This weekend...

...we had several people come look at the house...

...I did a lot of reading...

...went clothes shopping for Elisabeth (but didn't find a thing)...

...ate a lot of chocolate chips...

...went to church...

...and...

...I bought three round trip tickets to Italy!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, I can't believe it. My two sisters and I, traveling around Italy - can you even imagine how amazing it's going to be?! Now I'm in the mood to get out my copy of Roman Holiday and watch it.

Speaking of Roman Holiday - and Audrey Hepburn - I think I need an outfit like hers to wear when I'm in Rome. And a waist like hers too. (I know, I know, lay off the chocolate chips.)

Prime Real Estate

My brothers, David and Marc, gave us an incredible Christmas gift this year - a brick at Disneyland. Awesome.

It was recently installed and David and my mom hopped over there on Wednesday to snap a picture.

Prime real estate too - right up front by the entrance.

Thank you David and Marc!

We can't wait to see it in person this June!!

***Interesting tidbit: You'll notice that our brick 'Sorenson Family' is neighbors with my sister and her family, the 'Malovich's'. Well, when my mother-in-law, Susan, was over yesterday and saw the picture the first thing that she noticed was that we are also close neighbors to the 'Brinkerhoff's'. Susan's maiden name is Brinkerhoff; it's not that common of a name. So, chances are, we are related to good ol' Alli and Sam in some way or another. Random.

Piano in the A.M.

Lorelai came downstairs yesterday morning still half-asleep. She curled up in a ball on the couch. I went over and gave her a snuggle.

"Do you want some breakfast?" I asked.

"Not now, I'm not hungry," replied Lorelai.

"Well, do you want to go get dressed for school?

"No, all I want to do is practice piano."

And she did.

Three Cheers for Daddy!

Hip Hip Hooray!




Hip Hip Hooray!!




Hip Hip Hooray!!!

Jennifer,

Not too many people can rock a pair of footie pajamas.



Happy Birthday to one of those 'lucky few'.

2/3 of a Century!

My dad was an interesting man. His mind thought about things that the average Joe wouldn't give a second thought to. One thing that he made a point to remember were milestones in time. For example, he didn't just celebrate anniversaries; he celebrated things like '1/3-of-a century-anniversaries'.

Well, a few days ago, my mom called. And she told me that - in true 'Dad' fashion - she had figured out that this coming Friday [today] was going to be her 2/3-of-century birthday. My dad passed away nearly 7 years ago, so he's not here to make a fuss about it. So, that leaves me.

Happy
2/3-of-a-century,
Mom!



[My mom, at Disneyland last summer with the girls. Little known fact: When my mom has a free day she likes to spend it sitting on a bench in Disneyland, reading a good book and soaking up the atmosphere. That's the advantage of living in SoCal, I suppose [and of holding an annual passport].

Here's to another 1/3!

A Greeting Card Expert (or so I say)

As you may - or may not - know, I spent the better part of a decade working at a Hallmark shop. So when it comes to greeting cards, I consider myself an expert.

I can fully appreciate a card with beautiful poetic sentiments. But even better than a masterfully written card, is a card that is perfectly matched to its recipient.

Here are a few winners at our house this Valentine's Day:



Donald helped Elisabeth pick this one out for me. It completely represents me and Elisabeth - a mother and baby who love to snuggle. Plus, my number one goal when it comes to raising Elisabeth is to make sure that she always feels safe and loved. If she feels safe and loved, then I - as her mother - have done my job. How perfect that it said this inside:



Next up:



My mom hit the jackpot with this one (she gave it to Elisabeth). I mean, sure, lots of little granddaughters out there are special, but Elisabeth...she gives special a whole new meaning!



Last up:



I just about died when I saw this card in the 'husbands' Valentine section. Let me fill you in on the details: Donald and I had a Cinderella themed wedding in honor of my grandfather, who was one of the main artists that helped bring Cinderella 'to life' back in 1950. We had a horse-drawn carriage, I wore 'glass' slippers and gorgeous white pumpkins were everywhere. Well, as it turns out, our wedding invitations had this exact Cinderella image on it....exact. This card was meant for us. And to top it all off, I loved the sentiment it shared:


['Once upon a time, you swept me off my feet...and I've never quite come down to Earth.']

"The wrong place at the wrong time"

Donald called as I was getting the girls ready for school yesterday morning. He sounded glum.

"Did you get my email?" he asked.

"No, what's wrong?" I replied. (because it was obvious something wasn't right)

"I got a ticket coming out to work this morning."

Then he went on to tell me the details. How he had been so good about driving the speed limit lately. How this was the one time he decided to speed around someone. How it was all because he had to make a trip to the men's room sooooooo bad. And how he was caught by an unmarked patrol car.

"I was at the wrong place at the wrong time, I guess," says Donald.

That's about the time I started laughing.

First of all: Seriously? You are going to get all depressed about a silly old speeding ticket? As I look at life that ranks pretty low on the list of 'things to get upset about'. I mean, it's not like he found out he needed brain surgery or something. (Can you tell that brain surgery is what I measure everything else against?)

Second of all: Wrong place at the wrong time??? Ha!! I laughed hysterically at that - both while I was on the phone and for a long time afterwards.

> Being in a bank when an armed robber comes in - that is being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

> Standing at the precise spot where lightning strikes - that is being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

> Getting stuck in a broken elevator when you're in labor - that is being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

> Speeding around someone illegally and getting caught - that is most definitely, 100%, and absolutely not a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Sorry Donald. (I love you though!!!!)

A Valentine's Day Review

A sampling of our Valentine's Day:



> Lorelai gave me a homemade snowflake.

> The girls gave Donald an ice cream scooper. (yes, he wanted a new one.)

> We gave Elisabeth a new Fisher Price telephone - pink, of course.

> Alexandra received 3 new balls of yarn.

> Lorelai got 3 new pads of construction paper.

> Donald bought me a case for my Kindle. (now I can stop stuffing it in a sock)

> And we all gave each other See's Candy.


[Having lunch with Lorelai at school. Yes, Elisabeth is fast asleep in the background. Too much Valentine's Day, I suppose.]

I Love You / I Love You Not

I love you {family vacations}

I love you not {seizures}

I love you {Mexican food}

I love you not {Seafood}

I love you {electric blankets}

I love you not {windy days}

I love you {old photo albums}

I love you not {new feeding bags}

I love you {warm bath}

I love you not {bees}

I love you {See's candy}

I love you not {Water for Elephants}

I love you {Brain surgeon's and Knee surgeon's}

I love you not {medical bills}

I love you {Donald and the girls}

Swedish Moccasins

Elisabeth does not walk. And - with the exception of a miracle occurring - she never will walk. So, I refuse to put shoes on her. In my opinion, shoes are bulky and uncomfortable, so why make her wear them if she has absolutely no use for them?

Still though, as last Fall approached I was desperately searching for something for her to wear in place of shoes. I didn't like the idea of sending her off to school in nothing but a pair of socks - it just didn't seem warm enough.

I tried a few different pairs of slippers, but the trouble was with Elisabeth's deformed legs/feet. Her feet don't form a right angle to her legs like one would normally have, but they stay in a permanent extended position - like a ballerina in point shoes. And because of that deformity, slippers just seemed to slip right off.

That's when I found the perfect solution: Swedish moccasins from Hanna Andersson. They are handmade in Sweden and have leather soles. Plus, because the upper-half of the moccasin is made of a thick, sock-like material, it stays on and adds plenty of warmth.

So far I have purchased two pairs, and I plan to keep on buying more as she grows (they make them in big-kid sizes too!)

I love finding perfect solutions, don't you?

Freedom!

Today, at precisely 2:00, I will arrive at the orthopedic surgeon's office. At that time she will unwrap my leg from something like 50 ft of bandaging materials and remove the stitches.

I can't wait!

Yippee!!!

Hooray!!!

Freedom!!!!

First item on the to-do list: enjoy a long soak in the tub. Oh, how I've missed my nightly soak in the tub!

Making Plans

[Mobile hanging above Elisabeth's crib. Completely unrelated to the post, but pretty nonetheless.]

Lately I have been thinking a lot about making plans. I love planning, but I also realize that often times, plans fall through (for one reason or another). And - life being life - this is unavoidable. Which led me to my next thought: Is there a point to making plans when we just don't know what life has in store for us?

My conclusion: Yes.

Making plans is good. It gives us direction, it gives us focus. When we make plans for the future we have goals in mind; we think about what we want and what we need to do to get there. And by working towards a goal, we are being productive and we are improving ourselves.

So what about those times when plans change? Do we get discouraged? Do we give up? Do we say, 'What's the point?'

No.

When plans change - when life changes - you change with it. You look around, you smile, and you say, 'Wow, I didn't expect this'.

And then...you keep on living. It's that simple.

Lego Love

"Mom, come upstairs!! I need to show you something!"



"It's an early Valentine's Day present."

Love.

Weekend Review

A few very exciting things happened at our house this weekend:

1) Elisabeth returned to bolus feedings! This means that her stomach can tolerate more food at once. So instead of using her pump to drip the formula in slowly, we can just pour it on in (Life's so much easier when Elisabeth's not hooked up to a pump 24/7). Right now she can handle 2 ounces at one time. Hopefully we will be able to work it up to 4 oz in the next month or so. (That's where she was at last October.)

2) Alexandra lost her eighth tooth! It was a struggle, but in the end it finally came out. Then we read Arthur's Loose Tooth in celebration.

A Little Snack

One of my favorite flavor combinations:

Cashews and Chocolate.

Mmmm...

Pigling Bland

[My Beatrix Potter Collection]

I have been rather fond of Beatrix Potter's whimsical stories ever since I was a very young thing. I can recollect my father reading to me the Tales of Peter Rabbit, Jeremy Fisher, and most remarkably, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle. And of course, I had the stuffed animals to match. Let's see, there was Tom Kitten, Jemima Puddle Duck, and - my favorite - Pigling Bland, which sat atop my bed all the way through high school.


[Pigling Bland.]

Now my beloved Pigling Bland has found a new owner....Lorelai. Lorelai loves that little pig. And when I say love, I mean really, truly loves him dearly. Every night as I tuck her into bed Pigling Bland is snuggled close by her side. It warms my heart to see her devotion towards that little toy.

Which leads me to this little bit of news...

As I was perusing the Spring Issue of Pottery Barn Kids I spied this:



A Beatrix Potter tea set!

And do you see who decorates one of those little cups!? None other than Pigling Bland himself!

Could you imagine the look on Lorelai's face if she were to receive this set? I'm quite sure it would be the highlight of her childhood. And, just as I treasured my little Pigling Bland, I am certain Lorelai would treasure this.

I'm thinking it would make a charming Easter gift, no?

My Medical Journal

[An aerial view of my knee - before I graduated from the crutches.]

6 days post-op:

> My knee is not in pain.

> My leg feels heavy, like it's been weighed down in cement.

> I walk with a profound limp. It earns me a lot of sympathetic looks.

> My leg is itching like crazy under the bandaging.

> Moving in slow motion is not easy, I can barely make it to the phone before the answering machine picks up.

> My limp has forced my legs to use different muscles than usual. They ache.

> I miss my nightly soak in the tub.

> I'm grateful for friends who have helped this week by bringing meals, and driving my children here and there. What would I do without friends?

Rainbow Order

Look at what I did yesterday:



Before.......&........After



Rainbow order.

Now it matches my closet.