We just dropped Baby Ella off at Mimi’s house yesterday – she’ll be there for a week and I think it will be great for all involved.  I really do feel like God has renewed my affection for my littlest one these past couple months.  She is coming into her own, but anyone who’s had an 18 month old knows it is one of the most exhausting stages in early child parenting (at least, in my own humble opinion).  She’s so BUSY.  I cannot take my eyes off that girl and she’s already zipped up the back stairs.  And the sibling stuff – omg it is just so exhausting, and it’s just beginning.  So to have a week with just one of them is really a gift, for them and for me.  So far, I’m told Baby E has walked the length of my parent’s house with her shopping cart about 10 times.  She’s even stepped away from the table towards my mom, without holding onto anything.  It really is only a matter of time before she is running everywhere.  What an enormous blessing!!  She’s a feisty one.  At 19 months, E definitely has her opinion on things.  She has a temper, and isn’t afraid to let you know when you’ve sufficiently ticked her off.  On the other hand, she has the cutest giggle and “talks” constantly, often using any small object as her cellphone.  It’s pretty darn cute. So what on earth, you may be wondering, are you going to do for a week as a one child household??  Weeeelll, I’m glad you asked because I have plans; pool dates with friends, a long, leisurely stroll through Central Market, a kid’s matinee or two, daily gym visits (as I should have no fear of being called down to collect a screaming baby) and some quality one on one time with C. We are in the midst of a struggle with our oldest and I’m not sure what to do.  She’s been waking up in the middle of the night, hysterical and irrational, wanting to sleep in our room.  Charlie has always been an amazing sleeper, since she was 6 weeks old…Vann and I are at our wit’s end with these midnight temper tantrums.  A friend recommended this book – it seems that many of our friends who have 3-4 year olds are dealing with some type of behavioral struggle these days.  So, this might be the week to give it a try.  In other less serious news, we’ve decided to have our guest bedroom and bath done this summer.  This bathroom about did me in – and we almost didn’t buy this house because I was so turned off by it: I know,  I know, if it’s cosmetic, it can be fixed!!  Haven’t you ever watched HGTV??!!!  I admit, I was bothered by the cosmetic updating that needed to be done.  After almost a year of living here, I recognize we bought a wonderful house on an excellent lot and with love and care, and yes, money, we will be able to put our stamp on it and make it (even more) fabulous.  So, the first step, is tackling our “patriotic bathroom” and removing the lovely stars and stripes border and spongy blue wallpaper, then texturing and painting.  After poring over painting magazines all weekend, I think we might be going with a lilac, orange, chocolate brown, and white palette – with both rooms coordinating in some way.  Can you tell I’m a little geeked about it??  Anyway, nothing too earth-shattering on this end to report.  I’m looking forward to a little less busyness this week.