getting easier...

I think today will be better...
All seem to be in better spirits. I have had a rough two days with the girls. Everyone seemed a little out of whack, especially Emma. I was getting to the point with her to threaten the "Daddy will deal with you when he comes home" type of punishment. But this morning, she woke up, made her bed, put her pajamas away, and just now brought me a cup of ice for my bottle of water. (odd-sounding I'm sure, but a gesture of peace, since the favor brought a complete meltdown when asked just yesterday)...

We're headed out for a long list of short errands starting with a walk around the track at the community college and some time in the library.
I'm excited at the prospect of making dinner for my family tonight. My grandmother has graciously been inviting us for dinner several times this week. It was a wonderful blessing when the thought of walking across the room felt like a marathon. But today, it will feel good to "get back in there"....

This guy has been loved very hard, and I think I'll give his little eye some attention today. Maybe even make him a friend.

Oh, and I told you these were entertaining, but here's a little proof. They just don't stop giving, I tell ya.

And The Shots are still going in strong and stingy. My husband is getting very good at the pinch and stick part. If they didn't burn, it wouldn't be bad at all. And my stomach looks like I was in a bad karate fight. As if the old stretchmarks weren't ugly enough.
If you're brave enough to see....

And thanks again for all your wonderfully encouraging and thoughtful comments about all this. It really helped--you have no idea how much. It was especially encouraging to hear I'm not the only one to have a 'complicated' pregnancy. I was starting to foolishly feel like everyone in the world had happy, healthy normal pregnancies but me. But I'm reminded by another blogging friend that I need to be absolutely thankful for my pregnancy no matter what the little costs along the way.