Work/Life Teeter Totter

As you've probably guessed by my blogging absence... life's been crazy of late. I was out of town for work most of last week and had large-ish commitments the two previous weeks and have an even bigger one this week... I feel like I'm just managing to keep my head above water (and some days that's really just my mouth - good thing I was a lifeguard!) in tending to life's basics - so most 'extras' (including blogging) just don't make the cut. The good news is, I think the light at the end of the tunnel is this weekend... when I'll hopefully return to more of a work/life balance (if that exists) and get back to sharing more fun stories & pics!

Vacation photo album

My hope was to add captions and remove the dud photos from the vacation photo album by now... but since I haven't, and it doesn't look like I will anytime soon... here goes at sharing the rough cut. Enter at your own risk. There are LOTS of photos... many of which you'll wonder why in the world they were taken. Just remember my digital photo mantra: gotta take lots to get the gems!

Here's one of my faves:

Look Alikes?

Several people have recently mentioned Elynor's resemblance to Shirley Temple, so we decided to investigate the accuracy of their comparisons... what do you think?



The funny thing is, we got our hands on a Shirley Temple DVD and when you show it to Elynor, she points at the picture and says, 'Elynor'. Crazy! She does have some streaks of drama in her...

Sweet Home Chicago

We're baaaccckkk....

Touched down in the Chi at 12:35 this afternoon. Speedy trips through customs and on the el with a quick stop for some coffee got us home just after 2. I haven't been so happy to see my house in a long time. Don't get me wrong, we had some awesome adventures (most of which I'll do my best to share in the next few days). But traveling with a toddler is exhausting. Add to that a toddler who didn't exactly take her amazing state-side nighttime sleep patterns with her across the pond... and you get the picture. I'm off to sleep in my own bed (praying for no unwanted wake-up calls from Miss E) and back to our "real world" tomorrow.

Can't wait to share more when I'm a little less sleepy. For now, here are a few of my initial fave shots. I promise, lots more to come (on Picasa).

Rainy-day London exploring (thankfully, the rainy days were few). No, not our best fam photo, but it turns out I'm in very few of our pics (and even fewer where my eyes aren't closed AND E is looking), so happy we at least got this one!

Taking in London from the Tate Modern lookout.

Praising God for a Sunny Sunday in London's Kensington Gardens.

A future Guinness Master Brewer? She now knows the secrets.

Our curious little girl explores Dublin Castle.

So Long, Farewell...

Whoohoo! We're heading to the UK bright & early tomorrow morning. When I close this computer I won't open it again for an entire week (while I love communicating with you, I won't shed any tears over this apparent freedom:).

Can't wait to update you on our adventures when we return.

In the meantime, for those following, E's follow-up dentist apt. was much less traumatic today. They said one of her "at risk" teeth appears to be in good shape - no longer wobbling. The other is still wobbly and definitely still at risk... but all we can do is keep watching it and continue to keep it clean (to prevent infection). The most exciting news was the clearance to eat more "regular" foods again (read, Cheerios & Goldfish, my lifelines...)! So happy we won't have to pass a 6-hour flight with pureed messiness.

Adieu!

Easter Sunshine

Christ the Lord is risen today... Alleluia!

Evidence

Some bloody clothes...

A puffy lip...

A salt water swishing performance (to clean the teeth) for Mr. Nick & Miss Kendra