A Labor of Love

This week has been a roller coaster of emotions.

Zoe has finally begun use the potty and is nearly completely out of diapers. It’s been a long, messy and frustrating time coming, but I’m so excited to bust out the adorable Hello Kitty panties I bought for her six months ago.

We learned that after two state evaluations, Jack has a severe speech delay and will most likely qualify for speech therapy given by the state. We were actually hoping that he would qualify (we know that he needs it), as our insurance no longer covers the speech therapy that he has been receiving for a year. I never thought I would be so relieved and heartbroken over the same piece of news, but that’s parenting for you.

I went in on Friday morning for my much anticipated fetal echocardiogram. It was a routine test given when the fetus shows an abnormal nuchal screen (more on that here), but that didn’t alleviate my anxiety over it even remotely. The test was given at a special pediatric cardiology office loaded with screaming babies… I sat and chewed my nails for exactly 2 hours before my name was called. Finally after a non-invasive ultrasound, I was told that my baby has a normal heart based on what the doctor could see. More veiled elation and relief flooded through my pores.

Over the past few weeks, Justin has been in clinic upwards of 40 hours a week, on top of the expected 8 hours daily that he is studying for the national board exams. Our lives have been more hectic and harried than usual, leaving our heads constantly buzzing with lists of things that need to be done and bills that need to be paid. We make sure to eat dinner as a family as often as possible, and even occasionally fit in a Saturday breakfast. It’s not ideal but we’re making the most of precious few moments that we have together. It’s hard not to feel like these constant necessaries are robbing us blind of those particular treasures.

Last Monday morning we were instantly reminded of precisely why we must soak up each moment with each other and remember to recharge the battery by which our heart ticks.

On Sunday night, a friend of mine and true force in the food blogging community lost her husband to an unexpected heart attack. He was the father of their two young daughters and the absolute love of Jennie’s life.

Jennifer Perillo is one of those people that exudes passion, love and life and expresses these treasures through her food . Her love for her husband and girls is quite literally palpable, and she shares it so beautifully on her blog-truly a gift to anyone who happens to take a gander. She is incredibly inspiring, not only for her culinary prowess but for the way she lives her life and loves her people.

We gathered on Friday to celebrate Mikey’s life at a cool little restaurant in TriBeCa, surrounded by incredible people, food and music. Jennie sparkled that day, wearing the Manolo’s she picked out to look pretty for her husband. We watched as she danced with her youngest daughter, smiling and shining with a light that was beaming with Mikey’s spirit. As my friend Christy put it, the sun was shining especially beautifully with his approval.

That same day, Jennie asked her friends and readers to bake a pie for their loved ones in honor of Mikey. Together with my babies, we chopped, stirred and whipped our way through the process of making the peanut butter pie, all the while making sure to laugh and sing and simply live in the moment.

Justin, Jack, Zoe and I sat down as a family tonight and thoroughly enjoyed each and every bite of this pie. I especially relished in the smiles and togetherness, keeping Jennie, Mikey and their girls in my mind and heart. Words cannot express the sorrow we feel for their family, but because of them we celebrated life and love, no matter how fleeting the moments together seem.

This community is truly incredible; Take a peek over here to see the ripple effect of Jennie’s #apieformikey. I encourage you all to bake a pie for your loved ones in honor of Mikey, it will fill your bellies with goodness and replenish your soul with gratitude.