.....blurred vision.......

.....lately, the hours and days seem to blur.....sometimes I take a nap at 7pm, sometimes I start my day at 2:30am; each child taking a turn at needing something before the sun shines at the break of day.....sometimes I drink coffee for dinner.....and it must be something about being a parent in general, as none of us really sleep once we have babies, toddlers or school children, for that matter......because for the third time around, the erratic sleeping does not bother me in the least.....that's not to say that I have not had days this past month where my eyes burn and I am cranky with fatigue or moments where I, too, have had the patience level of a toddler myself.....but the lack of sleep really hasn't bothered me to the point of utter exhaustion.....and to be fair to baby Brody, the lack of sleep isn't just because his little belly can only hold a few ounces of milk......the girls seem to be regressing, just a tad, in the sleep department as we adjust to our new party of five.....

.....regardless, the quick naps have lulled me into deep slumbers and upon waking, the days have all been a bit foggy.....however, there are moments when the blurry vision has significant clarity and those particular spaces in time are memorable.....

......for instance, I haven't even begun to highlight and retell the stay we had with our Mimi, Stefan's Mom.....I am still sorting through and enjoying our memories as I look through those photos we snapped during her visit.....as well as remembering the night we ordered in chinese, poured a nice glass of red wine and pulled out the baby books from when Stefan and I were babes......we stumbled upon this picture of Stefan at six weeks and couldn't believe the resemblance to Brody.......

                                                                   Stefan Shane Balderach, 6 weeks old, May 1974

......and because my mother in law is great about savoring her time from raising her four littles, she brought several outfits to us that were Stefan's when he was a baby......so to honor Brody's one month birthday, I dressed him up in his Daddy's old gear......same outfit, same socks, same shoes......and I must say, both men in my life are exceptionally handsome...... 

......and for the record, none of my three children look a thing like me when I was an infant......

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......It was a while ago, that I noticed Callie was in a desperate need of a haircut......so I took advantage of Mimi being in town to sneak off with my newly adjusting middle child so she and I could spend some one on one time together.....my girl was very serious while Miss Lily snipped her mullet and fly aways......

.....and then she lightened up as she realized her cut was almost over......smiling at the thought of an ice cream treat for the two of us......a tradition I like to do after first hair cuts with my little ones.......

.....so we strolled down the block and my littliest girl picked her flavor and toppings......and I super sized it and asked for two spoons because again, I love to use the excuse to justify my food frenzy......I need to eat......I'm nursing.....

.....and Callie is too young to realize the appreciation I have for spending time with my babes one on one.....I love the chaos of all of them together, but I preserve and cherish the times I am allowed to talk with them, observe them and make them feel like the special little individuals that they are.....our hair cut and ice cream date was no exception......I am constantly amused by her animation and zest for life......

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.....and I love to plan and also appreciate the same trait in my friends who also take time to put fun adventures in the calendar......Sara, our resident photographer, my good friend and the creative merry maker in the building organized an outing for the Mommas and our little ladies.....

.....Elsie had no idea the grandeur elegance she was about to see as we headed out the door.....she was more excited about her dress that fluttered with the spring breeze, her new pink shoes, all the jewelry that sparkled and sharing the excitement with her other fancy friends.......

......and upon first glance of the beauty and extravagance of the Plaza, she was wide eyed and enthralled.....

.....and it was a special occasion for no reason, other than the fact that Sara organized this weeks in advance......giving all of us something special to anticipate.....

                                                                          Note the infamous Dr. Ruth in the background......

......a get together just as fun for the little ladies as it was for the Mommas......

.....and good conversation was also accompanied by delicious food.....

.....and a good chat just isn't the same unless you have a pot of tea to add to the ambiance of the splendor this outing provided......as much as I missed my baby boy and my curious and energetic toddler girl, it was nice to break away from burp rags and potty training......

......but just as the fairytale came to its final chapter, Elsie was weary from the adventure and I was craving my blessed nest....

......and whether its high tea at the plaza, a first snip for a growing girl or celebrating a monthly milestone  that arrived in no time at all, there are moments that the focus in my lens of life lately becomes transparent.....

......and I am grateful for the clarity of those moments......