Well – it’s been a while since I did a “Mimi” post, so for everyone that’s been waiting on the edge of their seats (both of you…) I apologize. There’s way more to share, but my mimi brain tends to let go of the day-to-day ups and downs and I try to focus on the positive side…

I just can’t believe that the infant is now 4 weeks old – HOLY SMOKES – HOW did that happen???? She’s as cute as ever, but now her cheeks are starting to fill out and although she still has frog legs (we’ll NEVER mention that to her as a teen…) she’s already using them like crazy and trying to stand up!

Aléa has a super healthy appetite, and mom has been able to stockpile a wonderful supply of breastmilk in the freezer, which Mimi (during a moment of frustration) yanked on the door and sent 45-50 bags of frozen milk all over the kitchen floor. Fortunately for my toes, I had shoes on… Unfortunately someone (probably me) will have to re-organize the packages by date… Guess I know what I’m doing tomorrow morning

Speaking of toes… WHY is it that the designers of the little bouncy seats, high chairs, ladders NEVER consider the humans’ toes in their design? Last time I visited here over Thanksgiving, I literally broke my toe on the child’s seat – this time it’s been tested several times by the highchair, ladder, and just basic stuff on the floor. I know… some of you are saying, “wear shoes”!!! Well – I have an answer for that, it’s Florida! the rule is flip flops in Florida! and I don’t care what anyone says – they don’t protect your toes very well, so I might as well just go barefoot… (yes, I’m done complaining about that).

Just as my three daughters all have different personalities, these three are very different also… the only thing that they have in common is that they SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT!!! I don’t know what Chelsea did, but jeeze if I could have done that – I wish someone had told me! Right now, we’re just all grateful – mostly mom and dad – that baby girl is going 6 hours at a stretch at night!!!

So back to the fact that they’re so different – obviously Aléa hasn’t had enough time to develop much of a personality except when she has gas… this little girl burps like a champ once you get it up there – but mostly she’s just exhausted from being so cute all day….When “the book” comes out – these two boys will each get their own chapter…

Two year old has developed a fierce independent streak that rivals that of any middle child…”I do it” – “it’s mine…” – “let me” – followed by the inevitable melt down when Mimi had just tried too hard to ‘help’. I’m waiting for the “leave my ‘lone”… The most comical thing is when he is so polite… everything is followed by yes ma’am (mom/mimi/dad). We’re working on the yes ma’am daddy part…. He already knows that if he smiles and tips his head ‘just so’ he’s going to make an adult crack up (probably me) and ruin the seriousness of the moment – I’m learning that I’m useless when it comes to that stuff!

Cameron has been bringing home ‘all green’ reports – meaning that he follows instructions, is helpful and most of all a ‘joy’ to have in class! WHOO HOOOO! (This is WONDERFUL news this year – parents are thrilled and GRATEFUL!!!) The biggest challenge for this fella is trying not to run the world… sometimes he feels it’s his job to keep the 2 year old in line, which as you can imagine, doesn’t sit well with the child in question… He had the world in the palm of his hand for 5 years and now in a mere flash he has to compete with 2 siblings – to say it’s been an adjustment is an understatement, but honestly he’s doing extremely well with it… As he says: “you know mimi, it’s really hard being a big brother sometimes…” I totally agree, being the oldest child!

He also has a pretty independent streak himself, like if I double check for the mask in the back pack, I get the eye roll and ” I can’t believe you would think that I would forget THAT look”… and yes, fortunately they do have paper ones at school – thank goodness!!!

Overall, we’re getting into the swing of things and I have to tell you that I’m loving the hugs and love these two boys are so willing to give – unless it’s meal time, snack time, tv time, reading a book time, or play time

Overall – the lessons this week were (in no particular order… unless you’re the middle child)

• Do NOT – and I mean do NOT serve food separately to the middle child… the only way to make sure everything is eaten is to mix it together, like a taco salad for example… otherwise you end up with meat, and the tomatoes, sour cream, chips are gone.
• When you introduce an activity to calm the child (it happens to be watching aquarium fish on the laptop with soothing music in the background – try it…) be prepared to be reminded that the fish are in the computer and they must appear daily. My fish are doing an awful lot of sleeping lately… I think they have narcolepsy.
• BE STRONG when it comes to keeping your word – good or bad… as much as you want to give in, do NOT allow them to get away with it, and the old saying is true, it DOES hurt me more than it hurts him… and they remember EVERY time they got away with it…DANGIT
• DO NOT SAY DANGIT… it will haunt you for weeks…
• In the end, forgive it all, and start the day over, even if it’s noon, everyone deserves a ‘do over’ once a day…

Have a wonderful week ahead!! No pictures of Remi today – he’s so dang fast and getting him to sit still is hard!!