! I can't think of a more special way to be able to look back on this time...when my little ones were just Sammy and Brie.

As you can see, they are both very excited about the little person who's going to join us in a little over 6 weeks. Can't wait to meet him, discover his personality and watch his big siblings shower him with love.

As our former NC neighbor Eleanore said to me on the phone today, "You are lucky to be in the midst of new life." That could not be more true. Here's to looking back...and forward!!

P.S.  Thank you again, Tab!!  We LOVE the photos!!