Elena's First

Just had to take the time to read Elena's birth story. I can't believe a year has passed already. I plan to write more later about Elena!

What We've Been Up To

I've been silent here for a while. As usual, I've given myself a list of  "to do" items, and I find that between those and the usual household tasks, and the other scheduled events of life, I just don't get around to posting much. So this evening, while taking a break from the Christmas stocking I'm crocheting for Elena, I thought I'd post some pictures of what the kids have been up to. What you don't see in the pictures is me. Aside from the few moments it takes to snap some pictures, I've been doing laundry, baking cookies and breads, cleaning (a little, when necessary), washing dishes, changing diapers,  and so on.  One thing I haven't been doing is nursing. Somebody just up and stopped nursing on her own last week!  It was like one day she just decided she was done. I'm hoping potty training goes just as smoothly. :)

Enjoy the photos!

Latest

I just have to share my new favorite blog to read. A friend of mine told me about it, figuring I'd like it since this blogger and I seemed to have some things in common. And she was right!

Thanks Raquel! I'm hooked.

On Depth

Or lack thereof.

I really enjoy reading blogs that have depth, where people share things that are on their hearts. Something they've experienced, thoughts they have, some part of their spiritual journey, parenting challenges, relationship struggles, etc. I've been so encouraged by friends (and strangers) to share what is going on deep down. But I've realized that I don't choose to use this blog in the same way. I started keeping a journal during junior high, when I was going through a rough time socially. I've kept it up over the years and haven't had the desire to switch to a digital, public version. I still find refreshment in sitting down and "writing myself out".

All this to say, perhaps I sometimes feel like I should apologize for not digging so deep and letting you all know what's going on in the corners (or forefront) of my mind, because I appreciate hearing from others what they're dealing with.  However, I also recognize that although I'm a social person, and I like have deep conversations with people, I just haven't gotten to a place where I'm going to do that online.

But to those of you whose blogs I read who share some deep thoughts, thank you. Keep it up.

Silver Linings

I was thinking about that old saying "every cloud has a silver lining" and how true it is for me in a couple of key ways. Here are two that have impacted me today:

Cloud 1:  Edwin and Elena are sick with colds and/or fevers.
Silver Lining:  Both (especially Edwin) are napping soundly, and I am getting a bunch of things done during nap time!

Cloud 2: Dan has meetings tonight and tomorrow night after work and won't be home until later.
Silver Lining: He'll have supper at both meetings, so I don't feel like I need to cook a nice meal tonight. This kids and I can "make do" with omelets or macaroni and cheese. Which means I can focus on some other things during nap time!

Beach, Continued

Last week's spontaneous beach day was one of those days that compensates for the variable, often crazy schedule Dan has. After all, we were able to decide to go to the beach on a random weekday morning, and we left the house in a little over an hour. There are times when I wonder what it would be like to have a husband who has a continuously mostly predictable schedule, one that doesn't change every 2 - 4 weeks and include any days and times of the week.

While driving home in the early evening - the kids and Dan asleep, a playlist including Adele, India Arie and Jack Johnson - I watched the sun set and savored days like this one.

Beach

We took a spontaneous day trip to Cape Henlopen last Friday. Dan worked all night and thought maybe he'd enjoy sleeping on the beach instead of at home. We packed up and were on our way an hour later. Well, he didn't get to sleep (in fact, no one in our family slept on the beach - not even Elena), but we did have a lot of fun.

Edwin absolutely loved the waves. Even when a few crashed on him or splashed him in the face, he just kept wanting more. We honestly thought he'd be afraid of them, but I'm glad he wasn't. It meant we had to stick close to him, or hold him, but I'm glad he was excited about the water.

Elena enjoyed exploring the sand. She can kind of crawl backwards, so no matter where I sat her on a towel, she inevitably made her way off of it into the sand. By the end of the day I didn't even worry about how much sand was on her. She even took a few nose dives into the sand, but she didn't seem to mind that too much.

Dan and I both came back with some sunburn, but thankfully the kids didn't. I've decided I really should just get a swim shirt like what you see kids wearing now.  I fry in the sun, so what's the point of baring so much skin? (Since writing this post, I purchased a rashguard, so the next time I spend a day at the beach, I'll be the one who looks like she should be surfing.)

My Sweet, Adorable, Bald Little Girl

My mom took these pictures, 

and now I want to go get Elena out of bed 

and just kiss and hug her.