Bathing Beauty

What?  You don't wear your pearls when you take a bath?

Stella is also sporting a nice gash and bruise on her forehead from where she hit the wall...literally.

Home.

I survived my first solo trip away from Stella.  I should say we all survived my first solo trip away from home since Stella was born. 

This past week I visited my grandmother in Florida; I was gone for five nights and six days and BOY was I ready to come home when it was all over!  I left on Tuesday the 10th.  Later that night, Tim started to feel sick to his stomach.  On the morning of the 11th he knew he was in big trouble when he woke up fully sick and struggled to take care of himself, the two dogs and the all-important baby/toddler by himself.  Call in the reinforcements - mom to the rescue!  My mom arrived within a few hours of Tim's request for help - thank God.  She stayed for two nights and helped care for both of my babies until Tim was feeling well enough to do it alone.

I wish I could say I came back refreshed by my time away but I'm feeling all-around exhausted.  My grandmother is getting old and it's the first time I've visited her (I've pretty much seen her once a year since I started college) that I actually noticed she is getting old.  We had some sad conversations, like talking through the idea she shouldn't be driving anymore, and I'm so proud to have a nana who is open to discussing tough things.  We had our usual big argument (I can't remember a visit where we didn't have one good disagreement in the middle of my visit), and I cleaned, cleaned, cleaned.  I'm not sure how long my grandmother will be around, so I'm incredibly thankful for the time we spent together.

When I got off the plane back in New Hampshire I walked past airport security to see my husband and my little girl waiting for me.  Tim had dressed Stella up in tights, a sweet jumper and a purple onesie.  I could just picture him in my mind's eye picking out the outfit the night before and getting everything ready at home.  How in the world have I been so blessed by such a wonderful, loving husband who is the best father to our daughter?  I am overwhelmed by my love for him and by my thankfulness for my entire family.