Day 927: Can Wii Play?

After some negative experiences with other people's video gaming issues, I vowed that we would never own a gaming system in our home.

Then I brought Darling A home from the hospital and saw that my kids clearly need something they can do to stay active while it's super hot outside and I can't take them places.

And I realized that it's basically like we already have one with how much time the spend playing games on HH's phone.

So, HH kindly did the groundwork of researching what exactly we wanted and then purchasing it all.

And today, our Wii arrived on our doorstep.

While it was fun to watch the kids play (minus a few tantrums by perfectionist Sweet P), my true Joyful Moment came in playing it tonight with HH.  I laughed harder and more freely than I have in possibly months.  It felt really good.

And it didn't hurt that I beat him in fencing, canoeing, and frisbee.  He won the bowling.

It was fun just to let loose and have fun for once.  That is something I've felt over the past couple of weeks would never ever come back.

Thanks, HH, for being fun.

Wishing you all Joyful Moments that are just fun!

Day 926: Aftermath

Last night was definitely good for me.

I felt much better for most of today.  Almost like a normal person.

But, there were still those moments.

Fortunately, there were Joyful Moments as well.

Like cuddling and snuggling with my Darling A.  I don't include it as much as I ought to, but those are Joyful Moments every day (and night)!  She is so sweet and precious and I feel overwhelmingly blessed to be her mama.  She's just so cute!

It was also a Joyful Moment to watch my picky eater Little M gobble up tonight's dinner (even though it ended up being a recipe I don't particularly love!).  That's always appreciated.

Wishing you all Joyful Moments among those other moments!

Day 925: Magic Dishwasher

My mama left early this morning.

This is the day I've been having anxiety about ever since bringing Darling A home from the hospital.  Fortunately, HH decided early on to just work from home for the next couple of days as we make the transition.

He does a pretty good job of filling in like my mom did.  But, I'm pretty sure we both miss those hands that magically took care of all the dishes and folded all the laundry.

His ability to do that was definitely a source for Joyful Moments.  And today went okay.  Some meltdowns from Baby B, but not as bad as some other days.

No photos from today, but here's one my mom took last night of my little escape artist trying to get her arms free from her swaddle blanket.

We had a Joyful Moment at her check up this morning when I learned that she's gained nearly a pound in the last 8 days, now weighing in at 8 lbs. 4 oz.  I don't want her to grow too quickly, but it's always nice to know that she's thriving well.

The truth is, I'm learning to come to terms with my feelings about her growing up.  She's our last one, so I've felt this sort of desperation to keep her small and tiny.  But, I realized today that if I get so sad about each growth and milestone she achieves, then I might as well miss her growing up because I'll not be enjoying it.  And really, that's all I can do, since she's going to grow whether I want her to, or not.

Today's Joyful Moment would be going out to dinner with my friends.  It was something I really struggled to do.  HH pretty much had to force me out the door.  And when I pulled up to the restaurant, it took all I had to force myself to blink back the tears and the panic rising and make myself walk inside.  I don't really want to see people I know right now because it's kind of hard to act like a normal person and not reveal just how very much I'm struggling.

But, I also knew that is what would help me the most.

So, I gathered up all my strength and did it.

It was hard not to keep checking the time and fighting the urge to leave early, but I did it.  I stayed.  I even retold my birthing story.  And then, I went home.  And I felt better.  Completely drained, but better.

I may rise out of this black hole yet.

Wishing you all Joyful Moments that are hard, but worth it--and an HH to force you to do what's best!

Day 924: Noises

My mom kept saying that Darling A is a noisier baby than most.  At first, I didn't agree.  But, as time has passed, I do.

I've tried to upload a video my mom took today, but Blogger is being Blogger and won't do it.

And words cannot describe the funny sounds she makes.  But it's been a Joyful Moment all day giggling over them.  She makes almost all of them in her sleep and it's just so funny!

Sorry, you don't get hear.

My other, serious, Joyful Moment today was when HH and Sweet P arrived home this afternoon.  It was Sweet P's third annual surgery to replace the medical implant in her arm treating a health condition.  It was a much smaller deal this year since she wasn't also having a tonsiladenectomy and sinus irrigation like last year.  But, being a mama, I still worry.

She walked in all smiles (she got to watch Return of the Jedi while waiting for the seriously behind surgeon) and hasn't missed a beat since.

Here is a cute photo of a happy Sweet P my mom took tonight.

And then another Joyful Moment was having my mom get to tuck the kids in to bed one last time (they love her silly songs!) when her flight got delayed until the morning.

Wishing you all noisy Joyful Moments!

Day 923: A Bit Too Busy

We did stuff today.  And it was kind of too much.

It's amazing what a production it is to get anywhere.

We had Little M's violin lesson this morning (which we were late to) and then went straight to the Children's Museum.  There were Joyful Moments to be had there.  Especially watching the kids play in the newly improved water exhibit.  And it was so nice to have my mom there to help me keep track of everyone.  But, of course, the kids were disappointed that we couldn't stay longer.  It's hard working around so many schedules now!

And then tonight, after taekwondo, we took the kids fishing.

I should really say, HH took the kids fishing.  My mom was able to help a bit, as far as keeping track of everyone, but HH was really the only one who got each pole ready, helped catch and release each fish (4 or 5 total!), and then start the whole process over again.

I was sitting some distance away with Darling A.  Partly to keep her safe and partly because they were fishing in a bunch of rocks and there was nowhere for me to safely set up a chair.

A fun (albeit hot) family outing.  But, quite possibly the last one of its kind for a while.  We couldn't have done this without Grandma!

Wishing you all Joyful Moments that are more than enough, but not too much!

Day 922: Task Master

Today I woke up with a furious bee in my bonnet to get the house clean.

Lucky for me, I had a lot of help.  My mom did most of the major (and icky) cleaning, like the bathrooms.  Sweet P vacuumed almost the entire upstairs--until she tried to vacuum up a plastic bag and broke the  belt.  And Little M mopped the kitchen.

And I can't tell you what a Joyful Moment having the house in order again was.  Of course, Baby B seems bent on destroying it all, so I know it won't last.  But, it's still nice for today.

Tasting this yummy pasta dish my mom helped me make was another Joyful Moment!

Wishing you all Joyful Moments that make you feel better at least for today!

Day 921: And More Photos

Today was still rough as a carry over from yesterday, but it had its definite good moments.

Like when Baby B woke up from his nap and I was able to just snuggle with him for a while and then read him a book.  It was great to do something so normal.  And I'm really cherishing the chance to do things one on one with each of my kids.  They seem to love it, too.

We finally did a photo shoot with the kids.  I've been wanting to pretty much since Darling A was born, but it was so hard to find a time that would work for everyone.  So, tonight we just made it happen.

It was completely disastrous.  Baby B and my camera were both on strike and I about lost it.  Fifty times over.

But HH made some magic, as only he can do, and were able to get a few decent photos.  Not what I'd envisioned.  But photos I can be happy with.  This was one of the best.

You can't see the cute shirt that says "Little Sisters Rock" on Darling A.  It's cute.

Wishing you all Joyful Moments that are only magical and not at all disastrous!