February 14th, 2008

Whoa! 3 months without blogging. That is really not good for me. I need this time to unload, make sense, sort out, record. Every day since I stopped blogging 3 months ago, I have thought about it many, many times a day. Something is always happening that I feel I need to write down to remember or get off of my chest. The other thing I realized in that time is how much blogging means for my relationships. It allows me to think of the positive at the end of an overwhelming day and focus on that to feel fresh the next day. It also allows Tommy to read it and feel a little bit more appreciated than he otherwise would. Writing it at the end of the day is easier than taking the time out to say it all the time....and seeing it in writing makes it feel more important, too. I'm back and serious about blogging again. So much has happened in the last 3 months that I know is lost forever!!!!

Most grateful moment (of the last 3 months): Jack has learned to say 'I love you'. It's the best to hear it out of his little mouth. It's worth all the pain, annoyance, frustration when his little voice says 'I yuv you Mommy'..... melts my heart.

One thing I learned (in the last 3 months): ALWAYS have a plan of where you will be, with whom and when for the holidays and stick to it. Last minute changes cause unbalance in the very intricate schedule that juggles eact numbers of seconds that we spend with each family. Above this rule I have also learned to: SIMPLIFY the holidays. Next Christmas will include a lot of family time at our own house...alone....with the kids. The carting, packing, unloading, etc. is stressful and the fighting that stems from it completely cancels out the true meaning of what the holidays should be.

One moment I wish I could redo (in the last 3 months): Anytime I lose my temper and yell at Jack. I hate the way I feel after raising my voice to him- even if he doesn't seem to care (which he really does not). I need to remember that I need to be the one in control and yelling demonstrates how close I am to losing it.

Best life tip: Keep yourself busy in the winter. Last winter was awful. I was sick being pregnant and we stayed in all the time. The time dragged and I ended up feeling depressed and unproductive. This winter, we are in 2 playgroups, we go to the new rec center 3 times a week, we have story time, Tommy has 2 basketball games a week, etc. We always have something on the calendar and it makes time fly!

Biggest laugh (of the last 3 months): We were sitting on the couch a few weeks ago and Jack burped. He looked at us and said "I burp!", to which we replied, "Well, what do you say?". He answered "EXCUSE ME EVeeBODeeee!" This may not seem terribly funny now. But Tommy and I both burst out laughing and Jack followed. Now he says this everytime he burps, just to get a laugh, even if no one gets it.

Best Tommy moment (of the last 3 months): Has been just watching Tommy and I grow so attached to Mallie. I'll notice both of us just staring at her and smiling while she's playing on the floor. She's so cute and funny. We've always loved her...but I always worried I wouldn't feel as strong a bond to her as I do with Jack. It's turning out that's not a problem for Tommy or I!!!


Best Jack moment (of the last 3 months): Jack is really interacting with Mallie. He calls her Birdence and Bird, just like us. And he loves showing her when he goes potty, or makes a basket, or runs fast. She's his little go-to girl when he has something important to say or do. He's very sweet with her and runs in her room when he hears her in the morning. He's a wonderful big brother.

Best Mallie moment (of the last 3 months): Mallie started sitting up right near her 6 months b-day and she's been a new kid. She can really look around and reach for toys now. She's so content and interested in her surroundings. She loves sitting in the middle of the living room floor while Jack runs around like a mad person playing basketball. She feels like she's in the action and she's always yelling at him as she's gumming whatever toy she has in her grasp "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!" It's so cute.