My sis-in-law asked the loaded question how are things going.  Wordy as I am, you can imagine the email I sent back.  Thinking about it later, I realized that was all info that would be nice to share with my buddies.  So for those interested, you'll find the scoop regarding the Stephens' family from that email and some more because I just cannot ( Read more... )

Ella is suddenly playing the scared card.  She actually jumped away from the chimpanzee that came up to the WINDOW to see Nathaniel at the zoo yesterday.  She no longer will sleep in her room with the door closed and for the most part won't go in there by herself if the light is off even during the day.  Just a stage?  I do't think there is ( Read more... )

Ella cutting her last two 2-year molars.  The upper left is furthest along.  Yippee!  Perhaps this is why Nathaniel looked so tasty.  And she's been asking for a lot more ice lately. (And is getting cranky/whiny again.)

This evening we gave Nathaniel his first taste of Rice cereal and found that Ella loves dunking her fingers into it.  She helped feed him a couple of spoonfuls which was pretty sweet.  It's really funny the things she suddenly becomes interested in just because we are trying to do things with him rather than her.  She hasn't wanted to sit in a ( Read more... )

For me, life is life. I take everything as it comes. October was the strangest month of my life with Rich; and I'm hoping November brings at least a little quiet time. (See the next paragraph.) In generally, I think I may be burning out and in need of a mommy break. Rich said the other day that I needed to get away for a day, but didn't go ( Read more... )

Tonight, Ella finally said "I love you". Of course, Daddy has been out of town since last Wednesday; so he hasn't heard it yet. But ooohhhh!!! It just melted my heart. She gave me a sweet hug while we were sitting on the recliner together; and I told her I loved her; and she said it right back crystal clear. (Such a good little parrot.) She ( Read more... )

It is kind of funny when I think about it. In early July I made the move from full-time professional (at the office) to part-time (from home). Rich and I both agreed that the best thing for our family was for me to put my career on hold and stay home with Ella and any new child that should come along. Originally, I was supposed to quit outright ( Read more... )