Because he doesn't have a baby book....

E rolled over for the first time today. From front to back. Twice. :)

Forecast: blue skies

....as in baby blue(s).

Disclaimer: I know millions of women have had it way worse than me, but this is what is happening to me, so I'm gonna talk about it (just once, then I won't talk about it again, unless it is to tell you they've gone, and I'm all better).

They've rolled in low and heavy...the dreaded baby blues. Maybe I've always had them, and just haven't noticed because I've felt so yucky with everything else, but they're here now, front and center. Blech. It is that undefinable feeling of being down. No real reason, I just am. I don't want to do anything that I usually like to do (like read. Even my tried and true faves aren't working). I'd rather skip Christmas this year. (My wonderful husband has taken over Christmas--so relatives are getting some strange but thoughtful gifts) I am not very patient with my children (but let's be frank, I was never super mom in that department). I just want to do nothing. but then I hate it, so I go do something, then I don't like that much either. I don't like to be alone, but being around people often feels like too much work. I'm not really sad or miserable or anything, just blah. (think the most beige-y color of beige) It stinks, but I'll get by.

I have been trying to work through it by forcing myself to do things that I usually like. So far the most effective things have been hanging out with my hubby (I swear that man radiates endorphins), visiting with people, exercising, and this blog (I guess it is good for me to get stuff out of my system). I just can't think about doing them too far ahead, or it feels overwhelming. I know it is just hormones--My hair has started to fall out and the acne is absolutely pubescent--I don't know why, but this fact is comforting to me.

Let me be clear: I am okay. I'll take what I've got. I'll take just feeling "low" over the stuff that is much...scarier. So, no need to worry about me, I'll be just fine. I just needed to vent. (also, some understanding and forgiveness for any awkward social interactions...)

Okay, now that that's out of me, on to happier and more fun things! {but thanks for bearing with me}

So Thankful

So, I have had a crazy busy month (or two, rather).

Baby Eli was born in mid October, (Only six days late this time!!) My husband, our oldest daughter and I all had our birthdays in a five day span, throw Halloween in that same time frame, and also a gall bladder attack with accompanying middle of the night ER visit (my first-and hopefully only-one in my life), a week long business trip for hubby, a SIL's wedding (that I had to miss, but still had to prep and pack girls and hubby) so many Dr.'s and surgeons visits, and a gall bladder removal surgery, throw in all the normal demands of life with two school age kids and a baby, and top it all off with Thanksgiving.

That has pretty much been my life lately. I plan to blog about much of it, but not today. I have been thinking about my crazy life, and all that I have to be thankful for, and I need to write them down so I can remember how blessed I am on days like today, when my focus gets set on things less...positive. So here it is: just a few of the things that I am thankful for.

1. My Husband. He is amazing. Really. He is fun and caring and smart and thoughtful and romantic and....I could go on for quite some time. He has been my saving grace the past few months. Very much so this past week. He as gotten up in the middle of the night to keep me medicated on time, fill ice packs, change baby's diapers, and any other task I ask (or don't ask) of him. He has kept a schedule of when I took my pain meds and when I get my next one, because I have been too loopy to remember. He has even promised me he will keep an eye on me to make sure I don't get addicted to the Lortab. (We weren't even sure that is really possible, but I looked in the bottle and saw that there are only two left and about cried--and that scared me) He is my man and I love him so very much. (Bonus feature: he is really, really handsome.)

2. My Kids. They are so great. M and H have been so much fun this year. It is fun to watch them grow and learn. They are such sweet girls. They make me laugh. They have been champs while we have been adjusting and learning to live with baby E. He has shaken up our lives and routines (not in a bad way), and the girls have been so helpful and have been pretty good at rolling with the punches. they are both growing up s fast! E hasn't been here long, but I love him so much! He changes every day (as babies do) and it is fun to watch. Watching the girls help take care of him is so much fun.

3. My family. (this includes all of the "in-laws"...they're my fam, too!) I am very blessed to have such great families.

4. My friends and neighbors. (my Frieghbors?? and those that are far away) These people have blessed my life in countless ways. They have offered and given help so many times. It has made me realize that I have "people"...and it is good to have "people"! I hope they count me as their "people", too!

5. Health Insurance. This one hasn't always been on the list, though it should be. This year is the first year we have ever met out deductible, and I am so grateful that we have good insurance... and that my husband has a good job that we can get it through.

6. Our good Health. Our family is healthy and happy (despite meeting that deductible) and I am so grateful!

7. Our home...messy though it be.

8. My Heavenly Father and My Savior. (obviously these are no particular order, or this one wouldn't be #8) I am thankful for prayer, and the communication I can have with my Heavenly Father. I am thankful for answers to those prayers, no matter how simple. "Please help me do this" was the shortest and most urgent prayer I have ever uttered (or perhaps screamed) and I know that it was heard (and promptly answered).

9. Sleep. any time I can get it.

10. Happy drawings hanging on my wall (done by my children) they make me smile when I look at them.

I have so much to be thankful for. I am truly blessed. but right now, the third installment of item #2 on this list is crying for me... I am off to cuddle my baby (and I am thankful for that, too) :)

Our New Baby

Here are some baby pictures of Eli.

Posted by some girls husband.

The Best Two Words

Last week, our 5 year old and I had a rough morning. Miss H often spends time in her own little wonderland, and this can make getting ready for school sometimes stressful. After 30 (!!!) minutes to eat one slice of toast and a pear, repeated requests to get dressed, brush teeth, hair,etc. I came out after getting myself dressed to find that adorable girl singing and playing in her room. No socks and shoes, hair and teeth unbrushed. We had 12 minutes until school started. And the car's battery had died (thanks to an unshut door all night...). I freaked out a bit. Okay, maybe a lot. I yelled. Pretty loud, too. I quickly got H ready, all while expressing my displeasure with her behavior and not being too gentle with that hair of hers. Needless to say, neither of us were in too happy a mood as we left to jog the half mile to the school. (and I, 9 mos prego, was really not happy)

I tried to lighten the mood a bit as we hurried along, not wanting H to go to school with mom yelling at her as her freshest memory. I wasn't very good at it, but I tried. It took me the whole 6 minute walk(jog) to get the frustration out of my system. As we neared the Kindergarten play yard (with time to spare!!), the regret for my behavior really began to set in. I pulled that cute little girl aside, knelt down and looked into those amazing brown eyes and told her that, while we needed to work on getting ready faster in the mornings, I was very sorry for getting so upset and that I shouldn't have yelled. I told her that I still loved her more than anything, even though I sometimes get upset.

Then Miss H wrapped her little arms around me and in my ear I heard what, at that moment, to me, were the two best words in the whole wide world:

"I Know."

Then a quick kiss and off to the playground, but not without a wave and a "bye mom!".

As I walked home (at a slower pace) I felt so much lighter. All I could think about was that even though I am very far from being the perfect mom (many days it feels I am far from being a good mom), and I have a lot to work on, I must be doing something right...after all,

She Knows.

Just to remember

Something that I want to remember forever, but know I won't if I don't write it down:

This week our 5 year old, Miss H, named her two stuffed elephants. (her faves right now) The pink one is named Ellie and the gray bull elephant is named Moostard. No typo. " Like mustard only with oo, mom."

Love that kid.

Five {finally}

This past spring our little girl turned five. Maybe it is time you got to know little Miss H a little bit better. There is a song (I think it is Garth Brooks??) That goes, "She's sun and rain, She's fire and ice, a little crazy, but it's nice...and when she gets mad you best leave her alone...." I swear the person who wrote that song knew our Miss H in heaven. She is an exercise in extremes. Luckily for us, usually she spends her time in the extreme on the happy side. But, when she's on the other end, watch out. (We love her both ways)She is crazy and so funny (and she knows it) and loves to be the center of attention (usually). When she feels shy or nervous, she gets very silly. She loves to make people laugh and is pretty good at it, too.
Things she loves: Bananas with peanut butter, singing and dancing, Polly pockets, drawing, reading, her sister, berries, swimming, pretending, sushi, visiting the local botanical gardens, doing "projects" (anything involving tape, paper scissors, etc and a big mess) and saying "seriously." Almost everything she says is followed by, "Seriously, mom" (or whomever she is speaking to) eg. "Slug bug silver! Seriously, mom!"or, "Seriously, dad! Will you get my bike out?"Things she does NOT like: being interrupted. She will get mad at the interrupter, then start over from the very beginning of what she was saying... even if she only had one word left to say. Heights. Being too hot or too cold. Getting her hair done (yet she wants it long like Rapunzel). All bugs except Rollie polies and baby worms.

We love our miss H so very much! She brings so much spunk into our little family. I cannot imagine our family without her. She has such a big personality for such a little girl...she's been that way from the beginning, and we wouldn't change one thing about her! (except maybe the part where she doesn't like her hair done...)

On being tan

So, three weeks ago I got the first tan I have ever had in my life. It was spray on.

Let me explain:

I AM SO WHITE.

I have never been tan in my whole entire life. I have never "laid out" or done any other sun-worshipping type activities. I have had some nasty nasty sunburns (part of my misspent youth...) and they resulted in... a few moles that needed to be removed. They sat there mocking me from atop my pasty white skin. My two daughters often look at my arms and exclaim "look how white mom is!!!" As a kid, I was always the cream filling in the middle of my friends' dark tans (we'd make Oreo's with our arms...) I don't know how to make this clearer: I am really really really white.

I always thought it would be so great to be tan. I always felt (just a little) envious when we would visit my Husband's family and they all have this beautiful dark skin...and then I live with my hubby and kids and their beautiful skin. It was so not fair! I thought I would feel prettier, more confident (and maybe even sexier) if I were even just a *little* tan.

So, I took the plunge. With my sis there for moral support (and a tan of her own) I got a spray tan from my friend, who does them out of her home. She did a great job. But I didn't expect what followed.

The first thing my 5 year old said was, "Mommy, you look different and weird. I think you should go and wash that stuff off" to which my 8 yr old heartily agreed. I went to look in the mirror to see what they saw, and I looked fine, but I didn't feel like I was looking at me in the mirror. It was strange to look in the mirror and not feel like myself.

I didn't tell my husband what I did, and when he got home he said, "It looks nice, But I like your white skin" Hmmm. Not what I expected. It was the perfect answer, but it was not what I expected.

I enjoyed my week being tan. I really did. However, I did not feel any prettier than I did before. I didn't feel any more confident. (I felt just as sexy as always.) I guess what I learned from finally getting a tan is that I am okay with my skin. Being (really) white doesn't really bother me anymore. So, let others get a beautiful golden brown every summer. I will apply my SPF 70 and stay under a shade umbrella and stay (really) white. And I won't feel bad about it (anymore). I will no longer be envious.

Well, maybe just a little tiny bit...but not much.

Excuses

First off, the big news. It is a boy turtle in my tummy! We are very excited at our house. I am a little nervous. After 8 years of all girl stuff all the time, it is a bit weird to be thinking about boy stuff. It'll be a blast, though, and I am really looking forward to it.(except for the part where I will probably have to take my turn with the cub scouts. Ugh. Sorry, judge me if you will, but ugh.) The girls were hoping it would be a boy, so they are ecstatic as well. :)

Now, to my excuses for being MIA for so long.

1. I am still waiting for that burst of energy you are supposed to get around 4 months. I am almost 6 months now, and it hasn't shown up yet. Grrr. After about 1:30, I am pretty much useless. I am amazed I have made dinner as often as I have been. (almost every day!) Although, when I think of what those dinners have been, I feel pretty embarrassed. I have made it to my aerobics and yoga classes without fail, so that is one accomplishment I remind myself of when I look at the pile of ironing that is almost as tall as my 5 year old...

2. It is summer. That means swim lessons, dance lessons, hours and hours at the park, picnics at the Gardens, pony riding at the farm, visits to Grandma and Grandpa's house in ID, spending time with Uncle Russ who just got home from his mission (Yay!!!) and no time to sit on the computer and update my blog. I think this list of activities also contributes to reason #1 for being MIA.

I am trying to be better and update this thing more often, and even post pictures (for grandmas). You gotta have a little compassion for me, though. This little turtle is killing me off...:)

The Turtle in my tummy

There is a turtle in my tummy.

Yup, we are expecting! Due the first week in October.

At the first Dr.'s visit, the little Doppler couldn't pick up the heartbeat, so I got a quick ultrasound to make sure there really was something in there. Sure enough, there it was. I brought the pictures home to my husband who said, "looks like a turtle to me". From that moment on I have only thought of it as the turtle in there.

The next time I went to the Dr. he had the same trouble with finding the heartbeat... a lovely fibroid is sitting right in the way. (Apparently fibriods are "very common in women my age"...isn't getting older great? Waaa... I want my 20 year old uterus back!!) So, I got another ultrasound. It was confirmed the turtle in my tummy is not a turtle but a human. Here's proof:
As for those who wonder why I waited so long to tell, and why I did it on facebook (and then turned off my phone for the day)... It is hard for me to explain. I really hate to let go of our little secret. Once my Hubby knows, I don't want to tell anyone else. So, when the time came to let the cat out of the bag, I did it electronically. then kept to myself until I had gotten used to the idea that the news was general knowledge...weird, but I am a hormonal pregnant woman so I get to be nuts, right? (the answer s yes...)

My lunchtime conversation

Today, after making my five year old pancakes for breakfast (instead of the usual cold cereal), ignoring my project for work and playing littlest pet shop, after I didn't vacuum and did princess puzzles instead, we sat down to lunch (I even cut her PB&J with a heart cookie cutter for fun). After all that, this was our conversation:

"Mom?"
"What sweetie?"
"Do you know what my favorite days in the world are? They are Christmas, My birthday, Halloween, Easter, and the days Daddy gets to stay home so he can play with me."


Don't get me wrong, I like that playing with Daddy is so special to her...really, I do.


But, come on.

I am not who you think I am

That's right. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings I am not myself. Who am I? I am

Jackie Chan.

For the past 3.5 years I have been going to an exercise class with a heavy mixed martial arts influence on MWF mornings. I love the way I feel after I've gone, and I like(ish) it while I am there, but most days, I need an alter ego to get me through it. So, in my brain, I become Jackie Chan fighting all the bad guys (and I always kick their butts). Except on the days when the teacher really is kicking my butt, then I am Rocky Balboa in between rounds when he is fighting the Russian and Paulie is leaning over his shoulder yelling "NO PAIN! NO PAIN! NO PAIN!"

In all actuality, I might not be able to kick a bad guy's butt, but I think I could do some damage. I once took out a chunk from my thumb when I was being extra "Jackie".

Tuesday mornings I am:

Isabella Carmalita Torrez, Daughter of a wealthy Latin shipping merchant.

It is Zumba day. Truth is, I am very far from being my alter ego Isabella. I figure, though, that in a year and a half I'll be ready to go clubbing in Cabo and not look like a complete idiot. Just a semi-idiot. Yeah. It's that bad. But fun.

*Until my teacher who slipped a disc comes back, I am girl on elliptical watching American Idol on Tuesdays.

On Thursdays

I am.

It is yoga night. Nothing feels better than that first deep inhale to mountain and exhale to forward fold. Ahhhh.

So if you ever see me when I am working out (heaven forbid) and I look cross eyed, I am just super focused on the evil ninjas that sometimes come dangerously close. If I don't acknowledge your presence, I am probably hoping you won't notice that I have hopelessly unwiggly hips. If I am breathing too loudly through my nose, leave me alone. I am trying to release tension and focus on...nothing. And that is tougher than you'd think.

Wow. You are very exotic looking. Was your dad a G.I.?

"She's beautiful. What is she?"
Huh??? I understood the question when she was an infant and looked like a japanimation cartoon...I even understood when they asked me if I adopted her. She's changed to look enough like me now, so people don't ask that anymore. They do, however, still ask me what she is. I want to to tell them "She's a girl", but I know their questions are about her ethnicity.

One month before I got married, I attended my husband's family reunion. I remember many of his cousins and sisters complaining that people would come up to them at school and ask, "what are you??" I laughed to myself at how tactless teenagers could be. Well, maybe not tactless so much as curious and blunt. I didn't really think I would ever have to deal with that situation myself.

Then I had a baby.

Some people ask politely, and usually when I don't have her standing right next to me. I don't mind that...sometimes people are just curious and I get that.
It is the complete strangers that ask me like she isn't even there while I am holding her hand right next to me. Huh??? {This happened this week, and all I could think of was Michael Scott from "The Office" saying, "Wow. You are very exotic looking. Was your dad a G.I.?"} Luckily, they usually preface the question with a compliment, so the damage to her self esteem is minimal (I hope).
She did ask me once if it felt different to be so white skinned, instead of brown.

She is very proud of her heritage, and likes that she has the same color skin as Daddy. I don't think that she has ever felt out of place or uncomfortable because of her ethnicity. (It's not like she sticks out like a sore thumb, there is just enough that people can't quite place her) She knows she looks a little different, and it doesn't bother her at all. She has enough friends that look different in other ways, it is something that is cool.

It's just those blasted strangers. Grrr.


{just for the record, if you are wondering, she is one quarter Japanese}

Love Week

It is Valentines week! I had this great plan to post a different love related post everyday this week to celebrate, but 10 Cat-in-the-Hat dance costumes, 2 class parties, a book club meeting at my house, a kid with a head cold and a broken humidifier are kind of getting in the way of that plan. I have therefore decided to condense. We'll start with this post and see how the week goes. Our first topic: Crushes


First crush: Zach Huish. He stood in front of me in the lunch line (abc order) in first grade.

Celebrity crush: Well, I never had a celebrity crush, per se. However, I think that Chow Yun Fat is hands down the most handsome movie star (does that count as a crush?). This is not the best pic, but watch Anna and the King, and you'll see what I mean. (Laugh if you will, but I have 3.5 billion Asians on my side) I guess I just like my boys Oriental. (Hubby is half Japanese and super hot. Yeah, I said it.)



Okay, now it is your turn. I know you are reading this because the little counter on the bottom of the page keeps going up. So, answer the two little questions in the comments so I can hear about your crushes. (I kept it to two so it would not take forever) It'll be painless...and maybe even fun! Come on! I can't wait to hear 'em!

I'm Home!!!

I am back from beautiful Seattle. Had a blast, pics to come.

I just have to say how much I love to fly. It's not the long lines at security, it's not the seats that recline 3 inches back, it's not the fact that I am sitting on a floatation device, it's not the tray table that is too low to be of much use, it is not even the weird little half cup of ginger ale with too much ice so you freeze your upper lip and the tip of your nose. The reason I love to be in an airplane:


I love to look at the tops of clouds.

My thoughts about today

Today I am so proud to be an American. As I watched the inauguration of President Obama, I felt so proud to be a part of this amazing country. I think we all should, weather or not you voted for Obama. (I'm not gonna tell who I voted for, so neener neeener neener) I was so struck with the history of it. I thought about all the inaugurations I have seen (the first one I remember is Regan, I was in a hotel with my mom...) and I couldn't help but feel the history of it all. The military band playing made me wonder if that was a bit what it was like for our founding fathers...a band playing while the people gather to watch a new president take office, the same oaths taken. But what struck me the most was this:

The peaceful transfer of power. I never really thought about it before, and maybe it was because I felt so much tension during the campaigns, but I was really struck this morning. To put the choice up to the people, and then accept that decision--no fighting or bloodshed-- is an awesome thing. To pass the mantle with not much more than a handshake and some goodwill...to accept the office with a simple oath...It is democracy at it's very best. I am proud to be a small part of it. Now that all the pomp and circumstance is over, it is time to get to work, and I will be praying for our new President to be wise and effective and successful. God Bless America.

On a lighter note, What was up with the poem? I didn't get it. And the benediction was...interesting. When Aretha Franklin got up to sing, I said "That is quite the hat" to which my 4 yr old replied, "that is quite the woman". Then, when she started to sing, she said, "That is quite the voice, mom" :)

These pics can be found here.

Something is wrong with me.

Seriously. Here is what I did this morning.


I have 20 pair of shorts and 5 patterns to make by next week. (Yay! They let me start making patterns!) I had 2 and a quarter hours alone to do as much as possible. I make the patterns...they weren't too hard, and sit down to sew shorts. I do two, and, as I am sewing the waistband on the second one, I think to myself, "Hmmm. I wonder if I can draw a bird." I did not see a bird, hear a bird, not a feather, nothing.

Next thing I know, it is 5 minutes later, and I am sitting with pen in hand drawing a bird.

Like I said, something is wrong with me.

And no, I cannot draw a bird. At all.

all you Seattle-ites...Help!

I am off to Seattle in a few weeks to visit my sister! I am so excited to see her, and to play tourist with her (and her cute fam). Here is my quandary: I am to set the itinerary. We are going to do Pike's Place and take the ferry to Bainbridge island...but is(are) there something(s) I should not miss doing in Seattle? I want to know. (My sis is pretty new there, so she isn't quite the expert yet) Leave a comment and let me know what I can't miss! I'm counting on all you northwesterners! Thanks :)

Danielle- can't wait to see you, sista!

Something that I love...

I love that tonight I turned on the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice and let my girls watch while I made an emergency run to the store to get medicine for our sick daddy (Don't worry, he was home with them) and when I came back, they were still totally sucked in. They even begged me to let them watch some more tomorrow..... :)


Who needs Hannah Montana when you've got Lizzy Bennett??? (Not Us!!!)

Crossroads

I have feel as though I am standing at a cross road in my life. Okay, maybe not standing at it yet, but it sure feels like I have one block to go and I am running at a full sprint. That intersection is getting bigger, and I don't know which way to turn.

My youngest is going to school next year. That leaves me with...time. I know that kindergarten isn't a lot of time, but I have learned that a year goes by fast. My big question is: What am I going to do with myself? My Hubby and I have come up with several paths for me, but I cannot for the life of me figure out what I should do, so I am making a list. (I am very good at lists)

Option one: Do nothing. Well, not nothing, just do nothing different. Hubby says he is totally cool with being my sugar daddy and supporting me in the lifestyle to which I have become accustomed. ;) The fact is that doing nothing wouldn't be nothing at all. I could volunteer in the girl's classrooms, clean the house spotless everyday, pour myself into my church calling, work out without worrying about my kids (or being interrupted by them) Do the grocery shopping without forgetting anything and not coming home with fruit snacks I did not intend to buy, wash the car every once in a while, attack the "box of shame" (a large box in my closet full of projects I haven't done yet...I tend to loose steam after the purchase supplies stage....)

I think I could handle this option, for a while. But I can't see this as a long term solution. I would get a little antsy. (okay, maybe a lot) Eventually.

Option two: get a real job. But doing what? I have done a little of so many things in my life. (at least it seams to me) I have been a dental assistant, a seamstress, a camp cook, a receptionist, a cake decorator, a caterer, and for one day, a sample person. (it was awful) It seems like I am forgetting something, but It is late and I can't think of it.

Anyhow, I can't think of anything that really want to do at this point. I have to be home before the kids get home, though. I remember as a kid, whenever any one of us would come home, we would walk in the door and shout, "MOM??" she would usually holler back, "In here" and that was it. We didn't always go to see or talk to her, we just knew she was there and that was good. I know it is a bit old fashioned or silly or whatever, but I want that for my girls.

Option three: Go back to school and get a new degree. This one sounds so fun to me, except for the part where I have to choose a degree. I think I could be one of those life long students that never really finish school because they take every class under the sun. I never did that the first time around, I was too busy being responsible and stupid. (I didn't take the fun classes because they didn't seem "smart" enough) Sometimes I think I would like to go to nursing school, then one of my kids throws up and I realize I don't like other people's bodily fluids (or solids). Every time I get a facial I think I would like to be a master estitician, then I remember you have to touch people's feet. I think I would like to be something where I can be in charge. I would love to start my own business of some sort or another, I just think the risk is a bit much for me to handle (closet control freak...) I do know that I need to choose something where I can create... I have a physical need for it. I can definitely rule out teaching (ugh) and anything that requires me to take stats again ( I have no idea how I passed that one). And definitely no receptioning for me anymore...But I would love to be a student again! (aslo, after reading this, I think english major is out...)

or

Option four: Have another baby. This one is hard. I haven't changed a diaper in over 2 1/2 years. I don't remember what to do with a baby, really. I like sleeping through the night and it makes me cranky when I don't. I don't have a car seat or stroller anymore. I don't carry a diaper bag or anything big enough to even hold one diaper. I am a crazy pregnant person. I am an even crazier after pregnant person. But still, it is an option, and it ought to be on the list. And our babies are really cute.

So, now that I have laid it all out here, which way will I choose? I still have no idea. I

Phew. Right now option one is looking might tasty. Maybe that is because it is an hour past my bedtime and I am so very tired......

Happy Puke Year!

Guess who pulled an all nighter??! We did! At least the adults. The girls slept intermittently, just not at the same time. They took turns being sick, and at one point it just started being funny (to me....My man never got to the point where he could find the humor...) What a way to start off the new year (or Puke year, as we started to call it sometime around 4 am)
Today, instead of the planned sledding, we are trying to catch some naps and doing laundry.





Lots and lots of laundry.