What happens when you live in a flat neighborhood, have 4 kids with cabin fever, and feel desperate to take advantage of one sort of warm day after a thaw?

A note to my girls for when you say that I NEVER let you do anything: I let you do this even though it cost me giving 3 showers and a load of pre-rinse in the tub laundry afterwards (when I was supposed to be getting ready to go to a cocktail party for once!) and even though Migi didn't go out in the mudpit, but you thought it would be funny to touch her with your muddy, monster hands!

And what was our Piccina doing? She is so sweet!

Updates...

July 25, 2008
3 months old


Ok, so kind of hard to update for a whole year - so I will have to just start over with 2009.




Firstly, girl number 4 is a wonderful addition. She is happy, smiley, drooly, loves peek-a-boo, and at almost 7 months now, little S is showing her desire to keep up with all her sisters by crawling! Also, she has an adorable left cheek dimple which no one else has. Pretty much the perfect baby.

Everyone else has decided they need a baby to take care of, too, although this is optional for them - sometimes theirs come to the mall with us or stay home by themselves for a nap, sometimes they need "mommy milk" and sometimes they get to eat plastic peas. Theirs never cry (we've removed all batteries) and they always wear the same outfit.

Doesn't really work the same way for mine (hmmm)

Happiness?

I was seriously considering changing the name of my blog - it was just seeming too optimistic at a time when I really wasn't. A dark dreary winter, morning sickness, lots of colds, and a really gross stomach flu were really bringing me down. These are not ALL happiness surely! But here's why I didn't...

The saying started when A (the oldest) was about 2 and had recently discovered chewing gum - the pink kind, not the spicy kind, as cinnamon and spearmint are known around here. She would get really excited about it and one day upon learning that one of her Aunts was in possession of said pink gum declared, "That is such happiness!"

Children have a way of finding joy in the smallest things that I think adults sometimes skip over while thinking about their next step. And so I'm keeping the name as a reminder to myself to find the little tiny bits of happiness and appreciation in my day (there should be lots because it feels like a REAL long day!)

I leave you with some tiny bits: sitting in the sun, little girl giggling, "wuv you, mommy", kids who eat pretty much anything most of the time

And one big bit (break-dancing?) because my hubby is a really good sport, loves being the center of attention, and knows that everyone needs a good laugh sometimes... love you DPC!!

Check out my Slide Show!

Why my blog went blank...

Baby number 4 is on board! Hopefully this won't be a big shock to most of you - I'm pretty sure the large family grapevine has done it's job by now.

I realize it's not really an excuse for not blogging or checking my email or doing laundry or exercising (the list is long) but after a couple months of 24 hour "morning sickness" some things went way down on the priority list. After being pregnant a few times with varying degrees of "morning sickness", I'm pretty sure the term was coined by a man because it's really not just the MORNING - oh, if only!

Anyway, feeling better now at 16 weeks and trying to get back on track - just in time for Lent (more on that later probably.)

The photo was taken at 12 weeks - an ulstrasound ordered by the midwife because I told her I could feel the baby moving and she told me, "No way," and that I must be further along. I admit, I was really hoping that due date would get moved up, but no such luck. She was wrong, I was right. For those of you familiar with looking at ultrasound photos, doesn't it look like the baby has a diaper on already?!

SO, due date is July 25 and we will not be finding out if it's a boy or girl. The name game is ON! So far, in the front running for a boy - Groundhog- affectionately chosen by your sisters (man will you be in trouble) and for a girl - Daphne - also by your sisters who are in a weird obsessive stage of Scooby Doo (a bad habit formed in the throes of morning sickness).

Anyway, that's the update - I may attempt a slide show of the past couple months -wish me luck!!