“All grown-ups were once children… but only few of them remember it.”

~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

When I turned 20, my roommates celebrated by gifting me a bottle of Cabo Wabo Tequila (I had/have an obsession with Sammy Hagar). Surprisingly, I don’t remember much of that night (a common pattern in my career at the U of MN), but I do know I had fun!

In turning 30, I had a joint birthday party with two of my closest friends. I was also pregnant with Elsa. I wore a birthday ribbon. A huge contrast to my twentieth birthday.

It’s the night before I turn 40.

I loved my thirties immensely. I grew into myself during this decade, which makes me a little anxious to leave it behind.

As much as I am not ready to be 40, I am also excited for the next decade. I mean after all, Aaliyah said it best, “Age Ain’t Nothin’ but a Number.”

I really am Over The Big Hill (get it?).

“Clever Girl”

~Muldoon, Jurassic Park

If you read my last post, you would have discerned that both Ellinor and I were suffering from sleep deprivation.

I hit my breaking point Tuesday afternoon and finally put Ellinor in her big girl bed, kissed her goodnight and closed the door. There was some crying and complaining but faster than expected, she fell asleep.

Once the coast was clear, I crept into her room (doing the compulsive bedtime check all moms do) to find her snoring away.

Yes, that’s mommy shark looking straight into your soul.

I carefully transferred her back to the crib since we have yet to purchase a gate for the top of the stairs.

#highwaytothedangerzone

Prior to moving her each time, I have become obsessed with taking pictures of my sweet, snuggly baby.

Don’t worry, I moved the blanket.

Ellinor has yet to realize she can open her bedroom door but much like the velociraptors in Jurassic Park, she WILL figure it out.

Like a true toddler, in less than four days, Ellinor went from being the most impossible child to the sweetest little girl in the whole world.

I can’t wait for potty training!

“It’s time to sleep, little bee, little bee,

Yes I love you and you love me.”

~Mem Fox, Time For Bed

In our married life, Parker has traveled a fair amount for work. Especially when we lived in San Diego, he frequently flew to various destinations, often times overseas.

International travel means miles which equates to travel upgrades and also free flights. I can’t complain.

But…maybe I can a little bit 🙂

For a long time, I have I learned the art of solo parenting. I figured out how to manage kids, work, activities and life all while having a husband who was thousands of miles away.

And then I had four kids.

Parker’s traveling is trickier more now than ever, given we have a house full of children. I find I have to let certain things go, manage less and cancel certain activities just to make our schedule work…and also to maintain my sanity.

When Parker is gone, life gets interesting. Like when your 2 year old decides to climb out of her crib and land on her head.

I snapped a picture. This is how you communicate when there is a 13 hour time difference between you and your husband.

Don’t worry, she was okay but her desire to vacate her crib meant it was time to sleep in the big girl bed…which she hated and therefore ended up sleeping in my bed.

I woke up at 5 am to someone touching my eye (spoiler, it was Ellinor). She hasn’t napped for four days…my sweet fourth child, my best and ONLY napper, is refusing her afternoon siesta.

Sleepy time use to be drop baby in crib, say I love you, talk to the stuffed animals, give kisses and BAM, Ellinor was asleep in two minutes.

Current bedtime routine which takes over an hour:

*baby gets on and off bed 10 times

*baby plays with light switches

*baby messes with hair products in the adjoining bathroom

*woah! I can run the bathtub faucet?

*baby comes back to mommy, reluctantly, and cries yet refuses to climb onto bed

*after 10 minutes of crying, baby gives in and hugs mommy for 5 seconds but stays on the bed

*baby reads books with mommy

*baby requires her special blanket touch all areas of her face

*mommy thinks baby is asleep, moves her arm

*baby wakes up

*back to blanket touching face

*mommy rubs baby’s arm for 20 min, pats baby and scratches her arms

*baby starts snoring

*mommy waits

*mommy slinks out of room and baby sits up and says “hi!”

*mommy gives baby the iPad

I’m sleep deprived and I have to say, I will take a newborn any day over a toddler who refuses to sleep.

Then there is the disorientation of daylight savings.

All showered and ready for bed at 2:00 pm.

Falling asleep at 5:30 pm. Is this a nap? Bedtime? I can’t wait to find out.

Today our sweet 🐝 Ellinor Elizabeth turns 2 years old.

We started celebrating yesterday, given today we have school, work and activities. Oh, and it’s a Monday.

This picture sums up Ellinor’s feelings about birthdays.

Today will be spent at the local play place and lunch out with mommy. #sidekick

Happy birthday sweet girl! 🐝❤️🎂

“For after all, the best thing one can do when it is raining is let it rain.”

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Last week, Parker and I were able to visit San Diego. Knowing it would be a quick trip, we flew my sister-in-law Rebecca to Halifax to stay with the kids.

Rebecca stepped in and managed all four kids, a dog and their schedule with ease and enthusiasm. We are grateful the kids had this special time with her and as Elsa put it, “basically it was the best time of my life.”

For months leading up to our trip, I was stuck in this barrel of emotions; a mix of excitement and apprehension. In going back to California, I would be acclimating back into my “old life” and would be left to sort through some major feelings. I was worried I would spend most of my vacation “feeling all the feels” instead of enjoying California with my husband.

Per usual, my preemptive overthinking was just that. I woke up everyday feeling renewed (except Sunday…post wedding hangover) and when I did cry, it was a cathartic release because memories after all are a good thing.

I am beyond grateful for my brief, but wonderful trip, which afforded me time to be with the people, places and things that bring me immense happiness.

See you in the spring!

We took a red eye flight and it felt great to be back home, with the kids and to hang with Rebecca before she left.

In the time that we were gone, Sophie turned 14!

She may be a teen, but she is still our kind, genuine, creative and sweet Sophie Adele.

The kids are settled into their new school year routines and I’m enjoying my time with Ellinor, making sure she gets the same experiences that her siblings did.

#fourthchild

She started Kindermusik.

Dancing to the beat of her own music also known as not participating.

Ellinor is also back at gym class, throwing somersaults like it’s nobody’s business and also waiting patiently for the teacher to blow bubbles.

Elsa is immersed in dance and enjoying her Nutcracker practices, making new friends and bonding with her cast mates. Being part of a Nutcracker production is truly a unique and special experience and one in which Elsa (and I) look forward to at the holidays.

Soren is back playing hockey with the Halifax Hawks and was lucky to snag jersey #7, just like dad.

Sophie is anxiously waiting for the announcement of the school musical and kicking butt in math class.

From now until December, our schedule is jam packed, but we managed to sneak away to Noggin’s Farm in the valley last weekend for apple picking, a hay ride and the corn maze.

Our obligatory fall photos that may or may not become part of the Christmas card.

Soren celebrated his 6th birthday (see previous post) and was lucky enough to have his two best friends over this weekend for glow in the dark mini golf, pizza and cupcakes.

Next up is Sophie’s birthday, a quick trip to San Diego (Betsy and Parker) and onto Ellinor’s 2nd birthday.

Life is hectic, but enjoyed and all this action helps us forget the temps are falling and winter is just around the corner.

 

“And now,” cried Max, “let the wild rumpus start!”

~Maurice Sendak, Where the Wild Things Are

Soren turns 6 tomorrow. He requested a gift scavenger hunt, chocolate cake and a dinner of steak, sweet potato fries and brussels sprouts.

He knows what he wants.

From the day he was born, Soren has been a charmer.

Our little king.

I love you sweet Soren…happy birthday.