The porcelain god

I started the week with a full night's sleep and a peaceful shower. I know, weird, right? Just as I was about to look in the mirror and yell WHO THE HELL ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH MY LIFE, Michael called to tell me that Gabriella had been puking all morning, in case I had forgotten who I was all the way down there at the Holiday Inn in Raleigh.

I had planned to fly home that evening but returned that afternoon instead to revive Gabriella from her cartoon coma with a bath and bedtime stories.

So then the next night I received a text message from Michael at work telling me in no uncertain terms that he too had the stomach bug. And I wanted to go, seriously? I know I should be sympathetic, but really? THE BABY COULD BE NEXT!

Let me tell you about the next 24 hours where Michael and Dominic perfected a chorus of vomit in between sips of Gatorade and Pedialyte while Gabriella handed out bandaids and Fisher Price Medical Kit injections. 

So I finally get to Friday with the family intact, and I'm trying not to feel cocky because my immune system, I don't know, kicks a lot of ass, when I wake up in the middle of the night with immobilizing nausea. OH YES I DID. 

I don't think I need to tell you how this story ends.

Snow is glistening

This weekend snow blanketed Boston and Gabriella earned her first cup of hot cocoa by helping Michael shovel the sidewalk.

Doodling and Daydreaming

You know on a date when suddenly you realize HE'S THE ONE! Soon you're doodling your new signature and daydreaming about happily every after. DOODLING AND DAYDREAMING. Who has the time? Not me, now that happily ever after is here and kicking my ass with her mountains of laundry and months of sleep deprivation. But, by god, if this shot doesn't make me want to sprinkle glitter down Pacific Coast Highway from the window of my convertible pink Barbie Dream Car.

Bookworm

This shot was taken moments after Gabriella returned her first library book.

What can I say? The kid loves books.

She's trying to turn her brother into a bookworm.

So far it isn't working. Dominic is far more interested in grabbing, banging, even eating books than he is in reading them, with one very adorable exception.