Tuesday, January 22, 2008

The Nice Thing About Babies

5 month old babies are pretty near the best thing in the world. Especially if they sleep well. Why, you ask? Because, all you have to do is glance at them, and they look at you like this:
And, when they look at you like this, it is *impossible* not to smile in return. All of these smile exchanges are very helpful when you want to forget that you're sick for the umpteenth time in the past few months, or that the kids are sick, or that you just found out that you have some rare disease of the eyeball (long story).

I am so glad that this little guy is a part of our life. The level of smiling and talking in high-pitched tones has soared in our home since he came around. And that is a very good thing, considering the challenges we've faced this Fall / Winter. No matter how strange things get, there is smiling around here every day. He makes sure of it.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

News From the North

Our activities of late have included:Trying not to freeze.
Selling the trusty old Taurus and buying a van. This car was my Grandpa's, and has been ours for four years. It has moved with us from Chicago, to LA, and to Minnesota. We brought both of our boys home from the hospital in this car. The addition of our baby, however, means three car seats. Three car seats means a van. Or a station wagon. Or some such large vehicle. And so, we bid the Taurus goodbye. Having three kids, though, has made my transportation life so difficult that I am overjoyed to own a minivan. Never thought it would come to this. But, it is so. much. easier. And . . . get this . . . there is a remote starter on this van. Yup, on those sub-zero days, I can start the van from the warmth of my house, and scoot through the cold to our garage, where I find it humming away, all heated up and ready to go. So sweet.
Celebrating our anniversary with dinner and a movie. Made possible by the visit of my parents. We also celebrated on the actual day by taking the kids for doughnuts and a trip to a local indoor park. This place was *wonderful* and will now be a winter destination for our family. Things to climb. Houses in which to bounce. Energy evaporated.
Due to the grandparental visit, we had a lot more time for relaxing and reading the paper. Sigh. Will be looking forward to the next time.
Watching the little guy grow, and wondering if he is the largest 4 month old in the world. He smiles nonstop, unless he is sleeping. He plays with his toes, makes all kinds of fun noises, and is transfixed by his sister's antics and attempts to entertain him.

Monday, January 07, 2008

8 Years

On January 8, 2000, we exchanged vows in a church that looks like a giant Pizza Hut. The slip under my dress was too long, and I kept tripping on it. Mr. had a cold, and managed a well-timed cough just before the "in sickness and in health" vow. But, it was an amazing and wonderful day. And it marked the beginning of the eight amazing and wonderful years we have now spent together. A lot of changes. A lot of moves. Three fascinating little creatures who are growing, learning, and becoming before our very eyes.

"Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person: having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them out. Just as they are - chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away." George Eliot