so, the plan was to slow down some when we stopped babysitting. But I still had alot going on, especially at church. And lots of company coming, and the holidays starting, and all kinds of things related to that. So i didn't exactly slow down. i may have gotten busier because I had the freedom(ish) of making commitments during the day. it was on the way to one of these commitments that i got the kids all buckled and realized the keys were still in the house. being late, of course, i ran up the stairs to my back door, trying to take two at a time. alas, that was not to be, and my foot missed a step. i came crashing down in a heap, writhing and moaning. after a few minutes i realized hannah was standing there, and i didn't want to keep scaring her. and after all, we did have that appointment to make! so i decided i could get around ok as long i just kept the weight on my heel, and started hobbling off. carrying the car seat, diaper bag, and everything else, of course. i called the doctor later on to see if maybe i should come in and get it wrapped or looked at or something, maybe some pain medicine. because i did not have time to keep it elevated and iced and all that. we had just started painting the living and dining room, my dad was coming in 2 days, and i'm working (was working) on this big christmas event at church. it was swollen, but not grotesquely, and only a little bruising. Sitting on the couch with patrick that night, i said something along the lines of "i bet i'm going to have to stay off this for a couple days, i should really try to do that."

next morning i make it to the doctor, get xrays, wait for an hour, then she returns with stuff in her hands that does not look very promising. much to my surprise she informed me i actually broke my stupid foot, and much to my intense dismay, i have to be in a cast for 4-5 wks. not even a walking cast. an old school one. on crutches. CRUTCHES! I have never really hurt myself before, so this is a whole new experience for me. she knows i have 3 little children, and so felt the need to impress up on me the importance of not putting any weight on it at all, lest it not heal properly, and then require surgery. i, to be honest, have had a somewhat negative attitude about all this, even though i understand i should be really grateful it was just a little break on some side bone or something, didn't need surgery, and (Lord willing) should be off by christmas. but that isn't whats at the forefront of my mind most of the time.

i'm sure it may seem almost humorous when we look back on it. but at the moment, trying to manage wearing Caroline and maneuvering around on crutches is less than funny. i was going to just move me and caroline to the main floor for awhile, but i'm concerned about very quickly losing any progress i'd made in the post-baby weight loss department. so, i figure hopping up the stairs a few times a day, on one foot, seems to be pretty good exercise! i have to tell you, though, it isn't just the broken foot that hurts. being constantly on one foot really throws everything off balance. Patrick has worked amazingly hard on the house, finishing the painting, getting it ready for company, etc. My mother in law is coming to help, and then my mom will be here soon too. After that, we may get somebody to help out for a few weeks. It will be a memorable holiday season. i'll keep you updated!

all snuggly!

Caroline got to meet her cousin Reese in Boston. Reese is a few weeks older. They were great buds :-)

my original thought was to make a gastronomic photojournal. but i was too busy eating (and taking care of Caroline) to take many pictures. Our first night we walked around for an hour trying to decide on a restaurant, then ended up going home and ordering pizza. but what pizza it was! fig, pancetta, and ricotta.

walking around the boston commons

the only thing i really wanted to do was go to the farmers market. even in october, there were stalls and stalls of beautiful produce. we just got baked goods and cheese. I've wanted to try fresh mozarella ever since reading Animal Vegetable Miracle (by Barbara Kingsolver). So when i saw this stall, i had to get some. And i mean fresh fresh. They made it that morning. it was SO good.

Lara recently moved into a new apartment. It's a 4th floor walk up (actually maybe 5. dont remember.), but the plus is this amazing roofdeck. Beautiful view, and you even have roofdeck neighbours on the buildings closeby. its just like hanging out in your backyard!

I didn't realize exactly how much i missed my kids until i got home. i felt like i could finally breathe again. they missed caroline quite a bit as well.

flash didnt work, but this is me and my friend sarah after finishing our super intense 5k (j/k), at the Run for Missions in Haviland.  We are both avid exercisers, but she is suffering from bad first trimester morning sickness, and i haven't started exercising since Caroline. I actually won this little race last year, and found out i was pregnant the very next day. so i thought it apropos that this is what is kickstarting my exercising again.

we've actually had flurries twice already. The kids are so excited for snow to play in. Especially because its a tradition that we make hot chocolate on the first real snowfall. Last year Charlie was still kind of little to really enjoy the snow, and i had morning sickness pretty bad during the winter, so we're all looking forward to more opportunities. (except for maybe caroline, who will have to sit there bundled up like a snowman and watch us play.)

it's pumpkin bread time! (you think i made enough? sheesh!)

one for the rehearsal dinner, for sure!

as you can see, we havent been up to anything particularly out of the ordinary. but i am in the honeymoon stage with my kids again, since i've had 2 weeks now of just being with them! There was always so much craziness and fighting and messes and crying going on while babysitting, I'd forgotten how much I really do enjoy them, and just their company. I had no idea how much babysitting was stressing me out until we stopped! I feel like every day with my children is a precious gift. Perhaps still postpartum overly emotional, but every day i have a moment or two that i pray, Lord, please dont let me forget this. Burn this in my head and heart, so i can keep it with me forever. Their little voices, their little bodies snuggling at nap time, the funny smart things Hannah says, Charlie's facial expressions, Caroline's sheer baby sweetness. Dont get me wrong, the days are still challenging, but i often wish i could just freeze time right here. Sometimes I hear SAHMs say the day drags. For some reason our days absolutely fly by. I never fit enough in. We have alot to look forward to in the coming months, but i almost dont want to, because it means everyone, especially Caroline, will be getting older. We moved her out of our room, into Charlie's. (He moved in with Hannah). I feel like an empty nester! She's only a few feet away, but its the first step. Sharing a bedroom is not going well at all, Charlie flat out refuses to stay in his bed. He gets up, turns the light on, plays with toys, sits in the rocking chair and reads. No amount of "deterrent" is making any difference. We are open to suggestions from more experienced parents!