Well, i finally have a second to sit down and write something. Isabella has gone to sleep. the older two are in bed watching a movie. i shipped the husband off to DSW with my sister and sister-in-law, and i’m enjoying the peace and quiet for the first time since sunday.

i think travelling with children has that same sort of post-birthing-a-baby amnesia effect. after a trip, you forget about how highly stressful and hard it actually was, because otherwise, there’d never be a next time. the trip over here was tough, man. actually, the usual stresses that worry me  – delays, snowstorms, customs – were easy peasy. the airport was virtually chaos-free. and considering we were travelling on christmas eve, i’d consider that a blessing and a half. the trouble was the combination of the a) lack of food b) lack of milk and c) lack of sleep that sent miss bella over the edge. she was total crankovitch the entire trip. we passed her back and forth across the aisle while she whined and complained and whined and complained some more. oh, and then whined and complained a little bit more. she was so exhausted. and hungry. and thirsty.

but, at the end of the day, we got here in one piece. and were almost on time for the Christmas eve party. (although i did feel slightly underdressed walking in wearing a ponytail and lululemons.)

it’s been so nice seeing my family. I was thrilled to see my sister, who is now a skinny, skinny bitch (see? the south beach diet DOES work for some people…). she and i have the kind of relationship where we don’t see each other often (certainly not often enough) but when we do, we pick up our conversations where we left off the last time. we have the same sense of humor. the same likes and dislikes. we like shoes and clothes and sales and victoria secret v-strings (shh. don’t tell). we like dishing about celebrities while our husbands make hanging gestures behind us. we like gossiping about other people. oh, boy, do we ever. and her husband, Joe, always cracks me up and keeps me on my toes. i love sarcasm and he seems to have written the book on the subject.

i was thrilled to see my niece, Lauren, who i haven’t seen in a YEAR. a year! can you imagine? my kids only cousin on my side of the family and the last time we saw her was a year ago. she warmed to us immediately and she and isabella have been having a blast. her 2-year-old self has been regressing a little and Isabella’s 16-month self has been trying to act all grown-up like. sure, mommy, i can eat ice cream by myself… and of course, i was thrilled to see her parents, my brother Jonathan and his wife Rachel. I adore them. i really do. Rachel and i can sit and talk about pregnancies (she’s due in july) and kids and the like. it’s nice. and my brother. if he inherited anything from his mother it’s his ability to really, really, truly care about what you have to say. he wants to know about everything i’m up to. everything i’m into. and he really listens and wants to know what i have to say. and seeing him with his daughter amazes me. when you grow up with a brother and then watch him become a father…it’s truly unbelievable.

i was thrilled to see my dad and my stepmom. my dad is a non-emotional type. he’s not big on hugs. or i love yous or showing affection. but, in the last few years, in very subtle ways, he’s been showing how much he cares about me. and my family. and what my dad lacks in affection, my stepmom makes up for him and for everyone else. she’s super giving and caring and kind and emotional. she can’t read christmas cards without getting all choked up.

and now, my dear internets, i best be off. there’s a puzzle that’s calling my name. i don’t know what it is, but when i’m around my dad, the puzzle addict in me rears its ugly head. and i become a woman obsessed. it’s a little frightening, even to me.

just in case you needed some proof that we’re having a blast…

yes, that IS my kids eating ice cream out of the carton.  spoiled much?

the husband, me (yes, i’m in a picture!), my grandma, Rachel and Jon