LYLAS

When I was in middle school, it was popular to pass notes to your friends during class.

"Can u believe he just said that?!?"

"I know. What a loser."

"N-E-Way, whatcha doin after school?"

"Nuttin', u?

And at the end of the note, we would sign it, LYLAS … love you like a sister.

At the time, I couldn't wrap my mind around why we would sign it like that. I mean, my sister and I fought all the time. Clothes, toys, what channel the TV was on. And some of those fights were brutal.

But I assumed that when I signed it LYLAS, it didn't actually mean to punch my friend in the stomach and take off running to the nearest hiding place. I think that was a safe assumption.

I have a point here, I swear.

This weekend, my sister-in-law Heather stopped by with her girls (my lovely nieces, Bella & Cambri) and I watched a level of interaction between my girls and her girls that I had never witnessed before.

Bella was interested in playing with Claire and Grace, and they responded to that, which I think made her even more interested in them.

And the girls were fascinated with Cambri.











It got me thinking (and hoping) that someday these girls will be super close. That they will all cheer for each other, look out for each other and be there for each other. And maybe sign their texts LYLAS.

P.S. Right before I posted this, I saw Heather's blog, which coincidentally is about the same topic. How bizarre is that? It must be true ... great minds think a like.

Early Bird

Nearly 29 years ago, my mother was a healthy two weeks past her due date. Incredibly uncomfortable, wondering when her baby would decide to be born.

My new niece, Cambri, on the other hand, arrived nine days early. Isn't she lovely?



Welcome to one crazy family, little Miss. We're so excited to have you!

Anticipation

This weekend, Scott (and about 10 of my closest friends) gave me a surprise birthday present. It was awesome. But more on that later. With pictures. And sweat. Lots and lots of sweat. And blood and tears.

For now, though, we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of my niece. Her due date is the April 8, but they are scheduled to induce on Friday. But now she's showing signs she may be ready to go earlier. Or it's possible she's playing her first April Fool's joke just to torture her parents. If she's anything like my brother, that's exactly what she's doing.



Don't they look a little too rested?

It's My Checkup, and I'll Cry If I Want To

Yesterday was the twinkies' one-year checkup.

And it was a doozy.

To start it off, the appointment was at 1 p.m. — smack dab in the middle of their long afternoon nap. So, I had to wake them. I cannot state enough what a terrible, terrible thing it is to have to wake your children. Especially if you have the kind who struggle to sleep. Looking at you, Claire.




But I woke them, loaded them up and headed to the doctor's. Normally, I don my SuperMom costume and lug two heavy babies in their car seats to the appointments myself. But lucky for me (and the girls), my sisters were staying with me for a couple of days and "got" to come with us.

The moment I laid the girls down to remove their clothing, they started screaming. And they didn't stop until we got out of the office. No, seriously. I'm not kidding. They screamed for nearly an hour.

Being measured was scary. The scale was terrifying. And seeing the doctor walk in was horrific. They clung to me like their lives were in mortal peril. And that was BEFORE we even got to the shots.

But afterward, we rushed them outside, let the fresh air dry their tears, and they calmed down almost instantly.

I cannot thank my sisters enough for hanging out with me for the last couple of days and helping me feed and play and care for these little twinkies. We are so lucky to have them in our lives.





P.S. Sorry, Cassie. I couldn't find any photos of you and the girlies. This was the best I could do.

Love

Family. Friends. Fun.

That was our weekend.

Oh, yeah. And mice. But more on that tomorrow.

In a two-day span, the girls played with four grandparents, one great-grandparent, a cousin, three friends, two kids and one baby. When we put them to sleep Sunday evening, they were exhausted. Being popular takes a toll.







But the whole weekend got me thinking about the importance of family. Families give you a lift when your car breaks down. Families mow your grass when you just can't find the time. Families watch your babies so you can have a night off. Families eat, drink and be merry with you on your birthday. But most importantly, families fill you with love. A deep, unbreakable, unconditional love.

Forget the heirlooms. And the family recipes. And the inheritance (ha. ha. ha.) If there is one thing I want our girls to know, it's love.



But I'm guessing they already do.