Manic Monday

Typically the weekend leaves me at least moderately relaxed and rejuvenated. I am ready and rearing each Monday morning, pumped for a full fun week with my cantankerous twosome. Today I feel no such thing.

Perhaps it's that Ian and I have been GLUED to netflix the past two nights OBSESSED with Breaking Bad (oh my goodness SOOO good) staying up WAY past our bedtime. Perhaps it's that every extra "free" iota of mine has been spent in fast forward mode, knitting, or sewing, or wrapping or addressing. Perhaps it's that Ian's been working more, needing to run in even on the weekends leaving me far more "on" than normal with the girls. In any case, I'm starting my day feeling tired and lackluster and WHOA, long week ahead.

Even so I'm thankful for all I was able to get done. The girls each have a new pair of soft winter pants. Ainsley's party guests are one favor closer to a full party bag. Our first Christmas cookie tin is full and our freezer is STOCKED prompting me to not buy one single grocery item this week (well that and we splurged on sushi last night, partly to "pay" Auntie Sonya for watching Louise while Ian and I took our big girl to her first movie and partly because we've missed sushi in our lives dearly). I even delved into Christmas wrapping (because it's getting impossible to keep Ainsley AND Ian out of the back room) and began the never-ending task of addressing Christmas cards (I sat down wondering how many I could get done before the girls needed something and I did 4, FOUR!!! hahahaha, really? all I can do is laugh)

::Ainsley new favorite twirly skirt, the Christmas tree skirt,

she figured out it's glory all on her own::

::making graham crackers, rolled, cut in festive shapes and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, MMMMmmmm good::

::new pants!, Louise's are 100% reversible flannel and cotton from an old shirt of mine and some leftover curtain fabric::

::Ainsley's are made out of an old knit shirt of mine,

the legs are the arms and then I concocted a seat out of the body fabric, SOOO soft::

::yay pants! and play dough of course, Ainsley was making me a birthday cake, because now that her third birthday is fast approaching, EVERYDAY is someone's birthday::

So this morning we are totally OUT of our groove. Louise had her 15 month check up. She was NOT a fan, very aware of the shots to come and weary of our friendly doctor. But Ainsley was a great big sister, right by her side, telling her it'd be ok and not to worry. She even sang her the Mr Rogers' song Be Brave and then Be Strong while rubbing her back. If I wasn't on mama alert overload I would have teared up big time.

Louise is starting to taper off on her growth trajectory, settling into an average height and weight (45th and 60th percentile respectively). I remember with Ainsley as soon as she figured out walking she lengthened and leaned and her sister is right there with her.

It's so bizarre and wonderful to have two little independent girls on my hands, moving where and when they want. At the same time I'm realizing how blessed I've been that Louise was such a mellow baby. Now that she has opinions and a little mind of her own (not to mention a strong right hook) errands and plans and really getting ANYTHING done is nearly impossible. On Friday we went to Costco and for the first time LOUISE was the antagonist, swiping and swatting at Ainsley's poor head the whole time, then LAUGHING and doing it again. Ainsley is doing well with the fights that she puts up with and truthfully? I guess she had it coming to her after all those months of knocking Louise over. The girls continue to play so much together. Ainsley requests that Louise dance with her all the time. She dons her Christmas tree twirly skirt and floats around the room while Louise waves her arms and shakes her legs to the beat. I am loving these ages.

So despite the exhaustion and bustle today has been good. I am so thankful for effortless naps (Ainsley nodded off while I read her favorite The Paper Princess) a quiet house and a moment to myself. For while my hands will be flying, desperately knitting those never-ending arms on Ian's sweater, my body will be resting and my mind will be calm. Happy Monday!