Meredith Carson... Across the Pond and Back Again...

In anticipation of St. David's Day tomorrow, here is Sophie reciting a poem about a (presumably Welsh) dragon. She will be reciting this in front of the entire school tomorrow during the St. David's celebration. I think she's a natural. And yes, I know all of my friends from home will just LOVE her "little accent." Happy St. David's Day!

I could write a book entitled Things I'd Never Dream of Doing With My First Baby .  This book would be chock full of cool things that I do with my third baby... things like going to the cinema fairly regularly.  (Once a month is fairly regularly when children are involved.)  Yesterday while the big girls were in school, Lili and I went to our local cinema so that we could finally see if all of the fuss over James Cameron's Avatar was justified .   (Totally justified, by the way,  Great film.)  We both thoroughly enjoyed it (even though Lil didn't have her own pair of 3D glasses).  Now we can participate in all of those dinner party conversations about the Na'vi and Eywa.  We are sorted. I expected fairly deserted theatre at 12 noon on  a Wednesday, but I had, of course, forgotten that it was "2 For 1 Orange Wednesday," so there were numerous couples already seated when Lili and I came in.  Sev...

I didn't realize that we were all in need of a mini-holiday, but our weekend in London was a breath of fresh air.  We decided to pack lightly and take the train.  Sophie and Emma enjoyed visiting the cafe car and ordering hot chocolate and sandwiches.  George enjoyed not having to drive and constantly stop for little girls who needed the toilet.  And I enjoyed having a happy little family.  When we arrived at Paddington station, we were thrilled to find a real live Krispy Kreme doughnut shop.  This was, honestly, one of the highlights of our trip.  We bought a dozen right then and there, and each savoured a few mouthfuls of childhood and joy. We stayed in a lovely little hotel, The Trebovir,  just around the corner from Earl's Court station.  Lili and I had our own little girly room on the first floor, while George and the big girls stayed up on the fourth floor.  We didn't intentionally book rooms so...

February half term is often a bit dismal... I guess. We typically plan to be out of the country, somewhere sunnier and more cheerful, during this school break since I am always desperate for sunshine and a change of scenery. This year, however, we just couldn't quite manage it. I still can't quite wrap my head around the idea of overseas travel with three children... especially with the little one who still requires lots of work and isn't guaranteed to sleep when she's supposed to. So we're home. And it's only Wednesday. And it already feels like it's been a really long week. We've been to the cinema twice, and each time, Lil was an absolute dream. We've done some mid-winter gardening and early spring cleaning. Emma and Sophie have discovered Mad Libs, and think that they are hysterical. Part of the body, anyone? At the age of five, any game that provides an excuse to write and read aloud the words "bottom", "toot", and ...

I spent most of my Valentine's Day in the kitchen with one of my favourite little sous chefs. Sophie found this recipe for white chocolate/ raspberry jam tarts in a magazine. We made them from scratch, which took a bit of work, but they were so pretty and so very tasty.... Lili provided the entertainment this evening. Who knows why we all found her profound interest in the bowl full of foil covered chocolates so very enchanting, but we sure did! "We are all a little weird, and life's a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutual weirdness and call it love." --Author Unknown "Come live in my heart and pay no rent." -- Samuel Lover Never has there been a baby more adored!

Today is the first day of the Chinese New Year celebrations. We say goodbye to the Year of the Ox and hello to the Year of the Tiger. Last night we celebrated a bit early with a home-cooked Chinese meal (which was so much better than take away). Emma & Sophie have been learning about Chinese New Year in school, but we are especially excited about this foreign holiday since George will actually be in China for the last couple of days of the celebrations. We are also planning to be in London next weekend to apply for Lili's passport at the American Embassy, and London hosts the world's second largest Chinese New Year parades and celebrations. We hope to get in on some of that action. (Sophie and me in our Chinese glad rags) According to Chinese predictions, babies born in the Year of the Tiger will be especially lucky. Tigers are meant to be bold, strong leaders who command respect. They are also thought to be sensitive, deep thinkers. Additionally it has been forecast...

I hear stories about easy babies. Apparently there are babies in the world who are always content and sleepy. These babies seem to always belong to a friend of a friend, or they exist only in the pages of books. I think these babies might be urban legends, but you probably know one or have one. Good for you. I am not complaining about the amount of care my babies (have) require(d). Babies only last a year, really, and I do try to enjoy every bit of that time. My babies are "busy," "nosy," and "mumsy," and I am fine with that. Past experience has shown that these babies grow into very clever and unique little people who have compassion and a great curiosity about the world. I am complaining, however, about the unsolicited advice that I get from yummy mummies who wholeheartedly believe that a baby who calms down when she's picked up and comforted is a "spoiled" baby. Seriously. I am angry that this concept has been written about exhaustively in...

This is not a partcularly impressive video. It does, however, demonstrate why Lilianna will never be bored, and it allows me to prove to myself that I can indeed upload a video... even if it takes nearly an hour.

...Because sometimes one fist just isn't enough  Lili is over four months old now.  She is full of personality and has very cute and chubby thighs... just like her mama.  Last night we all climbed into the "family bed," as Emma calls it, and watched Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs while Lili shrieked with delight.  She took such pleasure in startling herself with the volume of her own voice.  In the end SHE was much more entertaining that our rented DVD. There are plenty of wonderful reasons to have children.  Although they require massive amounts of work; they age their parents and deprive them of precious sleep and 'alone time', they are a truly fantastic source of entertainment.  Last night we all got so much enjoyment out of laughing at Lili as she shrieked and shouted with glee.  It really doesn't get much better. (Emma decided to let Lil borrow her shoes last week.) Sophie also keeps us entertained with her anecdotes about her m...

My excitement about sleeping through the night overwhelmed me yesterday.  It was all that I wrote about even though there was a bit more happening.  I spent the day with two little girls yesterday: Lili and a very dismal Sophie.  Even though she was running a fever and feeling "just terrible," Sophie still had to go to the doctor and run a few errands with me after we took Emma to school.  It was not a jolly morning for that girl.  I tried to make things a little more amusing for her by playing "I Spy" while we were waiting at the doctor's office.  When I spied with my little eye something starting with the letter "w," Sophie was certain that it was a werewolf.  I think we actually kept the entire reception area entertained with that game. ***Brief, off the subject, note about my healing progress:  Yes, I am STILL healing from that breast surgery that happened over three months ago.  The wound is still painful and s...

The roll of the dice worked in my favor last night. Sweet Lili-pie slept through the night for the first time!! Hallelujah!  I could kiss her lovely little face off. Here is the photo I promised my mom I'd post.  Lili is reading about Fluffy Chick and friends and sucking on her two favorite fingers.  I am actually thrilled she has found and enjoys these fingers.  No more faffing about with pacifiers.  We're getting there.