melissa doug snowman - Danielle Moss

11.22.21

melissa doug snowman

I always wanted you but couldn’t have known how

I always wanted you but couldn’t have known how much I needed you. To think there was a 5 week window between your big sister’s diagnosis and the day you were born that I was scared (terrified)to have you. I didn’t know if I’d be able to care for you or love you the way you needed. How could I be there for both of you?

I hate to admit that, but cancer took over our lives. I feared we couldn’t feel joy around your arrival, but from the moment I held you, there was nothing but joy and love. You’re so easy to love. And I can’t look at you and feels anything but happiness.

For anyone who needs to hear this story today, I had a miscarriage the month before I got pregnant with Kate. That baby, who was very wanted, would have been due a week or two after diagnosis. Margot would have been inpatient at the hospital and I would have had to have our baby alone (this was May/June 2020).

I remember a friend telling me about her miscarriage and how she got pregnant within a few months, and then had her son. How he was meant to be with them, and that story gave me hope. Our hope was Kate.

The circumstances around her arrival were less than ideal, but she was meant to be here. She came when we needed her and has been our light every day since.

We are coming up on 2 years since Margot’s diagnosis and I want to send love to anyone who is in an especially hard season. Sickness, loss, grief…it won’t be like this forever, even though it might not feel that way. Sending you all love, from me and our little 🐰 #littlekateelizabeth #rainbowbaby

The girls are asleep and we’re having drinks her

The girls are asleep and we’re having drinks here. Cheers to spring days (and nights) that feel like summer.

Seven years ago today, I met a guy on Tinder for a

Seven years ago today, I met a guy on Tinder for a drink at a little bar (Sportsman’s Club) in Chicago.

@conorpscanlon met me after showings (he’s a realtor) so he showed up in a blazer. I wore a leather jacket and ordered tequila sodas. 😂 Drinks turned into dinner, and for our second date, I had an extra ticket to a concert. I didn’t even know the band but a friend invited me to see Matt and Kim and he and I had been texting, so I was like whatever - I’ll invite him. If he’s into me he’ll say yes and if not ✌🏼 out. He said yes. It was an aggressive (terrible) concert and I was a tiny bit mortified. So we left and had drinks at a jazz bar. We talked about how we really liked each other and wanted to see where this might go. So we both deleted Tinder.

In a strange turn of events, I met his mom (my mother in law) 5 days later. We were at brunch and he asked if I wanted to join him on his parents’ boat. Sure? Who says no to a boat?

It was just so…easy. We spent almost every day together and I was sure something would eventually go wrong because it always had in the past. But I spent every holiday with his family after that, and they’ve since become my family, too. The rest is history. The last few years have been really hard but it we can get through what we have, we can get through anything. 🤍

Online dating can be exhausting and discouraging. I went on SO many bad dates. The guy I dated before Conor had a secret wife, baby, AND girlfriend. So I get it. But sometimes, it works. There’s hope 🤍

You know how I said I just wanted Buddy to be ok s

You know how I said I just wanted Buddy to be ok so he could enjoy summer? This is why! My little California boy in his element living his very best life 🌴☀️🕶 #ohlookitsbuddy

I’m not at all embarrassed to admit this (especi

I’m not at all embarrassed to admit this (especially after we were so worried about Buddy). When @wonderfoldwagon offered to send us a wagon, being able to bring Buddy on walks is what sold me. He’s older and has a heart condition, so he isn’t supposed to go on long walks when it’s too hot.

I didn’t know we’d all love this wagon as much as we do. It pushes like a stroller, has tons of storage, and seats FOUR kids. And the girls almost always willingly climb right in. I would have said always but Kate was on 🔥 this morning and wasn’t feeling it.

And what I really didn’t anticipate were the Margot and Buddy snuggles. Because this is the pure love we all need to see today. 😍 #ohlookitsbuddy #margotandkatertot #wonderfoldlife.