Okay, I lied...

I didn't test this weekend. I didn't even *buy* a test with all the shopping I did. Went to Target and Wal-Mart - didn't even think about it. I think this is "breastfed baby went through a growth spurt" late. (I know that should actually be hyphenated, but give me a break, it's 1:00a.m. and I'm being lazy)

But I did buy Elizabeth a new car seat, which she loves. The fabric is denim with pink floral accents - she's thrilled with it. And I bought two egg dyeing kits (one Disney Princess, the other glitter) and some plastic eggs for the Easter egg hunt at my parents' house. Bought a bunch of other crap, but I'm sure you don't care about my Target/Wal-Mart SuperCenter list. Comment if you do...I'll list it. Okay, no I won't.

Oh, I did buy a book for the girls on my trip to Barnes & Noble - well, really for me - You Are My I Love You by Maryann K Cusimano illustrated by Satomi Ichikawa. I love the opening lines of the book: "I am your parent; you are my child. I am your quiet place; you are my wild." Reminds me of Katherine. And the closing: "I am your lullaby; you are my peekaboo. I am your good-night kiss; you are my I love you." :::sniff::: Sappy and sweet but not in the stalkerish way of Love You Forever. That book used to make me cry until I realized "this mom has issues". Though the part of it that makes me cry now is how the son sings to his mother on her deathbed and then goes home and sings to his baby girl -- that part is sweet. The other sappy, make-me-cry-about-how-much-I-love-my-kids book is Guess How Much I Love You. The words "Little Nutbrown Hare" come out of my mouth and I'm immediately crying. For those unfamiliar with the book "Little Nutbrown Hare" are the first three words in the book.

We went to the park to celebrate Eric J.'s 19th birthday - his actual birthday was 2 weeks ago but his parents and younger siblings were skiing (spring break). We met his roommate and his girlfriend. When he introduce me to his roommate he said, "She's been our babysitter for years." I was nursing Annie at the time and said, "Yeah, I started keeping Eric when he was about this size" which caused the massive wave of nostalgia to sweep over me. My gosh. My young charge is 19, in college (and kicking butt - he's doing so great), dating...when did I get so old?! Of course, Elizabeth clung to him when she wasn't playing on the playground equipment. She absolutely adores Eric; and now that we only see him three or four times a year, she seems to glow when she does get to spend time with him. It is so neat to see him with my kids - and I remember how my heart used to burst when I was with him when he was Elizabeth's age. Bill & Diane were telling someone about our relationship with their kids and I remember saying, "I cannot imagine loving my own kids more. I'm sure I will, if I ever have any, but I can't imagine it." Eric and his siblings prepared me for becoming a parent in very practical aspects: bathing, feeding, getting them to sleep, calming them when fussy, potty training, dealing with a defiant toddler, handling questions about sex (yes, that was a fun conversation). The things they did not prepare me for: my heart walking around outside my body and all the anxiety that goes along with parenting. Oh, and labor, c-sections and breastfeeding - the "J" kids didn't prepare me for that. Obviously. ;)