Dark chocolate is healthy.

"Mommy, Paugie and I are feeling better now." Madigan's announcement as he handed me a significantly devoured (delicious) dark chocolate bar this evening. My worst nightmare come true... 30 minutes before bedtime.

"Bedtime" (we use the term loosely around here as it has various alternate meanings for each member of this household, it seems) has been something of a trial since Thanksgiving. The three cherubs were sleeping through the night without a hitch until the night before Papa Ross' funeral, when "Jevy" toppled off a chair and suffered a concussion. Though Jevy was fine, within a few hours and after thorough examination by Vanderbilt hospital, it rattled our second-born terribly. I'm sure the stress of that previous week (numerous house guests, Daddy's absence, Papa Ross' passing, etc.) was the setup for the perfect storm, but our sensitive Paugie not only stopped sleeping at night, but started climbing out of this bed/crib all night long. After 3 weeks of no sleep, I purchased him a tent to sleep in at night and by the following week, Madigan also acquired his own tent. The boys room has turned into an outdoor adventure, and the sleeping issues have (for the most part) taken a little turn to everyone's satisfaction.

My boys are growing so quickly, I'm almost afraid to sleep at night for fear of what I'll miss. I've realized, recently, how much my words/tones/attitudes affect them. They are all quick to forgive and overlook any offense on my part, but I can discourage them faster than anyone/anything, when I'm not careful. A gentle word or response on my part turns away frustration and wrath on their part, instantly. I've been concentrating on being QUIET when I feel frustration brewing at the surface - waiting to respond when my emotions are not festering. I don't want these little critters to fear their mistakes (which are most often unintentional)... I want to encourage them to know what is right (i.e. sharing a toy is better than hitting baby brother over the head with it when he tries to "borrow" it) and though that will often mean helping them understand the consequences for those actions, I don't have to belittle them in the process, with my tone, inflection and frustration. They are each spectacular creatures and everyday I'm amazed by what I'm learning from them. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of Baby K (Baby #4) as I cannot wait to meet him! And on that note...

Ankie Tae (Krista) was getting ready to head back to Austin after visiting us over Christmas and told Madigan: "I will be back in a few weeks, when Baby K is supposed to come." Madigan thought for a minute and then said, "Can Baby K come out now?" The red head has a special thing for his Ankie Tae.

Lastly, but not leastly by any stretch... Paugie potty trained HIMSELF 5 weeks ago. I think George and I might have put it off indefinitely with one valid excuse after another, but the little man decided it was time and did it on his own in 2 days, with a less than 3-messes quota. Another genius in our midst!