it’s crazy how quickly things change in the land of all things baby.  things that weren’t around when mikey was born are available in abundance now.  and he’s only four.  everything is new!  improved!  bigger!  better!  the turn-around seems to be every two years.  pack-n-plays have even more features now and come in hip brown-and-green styles.  the navy blue one we have is so… yesterday’s news.    strollers are tricked out beyond belief.  born-free-what?    i’m very thankful that we didn’t have to buy much this time around.  all the decisions would have been overwhelming to generally indecisive me.  and the money spent on it all would have sent phil through the roof. …

i haven’t worked up the nerve to venture out alone with all three yet.  i may never work up that nerve.  but thankfully, the kids and i have been happy as clams holing up together here at home.  and even better, my energy level is gradually coming back, so that doing fun things with mikey and allie doesn’t seem so impossible anymore.  so while lauren naps after eating (bless that girl), i try to do some fun activity with the kids each day. earlier this week, i brought out the paint supplies leftover from mikey’s party and let them have at it.  the looks of pure enjoyment on their faces while they painted more than made…