Paperwhites

For Christmas I was given a paperwhite bulb kit. The instructions were easy and they were guaranteed to bloom within 4-6 weeks of planting them in the provided pot. Thinking it would be fun, I postponed planting the bulbs until 6 weeks before I was due and told myself that when the flowers blossomed I'd have the baby.

I've been watching my paperwhites for 7 weeks now. They've sprouted multiple 12 inch green stocks, but week after week they've failed to blossom. I've (my doctor and I) have decided that it's not longer important to have the flowers bloom at the same time I have the baby, and to go ahead and induce tomorrow.

I'm excited, but leery, knowing that this really increases my chances of having a c-section, and the OB was quick to tell me that if things don't go perfectly routinely that a c-section is likely to happen. I was even told by my doula that she's surprised they are even still letting me try for a VBAC, since I'm a week overdue, and they are more successful earlier on.

My next post, whenever that may be, should announce the arrival of our baby! Wish me luck!

"My legs feel like they have Mexican jumping beans implanted in them."

This is how my friend Sarah describes how her legs feel right now in late pregnancy, and I have to say I wholeheartedly agree. Leg issues are one of my biggest issues right now. When I try to sleep I wake up with the uncontrollable urge to move them. So for the past several nights I've gotten up between 1 and 4 at least twice and gone on a 1/2 hour walk looping my kitchen island and table, then done the stairs as many times as I can manage, and then done what stretches I can figure out to make the unbearable sensations go away before attempting to go back to bed again.

JL has a theory about this. He thinks that my restless legs, and continual walking are sending a message to the baby saying "don't come out yet--we haven't reached safety." I think my body is doing this to get my body read for the restless nights that come with a newborn. Either way, I'm tired of having my legs feel like they belong to someone else and hope the feeling goes away after delivery.

Speaking of delivery, there are no signs that anything is happening. At my last ultrasound, when the tech was measuring the fluid levels, she commented that there was plenty of fluid for the baby to stay inside another month! This is exactly what I don't want to hear! Usually your fluid levels drop as your body prepares to deliver, but mine are slowly rising, and creating a La-Z-Boy environment for our little guy. Maybe if it were less comfortable in there he'd consider coming out! At my next appointment in 3 days, when I'll be 41 weeks, we'll talk induction, but I doubt it would happen sooner than next week since my appointment is on a Thursday, and they won't want to rush it, or do it on the weekend. Here's hoping things happen naturally before then.

Zip. Zilch. Zero.

Nada.

Nothing.

That's right. It's March 6, 2008. The day I've been counting down to for the past 9 months, and I've got nothin' but a huge stomach and heartburn. It's almost midnight so there really is no chance that this baby will come on time.

At my appointment on Wednesday I was dilated to a whopping 1, and not even fully effaced. So despite the 2 hour walks I've been dragging my husband and kids on every day, I'm not even close to delivering. My OB says that if I make next Wednesday's appointment we'll talk about inducing, which will put me more than a week overdue. I have mixed feelings about this.

On the pro side of waiting it out, I know that the baby can't stay in here forever (right?), a few more nights of sleeping in more than 3 hour stretches (if I'm lucky) won't hurt, and that my labor is likely to be smoother if I let nature, and this baby, take its course. Also, inducing is more hazardous with a VBAC, and is more likely to end in another c-section than waiting it out. One totally irrelevant plus is that Cleo will be able to go to a classmates birthday party this weekend if the baby isn't born yet.

On the con side, I'm just really, really uncomfortable. I may be sleeping in slightly longer stretches than what a newborn allows for, but I'm not sleeping well. It' takes me 5 minutes just to roll over and find a new less-painful position to rest in once my body in. And I'm still up all the time peeing, with heartburn, trying to rub my overtaxed and aching joints, etc.. Also, JL is officially on paternity leave and while his work is very generous with their leave for new fathers (they offers 6 weeks paid paternity leave, but he really isn't able to take it all thanks to various factors), so the clock is ticking. Additionally, we plan to fly my in-laws in as soon as we hit the hospital and their schedules are much more flexible in the next few days than they will be by the end of next week, though I know they'll make it either way.

My OB did re-offer the option of having a scheduled c-section, but I immediately ruled this out. My recovery from having Cleo via c-section was really, really awful. I couldn't walk upright for weeks and weeks, was in constant terrible pain (thanks to drug allergies that severely limited what I could take), and still have pain from the incision. I can't imagine trying to recover from this type of surgery while caring for our two girls and a demanding newborn.

There is one bit of irony in all this. Our doula and the friends that are planning on watching the girls for us when it's hospital time are all planning to be out of town either the whole weekend or all day Saturday and will be a minimum of 4 hours drive away. If Murphy's Law holds true, I'll deliver right when the help we've been planning on for months is the least available.

Waiting And Hoping

I'm definitely getting tired of this whole pregnancy thing. Everything hurts from my hips, to my feet, my neck and my back, even my fingers feel tired. But, at a check-up with my OB on Wednesday there was no indication that this baby has plans to come out soon, despite my hopes that we'd have a Leap Day Baby. So this weekend the plan is to walk, and walk, and walk. I'm technically not due for another 6 days, but I'm so uncomfortable I'd welcome a delivery this instant!

Two More Weeks

Tomorrow I'll hit the 38 week mark and boy am I feeling it. This is a full month futher than I carried Cleo and I just had no idea my stomach could get so huge or be in the way so much. I've given up on socks, shoes that require buckling, and picking things up off the floor except under duress (visiting teacher coming and I can't bear for her to see the toys on the floor). Fortunately Cleo and Gigi seem to be amused with my current physique and are almost always happy to help as long as I couch the request with a funny remark about my giant belly. They've taken to kissing my tummy goodnight, and frequently give their baby brother hugs by wrapping their arms around the expanse that is now my middle. JL has been a trooper, and has learned how to start the washer and dryer, as well as the dishwasher--a first in our marriage. Soon I'll need him to unload the dishwasher because I can't fit in the narrow space between it and the cupboards that most of the dishes go into. I'll visit the OB tomorrow, and will probably learn that I'm nowhere near delivering, but I could get lucky and be told to go straight to the hospital! Ah, wishful thinking.

34 Weeks and Counting...

I'm officially 34 weeks pregnant and if I were having Cleo I'd be delivering her today. Things are looking great, though, for going full term--my blood pressure is great, Buttercup-Elmo is head down and we've actually finally purchased a car seat so we can bring the baby home from the hospital. We are still at odds over a name, and I'm getting nervous that I'll be out if it after delivery and JL will name the baby whatever he wants, so I'll end up with a name I'm not so hot for, so let the suggestions roll.

In similar news, we've decided to engage the services of a Doula. Having had a less than great experience with my last delivery/ c-section, and having a husband who gets light headed just during ultra-sounds, and not having any family nearby to offer moral support it seems like the right thing to do. I'll have someone experienced who can help me cope with labor, and be with me from the beginning to the end. Interestingly, women who are going after a VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section) like I am are significantly more likely to succeed when aided by a Doula. Recovery from my previous c-section was truly awful, so if this increases my odds of delivering the traditional way, and helps ease my fears about the whole process, I'm all for it.

Lastly, I can't get enough raspberries. I eat 1-2 pints a day, and just close my eyes at the expense since they couldn't be more out of season. JL jokes that it's a cheaper habit than drugs and happily makes runs to the grocery store on his way home from work so I can eat them when the craving strikes.

Dear Santa...

Wondering what to get a precocious three-year-old and a fun-loving five-year-old? Look no further, your shopping list is below.

Gigi's Christmas Wish List

1. Pink Rock & Roll Guitar (with strap)
2. Rainbow Calendar

Cleo's Christmas Wish List

1. Kid Barbie with Car
2. Hello Kitty Calendar
3. Santa Walking Toy that Sings
4. Pretend Food and Shopping Cart
5. A Tractor (green or pink) to Ride in the Grass

And just in case you were wondering, my wish list:

1. Aunt Dimity Goes West, by Nancy Atherton
2. A really good baby name book
3. An organized garage I can park in
4. A jewelry box
5. Baby boy things

So Santa, if you're a blogger, hop to it! You've only got a week or so left!

No News is Good News, Right?

You may have noticed that I haven't been blogging lately. The truth of the matter is I've been sick, really, really sick with hyperemisis, also known as extreme, extensive, awful, never-ending morning, noon and night sickness. That's right, we're expecting a baby boy sometime around the 1st of March, if all goes well.

We found out just a couple of weeks before moving into our new house, and I've been ill and un-inspired to blog ever since. There's just something about choosing ones food based on how it will taste coming back up that doesn't stir the creative writing juices. I am slowly getting better, and am lots of big drugs to help me get through each day. I also gave up trying to unpack the masses of boxes filling our garage months ago, and instead have focused on just getting Cleo to and from kindergarten each day, and shuttling both girls to ballet class each week while JL takes on more responsibilities at work (in fact he's actually testifying before a senate committee next week.)

The good news is that we're very happy to be expecting a baby boy. Cleo and Gigi are excited to be big sisters, and come up with creative names for their new sibling. The current favorite is Buttercup, which as Cleo rightly points out could work for a boy or a girl. We've promised Gigi that the baby won't chew on Owie (her special towel) and she's determined the baby will sleep in her baby-doll crib with her other stuffed animals.

New House

We are officially residents of our new house. It's been great, but entirely overwhelming to try to put everything away, deal with items that have been in storage for two years (and don't remember that I own), and adjust to yet another new town. I've found a grocery store I like, we're minutes away from a Target and not much further from some pretty good restaurants, have miles of sidewalks and mountain pathways to go on evening walks on, and the commute seems to be working well for my hubby. When asked what their favorite things about the new house are, Cleo replied her room, Gigi said the toys, Dad says his new desk, and I say the new amazingly soft carpet that hides all dirt and never needs to be vacuumed. I also love the plethora of cupboards in the kitchen, the fact that it is so light and bright inside that I virtually never turn a light on before dark, and having lots of space for the girls to run around.

If there is a downside to our new home it's the lack of a linen closet (I'm a blanket and pillow hoard and own dozens of both), and that I'm having issues with the odors found in a new home like carpet and paint fumes. The fumes will dissipate with help from the strong breeze that we get each evening, but as for the missing linen closet, I guess I need to downsize and just be okay with not being able to house 35 guests.

As for unearthing and unpacking, I've come across things I can't believe I own like a bagel slicer purchased during our family's bagel stage about 8 years ago, 4 whisks, and a total of 7 pie plates. I mean, I really like pie, and I like to bake pies, but when am I ever going to need to make 7 at one time?

The treasure's I've found include a vase purchased on mother's day for me while in The Netherlands two years ago, a small jewelry box that once belonged to my grandmother, and the box containing my wedding dress. It's all sealed, so I can't take it out, but it makes me laugh that I've been lugging it around for 11 years with no real purpose. I wish people had parties where wearing a wedding dress was considered appropriate attire, because then I'd have a reason to wear it again--and laugh at how dated it is already.

Anyway, I'm exhausted from unpacking all day, chasing my kids, and navigating the mounds of stuff that still don't have homes.

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted

Somehow I don't think this line pertains to being locked in a car with kids for hours on end listening to "Hey, Dum Diddely Deeeee!" screeched/sung by my kids through three states while we drive to my parents' house. And we're not talking east coast states here--these are the big western ones--ones that claim an entire time zone!
Anyway, all this is to explain that we're taking off for a couple of weeks to visit the fam, feed horses, camp, sneeze, remember why we live far away, and then make the long drive back, and once again resume writing for this uber lame blog. Till then, be happy!

How I waste my time

Like most people, I have a list of blogs I read on a regular basis, and since nothing of particular importance is going on at my house today (other than my postponing organizing for our move) I thought I'd share those sites I check on and why.

In random order:


The Pony Tail Club, at http://ponytailclub.com

This is my very cool niece's blog about all things horse. It's has funny writing, great graphics, and touches on a variety of things related to horses.

Loralee's Looney Tunes at loraleeslooneytunes.com

This blog is written and updated frequently by my college roommate Loralee. She has a crazy and fun life so you never know what what you're going to get.

I don't know this blogger personally, but Kerflop at kerflop.com is a great writer. She and Loralee have become friends so I can claim one degree of separation.

Karen, at artofinvisibility.wordpress.com has my dream job as a children's librarian. I like reading about her library adventures. Yes, I'm a total nerd.

I keep track of my friend Danielle at her blog wakethedinosaurs.blogspot.com She'd love to get comments, so feel free to drop by.

These friends from Virginia, travandmel.blogspot.com keep me up to date on their families comings and goings, and crack me up when they post their great K-Mart purchases.

I like reading the advice given on www.elderwisdomcircle.org . It's a great concept. People write letters asking for advice, and retirees with life experience respond. The topics range from gardening to divorce, so pretty much everything is covered.

I also like checking in on People.com so I can get my fix on celebrity gossip and find out who's dating who and who's wearing what. It's cheaper than buying magazines.

I also check on the blog JL kept while we were in China, two summer's ago, found at meetgigi.blogspot.com

I like to visit it and see how much my kids have changed, and if any new spammers have posted a message so I can delete it.

There's a few more here and there, but I check these on a daily/weekly basis.

Rehab

If you've been listening to the radio, you've probably heard Amy Winehouse's latest hit "Rehab." Trying to shelter my my kids, and not field any questions like, "what's rehab, mommy?" I changed the lyrics. Between my my kids hearing the song wrong and attempting to sing along with my helpful encouragement, we now sing the song with new and improved lyrics. I'll post both versions of the chorus below and you tell me which you like best.

Original

They tried to make me go to rehab
I said no, no, no.
Yes I been black, but when I come back
You wont know, know, know.

I ain't got the time
And if my daddy thinks I'm fine
He's tried to make me go to rehab
I won't go, go, go.

Ours

They tried to make me go to recess
I said no, no, no.
Yes I been bad, but when I come back
You won't know, know, know.

I ain't got the time
And my daddy thinks I'm five
He's tried to make me go to recess
I won't go go go.

P.S. Cleo and Gigi totally crack up when they sing "my daddy thinks I'm fiiiive."

Welcome to the House of Popsicles

If you were to peek in my freezer you'd find it it packed with Dora the Explorer Popsicles, Scooby-Doo Push-up Pops, Dreyer's Natural Vanilla Ice Cream, Breyer's Lite Double Churned Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, and Breyer's French Vanilla Ice Cream. Just beneath these, filling the shelves in my fridge, are two multi-packs of Yoplait's GoGurt featuring Shrek and Fiona, a six-pack each of Jello snack packs in raspberry and chocolate and vanilla pudding, plus two liters of drinkable yogurt.

It's a good thing too, because we're going through them quickly. First, Cleo had her ear tubes removed this morning and is getting a little relief from the Jello and the Dora the Explorer Popsicles. Second, summer has arrived. We're all a little sweaty even though it's only in the upper 80's outside since we live on a really busy street with a freeway very close by, so I can't really open the windows for airflow due to noise--especially during nap time which of course co-insides with the sweltering afternoon. I'm sure looking forward to living in a house with air conditioning again. Let's hope that we're living in one before the real heat of summer hits, or I may have to institute underwear only days.

To Be Fair

I know I sounded totally and completely judgemental in my last post, so to slightly make up for that here's the short list of ways I'm a terrible mother.

1. I let my kids watch scary movies. Harry Potter, Night at the Museum, Chronicles of Narnia, Wizard of Oz, and all sorts of movies with bad guys, monsters and ghosts--bring 'em all on. My kids, so far, haven't had troubles with nightmares or being too afraid. We just talk about how it's all pretend and they seem to do okay. Similarly, I don't really care if my kids watch Simpsons or other adult cartoons. I do draw the line at stuff like South Park, but then I don't watch that myself.

2. I let my kids stay up late. It's currently 9:10 pm and my kids are still up. They'll probably be up for another half hour at least. Some nights they are in bed by 8:30 or 9:00, if I'm really organized, or if I've had a tough day and just need some peace and quiet. But I sort of like our evenings and so most nights it's 9:20 or even 10:00 before the kids are kissed and tucked in and I'm okay with this. I know this will change when the kids are going to school in the morning.

3. I let my kids eat at McDonald's. Fast food is on the menu at least once a week at our house, and when we lived in France, it was more often than that due to lack of kid friendly restaurants. Similarly, I don't make many home cooked, good for you balanced meals. Thanks to the luck of the draw my husband often comes home from work with gourmet meals for all of us.

4. My kids have cavities. Correction, one of my children has three cavities, the other child is cavity free. I do brush my kids teeth, and floss most days, but the amount of yellow gunk on their teeth is horrifying. Thank goodness these are only their baby teeth.

5. My kids don't get to play outside everyday. This one makes me a bit sad and I'm hoping it changes. We live in an apartment without a yard and to get to our local park we have to load up in our car. I can't wait till we move into our house and have a yard, albeit tiny, and I can scoot them out the back door so they can get their wiggles out.

There are many, many more ways I fail at motherhood, most to personal to mention, but these are the ones that I can mention and still face you all.

Boundaries

We've been inundated with family visitors. First one set of in-laws (just two), then a whole pack of seven came and stayed at what normally seems like a spacious three bedroom apartment. It was interesting to see how vastly different my parenting style is from my sister-in-law's and how some of it stems from how we were raised--me in a strict household, her in with a very lax, but loving mother. I think another big part of our different styles come from our different lifestyles. Last year we traveled to 11 countries with our two kids, ate at least 1/3 of our meals at restaurants, and were on countless flights where they were expected to be very quiet and stay buckled in their seats for hours on end.

We've moved around considerably and we've never lived where I could let the kids play outside without my immediate presence--due to either lack of a fenced yard, or not having a yard at all. Similarly, I'm the oddity as a stay-at-home-mom in the communities we've found ourselves in, and I guess I take myself pretty seriously. I don't mean to say that I'm inflexible, but I'm not a short-order cook, and don't make meals to satisfy the different pallets of each member of our family. Likewise, I try not to tolerate whining, or make excuses for my kids when they don't act as well as I'd like them too. I find myself rarely using our stroller, because I think my youngest, at three, should be able to walk pretty much anywhere we can, and the five year old is way to old to be using it. So it was with great difficulty that I held my tongue and watched the oldest of my visiting nieces and nephews at 12 years old being pushed around in a stroller because she didn't feel well, thereby kicking out her 1 year old brother from his rightful place.


This was just the beginning, but I'll save my whining or my husband and get to the really big moment of their visit. All of us were at a historic mansion with incredible gardens and a swimming pool. There were strict instructions not to walk on the grass, not to touch the furniture, all the usual warnings to preserve the historic environment, but when the kids got to the pool they couldn't resist. First one cousin, then another peeled off their socks and shoes and put their feet in the pool and proceeded to splash each other. I had to be the grouchy mom, and wouldn't let my kids participate. I didn't mind if they put their hands in the water, but somehow hands=clean play to me and feet=dirty play. While the kids were doing this a man and woman with larger than average cameras were at the opposite end of the pool and began taking pictures of the kids. At first I didn't mind. It went on for a few minutes. I made eye contact with them to make sure they knew I was watching them and they didn't stop. This went on for about 10-15 minutes. Then the kids got interested in a cat that came by and the photographers came to our side of the pool and continued to take pictures. Feeling uncomfortable I walked across the forbidden grass to them and said, "Hi, concerned parent here. Just wondering why you're taking pictures of my kids."

Their response?

"You're not supposed to be on the grass."

Well this set me off. The female photographer began complaining that I was making her feel weird. I was saying that if the situation was reversed then surely they would approach a stranger taking pictures of their children. The male photographer was trying to calm us both down. He did say he should have said something to me sooner about taking the kids pictures, and gladly gave me his business card, but she was very hostile to the end. We ended up arguing for a good 7 or 8 minutes and I still don't think the woman ever understood why I was so upset.

So, you were in my situation, what would you have done? Ignored the photographers? Simply left the area sooner? Taken them on?

Last gripe--I promise. Naturally with all the touring we did the kids and cousins had to pee at every occasion. Cleo is currently 5 years old, but is very tiny and looks like she's 4 at the most. When we go to the restroom, I take Cleo, Gigi and myself and we all go in one stall, no matter where we are, even church. At this stage I would never send Cleo to the bathroom by herself in a public place, or even let her go in a stall by herself. My sister-in-law does let her 5 year old go by herself. Granted, usually she has a bigger sister to go with her, but sometimes that sister is only 7, and they go in separate stalls, in public restrooms--outdoor public restrooms. This really scared me. So readers, tell me, am I a hyper-protective parent, which is what my husband thinks I am, am I a product of my environment or what?

Birthday Girl

While most bloggers are writing about mothers, I'm bucking the trend because today is Cleo's fifth birthday.
We celebrated with a Hawaii themed party. Cleo chose plastic leis, hula girl party hats, and other in theme decorations. She got to pick what we had for dinner and she picked hot dogs cooked in rolls and grapes, and for her birthday cake we had what we've had every year, strawberry shortcake. Gigi was funny repeatedly saying, "mom, I really don't want any whip cream, just strawberries and cake." In the end she only ended up eating the strawberries and I ate her cake sans whip cream.

As for gifts, Cleo has been scouring our house for loose change to put into her new pink piggy bank, and talking excitedly about the backyard of our new yard house where she'll be able to use the the kitty cat gardening set. We've also been reading and reading and reading all the new books she received, because what's a birthday without books?

As for mother's day, the kids and JL did a great job letting me sleep in, and then surprised me with chocolate, flowers and presents. Unfortunately then we rushed off to the car and took JL to the airport so he can leave for a business trip for a couple of days, then he'll be coming home long enough to drop off his dirty laundry and leave again for another couple of days.

Shoes

These are my current favorite pair of shoes. I purchased them on a whim last summer at REI. They are actually clogs, with huge thick two inch soles that don't bend a millimeter. I've come to adore them and I wear them practically every day. I wear them so much, and they are distinctive enough that I'm worried I've become known at the preschool not at "Cleo's mom," but as, "the mom with the red shoes." So lately I've been trying to wear other shoes when I go to her school. It's been difficult. It really has. But I'm surviving.

Another Letter from my Daughter's School

I received this lovely letter when I picked up Cleo from school yesterday.

EXPOSURE NOTICE

DEAR PARENTS:

On Friday 5-4-07 your child MAY have been exposed to the contagious disease that is checked below. The information provided does not replace consultation with your medical provider if your child is ill.


DISEASES THAT CAUSES RASH:

X CHICKEN POX (Varicella)
Onset of symptoms 2-3 weeks after exposure.
Symptoms include fever, irritability, and and itchy rash.
The rash resembles small blisters that first appear on the body, then on the face.
Children may return to school/child care 7 days after onset of the rash and if all the blisters are dry.


My question is, how do I tell her normal irritability from the special chicken pox kind? And with the current heat wave we're having with temperatures reaching 100+ and our home lacking air conditioning, will I be able to tell if she has a fever or rash because she'll just look hot and sweaty like the rest of us?

An Actual Letter from My Daughters School

Dear Parent,

On Friday we are in need of some real live snails for our snail trails. If possible can you have your child bring in 2 live snails (in a disposable box) to conduct our experiment. Thank you so much!!

My response.

Dear Teachers,

Yes, I'm happy to supply to live snails for the snail trails experiment in a disposable and bio-degradable box. I've borrowed the snails from our neighborhood snail farm, so I will be needing them back. I'm sure you'll have no trouble identifying them as both have light brown spiral shells with dark brown flecks.

Sincerely,

Me

What I've been doing other than blogging

Yes, it's true. I've been a loser blogger lately, and to make up for it, I'm going to overwhelm you with pictures of my children being cute and information on how I spend my time other than cleaning my house.

Example number 1. Color Walks.

With everything under the sun in bloom here in sunny California the girls and I have discovered that if we bring a plastic sack with us when we go on our daily walk we can collect a sample of every color of the rainbow. Then, when we get home we artfully display said items and jump up and down excitedly when daddy gets home from work and show him. Then when the under five set goes to bed mom sneaks the colorful treasures in the trash (carefully covering with other trash) and we do it again in a week or so. Here's a picture of a recent display.



Example number 1. Collect sap, er, make that giant pine cones!

Keep plastic sacks in car or purse so wherever we go we can keep pine cones and learn tricks to ridding hands, hair, clothing, and counter tops of sap. Admittedly, these really are cool pine cones, I just wish they weren't so sticky!


Example number 3. Make bead necklaces. Fun.

Our local craft store had a big sale on kids crafts and so I let my kids pick out some rainy-day/mom is too lazy to take you to the park projects. We ended up with a two-year supply of plastic beads and laces in rainbow colors. The first day they were fun. Even Daddy got into the action and got online so he could replicate a Jim Morrison's necklace bead by bead. By day three, I was willing to help tie the ends but not interested in creating anymore for my own collection, and now, a couple of weeks later I'm cursing each time I vacuum up one of those damn beads. Anyway, here's a picture of Daddy in his Jim Morrison necklace.


Example number 4. Have a birthday party.

Spring is birthday party season at our house, starting with Gigi. She wanted a princess party, so of course, that's what we had. The best part of the party was decorating the cupcakes.



Example number 5. Potty train.

Yes. Gigi is three. No, she isn't completely potty trained. We're in process. Here's a common scene at our house when I send Gigi into the bathroom to go to the potty. Notice the baby doll sitting in the potty. At least someone has the idea!


Example number 6. Watercolor.

We recently went back to the store where party supplies are found to get everything we'll need for Cleo's fifth birthday, and came across the cutest, do-not-leave-the-store-without-me-watercolor-palettes. I just could not resist. Now, I claim not artistic abilities, but my father-in-law does have an MA in oil painting so there is hope that some of his genes (tee-hee) have skipped a generation (obviously) and made it to my oldest daughter, and who knows what Gigi is capable of! Anyway, just imagining my kiddos as future Turner's or O'Keefe's or whoever's just warmed my heart.

Finished works of art. A rainbow and a mommy and daddy flower with a baby flower and fireworks. Cool.