Just for Fun

It's amazing what a difference a couple good naps and one night's sleep can make. We're feeling a lot better around here today. And I have to admit, I am so excited for a pleasant weather weekend. I can hardly contain myself. Yes, it will be a big let down when it's all a cruel joke.

Anyway, last night, Erica and I got to go see Caroline again. She fell asleep in my arms and was so tiny and soft and warm. Mmmm. It got me thinking....nope....just about Sophia when she was that tiny - well, tinier, really. So here's a picture of one of her first smiles. Those baby days are a lot of fun, but the recent sleepless nights have been a helpful reminder that it's not all sweet cheeks and cuddles.

Happy Friday!

So Tired and/or Sick

We are all exhausted this week, and this seems to be the only place Sophia and I enjoy hanging out. Sophia has had a nasty cough keeping her up at night. The nap situation has gotten better, simply because she is too tired to fight it. At this moment, she is nearly napping already, but I have to try to hold her off for another 90 minutes! Anyway, we're all tired. Erick has been sick with this congestion stuff, too, but he's finally starting to feel a little better, but still tired. Don't know if you noticed, but Sophia has been sick A LOT this winter. Once she got sick, she just hasn't rested enough to really get healthy. So, we're hoping for some sleep and health...some day...soon?

Nicely Edited, yes?

Erick was published today in what may be a sometimes appearing column in the Columbia Daily Tribune. With a few strokes of editing genius by yours truly, it turned into a literary masterpiece.

Best Oscar Moment

One of our favorite movies of the year was "Once." An independent musical about a struggling Irish street musician and the unexpected friend who encourages him to pursue his dreams. It's a beautiful movie, made in two weeks on the streets of Dublin for $100,000 or thereabouts. One of the songs from the film was nominated for an Oscar. We were so pleased when they won! They were shocked and so sweet. Anyway, just thought I'd share with you their performance. It's especially meaningful if you have seen the film. I would definitely recommend it.

A Dance for You

The rest of our weekend was as planned. We managed to lay low and enjoy a quiet weekend together. That was fortunate since Sophia didn't feel well and napped even worse. (Wish me luck this week)

Our weekend was capped off by this dance routine performed after bath.

Great Start to the Weekend

Yesterday, our friends welcomed their second child and first daughter Caroline into the world. We were so happy to finally meet her. She looks a lot like her big brother Will, with extra feminine charm, of course. Her dark, curly hair is a departure from his fiery red locks. The family is all doing well and enjoying their new addition. She seems to enjoy her new perspective as well. She was so alert! It just reminded Erick and I how lethargic Sophia was in those first few days - on account of the jaundice. We are very happy for our friends.

We capped our evening off with our neighbors, and enjoyed an Italian feast, complete with a delicious and meaty Italian casserole from our hostess Jenny and homemade bread from Casey. The wine complemented our meal delightfully. Sadly, the women of the 'hood couldn't come through in a rousing game of Cranium, and the guys were able to eek out a victory. Sounds unpleasant, doesn't it? It was a good time anyway.

The rest of our weekend will be spent doing nothing. Sophia is a little under the weather, and she's also trying to figure out her napping schedule. It's got us all confused. I have little hope of finding an answer any time soon. Fortunately, Erick is the Director of Weekend Naps, and she does a lot better for him.

"Owg"

It's her version of "Arg." Inevitably, her favorite toys are the ones accidentally left behind by Aaron and William. The eye patch is a great example. Would she enjoy it as much if it wasa purchased just for her? Probably not. Just so you know, she's not too sweet to be a pirate. I am confident that she would love the vagrant, rule-breaking lifestyle.

Her new thing is allowing Lulu to do anything and everything that she does. This has made for some messes and interesting situations, but this one was at least cute.

Not sure if the pirate lost her nose in some freak "hook for a hand" accident or if the patch is being used for a gas mask. Regardless...good stuff.

She's Back

This weekend, we finally had Sophia back. She is healthy - and so am I - so we had some really good family time this weekend. We just stayed home most of the time and watched Sophia toddle aimlessly, yet intentionally, about the house. She has had moments of busyness these past few weeks, but they have been fueled more by shots of adrenaline or the simple need to get up and around. So this weekend's activity was much more fun - and less pathetic - for us to watch. We also noticed that she is having a growth spurt. We noticed this partly because she ate non-stop. "Cracko" was her word of the weekend. When we ran out of crackers, she wanted geeps (grapes). She is definitely taller because she easily climbs onto anything and everything. This is obviously good and bad. She hasn't yet developed any sort of fear of falling...although Erick and I have a healthy dose of fear of her falling.

Anyway, it was a terrific weekend, and we were all sad to see it end. Sophia most of all. She always misses Daddy on Monday mornings.

Chilly Outside; Chili Inside

Today for lunch, we joined a thousand or so (just guessing from looks) of our closest friends at the Holiday Inn Executive Center for the Boys and Girls Club Rootin' Tootin' Chili Cook Off. It was a very good time. David is on the board of the Club, but the advertising was great so we would have known and gone anyway. How can you pass up the chance to sample the chiliest chilis in CoMo? About 40 groups, from student organizations to local banks and insurance companies, had booths with chili for the tastin'. There were hot, mild, cheesy and beefy chilis to tempt the taste buds, each booth offering its own twist on a good time. Some also offered hot dogs or beer or soda for a donation to the Club. We were very entertained by the music of the Kansas City Street Band. Sophia and I enjoyed dancing along to the beat.

It was a delightful way to spend a dreary Saturday afternoon. If you're around next year, be sure to set aside the time to taste the chili and give to a great cause.

Two of my Neighbors

Today wasn't a normal Tuesday. On account of the troublesome bug running amok in my system (really not that bad), I didn't keep the boys today. Usually on Tuesdays, Casey and I switch an hour or so of childcare to give one another a little break from the kiddos and connect with our heads or hearts or God or whatever might be needed in that moment. What I didn't anticipate was how much I would come to enjoy that time of hanging out with Aaron and William. They are so much fun. Even if we just enjoy a movie and cuddle a while, it's a great time. Casey still watched Sophia for me today, and the report - in Casey's words, "Well, she doesn't have to be perfect all the time." Anyway, the point of the story is that we all enjoy a little auntie-kiddo time. It is really a privilege to get to have this type of relationship with kids who mean so much to me. I just wish I could do the same with all of them.

Happy Birthday Jacob!

My nephew is three next Friday. They live about three hours away, so we went for his party this weekend. Fortunately, Sophia made it most of the day without a massive explosion, requiring a costume change. She saved that for when we got home. Anyway, it was a good time in spite of all the recovering sickies present. It's hard to believe Jacob's three, and it's even harder to believe his baby brother is six months old! They are both very sweet and very excited to see all of their cousins when the occasion arises. Just wish it could be more often.

Again?

We woke up last night to "Mommy, mommy!" at 1:30. This is very unusual for Sophie. If she wakes up in the night, it's usually crying because of a bad dream or something. So Erick went to check. The odor met him at the door. She was sick again...all over herself. Anyway, after a late night bath, which only partly did the job, and lots more laundry, we settled into the chair together. She never got sick again, so that is a blessing. I'd much rather have it coming out the other end...which it is. Sorry for the details. Sleep deprivation seems to remove my filter. She is already feeling much better and has eaten a good breakfast. So, I think she managed to not get it as bad as some other people I know...

This picture was taken a few days ago. Her new favorite "seat" in the house is this potty. She doesn't know what it is yet, but I thought it was fitting for today's poop post.

Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan was born this day in 1911.

My top five Reagan quotes:

*I know in my heart that man is good. That what is right will always eventually triumph. And there's purpose and worth to each and every life.

*Protecting the rights of even the least individual among us is basically the only excuse the government has for even existing.

*They say the world has become too complex for simple answers. They are wrong.

*Trust, but verify.

*We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone.

Super Fat Tuesday

Don't forget to vote and fill up on your vices today - not necessarily at the same time, but I guess that depends on the vice. It's Super Tuesday and Fat Tuesday all rolled into one. I will be drinking extra soda because I've decided to give it up for Lent. I already did my part to vote in the Primary. Be a good, fat citizen today. Caveat: the season of Lent is not primarily about giving up an item of convenience or a vice. I'm just using that as blogging fodder....

Funniest Ad

I'm always a sucker for Will Farrell, but this had to be the funniest ad of the night.

Fabulous Weekend

Our weekend was just as I hoped. It was relaxing and fun, and all of us really enjoyed our time spent together. We celebrated Casey's last day of work on Friday. Lively discussion induced by spirits is always a good time at our house. Saturday was spent bouncing between the two houses and just catching up on some things around the house. Today was church, Lauren's Baby Lunch and the Super Bowl. We the first half of the game at Chris and Lori's. When Sophia got up from her nap, I told her that we were going to see Mason and Gibson and William and Aaron. No joke, she nearly hyperventilated and had to hold the picture that we have in her room (above) of her "posse" and herself when she was just a tiny thing. She had the best time this evening and had a lot to say on the way home. So, all in all, it was a fabulous weekend. The perfect cap was the Giants victory. As much as I would love to be rid of the discussion of the '72 Dolphins, I was glad that the Patriots didn't reach their perfect season. Doesn't everyone root for the underdog? Especially Eli Manning. He's just an unlikely hero, and I like that.

February is promising to be a much better month. Erick would say that I'm jinxing it, but I am only saying better...and that's not really saying too much.

We're Goony

We're very excited about this weekend. We'll all be home. We're all relatively healthy (as compared to recent weeks). We have nothing strenuous planned. Our only plans entail fun and games with the neighsins or coubors. Also, on Sunday, some girlfriends and I will get together for lunch to celebrate the impending (yes, I know that word sounds ominous) birth of a baby girl Fretwell. We are so excited that she's having a baby girl. I just can't believe we're already looking at Round Two! I was just getting used to Round One! Seriously, though, I can't wait to celebrate, and I especially can't wait to meet her.

Yes, Sophie is wearing a giraffe bib. No, she was not eating. Apparently, she thought it matched her sweater. Who am I to question the fashion of the next generation?