Orchestra Date

Last week I got to go on an orchestra date with Ramona and Paula. It was my first time attending a Loveland Orchestra concert from the audience perspective, and Ramona's (and Paula's) first orchestra concert ever.

I really enjoyed our conversation on the car ride over. Ramona seemed genuinely excited as I tried to explain how our little experience would unfold. It would be a little like the ballet date she went on with Daddy last year when I played in the orchestra pit for the Nutcracker--she still remembered.

The girls behaved quite well for the first half of the concert. Still, after Ramona got her cookie at intermission, it was time to go home.

The next day was cousin Ella's first birthday. We took a photo to send to her and miraculously caught all three girls smiling on the first try.

I decided to play the next orchestra concert and was able to go back to rehearsals this week, thanks to Forest being willing to tackle bedtime on his own at home (and Paula being willing to drink from a bottle). My family is so good to support me and my orchestra-love.

Flying Solo

2014 has had a lively start at our home thus far:
We had a little New Year's party with Annabel's family on the first . . .

 

. . . Paca and Teresa stopped by for a visit on the third . . .

 

 

  . . . and Jii and Baachan were here helping out until the sixth.

 

After almost a week without extra adults living in our house (and Forest fully returned to work), I think I am gaining a more accurate perspective of mothering three children on my own during the day. Surprisingly, so far I have yet to be panic-stricken, overwhelmed, or consumed by sobbing fits, as previously feared. There is still plenty of time for all of that to occur, of course, but for now I am just grateful for how peaceful and pleasant my first week has been as I've flown solo. Among the many to thank for our relatively smooth transition, may I just mention:
1) My parents for giving up so much time and providing the older girls with plenty of adult attention
2) Thoughtful friends for their encouragement and meals
3) Ramona and Mika for being awesome big sisters--they have been so loving toward our new addition and have played so well together while I focus on baby care and all of the associated laundry.

 

 

 

 

 

I have a great job.

Final Photos of 2013

The last few days of 2013 have had many sweet moments for our family. I tried to capture some of them in photo-form:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So long, 2013--you've been good to us.