Hello again

So it's been awhile.

My old computer bit the dust and I have been protesting Al's lap top (I hate a track pad). Anyway, now I have a lovely new Imac (thanks dad) which I am slowly learning how to use.

Here's what I've been up to in the mean time.

Making quilts for the kids room (and pillows and pillowcases).

Baking with blueberries.

Bento!

Teaching the children horseback riding (just kidding).

More soon.

Diego sleeping in his laundry basket as a baby. There was a

discussion on my favorite parenting website about how to make one of these so I thought I'd post a picture.

This was my last week of working full time nights. Starting this Sunday, I will be working only 2 regularly scheduled nights, with office hours and extra nights added in at my discretion. I think this will be a good change as I have been really tired at work lately and not always being as nice to the patients as I should be as a result. Being a midwife and a mother of young children means being profoundly sleep deprived, and I am feeling it.

With more free time, I'm hoping to do more cooking, see my few remaining local friends more, and blog more. And while I don't want to jinx myself, I'm hoping to get back into running again, possibly thinking about the Broad Street run this spring (awfully optimistic of me, as I can't even run around the block without a rest...). Al is starting to get ready to go back to work--the venue is not yet decided, but I assume something will present itself before we become totally destitute.

I've also posted a few things in an on-line shop at etsy (beware craft-lovers, if you have never been to etsy before...have someone you trust lock up your wallet before browsing). Here's my shop.

I'm hoping I'll have time to improve the shop and post more items soon.

Here's some kidlet love: Walking has released Penelope's inner toddler and we've had a lot more shrieking around here lately. A girl can't be all sweetness and light all the time, can she? (just ask her mother.

She walks!

Sniff.

Welcome 2008

This is my 3rd take on a New Years post. I believe a naughty little boy deleted the first one before I could upload it. So here is an abreviated version. We're grateful for all the changes in 2007 and are looking forward to what the new year brings. Nothing like having kids to make the time fly: behold.

Why 2 kids are better than 1

This was going on for about 45 minutes while I was making dinner the other night. Sorry for my terrible video skills.

It's a new camera.

The best laid plans of mice and men

Here is the doll that I spent several weeks making for Penelope's main Christmas present. I know she's not perfect, with her extremely weak chin (in her case, I really don't believe it's indicative of a character flaw though). And her body is made of the softest most squishable cotton velour stuffed with organic wool. She has a lovely feel to her.

The day before we celebrated (we exchanged gifts on the 24th since I was working the day of the 25th) we took the kids to the Forum Diner which is a divey kind of place that Al takes the kis about twice a month. He and Diego are friendly with one of the waitresses there whose name is Pepper (I know, truth is better than fiction sometimes). Anyway, she is so kind, she had Christmas presents for the kids. Big ones actually. Diego got a truck that has flashing lights and sirens and carries about 20 matchbox cars. And Penelope got this doll. Now, I must back up for a moment and say that, because of my line of work, I have witnessed quite a few women in the throes of enchantment with a brand new baby. Usually they hold the baby lightly and stare with wonder at it's face, maybe reaching with a finger to gently trace it's features, then unwrapping it slightly to inspect each delicate finger or toe. When I say that Penelope went through this process, I am not exagerating in the least. And when I say that this is the most horrible doll I have ever seen, I am not exagerating about that either. The skin is a clammy-feeling vinyl. The clothing is a polyester that makes your skin crawl. And the body is actually inflated with air so it has a weird pillowy feel. And it has a strong vanilla scent--like a candle.

When I saw how much she loved this doll, I knew that the prospects for an attachment to the homemade doll were poor. But even I couldn't have predicted how strongly she rejected the doll I made her. She dropped it. She hit it. She would clutch her vinyl doll protectively to her chest while pushing away the green doll. Because I am a grown up, and because I actually enjoy sewing dolls, I was able to tolerate this rejection. But it really weas pretty sad.

Christmas was much better than last year (of course anything that didn't involve Penelope crying for 5 straight hours would have been an improvement), but I still don't quite feel as though we have figured out what our family traditions will be.

Anyway here is Diego opening his "big" present, which was a great scooter from Uncle Jason and Aunt Jessica.

He loves it!

More soon.

Jessi