every afternoon, i put the girls down for a nap and then mikey and i tackle his homework.  when that chore is finished, he gets one treat out of our candy bowl and heads into the living room to watch one show of his choosing.  lately, his favorite show has been bubble guppies.  after that’s over, he turns off the tv and then plays by himself while i go take a nap.  he finds this time to get kinda lonesome.  though he doesn’t really complain about it, i know he’d much rather have allie stay awake and keep him company.  she’s on the verge of not needing a nap anymore,…

once the kids are all tucked in bed for the night, phil most oftentimes has more work to catch up on.  sometimes he’ll be on the computer in his makeshift office and sometimes he’ll bring out his little laptop and work in the living room.  and most times, i can be found lounging on the couch in the living room feeling pretty spent after another day caring for kids, meals, and home.  we’re both totally beat at the end of the day. but one thing we definitely look forward to is our weekly top chef night.  it’s our most favorite show and usually all work is put aside so we…

five things: 1) i am 34 weeks along now. 2) the next few assignments have required a certain other half to be around in order to be photographed. 3) further, if i wanted those photographs to be taken during daylight hours, it has meant waiting for the rare day when that certain other half was home (and conscious) while it was still light outside.  not an easy combination to come by lately. 4) my other half is a very good sport. 5) i very much dislike being in photographs. with all that being said… assignment #16:  together (self-portrait) just us.  and the 34-week belly. this is the face of my…

the kids are getting more and more excited to meet their new baby brother.  perhaps none more than allie, who is over the moon to have another baby in the house.  she just loves telling everyone she comes across that there’s a baby brother on the way.  she tells me all the things she’s going to do for him.  and she seems to think my belly button works like a telephone, as she’ll often come up to it and yell, “hi baby brother!  how ya doin’ in there?” i have a feeling this little baby is going to be the lucky recipient of LOTS of love and affection from his…

after college, phil worked at a brain bank.  the salary was pitifully low.  but the one upside was that if a brain came in after hours, he’d get called in to process it.  and he’d get paid a flat rate per brain for those.  if we were together when he got called, i’d often go with him to keep him company while he worked. i didn’t know it at the time, but he was saving up that extra money to buy an engagement ring for me.  he later told me it took twenty-three brains to buy the ring. after we were engaged, i’d still accompany him on those late night…