Did we fall off the face of the earth?

Ummm.....no. What can I say, it is hard to be a mommy, it is hard to be a wife, it is hard to be a full-time lobbyist to an energy start up that has huge issues with the U.S. EPA in an era of anti-coal sentiment and still blog. But, I realize that I am the one and only family historian, so with that, I will attempt to post from time-to-time.

Jack is one month from being 5, the twins are 2 and 1/2. Everyone is doing very well. I last posted in December and having re-read it today, really was having a tough time at that particular period. As we all know, I have had and still do have a conflict with being a lobbyist as it requires travel and thinking that the grass is always greener on the lawyer side of the working world. It isn't. The billing of hours and perserverence required is hard for someone who's life is not about work anymore, but is about buidling a family, which is what mine is. Unfortunately, building of a family takes funding, and so, here we are. I think that we as a society spend a lot of time thinking that certain women are selfish, not self-sacrificing enough if we work, those of us who work hate the ones that stay at home. (I certainly fall victim to this, even though I did spend two years at home and KNOW how hard it is.) I would still be at home, though, if it were financially possible. But, one thing that I have learned the hard way as an adult is that money, while it does not buy happiness, does buy security, and that is what I want for my children. I want them to have their educations paid for and have some trust funding left over to get started in life. And, so........lobbying is where I am. Again.

As skeptical as I am about it, I continually succeed in this line of work, so I am moving toward embracing my career choice, even though I still sometimes think of it as a second choice. It is, but maybe it is not as secondary as I once thought. Anyway, following the nearly constant sickness of all three kiddos, it became clear that if I am to work, I need to earn enough to pay for a nanny because we simply do not have the type of jobs that allow for time off intermittenly nor do we have the family structure to be able to assist when we need it. I harbor some resentment about this, but, it is what it is, and instead of being bitter, we move toward solution. And so, I took the director of public relations and government affairs job with Prairie State Energy Campus, which I am loving. And I make enough to have the babies stay at home and Jack to stay at school, but we have back up. Kimberly truly does make our lives easier. She is a godsend and we are able to keep things going with her on staff.

Twins Turn 2

We had both a great and a terrible week this week. Jack was admitted to Children's Hospital for 3 days following hallucinations during the middle of the night on Monday morning. A CT scan, MRI, EEG and spinal tap later, he had severe sinus and ear infections and fevers, which caused his hallucinations. Great kudos to the staff on the Neurology floor at Children's. I don't know how they do what they do, but we are grateful to them and to the fact that Jack is going to be fine.

We then went ahead and celebrated the twins birthday on Saturday with a few friends. We had a short music class and then had dinner. Big fun was had by all. We are also grateful as we celebrate the twins' second birthday to the staff at Missouri Baptist and for good health insurance that took care of our preemie twins. And so.....Christmas is upon us. In the pictures, babies on their birthday tricycles, going to their nursery school birthday party, with their new pianos, at their birthday party music class.

Getting back to work????

Hmmmm....what to say a month into getting back to work. It's ok. I do like being a lawyer, am learning a lot and I work in an area of the law, while not exactly brain science, does immediately effect people and their lives and when it works out, I have a good day. Overall, it's going ok. I am a few minutes away from the kiddos, so I can leave when they get sick. They have had the flu, pneumonia, sinus infection and it seems like an endless cold and a variety of viruses. We really should just live at the doctor's office. So, things are going ok. I can't say that this is easy or even fun most days, but I think that given that I generally lean dark, things are going as well as can be expected at this point in time. In the pictures, Jack poses next to his preschool's (thank goodness) pet, Callie the guninea pig, his Thanksgiving feast, poses at the local Mexican joint with Aunt Emmy, much belated Halloween shot and the Keener girls at Thanksgiving dinner.

Jack's Birthday and Other News

Our baby Jack was 4 last week. Because I don't believe his birth story is recorded anywhere, I thought I'd better recall it in print because I am not a great scrapbooker or photobooker, here it is as I remember it, 4 years later. First of all, when Daddy and I met, I was a director of government affairs at Anheuser-Busch Companies, which was a big St. Louis company at the time. It's business is beer and more beer and yes, I was their lobbyist. Anyway, before we had you, Jack, Daddy and I were live to work type of people. Daddy had started a law firm with Grandpa and I had 6 states where I managed state and local legislation that effected alcohol companies, which includes excise taxes, marketing rules, etc. I loved my job at the time and I mention that because I gave it all up without much regret to have a family and Jack, you started that. Anyway, it was September and Daddy and I were glad that I had made it past September 11 because we were worried you'd have to share your birthday with the tragedy of the September 11 attacks. While we respect and honor that day, we didn't want you to have to share it as your birthday. I was in my office and my secretary, Robyn, had decided that we needed to go down to the United Way fair at lunch to get some ice cream. Nearing 85 pounds with this pregnancy, I agreed. We headed downstairs and out to the parking lot to get some ice cream. In addition to the United Way pledge drive kick off, there was also an employee antique car show and other festival type things, including an appearance by Fredbird, the St. Louis Cardinal mascot. We got our ice cream and then shook Fredbird's hand, he patted my belly. I then walked to the other parking lot to retrieve a notebook out of my car. On the way there, my water broke. In a panic, I went back to my office to get my purse, told Robyn my water broke and went to the car. Stupidly, I drove myself to Missouri Baptist and up to the 3rd floor maternity ward. (Yes, everyone of my co-workers offered to drive me. I was insistent. Seriously, what a hard head!) On the way, I called Daddy. He was no where to be found as he was out for a run. Without his cell phone. I called Nana who went out looking for him. I called Linda, Daddy's secretary, who also went out looking for him. Nana finally found him and they grabbed our hospital bags and headed over to MoBap. Labor ensued and I received an epidural around 7 p.m. Little to no progress at 9. Little to no progress at 10. Little to no progress at 11. And on until 4 a.m., when Dr. Appelbaum decided you weren't coming out au natural, so a c-section was performed. You were darling, with lots of black hair and a case of jaundice, making everyone ask me if you were Asian. You were NOT, as you are 1/4 Brazilian, 1/4 Welsh/English and 1/2 German. The Brazilian is the most apparent feature, I am happy to say. :) Anyway, we were in the hospital for 4 days and then we all went home to 28th Street. So, your birth story, finally.

We had a good time at Jack's birthday. He took cupcakes and treats to school for his friends, who according to Ms. Heather, all spontaniously sung happy birthday to Jack a second time on the playground. How cute is that? Then Nana and Mike came over for the birthday boy's favorite dinner of cheese Imo's pizza. Lots of presents. On Saturday, we had the neighborhood kids and other friend over for a last and final party, big fun was had by all. Aunt Emmy and Grandma Lucy came in and the Friday before his party, we all went to the zoo, which was also lots of fun. Jack dearly loves his grandma and aunt and cried when they had to fly home on Sunday.

In other news.....I got a job offer yesterday and I am excited, though somewhat apprehensive. I am going to be a real attorney and those of you who know, this has been a LONG time coming. I have secretly harbored wishes of being an attorney with my own clients for many, many years and I'm going to get a chance to work toward just that. I am joining a small firm where I will be the only associate and we'll do family and personal injury law. It is 10 minutes away from homeand 2 minutes away from the day care where all the kiddos will be. Most importantly, I can work from home when the children are sick and I am working for a woman who has made her own fortune and business and I hope that I can learn a lot from her on how to do that for myself. I will also work from 8:30 until 5, which is unheard of in the practice of law. I have been really praying and searching for the right opportunity for a long time and I am excited that it is here. When one door closes, another one opens. Trite, but true. And so, we go on, living this amazing life that changes each and every day. In the pictures, my college friend Wendy brought her sweet baby, Hermione over for a visit when they were here from San Francisco, various birthday parties and Jack as Spiderman in one of his favorite birthday presents.

Our Dear Auntie Harriet

Our dear Auntie Harriet visited last week and we miss her dearly! Auntie Harriet lives in Rye, NY and we get to see her once a year or so, though I do speak to her nearly every day on the phone. She played with Jack and the girlies and made Jack into a writer by making him books. He made her proud today by making his own book at preschool and naming the authors "by Jack and Auntie Harriet." TOO CUTE. Auntie Harriet is one of my best friends and it is heart breaking that we live so far apart. :(

Other than that, career crisis. Could all my good friends be right? Have I not missed a thing by not being a licensed attorney all these years? Could this have not mattered? Kate has always said that I was the most successful out of our class. Is this actually true? ARGH. Motherhood and the American economy do not mix. There is more, but given the hour and whining of the 3 year old, I must end the post. The joys and valleys of motherhood. Where do we begin.

Tablerock Lake

We headed out to Tablerock Lake for a long weekend on Thursday. J had a bad day that Thursday, as he had a difficult sentencing for a client he kind of liked and then was sideswiped on the way home. He is fine, but a little shaken up. We then set out with the kiddos for a trip to the lake with Nana and Mike. While there was a little family tension that always seems to crop up (are all families that way? I guess so. I guess the difference between family and friends is that we overlook our flaws to stay together. Maybe that's just true of all relationships.), all in all, everyone had a great time. The twins liked the boat and our little fish, Jack, loved the lake and the tubing. His favorite part of the trip was the boat. Coincidentially, my good friends from DC, Melissa and Rob were attending Rob's sister's wedding in Springfield that same weekend, so the girls and I went to visit them. Caroline loved Rob, Brooke was no one's friend. As is typical for this phase. Thursday and Friday were great, Saturday needed a little more planning and by that time, we were all tuckered out. However, Big Cedar Lodge is fabulous and I hope we visit it again soon! Thank goodness there is a proper resort with swim up bars in within driving distance. (I kid. Sort of.) :) And the summer is coming to a close. We are a little ill, Jack has a virus, we feared it was strep, but a visit to the doctor yesterday confirmed otherwise. The twins both have fevers and I'm sure the same virus. Our good friend Auntie Harriet visits tomorrow, I have a big interview on Thursday, Friday is Nana's fundraiser for Susan G. Koman Foundation and Saturday Harriet heads back to NY. Pooh. Anyway, busy week and next week, preschool begins again. Also, I am an idiot with these pictures. I used to be able to see which ones had posted, now they are hidden when I upload them, so I repost some that I do not mean to. Some day I will have enough time to figure this out, but today, the twins are waking up from their naps, so........the perfectionist tendencies will have to wait!
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