20 Months

Miss Sarah Elizabeth, you are 20 months old today (well, it's after midnight, so 20 mos 1 day, but let's not get technical) and approaching the "Terrible Two's" fast. At some point in recent weeks you have perfected your "foot stomp" and your "do-it-now-glare", but have yet to figure out that doesn't work around here. Usually your "do-it-now-glare" turns into an "eyes-look-downward-stare" after I give you the "look". I think you keep hoping it's going to work its magic one day, so you're not ready to give it up. That's okay, I have outlasted kids before you and I can outlast you. Like others before you, you will learn........how about we make a deal that it's sooner rather than later, eh?

If there is music playing we can find you there dancing. You have the cutest little hip sway. The faintest sound of music will have you running. Many people have stopped to watch you as you boogie to the beat. One time in the grocery store you were dancing in your seat while two older ladies were watching and smiling, which only adds to your pleasure. You are quite the ham.

There are so many things about you that I wish I could bottle up and remember. I love the way you will put your hand up high to wave and say, "Hi!" to everyone you see. It's especially funny when you do it to your sister Charlotte when she comes down from her nap. She is usually grumpy when she first wakes up, but that doesn't stop you. There you are, in her face, saying, "Hi....hi.....hi", waving away until she acknowledges you, which she usually does with a big laugh. I get the biggest kick out of walking in a room with you that is full of people and everyone chuckling at you waving and saying hi to them. You would make a great politician! There hasn't been a stranger yet that you've shyed away from.

Lately people have been commenting on your growth. It seems they think you've "shot up", but I'm not really sure. You are still wearing 18 mos, although 24 mos aren't looking quite as big on you anymore. The sandals (sz 6) that were big on you in May are now getting small, so it looks like your onto a sz 6.5 now. If I had to guess I'd say you weigh around 25 lbs. A few people have asked us recently if Charlotte and you are twins (because we sometimes dress you alike), but you are still much shorter than her, although I guess you are gaining. It will be interesting to see how you progress.

As for your likes and dislikes.........foods you love: food. Seriously, you are one of my best eaters. You certainly give Maggie (my official "best eater") a run for her money. You are willing to try anything and more times than not like it. Such a pleasure after having to deal with Miss Charlotte-I-Don't-Like-Anything-You-Put-In-Front-Of-Me child. It is a pleasure to share my vegetables with you ; ) There really isn't anything you dislike. The only real dislike you have is being told "No", and well, that's too bad because it's going to keep happening. Sorry, kiddo.

Remy asked me today when we were going to have another baby. It seems he thinks you are too old to be the baby. What do you think? I think you rather enjoy being doted on. And that's a good thing 'cause we all enjoying doting on you!

My sweet Sarah Beth.......I love you always and forever

Has Anyone Seen My Energy?

This weekend was a busy one. At least it felt like it (coming from one who is tired when she wakes up in the morning; so take it all with a grain of salt) to me. Jeff's job has him working on weekends since they are the busiest times, so it's not in our best interest for him to take off. It has to be for something big. Like a Buffet Cruise. With my sisters. And some friends. No, Jimmy Buffet was not there, but a guy strumming his guitar sounded close enough for me. All I know is I didn't have to cut up anyone's food and I was able to finish a sentence without interruption. It was all good. The weather was perfect and a beautiful night to be out on the.....er.....Delaware River. So it wasn't the Florida Keys, but did I mention I finished a sentence (or five?) without interruption?

Yesterday we had a storm blow through. It was perfect timing; just as I was trying to get the girls down for a nap.....so I could nap clean the house. Have I mentioned we all sleep with fans on for white noise? Ya'll realize fans don't work without electricity? Let's not forget my first paragraph here.....the Buffet Cruise where I didn't get home until midnight? And Jeff works weekends, so we have to go to Mass at 9am.......which means getting up at 7:30. I really needed to nap clean the house. After hoping for a half hour the power would come back on and I could salvage their naps, I gave up. They said 4 pm and at 4:15 I called again only to hear it would be back on at 7 pm. That would be almost 6 hours.......I decided to call Jeff and ask him to come home to turn on our generator. The fridge was already starting to feel warm and I really didn't want to throw out any food. Of course the lasagna I had planned for dinner was out so I took the kids to Wendy's. Yes, Wendy's. I know, they were crushed.

My knight in shining armor came home and hooked everything up, including my bedroom fan so I could take my much needed nap, especially now that I had a migraine come on. And yes, of course the power came back on fifteen minutes after he had all the extension cords running all over the house; how did you know? It was a long day, but I'm thankful I woke up migraine free!

I'm still waiting for my power to come back on, though. I have a ways to go, me thinks!

Happy Dance

I'm doing the "Happy Dance" here, and hopefully will be for awhile! A great stresser has been lifted and I'm so thankful to the Lord for all His blessings. A prayer was answered and it's time to celebrate.

So, come on; what are you waiting for? Shake, shake, shake......shake, shake, shake....shake your bootie! Shake your bootie!

Dance with me!! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

Dear Blog

Please don't be mad at me because I hardly ever visit. It's not that I don't love you. Honest. I want to come and visit with you daily, but these kids of mine have other plans. You see, they want me to visit with Mr. Beachchair so they can hang out with Mr. Pool. I know come August they will be tired with Mr. Pool and want to catch up with Mr. T.V., so I'm hoping we won't be apart for much longer. I hope you can hang in there without me for just a little while longer.

Love,
Me

PS-It's not just you that I'm finding it difficult to visit; it's also Mr. Mrs. Shower. In this heat he she is someone I most definitely should not be ignoring, which is why I found the time to visit with her (is it weird I just can't call him her Mr. Shower.....what with being naked in there, and all? Come to think of it I'm sure it is a female. Who else would do all that cleaning?) tonight. At midnight. When I really should've visited with her this morning. Yeah. I know.

Birthday Girl X 2

Dear Maggalicious,

Despite my crying, pleading, and bribing you not to get older, you went ahead and turned five years old today. I think Charlotte and you are in cahoots. The both of you keep insisting you can't stay little forever since that isn't how God made you. Hmpf. I guess all I get are photos and memories to remember these days. It goes so quickly. The funny thing is, I think you would stay little if you could just to make me happy, you are just that sweet. My heart swells with love when I think of you and how precious you are to me. You truly fit the saying "Sugar and spice, and everything nice." Watching you with your little sisters and seeing how patient you are with them, brings tears to my eyes. You will be a fantastic mommy one day! So loving and kind you are; I could learn some things from you. The overly sensitive side you have I've already mastered. When your eyes fill with tears and you say to your offender, "You hurt my feelings.", it takes me back to my own childhood, only you have the guts to speak up. Please don't loose that confidence; it's one of the many things we love about you.

Today was a great weather day and we spent it at the pool club. It was so fun to watch you as you made your candy necklace, played with the playdoh, and got your face painted. Of course your little sidekick was right beside you every step of the way. Coming home and having your birthday dinner of Chinese food (girl after my own heart!) was the perfect ending to a perfect day.

It has been my pleasure, and for sure my honor, to call you my daughter. As much as I wish you could stay little forever, I really am looking forward to what the future holds. You are such a blessed little girl and I know we will see great things from you!

Happy Birthday, Maggie! May the Lord watch over you today and always!

Love,
Mommy

Birthday Girl

Dear Charlotte Rose,

You are 3 years old today. We're going to pick up Alexa and Shannon and head to the pool club. While we're there you will remind me, over and over, how big you are getting. My pleading with you to stop growing means nothing to you. All you do is giggle and smile, saying, "Mom, I can't stop growing; God made me this way!" *sigh* Indeed He did, but did He have to move it along so fast?

It's amazing to me that you are only turning three. Sure, size wise you are right on target (maybe even a tad bit small), but that brain of your's! The questions that you ask; jokes that you get; sports that you can play; bikes and scooters that you can ride; all of it beyond your years. There have been many times another mom will turn to me and say, "How old is she, again?" with a confused look on their face, as they watch her out run, out jump, or out smart their four year old. We're used to it, but I can remember when you were just four months old having that same confused look on my face when I realized everything you understood at such a young age. My dear child, you haven't slowed down at all. Whether it's because you are our fourth child trying to keep up with your older siblings (I suspect that's a big part of it) or just naturally smart, you really keeps us on our toes.

Along with turning three comes the 3yo-whine-instead-of-talking faze I so look forward to with you children. How about we make a deal and you just skip it and move right along to the more obedient age of four? You were trying it out this past weekend and you saw that I didn't like it, so just drop. Now. Okay, sweetums? It's not a pretty momma when her face contorts into all kinds of weird ways, right? That's what happens when mommy's ears hear that and it travels to her brain making her face strange.

Tonight's dinner is your choice, as is the tradition around here on birthday's. Do you know what you picked? Chickens and cheeseburgers, and french fries, of course. A la Wendy's. I'm shocked.....not. There are very few things that you are willing to eat. They include: cereal, pancakes, pb&j or pb&fluff, Wendy's, mini pizzas, grapes, apples, bananas, and just about anything sweet. Oh, yeah, it's fun to serve you meals. My favorite part of the day is when I put your dinner plate in front of you. It makes my heart swell with pride when I hear, "Thanks mom, for this delicious dinner." Oh, wait, that isn't what I hear; usually it's, "But I don't like this dinner." And from there you will dig in your heels and refuse to even try a bite. If we look under stubborn in the dictionary, your picture is there.

It's amazing how fast the years have gone by, and equally amazing how much you have brought into my life! I am so looking forward to watching you grow in the years to come. Well, little birthday girl, it's time to head to the pool, where I am sure you will tell everyone you come into contact with that "'I'm the birthday girl!" and they will all smile and wish you a Happy Birthday. May the Lord watch over you today, and all the days of your life!