Windows on a Sunday

Before I launch into today's goings-on, let me start with something from yesterday before I forget forever: Rosie, our 1 1/2 year-old daughter, tee-teed in her little potty yesterday right before bathtime! We were so excited for her. She kept pointing to it saying "pah-tee! pah-tee!" (potty). She got an M&M, and of course once she was done with it she began saying "moe!" (more) and signing it too. And then we launched into our family's traditional celebration song (while clapping):

"Good job Rosie (or insert family member's name),
Good job Rosie,
Good job Rosie,
You're doing a good job!"

And then 3 1/2 year-old M, who had just gone in the big-girl potty, wanted M&Ms too! We had to explain to her that she used to get them when she was potty training, but now that she's a big girl and can do it all by herself, she'll no longer get them. Smart girl!

We're not actively trying to potty train Rosie. We'll suggest that she try her potty out every now and then, and J just got lucky last night.

And can I also tell you that right now as I type, I hear J cleaning the shower in our master bathroom? Oh, how I love that man!

So today. It wasn't an exciting day by any means. I woke up with a headache that ended up staying with me all day long (and I rarely get headaches!), so I didn't feel so great and was for all intents and purposes useless. And I went back to bed after "Stu's" morning feeding at 6:30 instead of getting myself ready for the day like I've been in the habit of doing. If I don't get up and get ready before everyone else, it won't happen at all and then I'll end up not wanting to go anywhere.

(We're staying away from church for the time being. Rosie was hospitalized at 7 weeks with the flu, so we're being much more careful about not taking the children many places this time around. We have no idea how she caught the flu, but it could have come from the girls being at church and bringing it home to her. I really miss being there, though. It just feels weird to have missed for three weeks in a row!)

You'd think I wouldn't have anything to blog about, and that's what I thought too. Until I went back and reviewed the photos I took today! Last weekend, I was inspired by my friend Sarah's post about an Ali Edwards' "document your weekend" challenge, so I've been trying to be more aware of the little moments that make our weekends memorable--even the seemingly mundane.

This morning, I caught J and his new napping buddy on the couch:


This is very special to me because he spent lots and lots of time doing the same exact thing with the girls when they were babies! J loves to sleep, and sharing that time with his children is very special to him, too. Both M and Rosie were born in the fall/winter, so he always enjoyed the extra warmth they provided! He calls his babies his "mobile heating units".

Add to that that this is J's only son...priceless!

Since it was a lounge-y kind of day, the girls had free reign to pretty much tear up the house with their toys since I was on the couch or in the recliner much of the day. (Usually I'm up policing the mess-making!)

I love that the girls spend a lot of time "reading" at their own volition, but Rosie made me smile today at our "book basket":


Turn your back on her for just a moment, and she'll make a mess! She must have been searching for a book at the bottom of the basket.

Then when I checked on her a few more minutes later:



She had the whole basket emptied! But she's my tidy girl, and she did clean them up on her own later in the evening.

M continues to love her little brother:


She's always ready with cuddles and smooches for him! I can't get over her tenderness and love toward him. I'm so thankful! She and Rosie are always so excited to see him after he gets up from his naps.

We had a hodge-podge dinner of a few leftovers from meals that friends have been bringing us every other night, plus I made some pancakes for the girls. While I was cleaning up, I found M playing with Stu:


She'd removed the canopy from her baby doll stroller and made a cover for Stu's head! Then she brought over several toys that she was showing him. I told J how excited I was that she took that initiative! I told him, "I think this big sister thing is going to work in my favor!" I bet she's going to be my little helper in keeping Stu entertained.

Judging by the look on his face, I'm not so sure he's as enthused. But he didn't fuss!

(Check out his legs...I LOVE those little chicken legs!!)

Back to the meals...can I just say how fun it is to be blessed so abundantly by friends and family? We've not had to make dinner since we brought Stu home, and we'll continue to receive meals through next week. It's so nice not to have to worry about cooking! Oh, how the Lord blesses us through His people! And the food has been absolutely fantastic! I'm going to end up with lots of new recipes.

I'm happy to report that my headache finally went away sometime after dinner. I hate that we sort of wasted the day (I know J loves more than anything to be out and doing things), but I won't deny that I loved the nap I had during the childrens' afternoon nap! It was raining, too, which made it even more delicious. I think our late nights and early mornings caught up with me today.

So with that thought in mind, I'm going to sign off for now and see if I can make it to bed before midnight for once!

Happy Memorial Day, everyone! And on a personal note, thank you to the brave men in our family who sacrificed big parts of their lives to serve our country in the military.