Los Porchs

I just locked myself in my bedroom on a Friday night to pay bills in silence, if you're wondering how it's going over here. While we are most often doing swimmingly, there are moments of disbelief and frustration that result in a responsible adult making the decision to walk away slowly. C: I'm going to eat this plastic bag. R: Don't. C: I'm going to! I'm going to eat this plastic bag! D: Well, just so you know, if you do eat a plastic bag, you will probably choke and we'd most likely have to take you to the hospital where they may need to cut open your throat. And that just doesn't sound like a fun Friday. So how about you put the bag where it goes and I would love to play Monopoly Junior with you after dinner! And I'm sure daddy would like to join u-- C: No. D: What? C: He'll say no. D: How do you know that? C: I just do (she twirls out of the dining room and into the kitchen, still holding the aforementioned god damn plastic bag)....

We took Charlie to the park today to get out some energy in an effort to maximize her nap.  That being said, it's now 12:45 and she's still awake.  She DID eat some lunch and is just kind of on her last leg, but regardless -- she's still a w a k e. #wearallthebabies (even the fake ones) Pushing her baby in the bike apparently, this is how we roll now.  baby goes with us. sweet girl would have stayed in that swing all day long if we let her! We are so happy to live in an are with easy access to several parks!  Makes our time together super fun.  Can't wait for the warm weather to stick!  I'm dreaming of dinner dates on the deck with friends & family. xo Mama Porch

I have been spending more and more time in our infant rooms at work and find that it's not painful anymore.  In fact, it's been encouraging to me and reinforcing how much I love young infants and miss the baby stages now that Charlotte is CLEARLY not a baby.  "My do MYself."  (Excuse me .) That being said, we're moving forward.  We made an appointment with an RE here in Milwaukee to figure out our next step with regards to getting our 4 embabies in Chicago here in Wisconsin with us and hope to do a transfer some time in the coming months.  Sadly, the first available appointment isn't until February so we have lots of time to reflect and get excited before we dive right back into the world of hormones, anxiety, and battles with insurance. We are embracing change and taking the leap.  :) I'm not sure how much or when we'll post updates about the process, but I hope to share our story openly.  I know I'll never have the surprise pregnancy and...

Folks, I had been planning this great post about the fact that I covered the spread this morning and really got my poop in a group -- took Charlotte out for a *brisk* morning walk before the snow and wind arrived, shared a pancake breakfast with her and did puzzles before laying her down for morning nap and then putting together what promises to be a good CrockPot meal.  While sipping coffee. But then I started to think about those other mornings. Because there are two very important things not mentioned above: 1. That's just a morning, anything can happen between now and when Daddy gets home that may result in me pacing the kitchen, anxiously watching for Ryan's truck. 2. They are not all that peaceful. Some mornings just plain suck.  Some mornings, I struggle with the fact that I am not going to work and it's only highlighted by Charlotte pointing at Ryan's chair at the table and asking with her hands up "Daddy?" to which I reply, "Daddy went t...

We went to the neighborhood library today after Charlotte's afternoon nap.  I hadn't been to this location since I was a little kid myself (I grew up just down the street from this location) and needed to get a library card so I could fully introduce this girl to one of the most amazing places in town!  Books!  All of the books!  To read, over and over again, and then find new ones to fall in love with!  For free! The librarian was very helpful and I had a card in minutes.  I took Charlotte to the back of the library to the children's section and was a little... underwhelmed.  The board book selection was good, but there was nothing for these little people to "do" and no where cozy for them to fall in love with said books.  I wish there had been some soft, cozy seating and lighting... something playful.  I felt my classroom environment senses tingling and tried to remind myself that I can only control so much before chasing my tornado into ...