My Favorite Time of Day

I realize this photo is a little cheeky, but this is what we do every night before bed. Last night we were reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.
It's just that (as you all know) the days can sometimes be so chaotic, crazy and loud I can hardly wait for the sun to go down. I am usually exhausted and prickly and just want to get the kids to bed.
Reading a story (or 2 or 3....) before bed, for me, is calming and the perfect way to end the day with my children. Even Laila is starting to get in on the act. She likes to look at the books, kick them and turn her head up at me when I change my voice as I read.
I know many of you have this same routine before bed and I think it's just wonderful.

(Totally off the subject, but the vain part of me wants to tell you that the red hole on my forhead is from a biopsy I had on Monday. Turns out all my years of trying to tan my freckled lilly white skin has produced some spots of skin cancer. Do not be alarmed!! It is easily treatable and will be taken care of in about a month or so. But in the mean time I will be sporting some new looks: lots of hats and scarves to cover up my mutilated face. Do you think I could get away with a sweatband??)

What a Whirlwind

We made it to and from Cleveland in one piece. I have registered all my girls for frequent flyer miles because at the rate they travel they will probably earn a free ticket before they hit puberty.

The people on the airline were so accommodating! Even though Laila was supposed to be on my lap they let me have two seats so I could strap her in her carseat instead. It was wonderful because she napped on both flights and I got to enjoy my "in-flight beverage" and trashy magazine while she slept! One of the flight attendants gave her a set of wings for me to put in her baby book.

Once in Cleveland we went to my Mom's condo to drop off our luggage and have a quick lunch.

Then, we headed over to Lakeview Cemetary to see Rick. It was a beautiful day, cold, but sunny. We shed a few tears and had a few laughs - all in Rick's honor. I know he was there with us in spirit. It was nice to visit the mausoleum (it is gorgeous!) alone and clear minded. Last time I was there everything was such a blur.

After that we shopped. I have to take a moment to brag here. I had Laila strapped to me in her bjorn facing out wearing an adorable Christmas outfit with matching hat given to her by Sarah. My child was mobbed. I'm not exxaggerating. We were walking in to one store and 4 or 5 women circled us and were all oohing and aahing over her. I'm used to babies receiving lots of attention but this was slightly bizarre. I guess no one can resist a cute baby dressed in her Christmas best.

We had take out from the Japanese restaurant and then went to see the Rockette's Christmas Spectacular. The show was...well....spectacular!! I highly recommend seeing it if you ever get the opportunity. We were immersed in the Christmas spirit and it really got us even more in to the holiday season. They ended the show with a Living Nativity that was seriously out of control good. Camels, sheep, ponies and all. Nice to have the real meaning of Christmas portayed.

Saturday we did more shopping and eating then ended our day with a Christmas movie marathon.

And, as usual, when it was time to come home yesterday it all felt like it went by too fast.

As a side note, my Mom looks amazing and is doing remarkably well. It was so good to see her.

Lastly, while I was away the mice certainly played! Not only did Bill make ginger cream cookies and gingerbread cookies from scratch with the girls, but he also totally cleaned the house and did the laundry. I hope Santa is watching him as he is definitely deserving of the nice list this year!

I'm Leavin' On a Jet Plane

Yes, tomorrow Laila and I fly to Cleveland to visit my Mom. I haven't seen her since September and I can't put in to words how deeply I've missed her this time around.

Bill will be home doing exciting things with the older girls while we're away shopping, chatting, eating, relaxing and seeing the Rockette's.

Have a great weekend all!

The Good, The Bad, and The In-between

Some days I'm just not sure what to post about because my days are such a roller coaster ride. One minute I want to vent. One minute I want to praise. One moment I want to laugh. One moment I want to cry.

For example. Picking up Cecelia from preschool today I wanted to vent because the moment she stepped out of the classroom she started in on me..."Can we go to McDonald's?" "Why not?!?" "Why can't I go in the snow?" "But these ARE snowboots" "Yes! They are!" "You never let me do ANYTHING!'
But tonight at dinner time was a whole other scenerio. When Delaney was asking for singing and I didn't know what she meant Cecelia ran over to the CD player and pressed play - then asked Delaney if that was better and told her she loved her. And after dinner was over and Delaney was done Cecelia helped her down from her booster seat and helped buss her dishes.

Then when I was feeding Laila and trying to put her to bed (Bill's off getting a hair cut so I'm home alone), Delaney kept opening Laila's door and flashing her flashlight in my face and distracting Laila from both eating and going to sleep.
BUT, my frustration quickly faded when Delaney looked at me and said "Poly-phen-al?" after seeing a Concord grapes commercial.

And it's only Monday people.

Measles on the Rise

a la, what else, PARENTS magazine:

Because of fears of autism, more parents are choosing not to vaccinate their kids - with dire consequences. There were 131 reported cases of measles in the U.S. between January and June, the highest number in 12 years, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. More than half of the children who got sick hadn't been vaccinated due to their parents' beliefs. However, study after study has shown that vaccines don't increase a child's autism risk. In fact, doctors are so worried about a potential public-health crisis that 22 medical and advocacy groups recently formed the Immunization Alliance in order to make sure that kids get immunized. For the latest on vaccines, go to cdc.gov/vaccines.

Nursing

I've been having a little LOVE/HATE relationship with nursing this time around. The biggest part of me absolutely loves it. I love how good it is for my baby (no formula on Earth can compare), I like the ease of it - especially in the middle of the night when she wakes up and all I have to do is nuzzle her up against me to feed her, I love the price - FREE, I love the 500 some calories it takes from me (Okay, that's really selfish!), and I love that closeness it provides for my baby and I.

What I have been frustrated with is having to pump (like, when?!?), timing the feedings in order to eat a meal, have company, leave the house, take care of my other children, I don't like choosing what to wear based on it's accesibility to my "gals", feeding in a dressing room, backseat of a car, patch of grass somewhere, airplane seat or just in a room by myself while everyone else gets to continue their conversation.

I realize these are the sacrifices I have to make to do something for my child that is important to me, it's just that the third time around doesn't seem to be as easy as the first two.

I know some of you can relate to this so thanks for being a good friend and listening to my frustrations.

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble

Here are some pictures from the long holiday weekend! Everything was just perfect and relaxing - just the way I like it.

We had plenty of time with eachother, friends, family and other loved ones.

My mind is pretty free today (for once!) so not a whole lot to post about other than I'm happy and slowly engaging in yet another Monday morning.