The best prize of all.

Yesterday Kerri had a lot of fun! She went shopping to WalMart (I just had to get out of the house for a little bit). And then her cousins Justin and Chelsea came to play...and play...and play! They were here until 10 PM, and Kerri had so much fun she did not even want to stop to talk to her Daddy.

But we did have an eye opening conversation in the morning about her beginnings. She is upset that she had no choice or control over who her parents would be or why she was abandoned. She decided she did not want me to be her Mommy anymore, until she realized she still needed me around to help her with things - like drawing her bath. My heart was breaking for her. But by night time, she told me she loved me "big to the universe". And right before she fell asleep, I got an unexpected last minute hug (similar to the one Nemo gives Marlin at the end of the movie "Finding Nemo"), and she told me I was the best prize she ever got. It was an awwww moment for sure!

Today both my sisters and their families are coming over for a family barbecue. Kerri is already asking what time her cousins will be here. I have a feeling she will have fun today too!

Mom seems to be doing a bit better since we arrived. She can now sit up for a bit when she is not groggy from the morphine. And she has even played some Yahtzee (and beat the pants off of me - and my sister, too!). She tried to do a puzzle with Kerri, but she could only concentrate for a few minutes. We are grateful for every lucid, pain-free moment we can get.

We miss Daddy very, very much. Although Kerri is used to the separations (we have done this before), I still have a hard time. Hobby, I love you with all my heart...even if you blew up my beautiful washing machine! ;o)

Life with Kerri is a reminder that the best prize is family. And life with Kerri, Daddy and Pookie is my best prize of all!

Friday's Rambling Updates

• I got a call from hubby that started out with "Honey, I blew up the washing machine." Thank goodness it is under warranty! Unfortunately it will take forever to get fixed.
• Hubby also told me our townhouse was "inspected" and that we have been notified all our windows need to be scheduled to be replaced. No kidding. Add that to my "to do" list when I get back!
• Hubby has two job interviews next week, please say a prayer and/or wish him good luck!
• We got a surprise visit from Tia Veronica today, and as usual she came bearing gifts. Kerri had a great time playing with Tia. And the gifts were a huge hit too. Thank you Tia!
• Kerri noticed my cleavage and stuck her hands in my shirt, parted my boobs and asked "what is this line?" Yup, right in front of the grandparents and Tia. So the new word for today is cleavage, and Kerri was quick to point out (after lifting her dress up) that she did not have any.
• Kitty, my Dad's cat, is in love with Kerri and follows her around like a puppy dog. It is so cute to watch them together.
• Kerri is now helping Grandpa outside with yard work (watering the plants) and laundry (hanging clothes on the line). She loves being outside and feeling helpful.
• Kerri, who used to be scared of "bad guys" in cartoons is now a HUGE Scooby Doo and Batman fan. Go figure!
• Our friends Shari and Myke are on their way to Vietnam to adopt their daughter Chianna, and we are so thrilled for them! Woohoo!
• I have very limited access to the (slow dial up on a crappy computer) Internet so I am not checking Facebook or blogs. I am so out of touch and apologize to everyone, I will do my best to catch up as I can.
• I think I make a pretty good Nurse's Assistant at this point. I can whip on gloves in two seconds flat. I can draw blood, check sugar levels, and give insulin like a pro. And I can check temperature and blood pressure with one eye closed (usually because we are sleep deprived). I can dispense medications, change a hospital bed in under three minutes, and (I will leave the grosser parts out) pretty much do whatever is needed. And I will never do this for a living! You can't pay me enough.
• We are losing our CNA, who has cancer and has started chemo. I have no idea why she is even working, she is so weak and sick from the treatments. We hope she makes a quick and complete recovery and are going to miss her. She has been absolutely wonderful with Mom.
• Kerri is really bored. She hates being cooped up inside all day and having to be quiet. She is not allowed to run wild here like she can and does at home with Pookie. On the other hand, she is an absolute angel and is behaving very well for a four year old. She constantly surprises me.
• On the other hand, Kerri is starting to get a little cocky and she has to be reminded she is only four and has to follow rules. She has decided she will not have any rules in her house when she has children. I am such a mean Mommy, sheesh.
• Pookie is acting out to get attention every time hubby calls me. Tonight he jumped up on the dining room table while hubby had his back turned. I know he misses Kerri a great deal. It's so funny how such a tiny animal has become such a huge part of our family.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone, and thank you for your comments, they really brighten my day.

Life with Kerri keeps me rambling!

Conversations with Kerri

Kerri: "Mommy, I did poo-poo in the toilet! Come see!"
Mommy: "Wow, Kerri, that's a big one, good for you!" (Kerri had not gone in three days)
Kerri: "Clean my tushie for me Mommy."
Mommy: "You can do it yourself Kerri, you are a big girl now!"
Kerri: "I know Mommy, I just don't want to get my hands dirty."

Later in the afternoon:
Mommy: "Finish all the food on your plate Kerri."
Kerri: "Why?"
Mommy: "Because you need all the proteins, vitamins and minerals to grow strong."
Kerri: "But why?"
Mommy: "Because if you don't, you might get sick."
Kerri: "Why?"
Mommy: "Because I said so, that's why!"
Kerri: "Why?"

At night, on the phone with Daddy:
Kerri: "Put Pookie (the pooch) on the phone Daddy please."
Daddy: "OK, here he is."
Kerri: "Hi Pookie. I missed you so much I cried in the car on the way to Florida. Are you running around to get energy? I need to get energy too, when I come back from Florida I will run around with you, OK?"
Daddy: (impersonating Pookie in a Scooby Doo voice) "OK."
Kerri: "Is this Pookie for real?"

Growing up too fast...

"I can't wait until I am grown up so I can pick my own clothes and not have to wear clothes my Mommy picked for me.", Kerri stated this morning as I dressed her. I should have paid more attention, because today she has tried hard to prove just how grown up she is.

"I did it! I washed my hands and did not have to use the stool! I'm grown up!", Kerri exclaimed after lunch. We all clapped and told her how proud we were. That just gave her more reason to continue growing up all day.

While I was cooking dinner, Kerri was "taste testing" the left over Greek yogurt, and wore more than she inhaled. I wasn't paying attention again, until she appeared with a turtleneck long sleeve shirt on, which she put on backwards and inside out. "I'm all grown up! I dressed myself!", she proudly shouted.

After dinner, she tried to convince me that she was grown up enough to do more things by herself. I wish my little girl was not in such a hurry to grow up. I'm just not ready.

Life with Kerri is a reminder of how precious our time with our daughter is.

Sunday updates

Yesterday was a quiet day. Kerri painted, played outside with a soccer ball, spent time on the swings and with Kitty the cat, and ran around an acre of freshly mowed grass.

I spent the day learning Mom's routines and medicines, and helping Dad. I cooked a simple dinner of salmon, broccoli and roasted veggies. Grandma came to the table for dinner again, and announced that she wanted to get out of bed Monday to watch The Price is Right. All good signs, she is making an effort.

We miss Daddy and Pookie. And our beds. But I am glad we came and that I have this chance to spend time with my Mom once more. She is saying goodbye little by little to her siblings over the phone, as Dad and I explain what is happening. She says "I love you" a lot now. But I don't think her time is up yet. Mom is a strong person who has surprised us many times before, as she has so far this trip. I am hopefully optimistic, although very realistic about the outcome and the gradual decline of her health. For now, we concentrate on the good moments, the lucid ones, the pain free ones.

And Kerri is adapting, and dealing very well with it all. I think she brings a ray of sunshine to a darkened room, laughter and joy to a heavy heart, and just plain cheers everyone up with her antics.

Life with Kerri keeps us going.

Girl power!

Yesterday started out bright and early, since Kerri was super excited about seeing her cousins. It's all she talked about as we had breakfast with Aunt Denise (who had just come straight over from her night shift at the hospital) and Grandma - who for the first time since she got out of the hospital sat in her wheelchair at the table! Grandma did it for Kerri, and that alone made the trip worthwhile.

At noon, I made a shopping trip at the grocery store, and bought Kerri some items to ease her boredom. When we got back, Kerri called her two girl cousins on the phone and invited them over. Without asking us for permission, that is. And the house was full of Kerri's laughter and joy as she played for hours with Chelsea and Alora. Grandma enjoyed hearing their chatter.

Aunt Denise came over before heading back to work, and I made a paella for dinner. And Mom came to the table in her wheelchair again! Yay! I think day one was a complete success.

Grandpa, meanwhile, took advantage and spent most of the afternoon and evening outside tending to the property, mowing acres of grass, watering plants, pulling weeds...I think he was looking for things to do. The fresh air did him good, and although he is tired and not sleeping well, he seemed happy to be outdoors and not have to cook.

Kerri chatted with Daddy twice, and lectured him. She told him he needed to spend night and day on the computer, looking for work, and then spend ten hours cooking. Someone is getting a little bossy. Then Kerri ended the night watching Finding Nemo, and finally collapsed late at night. Sometime in the middle of the night she crawled into bed with me. And today is another day.

Life with Kerri is joy and laughter, despite it all.

Car trip, part deux!

Kerri was so excited, she had a hard time going to sleep at the hotel. I think I crashed way before she did. In the morning, she decided she needed a few more minutes of sleep. Then, she wanted to watch two episodes of Curious George before we could check out. We left the hotel around 9 AM, filled up the tank, and headed out on I-95 South.

The drive through Virginia was spent answering questions, such as "when are we going to get there?", and "how many more minutes until we get there?", followed by "I think I see Grandpa's house.", and a zillion times over: "I'm bored." By the time we crossed over to North Carolina, I was counting to ten and taking deep breaths. But somehow I never lost my cool and kept answering the same questions, over and over.

In South Carolina, Kerri wanted to know why everyone else was speeding. She wanted me to drive faster, so she could take the speeding cars' picture for the police.

In Georgia, I tuned her out somehow. She went on a two hour description of the dream she had last night. And when she was done, she asked me what I thought. I had no clue what she had said, so I fibbed. Someday Kerri I hope you have children when you read this and understand and forgive me.

When we crossed into Florida, she clapped and whooped for joy. And then I told her it was still another two hours, so she (finally!) took a nap. At 8:30 PM we arrived, and Kerri was quickly whisked inside to see Grandma while I unloaded the Mama Mobile, who breathed a sigh of relief.

Mom is hanging in there. She is in a lot of pain. Her legs look like two sticks, like there is no more muscle mass in there. Her face is puffed up from the steroids. She is groggy most of the time from the morphine, and sleeps alot. Today she braved the pain to sit up in her wheelchair and have breakfast with Kerri (something she apparently has not done in a long time). Dad is exhausted and hardly sleeping at all. I sent him to nap just now, so he can try to catch up on some sleep. Later today I am going grocery shopping and Kerri is expecting to see some of her cousins.

So, we are safe in Florida. We miss Daddy and Pookie, but are glad to have this opportunity to see Mom and help Dad out. Thank you G-d.

Life with Kerri is a blessing, even if she talks alot.

Car trip, part one...

We left bright and early, and somewhere near Syracuse, N.Y., Kerri told me that she was going to miss Grandma when she dies and wants to take a picture with her when we get to Florida. I totally lost it at that moment.

Somewhere in Pennsylvania, Kerri decided she would take pictures of every car that was speeding, so she could tell the police to give them a ticket.

And in Maryland, Kerri decided to nap.

In Virginia, we were stuck in traffic for two hours. Kerri slept. She woke up about five minutes before we reached the hotel. And she was mad at the sun in her face. And in total, today she asked about two dozen times if we were in Florida yet.

At the hotel, we ordered Chinese food, and Kerri drew flowers on the hotel notepad. She is now watching TV and I am hoping she lets me sleep, because I am exhausted and suffering from vertigo.

So part one of our car trip to Florida is over, and tomorrow brings another twelve hours of driving Miss Kerri. I definitely will need a drink when this trip is over.

Life with Kerri is a journey.

"I can't tell you..."

Yesterday, Kerri came home from school and told me she had a secret. "I can't tell you what I did at school today Mommy." I should have left it at that, but of course, I had to ask why. And Kerri whispered, "I can't tell you what I did at school today because the teacher told me I can't tell you." Well, I was just a little miffed at that teacher. So, I told Kerri that it was OK to tell Mommy anything, and that she never had to have any secrets from me. And this is what she then said:

"I can't tell you my secret because it's a surprise for your day, I am making something for you, for Mother's Day."

Yeah, it was a DUH moment for me. I never learn.

Life with Kerri is full of surprises!

A slip of the tongue....

Long before Kerri ever joined our family, Tia Veronica brought back a special bear from London for us. The bear is white, with a gold ribbon and gold, glittery smudges all over. Hubby took one look at the bear and nicknamed him "Sh-t Faced Bear", because he looks like he rolled his face in you-know-what.

Fast forward to last night. Hubby and Kerri were waiting for me to join them in Kerri's room for her usual nighttime ritual before bedtime. I walked in the room, and saw Kerri holding my special bear, and without thinking, blurted out: "What is Sh-t Faced Bear doing here with Kerri?" And Daddy immediately responded, "You mean Goldie Bear, right Momma?" And realizing my faux pas, I said yes, of course, Goldie Bear.

I thought my slip of the tongue went unnoticed. But Kerri, without missing a beat, said: "I thought his name was Sh-t Faced Bear.", while I choked and Daddy quickly recovered and insisted it was Goldie Bear. So we compromised and let Kerri pick a name, and she said she would call it "Golden Bear" because Daddy helped her pick the name. Whew.

So the morale of this story is to watch what you say at all times. Because Kerri is a parrot and will repeat it.

In other news, we postponed our trip to Florida until Thursday due to bad weather. Today we spoke with the school to pull Kerri out without losing her "place" or having to re-register her. I am packed and ready to go. Kerri was packed days ago.

Life with Kerri is reminder to watch what I say!

Updates

Hubby and I were talking about the weather in regards to our upcoming departure for Florida tomorrow. I mentioned to hubby that my Dad thinks there is a snow storm headed our way. And Kerri interrupted:
"A snow storm in Florida?!!! What is this world coming to??!! It never snows in Florida!!"

Later this morning, Kerri was playing with her Play dough and made a banana. I did my best not to laugh, as Daddy just shook his head. The "banana" looked more like a man's anatomically correct body part than a fruit. I know, I know, we have dirty minds. I should have taken a picture, but then my blog might be X-rated.

Today I have to pack, and Kerri brought me a few bags. She had already packed for our trip a few days ago. I have no idea why she wants to bring along half the things that are in the bags!

Pookie came back from the groomer today, balder than ever. We had stopped going to a certain location of this mega pet store because of this particular employee, and today when hubby dropped Pookie off at the other location guess who was there. Hubby made sure to tell her to leave Pookie's beard/goatee ungroomed. She shaved the entire thing off, so now Pookie looks like he is missing the bottom half of his jaw. I give up, we won't be going there for grooming ever again. Now I need to find a private groomer, sheesh. And Pookie now looks like he has gone through chemo.

Kerri took a bowl and filled it with Cheetos and chocolate eggs. She called it a "salad" and offered us some. Yuck. By the way, she was bouncing off the walls with the sugar rush last night, and this morning she was up bright and early, jumping on the bed. She is so eager to be in Florida, she asks constantly how many more days. We found the best way to describe the passage of time is to tell her how many more "sleeps" she has left.

Magic beanstalk is taking over the kitchen. It's a jungle! Hopefully the weather will warm up soon so we can transplant it outside, where it has room to grow. I will take a picture of it when we get back, if it survives that is.

Life with Kerri is like living with the Energizer bunny.

Happy Passover and Happy Easter!

Before I get started with my usual rambling, I wanted to wish everyone a very happy Passover and a very happy Easter to all who celebrate.

Despite all that is going on, we have tried to celebrate the holidays for Kerri's sake and to maintain a sense of normalcy around here. We had our Passover and Easter meals. And Daddy hid chocolate eggs and a bunny all over the house for Kerri to find. He also got her Play dough, so she has been busy making "cookies" for us. Pookie got a bone. He seems to think it's better than chocolate, but Kerri and Daddy disagree with him (as they lick the gooey sweet brown stuff off their fingers).

Thank you to everyone for your kind words, and your thoughts and prayers. My head is still foggy and the antibiotics have not yet made a huge difference. Hubby is taking the Mama Mobile to the dealer tomorrow to get it trip ready, and G-d willing, Kerri and I will be on the road Tuesday morning for the first part of our trip to Virginia. We hope to arrive in North Florida on Wednesday night. I try hard not to show any emotions in front of Kerri. She clearly understands what is going on, and is handling it much better than I thought she would (and much better than I am).

The biggest thanks goes to hubby, who has always been my rock. And while we are away, he has his hands full here at home trying to find a job and taking care of Pookie and the house. He has already asked me to leave him a "honey do" list. Don't feel sorry for him though, he is going to truly enjoy the peace and quiet, the hours of playing his computer games uninterrupted, and being able to eat whatever he wants without me bugging him. Oh, and sleeping!

Life with Kerri is about making every moment count.

Difficult conversations

Last night I got the call I had been dreading for a long time. My Dad thinks Mom's health is rapidly declining, and he fears this is the last chance we will get to see Mom while she is still lucid. Since I am sick, I promised I would be down within the week. And as soon as I hung up the phone, I went to see the doctor. He gave me some very strong antibiotics, and told me to get plenty of rest. So that gives me time to get things ready here, since I don't know how long we will be in Florida.

Hubby will remain here since he is still looking for work and hopefully has an upcoming interview (Kina Hora, knock on wood, salt over the shoulder, something about Harry and the Rabbi, etc.). But Kerri will have to be pulled out of school. And the school is closed today and Monday in observance of the Easter holiday.

Then last night, we had to have that difficult talk with Kerri to prepare her for our trip and separation from Daddy and Pookie. She was packed before we had a chance to discuss it. But discuss it we did, because this is no leisure trip and she needed to understand that she had to be on her best behaviour while in her grandparents' home. And Kerri just matter of factly asked if Grandma was dying. And added that she did not want her to die.

I can't tell you how hard it is to try and protect my daughter's innocence when she has had so much trauma in her short life. Not just her beginnings and her health and attachment. But life: that thing we have no control over, that seems so unfair sometimes. Having to move because of Hurricane Wilma, her father's three surgeries in one year, our beloved pet Charlie's death, Grandma Donna's death and funeral, the move here that changed her life as she knew it, the estrangement of New Grandpa and Uncle Marc (whose cruelty she does not understand), and now the knowledge that she is about to lose the one and only Grandma she has known since she was ten months old: the one she loves the most, the one who has loved her back just as much. Kerri seems to understand and accept loss better than I do. But I still wonder if her attachment issues and nightmares, her insecurities are all a reflection of the cards we have been dealt in this life. And how unfair, that our perfect little dream of a stable, secure home for Kerri was wiped away by Wilma's winds and we have struggled to recreate it ever since.

So I struggle with my own feelings about my Mom and the guilt over what we have put Kerri through these past three years, and the fears I have because of hubby's job loss. I try to put on a brave, happy face and a sense of normality for Kerri. This is so hard. And someday, when she reads this, I hope she understands that every decision we have made (or were forced to make) has always been to do what was best for her and our family. Because no matter where we are, we are united in love. And being a family is much more important than geography or material things. I hope she understands the sacrifices we have made along the way, the risks we take. And that no matter what happens, she is home, and she is loved.

And now I have to go pack and prepare for that trip. Kerri just brought me a notepad and a crayon and suggested I make a list. I think my daughter knows me too well. (I started the list last night!).

Life with Kerri makes the difficult conversations easier.

Scrapbooking

Today, while Daddy was in Toronto and Kerri and I were home sick, I told Kerri I would teach her how to scrapbook. (Something her Godmother Tammie taught me). I pulled out a little scrapbooking kit, and let Kerri pick out her favorite pictures. She then used her safety scissors to cut the pictures out, and chose her background paper designs and her embellishments all by herself. And went through a whole new stick of glue.

Kerri made a scrapbook for her Daddy. She gave it to him when he got home tonight, and showed him every page. She put her favorite pictures in it, just for him!

Kerri keeps asking when she can start working on the next one. She even has her pictures all cut out and ready to go. I've created a monster. I hope you are reading this Tammie. It's all your fault!

Life with Kerri is my never-ending scrapbook of memories.

Updates

• Kerri is sick. Her nose is running, and she complained her tummy hurts. But she seems to be OK, still playing and running around. She just seems to get a little more crankier than normal.
• Whatever Kerri has, I have it tenfold. Hubby thinks it's the flu. I think it's museum-itis, aka disease caused by visiting germ infested area touched by hundreds of kids who just finished wiping their noses with their sleeves. I just want to crawl into bed and stay there!
• Hubby is en route to Toronto as I type. He should be back tomorrow night. I don't want to jinx anything so I will fill you all in later, but please cross your fingers and wish him luck and a safe trip!
• Pookie is still the black sheep of the family. He even looks the part. As soon as I feel better I will make him an appointment to get shaved.
• It has been snowing for two days now. Unbelievable.
• Mom is out of the hospital, and although she is in constant pain, she is recovering from the lung infection. Thank you for your prayers. Please keep them coming.
• Kerri's magic beanstalk is almost up the entire window. Not sure where I am going to put it next, since it is too cold out to plant it in the ground yet.
• Kerri has learned to blow up balloons, so we now have a dozen of them all over the living room floor. Pookie, so far, has only popped one.
• I have read all three Ink books: Inkheart, Inkspell and Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke. I really enjoyed the books, almost as much as the Potter series. Although they are written for a teen audience, I could not put the books down once I started them.
• I watched a talk show here that discussed child care options in our province. Let's just say I would have to work three jobs just to afford the care, sheesh. The numbers they were throwing around ranged from $1,800.00 - $3,000.00 a month! And they suggested one should start looking before the child was born, since good care apparently is hard to find. Ugh.

Life with Kerri keeps me up-to-date...on the latest germs, anyway.

She blinded me with science!

I did not take a lot of pictures, since Kerri visited this museum last year. Not much had changed, except for Kerri's height. Daddy, on the other hand, had not been here since he was a boy and he said the museum was double in size and had changed greatly.

Kerri already experimenting with the law of gravity, but Daddy was holding on tight.

Not sure who had more fun on this ride, I think it was a tie.

Smiling for Mom and the camera.

This year, she can actually look out the windshield.

Kerri's favorite part of the museum are the telephones. They are everywhere, since most displays have a prerecorded phone (there are actually two: one in English and one in French) so you can learn more about whatever is being displayed. Kerri would pick them up and have conversations. Unless she picked up the French phone. Then she would say: "Sorry I don't understand you because you are speaking in French.", and she would hang up the phone. In this picture, she is sitting in a phone booth pretending to talk to someone.

After our Sunday at the museum, we sat down to dinner and I noticed I had been given a mismatched plate (Kerri had helped set the table). I mentioned that maybe it was because I was special. Then Kerri wanted my plate. Kerri told us: "I am the most specialist of all, and I should be spoiled because I am a children and that is what childrens do." So, of course, Kerri got my plate.

Life with Kerri is special-ist!

The Tail-iban

Last night hubby and I were in bed listening to weird noises in our attic. They're back. The squirrels that were evicted last year. And this time they brought help.

We are now being terrorized by the Tail-iban, led by the leader O'squirly Bin Laden. They are torturing us and trying to break in through the attic floor. We can hear them as they chant. Hubby fears they will be strapping on nuts for a suicide bombing. They must have figured out I was American. Last night was the worst. They chased a poor helpless female around the attic and made us listen. And then they did their victory cry. It was horrible.

So Monday I will be calling the Canadian Secret Squirrel Brigade back again. Wish us luck.

Life with Kerri is nuts!

Rain, rain go away!

It has been raining constantly for weeks. The days are dreary and the only sign of Spring so far is in my kitchen. Kerri planted a bean last week, and it is growing three inches a day. Yup, we have our very own magic beanstalk happening right here at home.

So what do you do on a rainy weekend? Not much when Kerri had night terrors again last night. We are all tired and cranky! So Daddy cleaned up the playroom, Mommy moved things around in the kitchen, and (according to Kerri) "made the bestest meatloaf in the whole wide world". Kerri made several new works of art. Pookie got a bath, and he is now all poofy after I brushed him. He looks like a sheep.

Tomorrow we will try to get out, there is a certain museum we want to go to. If we get a decent night's sleep, that is!

Life with Kerri keeps us going, even when we YAWN!

Company!

Yesterday morning we had a visit from our friend "E", who had read on my blog that I was looking for rain pants. So she brought me a pair her daughter had outgrown. We really enjoyed E's visit. Thank you for the rain pants! And by the way, the pants are made of a light plastic-like material. I had never seen anything like it, and I come from Florida, where it rains all the time! The pants are great, and Kerri will really use them, since it seems to rain pretty much every day now. (My backyard is now divided into three areas: mud, swamp and flood area).

Later in the afternoon, we were visited by our friends Carol and Andre. I made a prime rib roast dinner, and we had lots of fun catching up and telling jokes. Kerri really enjoyed both visits and asked when E and Carol were coming back to visit again. I think Kerri likes having company!

Last night, Kerri had several night terrors and we had a really bad night. Neither Daddy nor I got much sleep, so today we are both cranky and sleepy.

This morning E came back with one of her daughters to drop off some hand me down clothes for Kerri. We had fun chatting and Kerri really enjoyed playing with E's daughter. When they were leaving, Kerri gave them each a penny, and one for the other daughter and their Dad too. She called them "lucky pennies". E commented that she had to go before Kerri gave all her money away! Kerri keeps asking me when they are coming back to play with her, she had such a good time.

Later this afternoon, Kerri told me that she wanted to marry her Daddy when she grows up. After explaining yet again why she couldn't, then she decided she would marry Mommy. When that did not work, she suggested maybe she could marry us both. This led to a discussion of how there is no need to rush to marry, and that Mommy and Daddy started off as friends and took their time. Blah, blah, blah. And Kerri then asked how many people she could marry at the same time. When I told her only one, she looked disappointed!

Shabbat Shalom everyone, and have a great weekend!

Life with Kerri is the best kind of company.

Conversations with Kerri

Overheard while Daddy was getting the bath water ready for Kerri's bath:

Kerri: "Do you have boobies like me?"

Daddy: "I have boy boobies and you have girl boobies. When you grow up, your boobies are going to look more like Mommy's."

Kerri: "You mean REALLY BIG?!!!"

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After her bath, while I was downstairs on the phone:

Kerri: "Mommy, I did a POO POO in the potty!"

Mommy: (interrupting call with an apology) "That's great Kerri, YAY!"

Kerri: "It was a BIG poo poo Mommy!

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Life with Kerri is BIG.