She Waits for No One

Charlotte, tonight, you desperately wanted to give your sister a bath. You wouldn't wait for me to clear off the dinner table. You carried the baby's tub into the living room, and began to undress her and take off her diaper. You are such a tremendous helper and I am totally awestruck by your intuition and anticipation. But at the same time, I was seriously worried that you just might pick up your sister and put her in the tub yourself.

Tonight, I walked upstairs to tuck the kids into bed, and I wished I had my camera. I stood in the doorway of Joe's room and just stared at my children, mentally freezing this picture in my brain. Joseph and Charlotte were sitting at the head of his bed with their backs to the wall and their legs straight out in front of them. Joseph was wearing his pajama pants, no shirt and his Daniel Boone hat while holding a nerf gun, poised for attack. Charlotte sat next to him, attentively flossing her teeth. If I had ran downstairs to grab the camera it wouldn't have been the same. So this is my way of never forgetting.

Merry Christmas

Who needs Rudolph?

3 Weeks and Counting

Betsy at three weeks. Betsy you are so sweet and mellow. I didn't think it possible to bare a more pleasant baby than the first two, but you proved me wrong. While we were taking pictures, your siblings were running a muck, and my patience was wearing thin, but you remained calm. If you did start to squirm, all I had to do was sing the Christmas Song, and you would calm down. Really the only times that you cry are when you are hungry, cold after a bath, or you need to burp.


You are starting to develop baby chub. Your brother and sister were born with rolls, but you have had to work for yours. I am so excited because tomorrow I am having pictures taken of you, Joseph and Charlotte. We haven't done family pictures since Charlotte was 6 months old. Our little family is the best Christmas present ever.

Two Weeks and Toland Christmas

December 14th and two weeks have passed. By the time this posts, Betsy will be almost three weeks old. Sometimes, I just want time to stop.

Charlotte has been more help than I could ever have anticipated. Although, Joseph is enamored with Betsy, Charlotte has been my attentive helper.
The Toland matriarch, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.

I already have a New Year's resolution. Well, actually, two resolutions. Every year, I have a resolution to watch what I say and keep foul language to a minimum. My real New Year's resolution is to take more pictures of my children and family.

On the Night You Were Born

I have always wanted to have a birth story for my children. But alas, my last two stories consisted of, "you wouldn't come out, so my doctor scheduled a day and we took you out." Although, Betsy's story is similar, something funny happened the night before she was born. Our power went out for three hours. Three hours, 5pm to 8:30 pm, just when I was starting to fix dinner, and was in the throws of last minute packing, bathing two children and readying the kids and house for three days without me. For three hours, I ran around like a crazy woman with a lamp strapped to my head. We ordered pizza, and picnicked in the living room with our flashlights and candles. In the dark, nothing but my little head lamp to light the way through bath and bedtime. What a sight! I decided it was just an initiation to motherhood of three young children.
Betsy Jane born November 30. Weighing in at 9 lbs. My smallest of the three babies.

Charlotte meeting Betsy for the first time.
Joe is enamored with his littlest sister. He calls her, "Betsy, the rock star".




Home, day 1 or day 2. I don't remember. I have been trying to keep up with pictures, but time is flying. I made an attempt at a photo for Christmas cards, we'll see how they turn out.

A Teaser

Maybe not a complete tease. Hopefully do a sporadic post tonight.