running late

Sometimes I feel as if my life is ruled by miniature tyrants. Don't get me wrong, I love the rascals. But some mornings when I have somewhere I need to be... Well. Good luck.

story of my life

no longer bored

Reading is boring, huh? Let's just see what the library has to say about that.

Lila wasn't very pleased with how long it took him to decide which book to bring home, though.

sleep, baby

It's rare now that I catch glimpses of the baby I used to know. She's growing up so quickly.

contrasting personalities

two in the cradle

Laundry baskets - the best child's toy ever invented.

personality in a blanket

big girl

I met Shuga's hoof trimmer yesterday, and the vet walked me through the shots issue today.

This meant that the kids and I could hang out with our future horse some more. You know, since we were out there anyway.

Lila started screaming any time I or the kids came anywhere near a horse.

Soon, though, she was feeding Shuga treats. Then she was helping me groom her.

And finally, she was adamant that she would get a turn riding, too.

I am so proud of her.

Day 27: Sisters

When Arabelle and Lila aren't at each other's throats, they really are the sweetest little sisters you've ever seen.

Day 24: Christmas Eve

We started the day yesterday by opening our family's presents.

It just doesn't seem right to go without opening some presents at home, and we figured we'd be too tired to do it Christmas evening.

(We were right.)

As sweet and special as that time was, my favorite picture-worthy moment came last night.

Gammy was coerced by toddler charm into painting Lila's toenails.

She sat as still as a toddler can possibly sit.

It was so adorable.

Day 22: An Aunt

My kids love my sisters.

The girls especially love Rhi.

I'm still getting used to the fact that she can just drive over to our house now.

Day 20: Sleepy Baby

Today was one of those days where you have a really tired and grumpy baby who refuses to go to sleep.

I hoped that Netflix would convince her to stay in one place long enough to go to sleep.

It didn't get her to sleep.

But it did keep her in one place for a while, and I got a break from the crying and screaming that was today's soundtrack.

We officially hate teething.

If you didn't know that before.

Day 15: Gettin' Comfy

It isn't uncommon to find Lila using the rug for a blanket as she sits reading, or curled up on a throw pillow "bed".

Today we discovered that she had decided to pull most of the couch cover off, and then roll herself up into the cutest baby burrito I've ever seen.

But I guess I've been taking too many pictures lately. She gave me the funniest scowl when she realized what I was up to.

lila

One year ago, I was in pretty hard labor. It was fast, much faster than my doula anticipated. She wanted to be born, now.

I remember sensing through the entire pregnancy that this baby would see her "due" date come and go, just so she could have an April birthday like her siblings. More than that, I had an idea of what day she was aiming for. And sure enough, she waited almost two weeks past "due", holding out for as long as she possibly could . . . 33 minutes earlier and she would have been a March baby.

But, she waited for midnight to pass. The third April baby. The April Fool's baby, who, like the first Joke in Narnia, would serve to enrich our lives.

I still cannot believe that tomorrow we celebrate her very first birthday. My, how time has flown.

It seems to go faster each time. She's toddling, months earlier than her siblings managed. She tries so hard to catch up to them. To be big enough to really play with them like she wants. To do all the things she sees them do.

It is exciting. But I've already been missing my baby for a few months. This little girl isn't much of one anymore.

Happy Birthday, my love.