See you next year...

It's a winding road.
And it's a long way home.
So don't wait for someone to tell you it's too late, cause these are the best days.
There's always something tomorrow, so I say, let's make the best of tonight.
Here comes the rest of our lives.
Best Days, Graham Colton


2008 from MLS on Vimeo.

Anticipation 2009

10. Seeing Rory walk.
9. Spring Breaking with the Levys at beach week.
8. Hearing Rory talk.
7. Celebrating Jeff and Brandi's birthday at Disney.
6. Vacationing Sea Club style.
5. Camping.
4. Celebrating 1 and 4 and 32.
3. Teaching Jilli to swim.
2. Teaching Rory to sing.
1. Discovering the things that I don't even know I am waiting for yet...

Planning 2009

10. Paint (upstairs hallway, bathroom.)
9. Organize (pictures into books.)
8. Finish ((start) both girls' first year books. )
7. Re-design (office.)
6. Make ( gifts.)
5. Sew (slipcovers, quilt, clothes.)
4. Read (one book a month.)
3. Bake (bread.)
2. Eat (less french fries.)
1. Run (5k, March.)

The Best (in between) Moments of 2008

10. Seeing Jilli run crazy with Makenna and Christian in May as I held a barely 6 week old Rory, marveling at the child in my arms and the one who had grown into her own.

9. Listening to Jilli sing Jingle Bells along with her Shrek CD at the top of her lungs while jumping up and down, in February (and March, April, May, June....)

8. Sitting on the lawn at the Tom Petty concert with Jeff to celebrate our anniversary and watching the (slightly inebriated) people dancing and singing around us.

7. Having High Tea with my mom to celebrate my birthday.

6. Watching Jilli's unfettered joy at her own birthday party.

5. Crying when we lit the #3 candle.

4. Holding Rory for what seemed like an entire week when she was just home from the hospital, snuggled in my bed, dozing and nursing day after day while we listened to the rain together.

3. Snuggling with both Jilli and Rory in the front porch swing when the sun finally shone through.

2. Hearing Jilli tell Rory as we traveled home from some early errand, just the three of us, "Awww, don't cry, we'll be home soon. Its ok Rory. Its ok."

1. Touching Rory's face less than an hour after she was born, when by some lucky chance I was left alone with her for a few stolen moments, and knowing for certain that our lives had been multiplied by a power of four.

Abundance

Christmas here was beautiful and loud and fun. Five children, ranging from 1 month old to 10 years and five adults came downstairs to Santa's gifts and breakfast in the morning. We added another child and five more adults for dinner. In between there was much loud playing and exclaiming over new toys and goodies.

Santa brought the girls wonderful gifts. Jilli had two specific requests; an umbrella and Baloo the bear (from Jungle Book). She received both from Santa (Baloo and Mowgli in a snow globe as Jungle Book is not, umm, readily available these days to the big man.) Not surprisingly Rory's favorite gift was a curly silver ribbon on one of her gifts and all the paper she could eat before I rudely scarped it out of her mouth. Rory prematurely opened a few gifts earlier in the week but come Christmas morning was preoccupied with other issues. Jilli stepped in and "showed Rory how to open her gifts" by unwrapping each one for her. Spending the day with Christian, Makenna and Emery made for the best memories; all five kids in one place, seeing Christian help Jilli with packages or new things, watching Jilli and Makenna dance and take picture after picture with Jilli's new camera, seeing Rory gently touch Emery's face....

Though it was my intention to give a few special things, everyone received many, many gifts (all special) from us, family and friends. I donated several large bins of toys before the holiday, in part to make room and in part to share the wealth. But Christmas morning I was reminded, as I so often am, of the simple joys of family that have nothing to do with boxes and bows. In the coming year and indeed, next holiday season, we will buy less and do more; more handmade, more cookies, more singing 'Little Rangers' and looking at lights, more The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and certainly more sharing with those who have so much less than we were given. We will remember that the most special times over the past week were when we were together; in any combination of family, young or old, and any number of people between two and sixteen.

The Rory Report - 9 months

Rory,
You can stand up! You have to pull yourself up on something and it happens most often in your crib (like every single nap time) but you can do it all by yourself. You are so proud and think it is great fun to scream intermittently until Daddy or I comes in to lay you back down (again). This month you squealed with glee as you dumped out bins of blocks and screamed in fury as I took things (dangerous, bad things, things you shouldn't have had but thought absolutely necessary to your survival at the moment) away from you. You created your very own way of signing all done that looks like you are about to bust into singing, "Stop! In the Name of Love...." You celebrated your first Christmas yesterday and thought the best toys were the ribbon and the best food the tissue paper. You also loved loved loved every morsel of real food we gave you; ham, sweet potatoes, mac and cheese, stuffing, bread... You love most food, in fact, but only if its something you can pick up and feed yourself. You are so over being spoon fed. You can drink out of a sippy cup and put toys into bigger containers. You are fond of crawling to your sister and trying to play with whatever she has at the moment. Jilli usually tattles on you and tells me you aren't sharing and then gets you a new toy (until she decides she wants whatever you have and then tells me she is going to 'share' with you before she takes your toy away.) You are still mommy's girl through and through. You have eyes for daddy too, but if you are tired or cranky I am your preferred comforter. I know this will change; probably sooner than I am ready. I know because we sat at the Christmas Eve service a few nights ago (you happily gnawed on your shoe for the better part of the evening,) and I remembered the Christmas Eves just a few years back when Jilli was happy to be held and chew on whatever was available. This year she ran up the aisles with Christian and Makenna and sat all by herself to listen to the Christmas Story. Will you sit in the aisle with her next year? Your first 9 months have passed quickly but we treasure every moment with you. I love you Little Bear.

Mommy

Elf-ilicious

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

The Post of a Thousand Pictures

I have no idea how Christmas is only 10 days away. Wasn't Thanksgiving just last week? We slogged through a work week after we got back from our trip and then started the festivities.

First we hiked into the woods with an axe to chop down a tree (well, we went to Lowe's.) When we arrived in the verdant green forest (garden center) we discovered that just indoors they were having a fabulous sale. So we came home with a beautiful tree that will return to the attic year after year instead of the mulch pile. We garnered more than a few smirks on the way home.

We baked cookies and Rory perfected her spatula wielding skills (on Sketch)while Jilli added the ingredients (including the banilla.) Then candy bags and icing exploded onto our ginger people for a sugar high the likes of which we rarely see (in the last picture you can see the effects on Jilli compared to the child who consumed far less sugar....Hazel.)

We've sung traditional songs and practiced our keyboarding. Jilli is fond of "The Little Rangers Song" (Every time she says that I think "Ch-ch-ch-Chip and Dale! Rescue Rangers!" but alas, it is Away in a Manger, a fine carol, but I loved those chipmunks.)

Grandpa stopped in for a visit and we trimmed the tree and attended a parade.


Finally, last night we dressed the girls in matching outfits and tortured them for as long as they would put up with it so we could get some pics for our Christmas card.

We are feeling festive around here.

Spike

Rory's hair is coming in at a much faster clip than Jilli's. She usually gets a mohawk after her bath and though its hard to see the sublime nonsense of it here, I think we have a future rocker on our hands (tambourine is her preferred instrument at 8.5 months old.)

Contact

Rory signed 'all done' tonight! Its the only sign we have used consistently with her and when I do it at the end of meals she usually smiles and laughs. Tonight she was losing interest in her dinner(eggs, toast, cheerios -- all displayed artfully on her tray.) She looked at me and shook her right hand and smiled (ok, maybe it doesn't seem as clear written here but it was obvious.) Brilliant!

The Rory Report- 8 months old

Rory,

Hooray! 8 months old! It's a respectable milestone and one you have met with new tricks. You can get to a seated position all by yourself. You have embraced eating with passion. You love cheerios and spaghetti and pretty much anything we can feed you that is exactly the same as what we are eating.

You laugh all the time and love taking baths with your sister. You absolutely hate anything being taken away from you and you can get debris from the floor into your mouth in the blink of an eye (we are nothing if not impeccable house cleaners around here). You are attached to me. Its charming and flattering but ear splitting when I have to put you down and walk away. (Its ok though, I'm absolutely crazy about you.)

This month you got your first real illness and did it right. You started coughing a bit on our drive to Florida and by the beginning of the week you had a nasty nose and were a most unhappy child. You stayed that way for a long time but after a diagnosis of double ear infections and a few doses of the pink stuff you seem to be improving. I am so glad....I missed your sweet smile. My favorite new thing you started doing this month is a new smile...you squint your eyes and scrunch up your nose and your smile strecthes from ear to ear. Happy baby, happy mommy.

I love you,

Mommy

Jilli Report- 3 Years Old

Jilli,
For months now I haven't been able to get a refrain out of my head. Its from Dr. Seuss's Hop on Pop and it goes (in perfect Seuss-sense) Three. Three Fish in a Tree. Fish in a tree? How can that be? I simply can not believe you are three years old today. It is as improbable as fish in a tree.

Three years ago today it was Thanksgiving. Daddy and I spent the morning watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and then the Dog Show in our hospital room because the midwife had induced my labor that morning. Things got a tad more exciting around noon and for the few hours after that but at 4:34 you made me a mom.

Now you are my independent child. You build towers and stroll your babies. You sing loudly and laugh from your belly. You love your sister. You have friends and you have opinions. You sneak into our bed at night and tap Daddy on the forehead to wake him up in the morning. You watch Dora and Curious George and the infernal Higgly Town Heroes (I am so not a fan of their song.) You dance when you feel the vibe and can almost jump and turn an entire 360 without your feet touching the floor. You sleep with books in your bed (or on the floor when you deign to sleep there). You are funny and are developing an incredible sense of comedic timing for 3.

You rock.

I love you,
Mommy

Celebrating Three

Jilli's birthday parties have evolved. Her first included Florida family and cupcakes. Her second was a birthday party with North Carolina family and close friends. The trend at school (trendy we are, don't you know?) seemed to be a more kid oriented party so we went with the herd. We weren't really inclined (nor was our budget) toward a venue and so we decided to risk it all and invite several kids from her class and all of our outside school friends her age to a party. at our house. the numbers of which required some time be spent outside. Luckily the birthday gods smiled on us and it was a rousing success. We managed to book the hottest gig in town on the three year old circuit, Ms. Kelly (also from school.) I have heard her sing and play before, but WOW, she is amazing. She wrote most of the songs she sang and they were funny and catchy and she has a terrific voice. In the way that three year olds are wont to do, the kids ran through the house and did laps through the yard. Aside from the stellar musical performance, we had a sand table and play dough (homemade- just call me Martha) and mostly a bunch of rowdy munchkins, pizza and a lion cake (requested by Jilli, we had jungle decorations and goodies too). It was awesome. I admit to getting a bit teary eyed when we sang...three! How can it be?

DJ Jilli Fresh

We sing a lot around here. Rory's current favotite is the Rorybear song (remember the Gummy Bears? Yeah...that song.) She is also fond of Rory Queen (Long live ABBA). Jilli goes crazy for Old MacDonald and Bingo and John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt. She has loved that last one for a long time and for many many months she would sing Jacob! and the nah-nah-nah part loud and proud but mumble through the rest. A few days ago I heard her singing the entire song, every word, very clearly.

"John Jacob Jingleheimer SH*T! His name is my name too!"

I did appropriate thing and laughed.

She then mixed it up.

"Johhnie, Jakie, Jingie-Heimie SH*TTY."

We ate at Fuddruckers with the Levys tonight. We taught her to say that too. Tonight it came out as FriggerRuckers, but we may have a surprise at Thanksgiving Dinner...

My new niece

Welcome to the world Emery Faith. You were loved by all of us, before we ever saw your picture or knew your name.

11.17.2008

7 pounds 13 ounces

31

As of Saturday Jeff joined the ranks of the no-longer-barely-in-our-thirties club. Its a good club to be in so far (I speak from 3 months of experience.) Josh also celebrated 31 on Sunday so Erin and I compiled a weekend stock full of manly activities. In no particular order....

Golf

Bowling

Even a little horse racing...

There was also the last soccer game of the season, delicious food and wii playing. In short, we are all exhausted.

That is kind of our life right now; exhausting at times but for the best reasons in the world. Sharing my life with this particular 31 year old makes me laugh and sing and shine. Happy Birthday Jeff...

Everything Old Is New Again

It's after 8 here and in our house that generally means slumbering children and hardworking parents (ok, we are usually watching tv...). I just heard some odd sounds coming from the hallway and looked out of the office to see Jilli fluffing and straightening her blanket in the hallway so she can sleep at the top of the stairs. We have a gate, so it is moderately safe and we have seen her do this often over the past couple of weeks. Our theory is that she wants to be closer to us and so she comes out in the hallway, we let her fall good and asleep and then transport her back to her bedroom. The funny thing is, I used to do exactly the same thing. My parents would come out of their room in the middle of the night to find me sound asleep at the top of the stairs.

This week Rory discovered a spring on her crib. As far as I can tell, it really serves no purpose but its there anyway in all its springy goodness. Rory played with it for several minutes and I am certain she will continue to do so for months. Jilli did exactly the same thing when the crib was hers. This crib is about 31 years old and I was the first one to sleep in it, next came my sister, then my cousin, then Christian and Makenna until it arrived at our house. I wonder if we all found the spring....

Jilli is still fluffing. I hope she'll fall asleep soon so I can go find the camera.
(she finally did )

Election Eve

Angie,

I just hung up the phone with you. We were talking about the election tomorrow and you said you don't know yet who you'll vote for. You know I voted for Obama. It is certainly no surprise to you or anyone who knows me. I am a Democrat through and through. I believe that as human beings we are responsible for our brothers and sisters in every corner of the world. I believe that we must educate children, care for the sick, the disabled and the elderly, we must feed the hungry, and protect those who are vulnerable from violence and exploitation. I know I have Republican family and friends who believe the same things, just as passionately as I do. But for myself, I believe that right now the Democrats have a better plan to do all of those things and that, as a party, the Democrats are most aligned with my beliefs. That is why I voted a straight Democratic ticket, but again, that is no surprise to you or anyone else.

I believe that George Bush was the wrong choice in 2000 and in 2004 and that much of the turmoil that our country and our entire world faces is due, in large part, to the Bush Administration. If Al Gore had won in 2000 or John Kerry in 2004 I do not know what the world today would look like, but I would have liked the chance to see. For eight years I have listened to an Administration that preached compassionate conservatism; only to slash funding for children's health care and severely limit programs for the poor and elderly, give huge tax breaks to companies who operate overseas and cut taxes for the wealthiest Americans, preach that we are only safe when we attack nations who have not attacked us, send our sons and daughters, mothers and fathers to die in two wars, and ignore genocide and crisis across the world. But you can read the news, and I know you have. You may well disagree with me, but again, none of my opinions are a surprise.

What might be a surprise to you is that I (generally outspoken, ready for a debate anytime, passionate for causes, Michele) have felt absolutely paralyzed for the past eight years. I have felt like this country and this world were so far headed down the wrong path that nothing could change our perilous descent. I have felt excluded by those who have openly preached hate instead of love. I have felt alienated from fellow Americans who believed I was no patriot for believing we should never have gone to war in Iraq, for believing this war is ethically and morally wrong. I have been angered by people who have argued that I am wrong, or immoral, for the things that I believe in. But I have not had the courage to speak out. I have been afraid.

I have watched Barack Obama for the past four years. I believed him when he spoke of an America that is not divided into red states and blue states, at the Democratic Convention in 2004. I have read his speeches online and watched him on tv. I believe what he says. I believe he will fight for the middle class, that he will fight for health care for all Americans, that he will fight for an education system that values all children, for a country that values hardworking people no matter the size of their paycheck. But I have also heard his call to action. I have heard him say that it is time for Americans to work together for change. I might disagree with you or with my neighbor on the most contentious of issues; abortion, taxes, war, but there is certainly common ground that we can stand on together. I believe that when we look to our similarities instead of our differences we will be great people, a great nation and a great world. I believe that when two of the people I love most in the whole world, your son and daughter, see a man of color ascend to the highest office in our nation, they will believe that the color of their skin does not dictate the possibilities that lie before them. I believe that when my daughters grow up with Barack Obama as president they will know that to whom much is given; much is required.

Feeling angry and isolated and alienated for eight years has also taught me some lessons about concession and compromise. I do not think that that those who vote for McCain are wrong and I will not question their patriotism or their motivations. But I do I believe it is time for me to stand up for what I believe in, to stop making excuses to stay quiet and avoid discussion, to make changes in my own life that reflect the change I want to see in the world. So, this is my first small step. Please vote for Obama.

Here is what he said in his closing at the Democratic Convention. I believe he is what he says he is. I believe he will do what he has promised. I believe he is our greatest hope for a more just world.


Remarks of Senator Barack Obama: The American Promise (Democratic Convention)
Denver, CO August 28, 2008

This country of ours has more wealth than any nation, but that's not what makes us rich. We have the most powerful military on Earth, but that's not what makes us strong. Our universities and our culture are the envy of the world, but that's not what keeps the world coming to our shores. Instead, it is that American spirit - that American promise - that pushes us forward even when the path is uncertain; that binds us together in spite of our differences; that makes us fix our eye not on what is seen, but what is unseen, that better place around the bend. That promise is our greatest inheritance. It's a promise I make to my daughters when I tuck them in at night, and a promise that you make to yours - a promise that has led immigrants to cross oceans and pioneers to travel west; a promise that led workers to picket lines, and women to reach for the ballot. And it is that promise that forty five years ago today, brought Americans from every corner of this land to stand together on a Mall in Washington, before Lincoln's Memorial, and hear a young preacher from Georgia speak of his dream. The men and women who gathered there could've heard many things. They could've heard words of anger and discord. They could've been told to succumb to the fear and frustration of so many dreams deferred. But what the people heard instead - people of every creed and color, from every walk of life - is that in America, our destiny is inextricably linked. That together, our dreams can be one. "We cannot walk alone," the preacher cried. "And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back." America, we cannot turn back. Not with so much work to be done. Not with so many children to educate, and so many veterans to care for. Not with an economy to fix and cities to rebuild and farms to save. Not with so many families to protect and so many lives to mend. America, we cannot turn back. We cannot walk alone. At this moment, in this election, we must pledge once more to march into the future. Let us keep that promise - that American promise - and in the words of Scripture hold firmly, without wavering, to the hope that we confess. Thank you, God Bless you, and God Bless the United States of America.

November Surprise

Rory has teeth! Two teeth!

In true RB fashion we didn't know she was cutting them until I saw the two translucent lines, completely through her gums, this morning.

Treats

What's not to like about Halloween? Jilli is at the golden age where she loves dressing up and gets a kick out of the decorations. She knocks on doors and shouts for treats and says thank you every single time. But she also doesn't realize the candy tally if mom and dad eat 60% (who are we kidding? ...75%) of the good candy. She's content with the 'lilypops' and the skittles. And Rory, I know there has never been a cuter ladybug. Anywhere.

We made a surprise visit to see Gram and Papa and then trick or treated through the neighborhood with Josh, Erin and Hazel. Like the double stroller last week, this week the transportation of choice was the wagon. Candy getting was second to its red charms. I carried Rory the entire way and she was a trooper, given that she is usually in bed and asleep before 6:30.

I love Halloween; the chill in the air and the smell of burning leaves make me giddy. But mostly I revel in the community of people who decorate and pass out treats to children who are most often strangers to them. Jilli and I went to the carwash this morning and while we were waiting we talked to a mom and her daughter. I asked the little girl, maybe a year older than Jilli, what she dressed up as last night. "An angel" she said. I told her I was certain she was a beautiful angel. "She was," her mother said, with nostalgia in her voice for a night just a few hours gone. I know exactly how she felt. My little angels were a pink witch riding a unicorn and a ladybug and they were the most beautiful girls ever.

Zoo

This weekend we went to the zoo with our very very good friends who also have a daughter Jilli's age. This was the first time we had ever been as a family of four, though we did go last February (when I was 18 months pregnant and thought labor was imminent after walking the incredibly hilly trails). In February when we asked Jilli what her favorite part of the zoo was she told us it was the zebra bus. Not the elephants or the otters or the snakes or anything, you know, animal-like, the zebra bus that we waited and waited to pick us up so the aforementioned labor would at least wait til we got home (it did, Rory was a week late.)

We opted to rent a double stroller so the big girls could ride in between mountainous hikes to the exhibits. The double stroller was the hit this time. The girls would hop out to see the animals and then race back to the stroller. Not surprisingly the zebra bus also rated highly as did snack time.

Luckily they helped us navigate. (I'm the map, I'm the map, I'm the map, I'm the map, I'M THE MAP).

Rory hung out with some slower animals.

I don't really think its a great idea for the lions to be so thin that you can see their ribs, but hey, I still didn't stop my monkey from swinging.

The Rory Report- 7 months

Rory,
This is your first fall, little bear, and we are wasting no time introducing you to cool weather and pumpkins.

I wondered if I would have a crawler on my hands by now. You can cross a room in the blink of an eye on your tummy, and you can get up on your hands and knees, you just haven't put the two together yet. You rock back and forth like a mad woman but when you try to propel yourself forward you end up on your belly. You can sit up well on your own now too and that makes for fun pictures.

We snapped these today at our pumpkin carving extravaganza and I am so glad we got them. I guess we have less time to take thousands of shots than we did with your sister and I am often left thinking that we didn't capture you very well. But the ones here, this is you right now Rorybear, all sweet smiles and laughs.

You love to be thrown in the air. A few weeks ago you had your six month check up and you weighed 17 pounds 5 ounces. You are an excellent upper body workout when I throw and catch you a dozen times.

You have finally taken to eating with some excitement. This evening I was feeding you and Erin remarked on how loud you are. You were loving your apricots and telling me all about it. You also love to blow raspberries while eating, mostly when you have a mouth full of green beans or some other food I don't really want to wear. The first time you did it I used my best I-am-being-serious-voice and told you no. You thought I was hilarious.

You make me smile every day, Rory. I love you,

Mommy

Jilli Report - 35 months

Jilli,

I can not count how many people have warned me of 3. Apparently, the terrible twos are nothing compared to the (terrifying? tricky? troublesome?) threes. I don't think two has been terrible. It has been full of laughter and fun. Three might be more troublesome, but I think the reward will be greater. I think this because (maybe) we have glimpsed three over the past few weeks. You have been contrary and argumentative and trying at times. One day this past week I battled with you for two hours to get you to take a nap. You finally did but I don't think it was worth it. You woke up out of sorts and upset and it took another few hours to make you right again. But you did pop back to right...and the times when you are right so outnumber the trying spots. You played outside and ate dinner and took a bath and sweetly went to bed.


The trade off for your challenging moments are the times when you play perfectly with Rory, or the night where you hopped up at Moe's and danced to Pretty Woman, or the times that you make up words (churk?) and talk in 50 word sentences without stopping for a breath.

You told us stories this month. You told Daddy you were going to get a boat and paddle across the lake at your school to see Mr. Chris (who works with Daddy). The boat was green and you were going to live on it. You like to switch up the family roles. Sometimes you are the mommy and I am the daddy and when I ask you who Daddy is you say, "He's Jeff."



Halloween is next week and you can't wait. I mistakenly started talking to you about Halloween in mid-September and we rushed out to buy you a 'hostume' as soon as they were in the stores. You honed in on a (slightly obnoxious) pink unicorn. We brought her home and you have been planning to ride your unicorn ever since. Until this week. This week you decided you wanted to be a witch. I think I have convinced you to be a witch riding a unicorn, but we'll see. Today you and I went to the store and spent about $5 on materials and made you an awesome witch's hat. You helped put the stickers on and tonight after you went to bed I sewed you a cape. I can't wait to see you try it on. I was rehearsing your Halloween routine the other night. I asked you what you say when someone opens their door. "Trick or Treat!" That's right! Then, what? "Thank you" Then you asked me if we were going to see the rabbit. The rabbit? "You know, the rabbit that gives you candy." I explained that rabbit comes at Easter.


Life is extreme with you right now. You are energetic and exhausting at the same time. Salty and sweet. Hilarious and exasperating. I wouldn't trade any of it. Its all you.




I love you,

Mommy