Off to the Hamptons in t minus 2

Alright, so as of now, we are all packed and ready for vacation with the family. I am excited, nervous and a little scared for the next couple of weeks. And flying on a plane with 4....are we certifiably nuts!!??!! If it wasn't for 20 of us being on the same flight, we would have made the long drive "up north".

G turns 1 this week! Amazing how time flies!! She is jetting all over the house now, which is pretty hilarious to watch because the dogs don't know what to make of it at all! I am so proud of Max (our black cocker) because as she was "chasing" him around the house, she tottered a little and almost fell, only to grab onto his ear to steady herself. It was like it was in slow motion, because I have been worried about how the puppies would react to kiddos pulling at them, and he was absolutely fine. When she did finally plop down, Max went over and checked her out to be sure she was ok. Too cute! G officially has 3 words that she uses on a regular basis "goggy" (take a guess!) "light" and "dis one". "Light" came about because we have been searching for new fixtures for our guest bathroom. She suddenly ust said it in the middle of Home Depot. Of course, I started jumping up and down and acting like a lunatic, upon which I was starkly reminded by some weary looks that not everyone likes/has children. "Dis one" is purely a result of having 2 brothers and a sister. Everywhere we go, of course I look like a bag lady because I have to carry enough changes of clothes, diapers, juice and bottles and the like on my person, because the day that I don't is when I'll run out of wipes or have a screaming child who wants a specific toy. Yes, this is true...so I have come to terms with it. Anyhow...the conversation usually goes, "which blanky is (fill in a child of your choice here)" or "Which one is N's bottle?"...G is usually the one to help with these situations, because I really want her to understand ownership and sharing and things of that nature. So, usually she would point and I would say, yes, this one is _________'s bottle/blanky/toy etc. So now, she says "dis one" to EVERYTHING! She is really coming into her own as a big sister. So proud! I am sending out some of the pictures that I took of her for her 1 year pictures via the family email newsletter list.

J has become quite the clown in the last few days. His baby laughs are like bubbles! He has this hearty bellylaugh and a little giggle that just crack me up every time.

N and V are growing up so fast! They are very very aware of each other now. We finally put them in separate cribs just a few weeks ago, because they were keeping each other awake. Both are smiling and become more and more animated every day.

So we are officially looking for a bigger house. Just as we were finally getting situated in this one, we are feeling a litle cramped. I told K that we really need to wait until K the nanny moves out and then see how it is. He is just restless. There is a BEAUTIFUL horse farm just down the road from us that is for sale. Although we can afford it, it astonds me to think of spending that much on a house for the 6 of us. K is trying to reel me in with the prospect of having horses again. He knows my weaknesses. It also overlooks the river with a big wrap around front porch... I will include the link for the property in the newsletter email if I feel inspired to. I am trying to not get excited about the house because I am content here and I hate to think we have put in all this work to up and move just as we are finishing up.

Well, off to bed. N and V's Christening is tomorrow morning at church, and although I am aware that everyone knows that I am a mom of 4, I don't want them to ee it written on my tired face. Goodnight everyone.

sdg