Today it rained, but it was a really good day. I'd post photos, but Brandon took the camera to work. I actually enjoy days like this b/c I don't have to worry about running errands with kids who hate running errands. We usually turn on music and dance around and read books and pop popcorn to watch a movie. Chrisotpher helped me make cookie dough for some Christmas cookies later and then helped stamp our Christmas card envelopes. (This will explain if you get yours and it looks like a 2 year old got a hold of it.) After we mailed those, Sophie woke up and he decided he needed a bath. After a snack and reading of some books, we are sitting on the couch watching the rain in the front yard and here are some of the funny things Christopher said,

"Mommy the rain is making a puddle for me to jump in later!" (guess that's what we're doing when the rain stops)

Then the thunder starts and he says, "We better run to our beds and take a nap before the thunder wakes us up."

"Whoa!!! The thunder is booming!!"

"Hey, it's raining out here too." (said after Christopher walks to see the backyard)

When turning on some music, I asked if he wanted country or Christmas music, his reply was, "Crunchy!!"

We had success going potty and later took a trip to the BX with Brandon. We decorated our Christmas cookies and even got a surprise visit from our neighbors Matt and William, which is always fun. Overall, it was just the day that we've been needing around here. Hopefully we'll have more of them now that everyone is feeling better!

I don't mean to sound like I'm complaining all the time, but we're tired. Sophie is over the fever stuff, but not has this rash covering her whole body. Just means she had some virus. It looks like it's very irritating, but we have no idea if that's why she's fussy or if it's something else. We can't seem to make her happy and the things that used to make her laugh don't work anymore. She is eating and drinking half of what she used to, but thankfully she can miss a meal or two, if you know what I mean. I thought we were past this clingy stage, but it seems like we are back again. She hates riding in the car, she hates it if you aren't holding her, she hates it if you are holding her, she hates eating, drinking, etc. Bath time and swinging are the only things that make her happy. Oh, and playing peek a boo every now and then. I know they say babies can sense when their parents are stressed and become stressed too, but I really can't help it! Who wouldn't be stressed in times like these???? She isn't sleeping well at night anymore and Brandon and I are exhausted. I think we were up for an hour last night with her. Anyway, I just pray that God will have mercy on us and help her to feel better soon. It's so frustrating when your child has a problem and they can't tell you how to fix it. I just wonder if she's fussing b/c something is wrong or she just isn't getting her way. I think it's more the latter than it used to be! Just part of life, kid! (That goes for you too, mommy!)

Little Sophie has been sick for the last 4 days and we aren't sure when we'll see the end of it. On Wednesday she felt a little warm, but we just wrote it off as wearing a jacket too long. Thursday afternoon, Brandon was home early from work and when she woke up from her nap she was burning up. We took her temp and it was 103.8, the highest either child has ever run a fever. We gave her some medicine and waited. After a while, Brandon, of course knowing way too much, started to get a little worried about what it could be, and knowing he was probably just overreacting decided to call one of the doctors he works with and was told to bring her in. We found out she has an ear infection. I wasn't too surprised since she's been cutting teeth like crazy and Christopher had an ear infection twice around this age. We were sent home with some meds and told to just watch the fever and let them know if it was still acting up. Friday I took Christopher to Mother's Day Out, went to get my haircut and pick up a few things at the store and poor Sophie looked terrible! She crashed when we got home and slept for 2 hours. Woke up with another fever, still 103.9 and I gave her some IB and called Brandon to give him the update. I was told by her doctor to give her Tylenol as well and call in an hour if it was still high. We go to get brother and she can barely keep her little puffy eyes open. I called Brandon back to tell him we were just going to come straight there b/c I didn't want to wait for naps to be over and be "that person" who shows up at 4:30 on a Friday with a sick child. The nurses were amazingly sweet and it took 3 of us to hold little Sophie down as they gathered urine and blood samples. It killed me to see her screaming like that, but knew it had to be done. We found out she has a virus on top of the ear infection and just have to keep doing what we're doing. Saturday her doctor called to check on her while headed out of town with his family (he's so sweet!) and told us what to do if we needed anything. Her fever came and went throughout the day, hitting 104 by the afternoon, but she's a trooper and hanging in there. The good news is, she's sleeping harder at night so I'm not as tired as you'd think I'd be. Hopefully today will be a good day and she'll just start getting better.

After three attempts to get a decent Christmas photo of the kids, I finally got one. I gave up on dressing them in nice clothes and taking a pretty picture. I was crazy to think that was even possible. The evening after we got back from Thanksgiving holidays we bathed the kids and put on their new Christmas pj's (thanks Mimi!) and decorated the tree. They were having such a good time I wanted to take advantage of it. Sophie was extremely excited to be next to Christopher and wouldn't sit still, but we happened to get one where they were both facing the camera and had smile on their faces. I'm going to wait until the cards actually come in to show you the one we picked, but here are some of the others. You'll see why this was a challenge.

I did it. I can't believe it, but I did it. I packed up most of my baby items and took them to consignment. I've been looking forward to opening up more storage space, but it's strange to think that it's all gone, not just out of sight. I also took my maternity clothes. I let my sister pick out what she wanted and the rest of it is gone. GONE! I'm definitely not going to miss my maternity clothes, but knowing that the bouncer will never be tripped over or the swing playing in the kitchen again is kind of sad in a way. I did it so fast I didn't have time to think about it and dwell over it. I still have a few things, the exersaucer and the jumper, but that's about it. Let's just hope there are no surprises any time soon. Ugh, the thought of that just gives me a headache. I'll keep my fingers crossed. Now I just need to drop off the bags of regular clothes we don't wear anymore...

I'm tired.

I'm tired of waking up at night to give a pacifier that they can reach themselves.

I'm tired of leaky diapers adding to my pile of laundry.

I'm tired of hauling two kids to the store complaining about being at the store to get things that they need and want.

I'm tired of being screamed at b/c I'm not doing something fast enough, right away or at all.

I'm tired of getting milk.

I'm tired of giving baths.

I'm tired of cleaning up.

I'm tired of cooking dinner while kids are screaming.

I'm tired of not finding Christmas gifts. (And I'm not even looking for a "perfect" one, just trying to find anything!)

I'm tired of teething. (waaaaaay tired!!!!)

I'm tired of potty training.

I'm tired of washing my hair.

I'm tired of never feeling human.

I'm tired of literally wrestling my child to put on a diaper and clothes.

I'm tired of being sleepy.

I'm tired of being hungry.

I'm tired of not brushing my hair and teeth until nap time, or worse, bed time.

I'm tired of being frustrated that my wonderful family drives me so crazy.

I love my kids. I love my husband. I love my life. But today I don't. Today, I'm tired of anything and everything. I'm just wish I could be away from home, all alone and it's quiet with a fireplace, a blanket, a stack of movies that have nothing to do with kids and a couple good books.

Tomorrow will be a better day. It has to.