Poor Pumpkin

Janice was supposed to come over today. I believe I mentioned that already this week. Thursday Hannah came home from school and said "I had a busy day, I'm going to lay down and rest" and next thing I knew she was sound asleep in her bed. I knew right then that something was wrong. She spent the rest of the afternoon laying around and being sad and miserable. She has a fever and a horrible cough. She was so sad and snuggly, it makes me sad just to hear her. She has slept upstairs the last couple nights for two reasons. One, I like to keep an eye on her when she's so unwell. And Two, I don't want her coughing to keep Norah up and then I have TWO cranky children.

So what I've learned from this is a few things. Hannah loves sleeping up with us (in the toddler bed) When Steven gets annoyed enough with her coughing he goes to the couch. Hannah loves sleeping in my bed with me, and I love it too. But mostly, because I want her close when she is sick means that I'm next :(

Snow Day

Again. My affection for winter has dwindled down to nothing. Most of you realize that I actually have never had any affection for it. I had hoped that when I had kids and they loved it that I could at least tolerate it, but sadly, that's not even remotely true.

Yesterday Hannah and Gary had a snow day again. Nothing on earth is more painful than spending an entire day cooped up in the house with Hannah, Norah, and Gary. They all mean well, but my nerves frazzle easily this time of the month. Norah spent all day Tuesday refusing to nap, and then refusing to sleep come bedtime. I was terrified yesterday she would do the same and that I would want to throw myself screaming into the icy oblivion I call my backyard. As it happens, she napped wonderfully, so plenty of downtime for her. Unfortunately with Hannah home that means none for me. She did play very nicely for quite a bit of the afternoon, and helped sample the blueberry muffins I made before lunch. Steven of course didn't get home until late, and then had to clean our driveway and our neighbors. He was out there for well over an hour and a half, and in the meantime both girls went to bed.

I'm so over winter, when is it going to be spring. Last night as I was cleaning up the living room before getting Norah into bed I heard Brian Williams say that it was only 8 more weeks until spring. EIGHT. Where is that retarded groundhog who might give me some hope? And we all know that even in "spring" we can get snow here in New England. My one saving grace is that Steven isn't snowplowing this year, but I really think I'd lose my mind if that were the case.

In good news, we have some friends coming for a playdate on Saturday and I'm very excited. I actually haven't told Hannah yet because I'm terrified something will come up for one of us and they won't be able to come. It's happened plenty of times, so I think when Janice calls me in the morning and says they're coming, I'll let Hannah in :)

Fun and Crazy

This past weekend we drove for a visit to see Grampy and Mimi. And of course all the assorted people who hang out there on Saturdays. Hannah was so happy to be there and have oodles of nearly undivided attention. She was even happier when Jennie stopped by with her always adorable kids. Annalisa will be three in about a week, so they're close enough in age to play and enjoy the company. I was of course thrilled to see Jennie since I don't think we've gotten together since Norah was still new. She looks fabulous for being as pregnant as she is. If I looked that good I might possibly be tempted to go for one more. We also got to see Auntie Sara and Auntie Lynise (who is newly engaged, Congrats!) which is always a treat since they love the girls so much. It was a fun day all around, and I'm sure they can't wait to go back to visit again.

Sunday was supposed to be slightly more low key. Steven put in a new fridge, which resulted in removing part of my countertop and all of the faux bricks that were behind the old one. It's a very nice one though, and maybe someday he'll hook up the water so we have ice/water in the door. Then I got to go grocery shopping ALONE. I don't think I've done that since I was still pregnant with Norah and Hannah went to playgroup on Fridays. It was heaven, and yes I do like grocery shopping, it makes me happy. Then we played Guitar Hero and went to Carol's for dinner. Very low key compared to any dinner at my dad's, but that's to be expected.

We're expecting more snow, but it IS winter, so I guess there's not much we can do about it. And just for giggles, here's a picture of how I found Norah when I went to get her up from her nap yesterday morning. Poor Love. Yes, she's "sitting" if you can call it that. She also apparently destroyed her bed before she decided sleeping was something that she ought to do.

The Ecstasy of Chocolate

Poor Baby

You know she's not feeling well when she sleeps until 7. She just doesn't do that. She's an early riser, so 7 is almost laughable. Poor Norah, she's stuffy and has snot everywhere and can't stop sneezing or pooping. I just snuggle her and she wants to play, and then realizes she doesn't feel good and cries to get picked back up. She passed out cold on my back last night.

This picture was of course before that happened, because the benefit of wearing your baby is, Happy Baby, and I can rock out :)

Such a fun weekend

Hannah had a birthday party on Saturday for her best friend, Emma. It was adorable to watch them running around having a good time. Hannah was a little confused when Emma opened her gifts and there were none for her, but I explained that her special day was coming and she'd have gifts to open then. And of course Norah's day is coming, and she'll have to help Norah open hers.

Then Sunday we brave the crazy snow to go to Meema's house. Hannah had planned to spend the night, but since Emma's birthday was way more important, Meema said we could just come visit for the day and she'll take Hannah another weekend. So it took us nearly an hour and a half to get there, and we nearly got into a head on collision with some chick who thought that driving 50 with an inch of snow packed on the road was a good plan. Thankfully she missed us (though she didn't miss the guardrail, OUCH) and we made it there safe. We had a wonderful time, and Hannah was thrilled to have the adults to herself while Norah napped. Norah was of course cooperative enough to nap through lunch and cleanup so I could eat and help, then we started the trek home. Which was of course not nearly as bad as the way there. The roads were wonderful by then, which was a blessing to be sure.

Monday came, and Hannah was sad that it was a holiday and there was no school. But she had fun watching Gary play Guitar Hero most of the day (she actually refused to let him play anything else, LOL) and then had one of her favorite meals (mexican) for dinner. Dori called, and I'm glad she did, now I know I'm safe to plan the girls birthday party for March 7. It's the weekend between their birthdays, but I wanted to be sure we didn't plan parties for the same weekend, since her littlest ones birthday is the day after Hannah. I'm sure Hannah would be devastated if Emma couldn't come to her birthday.

A few new pictures

I'm sharing some new pictures since I've been playing with the settings on my camera. Also the last one of Hannah because it's funny. She was so desperate to play Guitar Hero just like Steven and Gary.

The past

Hannah's been VERY into my photo albums and scrapbook, wanting to see all the pictures. It's funny how even in a very old picture, or a group picture she can pick me out. I have one from a wedding of Steven and I. We were only married a few months at that point and kids were nowhere on the agenda, but we look happy and she easily knew it was us. She checks out the framed pictures on the wall and knows most of those people also. Though I will say that most older people don't change as much as you could in a few years being younger. So it's easy to recognize Grampy, or Meme, or Uncle Dave. But even with all the strange hairstyles I've had she still finds me.

I don't miss the "young" me. Though I'm betting Steven does occasionally. Having kids is rough, but from what I hear worth it. I guess we'll see in about 20 years... and yes at that point, I will probably miss "young" me.

So I guess here is a tribute to being 21

It's funny

Last week I was rereading back through, and just about a year ago there's a post about Hannah's socks. Hannah had an issue with some socks that had the words written on the bottom to make them grippy instead of a deathtrap in our nearly rugless home. There was crying, and screaming, and the "I can't walk..." drama that followed. Recently (as in Christmas) she was given another pair of these socks, plus a pair of "slipper socks" which are of course similar, but thicker. They have given her no issue and there is no screaming over them feeling weird, or the inability to walk. Amazing what a year can do. Or a few falls because the ever popular "stop running in the house before you fall" has now turned to "stop running, you'll fall... AGAIN *eyeroll*"

I love our friends

Yesterday we had some friends over for lasagna and some fun for the kids. These are friends of ours because when we signed up for a birthing class with our oldest kidlets, we somehow ended up being the only two couples there. Now here we are over four years later, and still getting together whenever possible.

As they were on the way here, Kerry calls me and asks if I have any wine, and while I did, it was open for a while and I hadn't checked it. So she says they'll stop at a package store and get some. We cracked it open not long after they got here, and I made lasagna (with a very cooperative Norah up on my back watching) and played with all the kids. Both older kids (Hannah and Gabe) were well behaved at dinner and ate reasonably well. Norah was fine as long as I was sitting there, but when I got up to take Ellie so that Colin could eat, she melted down. But after all mommies were present and accounted for, the littlest girlies settled down and played for a while.

It was so nice to have people with kids over. I love our families, but it's just different somehow. And no, I'm lame and there are no pictures.

I know it's not a competition

I do, honest to GOD I do. I'm getting the awful feelings I always had with Hannah's language delay. Norah is NOT behind. She's normal. She's average. She's 10 months old. She crawls, she sits up, she feeds herself. It is NOT average to walk at 10 months (despite her sister doing it earlier). Despite that, of the five women I know who had babies around the same time (within 3 weeks of each other in Feb/Mar 08), two of these babies started walking yesterday. And no, obviously one of them isn't Norah. I read two brags on these babies, and while it IS exciting when your baby walks, it can be horribly hurtful to brag on your kid like that. Especially when you spend next to no time on that particular forum, and only show up to brag or complain.

I have lots of wonderful things to say about Norah. She babbles endlessly and is a monster on wheels getting into everything with her curiosity. She has a smile that makes me melt and giggle depending on why she's smiling. She is OFF her prilosec completely and hopefully the zantac at her next appointment. She is sweet, and snuggly, and so completely different from Hannah in nearly every way.

I don't WANT her to walk right now, she's trouble time two already. BUT that doesn't mean I want to be reminded that lots of babies her age are apparently walking.

Paradise City

For Janice

I've never said Thank God it's Monday

Until Yesterday! Hannah had a wonderful Christmas break, but I was desperately missing my down time in the afternoons. She was thrilled to go back and play with all her friends, and I was thrilled to let her go. She had a lovely time, and I had some peace and quiet yesterday afternoon.

I have quite a bit of sewing to do, since Laurie asked me to make her a fabulous new sling. I split the fabric in half so I can practice on the other half before I sew hers, seeing as I've never sewn dupioni silk before. It washed up so soft, I'm hoping I don't screw up the other half so I can use it for myself.

Norah's working on yet another tooth, so the wakeups at night are frequent and noisy, just as they usually are. Also the getting up early. She wakes up several times during the night, and then wakes for the day much too early (as in 4:30 some days, UGH!)

I'm having a hard time thinking, I'm considering the fact that it's all the noise. It's nearly 8am, and Hannah hasn't stopped talking since she woke up almost 2 hours ago. She doesn't even need me to talk back, she just keeps talking. And when she's not talking, it's random weird noise. I'm sure it's the age, and it will pass. I know a LOT of you are reading this saying "But aren't you the one who took her to EI and swore once she got past the language delay you'd never wish for her to stop talking" Yep, that's me. And I'm not wishing for her to stop, just pause once in a while.

Well there goes that

Ok, so we don't have our house on the market, obviously. But regardless, I found a gorgeous house here in Chicopee with a too good to be true price. We looked at it online on several websites, we drove by and looked at the outside in person. We desperately need more space than we have, and this house had it all. Over 2000 square feet, enough room to really spread out. A newly remodeled kitchen that I am desperately in lust with. But like all things that seem too good to be true, it was.

Steven called to get a showing appointment, and we went yesterday morning. It's a gorgeous 1896 Victorian in a wonderful area. It clearly needed a small amount of work on the outside, but looked mostly sound. We were able to glean that the furnace and hot water tank were new, the roof fairly new, and the electricity updated to satisfaction. Despite the interesting wallpaper choices, it had potential. And then there were the problems. Some of which are small and doable. The dining room wall was damaged when a pipe burst (supposedly last winter, but was still wet!) in the basement. The basement was also still wet, but then most can be on occasion. Those aren't really the big issues, because they ARE fixable. My big issue is the fact that it's never been lead paint/radon tested. That's a HUGE issue for me because we have small kids (and according to the wallpaper in the bedrooms, so do the owners now) and reality says it's just not safe for anyone to be around lead paint.

So we're not making an offer with a contingency agreement, which was the plan if we truly loved it and thought we could make it work. We do truly love it, and it's a steal.... but there are just some things we aren't willing to potentially sacrifice.

If anyone's interested, here's the link. It has some strange pictures, but it's a truly gorgeous house inside and out http://www.movoto.com/real-estate/homes-for-sale/MA/Chicopee/363-Springfield-St-300_70770408.htm

Please think good thoughts

I don't want to say why, but suffice it to say that it's nothing BAD :) Something has come up that we're trying desperately to make happen, so all the prayers and good thoughts you can muster will be appreciated!