January 15

I can't believe we're already 1/2 way through January.  Time has been flying, but it's been great!  After we got back from Maryland, Christian went to my parent's house for 3 days while Simon and I did a lot of work on our house.  We cleared the garage (and filled the house with boxes), put together our new IKEA furniture (I'll have to post pictures someday!), cleaned, refinished the floor, and painted.  Again, I WILL post before/afters once it's done.

I am in the process of reading a book that compares the job of a home-maker to being the CEO of a business.  And really, the comparison is very good.  Part of running my "company" is having what the author calls Command Central.  So I am currently setting up my own command post which will function as the base of operations for the Henry Homestead.  I need to get this little family organized before it can grow (and succeed).  It feels really good to get organized, and not only to get organized, but to invent a way that it can stay that way on a daily basis.  I have to admit, I'm pretty excited about this.  

Simon has gone back to work: and is officially the Assistant Director of Admissions! Hooray Hubby! He is thoroughly enjoying his new(to us at least) car (Saab 9-5), and he loves parking it in a garage.  He's the man!     

Christian has finally seemed to get back into a routine and is doing great with sleep, naps, and eating... still working on the listening thing.  He is saying so much!... he LOOOVES the "we-mote" (remote) and loves watching football or basketball on tv.  I never fail to smile when he wakes up from sleeping, and after babbling for a while, says "Mommy".... and he holds the first syllable out longer like he's calling to me.  Not that you really want to know EVERY word he can say, but a few are football, key-tar (guitar), yup/yesss/yah, dinner, bwush (brush), sues (shoes), baby, and a growing list of others... he'll pretty much try to repeat anything, and does so with surprising accuracy!  We are laughing a lot! (but probably scolding/correcting equally as much).  He's a handful!

The "girls" are growing, but treating me well.  I feel better than I did over Christmas, which I attribute to 2 things: #1--- I'm not eating as much.  #2--- I wear sweatpants whenever possible, and this makes a CONSIDERABLE difference in how comfortable I am around around my hips.  Even maternity pants are too snug to be truly comfy.  At our last ultrasound (one week ago), the doc said everything looks great, babies are same size (about 2.5 lbs), and I should keep on keepin' on.  I am 42" around my middle.  I have this freaky stretch-mark explosion right above my belly button... uck!  What else will happen in the next 2 months?  Oh, and to top it all off, my face is getting chubby.  Rats.
The babies are moving ALLL of the time, and they are getting stronger and more evident from the outside viewer.  When there is a sudden kick, it rocks my whole torso.  These are the things that every expectant mother adores, but which are so hard to share with others.  How can something that is so obvious to me be overlooked by everyone else?  But, this is the definition of being a mother, is it not?

Well ya'll, I wish you peace.