Here I sit.

Happy 3:48 in the morning. I can usually go back to sleep pretty easily, but tonight I woke up and haven't been able to go back to sleep. I finally got up and checked on Big. Just imagine the sweetest one-year-old boy in the whole wide world and then multiply that because he's sleeping so soundly. That's my Big. My cat wonders what the heck is going on. He was very concerned and pawed at the door to my office until I just let him in. In his own cat-like way I think he's telling me to go try to sleep again. I'm not sure that it isn't pregnancy hormones or just the fact that I'm already swelling like it is up to me to float to save my (entire) family from some water-related calamity. Anyway, my eyes are starting to disappear. I don't notice so much when I see myself in the mirror, but it is becoming very obvious in pictures... and the fact that my rings don't fit and my fingers rebel against my desire to bend them and actually use them. It is a miracle that I'm able to type.

Last night, my (let's insert here that my cat just jumped up on my desk and is now sitting between my swollen self and the keyboard. He must really be concerned.) ok... last night my dad came over to watch Big while Joe and I went to a birthday party (so fun). My dad took Big out to eat and then for a walk around our neighborhood... which by the way is a very walker-friendly neighborhood - a couple ponds, playgrounds, walking trails, etc. But the point is here that he took this picture and I think it is remarkable. (I'm also thinking the only thing that can really redeem a post written at now 4:00 a.m. is a picture.)
Ok... so if I was reading my own blog, I would think, "Man, this is random and she should have at least tried to go back to sleep."

True Words.

Conversation with Mr. Favorite:

Me: Wonder if having two babies is hard.

Mr. Favorite: Well, it can't be any easier.

The end.

A Journey's Beginning.

So I have this dear friend whom I've known all of my life (our parents were friends in college before we were even born) and I've always thought it was cool that we've been a part of each other's lives for so long and now our babies are growing up together. Well, I decided before Lifelong Friend had her (3rd) little girl this week that we should have a prego pic taken together. (On a side-note here, I've GOT to do something with my hair. Even from this distance you can see just how badly my color is growing out. It may be time to let my hair be its natural color.)This little girl is Lifelong's middle daughter. She is so very sweet. Lifelong's oldest daughter is such a fun kid - way smart and oh-so-funny and so very not into coming outside with us for the photo session.
And here is Miss I Was Just Born Today And I Already Have Great Hair. (My Big will be so jealous!)
And, just so you can see more of that fantastic hair (and really is just one new baby photo enough? I didn't think so...)

Follow Up.

For those of you who were concerned for me and about to plan an intervention because of the state of my house... You can chill. I've cleaned my kitchen and put a new roll of toilet paper on the holder. Just so you know, I thought I was funny... and I sure thought I would get comments... But maybe you refrained from commenting because you didn't want to encourage my behavior. :)

Confession.

Here's the ugly truth...

In the last week or so, I've had several things I've thought to blog about, but given just a minute to think it through I realized that it probably is best that I don't post my honest thoughts. A wise teacher once gave me a bit of wisdom that has stuck with me through all of my years of adolescent journaling and now in my blog days it is relevant again: Don't write down anything you wouldn't want the whole world to see. Well, it wasn't as much of a threat that the world would see my little journals, but posting things on the Internet makes the whole world accessible (even though I have only 14 followers, I know there are at least two more readers out there). Anyway... what I've thought to blog about didn't need to be out there for just every reader, so I'm being censored - by myself.

So, today I have some confessions of the not-so-it-might-get-me-in-trouble kind...

I'm avoiding.

I'm avoiding design projects for people who don't know what they want... just want to jazz things up a little... I need more from you, please! Like something in the not so abstract kind of direction...

I'm avoiding cleaning my kitchen (and should also confess that my cleaning lady was just here Friday and it was spotless. Why can't I keep my kitchen picked up for 48 hours??)I'm avoiding folding and putting away laundry. (I mean really?! How does this stuff accumulate like this?!)And, remember that tutorial I did for you a week or so ago? Here's the truth about the progress in my own home. I thought I'd just see what would happen when I didn't step up. :)I wouldn't say there was absolutely NO progress on this, though... look, we're getting closer:
So, instead of doing those things that needed to be done around my house, I've taken more photographs of toilet paper and toilet paper rolls. I'm just thinking in the amount of time I've given to writing and illustrating this blog, I could have at least loaded the dishwasher. But where is the fun in that?!?

History Repeats. Right?

I'm reading a novel that is set in and around Rome around (I'm totally guessing here) 70 A.D.I'm reading it - thoroughly enjoying the story, but at the same time seeing more in it than possibly the author meant to reveal. The thing that keeps coming to me is that the Romans were so sure that their nation would never be less than what it was at that time. They were so arrogant. They gave themselves to all manner of self-absorbed and otherwise disturbing entertainment - through to the arenas and gladiators. Now, the truth is that the movie Gladiator is one of my favorites, but that is beside the point (Favorite line from that movie: "What we do here today will echo through eternity"). I'm just saying as I read about the violence that was entertainment for the mob, I'm struck with the realization that violence has a huge place in the market of entertainment in our nation... and I'm struck with the arrogance that Americans have in believing that our nation can continue on this course and remain a strong force in the world. I think there may be something to learn from the Romans and their history. I did try to go read the history, but it got really boring really quickly... So, I'll go back to reading my novel (the true reason you've not had many blog posts from me lately) and try not to read too much into what the author wrote.

Does the fact that I added pics to this random little post help you forgive me for my blog slackering (Yes, I just made up a word.)?

Edited to add: Hey, look! I've got a new follower! Welcome, Angela! Your family is beautiful! I've stumbled your way via Mrs. Funny's blog before and by the way, I am totally copying your 4th of July t-shirts next year. Welcome to my little place on the web!