dec 31

i have learned this about myself - i could care less about any holiday where you're expected to dress up and get a sitter and go out - it is 8pm, the kids are in bed and we are watching a documentary under a heating blanket in our bed and we'll surely be sleep well before midnight and i'm completely fine with that.

dec 30

i guess the only upside of a day spent in bed with a never-ending migraine is that curtis was home to watch the kiddos.

dec 29

hopefully there will come a day when a sunday morning at church won't be spent either in the hallway with a child or sitting in the nursery because nyla freaks - one. day. i will hear a sermon again.

dec 28

we've done no after christmas shopping and although i do love a good deal, it's actually been kind of nice to bypass the mall for lots of time spent in our pi's playing with the kid's (and curt's) new toys.

dec 27

we celebrated curtis' 31st birthday with a trip to the rainforest and Melt for lunch with friends, then celebrated Jesus' birthday in the evening with a fake christmas party with my family complete with steaks and presents.

dec 26

we have left Chicago and seem to have bypassed the stomach bug - thankfully, hopefully, prayerfully.

dec 25

when some of the family comes to chicago after just getting over the stomach flu, there's a pretty good chance that the house where 14 people are staying will be contaminated - it's christmas morning and after five days of togetherness the first of us is down for the count (my brother-in-law dave) right before opening gifts and just in time for us all to head home tomorrow morning.

dec 24

even a "family-friendly"christmas eve service is hard for a one and two year old to sit through - so we wandered the halls in the back until it was time to light the candles - at which point micah, while holding his little candle with care said, mom, i'm holding fire, i'm a big man now."

dec 23

for two hours between dinnertime and bedtime we left all six grandkids with their grandparents as the siblings and spouses had a dinner date at the irish pub in town - when we returned it was like the most loud and rambunctuous daycare that ever existed but everyone was happy and laughing so we should have just stayed out later.

dec 22

although it's frigid cold, we had a fun day romping around downtown chicago with the kids - nyla kept pointing and saying "ooooh" at all the christmas trees and lights.

dec 21

made our way to our christmas destination today - besides a 5 minute scream-fest before nyla fell asleep it was smooth sailing the entire way to chicago.

dec 20

my introverted self is enjoying my last afternoon alone during naptime for the week before sharing a room with my little crazies & a house with curt's whole family.

dec 19

tomorrow is our last day at home before leaving town for the holidays, now I'm glad we decided to do our fake Christmas last weekend to give the kids a whole week to play with their new goodies before heading out.

dec 18

we're making up for the fact that we won't be all cozy at home the week of Christmas by not leaving our house this week unless absolutely necessary - which has been one dr apt and one party tonight - other than that you'll find us in our jammie's playing on the living room floor if you need us.

dec 17

it took all my energy to get up and get us all out the door for Nyla's one year early morning well-check - but happy to report she's not so tiny anymore at 21lbs 4oz and 75th% in height & weight, and as always only 10th% in head circumference, my little peanut head.

dec 16

I'm full of emotions today as I think about what was taking place a year ago today. We didn't even know our daughter was being born, yet somewhere on the other side of town a brave and beautiful woman was about to give us the most selfless gift. Today we thank God for her life too as we celebrate this girl that is so loved by so many.

dec 15

tonight we celebrated nyla's birthday with our families - we watched her devour chocolate cake and looked at pictures of her as a baby - tomorrow she'll be one.

dec 14

this morning we met nyla's birth mom, sister and brother at denny's for a little pre-birthday breakfast celebration complete with pancakes and cupcakes - it's hard to explain but they really do feel like family to us and as we were leaving, her 8 year old birth sister said, "i just wish we could spend the whole day together" - and oh, we did too, i don't think any of us wanted breakfast to end.

dec 13

after being on zantac for a week, i am more and more convinced that it really was a combination of reflux, teething, ear infections and pure stubbornness that caused all of nyla's screaming/vomitting outbursts - but happy to report every day is getting better and better.

dec 12

i kind of panic a little on days when curtis doesn't get home until after bedtime - but then my dad orders us a pizza and nyla goes to bed at 7, leaving me and micah to cuddle on the couch together watching the cars movie to the glow of the christmas tree - and then it's not so bad.

dec 11

i think this year is the last year that we can do any of our christmas shopping with our kids - micah tried to tell curtis that we bought him a bottle of whiskey but he couldn't remember the name, "daddy, we bought you some yummy daddy drink at giant eagle today." lesson learned and curtis guessed it.

dec 10

I'm laying on the couch feeling chilled & crampy & headachy & menstral, willing my kids to stay sleeping until Curtis gets home which of course will never happen.

dec 9

after weeks and weeks of misery with poor nyla girl, this morning she finally got a prescription for zantac - we're praying that it helps.

dec 8

we are learning that we can still worship with our arms full of kids, pray with our eyes wide open and listen to the sermon some other time during the week - and it's still worth heading all the way to church even though sometimes it feels like it isn't.

dec 7

i cannot tell you how refreshing it was to drop the kids off at 2pm on a saturday afternoon (thank you brave grandparents!) and spend the afternoon/evening with just my husband - christmas shopping without a stroller, talking (undisturbed), eating without two highchairs and seeing a movie until almost 11pm - it was sheer holiday bliss i tell ya.

dec 6

while we are proud of the fact that we take out cash from october to december to spend on christmas gifts, cards, stamps and our tree every year, it is pretty humbling to have our bank balance hit below $100 on the day before payday this week.

dec 5

time needs to slow down to let me prepare for Nyla's birthday and Christmas and Curtis' birthday all within less than two weeks of each other - so much to do when all I want to do is hibernate for a while.

dec 4

maybe all the fuss really did have to do with her ears because she hasn't screamed or puked since we started antibiotics.

dec 3

we finally brought nyla to the doctor for her screaming/coughing/vomiting issues - she was about to prescribe her zantac for reflux until she discovered she has a bad ear infection - so we're trying an antibiotic before reflux meds and we'll followup in two weeks.

dec 2

last night at midnight, after changing nyla's vomitted-on sheets for the hundredth time, i prayed and asked God for some clarity with what's going on with her - and almost immediately i had the thought - REFLUX - so tomorrow she get's checked out again and i'm praying this will be the start of some healing for her exhausted little body.

dec 1

spent the evening with old friends with whom we've been through a lot together in the past but haven't seen in a while - seven kids between our two families and it was so fun just to sit back and watch all the kids be crazy together as we caught up.

nov 30

the tree is trimmed, the lights are up outside and our kids have been playing with their toy manger all morning - thanksgiving has passed and now we're in the holiday spirit.

nov 29

i was in a foul mood all day - it didn't help that for the first time in our married life we resorted to getting a fake christmas tree instead of the real deal.

nov 28

spent a relaxing thanksgiving day lounging around my parents house - ALMOST makes up for the fact that we won't be able to do it on christmas.

nov 27

started the morning texting with nyla's birth mom - just one more thing i couldn't be more thankful for this year.

nov 26

if you ever want to test your patience as a parent bring your kids with you to the social security administration office and then wait three hours to be helped - the reward was a chocolate donut for Micah and a SS # for Nyla.

nov 25

it's thanksgiving week and it's as good a time as any to start thinking about - and blogging about - what i'm most thankful for this year.

nov 24

Right now church is pretty much just a different location to force bottles and discipline and it's exhausting.

nov 23

it is so cute to watch Micah flirt with all the saks ladies - he was so grumpy as we were leaving the mall until he saw all his favorite makeup girls.

nov 22

today Micah and I prayed for Nyla as she was falling asleep for her morning nap (she's had a hard time at nap times lately due to sickness and teething I think) and don't you know, she fell right asleep for the first time in weeks - thank you Jesus - an apt reminder to simply pray for my kids more.

nov 21

back to (our) normal of oatmeal and painting and stickers and leftovers for lunch and a screaming baby at nap time, it wouldn't be a normal day without nyla freaking out before falling asleep at nap time - which is so weird considering she falls asleep at night without a peep - nap times are definitely not her favorite thing - at least today there's no angry-screaming-barfing involved.

nov 20

thank god (for the 2nd time this month) for a husband that can stay home from work to do daddy duty when the mommy is feeling miserable - and yes, double ear infections can come out of nowhere, back on antibiotics for the boy child.

nov 19

at 9am we went to the pediatrician to make sure colds were just colds and not ear infections and more pneumonia, which they were - a mere 10 hours later micah starts sob-screaming that his ears hurt, an hour after that nyla vomits all over herself in bed, an hour after that i'm in bed with a migraine, then up half the night barfing myself...good times in the penick household

nov 18

it's funny to me that i ever hated mondays as much as i did - it's funny how different a day can look when you're not somewhere doing something you don't want to do.

nov 17

nyla was too drippy for sunday school but instead of staying home with her, i rocked her to sleep during worship and then held her little snoring self during the sermon until my arms were twitching from the weight of her.

nov 16

nothing like a stroll around the zoo in the crisp fall air to make us forget that we all still feel a bit under the weather - gotta soak up the 60 degree days while we still have them.

nov 15

yesterday's migraine put a damper on my to do list, but today is a new day and we are hitting the road early to check these errands off my list so we can all relax this weekend.

nov 14

how can it be that after ear infections and pneumonia almost wiped out my kids both are getting runny noses again? why Lord, why?

nov 13

week seven of our bible study through colossians is in the books - could we possibly be getting the hang of doing this with four kids just weeks from the end?

nov 12

thank you Jesus for cough medicine with codeine - no more hacking to the point of puking for me - now i know why they ration this stuff - i slept so well and can't wait for bedtime tonight.

nov 11

for the third time in our entire marriage curtis had to stay home to help me with the kids because i felt so awful (the other two times being because i had a migraine and couldn't find anyone else to help me) - last night i was up all night coughing to the point of vomitting and just couldn't pull myself together this morning to be useful to the little people in our home - turns out i have bronchitis - ain't nobody got time for that.

nov 10

as the day progresses i feel worse and worse - from church to lunch and beyond, even a nap didn't help and now i'm going to bed feeling simply awful and scared to see (and feel) what tomorrow may bring.

nov 9

after living in cleveland for 13 years Curtis finally experienced the west side market this morning.

nov 8

couldn't have planned it better myself
- the first day of my monthly friend and we're heading to a pajama party play date - I wasn't going to but now I think I'll stay in my pj's too.

nov 7

had the best customer service at costco today - went in for a gift with my parents since i don't have a costco membership anymore and although they looked it up and said they had 900! of them somewhere in the store i couldn't find them - turns out they were still boxed up high up on a storage shelf, but the sweet old guy had someone get a forklift to get it for me - his sweet grandpa self made my day.

nov 6

morning bible study/playdate followed by lunch with daddy at nestle makes for tired kids and even even more tired mommy.

nov 5

excellent behavior while doing a few quick errands was rewarded with train table time and book reading at barnes and noble - why it's more fun there and not at home is beyond me, but hey, i enjoy getting out of the house as much as they do.

nov 4

pajama monday strikes again, this time with aunt jenni and grandma - although nyla was the only one who complied with the dress code, we relaxed and made rice krispy treats and watched part of a movie and ate mac n'cheese - a nice cozy way to start the week.

nov 3

pretty much our first time out of the house in a week - spaghetti and playtime with cousins.

nov 2

mid morning Curtis told me to get out of the house - so I did what anyone in my position would do - I called my mom and we went to wander the art museum on this rainy saturday.

nov 1

the naps I so desperately needed them to take all week - the ones where not a peep is heard for three hours (or more) - was finally taken today.

oct 31

cup of spilled milk on an overstuffed train table, spilled bowl of pasta salad onto the floor, crying during nap time, but I did finish a book.

oct 30

these 60 degree days when it's almost november are a gift to this stir crazy momma - it's so worth all the shlepping to get to a park and spend even just an hour enjoying the fresh air.

oct 29

eventually there will have to come a week when no one is sick...right?

oct 28

because i did half my monday cleaning yesterday, i spent most of my monday morning making vegetable soup, homemade parmesan breadsticks and a warm apple cake with cinnamon maple glaze - your welcome family.

oct 27

i must say, having a margarita at dinner makes the kids just a wee less annoying - for me, but maybe not for my non-drinking husband.

oct 26

why is it that when asked how were doing more often than not he feels the need to rehash our last argument with the asker?

oct 25

Nyla's first hard boiled egg, chopped so small, made her choke and gag - I don't really love getting spit up on right before I eat - darn disgusting gag reflex.

oct 24

braved the first snow of the season to hang with a friend i haven't seen in a while - well worth the white-knuckled drive across town.

oct 23

a completely broken phone is not an option with two little ones and no home landline, so off we went, 45 minutes away to take advantage of the only walmart around offering new iPhones for $45 - kids in bed at 9:45 was the price we had to pay to make that happen.

oct 22

i forgot how annoying the stage is where they walk around their crib at nap time and can climb up stairs without knowing how to climb back down - oh the life of a 10 month old.

oct 21

it's amazing what getting away can do to your perspective - thankful for a man who appreciated the work i do when he had to do it all himself - and even more thankful that it's my job to take care of the blowouts and blowups today and every day - stay-at-home-momdom is a gift i don't cherish enough these days.

oct 20

loved spending some time with my honorary niece and nephews this weekend - but ready to get back to my son and daughter (and husband) - may it (please Lord) take me the normal 3.5 hours to get home and not the 5.5 hours it took me to get there on friday night.

oct 19

i spent the day with almost 30 other adoptive moms at a mini created for care retreat in dayton and felt weepy all day (which if you know me is definitely not my personality) - i almost can't express the feeling of being with so many other chicks that just get that part of me - like one speaker said, our hears just beat to the same rhythm - and it was pretty amazing, it made me want to seek this out here at home.

oct 18

just tucked my littles in for naps, kissed their heads and told them I'd see them on sunday afternoon - and for just a second I felt like crying - I think I need to get away more often because this is kinda hard although I trust my husband implicitly.

oct 17

i am so glad i had our pediatrician check nyla's ears at micah's 2.5 year checkup because it turns out she's celebrating turning 10 months yesterday with a double ear infection just in time for mama's weekend away tomorrow - sorry sucker - err, i mean Curtis.

oct 16

i've gotta say, i kinda love this standing weekly playdate/bible study with my girlfriend katie - it's a nice kind of crazy, cozy hump day gab sesh smack in the middle of the week.

oct 15

once a week i go through the starbucks drive-thru for a pound of espresso beans and an iced chai - every single week micah asks me to open his window so he can say hi to the "staw-bucks lady"who always thinks it's adorable which makes him blush and grin like a jack-o-lantern.

oct 14

the nice thing about doing my monday cleaning on sunday is that i can get my tuesday errands done on monday - it's the little things folks.

oct 13

i got a head start on my monday house cleaning while curtis watches football - he said he felt guilty just sitting on the couch while i mopped around him.

oct 12

the makings of a perfect Saturday: 75 & sunny, Cleveland Flea w/ friends & lunch at the taco truck followed by a shared pumpkin latte popsicle, long afternoon naps for the littles and family dinner at Siam Cafe - I wish tomorrow was Saturday too although I think I've hit my sodium limit for the week already.

oct 11

we took the kids out for a little book store/froyo/trader joes date night after dinner - the highlights for Micah were the little kid cart at tj's and getting to pick the froyo flavors which incidentally meant the rest of us really didn't want to share: pumpkin, something cinnamony, strawberry & chocolate - we really live it up on the weekend yo.

oct 10

it's funny how when i give myself time to think and process, i actually have something to say - i blogged for the first time since june and it was cathartic.

oct 9

the kids may not have all been 100% cooperative this week either, but we connected, spent time in the word, loved our kids in the ways they needed right then and all was definitely not a waste.

oct 8

a zoo day with my mom and sister - perfect weather and the perfect way to let micah run out all of his pent-up energy.

oct 7

nothing may have changed with his behavior but my attitude is far removed from where it was this time last week.

oct 6

this is what i have to remember when i am tempted to despair: It is not a waste of time, as one is tempted to think, it is the most important part of the work day - the part one can best offer to God.

oct 5

a rainbow amidst a week of clouds - apple picking with my little brood.

oct 4

i've got to say, even after the rough week i've had with disciplining/training micah, after spending the morning with a friend with three little girls (the third being an infant) call me crazy but i kind of can't wait until we have another tiny baby in our house - if it was up to curtis i'd be pregnant yesterday - but my rational mind says, for the sake of my sanity we can't even discuss it until nyla's at least one.

oct 3

today in the middle of the grocery store micah sang at the top of his lungs: "no Jesus doesn't love me, no Jesus doesn't love me, for the bible doesn't tell me so!" (to the tune of 'yes Jesus loves me') and i probably don't have to tell you i got a lot of judgmental stares as he sang and i just laughed.

oct 2

like I told my friend via text after her & her kids left my crazy house this morning: "Sorry about this morning. Some days I feel like I'm losing control w Micah and it's a fine line between letting things slide because he's two and disciplining him to train him. Haven't found a balance yet." Oy.

oct 1

I don't know if he's ever acted worse while out in public before - screaming bloody murder just to spite me - it was one of the few times I've felt embarrassed by my child's behavior.

sep 30

after nine days away, it feels good to be at home, cleaning the house, doing laundry and making a grocery list - back to the daily grind that we are good at.

sep 29

i was kind of dreading the ride home, fearing it would be like the ride down, but instead it turned out to be a pleasant, dare i say, enjoyable drive home.

sep 28

spent a perfect saturday lounging with cousins in the morning, watching our nephew play baseball in the afternoon and chowing down on mexican food in the evening - i wish we all lived closer.

sep 27

today we packed up the lake house and headed first to charlottesville to have lunch with brittany then visit the schenk's lovely farm before heading further north to visit the gumm's in dc - an exhausting but super fun day giving our kids some new adventures.

sep 26

if you've ever wondered what a bladder infection feels like, don't - and getting one on vacation ALMOST put a damper on the week, but a quick trip to urgent care turned it all around.

sep 25

even with less than hot temps we braved the frigid water and the moms swam with the big boys - i can get used to these lazy days spent either in sweats or a swimsuit.

sep 24

an overcast and chilly day calls for boat rides with hoodies and books while babies nap - not the ideal way to enjoy a lakehouse but lovely nonetheless.

sep 23

after another long drive where nyla screamed her head off for most of it, we finally made it to moneta, va where we'd be relaxing with the putnam's for the week - ahhhh, our first family vacation in almost two years.

sep 22

after the adoption bbq we headed south to dayton to spend a quick 24 hours with the zeune's - too quick but always feels so good to stay up late to laugh and talk with one of my besties.

sep 21

made the rainy drive to columbus for our first gentle care adoption reunion picnic - it definitely wasn't what we expected and although cool to be surrounded by so many other adoptive families, it was actually a semi-strange afternoon with the exception of catching up with a couple and their new daughter who we had gone through the initial training class with.

sep 20

the day before vacation is always a hectic, stressful day

sep 19

Curtis makes fun of me but I am a slow, meticulous, list-making packer - and packing for myself & both kids for a week isn't exactly a walk in the park.

sep 18

i think we finally found a fix to rushed bible study nights where we have to feed bottles, eat dinner & drop off kids before heading to the west side: Curtis buys something to eat dinner at work before he leaved & I feed Micah & I leftovers & eat before he even gets home and then suddenly we are ready to go & on time when he gets home later than expected (like always).

sep 17

Micah has taken to screaming and scream-singing at the top of his lungs whenever we're out in public - he thinks it's funny but I don't - so I've started pinching his leg in the cart to which he now responds (at the top of his lungs): "stop pinching me!" I think I need a different method now.

sep 16

today nyla turns 9 months and we all got flu shots to celebrate - her stats: 18.8 lbs, 50th % in weight, 75th % in height and only the 10th % head circumference - mig girl

sep 15

my arms are still twitching from rocking and holding a sleeping nyla through the whole church service today - she had a cold (so no nursery) and was fussy so i stood in the back and rocked and swayed my arms off for the whole sermon.

sep 14

today was the second annual volleyball tournament adoption fundraiser - last year they were raising money for us and three months later nyla was born - it's crazy how time flies.

sep 13

i took a shower for the first time today while both kids were awake - i put nyla in her jumpy chair thing and put on veggie tales for micah to watch and told him to call to me up the stairs if he needed me - it was the fastest shower i've ever taken - but all was well so i'm sure it won't be the last time i take the risk of leaving them unattended for more than a few minutes together.

sep 12

i love that when i complain to my mom that i'm in a cooking rut she says, "don't cook tonight then, just stay for dinner."

sep 11

started a new bible study with a friend this morning - i wouldn't say it was a distraction-free morning with four kiddos running/crawling/laying around but it was a good time spent in Colossians together.

sep 10

a blazing 100 degree day in september calls for pillow forts and watching doc mcstuffins as the air conditioning blasts on high in the morning and long naps in the afternoon.

sep 9

calming therapy for me is taking a bunch of colored pens and a blank journal page and testing them all out, in rainbow order of course.

sep 8

last year our friend colleen took our family of three's pictures for the charity volleyball tournament that raised money for our future adoption - today she took the "after" pictures almost a year later of our family of four, a week before the even takes place again, this time for another family pursuing adoption at our church - we've come full-circle but feel like the journey is far from over.

sep 7

today god gave us a sweet gift that we'll remember for years and years: we met nyla's birth family at the congenital heart charity walk downtown and spent the morning chatting and walking and eating ice cream and taking pictures with her birth mom, her two kids: a sister who's 8 and a brother who's 2, her two best friends, two aunts and one grandmother - watching micah play with her two year old and nyla being carried around on the little hip of her biological sister was enough to make me and curtis just smile at each other and blink back tears over and over again.

sep 6

i am not good at buying clearance kids clothes for the following years/seasons, but today i got six kids swim suits for the next two years for less than $30 - now i know why people do this kind of stuff.

sep 5

I tried to do way too much for a period day and crashed the minute the kids did - thank God for a reliable nap time.

sep 4

today when we were playing outside I tool a cue from curtis and put nyla in the kiddie pool (without water in it) so she can play and crawl around without needing constant attention - Micah thinks it's hilarious and she loves it.

sep 3

grocery shopping with two kids isn't the most relaxing errand, but it does come with it's benefits, one of which is talking to almost every person in marc's - micah's pickup line: "hi, i'm micah david penick, this is my sister nyla and this is my mommy, what's your name?"to every one of the elderly people shopping alongside us - Every.One.Of.The.People! i think it's time for the stranger-danger talk.

sep 2

our kids are the best travelers - happy and singing and napping and chatting together; at one point we were listening to music and trying to talk and micah kept interrupting from the back seat by saying, "excuse me, what you talking 'bout?!?!"

sep 1

while visiting curtis' parents' church, i got called back to the sunday school class because micah was crying - the kind lady said he heard the worship going on in the sanctuary and he was crying, "i want to go worship goddddddd."

aug 31

we loved watching micah ride the train into the city - we told him it was thomas and he even got to buy our tickets from the "real sir topham hat" - he was a young black guy and played along perfectly, explaining to micah that he wasn't wearing his top hat because his head was too big - the awe in micah's eyes was worth walking around the city in the pouring rain.

aug 30

after getting into chicago last night at midnight, this morning we decided to spend this 98 degree day at the children's museum here - it puts ours to shame and i think we possibly enjoyed it as much as micah did.

aug 29

this morning as we were packing to leave for chicago tonight, nyla started crawling (8.5 months old) - it's slow and robotic and adorable.

aug 28

ever have one of those days where you want to punch your kids - no? well then neither have i.

aug 27

today Micah had his first "grandpa date" - a trip to target to pick out any toy he wanted - of course he picked out a four-pack of cars movie guys - shocker & adorable.

aug 26

today is micah's first nap time in his twin bed and it took him a looooong time to fall asleep - when i went in there to remind him it was time to sleep, what i really wanted to do was lay under his blankets with him and take a nap together - maybe once he really gets the hang of this big boy thing i'll do just that.

aug 25

two nights ago we took the sides off micah's crib to create a big boy "toddler" bed, now today micah is napping on our bed while we take down his crib and set up his twin bed - my baby is growing up - sigh.

aug 24

celebrated micah's first night in his big boy bed with a special breakfast at luna, then a fresh big boy haircut, then an afternoon at the pool and dinner at barrio in tremont with my mom - the perfect saturday!

aug 23

this morning we ran around like crazy people finishing up our errands before spending the afternoon at the pool with "grandma hodous."

aug 22

nail polish, makeup, cookie baking, the kiddie pool - those are the makings of a fun day with the five kids.

aug 21

the upside of watching the weeks girls this week is the little hips to carry around nyla and three playmates for micah.

aug 20

luckily my sister came to the rescue when i realized taking two kids to the pool by myself was a really bad idea.

aug 19

it is so cute to watch micah and nyla play with the three harrington kids while we eat key lime pie and talk.

aug 18

luckily after only a couple "burps where the food comes out" in the car yesterday, three hours of thomas the tank engine and a good night sleep micah seems find this morning and hopefully it stays that way.

aug 17

well there's a first time for everything - micah puked all over the car today on the way to get the pieces to set up his big boy bed - i guess it's not the night to make the transition.

aug 16

today nyla is eight months old (how can it be?!) and in two days micah will officially be two and a half - the days are looooooong but the months really do go fast.

aug 15

nyla woke up sneezy and snotty and whiny so we couldn't watch the girls again today - i actually wished we did though - the two older ones were a lot of help yesterday - making bottles and carrying nyla around on little hips like little mamas-in-training.

aug 14

watched three of my favorite girls today in addition to my two kids and the day was a breeze - i think i forgot that babies and toddlers eventually get older and get easier in some ways - we baked cookies and painted 80 fingers and toes and played many, many games of hangman - it was a great day with five kids under one roof.

aug 13

today I went on a wild goose chase for 100% shea butter for Nyla's hair on recommendation by a friend - and in case you care neither target or sally beauty has it but whole foods came through in the end.

aug 12

last time we went to the kiddie park micah had a blast - today not-so-much: i may have made a mistake by forcing him onto the little airplane ride thinking that once he got over his trepidation he'd remember how much he loved it - um, nope, he cried the whole time then refused 8 out of the next 9 rides.

aug 11

only at an african/african american wedding can it start almost two hours late and none but us peach-colored people bat an eye.

aug 10

the nice thing about having a zoo membership is that we can go for an hour or two and not feel like we're wasting money on a random saturday when everyone is in a grumpy mood - or just i am.

aug 9

rain turned to sunshine & my headache went away in time to spend the morning with long-lost cousins - lakeside cemetery to visit their dad's grave, little italy for coffee & pastries & coventry for vintage shopping - all before lunch - now the kids rest up before a big family bbq tonight.

aug 8

if you need a good workout try going grocery shopping with a two year old and a 7 month old strapped to your chest - for added calorie burning, drop something (or have your toddler drop/throw something) and squat to pick it up with said baby nearly upside down in the ergo - sweat inducing and hilarious.

aug 7

this rainy wednesday calls for books under blankets on the sunporch and long naps (for them at least).

aug 6

we haven't been to an indians game since I was pregnant with Micah - so excited for our double date care of Nestlé tonight - having a smoothie for lunch so I can eat junk tonight.

aug 5

i love when monday morning starts out the week with a clean house, an empty dirty clothes hamper, dinner prepped and errands done too.

aug 4

sundays are always a weird mix of busy and exhausting in the morning and chill and relaxing in the afternoon - church usually wears out the kids so we're left with a few uninterrupted hours together on sabbath afternoon.

aug 3

curtis was away for most of the day which made me forget it was a saturday - but we made the best of it and hung with the rest of my fam until he got home.

aug 2

even if only for a few hours, it's always nice to get to chill with some of our dearest out of towners as they drive through cleveland - i wish we lived closer to do family bbq's all the time.

aug 1

had a triple dinner date to discuss our upcoming bible study - it's going to be fun to co-lead with some of our best friends.

jul 31

made new friends tonight over the common journey that is adoption - i can't wait to meet the baby that God's going to bring into their life and hear the end of the story.

jul 30

today we never even bothered to leave the house - the kids were playing so well & were being so cute together that we bummed around till lunch time and it felt wonderful - I guess the errands can wait until tomorrow.

jul 29

this afternoon Micah woke up from his nap after only an hour crying hysterically - after finally settling him down I asked him what was wrong - he said, "I hate my bed" - after a bit of cuddling and convincing that he really did love his bed he said, "I love it later, maybe tonight" and then I gave in and we cuddled and watched PBS kids in my bed for the rest of nap time which after getting over the frustration of my "me time" being taken away, it was a pretty sweet Monday afternoon spent with my growing guy.

jul 28

after a few rough weeks of nyla freaking out in the nursery at church - we are all pleased to report that today she had a ball - no tears and she barely noticed when i came in to get her at the end of the service - which offended me less than made me proud.

jul 27

spent the rainy day giving baths and making smoothies and playing with trains - oh and micah peed on the potty TWICE which warranted a sucker and a couple of face time sessions to tell aunt jenni and grandpa the happy news - his request!

jul 26

the upside of driving curtis to work in the morning is that we're all up, ready and out of the house way before the usual time with more hours to play and go on adventures - today we visited two playgrounds and two different lakes/ duck ponds, did a little walking (and running) and shopping and then before heading home, decided to go have lunch at curtis' office - all before nap time - i'd say that's a morning well-spent.

jul 25

brought the kids to inlet's free dance concert tonight at cain park and curtis and i both enjoyed watching micah watch them more than we enjoyed the show ourselves - he kept saying, "what they doing mommy?"with big, bright, excited eyes.

jul 24

we were at the playground near a friend's house today and the two other moms there both each had two adopted beautiful brown-skinned kids - but for some reason neither would make eye contact with me while pushing nyla on the swing - too bad, because i'm always interested in hearing other's stories.

jul 23

in the last week Nyla has tried Cheerios, baby puffs, black beans, blueberries, grapes, ice cream and today she fell in love with falafel - my baby is growing up.

jul 22

a clean house and all the laundry done by lunch on a monday morning is a sure sign of a good week.

jul 21

i don't really enjoy making chitchat at parties and stuff - shocker, i know - so i really enjoyed the church picnic this afternoon when i got to have a good talk with a friend i haven't caught up with in a while - see, the kid swap pays off, because curtis spent a good portion of the bbq with micah on the jungle gym while i talked.

jul 20

sometimes it's about figuring out who wants to be a part of the grown up conversation more, because one of us is usually on kid duty - tonight it was curtis' turn to listen to our some missionaries talk about their work in china while i helped with the kids in the basement at our friend's house.

jul 19

this morning i babysat my friend's two kids and even with all the kids playing wonderfully, i have to admit i was exhausted by the time they left at nap time - i guess i'm not ready for four kids yet!

jul 18

we went swimming at steph's today and it was the first time i did the pool without a helper like my mom or curtis (although steph helped a lot!) and it actually wasn't impossible or miserable - it helped that we put floaties on micah's arms for an added level of safety.

jul 17

he comes home tonight and i'm happy - but "camp grandma" was pretty fun too - she went swimming with us and had us over for dinner all three nights - i doubt i'm going to remember how to cook tomorrow.

jul 16

curtis is making fun of me for being sad that our internet and tv went out right before he left on his trip - but cummon - he's gone and the nights are long when they're spent alone and in silence after the kids go to bed.

jul 15

curtis left this morning on a three day business trip so we're making the most of it and heading to the pool and then eating dinner at my mom's.

jul 14

i haven't worked in the nursery at church since nyla was born and after filling in for someone today i can't say i missed it all that much.

jul 13

it's summer and most nights we let the kids go to bed with the sun - later than normal but we want to make these summer nights last as long as possible.

jul 12

this was only the second day ever that i've had to ask Curtis to stay home from work because of a migraine - he had a daddy day with the kids while i puked and lay powerless in bed all day.

jul 11

i'm on day two of a headache that just won't go away - i guess i'm going to have to miss my last mom's book club.

jul 10

we both woke up with headaches this morning - he went to work and i spent the morning laying on the couch while the kids watched cartoons and micah ate kix out of the box for breakfast - on days like today i'm thankful for not having a job.

jul 9

these thunderstorms and humidity are going to be the demise of my head very soon - i'm sick of sweating and feeling headachy every day.

jul 8

after hanging with cousins last night, we found out today that said cousins now have hand, foot and mouth disease - praying it spares my kids - especially nyla's little mouth that already hates to eat more often than not.

jul 7

our non stop sunday included church, lunch at chipotle and a romp in the splash pad with friends after church, grocery shopping then dinner and swimming with cousins before calling it a night.

jul 6

I'm not always good with spontaneity but we rushed to the pool after nap time at 5pm this afternoon because the sun was out and it hadn't rained yet and had such a fun evening swimming with the kids before coming home for a late dinner of turkey dogs and mac n' cheese - Micah's favorite meal.

jul 5

two days in a row we packed our bags and headed to the pool just to be rained out an hour after arrival.

jul 4

I think we started a new Fourth of July family tradition this morning: a trip to dunkin donuts, Micah wanted a pink one with sprinkles of course.

jul 3

couldn't decide what to do on this hot day so we played in the air conditioning and organized our morning away.

jul 2

spur-of-the-moment story time at the library with friends is just the outing we needed to break up the day - we should do this more often.

jul 1

the first day of your period is never a good day to do errands, clean the house or organize baby clothes, or take care of your kids for that matter - take it from me, i've had a very exhausting, frustrating morning.

jun 30

yesterday we celebrated jenni and D's wedding with a little dinner at my parents' house with all our family - it ended with micah seeing his first lightning bug on the way to the car.

jun 29

i thought curtis was going to be gone all day helping friends move, but it got postponed so we got our husband/daddy back and had a fun day all together.

jun 28

gone forever are the days where i get to lay out and read a book at the pool - it is so darn much work to take two kids - it's ALMOST not even worth it, almost.

jun 27

before we left for a playdate with new friends this morning micah laid on the couch wanting to take a nap instead of go - instead of disciplining him for not obeying, i probed as to why the weird response to leaving, to which he responded and said, "i sad mommy. i don't know den." - then we proceeded to have a talk about meeting new people and not being nervous - it was a sweet moment.

jun 26

bible study was cancelled so instead we had dinner at my parents house since they were planning to babysit micah anyways.

jun 25

some days are all about recovery and playing catch up.

jun 24

and just like that, after a few questions (even directed at micah) the judge pronounced the adoption of Nyla Grace Penick officially finalized.

jun 23

after battling micah for weeks at every meal and nyla eating better than ever before, this weekend is the exact opposite - micah's scarfing everything and nyla is on a milk strike - trying (and failing) to keep my frustration with her to a minimum.

jun 22

we left early to go spend the weekend with friends in dayton before court on monday in columbus - you know they love us when, after 8 days out of town, they give us their bedroom for the weekend.

jun 21

disciplining a toddler is no joke - luckily today my mom was here to keep nyla company when i was upstairs with micah - my mantra during this season: one day it will all pay off.

jun 20

dinner with curt's family al fresco in our backyard and then a walk to the park for a summer concert and a romp on the playground - it was the perfect weather for it.

jun 19

a random mid-week day off took us to memphis kiddie park - i loved watching micah bravely ride each ride with his cousins.

jun 18

first time at nana's pool with both kids - luckily my mom and sister were with me because micah has no fear whatsoever.

jun 17

mondays are for cleaning the house and getting ready for a crazy week with family in town and then a weekend away.

jun 16

father's day means i run his errands at nap time which actually made it more like mother's day - running around alone for a couple hours is always glorious.

jun 15

we had nothing planned until we heard about Train Day - micah was in heaven and we just loved watching his eyes light up - even though it was hot and nyla wasn't eating well.

jun 14

pushing a double stroller all day at the zoo is no joke - every muscle in my body is already sore.

jun 13

a rainy day calls for a rainforest date with my mom, sister and the kiddos.

jun 12

it's a sad day when you lose soffie the giraffe in target - sophia gave it to us before Micah was born & it probably holds a more special place in my heart than theirs.

jun 11

we know he won't starve as he refuses meal after meal, it's more frustrating than anything - but today at lunch the hunger must've caught up to him - he was a bottomless pit and kept saying, "i still hungry mommy, have somefing else?" to which i happily obliged.

jun 10

sometimes i get sad (and a little envious if i'm being honest) that we can't afford to give our kids vacations and big fun toys - then God reminds me that he wants to provide for (and bless) my kids even more than i do - and without even asking Him or anyone else, friends offer us their sand and water table - what a sweet and happy reminder of his love for us.

jun 9

after church, a headache and a nap, we took the kids swimming with their cousins - micah was a handful trying to slip and slither out of our hands that were the only thing keeping him from drowning, but nyla was a splashing machine and loved every minute.

jun 8

despite a less than stellar morning performance by the boy, we ventured out with friends to parade the circle - sometimes a change of scenery is what he needs to distract himself from himself.

jun 7

we had a play date this morning at the art museum with an old work friend and her daughter - most aren't but this outing was relaxing and unrushed and mellow - after they left I sat with Micah and a sleeping Nyla in the atrium as he slowly ate a pbj and we chit chatted and people watched until he was done.

jun 6

I am now that mother - you know, the one with the two and a half year old they cannot control - ugh.

jun 5

he almost made it a full day without a spanking - that is, until dinner when I took his water cup away so he'd eat and he hit me.

jun 4

over the last few days i have witnessed a whole new level of stubbornness and sin come out of my son - i don't know who to pray for more - me or him.

jun 3

oh gosh, out of nowhere micah became a hitter and a biter - Lord help me.

jun 2

Note to my summer-loving self: it is never worth it to cut nap time short for pool time, it will backfire & eventually cause the biggest temper tantrum you have ever witnessed.

jun 1

this morning after oatmeal Micah left a shaggy toddler and returned a clean cut little mini man - I hate it and love it all at once.

may 31

this morning we were the witnesses at my little sister's wedding - they had the judge add "in chaos and in peace" to their vows and it was just so perfectly them.

may 30

spent the morning in the backyard surrounded by the summer snow - cottonwood - my arch allergy nemesis.

may 29

it's harder than you think to waste just enough time between dropping the dog off to be groomed and picking her up a few hours later without going home - a donut hole for Micah may or may not have been included.

may 28

a cozy and rainy day at home is just what we needed after four full days of birthday and holiday fun - laundry, dishes and house cleaning are on the agenda, mixed in with coloring, play dough and some tummy time.

may 27

watching our kids enjoy the memorial day parade just like i did when i was little is like coming full circle - micah was in heaven as firemen through suckers from fire trucks and nyla was happy and cozy in the ergo.

may 26

a long overdue date night (haven't had one since nyla was two weeks old - she's now almost 6 mo) and it was gluttonous bliss complete with margaritas and tacos on the patio at barrio, the blossom festival in chagrin falls and french toast ice cream and funnel cake fries at sweetie fries - we should do this more often - minus all the calories.

may 25

sometimes we bicker and disagree and act childish together but on long weekends I always wish I could always have him home with me keeping me company and driving me crazy.

may 24

there are three reasons that i don't mind getting older, their names are Curtis, Micah and Nyla - i never thought i'd have a husband and two kids by 31 - some days i still feel like i'm 14.

may 23

spent the morning - literally all
morning - laying on the sunporch with my babies, and then my sister and my mom showed up and we all pulled ourselves up off the floor and went to get pad thai for a little pre-bday lunch.

may 22

those swing naps were nice and loooong nyla, but you're a big five month old girl now and should be sleeping in your own bed during nap time - i hope you don't make me regret this decision!

may 21

can someone please slap me in the face the next time i make an 8am doctor's appointment for me OR one of my kids - seriously - waking my babies up at 6am blows.

may 20

i haven't figured out a good solution for bringing two kids to the pool by myself yet, so until i do, or until the pool opens and i can figure it out by trial and error, if you need us, you'll find us in the backyard - micah splashing away, nyla on a blanket under the umbrella for shade and me somewhere in between refereeing and trying to catch some rays simultaneously.

may 19

we filled up the baby pool for the first time this year - micah was a splash machine and had to have his first time out because he wouldn't stop splashing nyla in the face - luckily she didn't seem to mind too much and looked darn cute in her red polka dot bathing suit while taking her first dip in the pool - i can't wait for the real pools to open up next weekend.

may 18

i love when micah meets new people and he is friendly and talkative and warms up to them right away: "mommy, where my friend nancy go?"

may 17

outdoor bbq's aren't as relaxing as they used to be - two kids definitely keep us busy and i'm usually one of the last to eat - but you won't find me complaining - the weather is warm and we're outside.

may 16

some days I just can't wait for nap time and to eat my lunch in silence, alone.

may 15

it's so funny to me how a single day can be so manic and bipolar - one minute both kids are hysterically crying in unison for no apparent reason, the next minute he's singing/screaming "the fruits of the spirit" song at the top of his lungs and she's laughing hysterically at him - and i thought i was the one with the roller coaster emotions.

may 14

today we spent the day at the art museum with my mom and sister - twice in one week - i think i'm raising some cultured kiddos.

may 13

every afternoon during nyla's afternoon nap, she whimper-cries for a few minutes in her sleep - it's the saddest, sweetest little cry you've ever heard.

may 12

mother's day came complete with a three-hour post-lunch nap that was only interrupted once by a crying boy that came to cuddle with me in bed half-way through.

may 11

we were indecisive on how to spend our saturday morning - we ended up at the art museum for the kids' first visit - micah loved it (especially their new kids play studio) but didn't so much like the quiet factor - even still, he lasted almost two hours.

may 10

as we were finishing up dinner my sister and mom called to tell me i had 15 minutes to meet them at the  theatre - they already bought my ticket to see the great gatsby with them so i couldn't say no, then after the movie we had margaritas at lopez - a fun and unexpected night out with my favorite women.

may 9

just when we were finishing up our nice lunch with daddy at nestle the fire alarms start going off - Micah started off nervous but once he saw the fire truck an ambulance outside the boy was in heaven - and it was a false alarm thank goodness.

may 8

the happiest baby on the block is grumpy grumpy grumpy and the two year old is actually kind of terrible today - Lord help us all.

may 7

I was feeling so proud of myself for getting to the park on time for a play date - micah was playing and nyla was playing on a blanket - then i was told I was at the wrong playground - bubble quickly bursted.

may 6

every year when the weather warms and we open up the sunporch, it always feels like our house gets bigger - now micah's old enough to play out there on his own and he and i both love this newfound freedom he is enjoying.

may 5

our annual cinco de mayo margaritas at lopez were replaced this year by hot dogs and chicken on the grill - i really only drink once or twice a year and may 5th is usually one of those days - oh well, there's always next year.

may 4

while i don't like waking up (and waking nyla up) at 5am i do love our time at Laura's home and i know micah always loves his special sleepover at grandma and grandpa's house.

may 3

every once in a while i need a good catch up/ clean house day.

may 2

lunch on a patio with my sister, mom and nana (and the kids) in perfect 75 degree weather - and now both kids are snoozing away and i sit, alone, on the sunporch and relax.

may 1

had a park date with a new friend and her adorable three month old, adopted about a month after we got Nyla - we probably got asked six times if the girls were twins - it was really kind of therapeutic to talk to someone that completely understands the mixed emotions of having an open adoption - we got along so well and now i'm just sad they're moving to texas at the end of the summer.

apr 30

we are enjoying the most beautiful, perfect spring weather this week, too bad every time we go outside to play or for a walk Micah bolts and runs like he's on fire.

apr 29

mondays are for making dinner at 9am, catching up on the weekend's laundry and taking a shower at nap time - so glad i decided to go grocery shopping last night, it's nice to start a week with a stocked fridge.

apr 28

the combination of allergies and starting birth control for the first time in five years has left me exhausted and queasy and cloudy-headed for the last week - so nauseas and tired that curtis made me take a pregnancy test yesterday - and while we do want more kids, i for one was relived that it was negative.

apr 27

it was the perfect weather for outdoor shopping and a trip to the playground with cousins, then we let micah skip his nap for a spontaneous backyard party with the fam.

apr 26

my kids were amazing as I was playing coupon crazy lady at babies r' us this morning, not so much when I really wanted to nap off my headache at nap time this afternoon.

apr 25

I think I will be the crazy mom who cuts grapes in half until Micah is fifteen - not scared of much but scared to death of choking.

apr 24

he mistook my overwhelmed feeling at our upcoming schedule and commitments for not caring about people - then he left for a commitment he had tonight leaving me with the kids for the evening - so i did what any tired mom would do - we watched some veggie tales before putting both kids to bed just a wee bit early.

apr 23

today i went to go have a mole removed on my jawline - alone - and as i laid there in the silence as he worked his plastic surgeon magic, i was so relaxed i almost fell asleep - the doctor thought that was so strange until i explained how i left two little kids at home and this was the first time i'd been alone in weeks.

apr 22

i cannot believe we only have two more social worker visits before she is ours in every way that she can be.

apr 21

another sunday, another morning of micah getting the boot out of sunday school for crying for one of us - this time he said he was scared and wanted his daddy.

apr 20

tonight we had dinner at our friends house, and even with five kids present we still got a chance to talk during dinner and once all the kids went to bed we spent almost three more hours just talking and laughing - we're sure going to miss them when they go on the mission field in a couple years.

apr 19

friday nights have turned into an easy dinner and family movie night at home with the kids - it's a fun little tradition that makes me miss friday nights spent out less and less.

apr 18

it hit 80 degrees today so we celebrated with a trip to the zoo and a bbq.

apr 17

I spent a lot at Target today on not-so-fun necessities but I did save $73 with coupons - hollaaaahhh!

apr 16

today I watched my friend's 7-month old from 10am to 7pm - thank the Lord my reinforcements (my mom) didn't have a migraine because I honestly don't think I could've safely cared for Micah along with a four- and a seven-month old alone.

apr 15

i haven't been so thankful for the end of a weekend in a long time - all my fingernails are bitten down to stubs, cuticles hanging by threads and neck tense as ever - the silver lining in an anxious weekend was nyla's dedication at church.

apr 14

after a long visit and a good long talk, we left hope-filled but exhausted.

apr 13

woke up to some of the worst news i could imagine getting about one of my closest friends - we spent the rest of the day worrying and praying and stressing and helping where we could.

apr 12

i took both kids out to lunch with my grandma this afternoon, it was a bit hectic with a crying baby and a toddler who almost choked on half a cheese stick - next time we will go with an extra set of hands.

apr 11

yesterday micah told me he had to poop, just like every other day but unlike most days he actually agreed to sit on the potty - and while he didn't poop, he did pee, resulting in an m&m and an excited phone call to daddy.

apr 10

of course it would be the day I start homemade turkey meatballs and sauce at nine in the morning that he would call to tell me he has a last minute work dinner tonight - so I'm gonna do what any smart lady would do and save the Italian feast for tomorrow and have homemade chocolate chip cookies for dinner instead!

apr 9

this perfectly sunny day called for a playground, a duck pond and some shopping - then my mom and sister met us last minute making my solo trip that much more fun - for me & the kiddos.

apr 8

Like I told my husband yesterday, I feel like I have about a week and a half to two good weeks a month give or take a week and a half to two weeks - referring to pms, ms, post-ms & all the crap that goes comes with being of the female persuasion.

apr 7

Micah peed on my lap during worship at church today - like right through his diaper and pants onto mine - because of that i nabbed a shower at nap time when Curtis was cleaning our cars after church.

apr 6

i love watching micah play with his cousins - i hope he gets a couple more one day - hint hint to my sister and brother because all of curtis' siblings are done popping out the babies; if not, i guess we'll have to make up for the lack of cousins with lots of siblings.

apr 5

after a fun morning running around with aunt jenni, i escaped for some mommy pampering and enjoyed a cut (6 inches) and color with my girl carli - on the way home i wished we had a date planned because i felt so good - instead i came home to dirty diapers and a grumpy husband - a glamorous life mine is not.

apr 4

no exciting plans today, just a spur-of-the-moment visit to jenni's work after a morning doctor's appointment.

apr 3

today took us to another land far away to play at a jump play place at another mall - micah is loving all this kid-centric fun.

apr 2

day two of fun-mommy-kid-week took us in another direction to the step2 showroom for their free morning play time with cousins and friends - all those little play houses and cars and toys were just what the doctor ordered the spring snow we got on the way there - then lunch at steph's and more playtime before naps for all - except me of course.

apr 1

this is the week of doing fun things with the kids - today curtis took an extra day off work so we took the kids to a mall far away that had an indoor play area - micah ran around like a crazy man with the rest of the little kids for almost two hours - it was adorable and even better - he was exhausted afterwards and took the longest nap afterwards.

mar 31

i'm not the kind of mom to get my kids special easter outfits - micah was lucky he had one button up shirt that fit him paired with his cutest skinny jeans and nyla wore a too-small floral dress with striped leggings in lieu of a fancy easter dress - much more my laid-back style.

mar 30

micah's first easter egg hunt was a success - he ate his first tootsie roll and gave the eater bunny a high five - he's much braver than i was as a child, i'm pretty sure the easter bunny would've made me scream bloody murder at his age.

mar 29

we've been to the rainforest twice in the last week and micah is getting so good at walking like a big boy and obeying while we're out.

mar 28

today we have done a hundred things and yet never left the house some of which included: painted/ dyed easter eggs, colored with crayons, colored with markers, stickers, rolled play dough into a million little balls, ate hard-boiled Easter eggs and so much more.

mar 27

i am so ready for warmer weather - i'm already dreaming of the pool, although with two kids it isn't quite the relaxing experience it used to be.

mar 26

micah was so excited to go to grandma's house after they were in florida for a week, it was so darn cute.

mar 25

the day finally came when Micah got to sing, "ruff ruff ruff ruff to mea" To the tune of happy birthday and give her the toy and bone he picked out - he guessed she was two like him but really we've had her three times longer than we've had him.

mar 24

after a week of talking about obeying your teacher and following directions from someone other than mommy & daddy, micah's second Sunday in the "big kid sunday school class" was a success - he listened and obeyed and he told me he had a "fun morning mommy."

mar 23

we were at the rainforest when it opened - it's nice to do something with our Saturday morning instead of letting it fritter away but puttering around the house - and we saw the sweetest little
monkey nursing her baby.

mar 22

some mornings he can play the same thing for hours - with mini Thomas trains or a sticker book until I refocus his direction - but today his little body is whizzing from mr potato head to the train table to torturing the dog all in a matter of minutes - all while Nyla watches in awe.

mar 21

as we were checking out at target today, micah was flirting with his "favorite target lady" that always checks us out - and all of a sudden he was squirmy and wiggly and totally shimmied his way out of his little seat harness on the back of the huge multi-kid cart and fell out face first onto the ground - they asked me if i wanted to fill out an accident report; i of course said no - his tears were mostly due to embarrassment - i thought it was kind of hilarious.

mar 20

sometimes it's hard to gear up to go to our bible study after dinner, especially when we have to bring both kids with us, but once we're there, we're always glad we made the sacrifice.

mar 19

micah is at such a goofy, exhausting age - today as he was eating his lunch he rubbed his eyes and said, "mommy, i tired," so an early nap it was.

mar 18

Who would've thought Curtis' googling Nyla's slightly greenish/milky coated looking tongue would lead us to diagnosing a mild case if thrush - now we know one of the reasons she's been fighting feedings for over a week now.

mar 17

after weeks spent cooped up between these few walls, today we got up and went to church and during nap time I met a friend at the mall - just the two of us - no kids - & to my husband's delight (and stern warning) i didn't spend a dime, although gosh dang, they have some cute spring stuff out right now.

mar 16

she is three months old today, yet she still feels like such a little peanut to me - albeit a peanut who sleeps ten hours straight a night.

mar 15

her tear-filled, arched-back, never-ending feedings have made it impossible to leave the house this week, to have any energy to do anything else besides count down to the next feeding and cringe when it comes.

mar 14

today is the first day in WEEKS that I actually feel good & Micah is healthy & even Nyla is getting better - thank you Jesus!

mar 13

I finally went to the doctor this morning after, gosh, six weeks of feeling various levels of sick - i left with an rx for a sinus infection, one for a cold sore, one for a new migraine preventative & my first rx for birth control since trying to get pregnant with Micah, oh and Micah got two stickers - definitely got my money's worth at that visit.

mar 12

it has been so fun to watch micah's response to teaching him that prayer is talking to God - we've had some hilarious conversations with God lately!

mar 11

I woke up feeling utterly defeated and overwhelmed at the thought of another week of sickness, but a little time spent water coloring with my boy and dinner dropped off by my aunt/neighbor has turned this rainy, dreary Monday around - at least in my mind, which I guess is the place it really matters.

mar 10

downside: I slept on the couch last night so as not to catch the bug in my bed; upside: the kids almost slept till 9 because of the time change - let's just spring forward a whole extra week and get this mess behind us already.

mar 9

just when I thought we were turning a corner, we got home from the zoo and Curt gets sick & I think Nyla has a stomach bug too - somebody please put me out to pasture.

mar 8

when Micah woke up from his nap yesterday throwing up I just started to cry - I know God doesn't give us more than we can bear but in that moment I felt like we were nearing that mark.

mar 7

When did a target trip, giving two baths and making lunch become so exhausting?

mar 6

today I am kind of craving a day, spent running in and out of stores as fast or ad slowly as i want without carseats to unbuckle and strollers to push, and sippy cups and pacifiers and feedings to keep track of.

mar 5

I had more anxiety than Micah about his first dentist appointment - I can't say he didn't take a fit but at least it's not cavities.

mar 4

thank the Lord that his fever role and I woke up feeling better and the other two seemed to have bypasses the nastiness.

mar 3

another weekend bites the dust - will healthy ever return to our house?

mar 2

alarm clock screams at us at 4:30am, all four in the car by 5:45 to drop Micah off at his little buddy's house across town by 6:30 and volunteer making breakfast at a women's shelter that we've come to love - Nyla was a big hit at her Laura's Home debut.

mar 1

this morning I just wanted to get out of the house, so we bundled up, made a return, got a few things for dinner then drove around aimlessly and eventually found our way home within an hour - lame.

feb 28

february was the month of sick - for all of us - but tomorrow we start a new month all healthy.

feb 27

the tug to adopt has led us to beautiful places.

feb 26

today has not been nearly as productive as yesterday - but equal amounts of caffeine have been consumed - i thought there was a correlation, but i guess not.

feb 25

this week is turning out to already be of the productive variety: laundry is done (but not yet folded) black bean, sweet potato and turkey chili in the crockpot, vegetable soup on the stove and the house is 80% cleaned - all before lunch!

feb 24

skipped church and had a nice quiet day at home recuperating and lounging around before heading to my parents's house for hunan and the oscars.

feb 23

i woke up to my eye crusted shut with green goo, and when i finally pried it open what i found was my first case of pink eye since i was a child - no wonder kids are miserable when they have it, it's awful.

feb 22

my throat is scratchy and it hurts when i swallow but we're heading out to start the birthday lunch tradition for micah with nana today.

feb 21

i never used to like to just chill at home during the day (at night it's a different story) but since nyla i'm oddly loving being a homebody.

feb 20

there's not much I can say was productive about today except that I kept two kids alive.

feb 19

i don't know what i was thinking when i scheduled their two month and two year pediatrician appointments together - the first hour of our morning was filled with shots and tears and bandaids - luckily my mom was there to help comfort one when i did the other.

feb 18

today i have a two year old and the day was all about him - a trip to the kids museum followed by hot dogs and french fries for lunch, and after nap his only request was to "go mall see jenni" which we happily obliged and took a stroll to saks before dinner and a special before bedtime viewing of part of the cars movie.

feb 17

celebrated my boy's birthday with both sets of grandparents as he stuffed his face with cake balls and ice cream cake and got toy overload.

feb 16

today my sweet girl is TWO months old, and in TWO days my baby boy will be TWO years old - what the heck?!

feb 15

curtis took the day off for no reason today - and for no reason it surely was - we lounged around and were lazy all day and night - it was nice and needed.

feb 14

we never really cared much about valentine's day until we had kids - now it's just a fun excuse to celebrate and show them a little extra special love.

feb 13

she slept 8 hours straight two nights in a row - fingers crossed this is our new normal.

feb 12

8 weeks and 2 days old: Nyla slept from 10-6 (8 hours straight!) for the first time & it was glorious for all of us!

feb 11

this week didn't exactly start out on the right foot but valentines day will be prepared for anyways.

feb 10

pink eye for the boy made a mellow day for all of us - a perfectly lazy sunday around our house.

feb 9

this morning we got cable hooked up for the first time in years - and wouldn't you know, whether you have 9 channels or 200, there's still nothing on on a saturday afternoon.

feb 8

spent a snowy morning at the dining room table coloring and playing with mr. potato head - my boy's got quite the attention span for an almost two year old.

feb 7

today micah had his first in-store melt-down where he went all limp biscuit on me and refused to walk out of the store on his own two feet - kind of embarrassing, but more than that it was a test of my arm strength carrying both kids (one screaming) and my purse and purchases to the car.

feb 6

you should see us, traipsing through the store with one of those big old carts made for multiple kids, buying boxes of diapers in both sizes and wipes and milk and formula - it's expensive to keep both kids fed and clean-butted!

feb 5

Spent the morning watching four kids under four - and guess what - we survived & had fun too!

feb 4

a cancelled play date turned into the most productive morning i've had in ages - i think i finally like this monday thing.

feb 3

it was so fun to watch micah be the life of the super bowl party with a bunch of adults most of which he didn't know too well - they loved him and he of course loved all of them right back.

feb 2

saturday snow days spent at home are way more fun with daddy around.

feb 1

even when the kids are angels, heading out with these two kids is absolutely exhausting - yet, I'd rather be exhausted than bored and cooped up at home all the time.

jan 31

took both kids to nestle for lunch with daddy - I was so proud of my kids, especially the big one - showing off with good behavior & shared a turkey burger with me like a big boy sitting all by himself on a chair of his own.

jan 30

spent the day at my mom's house, neither kids napped well but at least we had a change of scenery.

jan 29

I used to hate spending an entire day at home, but I'm coming to appreciate a day where there is no place we have to be.

jan 28

i have swapped work mondays for get'er' done mondays - this morning included showering, laundry, dishes, sweeping, mopping, dusting, bathroom scrubbing and lastly, nail polishing.

jan 27

ran around - alone - during naptime today - and it was glorious.

jan 26

saturday nights spent with friends at home are some of the best saturday nights - especially when they're accompanies with exciting news.

jan 25

our deal is that he can go to bed however early he wants and i get up with her in the night during the week - but on the weekend - oh the weekend he lets me sleep - all. night. long.

jan 24

a spur-of-the-moment housewarming/birthday party made a mundane thursday a little bit like a weekend.

jan 23

i have always been someone who likes running around during the day and being home at night - but now i'm starting to enjoy being home and cozy all day too.

jan 22

a self-imposed snow day has given us time for crayon coloring, book reading, train playing and early nap times.

jan 21

monday used to be my least favorite day of the week - now, while it's still not in my top 3 days of the week, it's moving up the ranks quickly - especially when kiddos cooperate and i can get my house cleaned, laundry done, dishes washed, and errands done all before nap time, where they are now both sleeping soundly!

jan 20

we met a couple today at church who have a passion for special needs foster care - i hope we have a chance to get to know them more - when you meet people with similar hearts, it's like meeting a kindred spirit.

jan 19

unlike Micah's newborn photo shoot which was pure chaos and misery for all, Nyla's was fun and peaceful and stress-free - thank you Whitney.

jan 18

it isn fair to compare your kids - or any others for that matter - it isn't fair to them & it sure subtracts from parental contentment.

jan 17

braved our first play date outing this morning & had a great time - now I'm trying not to be resentful that my husband went to bed early while I stay up with the little lady.

jan 16

my girl is one month old today - I can hardly believe I have only known her 26 days - how was our family ever without our Nyla?

jan 15

today she fights sleep except in my arms - I'm trying to enjoy this stage because I do know it goes fast despite how I'm feeling about it today.

jan 14

this morning we have our one month post-placement visit with our social worker - man, time is seriously flying by.

jan 13

after my nephew's 'baby" dedication, we had a really nice and relaxing afternoon just chilling at their house - micah napped and there was always someone to hold the baby.

jan 12

I won two parts of the silly baby shower game today - one good & one not-so-good: only person that had adopted (besides her mom) & longest labor clocking in at 23 hours.

jan 11

last night before bed I prayed that the Lord would help Nyla sleep soundly between feedings without fussing so I could enjoy some much needed REM - and wouldn't you know, she didn't make a peep all night except at two when she wanted to eat - this morning i am thankful that sometimes God does answer our small, and often selfish, prayers.

jan 10

although sleep is lacking, it was another successful day doing early morning errands and getting things done at home with two kids in tow.

jan 9

had my first migraine morning with two kids - luckily my mom was able to come over & rescue me from reading Micah 20 books.

jan 8

it's the second day in a row that i get a little break at nap time - i hope this trend continues because i sure do need it.

jan 7

day 1 without my better half hasn't been a disaster after all - took my first solo trip with the kids to target & even ate lunch, took a shower & blow dried/flat ironed my hair while both kids napped - I think I got this!

jan 6

trying to enjoy my last day before he goes back to work & throws me to the wolves - err - I mean kids.

jan 5

I ran errands and had a little retail therapy during nap time today - alone - and it was silent and wonderful.

jan 4

we got our date day in after all - it's amazing how different a day can be without the little guy - shopping, an Indian lunch and a coffee date - I never want him to go back to work, ever.

jan 3

It's a new day with a thousand more opportunities to let it go.

jan 2

some days are just bound to be a little bumpy while adjusting to life as a family of four.

jan 1

this is gonna be one heckofa year - I have a feeling two kids are gonna give me a run for my money - they already are actually.