I really should be sleeping....

It is 1 o'clock in the morning. Not late for some, but for me, so past my bedtime. I find myself completely restless and unable to wind down.
Today has been non stop. It was our once a month Mom's Night Out. A night that is so deserved for most of us. We all look forward to it. Since Charlie is out of town for the weekend, I offered to have a night of food and games at the house. Of course, that also included some serious cleaning, cooking and planning. All on top of my normal duties as the mother of 3 small children. Thankfully, the kiddos were on my side today and made it really easy to get all the preparations done to pull off a very successful dinner party. The hard part was waking up with them at 5 am this morning. So I really should be dead on my feet, but I am so wired.
I just had a house full of women. There were 9 here tonight. Enjoying food, laughter and stories. The walls of the house echoed laughter for over 4 hours. Out of this group, there is a nursing student, a part time teacher, a home health nurse, a graphic artist, two more than full time workers, and two stay at home moms. Such a diverse group of women. And the conversations were just as diverse. People watching has become a new hobby of mine. To sit and watch and listen as they opened their hearts and souls. To reveal parts of their pasts, and present for that matter. They were truly comfortable in my home. It was so touching to be a part of that. Even though our daytime jobs are so different, we all have a common bond: Our children. It is night's like these that I remember why I enjoy their company so much.
I have never really been the type to get along with a large group of women. There always seems to be drama and conflict. This group is not without this, but it is usually pushed to the side and doesn't consume us. We all get a little annoyed with personalities, things that are said, or stuff that happens. But, this group of women usually moves past it, accepts what they see and loves you despite your faults.
And now that everyone has gone home, the house is so still and so quiet, it is almost eerie....and so lonely.

4 Months Already

Today we visited our Pediatrician. For once, it wasn't due to fever, crankiness, snotty noses or any other illness. Our sweet boy is 4 months old. Amazing, I don't know how we got to four months already. With each child, the days seem to speed by at lightening pace. We got rave reviews today. Weighing in at a grand total of 13 lbs and 10 ozs. This puts us in the 30% bracket for weight. Not bad seeing as he was in the 3% bracket just 2 months ago. I must be doing something right! Robb stretches out to be 25.5 inches long. In the charts, that is a whopping 75% status. He will be a "longfellow" as my father in law says. His torticollis is finally working itself out. For those of you that don't know what that is, it is basically a tight muscle on one side of the neck. This causes the other side to become weak and can cause cranial uneveness. We have been seeing a physical therapist for this. The exercises are a real pain in the neck, pardon the pun, for our sweet boy and me. But they are working. We may now say he has a beautifully shaped, round head. The only down side to today's visit: SHOTS. You should have heard him wail! But thankfully, the tears were not long lived and he is sleeping it off, thanks to a little Tylenol.

A Tribute of Love

As with most things, Valentine's Day has become more special as time passes. I have never been a fan of this holiday. I never understood why we needed a day to tell the ones we love, that indeed we do love them and think of them fondly. It was always a day filled with silly little cards, candy and some outrageous junk that are to symbolize the love that one feels for another. Dentists must love this holiday, along with Halloween. Two days that give children an excuse to forgo the rules and gorge themselves with sweet confections. This being said, the pure happiness and excitement that arises on my children's faces when they open these tokens of affection is enough to make even me, take a little joy in this holiday.

I remember as a child, Momma would get each of a small box of conversation hearts accompanied by a stuffed animal of some sort. Without fail, this was her tradition. My first year of college, I received my package of these two things just days before Valentine's Day. And as almost predictable, a package arrived, covered in hearts, on Thursday. Inside this package: Conversation hearts in little plastic purses for the girls, M&M for our boy (of course, I will eat those :)) , and instead of the stuffed animals--clothing. Little pink shirts with hearts and jewels, and a onsie with a brave, roaring lion. On Saturday, were red and pink envelopes with loving wishes from Joni and Papa. We didn't open those yet, for one didn't arrive with the rest. We will have to wait until they all get here to see what is inside. This year's holiday was spent mostly on the highway. We took a trip to Texarkana to visit Charlie's Grandparents. It was a much need trip, too long since the last. As we left seeing Nanny, she told us that our special Valentine surprise made the pain go away. (She has been in the hospital with a compound fracture in her back.) And I guess, that is what this day is about. Love so strong, no matter the miles between. It is a thing that can be put in the back of our minds, as we drudge on day by day doing life's endless tasks. The love and memories are never gone or taken for granted, but are not reflected upon with such detail on a daily basis. On our way to Texarkana, we made a stop in De Kalb and waiting for the children were gifts from Grandma & Tank, Charlie's Maternal Granparents. The kitchen was filled with heart shaped ballons and little bags with bears stuffed in them for each of them. Of course, this was a big hit. Who knew that a shiny, floating balloon could make a small child's heart sing. It was so hard to pry the string from Riley's hand when we left to see Nanny and Papa. Upon turning in for the night, the balloons were tied to the bed, so within sight, but not within reach as the girls drifted off to sleep.

On our way home today, it became clear that we are making the same cherished memories for our children. And that Valentine's Day may come but once a year, but love, no matter the packaging, should be given unconditionally, and should not wait for a day on the calendar to be opened.