one stomach flu away from my goal weight
All three of us have had the stomach flu in the last 3 days. Yes, all three of us. Imagine many people with lots of throw up. Or don't, because it's too disgusting to imagine. Lila and I got it first...
View Articlegrilled cheesy goodness
Some evenings you need to feel comforted and remember simpler days. Days of swing sets and mud puddles, with Hello Kitty bandaids on your knee and a warm bath at the end of the evening. Hot tomato soup...
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my favorite birthday things
I have been loving all my fabulous new items I got for birthday gifts. I must confess, it was really hard for me to think of birthday gifts for myself this year. Maybe because it was so close to...
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spilling onto the screen
Life gets busy. And I get overwhelmed. And I have a choice to make. Do I give up this thing that has brought me such solace and community and strength? Or do I forge ahead, letting my brain spill out...
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nutso for potty time
Yes, I am certifiable. I decided to potty train a 23 month old while working full time, planning a massive 2 year birthday party, starting an IVF cycle (more on that later this week), juggling Brian's...
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get it my belly: pinterest edition
I have found Pinterest to be my favorite place in years for recipes. No other blog or cookbook (other than the Bible...our Father, who art in the crockpot, hallowed be thy Make It Fast, Cook It Slow...
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pink is my favorite color
I will spare you photo documentation, but pink eye has infested the house. Lila has been cutting her two year old molars and had a runny nose earlier this week. Then on Tuesday, I of course had to...
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growing too fast
Lila Addison, I cannot believe you are two today. As I stand over your crib, looking at this tall, constantly moving, head full of hair child, I can barely believe that you are mine. Two years seems...
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two years of love
I walked into Lila's room at 12:38am on Saturday morning and stared at her sleeping body, wrapped around her Grinch, arms splayed off to the sides. I remembered that last frantic hour two years...
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looking good
Since we so very rarely dress up and there is never photographic evidence of it, I felt very proud of myself for remembering the camera this weekend. We went to a good family friend's wedding and GASP,...
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pimp my slide
This evening park playtime with Mimi and Pumba brought to you by daylight savings time. And yes, Lila has now named her grandpa "Pumba." As in Simba's gassy warthog friend on the Lion King. No...
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camping in style
Last Saturday was the perfect day for a birthday party. Blue skies, nice breeze, a yard full of colorful quilts and tents, and all of Lila's favorite people in one place. There is something so special...
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mom guilt
A couple of weeks, I had a doctor's appointment in the middle of the day, so I hired a babysitter for Miss Lila Bean. Not knowing how long it would take and knowing I needed to run by my office to pick...
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his will be done
Some days I envy those mothers who were given the gift of pregnancy easily. Other days, I marvel at the medicine and science God created that allows me the same gift. Some days, I cry while I put away...
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chicago times
Finally settled back in from our long trip to Chicago, last week was a whirlwind. Changes at work that came about while I was gone made for some long work days, Lila needed lots of snuggles after...
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the bunny hop
Someone was looking awfully cute in her Easter dress! I love seeing her all dressed up since we usually spend our days in play clothes. She and the other Four Pack babies (all two years old now!)...
View Articleone phone call
I knew the call would not be a good one. When you are focused for two weeks on every small sign within your body, you know what is coming. The rush to the lab for the morning blood draw. The waiting on...
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flipping the pages
I love that Lila has a passion for books. I grew up reading everything I could get my hands on. I was "that kid" that challenged myself to read 100 books the summer between my 2nd and 3rd grade year....
View Articlehow to break the funk
One morning last week, I woke up in a funk. As soon as I opened my eyes that morning I was irritable and tired and cranky. It seemed like Lila was refusing to get dressed just to bug me. Brian's simple...
View Articlemoments in a day
Lila is snoring over the monitor after finally going to sleep for her nap. I had to lay on the floor of her nursery for 15 minutes to get her to stop bringing books into her bed and go to sleep. When...
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ec love
I have written of my love for my Erin Condren planner before on this blog. But I do not think I have ever explained how serious it is to my life. If a meeting (babysitter, dinner menu, date night,...
View Articlestanding beside Diana
Some of you might have heard about Diana and her twin boys. Some of you might have followed the horrible tragedy as it played out on Twitter. Some of you might have read the many, many post of love and...
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feeling the love
It is an amazing feeling to feel loved and appreciated by your family. I love when I feel that way every day. When Lila gives me a super tight squeeze around the neck. When she automatically takes her...
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wrangling the feral cat
How do toddlers know the exact moment you are getting ready to walk out the door and choose it to announce "Pee pee potty time??!" Even though you have been asking them repeatedly every 3 minutes if...
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getting my meal plan on
We have been working on getting healthy, easy dinners on the table now that Lila is old enough to understand that eating frozen pizza from the couch does not a dinner make. I know, story of the life of...
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