Life Goes On

Mercifully, it's impossible to wallow in self-pity when home life continues to revolve around you. Meals still need to be planned and made, dishes need to be washed, laundry needs to be attended to, children need hugs and kisses and storytime, regardless of whether or not you feel like doing anything. There is a comfort in doing ordinary things in the midst of tragedy -- even if you feel like your world is falling to pieces, it's soothing to engage in the everyday physical tasks of running a home. When we lost Gabriella, it was in the midst of preparing for a family wedding, so I had that joyful occasion to distract me and keep the focus off myself. This time, there's nothing so grand, just my two oblivious little girls who need me and drive me crazy and give me lovin's.

I think they're really ready for a sibling.


reading "Baby Blues" together


practicing to be a big sis?

Miriam: "Mommy, how many kids are you going to have?"
Me: "I don't know. How many SHOULD we have?"
Miriam: "Mm, I think a hundred!"
Yikes!

For a while I was really worried about trying to take care of THREE little ones, but Miriam has been so helpful lately. She LOVES getting Katie dressed. And miracle of miracles, Katie LETS her! (for the most part) Now if only we could get Katie to keep her clothes ON...


nakie!

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"Mommy, could you put my hair in a hot cross bun today?"


"hot cross bun"

Shortly after this I trimmed her hair to keep it cool for these gosh-awful VA summer days, so no more hot cross buns for a while!

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Miriam: "How do you take your head off?"
Me: "You can't."
Miriam: "Why, is it glued on?"

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Katie's new favortie word is "HI!!!!" Often Mr. Pickles will be blasted with that as he tries to tiptoe quietly downstairs in the early morning. Katie seems to be trying her hand as an early riser, so on the days Daddy is home she gets to help him make breakfast.


helping Daddy cook


flour face


who's a ham?

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Katie loves plums.


oh the carnage!

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Fashion maven and her agent.


no comment! no pictures!

Another shot of the fashion maven.


dancing gypsy princess

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being cute is such hard work


being cute (and reading) is such hard work II


being cute is such hard work III

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This potato head horror scene courtesy of Katie:


oh the carnage! II