So Dave is home safe and sound and all is suddenly right in the world again (aside from a chorus of stuffy noses and sneezes going on around here all day). We are laden down with some great Chinese knock-offs he brought home for us and he’s even almost over his jet lag already.

Despite really missing Dave we did a lot while he was gone and the kids were so helpful and great. (Except for Lucy who is going through detox I think. She’s totally irritable from withdrawals from her favorite foods and she just can’t understand why she can’t be our little vacuum to finish up the little girl’s dinner leftovers anymore. Poor girl.) Among other things we
-cleaned out cupboards
-went on some great walks to enjoy the gorgeous weather
-had some fun movie nights
-I diagnosed Elle with strep throat and she took charge of her antibiotics and got over it quick
-I went to two baby showers
-had two photoshoots
-the kids helped me put on my book club spread at our house and for the first time really seemed to grasp that it would be fun to sit and discuss a book (they begged with all their hearts to stay up). We (the book club) had read The Alchemist and had such a great discussion about it.
-Grace had “the best day ever” at school after having a long succession of “worst days ever” in a row…a big highlight for all of us
-I let the three older girls take turns sleeping with me each night. I got lots of sleep the nights Elle was my bed companion…she sleeps like a rock. Not so much sleep went on with Grace and Clarie though. Man those girls are thrashers and sleep-talkers.
-I got to go with my two cousin-in-laws to get pedicures for one of their birthdays. Happy Birthday Kara!!
-we had a completely impromptu “polar bear” swim party with the fifteen extra kids over at our house one day (yes, I did say fifteen extras, and no, I’m not exaggerating). These kids were crazy. It must have been so icy in there.One of the most exciting things while Dave was gone, though, was that Lucy took two steps. We were all so delighted for her we could hardly stand it. Max sat there dreamily with a big smile on his face and said, “I’m going to remember this day forever.” And because of that sweet remark, I’m going to remember that moment forever too. I think Lucy being a late walker is sent directly from Heaven to help me get over the fact that my last baby is starting to walk. If she would have walked at a year (or even earlier) I would have probably been a complete basket case (she’s growing up too fast, blah blah blah). But because we’ve been so worried about her and cheering her on as she progresses those steps were a huge milestone. Now she won’t do it again, but deep down we know she can do it. And that’s a big deal.

Elle became my running companion last week too. She was the only one who wanted to go running with me on Saturday morning and we had such a great time. She is such a good runner and hung in there right by me the whole time. The weather is amazing and I love that we have a riparian preserve and so many horse properties around here. Elle and I soaked in the beautiful horses and stopped to wonder about how strange emus are when we came across one of them.

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11 Comments

  1. Congrats on Lucy’s big move! I always let my kids take turns sleeping w/ me, too. It helps when Dad is gone.
    So…on another note, what do I need to do to “book” you for some shots of my kids? 🙂

  2. Way to go, Lucy! You’ll have to post a video of her walking once she gets the hang of it 🙂 And based on your post, I think I’m aiming WAY too low with my expectations of what someone can get done without a spouse around! I wonder if we did a study whether women are MORE productive w/out hubbies and men might be LESS productive w/out wives? Hmmm… Though, in all fairness, the last time I came home from a trip Tony had some major house projects completed!

  3. Fun Fun update!! I love living so close to the Riparian. We actually go over there quite often.

    We had a little polar plunge of our own on Saturday night.

  4. Whoo…hoo for Lucy! I’m sure this is the first of many steps. She’s lucky to have big sibs to be her lookouts. I LOVE the Alchemist (I did it for our book group). I love that his treasure was in his backyard the whole time–great concept to keep in mind. I haven’t set up blogspot blog yet–was attempting to do a .mac one, but I’m such a novice. Here’s my email – TamiFSmith@cox.net. Hugs…

  5. Yeah for Lucy! She has always had so many helpers why would she want to walk. I dont want that cute little thing to grow cause I know how sad it is. Bronson is 5 which is so sad for me. My gigantic baby! I am also loving the weather. I have to get out for a bit everyday and soak it all in. Why does the nice weather go so fast?

  6. Oh I just love reading your blog. I look for it everyday. You are such an amazing mother (and gifted writer)and just have about the cutest family ever. So glad Lucy took her steps! That is so exciting!

  7. Shawni,
    Some random musings…
    I love picturing you jogging around with your camera, and taking pictures of all the “wildlife”
    Yay! for Lucy- agree with Nichole, she probably never really had to walk because you have so many helpers.
    What did you think of the Alchemist? It’s on my list.
    We ran in to Jen and Del the other night at Target, their girls are beautiful and hilarious. Your pictures are fab.
    Troy teasingly asked me what I did to offend you so that you kicked us off of your blog. I told him it’s probably because it doesn’t qualify as a “blog” ha.
    Oh- you’ll appreciate this- I got released from the Primary presidency finally! Surprisingly shed a couple of tears…
    I hope you guys get over the sniffles quick-
    Let’s get together soon…

  8. Shawni,
    Some random musings…
    I love picturing you jogging around with your camera, and taking pictures of all the “wildlife”
    Yay! for Lucy- agree with Nichole, she probably never really had to walk because you have so many helpers.
    What did you think of the Alchemist? It’s on my list.
    We ran in to Jen and Del the other night at Target, their girls are beautiful and hilarious. Your pictures are fab.
    Troy teasingly asked me what I did to offend you so that you kicked us off of your blog. I told him it’s probably because it doesn’t qualify as a “blog” ha.
    Oh- you’ll appreciate this- I got released from the Primary presidency finally! Surprisingly shed a couple of tears…
    I hope you guys get over the sniffles quick-
    Let’s get together soon…

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