My special day

I faintly remember a time when my birthday was all about me. These days, it's all about keeping my kids' fingers off of the candles and out of my ice cream cake.

At least they still let me open my own presents.

...and the others, gold

Long before we were this...

March 2011

Abby Jean (3.5), Abby Mae (3.25)

We were this...

February 2008

Abby Jean (6 months), Abby Mae (3 months)

I guess that trip to see Rockncerous in concert on that chilly February day three years ago was technically our first play date. It would not be our last.

We didn't know back then just how close our girls would become. We didn't know they'd be best friends in spite of the dramatically different personalities they would grow into.

We didn't know back then that we each would very soon find ourselves pregnant again, or that our little boys would be born just three weeks apart.

And I didn't know just how much I would come to love my new dear friend and sister. I didn't know how we would rely on each other for babysitting emergencies ranging from doctors appointments to messy houses. I didn't know she would be the first person I would call when I suffered heartache or just needed someone to enjoy a beautiful day with.

I didn't know how rare it is, or what a blessing it would be to have someone walking in my exact same footsteps at the exact same time (and with kids on the exact same nap schedule). We could not be more different, and I still haven't forgiven her for that time she tried to get me to exercise with her (even though technically it was just a very long walk to get barbecue). But God has richly blessed me with her friendship, and I am grateful for the times our families spend together. (Especially MeatFest.)

Here's to many more years of co-parenting, early morning phone calls and crazy adventures.

Sweet dreams

When they bought this pack-n-play for us almost four years ago, my coworkers at the time could not have known just how useful it would be. It has been our most utilized piece of baby equipment, and many a child of mine would have been at a loss without it.

It was Abby's first bed when we welcomed her into our family. For three weeks, she called this little portable bed home while her crib sat in storage. We knew we'd be moving shortly after her arrival, and it seemed silly to set up a nursery for such a short period of time.

It was Caleb's bed whenever we had overnight guests that needed to use his room for their own sleepy kids. It fit perfectly into my closet, and he slept soundly in those cramped quarters with all my clothes hanging above him.

And it has served Jacob well for his first five months of life, first in my closet before being upgraded to a corner of the guest room. The mattress pad is beginning to sag, and the tiny bears on his mobile often go missing at the hands of his older siblings. But he sleeps like a charm here, and has never known any different.

He'll have a crib and a room of his own soon enough. But I think I'm going to miss these pack-n-play days a little.

With your heart in mind

Dear Abby,

You've loved Community Bible Study this year, and I realize that a big reason for that is how much CBS loves you. More specifically, how your teachers, especially Ms. Ruth Anne, have loved and cared for you.

When I spoke to Ruth Anne, she told me she'll miss having you in her class, and I realized as her eyes filled with tears just how much she loves you. She told me how special you are to her, and described what a delight you are to her and the class.

You're different, she told me, and I nodded, because I know. You can't sit still, but she knows that doesn't mean you're not listening, learning all the time. You always know the answers to the teachers' questions, she explained, though you may be standing on your head whenever you give your answer.

You're excited, that's all--for life, for learning--and she sees that in you.

"Don't let anyone take that from her," she made me promise. "Not the schools, not other kids. Who she is...it's something very special. You guard that, and don't let her lose it."

I promised her I would do just that.

And I promise you, sweet Abigail, that I will always encourage who you are, for this is who God made you. And I love it.

Love,

Mommy

Dapper

I'm great at starting projects. But when it comes to finishing them, I tend to fall short. So I'm intrigued by projects like this little tie tee shirt, especially when the instructions make it sound like something that can be completed during naptime, and include words like "super easy."

The shirts were a big hit with the boys. Justin already told Caleb he can wear his to church.

Our week, by the numbers

With the hacking coughs, the 2 a.m. fever spikes and the never-ending cycle of nasal suctioning going on around here, our family is pushing the limits of just how much two sick parents can handle without going totally insane. So far, we're holding steady at mildly crazy. If you do the math, you'll see why:

• 10 days spent indoors
• 9 doctor's visits
• 5 antibiotics
• 4 trips to the pharmacy
• 3 strep tests
• 3 ear infections
• 3 sinus infections
• 3 bottles of nasal saline spray
• 2 flu tests
• 1 bottle of children's ibuprofen
• 1 bottle of infant acetaminophen
• 1 episode of fever-induced delirium
• 1 neti pot

We're quarantined until further notice. With stats like these, you should be glad our family is staying home.

Carnivores

How much does Caleb love barbecue chicken legs?

Enough to erase any trace of meat that ever existed on the bone.

...and then suck the marrow out when he's finished.

...and then gnaw on it for a while, for good measure.

I think he gets it from his dad.

Parents can't call in sick

It's been a rough week around here.

Thankfully, I have close to $100 in prescription and over-the-counter meds to help, plus a handy spreadsheet of the family's high temperatures to keep me from over medicating my children when those fevers spike at 2 in the morning.

Dear influenza: You've overstayed your welcome. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

A spoonful of sugar

What do you do when a sore throat, fever, chills, and a really bad hair day get you down?

Treat them with a little hot tea with honey and lemon, of course. Put it in a big girl mug, and it makes everything feel better.

Any excuse

It doesn't take much to inspire an impromptu photo shoot around here. A task as simple as putting away the newborn things and unpacking the box of 3-6 month boy clothes is enough to prompt me to pull out the camera, slap a cute hat on the baby and start shooting.

And just look at that smile. Aren't you glad I didn't miss that moment?