I propped my eyelids open with toothpicks just so I could write this post. This weekend was wonderful, busy and above all – tiring. Liv chose to go on a binge and eat every 2 hours…great for her…not so great for Mama. She also decided to multiply her pooping by two as well…great for the diaper company…again, not so great for Mama. If only she would take a bottle, then maybe I could sleep for longer than two hours at a time. The mantra, “blink once and they’re one,” keeps playing over and over in my head, just so I can remember to stop and enjoy this short period of infancy before it’s over. I’m starting to run on empty here, so I hope something gives soon or no amount of “positive affirmation” will stop my breakdown from mental and physical exhaustion. You gotta love my little Liv, the happy, constantly pooping baby by day and the still happy but constantly eating AND pooping baby by night (at least she’s consistent).

Kade had a cousin extravaganza over the weekend. He was with them on both Saturday and Sunday, and he returned home last night with a whole new set of tricks to add to his growing repertoire. It’s like the little stinkers have a meeting and discuss what makes each of their parents the most nuts and then pass that tip on to the others to share. In reality, they are good kids and they really make the most of the few times they get together. It reminds me of all the family functions we had growing up, and the trouble we used to get into (ahem…Amber, you’ll definitely know what I’m talking about here). I’m excited to see where Liv fits into the mix (right now she’s like their little baby doll that they carry around, but I’m sure once she starts holding her own, things will change).

I got some shopping in too. O*d Navy is having a clearance sale – 50% off their already marked down clearance prices, and I got a whole bag of clothes (including a wool, winter jacket for Kade) for less than $20. Is it still a deal if they didn’t really need any clothes, though? That is always my problem.

We were driving back to Cleveland Sunday night and noticed that cars were stopped ahead of us on Rte. 2 (right before the Baumhart Rd. exit). We saw that something was on fire, it looked like a semi, but we couldn’t be certain. The emergency vehicles hadn’t even arrived yet and Kade was questioning us about the fire. As the police, fire and ambulance crews arrived, we decided to drive through the median and head back the way we came because the accident was obviously serious and could take hours to get traffic moving again (we also didn’t want Kade to see anything disturbing). As we turned around, I got a clear view of the scene and saw a small vehicle completely engulfed in flames next to a semi that was also on fire. I said a silent prayer that everyone got out safely, but deep in my heart I knew that would be a slim possibility. I found information about the accident here, and unfortunately someone did perish in the wreckage, a 19 year old boy. The accident occurred at about 7:45, which was just minutes before we got there. I just wanted to get home as quickly as possible so we could unload our precious cargo and put them safely in their beds. Moments like that make you realize how one second can change everything.

I’m removing my toothpicks now and heading for the couch where the moment I sit down, Liv will begin crying on the monitor and Kade will come running out of his room, refreshed from his afternoon nap…too late, Liv’s awake (now you know where the cynicism comes from).