One thing to check off my list...maybe ;)

One of the few things that we are doing to prepare for baby #3 is rearranging the sleeping arrangements around here. Depending on many things, I may switch bedrooms around in a year or so, but for the time being, Amelia and Leo will soon be roommates. In preparation for this big change, I have been pushing the subject alot lately. So much, it seems, that they both started asking to sleep in each other's rooms. The other night we put Amelia on Leo's floor and, within minutes, Leo was in the kitchen telling me something other than "goodnight, Mommy, I will see you in 12 hours." Amelia went back in her room, Leo was quite sad and his first words in the morning were, "want to sleep with Amelia." So, I guess my exhaustion got the best of me when they asked me again tonight and I said "yes". An hour of Amelia's door opening and little footsteps finally came to an end and they both are sound asleep. Well, Amelia did just get up and need some milk, but that isn't so abnormal. And, not to worry, I am not so delusional to think I will be getting any sleep tonight. It will all be worth in the end...I hope!

My Pride and Joy

We listen to the Mary Poppins pretty much everytime we get into the car. If Leo indulges us, we can usually get through most of the beginning before we requests his alltime favorite, "Step in Time". What usually happens is the second the song is over, it is requested again. The funny thing is, I never really knew any of the songs after because we usually repeated it a gazillion times. A couple of weeks ago, Leo didn't notice the song was over and it actually went to the next song...and the next!! All of a sudden, both kids errupted in song like I have never heard before. There have been classics like Do-Re-Mi and Di Di Anu, but "Let's go fly a kite" is my absolute favorite. As you will see, my smiles usually turn to giggles and I cant keep the camera straight. I also have a HUGE tummy and have a hard time turning around, but it is worth it. Amelia wasn't at her best and it took Leo a minute to get it together, but the finale was great. I am going to keep the camera in my car and hope to get a better rendition in the next week or so. After a day of bloody faces, tantrums, soar throats and just alot of whining, I have a feeling I will be watching this video a few times more before I head off to bed.

Good thing we dont have scratch and sniff...

Yesterday was Amelia's trip to Lambs Farm with her class. Tante took Amelia and Ari and I met them after Leo's class and Bubbie met us there after her class. Lucky for me, Amelia was hungry when I got there and we only had to see a few more (stinky) animals before lunchtime. The idea of it is very nice, but the reality is kind of smelly.

What a relief...

Leo has been protesting getting a haircut since he stopped crying from the last one in February. It has been discussed at many a family dinner, just how we are going to get his locks cut. I made a huge attempt in April, for Pesach, and just couldn't go through with it, his racing heart told me that it just wasn't that important. I had gotten lots of advice, the best of which was to cut his hair while he was sleeping and when he fell asleep on me for 3 hours a week ago, it definitely crossed my mind.

Whatever the reason was, Leo decided that today was the day. A promise to get ice cream with M&M's and playing at McDonald's probably helped, but there have been "promises" before and nothing has worked. I will take some credit that I know my son just a little and could tell before we actually walked in that everything would be ok. Let's hope this phase has passed and I don't ever have to see that crazy long hair again.

Ironically, Amelia begged to get a haircut today, but that will have to wait until next week...

Priceless

While I would have much preferred to have the kids in bed by this time (9:00pm!!!), they decided to start playing nicely which gave me the opportunity to do a few dishes...oh, and take these priceless photos.

My Mother's Day Gift...Everyday

If you spend an hour with me and my kids, it will be quite clear to you exactly why I have these dark circles around my eyes. It will also be clear to you that I have a love for these kids that is unimaginable. As tiring as is it to be around them, I have a hard time being away from them...and this is why ;)

The last few days were almost crazy enough to believe...

Thursday morning, Amelia woke up with a slight fever. By noon, it was 102.3 - the highest fever she has ever had. She had the fever for two days, but the Motrin definitely seemed to help here - what do you think???



Bubbie was around to help with the sickie and always made herself available when Leo needed someone to lay on while eating his popsicle - it's a tough job...right, Bubbie??



After 2 days with a high fever and an eventual soar throat, Amelia was diagnosed with one ear infection, something "brewing" in the other one, and a "river of phlem running down the back of her throat". Even though her fever was down and she had started her medicine, Amelia apparently needed to take a 3 hour nap, most of which was ON ME. The craziest part was that Leo fell asleep before Amelia did, after a major meltdown and while sitting with me and eating his cereal. After a few shifts, he ended up in this comfy position...well, comfy for him, anyway. I can't complain, I just wish I had had a book or something ;)




Today has been an interesting Mother's Day, kind of like every other Sunday with a couple of new DVDs and a cute card. Danny was working on some house stuff (so handy!) and I was making dessert for tonight when Amelia started playing with her dolls. How she comes up with these things, I'll never know, but like I always say, "as long as they are quiet...I don't care what they are doing". Who needs to be able to open the front door, anyway?

As close to a zoo as we were going to get

If you could believe it, this morning Amelia and Leo were looking through the blog and came across pictures from our trip to Lincoln Park Zoo. From that minute on, Leo was determined to go to the zoo to see some animals. Since we couldn't get to the zoo today, we found a nice little nature center in Evanston, Ladd Arboreteum, that had a bunny, some turtles, snakes, and lots of fish. The kids were satisfied and I am sure we are going to be popping in there from time to time when we are in the neighborhood. Bubbie came along, we did some food shopping, picked up Noah from school and ended up making a day out of it. Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to collapse...