Hump Day

Well, it's Wednesday. Liv has another poop bug (either that or orange cranberries and orange juice overload), I have a mildly upset stomach and Lila is perfect (so far). It's a bit dreary and we haven't been to the park in a week.

The once a week babysitter didn't work out. She doesn't speak much English, therefore, DH decided he was too uncomfortable to use her. I'm depressed because I cannot find anyone else. I'm tempted to BEG and PLEAD with our night time sitter to quit one of her morning or afternoon cleaning jobs to come work for me for more money! Ha, like I'd ever get the guts to do that.

DH mentioned something about someone or something dying recently. Maybe it was the fly he killed. I can't remember. Unfortunately, Olivia's dolls, according to her, have been dying. Great. Is this foreshadowing of a time when she'll be wearing black clothes and dyeing her hair black?

I had a great pedicure and facial waxing done in the comfort of my own home this weekend. Only Olivia fell out of bed (she was fooling around) a half hour into naps. She then woke up Lila and it was downhill from there. DH fell asleep on the couch and I had kids climbing on the woman doing my toes and myself. That won't be happening again!

Lila is still waking up once or twice to nurse. My mother-in-law always helps me put things into perspective. She nursed all three of her children for a year or more. She knows how this goes. She gently reminded me that this won't last forever. It's not like she'll be 10 and still be doing this. Her advice is always simple, yet perfect. That doesn't mean I'm now excited and more than willing to allow this to continue much longer. But, I'm able to calm down about it. Usually, once I calm down and stop over-thinking things, they work out on their own fairly quickly. We'll see. The other night, I went into her room when she was crying and asked her what was wrong. She pointed to her bedroom door. So, I put her down on the floor. Holding tightly onto her doll and Taggie (her blanket), she walked her tiny self down the hall and into our bedroom where she proceeded to try to get up on the bed. It was so cute that I thought, "how can I deny this sweet little girl what she wants?" Which was to get in bed and nurse. All in good time, I guess!

On another note, Matt and I are trying to figure out if it's worth the price to go see Circ de Soleil. Has anyone been recently? Worth it? Kid-friendly?

Well, I have to put my face on and get ready for a fancy smancy dinner. I'm beginning to loath these things more and more. How come I can't wear jeans and nice sweater like I did in Alaska??

Funny Things

Now that both girls are taking their naps, the floors have been swept and mopped (albeit quickly), toys picked up, dinner thought out, and Evites responded to, I feel a bit less guilty about posting, yet another, update about a couple of funny things.

This morning, as I was rushing to get the girls out the door in order to get to play group on time, I asked Liv, playing on the back porch, if she had to go to the bathroom before we left. Her reply:

"No, mommy. I already went. I went in my little potty. I went poop. Denali ate it though. Do you want to see my potty (she holds it up)? See, it's dirty (smear of poop).

Her little potty (Mini-Baby Bjorn potty) was on the back porch. I'm not sure how it made it there. We've been bringing it with us on long car rides. When a three-year-old has to go, she has to go. So, it's come in handy. We must have brought it into the house last night and, obviously, neglected to put it back in her bathroom. Somehow, it mysteriously ended up on the back porch. I had to laugh at her "poop" admission .

Earlier, upon waking up this morning, she asked to watch TV. I flipped on Armed Forces Network's cartoon channel. Stupid mommy, I forgot that she doesn't watch cartoons anymore! She demanded that I put on the "movie" of her and "Dypen." Dypen, is her pronunciation of her cousin, Cyprien's, name (they are five-weeks apart).

Olivia, lately, has given up watching Disney movies, Dora and Diego shows and regular cartoons. Ever since I put our home videos onto DVD, she prefers them over any other show. Grandparents and well-meaning family members have sent DVD after DVD of shows normal three-year-olds watch. For now, they are shelved and we are watching her visits to Vermont and New York, her first bath, Lila's first bath and play time with Cyprien. Over and over and over again. I guess, if she's going to watch TV, these are better for her mind than, say, a cruel woman snatching up spotted puppies. The horrors!

Quinta da Regaleira - Sintra

Down dirt-covered roads....

"into the initiation well via an immense spiral shaped staircase..."

into the mansion (Palácio dos Milhões)...


down into a deep dark cave (notice the baby on Olivia's back)...

up a watchtower...

and across a pond...

Whew, what an adventure! A c0-worker's of Matt's highly recommended a visit to Quinta da Regleira in the Old Quarter of Sintra. So, this morning, we embarked on that adventure and were not disappointed.

The Quinta da Regaleira's grounds are stunning. Owner, Antonio Augusto Carvalho Monteiro and scenographer-architect Luigi Manini collaborated together and, at the turn of the century, the Quinta da Regaleira was built. The above pictures do not do the grounds justice. If you ever come to Portual and visit Sintra, this place is not to be missed!

Sintra is becoming a favorite stomping ground for our family!