Five years came and went, and I can still easily recall the moment when you joined us, born at home, surrounded by your family. Adin rubbed your hairy arms and commented on how soft they felt, “like a peach.” I starred at another little man brought into my life, and wondered how in the WORLD would I manage 3 boys…where would this tiny being “fit” into our family, and what role would you play in this journey called life?

Today I look at you…chocolate brown eyes, blond hair that’s beginning to darken, and you’re loud, crazy cute, and funny as all get out. You’re totally the family comedian. I’ve often contemplated taking you on the road and charging tickets for your performances. The best part- you know you’re funny. Sometimes, when you’re really going, we just can’t stop you. You’ll talk to the neighbors like old friends. You’ll roll down the car window and scream things at people like, “Hope you’re having a great day!” “Oh, wow, like that shirt!” Or, sometimes, you say things you shouldn’t say…Like about a month ago, we pulled up to Costco and you yelled out the window, “Hey lady, your boobies are hanging out.” After I covered my face and cried for 5 minutes (from laughter), we talked about inappropriate things to say to people.

Seriously kid? I adore you. You have us rolling in laughter on a daily basis.

I tell the “thumb” story all the time. You came up to me this winter with a very serious look on your face. You said, “Mom, I’m four (with 4 fingers up), but pretty soon my thumb is gonna come up, and then I’ll be ALL big.” (Then my heart exploded) You’ve been talking about that thumb ever since, and couldn’t believe it had “come up” the morning of your birthday. Like, it REALLY happened!?

Even though you’re five, you still suck your two middle fingers when you’re tired or want to be comforted…and frankly, you’re my baby, so I really don’t mind. ;) Cuddling with Mama and Baba is your favorite thing to do…often holding our ears and kissing our faces like crazy. The other day you just completely melted me when you cupped my face with your two little hands, looked me in the eyes and said, “Mommy, you so precious.” I’m sure this is a repeat of what what you’ve heard many times over, but it was said with such innocence and sincerity.

You hug me so tightly you take my breath away.

Lately, I make you laugh SO hard by acting like I’m throwing a tantrum about my baby boy growing up…complete with screaming, pounding my fists, and major frowning. I love that I can still make you laugh…your brothers and sister are well past that point. ;)

Every night we have the same routine. Baba and I hug you in bed while I pray, and then we sing your special “Birdie Song” that goes:

“See the little birdie, flying up so high, to the land of happy dreams, fa-le-lullaby.
See the little birdie, spread his wings and fly, as I sing this song to you, fa-le-lullaby.”

You sing the same tune, but repeat these words instead: “I love mama baba, I love mama baba, I love mama baba.”

MELT.
I don’t know what I’ll do when you stop singing with us.

What a little blessing you are, baby boy. And now, of course, I just couldn’t imagine our family unit functioning without the light and pure joy you bring. Thankful for every day with you.

If by any chance you follow us on Instagram or have just been around here long enough to get to know our family, then you know that we love to eat. We cherish good food. Honestly, I somehow managed to completely LUCK out and score a man that not only knows his way around a kitchen-he’d prefer to just live there. The boy can cook up a mean meal…and he does it with so much love. He takes pride in researching, teaching us, and feeding us the best stuff around. So I got this idea that maybe it’s time to share this gift that he has with others. (*Note: He would be mortified that I just called it a “gift,” but truly, it is…and I don’t have it.)

The more I thought about it, the more I encouraged him to do something with this passion! He needed to somehow share this love and knowledge of food and nutrition. And so, the concept of Baba’s Table was born. His site will SOON be LIVE and we really hope that you will follow along, and that (hopefully) it will help you out in the kitchen. It will be a place where recipes from all over the world will be shared. A place that focuses on getting people back to the basics of WHOLE FOODS from nature, and working on cutting out processed. A place where old world tradition and wisdom are reborn. Most of all, a place where the entire family is brought into the kitchen- where together they enjoy the entire process of making a meal happen, and together sit down to reap the benefits of their labor; learning true appreciation of experience.

Baba’s Table will center around food, the family unit, and true nourishment. We welcome you to be a part!

And for fun….

Our family was just featured in a GORGEOUS local online magazine called 513 {eats}!! This is a Cincinnati based online magazine which beautifully showcases wonderful places to eat around our city. We were honored to have them into our home and kitchen, and have our family featured in their summer issue…..

Gina and Ilene, the main gals behind the beautiful online magazine, put together such a gorgeous collection of photographs and words. I encourage you to look through the entire issue, and you will find our article in the table of contents under “En Famille.”

CLICK THE PHOTO BELOW TO GO TO THE ONLINE MAGAZINE: