Is this weekend really over already? They go by SO quickly! Bob was out shoveling snow this morning so the kids and I were on our own for a few hours. The big kids were up in the playroom playing house together and I happened to catch wind of their conversation - posing as husband and wife, of course. First off Peter ran over their baby with his fake car, than Molly got pregnant at the doctors office, the best was when I heard Molly tell Peter that she did not care if he was her husband she was not kissing him on the lips! Molly and I are going have to have a coversation about how one gets pregnant some day but for now I just enjoy when they play together rather than yelling at each other.

The girls look a little bit tired but I loved how they layed on the couch together for so long afte the big kids went to school on Friday.
We were supposed to have a parent observation/santa appearance at Irish Step Dancing before Christmas but, surprise, surprise, it got cancelled du to snow. The make up class was this Friday and an irish elf showed up instead because Santa had gone back to the North Pole. I just love watching Molly dance!

Dancing fools!

My girl is always ready for the next dance!

1st position - how cute is she?

Listening carefully!

Molly practicing her reel!

Molly and Molly Garrahey doing their gallops.

Molly with her gift from the Irish Elf - she looked beautiful and was beaming the whole time - that may have been because Grammy and Papa were there to cheer her on!

Just a few videos of some of Molly's steps. One is the jig and one is a reel but I have no idea which is which so you are on your own. All I know is that Molly knows all of her steps and has a great time at dance class - to me that is priceless!

We had a fun weekend with our Gift Gathering at church, basketball practice, Molly's Yule Log ceremony and finally a birthday party for one of Molly's classmates yesterday. We were running all day but had a great time. Today we spent together at home once Bob got back from shoveling at work - we had a fire and vegetarian chili for lunch - the boys had Chili dogs - and then Molly and I did a little shopping with KK. Thanks to a gift card we received at Christmas time Molly got a beautiful dress for the christening this weekend and Lizzie got a few outfits that she desperately needed in the next size clothing! Next weekend is Lizzie's big day - we can't wait!

GNM - ILY!

Regression!

Annie - our little angel - has started to regress a bit in an effort to get more attention. The problem is that she is so darn cute that we have trouble saying no to her.

Annie Bananie has decided that she likes Lizzie's swing. She loved it as a baby but once she hit 6 months old she would put her hands out and stop the swing so we had to stop using it. She now loves it again and can open it and climb in herself - although not very gracefully!
As you will see, I love this outfit on Lizzie. There is something about the little hand me down pajamas that make her look so tiny and sweet - I'm pathetic and I admit it!

I love how her legs curl up still when she sleeps and every single ultrasound we have of Elizabeth has her with her hands up by her face - it makes me feel like I've known her forever to see her do it still!

Annie moved on to bringing her snack with her to the swing - and, yes, I let her!

The pictures don't show how unbelievably cute Lizzie was but this was her showing us her personality - she was smiling and talking and, once again, the outfit made me want to squeeze her!

A little smile from Lizzie!

Annie got in on the action - what beautiful babies!

Another one!

Molly has an uncanny ability to make Elizabeth smile and she LOVES to spend time doing it! I love to watch her with the babies!

Pasta for dinner last night - enough said!

Beautiful, sleepy, peaceful baby!

She takes my breath away!

Auntie Meg and I spent the day together today - what a treat! She got a chance to bond with her goddaughter and even got Annie out of the house for a while! I love when Auntie Meg drops in!

And now we have moved on to a little nap in the swing today! There is something so special about Annie - she has me wrapped around her little finger - obviously!

The kids finally went back to school and came home happy and full of energy. They defintely needed the structure back in their lives! That's all for now!

GNM - ILY!

Another snow day preceded by another sleepless night. Don't get me wrong - having the kids home was wonderful and the fact that I was on maternity leave and able to spend all of this time with them was terrific but even they're bored at this point. I gave into a pajama/movie day because I was all tapped out on things to do with the big kids. They are all (including a very happy Annie) on my bed with a bowl of popcorn between them right now - I guess there are worse things I could do as a parent!

And now for the sleepless night - Lizzie is, of course, up once a night to nurse. This is actually a nice time for me - I always love the newborn stage and really don't mind being up for an hour with Elizabeth. It is a nice time for us to bond and with all of my kids I treasured the alone time we get in the middle of the night when the whole world is asleep. That being said - I will not cry when Lizzie starts sleeping through the night - especially with my return to work becoming imminent! Poor Annie was up again last night just inconsolable. We went back to the doctor yesterday to find out that after 8 days on the strongest antibiotics Annie now has an ear infection in the other ear - yes, the one that was not infected at the last visit. On top of that it appears that the right ear with the original infection has a perforated ear drum - not a huge issue except that she is no longer really elligible for tubes in her ears and is in excruciating pain! My heart is breaking each time I hold her and try to comfort her - no matter how much Motrin she has she is always hurting! We are now on two antibiotics and will watch her carefully to make sure the perforation heals.

Auntie Beth left on Tuesday morning and I realized that I hardly took any pictures of the kids with her. This is her and the girls after her wonderful day with Annie. It always amazes me that even though Beth is 3000 miles away 90% of the time the kids still feel so bonded to her and are so happy to be with her when she is here! Annie was no exception - dressing up in her dress and fancy shoes, getting her coat the second Beth came in the door and happily leaving with her auntie for a day of fun.

Auntie Beth and Annie Bananie! Annie loved all of the attention she got!


Auntie Beth and Molly - I think they look so much alike in this picture and when I showed Molly she said that Auntie Beth looked beautiful!

Peter with Auntie Beth - even Pete loves to spend time with Auntie Beth - especially when she arranges a time when Uncle Colin is around. According to Pete Uncle Colin is "the coolest dude ever". I love how Pete reacts when Beth comes in the door for the first time after being away for a while - he is so excited to see her!

Auntie Beth and her 4 babies - the H-W kids were extremely lucky to get lots of quality time with Auntie Beth since we won't see her for a while because of tax season!

Yesterday Molly was so helpful with Lizzie. She gave her her bottle.

Molly is such a natural with Elizabeth - she got lots of practice with Annie.

The BEST Big Sister ever!

Later in the afternoon Pete got in on the action holding and loving on Lizzie while I cooked dinner!

This is Lizzie trying to give Peter a kiss!

Later in the day Molly went with Auntie Ann on one of their famous adventures to the cake store and to run errands. Peter and Annie watched a movie on our bed with their 3-D glasses!

Lizzie in my favorite outfit -she won't fit in it for much longer but I love how babyish it makes her look. I also have tons of pictures of Molly and Annie in it!

Annie getting lots of TLC from Auntie Ann after waking up from her nap feeling horrible.

More hugs from Auntie Ann!

Our sweet little naked girl ready for a tubby and getting some loving from Daddy!

Look how strong our girl is....and how beautiful!

Annie was upset that she was not getting a tubby - she had laready had 2 yesterday and was all set in her pajamas!

Bob is out shoveling snow and ice after another sleepless night. Glad its him and not me! Lizzie was 8 weeks old yesterday and what an 8 weeks it has been! She is now smiling all the time, cooing and making noises and holding her head up for minutes at a time. She is such a blessing and so adored by her sisters and brother!

And just one quick anecdote from the day - Lizzie was in her seat near the Tv and I asked Molly how she was doing - her response - "She's staring at the TV like a dead fish." Not sure when the last time Molly saw a dead fish or why she would compare her sister to one but it was sort of cute!

GNM - ILY!

Beautiful Daughters

I was trying to get a good picture of Lizzie for an invitation and ended up having several photo shoots with the girls just because they were all having fun. Lizzie is getting such a great personality - she smiles and coos and loves attention from anyone - especially her brother and sisters. I have been having trouble getting her smiles on camera because I'm either too slow or caught up in the light of her face and forget to snap a picture. I did manage to get a few cute shots!

Elizabeth Mack showing her sweet little personality this morning! This was a smile for Molly!
Auntie Beth is coming to get Annie at noon for some quality time. I asked Annie what she wanted to wear (I was kind of joking because I truly didn't think she cared about that stuff yet) and she pointed right to the dresses hanging in her closet. Once she was dressed in her pretty pink dress she twirled around and acted all girlie. Then she stood at the door looking for Auntie Beth - Whoops - I forgot how literal she is!

Annie dressed right down to a bow in her hair and waiting for Auntie Beth!

Pretty girl ready for her playdate!

Last night Molly and Lizzie posed for a picture!

Uncle B gave Lizzie this adorable little basket for Christmas so we had the great idea of using it for a few photos - she was very cooperative and a great subject!

Lizzie Mack looking cute!

I love this one - how sweet is this baby?

Tired girl in a basket - what a mean Mommy!

Molly gets in on the fun with Lizzie!

Trying to get a smile on camera!

My beautiful girl with her Lizzie face on!

And Lizzie at another angle!

Annie and Lizzie posing for Mommy!

So that's it - not much to report. Annie was up al night again crying so her ears are not improving with the 3rd try at antibiotics - I guess we'll see what the docs say on Monday. It is awful to watch her suffer so I am hoping that we are able to get more proactive soon.

Peter and Molly have a few more days of vacation left but we are going to revert back to our old schedule of early to bed and early to rise to help them adjust when they have to go back to school on Wed. We have a had a wonderful time letting them stay up late and all hanging out in the morning - sometimes I feel like all we do is eat dinner and get ready for bed because our kids go to bed so early during the school week - it was nice to have so much time with them at night during vacation!

I'm off to go grocery shopping and do some reorganizing in the kitchen!

GNM - ILY!