The Joys of Parenthood

Last thursday night brought with it yet another bug of the vomit-inducing kind.

Poor baby M!

13 times in 12 hours.

Of those 13 times? 9 of them were on me.

I don't just mean I was holding him at the time. I mean it quite literally landed somewhere on my person. I had to change my shirt/pants/sweatshirt/undershirt 9 times, and even had to change my bra once.

*sigh*

Oh, the joys of parenthood.

The New Year

Honestly, I don't often think about January 1st being a time to start over, make resolutions, make changes. Being married to a teacher (and having worked in a school for seven years before staying home with my kids), I tend to think of years in school years, with September being the start of a "new year."

But this year, January definitely marks the start of something new for me. After losing Mr. Einstein's grandfather on Monday, this January, this New Year, has made me realize just how important memories are.

And how even more important documenting those memories is.

This is Mr. Einstein's grandfather with M. It was taken just this last Christmas, the Christmas we weren't originally planning on going home for.

Mr. Einstein's grandparents have lots of great-grandchildren, but only two great-grandsons. Of those two great-grandsons, only one carries on the family name.

M.

So this photo? This memory? Is one I know I will treasure for this new year and for always.

Entered in An Island Life's January photo contest on The New Year.

In Loving Memory

Mr. Einstein's grandfather passed away on Monday.

With E.

With C.

With M.

He was adored.

He was beloved.

He is greatly missed.

Dear Nasty Vomit-Inducing Bug

Dear nasty vomit-inducing bug running rampant through my house,

Stay away from me.

I'm serious! Stay away from me. I don't want you.

You brought down my sweet, cuddly 2 year-old C first. And while she was sleeping! Shame on you! If you care, she's mostly better now, thankyouverymuch.

Next, you struck my husband. Right before school started back up again. You kept him home, and underfoot, for two days. Two days! That was just mean of you.

And last night? Last night you showed how truly cruel you are. You got to both E and M within an hour. An hour! Two kids! What were you thinking? Are you really that devious of a bug? That was low, bug. That was low.

So, now that you've infected four helpless victims in my house, I'm asking you nicely, begging you on my knees, to leave me alone.

LEAVE ME ALONE!!!

Because it's no fun for anyone when momma gets sick.

So, bug, please be a doll and leave me alone. Please? Please?

Sincerely, Hillary (Mrs. Einstein)

Baby Jesus

C really started taking an interest in Christmas this year. She participated in the Advent calendar, and eagerly awaited opening the door housing baby Jesus.

Of course, she didn't quite understand it all. She is, after all, only 2 1/2.

In fact, she got a little mixed up.

Okay, a lot mixed up.

Over Christmas when we went home unexpectedly, we finally got to meet our sweet little niece for the first time.

(And, oh! What a cutie she is!)

The cousins.

Anyway, C knows her cousin's name. We talk about her quite often. Though, thinking back on it, I'm not so sure C ever actually said her name.

Until Christmas Eve.

When she called her cousin Baby Jesus.

Apparently, talking about baby Jesus at home, coupled with meeting her baby cousin for the first time at Christmas, confused poor C.

So, cousin Baby Jesus it is.

And I am now the sister-in-law to Mary and Joseph.

Twenty-Oh-Ten

Is it really a new year already? Wow.

I don't generally make New Year's resolutions. Mainly because I don't generally keep New Year's resolutions.

But this year? This year I'm still not making resolutions, but I am going to make changes.

I'm going to start running. I'm going to start biking.

I'm going to get in shape.

I'm not resolving to lose weight or inches (though, I'd like to do both). I'm hoping these will happen within the context of me running/biking. But, that's not my goal.

My goal is to get outside, get some exercise, and stay healthy.

What about you? Any resolutions/goals/changes for the new year?