CAKE!

I just love my sister-in-law, Maria...

There she is. Say hello to everyone, Maria.

She heard my SOS yesterday and answered the call...with CAKE!

Last night, she dropped off some Jennifer Shaffer cake.

(It says: Melanie's Moments , a survival kit for motherhood)

Now for those of you outside the northwestern part of PA, that will mean nothing to you. But for those of you who've ever had a taste of that little piece of heaven (i.e. cake by Jen Shaffer), you know the importance.

Well, Maria knew that cake could solve all my woes, and she rushed it right over. Ahh Maria, you are a life-saver!

Jen Shaffer makes the best cakes. Not only do they taste great, they are magnificently decorated. She is a true artist.

Please enjoy these pictures of Jennifer Shaffer cake while I shove some in my mouth...

(Yes, our wedding cake. Oh hello, T, Erin, Lynn, Darren and Will.)

Ahh, there's nothing like a sugar-induced bliss for whatever ails ya! (And forget the fact that I just TOTALLY undid all the work I did at the Y this morning...it was worth it!)

A Cranky Day

Oh man, do I need to get out of here! All day, it's been one thing after another. I am so tired today (more so than usual), and I kept thinking, "Ok, after I do this I can sit down for a minute..." But that's not been the case. The kids have been needing one thing after another and Rachel's only done cat-naps all day. Right now she's in her bed crying because I've been fiddling with her all day: feed her, change her, shift her, put her in her crib, take her out, start the process over, and nothing has made her happy. John's mom is coming to watch the kids so John and I can have a "Date Night". I am anxiously sitting by the window waiting for her... Is that bad thing to leave her with four cranky kids? Well, I feel as if I stay here another minute I'm going to blow my top! (PS. want to know what we're doing for our "date night"? Going to Sam's Club to pay the bill and get more supplies.)

(5 minutes later)
HALLELUJAH! Somebody out there must've taken pity on me and prayed, because she is quiet now, I don't have anyone hanging on me for the moment, and I have just enough time to put on a dab of lipstick (covered with kid saliva - another story for another time) and meet my hubby for our date.

Just Another Tuesday Morning

Here's a picture I just took of Rachel with her splints on (or, as they're technically called, her AFO's).

They really don't bother her and actually look like little sandals. They really are cute! This is the second pair she's had made, since little Miss Chunky is growing so fast. I took her other pair and instead of putting them in her memory box, I put them on her stuffed puppy. Hey, that's a great idea...don't you steal my idea, market it and make millions of dollars...I might have to come after ya!

Muscial Beds...to the theme from the Wizard of Oz

Last night we played "musical beds", not for fun, we just ended up switching beds all night.

As we were winding down for bed, we saw that The Wizard of Oz was on and thought we'd sit and watch a few minutes. Do you know what? That's not really a show for kids. I still get chills thinking of those flying monkeys...scary! Anyway, we turned it on just as the wicked witch came on. Not a good idea right before bed. We spent the next several hours calming children and assuring them that "it's just a movie". Benjamin decided that he would not sleep in his bed, he would sit on our floor all night. I finally took pity on him and let him sleep on my side and I slept in his bed.

Also, we are in the process of moving Josh from the crib to a youth bed. (I don't want to give up the crib completely in case I need to "confine" him:).) Rebekah has her own bed, but often decides she wants to sleep with the boys. The only option for her is the crib. It's hilarious to see her scrunched up in there, but she's as happy as can be.

And then Rachel always makes a night-time appearance for a feeding. The two of us were cuddled in Benjamin's bed in the boys' room.

I don't think I've had a good night's sleep since before I was married!

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Here are some pictures I took today of the kids:

Benjamin and Rebekah - eating a lolli and NOT fighting

Joshua playing with his trucks in the dirt

Rachel playing with her mobile

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One more piece of seriously depressing news for me: My sister-in-law, who had her baby LAST WEEK is already at her pre-pregnancy weight, while I still look six months pregnant! (That's why there's not pictures of me posted here.) UN-FAIR!!

A new beginning

Well, I think it's time to start a new blog. The other blog we had was more for just Rachel and her condition. I really enjoy writing, but since Rachel is doing so well, and there's often not much to report on her, it's time to start new. I hope to be able to post more pictures and links too. SO, here we go...