Sometimes the baby gets chocolate bread for breakfast.

And he really likes it.

(Notice the gummy smile – Emry’s first tooth has broken through so he’s toothless no more!)

Both my children drink bottles. Occasionally while watching TV.

In the hours between 5 and 7 a.m., I frequently want to curse. Sometimes I do. Early morning is not my finest hour.

I found more amazement, pleasure and simple joy in Elan’s Magical Crystal Garden than he did. I felt 7 years old again.

Smiles make everything better. It’s such a relief that Elan’s back to himself again. I am so glad that those 12 days of parenting hell are over.

I spend a lot of time in cafes, since I work best away from the distractions of children, laundry and dishes at my house. But I’ve never heard singing in a cafe like the nine women clustered around a table across from me are doing right now. It’s gorgeous, and it feels soulfully appropriate today. Today is my dad’s birthday (Happy Birthday Dad!). And it’s also the day we learned about the passing of a beloved preschool teacher at Elan’s school after a long illness. I led a yoga session for Elan’s class this morning, breathing and stretching with the kids after a difficult morning dealing with Elan’s 5:00 a.m. restless and overtired crankiness, and my own frustration and worry about this ongoing sleep struggle, even post-T&A. So I think it’s a day to FEEL. To feel the sad, the joy, the frustration, the gratefulness, and the messy combinations of emotion that make up being alive.