Is it really a punishment if she falls asleep?

Today Charlie wrote all over the kitchen floor with a ballpoint pen. And in case you are wondering, here are things that do not get ballpoint pen off of linoleum: Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, Fantastic, baby wipes (well, it got it off her arms!), hairspray (takes pen ink out of clothes), baking soda paste, and good old soap and water. I'm about to try Soft Scrub, so we'll see how that goes. At any rate, this was the third time in two weeks that the child had colored on the floor, so she got a spanking, then a talking to, then a time out for beginning a temper tantrum in response to the talking to. She had to sit in the rocking chair while I "phoned a friend" for stain removal techniques and moral support. Ten minutes later when I got off the phone, I told her she could get up, and she didn't move; turns out she had fallen asleep in "pouting position" at some point during the punishment. I know you parents out there are thinking she was so tired that no wonder she was acting out. Well I will have you all know that Daddy is the one who puts her down for her naps, and guess what? Daddy went to work at 3:30 today, giving him just enough time to wake up, eat, shower, and leave. Not enough time to put a certain tired girl to sleep. And she will not nap for me. So what's a tired momma to do? Give abnormally long time outs in a comfy chair, I guess.

Charlie, Daddy, and Uncle Scotty

Jen and Jeff

We took this at the park because I can't remember the last time we took a picture of the two of us.

Which is which?

Both of my children are entranced by Aunt Kristy. If you can't tell which is which, Abby has the darker hair.

What is Charlie up to?

Charlie is currently enjoying her new status as big sister. She loves to hold, kiss, and be close to Baby Abby. She is also becoming quite the daddy's girl, and often prefers Jeff to me these days, which makes my life much easier! (I told him his turn would come!) Her favorite activities now are climbing (on everything), play-dough, coloring (on the couch or floor, literally), stickers (putting them on people), reading (or should I say reciting), and puzzles, although she still loves her movies, especially The Little Mermaid and Mulan. Our favorite quote of hers right now: "Is something burning? My spinach puffs!" (The Emperor's New Groove). We have had some especially beautiful weather lately, so she has spent a lot of time outside with her beloved flowers, and has also discovered a love for digging in the dirt. On a developmental note, she is getting pretty good at putting sentences together, like "I want to hold her (Abby)" and "The baby needs a burp," and "I love you so much." She is doing new things every day, as toddlers do, and is so much fun!

Abigail is 1 month old!

Charlie holding Abby

Big Sister Charlie

Baby Abby is here! (But you already know that!)

Here's the scoop: my water broke at home, I got the epidural asap at hospital before things got bad, so 12 hours (I slept and listened to music- epidurals are lovely!) and only two pushes later, Abby arrived at 2:20 in the afternoon on Sunday, April 20. She was a whopping 8 lbs. and 1 oz., (no wonder I was so enormous) and 20 in. long, and came out screaming. Fortunately, she has proved to be an even more easygoing baby than Charlie was, and we are very blessed! She eats well (breastfed this time), and when she is not eating (when is that?) she is napping or very wide eyed and awake at all the noise her big sister makes. She only cries if she's hungry and is not fed right away (which one of us doesn't?) and is now, at 1 month old, sleeping four hours straight at night (Charlie took 8 weeks to do that). Welcome to the family, Abigail Hope Benkert. You make this look easy!