My Recent Life in Bullet Points

•  I need to write all about being a part of the support team for my new niece's birth.  Sixty hours after my sister was transported to the hospital via ambulance, and 48 hours after the induction was born, little Bailey was born happy and healthy (and stubborn) and it was one of the most amazing things I've ever been a part of . . . more details to follow.  I love my sister more than words can say, but my respect, admiration and feelings of tenderness toward her have quadrupled over the past week.  She's a rockstar.  The most impressive person I know. 

•  We are on week 2 of Ellie's potty training strike.  Yesterday showed some real promise though, so who knows, maybe it's over?  Almost.  PLEASE.

•  For the last several days, Isaac has been alternating between calling Greg "Dada" and "Daddy".  Then, last night (when he woke up at 4:30AM wanting to play), he almost tricked me into getting up with him with his happy calls of, "Mommy!  Mommy!"  Seriously, the kid has already graduated from 'Mama and Dad' to 'Mommy and Daddy' . . . how is that possible?!  He was born, like, yesterday!

•  Annie had her first report card, book fair and Parent Teachers Conference.  Holy cow, she's growing up fast.  And she's such an impressive little girl.  And going to the book fair brought back some of my fondest Elementary School memories.

•  Greg and I attended the parents meeting for the ALPS program (the magnet school for gifted students).  We both left with a very similar feeling of -- what a cool program, but not for our daughter.  Not yet, at least.  Annie's happy in a mainstream school, she's not lacking for social or fun opportunities, and as long as she's not getting bored or having issues with school, we want to keep her where she's at.  Later on, if she's still ahead (since a majority of kids, even those who are 'far' ahead, often even out within a few years), and needs something different, then we'll look into it.  I'm glad there is a program like it, I just wish they did more at the individual schools.  It seemed to us that the ALPS program wasn't just for kids who were smart, but kids who really 'need' something different.  We don't think Annie does yet.

•   Ellie has more personality and spunk than any kid I've ever met.  Her and Annie were learning a Halloween song about a witch in their dance class.  They both get up and sing and dance along to it adorably, but Ellie might as well be in full-on make up and costume for the play "Wicked" by how much she puts into it.  Her facial expressions are pretty much the most hilarious thing ever.  Her and Annie start indoor soccer today, and I can't wait to see how her enthusiasm plays out . . .

• I am in my third trimester now.  At my appointment yesterday they told me to come in again in three weeks, and it really hit me that we're closing in on this if I'm coming more often for appointment now!  I also just weaned Isaac this week (probably 'cause I was at the hospital with my sister more often than not!)  I never thought I'd nurse clear until my third trimester (as I weaned both girls during the first trimester of pregnancy), but I was really surprised just how easy nursing during the pregnancy has been.  He was only nursing once a day, for a little while now, so it didn't 'take much out of me', and I can already tell I'm gonna miss it, but it's a bit of a relief to have that off my plate before the new baby comes.  I will miss our snuggly mornings though -- nothing beats putting off the day an extra 15 minutes by curling up under the covers with the baby and ignoring the world for just a little bit longer . . . now he wakes up and just asks for 'Melmo!'  (That kid LOVES Elmo.)