Gracie's Baptism

Brien, the girlies and I traveled to NOVA this weekend to attend Baby Grace's baptism. This sacrament is a beautiful part of the Catholic faith and the first a person experiences. Brien was godfather, and Gracie's Aunt Kelly (Bob's brother Ron's wife) was godmother. The entire family gathered to help celebrate the little flirt. :o)

Yes, that baby is a flirt with a capital "F". If she catches your eye from across the room, you can guarantee Miss Baby will be making eyes at you, grinning and doing everything in her power to catch your attention. She is a doll!

Brien, the girls (it's still so strange to write that again) and I arrived Friday night. Mom, Paul and Liz arrived Saturday afternoon, as did Ron and Kelly. (Mom and Dad Gaulden live in the local area.)

Here is the Gaulden crew.

Holy Trinity is a beautiful church, much much larger and grander than our St. Olaf. But, you know what, I still adore our church and it's members, it's so warm and welcoming. :o)

I typically wear Ellie in the Ergo during Mass, but decided to hold her during the baptism. There were ten babies being baptized yesterday. In our church, baptisms occur during Mass. At Jess's church, because there are so many parishioners, they have to have separate services.

Ellie conked out in a heartbeat, slept well, awoke to stretch and then fell asleep mid-stretch. :oP Lily, meanwhile, was desperate for someone to hold her on their lap. I had Ellie, B had to stand for his role as godfather, so she was feeling left out. Siriwan (Mom Gaulden) and Lil are "sushi buddies"--Siriwan makes it for the kids when she comes to visit using sticky rice and seaweed wrappers, and Lil joined in last time--so she patted the space next to her on the pew. Lily took that as an invite and plopped herself right in Siriwan's lap! She settled right in and both seemed happy. :o)

The priest anointing Gracie with the chrism oil.

Baptizing the baby. Lily was NOT dressed up as we managed to leave her dress in Williamsburg. CRUD.


Not a single baby cried as they were baptized with the water--not a one.


The parents and the godparents.

Jessie and Bob hosted a wonderful luncheon afterward and we were able to meet so many of her neighbors. They are wonderful wonderful people and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. :o)

As I was getting ready to leave--heading for the car with my big mug of water and two water bottles--I managed to trip and fall (have I mentioned I'm the clumsiest human being alive? There was a movie many many years ago entitled "Pure Luck" and I swear I could have played the lead). I landed in the water I spilled, soaking myself, and giving myself a pretty nice case of road rash on my left forearm. Jessie, my sweet, wonderful sister, took me in hand and tended my wounds (my right palm is pretty nasty as well). My upper body and muscles are aching from the spill and I'm hoping to be recovered before the girls and I leave for Tennessee Thursday.

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Weekend Sparklies:

1. Seeing family and friends.
2. Grace's baptism.
3. Paul finally got to meet Ellie.
4. Lily and Gabriel didn't fight nearly as much as I thought they would. ;o)
5. We got a refill for Ellie's Nystatin prescription--she's been all clear, but I'm not. I didn't want to keep passing the thrush back and forth and Dr. Jen seemed to agree. Thank goodness!
6. A lovely drive up Rt. 17 and no traffic to speak of on the way home. Yay!
7. Dinner this evening with Nan and Pop. We had lovely grilled steak fajitas and rayscher 'ritas. Mm. :o)
8. Sleeping in a king size bed. I LOVE king size beds. You can touch your bed mate if you so desire, or, you can have a pocket of bed around you in which your mate's arms/elbows/hands can't intrude upon to hit you in the head.
9. Brien and Kelly finally got to meet! I still can't believe they had never met. Man.


Milestones:
This was a HUGE family event and Han wasn't with us. More memories being made without our girl.

The Meanest Mommy in the Whole World

I earned that honorific today. For what? Because I had Lily go stand in time-out for a few minutes for shouting at me and then sticking out her tongue at me. Now, I have to say, she tried to get away with the tongue-thing by attempting to cover it up. I'm fairly certain she was going to stick her tongue out at me behind my back, and when I happened to catch her, she quickly began rolling her tongue and such, pretending that's what she had been going to do all along. She's clever, that kiddo of mine.

However, not that clever. Four is a tough age. You're searching for some independence, testing your boundaries and limits, and lying like a dog (although not at all convincingly) when you get caught. Unfortunately, Lil's fours come on the heels of a new baby, leaving her feeling like she's always in trouble.

Now, back to that "meanest mommy" thing. I calmly explained that it was fine for her to be angry, that I completely understood she was upset with me, but that she couldn't shout at me. I went on to tell her, my job as her mommy is to make sure she is a good girl with good manners, that she is a little girl other people want to be around, and that grown-ups do not want to be around sassy girlies. I also explained that my job was not to be her friend, but to be her mommy, and that I was sorry she was angry with me, but that was the way it was.

Oh, the distractibility, the piddling, the pokey-little-puppyness of it all. The not listening and taking forever to contemplate following the directions that were just given. Grrrr. I've been praying so hard for more patience. She really needs that right now, as do I. Lack of sleep has a tendency to make me a bit grumpy, so this combined with me perceiving her to be pokier than usual has me feeling like an impatient grouch.

As I'm typing this, I'm coming up with better options, with plans of action. First of all, I need to remember to offer choices when asking her to complete an onerous task (or one she believes is onerous at any rate). I need to remember that although she is a big girl, and so very helpful, she is in fact only four. I need to take the time to play with her and snuggle with her more. Oh, and I'm going to be boxing up about half her toys to be put away and rotated with her other toys--after we weed out those she no longer wants.

As for the Bean, I believe her growth spurt has passed. She was a much better sleeper today. We went to visit Nana at her work, and met her friends and coworkers. There are some very patient ladies there who listened to Lily explain her future plans to become a paleontologist and a princess. She has the princess part down, telling me, "It's easy, all you need to do is find a prince and kiss him. Twice." :oP Oh, and a paleontologist digs up dinosaur bones and "puts them together...like a puzzle!". She's a cute kiddo, even if she does think I'm the meanest mommy in the whole world. ;o)

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Today's Sparklies:

1. A sleeping Beanie.
2. We found Lily's flip flops. Whew!
3. The visit with Nan and lunch at The Cheese Shop.
4. A visit with my work as well.
5. Chicken spiedies for dinner. Mm. :o)

No milestones.

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It seems that even if you are a big, fat meanie, your hugs are still in demand. As such, I'm off to give my girlie a great big one. :o)

More Random Photos

Although I remembered to bring my camera with me to Jessie's last week, I didn't remember to use it. Ooops! Instead, I took photos with my phone and sent them to Brien and Lissie.



She's getting some cheeks on her! :o)

Is there anything better than baby feet and piggies?

So, this baby of mine. Oy. She is such a little cat napper. (You know, as an aside, it occurs to me that "cat napping" is quite the misnomer since cats manage to sleep all. the. time.) The growth spurt continues and she's snoozing for about 30 minutes at a stretch. But, nights are getting to be incredible. She once more slept from 8 to about 4 with a dream feed popped in there.

Lil is a napping pro these days. She'll go up after lunch, get a pile of books, "read" them, and then nap for an hour or two. I really can't complain.

She is also starting to feel the pressure of having a baby in the house. It's amazing to me how kids can just ignore a screaming and crying baby and go about their business. That said, she is starting to show signs of realizing this baby gig isn't all it's cracked up to be. Poor Bit. :o( A common question, "Why are you always so happy with Ellie?" :sigh: At least she hasn't pulled out the "You love Ellie more than me" card yet. We often talk about how much better it is to be a big kid and do all the big kid things she does and eat all the really yummy foods she eats. This seems to help some--for a while. Then, the dissatisfaction begins again. She really does love her sister, and she really does love to help out, but she's REALLY not liking the reality of a baby in the house.

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Today's Sparklies:

1. I was trying to snap a quick pic of Waylen being cute to send to Brien, and just as I snapped it, he stuck out his tongue. :o)

2. In between bouts of feeding the Bean, I managed to get my freezer jam made today:

3. It no longer hurts to nurse, but I'm fairly certain my thrush isn't quite gone.
4. Lil is exploring maps--making her daddy super happy. We'll be getting her a globe for her birthday.
5. We released the butterflies today. It was fun to have them crawl on us before they flew away. We could see their tongues and "everyfing"! :o)

No milestones.

Cards, Ice Cream, Scallops and a Growth Spurt

I'll begin with the cards. First off, I apologize for the crooked images, I snapped them quickly before we left for NOVA. I made these last week, but of course, had no computer on which to post them. I saw a color challenge somewhere (I can't remember where) and Melon Mambo and Only Orange called to me. I did a number of these simple on layer cards. I can't tell you how quickly they came together, and I just LOVE them! I think the stamp set is "Darling Dots" or some such--it was a hostess set last year. The sentiment is "Much Appreciated".

To get the daisies strait, I drew a light pencil line two inches up from the bottom and then used my Stamp-A-Majig to space them. I just eyeballed the spacing. :oP

The color on this image is a bit hot, sorry. I went ahead and put in a couple of layers this time. The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink, "Signature Greetings".

This flower is from "Season of Friendship".


Brien and I decided we liked the daisy better, but I still liked these little cards. There is just something about them that calls to me. :o)

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Today. Oy. Today. I know it's a bit early, but I'm thinking the Bean is hitting the beginning of a growth spurt. The child wanted to nurse practically non-stop and had a miserable time trying to nap. J, I swear by the "Baby Whisperer", having had excellent success with both Han and Lil, and I'm trying to put the EASY (Eat, Activity, Sleep, You) routine into place. Unfortunately, the Bean would rather make it ESYA. Then, the sleep is fitful at best. I can't WAIT until she can find her own paci to put it in her mouth...

During the spurts she was sleeping (believe me, they were few and far between today), Lil and I managed to make some "Magic Chocolate Ice Cream" which requires no ice cream freezer. I knew it was good, having made it last year, but I forgot just how tasty it is. Mm. :o) The recipe is over on "Follow Your Bliss" in June or July of last year.

Dinner was seared scallops and angel hair pasta--also quite delicious. It's been a yummy night in our house. :o)

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Today's Sparklies:

1. I'm beyond grateful the thrush is on its last legs since I practically wore Ellie today.
2. Chocolate, coffee and whipped cream make a delicious ice cream.
3. Dinner.
4. Brien cleaned the kitchen. How sweet was that? When we're both working outside the home, we split chores and work together. When I'm at home working, I have no problem taking on the care and keeping of the house including the cooking and cleaning of the kitchen. It was very sweet of him to take on the kitchen for me tonight. Thanks, Sweetie! :o)
5. Dinner was made from mostly ingredients purchased from the FM. I do so love being a locavore. :o)

No milestones.

Hot Diggety Dog!

I got my laptop back, folks! Hooray, hallelujah and yippee! :o)

There's much to post and update, but for now I'll leave you with some photos.

Lil helped me make chocolate chip cookies last week. The helper gets the beater. Everyone knows that. :oP


Oh, and it's much easier to cook whilst wearing bunny ears.

Ellie has now slept in the family cradle. That makes me, Jessie, Hannah, Ella, Lily, Gabriel and Ellie. Now we just need to pop Gracie in there and we're set.

Ellie on the Gymini. There's no making her hair lie down and no use fighting it--I learned that with Han and her double crown.

The peas are flowering, as are the beans. The tomatoes are being eaten by something--the leaves are littered with holes and I'm VERY frustrated. The lettuces are going to make some delicious salads this week. :o)

The lilies in Han's garden are stunning this year. :o)


The choral bells/hucheras are blooming.

Pop was pleased to see we left the pumpkin alone. It's flowering, and in fact, a couple of the flowers have already closed up, giving me hopes for some punkin's come fall.

The daylilies are looking awesome for their first year. They are beginning to bloom so beautifully.

And, the glads are beginning to bloom as well. Woo hoo! I have flowers in front of my house instead of red tips and juniper-type shrubbery. :o)

Melissa, this one's for you--our blue and green eggs. The shells are the same color on the inside as well.

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Weekend Sparklies:

1. Our trip to the FM Saturday yielded steak, ground beef, asparagus, spring onions, and snow peas--all for this week's dinners. I picked up some peonies for decoration and smell, and four quarts of strawberries Lil and I will be turning in to jam tomorrow. I have the Sure-Jel and the freezer containers all ready to roll.
2. I have my laptop back!! It once more recognizes the "click" of my mouse pad. :o)
3. Birthday/Mother's Day lunch with Jen and her gang. It was potluck and she made the most amazing key lime cheesecake cup cakes with a chocolate crust. OMG! They were awesome!
4. I got some time in the studio Friday evening. Yay!
5. Lunch at La Plaza Azteca--a wonderful Mexican place--Saturday in order to meet Brien's friend Joe, his fiancee' Amanda, and her sister. Brien is going to be Joe's best man come August.
6. Meeting the other "Wilson" neighbors Saturday. They have two little girls--Sadie and Sally--and their mom hooked me up with the name of a home daycare for Ellie. Hooray for one less worry. :o)
7. Figuring out Ellie's sleep issues--she wants to be held all. the. time. and I can't say I blame her. The trick is to get her down before she's past the point of no return (anyone else hear the "Phantom" when they read that?). She'll lie there and quietly put herself to sleep. If we wait too long and she's overtired, she needs her paci, which she then patooies and needs reinserted numerous times, and she's overstimulated and can't settle down. Now, to figure out what those signs are...;o)
8. Our thrush is almost gone. Ellie's tongue is pretty much normal colored once more, and I'm feeling SO much better. I'm still not 100%, but nursing is no longer excruciating. Whew.

No milestones.
I love visiting with Jen and her kiddos, but sometimes, being with Miles is bittersweet. You see, he and Han were only six weeks apart in age (he is the elder). I see Miles and I wonder what Han would look like, what she would be doing in school, how fun she would be. :sigh:

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If you could, would you please send positive thoughts and prayers my Aunt Susan's way? She really needs them.

Home Again Home Again

We're home and I'm still without my Mac.  I don't think I realized how much of my life was on that machine.  My calendar (also on my iPhone, thank goodness), my email, my bookmarks, my addresses (as in snail-mail--there are a number of cards I would LOVE to send out), my envelope printing program, ALL my photos, etc.  Gr.  

If you had told me ten years ago I would be this dependent upon a machine, a computer, I would have laughed at you.  Computers were for playing games, and typing reports.  The internet, although around for quite a while, was still not that popular and we only had dial-up so that severely curtailed any browsing I might do.  Now, how in the world did we live in the days before the internet and computers?!?

Ellie smiled at me today.  Yay!  The first one I've received from her that wasn't in her dreams  It was just lovely.  :o)  Lily, Ellie and I are all recovering from our crazy schedule at Jessie's, just as I hope HER kiddos are recovering as well.  They played so hard and dragged each other off routine.  It was fabulous, but boy were Jessie and I wiped out.  

Ellie has also been put on the Gimini for the first time today  She seems to enjoy it, and has spent about fifteen minutes on it in small spurts.  She is currently VERY angry at the hiccups she is dealing with.  It's just not fair, you know.  :oP  

As soon as I have my computer back, I'd LOVE to show you photos of the girlies and Lil's new "Hannah 'do".  

For now, Lil and I are off to inspect the newest flowers and check on our gardens.  :o)  I should have my Mac back by Sunday evening.  Keep your fingers crossed.  

Quick Update

I'm in NOVA visiting Jessie, and without my laptop. My laptop was surrendered to the fine folks at the Apple store Saturday afternoon so they can try to repair my track pad. I've just hijacked Jessie's computer, but won't be browsing or anything. In fact, I have to put Lil down for a nap in just a moment.

We're having a fabulous time visiting. Jess gave Lily a very precious haircut (the "Hannah cut" as I like to think it), and the girls have played nonstop. It's good to have cousins who are close to you in age. :o)

Tonight we'll go to the "Rocking Chair Store" (hello biscuits and chicken 'n dumplin's!) and tomorrow we're to visit a farm. It should be fun for all. :o)

So, until I retrieve my laptop--the withdrawl is killing me--I'm off.

Oh, yes, the thrush is improving. I had considered the gentian violet before we went in. I'm waiting to see what happens. Elle's is already SO much better (her tongue is no longer white...), and I'm feeling better as well. I went through it with both her sisters, so I was fairly certain what I was dealing with. I'm anxious for the day nursing no longer hurts...

Off to put the Lilmeister to bed. Hugs to you all! :o)

Thrush Sucks!

I think that just about covers it. Nystatin for the girlie and me, and ten days of fluconazole for me. OUCH!

The Tale of Rachael and the Fuzzy Footed Rooster

For you, Jaydee. ;o)

My stepfather's mother, Granny Tess, was an old country woman. She was loving, but old and crotchety, and I adored her. She lived on a large piece of property, that had been divvied up and parceled out to each of her children, so Granny was surrounded by family. She lived in a tiny little house that was perpetually 500 degrees inside because she used an old wood cook stove most of the year. Occasionally, in the dead of summer, she would use the electric stove that was parked next to her "fridgederry", but it had to be intensely hot outside for that to happen.

Often, on Sundays, that cook stove would have a pot of chicken soup (with homemade noodles) simmering on top. The chicken? One who's neck she had wrung the night before. Yes, Granny had chickens. Many, many chickens. The chickens themselves were lovely. Those roosters of hers, however, were another story.

Jessie and I would each spend some time with Granny in the summers, helping in her HUGE garden (seriously, it was massive for one lady to deal with, yet she did, getting out to hoe, plant, weed, water, harvest, etc. CRAZY in today's day and age), picking cherries off the numerous black cherry trees (OMG, fresh cherries staining fingers and faces--SO delicious), collecting eggs, and more. We received quite an education staying with Granny Tess. I can honestly say I don't remember watching any TV when we were with her--except for "Hee Haw" on a Saturday night. The rest of the time was spent working working working, and you know what? It was wonderful!

So, about that rooster. The summer I was seven or eight, I spent a number of days with Granny and was of course to help with the chores. She sent me to the hen house to collect eggs, and under normal circumstances, this wouldn't be a big deal. I would go in, collect the eggs that weren't being sat on, shoo off the chickens that were sitting and collect their eggs as well. Granny had quite the eclectic collection of birds, everything from guineas to bantams and all in between, including those fuzzy footed jobbies. I think they were silkies, but I'm not sure.

At any rate, roosters are not always the nicest of birds, and knowing this, I would take a broom with me to run off the nasty critters. Most of the time. On this day, I forgot my broom, but thought surely I would be okay. I made it from Granny's back door to the midpoint in between the hen house and the house, and here came that rooster.

I need to stop here and confess I'm the world's biggest wuss. No, wait, I already told ya'll that back before labor. Okay, so not just a wuss, but a 'fraidy cat of giant proportions as well. Folks, I saw the rooster come strutting towards me and I panicked. He was mean, I tell you. MEAN! He came towards me flapping those wings of his, puffing up his chest, and I panicked. You know that fight or flight response we all have? Mine is typically on "flight", and well, I ran. I tried to book it back to the house, but the dratted bird cut off my escape. With no other choice, I ran to one of the cherry trees and climbed up where I knew the nasty bird couldn't reach me.

And, there I sat, scared of the stupid rooster, and terrified Granny Tess was going to let me have it when I finally made it back inside. Let's face it, a trip to the hen house shouldn't have taken more than 10 minutes, and I had other chores I was to be doing.

Well, I didn't reappear, and Granny thinking I was off being lazy somewhere came out looking for me, found me up in that tree with the rooster under it, and began to fuss at me for being a big girl afraid of a rooster. And, I'll be darned if she didn't reach down, snatch up that rooster and toss him off. The nasty rooster. The one that chased me all over the dratted yard. That rooster. He followed her around as if he were a pet lapdog.

And, there you have it, the story of how I was treed by a rooster. :oP

Photos From Last Night

She has a face! And eyes! ;o) If you click on the photo you can see just how blue her eyes are already getting.

This little lady only awoke twice again last night. She slept from 8:30-about 2:00 and then was up again at 4 and 6. Now, if only I were sleeping from 8:30-2:00...:oP

Now then, let me ask you this: why do babies fight sleep so much when it is obvious they are beyond tired? :shakes head: And how is it my Houdini baby can get her arms out of a swaddle?!? Oy.

Lily nursing her baby Ellie. We didn't have "school" today. It was cold and grey and icky out so we vegged. Some days you just need to veg, you know? So, we watched "Shaun the Sheep" and Lil laughed her head off. It is really funny--even if you have seen the episodes 15 times. ;o)

Dinner was supposed to be "pink chicken" aka Chicken Tikka Masala. Alas, there was no plain yogurt in the house (I buy the big containers of vanilla, not plain...) so I quickly thought up "sumpfing" else (Lil's word). It was breakfast-for-dinner night in our house. I love those nights! Lil had waffles, I had eggs with cheese and bacon and toast, and B made a breakfast burrito from the eggs and bacon.

I LOVE farm eggs. When I as growing up, Granny Tess would send eggs home with us (she had all sorts of chickens, including the terrifying rooster with the fuzzy feet who would chase me around the yard (stupid bird even treed me once!) unless I took a broom out with me, but I digress...), and Papa would get eggs from Louise when he picked up our milk for the week. (Louise's place--there's a story for another time. Oh how I loved it there!) We often had turkey and duck eggs at Papa's as a matter of fact. In fact, I can't much recall buying eggs at the grocery store with him.

Oh, those farm eggs, those delicious, rich, tasty, scratch farm eggs were amazing. The yolks were so rich they were orange, not some pale yellow. :happy sigh: Imagine my delight when I found not one, but three different vendors selling them at the FM. I LOVE opening the boxes for you never quite know what you'll find inside. Tonight's box had blue, green, yellow, cream and deep brown eggs, all with those orange yolks. That photo up there? It hasn't been altered. The eggs were truly that color. And, they were delicious! :o)

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Today's Sparklies:

1. Listening to Lil laugh as she watched Shaun.
2. Holding Ellie while she slept. She'll smile so sweetly in her sleep.
3. Plans to make chocolate chip cookies for our math tomorrow--something to look forward to. :o)
4. That cleft in my girlie's chin:
It's so kissable and cute! You watch, it'll be the one thing she truly can't stand about her appearance.
5. I'm falling in love with Naartjie clothing. I go to their website and just drool. I love to window shop. :o)


No milestones.

Funny Girl

Lil and I had such a fun morning today. We had a Mommy's-preschool-at-home morning, and although this face (and the one after) don't seem happy with me, she was just being silly.

We observed our chrysalises, made observations in our journals, wrote some words and did a math problem. We then read a couple of stories and watched a few Youtube clips of time lapse plant growth and caterpillar metamorphosis.

We also took a short walk on the nature trail. Poor Waylen, he was really dragging when we got home, lying on the floor like an exhausted pooch. :o( He LOVES going for walks, but is now having difficulty breathing so I wonder if I should leave him home. :sigh:

I still cannot believe how big this girl is getting. Yes, she's STILL a peanut (size 3 anyone??), but she's so grown in so many ways. Sometimes I have to remind myself she's ONLY four and to be more patient.

Ellie is growing SO quickly as well. I can't believe she's almost a month old. Where has the time gone? May I just tell you how overjoyed I am that I don't have to go back to work in two more weeks--that I get four months off? I don't know how I would do it. They're still SO little at 6 weeks. I took 8 weeks off with Han and it was still horrible returning to work. :o(

Elle's beginning to have longer awake/alert periods and we're continuing to find our groove. Being so little, there are times she wants to be held more. This afternoon was one of those times. I had planned on cleaning up the kitchen, beginning dinner, and getting the laundry done. Instead, I held my sleeping baby and read a novel. Guess which was more fun. ;o)

Last night's bath was a HUGE success. Lil loathed baths and water up until the day we lost Hannah. Since she was such a hydrophobe, we didn't bathe her much. Ellie? She seemed to really enjoy it:

Look, folks, she does have eyes. :oP


I love this one. You can really see the cleft in her little chin. :o)

She has some BIG eyes, and if she follows her oldest sister's example, they will be HUGE in another month or so. Just you wait and see. :o)

(We lay a washcloth on her tummy to make her feel warmer and secure in the water and it seems to work.)

Last night's routine seemed to work, for the teeny Beanie slept from 8 until 1:30! I'm happy to say I managed to get in a "dream feed" at 10 without awakening her. Woo hoo! We're going to do the same thing this evening and see if we meet with the same success. She was only up twice last night and went right back down after both feeds. My fingers are crossed. :o)

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Today's Sparklies:

1. My garden tour today:
These cleomes' immature leaves look VERY similar to an illegal substance. ;oP

The peas are blossoming. Woo hoo!

Time to harvest some lettuces. Jess, do you need any? I can bring some when I come.

A lily blooming in Hannah's garden.

This plant is littered with buds. I hope it blooms before I leave, and if not, that Brien takes photos for me.

The huchera is blooming like gangbusters.


My callas are bringing me such joy. I'll be purchasing more bulbs next spring, I can promise you that.


I planted glads at the same time I planted the callas. This one is budding. I hope they bloom! I LOVE glads even though so many think of them as "funeral flowers".
2. The chrysalises should be metamorphosed soon.
Don't you just love butterflies?
3. Sleeping beauty. She is such as sweetie pie.
4. Getting out to exercise and walk along our trail again. The woods smelled SO good, there was a sweet breeze, and we saw some deer, some squirrels and lots of birds.
5. The storms this evening that so remind me of the Monkey.

No milestones.
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I'm off to put away the laundry, get the Bit to bed and bathe the baby. I wish you all a fabulous evening and marvelous Thursday.