Oh, Saoirse. Will you ever sleep well? (My guess would be no, that's just a rhetorical question) We go through so many phases, and rituals, trying new things to see if this will be thing that allows you to relax, let go, feel safe and sleep. Pretty much every night, you show up in our room at least once. "I just couldn't hold myself back." You are so often your own worst enemy.

Stuff like this is the reason that you all wait anxiously for your daddy to get home from work. He does things like chase the big kids with a baby in a car, and doesn't hesitate to run them over if they are too slow. I don't know who loves this most.

"Hey guys, don't forget me! What about me?!"

You will never have an Elf on the Shelf. I had lots of plans for how awesome I would be at making the holidays cool, I admit. Then I had kids, and it turns out it's way harder than I anticipated. Well, and I have less energy than I realized. So things are a bit lower key around here than I imagined, way back when. It's okay, everyone has to learn to roll with it. That is not my strong suit, but I'm learning. You are, however, really cute playing with these elves at the bookstore in your little fleece winter outfit. Close enough.

I know, this shot doesn't tell much of a story. I don't really see myself as much of a portrait photographer. But every now and then, I can't resist, because this is the face I see every day, smiling up at me. And I can't imagine forgetting it, sweet girl.

When we go to the library for story time now, you love to play with these puzzles, Liam. Mostly that means you like taking the pieces out while I put them back in. Sometimes you bang them against the board. Occasionally you take a break from this to go pull books off the shelves and scatter them around on the floor. It's not exactly relaxing, a trip to the library with you.

I'm not so thrilled about the cold. What I do love, though, is the sight of you in this ridiculously puffy outfit. It reminds me of A Christmas Story, and the little brother who can't even get out of a snowbank when he falls over.