(must assume robot voice now.)
I have. been speaking. like. a robot. with Andrew. for about. 20 minutes. It was. the only. way. to have. him. help me. put. away. groceries.
As I opened my mouth to begin a new sentence I realized how funny we sounded and burst out laughing. Amelia is following us around with a funny smile of awe on her face.
We. are. wierd.
History was made today, and fortunately I had my wits about me enough to remember to turn the computer on. Andrew, Amelia, and I watched the whole thing. They loved it. I loved it. I was crying and clapping enough that I think I was making Amelia worried. The feeling of pride I had for the American people was overwhelming. We have come so far. It was thrilling to see this, and to hear so many address it. I loved Obama's speech. Frank and hopeful and inspiring. I am not crazy about every single thing he stands for, but for a lot of them, and just amazed that a black man can be voted in by the majority in this country.
I was so pleased to find out that Jacob was able to watch it at school as well. It's late. I have a lot of thoughts, but I'll keep it short tonight.
I am so proud to be an American and I resolve to do more to make this a great place to live.
Amelia is weaned.
It was rather uneventful. She whimpered last night and this for about 30 seconds and then drifted off. Huh, I kind of figured there would be more, but I guess by the time you're 16 months old you're kind of over it. (:
I'm a little sad. It is always hard to close a chapter in your life, and mine as a nursing mother is over. If you would've told me when I was struggling with Jacob's one and a half hour feedings, that I would end up missing this, I don't know that I would've believed you!
Instead I spend about 15 minutes each night (I've been doing this for quite a while in preparation) in her room watching her play, and then reading books in the rocking chair. I savor this quiet time. The boys are still up, and often dinner has just finished and it's time to clean up, but no matter what is going on, when she gets sleepy we both disappear upstairs. It gives me a chance to clear my head of all else that might have happened during the witching hour before dinner, and also to really see my little sweetheart. Watch her interest change in what types of books we read, and watch her development in play. Sometimes I just sit still while she "feeds" me from her little silver pot.
Such a lovey.
I DO!!!
Who wants to eat her up? I DO!!
Our little love button learned how to kiss a few days ago. No longer the open mouthed lean in, but a kiss with a smacking noise. How we love our little lady!!
Here are some pictures of our lovey dumpkins....
Amelia is always good natured and fairly quiet, unless playing peek-a-boo in the curtains or playing chase with the big boys.
Above all, she wants to have FUN! She adores her brothers, and they adore her. (As long as she does not rearrange their Lego starships...)
She prefers to be outdoors, loves kicking, sliding down long twirly slides, and riding on bikes and her little blue car. Andrew insists it is his, but I think is slowly losing that battle.
Oh pudge lovin'! What are we gonna do with a girl like you!? We love you so much!
...or I'm just feeling guilty for not doing Family Home Evening for a while..
around 8:30 the boys were still up (past their bedtime) and wanted me to run out back and check out what they were working on this evening. They had dug a fire pit and set up a play tent. They had also found some marshmallows stashed in a cupboard and begged to be able to roast some into deliciousness.
So out we went. 
I was laughing because the roasting sticks the boys chose were ridiculous. They were almost an inch in diameter. The marshmallow would barely fit around it. Funny funny boys.
Mike was so great to tough out the nasty smoke in order to coax the not-quite-dead-wood the boys had chosen, to burn.
but it feels oh, sooooo good.
Millie smells like sunblock in her little summer dress.
There are sounds of a chainsaw from next door.
Jake and Andrew played shirtless in the backyard (ok - it doesn't have to be hot for that to happen.)
We went to the pool today.
It's January 3rd and it is 82 degrees.
Mike's at the barbeque.
Can I explain to you how much I love Texas?!
