2 0 2 1 i n r e v i e w
December 2020 / January 2021
Our first Covid Christmas was quieter than usual but still full of joy. We marked half a year with Max, our bubbly and bright cherub.
The cherry on top was visits from beloved family and friends.
Cousins Rahim and Zey!
First time together since parenthood
Best buds
An instant bond
Happy momma bears
Nelly and Sammy come to visit
Cousin Simi and her Maxi bear
Happy birthday boys
Friends and partners in many ways
February 2021
As the days grew colder and with the world still uncertain, we hunkered down at home. Max witnessed his first snowfall, celebrated Valentines day with mom and dad, and stood up for the very first time. Looking back, this time “stuck” at home was priceless.
Nuri is not so sure about this Max guy…
One happy eskimo
Best friends
Max can stand… yippee
Standing. And pretty proud of it, dude.
Moments we’ll cherish forever
That smile <3
March 2021
Enjoying the evolution of Max.
Late winter brought more quiet time at home watching our little bundle grow. A year into the pandemic, time had slowed to a crawl. So we took the opportunity to focus on what matters most.
That month we earned perhaps the truest badge of parenthood, we didn’t take a single photo of ourselves.
April 2021
One good thing about this world ... There are always sure to be more springs.
L.M. Montgomery
Thankful for the renewal brought by mother nature and time with loved ones…
Max and his buddy Leo
Too cool for school
Grandma time
Oh hi, handsome
Best buds
The smile that lights us up
Mama’s cuddle bug
Still not sure about this Max guy…
Spring workouts make summer bodies
Our first family trip!
Upon securing our fully vaxxed status (yay for science!), we decided to take some time off. We drove down to DC, put ourselves and our car on the Amrak AutoTrain and made our way to Florida.
There, Max met his maternal grandparents and aunt for the first time. We spent lots of quality time with our family and explored the Palm Beach area including Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Jupiter, Lake Worth and West Palm Beach. The healthy dose of sunshine was good for the soul. Oh, and Max turned one!
Florida, you’re crazy - but you’re a charmer.
Florida bound
Exploring our digs for the evening
Hmm, this is cool...
Really cool!
Auntie time
Loving the weather
First birthdays call for cake
All this fun is exhausting
Wow, this is a big bathtub
Like, really big guys
Sister, sister + Max
Post-swim cuddles
Pool day at the glorious Eau Hotel
Jess' first Mother's Day
Love
Cuties by the sea
Pretty happy clams
Quality grandma time
Monkeying around
Just us
A true Caribbean mom (it was 80 degrees)
Max turns one!
Made with love
Grandma's show their love in baked goods
I definitely love this place
First beach day
Mamma and her girl
You heard the kid!
Twinsies
Mom told me SPF is important
Beachside ceviche is how life is meant to be lived
All smiles
Reunited at last
Grandpa in love
Mother's Day celebrations
We made it!
Life in the tropics suits us
Beach bums in black
Dining al fresco
Momma bear and her cub... in their element
When we returned home we had a larger birthday party for Max’s first birthday. Friends and family from near and far joined us on Zoom — thanks to each and every one of you for making it so special.
June 2021
Summertime and the livin is easy…
Picture perfect pair
Congrats to our dear friends Adam and Mariola - a genuinely lovely and loving couple.
Loving our first birthday gifts
(Multigenerational) besties for life
An endless love triangle
Jess turns thirty… something :)
July 2021
Grounds for Sculpture
Veera turns one (but only the moms seem impressed)
The neighborhood gang
Six whole teeth!
Max-imum excitement at Grounds for Sculpture
<Your interpretation here>
Baby Jason comes to visit
Speed racers
As summer peaked, we spent plenty of time outdoors. The highlights of the month were a trip to Grounds for Sculpture, our friend Veera’s first birthday, and a visit from baby Jason, all the way from Boston.
After several years working in the industry separately, Jess and her friend Steph completed their very first interior design project together - the renovation of an attic into home office, play space, wet bar and guest bedroom. We loved it, and have been renovating together ever since.
We officially launched Dezeno & Co. in July and have been happily busy ever since.
August 2021
Beneath the August sun.
August always seems a magical time of year, and 2021 was no exception. As Max turned 14 months old, his personality seemed to blossom. His smile began bursting with teeth, he started loving the swings and playground, and we were lucky enough to witness his first steps.
We also celebrated our very first baby, Dev’s, fourth birthday.
All smiles in summer
Finally loving the swings
Happy birthday Dev!
A pretty cool cat
Playtime with my best buddy Gio
Welcome to NJ Bri!
Pure, unbridled joy
Houston, we have a walker!
Milestones and new beginnings
September 2021
We kicked off fall with the arrival of baby Joud, the first son of our dear friends Nadia and Ellis. Though he was born a world away in Beirut, Lebanon, he captured our hearts from day one.
We also celebrated our princess Lilla’s first birthday, including a visit from her grandpa from Uganda, our “uncle” Alex. Our family ties are beyond deep and it’s been a joy and privilege to watch Lilla and Max grow up together.
Later in September we welcomed beautiful Sofia Blue to our family, the first baby of our beloved friends Rob and Simone.
We wrapped up the month with Max’s first time apple picking at the farm, Max’s first (and long-overdue!) haircut, and a visit to the zoo with “auntie” Francesca.
October 2021
A warm October was a bonus summer month from Mother Nature. Our beloved buddy Gio turned one, and we celebrated with an Italian feast at our community pool with lots of friends and neighbors. His parents Joanne and Jeff were beaming with pride, as were we.
We also celebrated our best friend Mireille’s birthday at home with brunch, notably a big stack of pancakes.
Also in October Jess’ brother married the love of his life, Nicole. Though we couldn’t be there in person, we celebrated with them in spirit and love.
Max had his first dentist appointment, went pumpkin picking for the first time, and got to defy gravity for a day as a NASA astronaut for Halloween. On Halloween day we also welcomed baby Roman, the second son of our friends Jenn and Roger.
November 2021
Fall things
Play time at school, walks with friends, and a whole lotta food
December 2021
Reunited
And it feels so good.
After a very long year and a half, Adam’s parents were finally able to make it to the U.S. from Tanzania. The day Max turned 19 months old, he met his paternal Bibi (grandma) and Babu (grandpa) for the very first time. The bond was instant. It was the sweetest moment, and we have been cherishing our time together.
We ended the year with one final and very special first birthday, that of our darling Nuri, our “Nunu”. She is the last of the 2020 babies (and the boss of them all) - and so loved. We celebrated in style, as she always is.
Max developed a fascination with holiday lights. A visit to the holiday lights show at the Turtle Back Zoo, and a drive-through experience in central Jersey, and endless evening drives through our neighborhood wrapped up our year.
And love multiplies…
We are thrilled and grateful to be welcoming our second child this summer.
May God bless this new chapter.
That’s a wrap.
As 2020 blurred into 2021, we became resolute in our commitment to making the best of life’s circumstances. We are so grateful that those efforts manifested into many blessings and happy memories.
Each year that passes affirms the value of the friendships we have cultivated, the family we hold dear, and the love we share. Thank you to every single one of you in our orbit — we look forward to continuing our collective journey.
We’d love to hear from you.
themurofam@gmail.com