But, y'all have taught me something today, just do it! If I read a blog, I'm going to comment once in a while. I'm going to let the folks know I'm there. I don't think any of you who commented and introduced yourselves today are strange, I just think you're friendly and brave for comment. I figure other bloggers will feel the same, right? Why not? What do I have to lose?
So, thank you guys for coming out of the woodwork and saying hi. You've inspired me! :o)
In other news, we're having a bit of trouble around here. Lil is becoming very easily frustrated with her sister (classmates, parents, people in general) and is snapping out and growling out and other such behaviors that aren't necessarily appropriate to the location. I know part of it is Ellie really is frustrating to Lil (I know I would be frustrated if someone was biting and hitting me and pulling my hair), and part of it is exhaustion. The child is still having a miserable time falling asleep (same routine every. single. night. and she fights sleep) and then is wide awake at 7 no matter what. When she's uber tired she's more likely to lash out (it's NEVER physical).
Swimming has definitely thrown a spanner in our evening routine. Whereas before we'd be having a bath at 6:45, now she's just getting in and we're having supper. My routine is off so the family's routine is off and we're trying to find our way. The most frustrating part about it is by the time we're settled into a new routine, it'll be summer and swimming will be at 8:00 instead of 5:45 so we'll be getting into a new groove. Oh well.
Meanwhile, Ellie has decided she's a runner. She thinks it's a fun game to run away from me and races towards streets and parking lots. Two times today I've had to chase after her, calling out "STOP!!" and "NO!!!" and she just keeps going. She's scared me to death and I'm trying to figure out the best way to correct this.
Honestly, no two kids are ever the same, are they? Just when you've got one figured out and think to yourself (rather smugly), "Excellent. I can do this when so-and-so does it." Only so-and-so never does it, do they? ARGH! Instead, they find some other way to stress you out. Kids. Never a dull moment.
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Sparklies:
1. A lovely conversation with Lil's teacher this evening. T's tragedy has folks thinking of us as well and checking on us.
2. Low humidity. Ahhh.
3. Hearing Lil's enthusiasm and excitement about her trip with B.
4. TJ's. That's all. Love 'em.
5. Chatting with Dani this afternoon. I LOVE catching up! :o)
No milestones.
27 comments:
I'll delurk for you! I've been reading for years. I don't know if I've commented before but I surely missed you last week when you went dark. I get a kick out of your girlies' stories. My two kiddos are teens now and while they are amazing, beautiful, wonderful kids, they aren't those sweet toddler/little ones anymore. I miss those ages, even though those times were trying too. They are trying now, but in a different way. ;-)
Rach, I do try to leave a comment when I visit a blog.
As for little girls who decide they are runners..... oh, been there. done that. got the scars to prove it. In my day - a harness was the only thing. It seems little girls become deaf at that age, too :-)
Low humidity... oh yeah!
I'm loving that Lil got to have her Daddy time this weekend.
Hugs
Jaydee
Hey Rach - I still check in from Blacksburg every day! We've not met yet, but I hope we will one day! I met Jess through J05 when she was in town one day, and have loved reading about your family ever since! Maybe one of these days when I'm down your way or you're up my way we can get the kiddos together!
I have also been reading your blog for years and like others, have never left a comment. I really enjoy your insight on so many subjects. I enjoy watching your girls grow up through your eyes. Thank you so much for sharing you and your family with all of us. You inspire us all. (I am glad I finally had the courage to leave a message...)
Sharon
So glad to be able to read your blog again. I feel like you are my next door neighbor and love all the big and little events of your daily life you share with all of us. You are loved by so many and I was concerned about how you were after T's drowning. Prayers have been lifted up for you and for T's family. Lynn H. Newport News, VA
I'm also a long-time reader, but infrequently comment. You write honestly and openly about all of your girls, and I find your writing compelling. I love hearing about your little girls now and my heart clings to your poignant memories of Hannah.
I've not lost a child, nor do I live anywhere close to you. I can't remember how I came across your blog. My own life has a different, difficult story involving my young husband and a rare illness. I find "aha" or "yes, yes" moments when I read blogs of people, like yourself, who are dealing with their life taking quite a different path from the original plan. You are brave to share here, and please know that your positive attitude is a great inspiration to me. I hope that you are feeling yourself start to come up on the yo of life. I'm sure that the loss of T was painful beyond words.
Betsy
Oh boy - I feel your pain as Anwyn was a runner. I still remember the time she ran back through security at the airport - THAT was fun. It is likely not a popular option but, for her safety and my sanity, we ended up using a tether/harness (or leash as some people scathingly called it) until she learned to stop. Whatever you decide - good luck!
I was so excited to get you back! I was actually in tears when it said you went private. It felt like I lost a friend. I've been reading for years and you helped me get through my son's cancer diagnosis in 2008. Your stages of grief from Hannah's death were similar to my grief of my son's cancer diagnosis (he is doing well). I experience YOs and I'm so glad I have a way to describe them because of you! I'm not sure how I initially found you, but I'm so glad I did!
Glad to see you back. I love love love the Nats picture and so glad she had such a great day. My boys love going to games, even Aidan who isn't much of a baseball fan.
Just wanted you to know I've been thinking of you and am happy to see your words and pictures again. Your blog is definitely one of my not so guilty pleasures. :)
First off, I had Ellie's exact Gymbo shirt for Kate! I love seeing it again in this pic. Kate had Gymber everything. How I wish I would have saved all of her clothes.
Our girls are so very similar. Hal harasses Kate until she flips out. It's so out of character for Kate.
When Hal was Ellie's age she would run from me. Once I had to grab her by her pigtail because it's all I could reach before she ran into traffic. Egads!
Hello! I've been following your blog since the Gdiapers post a couple years back, but haven't ever commented. I figure now is as good a time as any- I'm glad you're back! I've found we have some things in common- I'm a teacher, and my son is a month younger than your Ellie. Anywho, just wanted to finally say "Hi!" :)
K was a runner. Just ask the local grocery. I think they had K's face posted near the time clock. She wasn't a traffic runner or one to dash out in a public crowded place. Still, dang near gave me a heart attack several times.
I'm glad that you've had a bit of delurking going on!
As far as Lil is concerned, K can get more on edge, snappy, whiny and such. School is wrapping up, school schedules are out of whack and so forth. Lil and K are a bit more tuned to kids around them and I know K can be affected by children falling apart. Give reprogramming two weeks. By the end of June for you, all should be straightened out. I feel your pain.
Hi Rach,
I'll agree with the harness idea...we had the cute little ones with puppies on them, and they were lifesavers. They actually gave my girls more independence because they could "explore" without being in a stroller or without me holding their hands so tightly it was uncomfortable. Plus, if I were holding two 2-yr-old hands I couldn't do anything else, but with the harnesses I could just put the loops over my wrist and still have my hands free! :)
Hope you're having a great week and the weather is still good...here it was raining and in the 50s today...ick!!
Rach. Missed you and your amazing writing last week and was sad to think you were permanently "dark". I have commented only a few times (once to suggest you post on Anna Donaldson's blog). I admire you so much, your attitude, your thought provoking views. Oh, and your recipes....love those..
XOXO, Annie
I am so glad that I'm able to visit you again. I know I only comment rarely, but I am an almost daily reader. You are a talented writer with a wonderful family. I feel like we could be neighbors. I was so worried that something dreadful had happened, and I am so sorry to find out that something dreadful had happened..... hugs to you Rach and prayers sent to the family of the young man
Time for me to ay "hello!" too. I'm not sure how or when I found your blog, but I check in a couple of times a week now. I also have 3 girls, and we love the CW! Almost moved there a year or two ago due to hubby's job, but ended up further south (Charleston,SC area).
Anyway, I am always amazed at how much you accomplish in a day. You definitely motivate me!
Jen
Another long-time reader de-lurking to say "glad to see you're back". Hugs for your family and T's family.
I agree with the harness.
Hi there! Although this is the first I've commented, I've been reading your blog and watching your family grow and change for a few years now. I live in Vermont, but went to college in Virginia, so your great descriptions of life there bring back wonderful memories. I'm glad you've been weathering the storm of the past week with equanimity. You're a pretty amazing person with a beautiful family!
<> The weather has been awesome
I've commented only a couple of times in the almost five years I've been coming to your blog (I found you only days after Hannah's accident) - your wonderful Hannah has introduced my daughter Molly to Fancy Nancy, and all things sparkly and has kept both my kids safer in the water. I sent you a sparkly green dragonfly for Hannah's tree a few years ago, and have one like it on my tree too, so I think of Hannah every Christmas - she would be only a little older than my son. I have loved watching Lily and Ellie growing up, and I truly enjoy your personality and your take on life in general. You have lifted me up when my mood is dark, and I have worried for and about you when your yo is down. When you went dark last week my heart sank at the thought of no more you and Lily and Ellie! I am so glad you are doing ok, and wanted to introduce myself officially - hi, I'm Dana and I truly enjoy your blog!
I already delurked, but I wanted to say I got a Sun Gold tomato plant this year solely because of how you described them :)
Another lurker coming out of the wood work! I've been reading your blog for a couple of years now and was surprised to realize how sad I was last week when I thought I wouldn't be able to follow along anymore. I am glad I checked back today. Totally understand why you went dark.....but soooo glad to see you back!
Through Jaydee I found your blog, and through yours, I found Anna's. In all three writings I find beauty, insight, wisdom, inspiration, humour, and I learn profound lessons. Thank you for reminding us (me!) ever so gently how much leaving a comment means to the writer.
I was quite busy last week, helping out with my youngest grandson's (messy, smelly, explosive, need I go on?) bout with the flu, and so I missed your 'dark' time. I'm very glad (but not surprised) that you had so many people reach out to care for you.
I have left a comment before but it has been awhile. I was near tears when I thought you had gone away, so glad you came back.
When my oldest two children where 3 and 1.5 I started a game in the back yard of freeze. if they frozen they got a m&m or a sticker or a kiss something to make it fun. pushed it over to stores/zoo. it worked for us~ then. i now have a 2year old(and two teenagers) and so far he could care less for the game.:)
good luck! Heart in ohio
Hi! So glad to see you back!! I was worried when you went black...felt like I lost a friend, although you have no clue who I am! So here I am....reader since November of last year (I only remember since I marked that page as a favorite instead of the home page of the blog! NOT tech savvy!) I too have a runner (18 mos.) who looks at me and smiles when I say "No" then keeps going. Such an angel!! I also have a 5 year old who is brilliant and active and outgoing, but has lately been VERY emotional! What gives???? She is usually so very level-headed and reasonable! I think our new summer schedule is to blame as well. Need to work on it for the next few weeks. Just add it to the list!
Anyway... so glad you are back. I love your blog, and hearing similar stories of your kids' antics.
Melissa S.
Hi
I have never commented on your blog but found it through another one. 10 weeks ago my 3 year old little boy died unexpectedly in his sleep. I have spent night after night reading your blog, and I have hope that I can live as you do, you inspire me to be able to go on with my life. I just keep remembering you saying you choose to live. I think you are amazing. xxx
Hi Rachel,
I too am a longtime lurker, I have commented once on your blog when E was born. We both have the most wonderful taste in choosing names I have an Eleanor Jane, and she is about to turn six.
I cannot imagine what you have been feeling these past few weeks, I was worried when you went dark, selfishly I am glad you are back and happy you have wonderful peeps in your life to help you get through.
xoxo
A Yankee fan
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