One month? Seriously?!?

Violet is one month old today.  When did that happen?  We've been so busy around here that the time has just flown by.  Just look at how much she has grown!

So many people ask me, "How do you do it all?"  The honest answer is, I don't.  The house is usually a mess, the older kids are always fighting, and sometimes I don't shower for 3 days straight.  I just make what is important to me a priority.  For me, that is family, food, and fun.  I'll pack up the kids and head to the library to escape the toys covering the living room.  Push all the dirty dishes into the sink so I can make apple crisp.  Skip a shower and even some sleep if it means game night with the neighbors (as long as they don't mind the smell!). 

Still, it has been a little chaotic around here lately.  I know Ellie is old enough now to start having permanent memories, and I sure hope she doesn't remember holding her screaming sister while I go to the bathroom, playing in pajamas with Rowan while Jason and I try to sleep in a little longer, and spending "mom and me time" cleaning the bathrooms.  Instead, I hope she remembers going apple picking as a family, riding her bike down to the soccer field with Daddy every day for soccer camp, and climbing trees with neighbor friends.  I am being very conscious of not putting too much responsibility on her at such a young age, but it is so tempting to ask her for help when I just need a helping hand, because she is usually my most responsible option. 

 Violet is by far our most attached baby.  I never thought I would let one of our kids sleep in the bed with us, but it has just worked out best to have her stay in our bed.  Actually, Violet is pretty much on me all day and night, except when Jason is home from work and able to walk around holding her.  She is the most content snuggled up in someone's arms (or baby carrier).  (By the way, have I told you all about our trip to my dentist when she was 3 weeks old?  Let's just say, I never in my wildest dreams imagined I would nurse a baby while reclined with my mouth wide open as the dental hygienist scraped away at my teeth.  Fun times.)   As she gets older, she does tolerate lying down to look around for brief periods of time.  Especially if Rowan is entertaining her :)

The next two months are gearing up to be even more busy for our family.  Jason is working full time for the university's teacher assistant union throughout the 2010 election.  The older kids have started preschool again - Ellie going M/W/F afternoons and Rowan going T/Th afternoons - which means we walk to the preschool every weekday.  We'll also be doing homeschooling activities with both of them.  In addition to school, Ellie is taking yoga and ballet and Rowan is taking yoga and soccer.  Little Violet will be busy learning basically everything.  And me, well, right now I'm just along for the ride :)