One Month - Aurora

Happy birthday, Aurora!

I can't believe you've already been with us a month--time has flown! You are such a good little girl. You eat like a champ (truly--you chug!). You sleep beautifully (usually only waking once in the middle of the night--you've been doing that since the hospital). You generally cry for two reasons: your diaper is dirty or you're hungry. You also started to smile at us last week. Not often, but when you're particularly excited, you'll flash us a beautiful smile. Unlike your sisters, you have no dimples whatsoever! We love having you with us. Adelaide is beside herself with how much she loves you and can't help but try to pick you up or give you your pacifier or tell me that you're happy and looking at her.

And, despite what this picture looks like, you are such a happy, happy baby. We love you!

Polar Express Christmas Party

Our local library is pretty awesome. They have lots of activities for children and families. They hosted a Polar Express Christmas party this year and we dressed up the girls and headed over. They had a conductor at the door guiding us, hot chocolate, face painting and, of course, Santa.

The problem is for some reason Azucena has been freaking out every time she sees a Santa in real life. I have no idea what on earth she thinks every time we encounter one, because she loves the idea of him! She gets so excited when she talks about Christmas and presents and the birth of Jesus. But Santa in real life? Screams, tears, and meltdown.
Tonight was no exception. As soon as we got to the front of the line for Santa, she started crying and repeating, "no, no, no Santa, please no." Poor thing! Because she was freaking out, Adelaide began to worry, too. In fact, we had to get out of line, go get hot chocolate and then get in line a second time to even get this picture:

::sigh::

Next year, right?

Hot, Salty Tears

I am frequently amazed at how happy I can be and how quickly someone can take that away, or vice versa.

Two examples:
1. Yesterday was a pretty crappy day. Some stuff happened at work, my sister was trying to drive through a blizzard, other life stresses were going on. Mild consolation: I got to cook for people. I love cooking and baking and I especially love feeding people. I was grateful that it was my turn for dinner group. But it wasn't until my visiting teachers came over at 9 pm that I was truly able to turn my day around. I will forever be grateful to Jessica and Kathryn for their visit last night and for soothing my soul. They have no idea how empty my spiritual vessel was and I could never express or explain how much they helped. The rest of my night was amazing.

2. As you may have noticed, the previous blog was only posted about an hour and a half ago. I was thrilled. On cloud nine. Doing mental jumping jacks. Knowing world peace could happen. Then, a series of phone calls at work where a "phantom customer" couldn't be found among three sister companies finally got thrown in my lap, even though I tried every way I could think of to find out which company this person could call to get results and ours wasn't it. Twenty minutes full of yelling, personal fiery darts, sarcastic comments, thinly-veiled threats and a complete misunderstanding of how much we actually did the for the customer later, I finally hung up the phone and began to sob. I just had to run and hide in the bathroom because a customer walked in and I couldn't stand to face her with puffy eyes and salty tear trails still visible on my cheeks.

It's amazing what one person can do. For good or evil. Please choose good. Know that I am trying to consciously trying to choose good, too.

My sister is more awesome than your sister (for now)

Today was harder than most. I have some friends struggling and some lady rear-ended me, among several other things this week. I'd been fighting back tears for several hours and, after some comments made to me, they finally spilled over as I walked to my car for solace. Luckily, I have an amazing little sister who was willing to text comforting words to me while I debating on whether or not to just sleep in my car.

She's the best, and I can never express to her how much I appreciate and love her. (And, thankfully, I decided to come to bed.)