For your reading pleasure...

I love to read.

My good friend Katharine loves to read too, and recently discovered the value of a public library card. So she talked me into starting our very own 'book club.' I love the term 'book club,' and we continue to use it even if we are the only two official members of said club. :) We were often recommending good reads to one another and thought it made more sense to just read a book together instead. That way we could talk about it. We had our first official 'meeting' last night and it lived up to all of it's expectations. We talked about the book we'd been reading, learned a little history along the way, and then just talked for an hour or so longer just for fun. It was perfect!

Anywho, the book we've been reading is called Sarah's Key, by Tatiana de'Rosnay. It is a historical fiction read that switches back and forth between two lives; one of a little girl living in Paris in 1942, and one of a woman living in Paris in 2002. Their lives are linked together in history and we discover how and why throughout the book.

I had two distinct feelings about this book.

one. I LOVED the beginning. The first 170ish pages of the book were addicting. Don't get me wrong, it is quite possibly one of the saddest accounts of WWII history I have ever read, but you are just totally swept away by the story of the little girl. The woman is mildly interesting in the beginning, but the little girl just completely overshadows her. We both kind of felt like we were rushing through the woman's chapters just to find out what happens to the little girl.

two. I strongly disliked the end. Past page 170ish, the girl disappears and we are left solely with the woman's stories. I find her to be a rather whiny character. She makes a whole big deal out of a lot of little things (and some big things rightly so I guess.) After being totally captivated by the little girl's story, the woman's story seems a little contrived and just somewhat unimportant. I can't figure out why we are are left with half of the book focusing on the woman. In the end I felt like I was just trudging through so I could be done.

Over all, I liked the book. I felt like it was worthwhile to read because of the first half alone. I am not sure if I knew in advance how it was going to end if I would have wanted to even read the end. Someone could have just summarized it for me and I would have probably gotten just as much out of it. (Maybe that's too harsh? I don't know, what you do think Katharine?) I guess it just wasn't overall as good as some other books I have read lately.

On that note, I really enjoyed The Help and The Glass Castle.

Now I get it...

I still stand by the belief that two kids is not all that much more hectic. I know I've mentioned before that when I was pregnant the second time around people told me over and over again how awful and crazy and stressed out life would be. Someone even claimed, "If you have 2 you might as well have 20!" Well, I still think they were exaggerating...but, after a week like this last one I now get it.

If every week were like the last, I might pull my hair out. I might run for the hills. I might actually go insane. Both Laurelei and Abbott were sick. And by sick I mean, SICK. Last Tuesday L was diagnosed with RSV at the doctor. Her fever was 103 degrees and didn't go away completely until sometime on Friday. RSV is apparently just a terrible, all consuming chest cold and upper respiratory infection. Poor L felt awful for days.

 

{L with her 'babies' posing for the picture. She loved the long days at home playing with all of her toys!}

Meanwhile, Abbott was getting sicker and sicker each day. We ended up back at the doctor with him on Saturday. Come to find by Saturday, on top of his existing cold, he now also had bronchiolitis AND an ear infection. My sweet little baby who NEVER cries, spent all day Sunday and Monday an absolute mess. He didn't sleep Saturday night, Sunday night, or (wait for it...) Monday night either! And by not sleep, I mean he did not sleep more than 20 minutes consistently for 3 days. Poor baby couldn't breathe, eat, sleep, lay flat, fill in the blank...it was terrible. I was completely drained by Tuesday.

Last night I finally got a little sleep, and woke up today with a (mostly) better perspective on things. Matt has been awesome. He is definitely the best guy to have in the middle of the night when the babies are crying and you think you might lose your mind. He takes such good care of us all, even when he is battling fever himself! He even put up with me forcing him to take Abbott back to the doctor, for the 4th time in under a week, because I was convinced he had whooping cough. (Remember how I said I mostly had a better perspective on things?) Don't worry folks, it looks like it is just his turn for RSV.

 

{Abbott just had to be held, so we spent a few hours in the sling, attempting to accomplish a thing or two.}

We've had our fair share of sickness around here since L was born, but nothing is like having more than one kid sick at a time. Shew! So now, when people say, "Having two can be hectic..." I get it. I totally, totally get it.

Beautiful

L will grow up and be one of those girls who look beautiful straight out of bed in the morning, no make-up on. She doesn't get that from me, maybe from my mom. I noticed when I was flipping through some of my favorite blogs that my good friend Erin had linked this beautiful picture of her husband and new baby up to I Heart Faces, the challenge being best face photos. When I flipped through some of the entries I thought of this picture of L.

The picture is just slightly out of focus. L has some serious post pig-tail day bed head. I am pretty sure there is evidence of at least two meals on her face somewhere. She's also wearing daddy's t-shirt and a look that could kill. Even still, those big blue eyes, pouty pink lips, and squishy cheeks just get me everytime. She is absoultely beautiful.

Sunday Best

I've sat down to write a hundred posts this week but still come up today empty handed. My mind seems muddled with business and dreams and thoughts of resolutions. It has been a wonderful few weeks and a truly restful weekend, I just can't seem to shake this little cloud over my head. So, I won't drag you down with me as I continue to mull things over, but I will share this sweet, sweet little picture of my baby boy in his Sunday best, and be sure to come back soon for an update or two on life around the Burlew household.

{Side note: I feel a little guilty that so many of my recent pictures feature Abbott without L. It should be noted that this is not by choice, however. She tends to threaten anyone with a camera pointed her direction. Surely it's just a phase...right?}

Monday

 Monday after work was the best.

 I hated going back to work on Monday after a wonderful holiday break.

 but I had some pretty great treats to come home to.

 And that made Monday one of the sweetest days.

 I guess that gives me something to look forward to, and something to help me overcome those pesky Sunday night blues.

 May every Monday be so sweet, with so very much to love about it.

Updating in 2012

I am getting ready to redo the living room...again. It's nothing major, you know, just the usual change the curtains, repaint a wall, add some furniture, design a wall gallery, etc... I am a little crazy when it comes to makeovers, and if I were keeping count I would realize that we've had 4 different sets of drapes and our couch in 3 different places in our living room, but I'm not...Anyway, Pinterest has been inspiring me once again and I am pretty excited about it. Here are some things things I have pinned recently to my home board that I will be using for inspiration...

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I really want to create a gallery wall, and while I am going for a bit of sophistication, I want lots of fun too! I have always been fairly uptight about keeping the living space an adult space. Maybe it is a second baby that has softened me, but I am now thinking that we need to liven our place up a little bit. I am thinking about incorporating some playful dogs and kid silhouettes into the mix, what do you think??

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And finally, I am thinking of incorporating some graphic art to the gallery wall. I LOVE this print I pinned this week. I think it is the perfect inspiration for me as we enter into the second semester of the school year!

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We'll see how the updates go around here in 2012. I'm trying not to be too crazy and get them all done overnight. I think it's going to take time to get it just right, and that is okay with me! In fact, one of my resolutions is to just slow down in general, so I think I'll just take the evolution one day at a time. Matt will like that. :)

Happy Monday!

11 for '11

Here are 11 of my favorite memories from 2011, in order from start to finish...

1...Time with grandparents.
Laurelei was lucky enough to spend a lot of time with her great-grandparents this year, and for that I am thankful. I don't take for granted how special the relationship between a child and their grandparents can be, and I was blessed to see Laurelei get to know, love and interact with Matt's and I's grandparents this year. One of my favorite memories was my papaw's birthday last winter, when Laurelei sat by his side and helped him open every single one of his presents. It was very, very sweet.

2...Snow days with Laurelei.
Because of bedrest L and I were robbed of our lazy summer days together. This helps me think back to those many snow days last winter we enjoyed together. We made cookies, played, napped, created. They were so special and some of the most full filling days my baby girl and I have spent together, just the two of us. I love the feeling of being holed up in the house, no place important enough to go to take us out in the blustery weather.

3...Finding out we were expecting #2.
I was convinced I was pregnant several times before I actually was. Poor Matt was victim to my mounting excitement and following disappointment each time I was wrong. We were getting ready for a quick dinner out with friends when I decided I thought I should take just one more pregnancy test. I couldn't believe it when it was positive and I know Matt couldn't either! We were so excited for what was to come! (I know, Matt looks really pleased. Don't worry, that was just his reaction to me making him take yet another self picture, not to the news!)

4...Chicago.
Over spring break I enjoyed 4 days in Chicago with two of my favorite people! We didn't know at the time but it was to be our last vacation as a family of three (we missed the beach because of bedrest.) We had a great time traipsing all over the city. Visiting the aquarium, museums, spoiling L, eating great food. It was an awesome trip.

5...It's a boy!
I had not so secretly hoped that we would have a boy this time, though I'd have been scarce to admit it if we'd had a girl! I loved growing up with my brother Harrison, and couldn't wait to raise a little boy of my own. We settled on the name Abbott, one of my favorites, while we were still at the doctor's office. It was such a happy moment!

6...Potty training.
2011 was the year of potty training L. It was full of memorable moments, many of which I just cannot share with the public, but I will say this. This thought has passed through my mind many times over the past few months: Never take for granted everyday you go without having an accident because at one point or another some brave soul had to teach you how to do that, and for that you should be eternally grateful! :)

7...Fireflies.
One night shortly after I was put on bedrest Mat and I let L stay up late to look for fireflies. She had never experienced this before, and her excitement was simply contagious. At that point we didn't know how my pregnancy was going to turn out, and we had decided that we would be grateful for all the little moments we had together in the meantime. It was a great memory.

 

8...Conversations with L.

2 is a fun age. L was 2 for most of 2011, and we had a lot of fun conversations. Some of the most memorable questions and conversations came from the subject of my growing belly, and those are some truly priceless moments.

9...Abbott's birth.

I have said it before, but I really do mean it...laboring and giving birth have been some of the most amazing moments of my life. It's hard, but more fun and rewarding that I can even explain. Having Abbott this year seemed to complete my world, and bringing him here safely was the best blessing I could have asked for. He was a much awaited, heavily anticipated little guy, and he lived up to all the hype and worry. What a little blessing. 11:53, best moment of 2011.

10...Laurelei meeting Abbott for the first time. 

And then there were 4. Laurelei's response to Abbott couldn't have been greater. She was so excited to have a little brother, and loved him so much from the very first second. I know she is going to continue to be just the best big sister her little brother could ask for, so long as she can keep from smothering him with her hugs and kisses. 

11...Lazy days with Abbott.

My maternity leave with Abbott was pure bliss. I could finally breathe easy knowing he was here and safe. We laid around every day for almost 9 weeks and it was truly lovely. I am not sure I will ever have the opportunity to rest like I did with him, so I am thankful for that time! I am also thankful that I got sometime to bond with my second born just the two of us. I know that many moms don't have that opportunity and I don't take that for granted either!

Happy 2012. May there be even more truly wonderful memories made this year!

linking to e tells tales.