melted smoosh

1) a revamped running playlist to propel me through my workouts. I was all motivated to begin a regular running routine again in March (eight months postpartum) and then got walloped by Victoria's ear infection, my own stomach bug, Victoria's sleep regression, and (TMI!) two short cycles with more time spent in luteal phase than not (or at least it felt like it -- ugh). all of these combined to leave me just able to muddle through the day without the mental or physical energy to exercise more vigorously. finally in the last few weeks, I've been running more regularly, just a few miles each time but it feels so good! I know enough about my own body to expect that I will probably gain a few pounds as I build muscle, but also will fit better in my clothes. more importantly, I feel so much more calm and balanced when I am running regularly.  anyway, music is so important to my running routine as it helps keep me motivated. the beat keeps my stride steady while my mind is free t

life has thrown us a few happy curveballs in the past few months! most important is an update on Cecilia's teeth. Cece brushes her teeth faithfully, but our dentist has explained to us that her enamel is weak so she will always be more prone to cavities. she needed fillings in both lower pre-molars at age five, poor baby. fortunately she's been cavity-free since then, but when her six-year-old molars erupted, they came in hypocalcified; there's a noticeable difference from her other teeth as they are softer and almost crumbly (which sounds horrifying but fortunately they don't cause her pain). the dentist said it likely had something to do with the tooth formation either in utero or as a baby that may have been affected by illness or fever. she's had exactly the same exposure to fluoride as Greta, and Nick and I both have "good" teeth.  anyway, in January she developed an infection in one of the pre-molars that had been filled previously. the pain and swel

dear Victoria, you are busy, busy, busy! crawling around the house, pulling up onto the dishwasher or your car seat or the bouncer, making a beeline for any scrap of paper you see on the floor so you can try to pop it into your mouth before you are intercepted, and babbling up a storm. you love to play with the caps for your bottles, sucking on the rim, rolling them on the ground, and turning them over and over in your little hands.  you wave probably fifty times a day, always with your right hand -- well, more specifically, your right arm. as soon as I lay you down on the changing table, you start waving vigorously at me. and if we say "hi!" to you, you immediately wave back. you haven't clapped spontaneously yet, but whenever I cover your hands with mine and help you clap, you giggle uproariously.  you eat just about everything we eat now, and so far you haven't had any reactions or strong dislikes (except for vegetable beef baby food, and who could blame you?). at

free Rita's Italian ice on the first day of spring! Elizabeth, at 2 years 4 months, is at such a hilarious age, mimicking what we do and say and continuing to develop her own personality. she has perfected the faces that make us laugh (dramatic side eye, shimmying her shoulders, and fake scowling). she is obsessed with baby dolls and insists on carrying around a collection of "fresh dipes" in a tote bag I have designated to corral all of them. she frequently asks for a "weep" (wipe) to use in her pretend diaper changes and we often hear her exclaim, "oh my goodness, baby! a big poop! wowie!"  we haven't officially started potty training yet, but she often will say "I meed go bathroom! I meed go potty!" and I'll obligingly set her on the toilet. she sits for a minute, nothing happens, and she tears off some toilet paper and washes her hands.  Cece made this somewhat premature certificate when we say our mealtime prayers at home or duri

1) James in town! my brother's job takes him all over the country, and he's been able to visit family members in Massachusetts and North Carolina while on work trips. finally, he had a job close to Pittsburgh and we were able to see him at the bookends of the trip. he was a trooper and came along to hang out at the library with me and the younger three during Greta's cheerleading practice after his flight landed in Pittsburgh. then he finished up his work a little earlier than expected and was able to spend the night here before his flight out!  this library has Magnatiles ... we are obsessed! 2) sisterly love. don't get me wrong -- there are plenty of squabbles at our house, usually between the two oldest, but each of them individually has such a sweet relationship with Elizabeth. Elizabeth and Victoria are starting to play more together too, although now that Victoria is on the move and interested in all of Elizabeth's toys, there's some jockeying going on the