Scattered Thoughts

This is what I get for not posting for a couple of days - a list of things I want to say. Never mind that most of them came to me today. (Do you ever wish that "never mind" was actually one word like I do?)

So here I go, in (as close to) chronological order (as possible).

First, my dad left on his trip! [insert applause here] On Friday he called me to say that he was 10 minutes away from leaving the house. That was the first warning I had that it was actually going to be this weekend. Apparently he didn't want to jinx it by telling anyone too soon. So he drove himself and the boat down to our house Friday night. I wish I'd been able to take a picture or video of the boat pulling into our driveway. From my position, laying down on the couch, it really did look like a boat pulling into the driveway. I couldn't see the truck at all. Just a boat. Pulling into our driveway. It was great.

Most of the rest of Friday night was spent dealing with the new addition to the family - Dad's cat Dylan. He'll be staying with us while Dad's on his trip (until mid-April).

My kitty-brother, Dylan

He's such a tiny little thing, but I'm sure he'll gain wait in this house. We don't grow skinny cats here.

Saturday morning, Dad, Emma & I got up early and spent some time together. Matt was hit hard with a cold Friday afternoon, so he got to stay in bed. After some last minute frenzy (Dad thought he had forgotten his passport) and some last minute adjusting of the boat on the trailer, Dad said goodbye and backed the boat out of our driveway. (Impressive, by the way, for those of you who don't know our driveway.) I immediately posted his progress on his FB page, which is my official job. That way everyone can feel like they're connected with him. Unless he never calls me. He won't do that, but I'm positive he won't call as often as I'd like him to.

I spent the rest of the day Saturday feeling Dad's absence. It always amazes me how even if I don't see people often, the moment they leave for a trip or move out of state, I miss them more. It's like my heart can feel the difference.

On Sunday, Matt and I just lounged around the house. I was nursing a terrible headache that refused to actually leave and he was still sick. We really needed a mommy to take care of us, or at least a grandma to take care of the Monster. She was a good girl, but sometimes I didn't really want to deal with her at all. Why we didn't just pack her up and send her to Mike & Barb's I'll never figure out. But that's ok. She was a sweetie and I got a couple of good pictures...

Does anyone remember me saying I didn't want my daughter dressed in pink?
I hope not.

She picks out her clothes in the morning.
I just hold her up in the closet and she wears the first thing she grabs.
This was Sunday's choice.

I'm on a headband kick, since I found some that don't leave impressions in her skin.
Emma prefers to eat them, though.

Today Matt stayed home from work. While he slept on the couch and Emma slept in her crib, I was able to get a lot done on my silly Discussion Analysis. Once Matt started feeling better, we left the house and played in the sun. Matt wore Emma on our first walk in the park as a family. I can't believe it took almost 6 months to do it.

Real men wear babies.

This is Emma's first taste of snow.

I love this photo, even though (because) her face is half missing.

There were four deer taking a walk too. This was the best picture I could get.

This is Matt congratulating Emma on their perfect shot.

This is my reaction to their perfect shot - THEY HIT ME WITH A SNOWBALL!

This is Matt's unapologetic face.

It was a wonderful walk in the sun and the warmth, even if my headache tried to come back after my head was attacked by a snowball.

Finally, I just have to share my happy kitties. They soaked up the sun today, especially after I opened the sunroom door for them.

Buckley & Richard Parker didn't understand why they couldn't go outside to enjoy the sun.

Sha found a great hiding spot (away from Dylan) on top of the fridge.

RP enjoying some sun 'n' shadows.

Proof that Buckley & Sha like each other.

Dylan getting in on the sunshine action too.

The boys snuggling.

So to summarize my weekend: Dad here, Dad gone, Matt sick, cute baby, Matt home,Matt (a bit) better, walk in the park, sunshine kitties, finished the paper, had some me-time, going to bed.

*heart*

A Wonderful Surprise

On most Mondays I wake up early, take a shower, and get ready for some Noah time. Noah is Emma's almost-two-year-old cousin. And she adores him. Sometimes taking care of the almost-two-year-old and the almost-six-month-old together makes me think I'd be ready for another baby before I'd originally thought. But on the other hand, I'd rather give Emma as much time to be an only child as I can possibly handle. (I say it like that because the longer I have a child, the more children I want. I love being a mother and I love being pregnant...)

So today, Emma woke up shortly after Noah got here. I put her down on her tummy mat so she could play and Noah proceeded to take out every toy from her little basket and give it to her. It's really no wonder she loves him. And then they played - or, Noah played and Emma did her best to follow him by rolling towards him or, if that wasn't possible, by keeping her eyes on him at all times. She smiles so much when he's here. I love it.

(This is a photo from last week.)

We had a good day. The kids played, the kids ate (even Noah, the pickiest of picky eaters ate like crazy for lunch!), the kids took a two-hour nap AT THE SAME TIME (!), I got to clean the kitchen (I even mopped!) and fold diapers and do two loads of laundry. Plus, during nap-time I worked on finishing the data collection for my essay which was due last Thursday. Then, because it was a two-hour nap, I relaxed and even played on FB a bit.

Oh, and did I mention that the girl put herself to sleep? It went like this: sleepy girl, filled the tummy, laid on side in crib. Then she rolled onto her tummy, got the bunny ear in her hand, and stuck the thumb in her mouth. There was a little bit of talking and fussing (less than 5 minutes) after I closed the door, but she still did it herself. Oh sigh. How wonderful. :)

So now, with a (mostly) clean house, a sleeping baby, a back-at-home Noah. I'm able to relax. I should be working on that damn paper, but I'm not. Obviously.

Here's the most exciting part of my day. (Yes, this even trumps the self-soothing baby.) Every morning when Emma wakes up, I open her curtains and say, "Good morning world." Normally I follow this with a comment on the weather. Lately, it's been "Still snowy" or "Good morning snow." I'm pretty sure that that's what I said this morning. I've resigned myself to a long winter, since there's still so much snow out there.

But! I looked out the front window, down at the ground (who knows why), and my daffodils are sprouting! That means it's SPRING!!!


Nothing says spring like spring flowers. I was impressed that the snow is melting enough to see the ground. And the daffodils think it's time to wake up. It makes me so happy. I know the Spring Thaw is on its way and the rest of the spring flowers will be here soon.

Winter will not last forever!

Nor do naps.


It is time for me to go be a mom again.