Today

My morning started out by having Audrey gleefully walk down the hall shouting, "Shoe! Shoe!". She picked out my shoes for me and insisted on helping to put them on. She is so much fun!

I dressed up a little bit for our Moms group at church, and it was nice to be wearing something other than stretchy pants and mismatched shoes. Feeling pretty good for being in the third trimester. Sobbed with big hiccups and rolling tears in the hallway of church after the speaker talked about her aging mother's hands. I miss my mom so much, it still aches every day. My church friends are so kind and loving; I'm glad to have their support. At the end, all the children were let into the room for some songs and dancing, and Juliet hopped and danced with glee. She loves to dance and I love to see her delight.

We played at home for the afternoon. Audrey learned how to exclaim, "One more time!" while holding her index finger in a "1" to beg to be spun and tossed in the air once more even when mommy needs a break to catch her breath. She learned that from her big sister, whom she copies and mimics in every way. We took a walk around the neighborhood and picked dandelions. The girls fought over who could hold Ellie's leash and who would pull the wagon. Some pushing and crying ensued intermittently. We read books and made animal sounds- Audrey is good at the "Moos" in particular. The usual stuff. Fun, beautiful, and frustrating afternoons that are both delightful and exhausting. Juliet also found my eyeshadow/eyeliner and experimented with some makeup. Here's her awesome look:

Then- tonight, the grand finale: For the first time ever, after I said "I love you" to Juliet, she said "I love you too, mommy" and planted a big kiss on my face. It's been a long time coming to hear those words! And yes, I'm crying now.

Gratitude: Day 30

Why having a 2.5 yr old is fun:

Juliet: "exercise today?" (Referring to stoller strides) 

Me: "Not today. We are going somewhere really special with Daddy."

Juliet: "On a spaceship to the moon! Yay! Yay! To get my purple balloon that went to the moon! Yay!"

Gratitude, Day 9

The cool air of fall has finally arrived. I love summer but it was time for a change of seasons, however mild our seasons might be here. I'm bundled up in a sweater for the first time in months and it feels really good. I am grateful for the changing seasons that keep the rhythm of our life. The sun goes down early now, which is a hard adjustment for me, but it also reminds me that this is the season to slow down, to enjoy a quiet evening at home with my children instead of rushing around outside. This is the time to hibernate a bit.

Gratitude, Day 8

My marriage. Happy 4th anniversary to my husband, my partner, my love.

Gratitude, Day 5

Bath time. Filled with laughter between my daughters.

Running through the hallway with glee in the outfit of choice, post-bath.

For this I am grateful.

Gratitude, Day 4

The quiet after the children are in bed.

Lying on the couch, watching my growing belly rise and fall with each breath.

Feeling our son wiggle and move inside, enjoying a little sugar rush from the leftover Halloween candy.

SONG FOR A FIFTH CHILD
by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton

Mother, oh Mother, come shake out your cloth,
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,

Hang out the washing and butter the bread,
Sew on a button and make up a bed.
Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I’ve grown shiftless as Little Boy Blue
(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
(Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).
The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew
And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo
But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo.
Look! Aren’t her eyes the most wonderful hue?
(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
For children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.