• a husband who wakes me up in the middle of the night
• my wonderful and (sometimes) unruly daughter whose energy is never-ending and silliness makes me laugh in spite of myself 
• my ever-smiley son, the charming little man who is babbling and pointing to communicate his needs and desires
• a sewing machine
• a sewing machine guide
• brief moments in the day I find to create
• fall colors–leaves, skies, fabrics and food
• Draegers Market
• pumpkin spice coffee that I can still smell even though I brewed it this morning
• a mom who offers to play all day with my kids, who wears outrageous clothing combos and looks absolutely fabulous, who finds time to help in any situation
• a husband who patiently works behind the scenes to get children cleaned or clothed or put somewhere safely
• a dad who feeds my children far too much sugar and shares far too many videos because he can because he’s the grampa
• a grandma who remains sharp and stylish and forever curious-there’s always something to talk about with her!
• a brother who makes time to visit and play.  He’s just a tremendously thoughtful guy.
• and he has a quality lady-friend.  Jessica is such a smart and positive person.  She’s the kind of person who brings sunshine to a room.
• mashed potatoes
• family — all of them, near and far.  I am so grateful for such great people to love.
• Mags, my faithful dog, Ollie’s favorite playmate
• magazines
• quiet time in the early morning to read those magazines
• bedtime
• Christmas music playing in the background…all the time
• my bff, Twitter and texting
• a comfortable and roomy home to gather family into 
• the Interweb
• a Protestant work ethic
• new ideas and dreams
• my bed-I literally sigh with delight when I turn off the light and get under the covers
• my little family of precious souls

From these photos you would never guess that yesterday we were at the doctor’s being diagnosed with ear infections.  Thankfully I took Ollie along to Lily’s appointment. Her preschool called about an hour after she arrived;she was complaining that her ear hurt.  Both kids battled colds and ran fevers early in the weekend but I just thought it was running its course.  When the doc took a look at Lily’s ears and then noticed Ollie’s reddish, goopy eyes, he prescribed some antibiotics for both little people.  Neither really showed they were in any pain….they were just awfully lethargic and a little cranky.  Today, though, they are definitely on the mend!  And it was Picture Day at school.  Lily wore an outfit sent to her from Aunt Susie in Italy.  When else can you wear a peter pan collar with a cute apron overlay?  We took advantage!

Ollie’s new favorite activity:  climbing on the chair.  He understands when you insist he sit on his bottom.

These two seem to be getting to the age where they have started to amuse each other.  On this night, they thought it was hilarious to run around after each other and Maggie,  jump on the couch, and take Ollie on a ride.  Its really fun to watch them develop a new kind of relationship!  The laughing and directions from Lily to Oliver are pretty great, too.

Lovies

What a FABULOUS Halloween!

Raking up our tissue paper leaves

This weekend we had a ton of fun enjoying fall and the activities that come with the season.  When Lily returned from gymnastics on Saturday morning, we played with some leaves.  Raking, jumping, dancing in them as they fell from the sky…and then she made a gorgeous piece of art, including some of her preschool pumpkins.

Since not many leaves fall here, we made our own fall fun!

Lily created these cool pumpkins at school. Glue and orange sand

Later that day we made some caramel popcorn.  Only that evening did I learn that Sam doesn’t like caramel.  That’s kind of great but kind of awful, too.  I guess I have to be in charge of making sure it all gets eaten 🙂  And after that, we went to the woods and collected building materials for a fairy house.  While we were in the woods, Ollie got to meet a new puppy–an 8 month old Golden named Lucky–and I am afraid we may have to continue to be a dog family.  He loves them!  Maggie is being fairly patient with him; O gets a tremendous kick out of trying to catch her.

 Sunday we readied the costumes and carved our pumpkins.  Strangely enough, even though Lily loves to paint and get messy that way, she wanted nothing to do with the pumpkin guts.  Notice the toothy grin of the big pumpkin.  Looks like a Weller, don’t you think?!?

Left:  A toothy Weller baby  Right:  A ghost pumpkin

Who is ONE?!?

Oliver William turned one on October 20.  What a great year, full of growth and movement and noises and little sleep.  As we all know, Ollie is one of the smiliest, happiest kids around; he’s a Joy Boy!

My little Oliver-


Your dad and I have had such a great year getting to know you and learning to juggle two little people.  You have taught us all how to temper our expectations(of how clean the house must be….of how much needs to really get done), slow down, practice patience and enjoy being together as a family.  Now that you are walking and talking and pointing out things you would like (and yelling about it when you don’t get it:-), we marvel at the speed with which your first year went by!  You are a super brother, son and little person…thank you for being ours!


                            xxoo-
                                  Mommy


Here are some scenes from your party…we all had a great time celebrating you!

Get ready because you will be seeing this photo many times in the coming months.  I love it.  Jen made us all look really good!  Okay-well, she made me look good.  My foundation and other makeup definitely was touched up in a masterly way in PhotoShop.  Yay!  Score one for The Mommy! 🙂

Drum roll, please…

Why should you get ready to see it a lot?  You will probably get both a Christmas card and present bearing this image, dear Followers.  Merry, merry!

but Oliver William has slept through the night TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW!!!!!!


That is all.


Yipee!