What You've All Been Waiting For

Here's my thousand words for this post.

...Ha Ha! You didn't think I'd let you off that easy, did you?

Strap in, ladies and gents! And make sure you take a quick potty break. Go ahead and grab a snack while you're up too; you'll be lucky if we make it to the end of this post in less than 1,000 words.

Obviously, a lot has been going on while I've been ignoring my blog. My parents came to town on Valentine's Day and spent a week with us. I knew I'd have extra hands around and planned the menu accordingly, by stuffing it chock-a-block full of Pioneer Woman recipes. Needless to say, this week we're all suffering from butter withdrawals...until Joe and Emily come to visit in a few weeks.

As usual, Mom and Dad's visit felt way too short. We mostly just hung out around the house and made delicious food with side trips to the grocery store for more beer and butter or out to eat for lunch. Let's not even mention the bakeries (yes, that's plural).

Oh yeah, Grandma and 'Appaw' got to spend a TON of time with the girls too. Audrey really bonded with both of them this time; she and Grandma G. were thick as thieves and spent morning, noon and night together. Audrey also discovered that she can get her Grandpa to do anything she wants. Apparently my Papa's a push-over when it comes to beautiful girls because I'm pretty sure Bailey's got him wrapped around her little finger too. I tell you, that kid can sense someone who has a healthy appreciation for naps!

Before my parents left, we did take a day trip to see some of the local scenery. Don't ask me where exactly we went because I wasn't driving the 15-passenger van. All I know is that I was in charge of making sure we didn't starve to death between meals and we somehow ended up in Walla Walla for lunch.

I was really sad to see my parents go; the older I get (and the more children I have) the more I appreciate them as parents and really wish we were closer to them. This is also the first time we've parted and don't know for sure how long it'll be before we see each other again. They're planning on being here for Audrey's birthday in July, but I really want to get out to Mtn. Home before then and it's seeming less and less likely since I'd have to travel alone with two kids. My stomach churns at the mere thought of it.

Speaking of stomachs, you may have noticed my unwarranted fear of starvation between meals appears to be spiraling out of control lately. And all I can say is: I. am. starving. I don't know if it's because my stomach is no longer displaced by my watermelon of a uterus or because I'm burning extra calories by breastfeeding, but I am always ravenously hungry. And if you've been witness to my eating habits lately, that's a pretty incredible feat. But seriously, this starvation thing...it scares me. Please send butter.

As long as we're talking about things that frighten me, the Gunniwolf is now a month old. How did that happen? She's starting to look more like a baby and less like a helpless newborn. She can hold her head up like nobody's business and during the three or four hours when she's not eating or sleeping, she's trying to move around as much as she can. I have a feeling she's going to be my little athlete.

Audrey, meanwhile, still retains all the natural grace she got from her mother. She seems to be taking more of a route towards being a scholar...a scholar who really likes to accessorize. The biggest news in the world of the Dragon right now is that we're starting to entertain the idea of potty training. To date (and I know you're just DYING for this information) Audrey has pooped twice and peed once in the potty. This is good news! I have a feeling, like every other milestone she's passed, she's just going to have to think about it for a really long time until she decides she's got it all figured out. Then it'll be go time! In other words: don't whip out the big girl undies just yet...Lil A's got some thinking to do.

In other potty-related news, Audrey has officially passed another milestone to be documented in the baby book. A few days ago, Audrey was running around in her diaper before getting changed into her pajamas. Mostly she was hamming it up in the living room, but would occasionally disappear for a few minutes at a time. (she's like a social boomerang--she might leave the party for a few minutes, but she always comes right back) On one of these return trips I noticed her tugging at her diaper and wasn't surprised when she decided to just 86 it right then and there. What I was surprised to see was the world's biggest turd laying on the floor. We're talking baseball-sized, here. I think my jaw hit the floor. Way to go, kid--you've taken entertainment to an entirely different and more disgusting level.

I guess that's as good a note as any to end on. I'd hate for you to starve to death while trying to finish this post.

My Rx for seasonal depression

There is a notorious sign (at least in my sphere of influence) at the Tri-cities airport which boasts that the Tri-Cities has something along the lines of 300 sunny days a year. None of them are in January or February. I'm sure in past years you've all been privy to my lamentations during these two gloomy months and I'm also sure my husband would have a different word to use in reference to my less-than-chipper mood. Needless to say, I was worried that the Baby Blues might hit me this time around since I was expecting a newborn during the most dismal time of year. (are you getting the impression that I despise Seattle-esqe weather yet?)

Weather-related hatred aside, I've found myself surprisingly happy for this time of year. Most days I don't have grand plans to escape the house anyway, and the overcast skies actually make me feel better about that fact. Seeing as how it's still February, today's forecast was no different than it has been for the past fifty-something days, except that it managed to steadily drizzle for the entire day instead of just sporadically raining for five minutes at a time. And to think I wouldn't have traded a ray of sunshine for the sight that met my eyes this afternoon: After a long week at work, Papa came home and took his Dragon, who was starting to show signs of cabin fever, ("Outside? Outside?! Jacket? Jacket?!") into the backyard to play in the rain. She splish-splashed in the puddles and chased the dog around the yard until her socks were soaked through. And All three of us loved every minute of it. Maybe I do love rainy days.

It Takes a Lot of Work to Look This Good

If a picture is worth a thousand words, here are mine. It pretty much sums up how my week has felt. Add to that the fact that the Gunniwolf pretty much sticks to me like glue all day (and night) and the Dragon literally leaps at the opportunity to come "uppy" with me every time I put her kid sister down, well, that leaves me very few hands to type with. At least it means I'm loved. I'm assuming I'll pull out of the trenches long enough to do a legitimate post some time this weekend. Until then, remain on the edge of your seats...and check out these photos.

A Lot Can Happen in Seven Years

Seven years ago I was introduced to this man: The tallest man I had ever met. He was wearing a pinstriped suit and looking handsome as sin. The next day, he showed up to work in jeans and a T-Shirt, put a box on his head and acted like a robot. The day after that, he teased our co-worker, (ex-carnie...among other things) Allison, until she was in tears. Boy, oh boy, was I in love! Except I was really too dumb to realize it...for about a year. And once I had actually discovered I loved this man enough to want to settle down and have his freakishly tall children, well, I was left with no recourse other than to stalk him, come over to his apartment under the pretense of watching HBO, date him, move in with him, drag him to the altar and then have a whole litter of his babies. A girl's got to do what a girl's got to do! Luckily, somewhere in there he decided I was alright too.

Happy Valentine's Day, Babe! (it was the robot impression--it sent me over the moon!)

An Intervention Might Be In Order

I am officially in love with The Pioneer Woman. She speaks to me. She uses butter...lots and lots of butter. I'm obsessed with her new cookbook and I wish I could make every recipe in it right NOW.

I should be thinking of enrolling in some kind of fitness class (Zumba, anyone?) since I no longer have another human being sucking the nutrients out of my body and making my metabolism go bonkers. Also, I feel like I really can't get away with sporting a legit beer belly anymore. Tragic.

This morning we had Jackie over for an experimental cooking brunch using recipes from The Pioneer Woman. It felt like the good old days back in Food Prep class; people were chopping and whisking, standing around looking confused, cursing the day the pancake flipper was born. Food was undercooked, burned, undercooked again and then devoured. It was fantastic and delicious. We made sour cream pancakes, huevos hyacinth and Jackie brought over warm banana bread. I couldn't think of a better way to spend the morning.

Speaking of hard work, Audrey and I have been working our hineys off making Valentines in time for the big day. I just forgot that I also should have allowed time to mail them. If you're lucky, you might spot one of these in your mailbox before Easter.

Speaking of Valentine's Day, My parents are coming to visit this Sunday!!!! Right now they are probably going out of their minds crazy trying to get everything done for V-Day, (My fingers are throbbing just thinking of all the balloon tying I used to get roped into on Valentine's Day morning.) but we can't wait to see them and make them yummy food. Grandma and Grandpa G. will be here for a week and then Hannah will be back with us for two weeks after that. I love extra hands. They make it easier to cook!

Super What?

Anybody else catch that sporting event that was on this weekend? Neither did I...but I did eat a lot of food.

This weekend went by way too quickly. Friday was Aunt Liz's birthday; we had a really nice low-key dinner for her at home. John and I bought her a cheetah print snuggie because we're mean like that and Audrey got to eat some of the cake she and Grandma made for The Goon. All in all: a very pleasant evening.

Friday night, Angela drove in to drop off Hannah and she brought Tina and David with her. Hannah is going to be spending three weeks with us in the nut house to help out with Bailey. (read: play dress up and color with Audrey) I've been joking that it's more of an opportunity for her to be an only child again for a few weeks. It ain't easy being the oldest of five kids. Add in the fact that she loves to bake (like crazy ridiculous things my sister and I would think of) and Angela really will be lucky if I let her go back home.

It was so much fun seeing how well Audrey interacts with Tina and David too. The were running around the house together and David even carried Audrey around for a while--they both looked petrified. Classic!

Sunday was Bailey's second week of church; she still made a few squawks and protests, but nothing nearly as hilarious as last week. Obviously, the entire day after that was a blur of barbecue, good friends, football and babies. The men officially took over the Man Cave and the women and children ran amok in the pool room. It was horridly, stereotypically segregated...and I had a fantastic time. On that note, I'm now determined to host a chick flick night in which the women watch a cheesy romantic comedy in the man cave while the menfolk are forced to supervise the children. We'll let them watch ESPN muted on the 'little' TV. Who's in?

p.s. Don't forget to check out the new album for February

A Lot Can Happen at 2am...

I am officially Mama to a cuddle bug and one of the things I love most is getting to snuggle next to her in bed and fall asleep. But I also feel that my bed is just that: Mine. Occasionally I let John have more than one pillow or the side of the duvet that is fluffier than the other. (but never both at the same time) That being said, I am starting to work on getting Bailey to sleep part of the night in her bassinet. It doesn't always work out. It's just too easy to roll over and nurse her in bed until we both fall back asleep.

In an effort to force myself to stay awake during some of her night time feedings, I've been sitting up in the computer chair while I nurse her, (even though I do realize the havoc this is wreaking on my melatonin levels) and there's not a whole heck of a lot going on (even on the internets) at two in the morning. Regardless of that, I've been finding myself remarkably entertained. Thursday morning at 4am, I booked rooms for our annual trip to the Oregon coast in March. We're staying here and I cannot wait for Audrey to see the ocean for the first time. Friday morning around 3am, I paid our cell phone bill online and actually took the time to review the full summary. Aunt Liz is on our family plan and the run down for minutes went a little something like this: Gillian: 216, John: 178 and Liz: 1669. If you think that's awesome, just wait for the text break down: Gillian: 4, John: 31 and Liz: 2595. I laughed hysterically as one only can at 3am. In the light of day it doesn't seem nearly as funny...unless you know Liz.

If you're wondering if this post will actually have a point, I'm getting to it in a very round-about fashion. This morning, I happened upon a blog post by a mother who just had a little girl with Down Syndrome. She declined testing to detect Down's during her pregnancy (as many mothers do) and was taken by surprise to discover her daughter had it when she gave birth. It is the most honest and emotional birth story I've ever read and maybe it's because I'm a Mama or because it was 2 in the morning and I was holding my own sweet little rump roast in my arms, but it made me cry...happy tears. And it made me realize even more how little material things in this life matter. It's a long post and I know it won't strike everyone as it did me, but I wanted to share it in the hopes that someone else would be touched by it. God does some amazing things.

On a lighter note, there are several random tid bits I wanted to make sure got documented, but they didn't really merit an entire blog post to themselves. I may take to calling these 'random wrap-ups' from now on. God knows there are enough random occurrences happening in my life right now.

• Bailey and I are getting into a routine when we cosleep; she doesn't like being swaddled, but she does love burrowing into my side. Occasionally, she will start grunting and pushing off with her legs; this means "Back off Mom, I need my own space" So, I move over and let her sprawl out in bed...half an hour later, she usually manages to wriggle back over to me and is burrowed in my side again. I love that snuggle bunny.
• Apart from seeming to have polar opposite issues with things like keeping the bun in the oven and producing milk, Julie and I are basically going through the same thing right now. Any time I find myself in a hilariously stressed out situation (try nursing an infant and holding a screaming child in your lap at the same time) I remember that I'm not alone. Make sure you keep her in your happy thoughts too.
  
• I have an amazing husband. Audrey has been sick for the better part of this week, the Gunniwolf is starting to get a stuffy nose and I inopportunely decided to get a migraine* that felt like it lasted two days. Without complaining, John made sure I was taken care of, given loads of water, excedrin, and time to rest while he got both girls ready for the day (including the clean up of one poo-splosion) and made sure they were both happy and entertained.
  
• We did go to the doctor on Thursday and it was hellaciously crazy. I didn't really have the time to mentally note much aside from the fact that Bailey isn't quite back up to birth weight yet (which is totally normal) and she's already grown half an inch. Audrey had a fever and cried hysterically while being weighed and measured. I don't remember any of her stats, I was too busy trying to convince the Dragon that she wasn't being tortured to death.
  
• I think I've milked all the stress-free time I can now that my headache is finally gone. I hope you actually made it through this post without having to stop for coffee and potty breaks.
  

*I am a huge wuss when it comes to headaches. It was probably on the scale of a normal stress headache and I'm calling it a migraine. Give me natural childbirth any day of the week, but keep the headaches for someone else, thankyouverymuch.

I Am Mama; Hear Me Roar

Tough, Strong, Spartan, or just plain crazy: Call it what you like, but I am feeling very empowered these days. In the spectrum of parenting where one extreme is the haggard, sweat suit-wearing eternally late and forgetful mother and the other is a supermom who is able to perform her morning ablutions while making a wholesome breakfast, planning the family's meals for the next month and washing all the dishes by hand...I'd like to think I fit somewhere in the middle. I'm the mom who can provide my kids and family with everything I deem essential and manage to keep myself together most of the time. I am also privileged enough to shower daily and try to leave the house in pants that would not be considered lounge wear. And you know how I do it? By the grace of God.

I try not to get too preachy on here, but I really do believe that all things are planned and ordained by God, including my actions. So, I've got to give it up to the Big Guy: I have an amazing and crazy life right now. I feel like I'm kicking this 'two under two' thing's butt, not because things have been easy, but because I have my faith. God won't give me anything I can't handle. I may be surprised and overwhelmed by what He has deemed worthy for me to handle, but I'll make it through all of it in the end. With all the stress of parenting, there's a lot of comfort in those thoughts. I just thought I'd share them with you. They make me happy...happier even than knowing I'm the Mama to two of the coolest cats this side of the Mississippi.

Dragon Smooches!

Try not to wear this one out, Mom!