Home, Sweet Home.

We’ve returned from our journey “west” (in New England, it seems, west is anything beyond, say, Albany). And oh what a journey it was… Molly adjusted quite well to being on the road. Before we left, she had regular fussy times, without apparent reason, from about 9pm – 11pm nightly. On the road, her fussiness was usually with good reason – say, because she met 20 new people in less than 10 hours on our first day in Ann Arbor. That spurred a good long cry-fest. Her crying ceased when I noticed she had overheated from crying so much and I took off her sleeper. The girl loves to be naked. The next night, go figure, she cried because when I was trimming her nails, I drew blood. Ouch.

After was got to Oak Park, her crying seemed to diminish. Perhaps because of the expert momming advice from my sisters. Some critical tips from them helped her unhappy digestion go more smoothly.

It was very interesting to watch each of Molly’s cousins greet her. John Andrew (3 ½) was the first to meet her. According to his mom’s rules, John Andrew touched her foot (rather than face or hands) to say hello. Then he informed me that he knew a train named Molly, and he described her in great detail – not quite in the words of the Wikipedia entry, but I’d put his description up against the Wikipedia one any day.

Macky (22 months), was extremely excited to meet her. He gave her his prized security blanket (something his mom did for me when I was a baby and she was maybe 3). The next day, Macky’s mom was holding Molly, and Macky put his arms up and said “baby hold?” Jessie said he had to ask Molly’s mom, so he repeated the question to me. I told him he had to wash his hands really well, then he could hold her. His face lit up – apparently washing his hands (in the sink, or even toilet) is something he loves to do.

Meg (5) was excited to hold Molly – until Molly spit up on Meg’s fancy velvet pants she was wearing on the occasion of her school Christmas sing. Later, she was watching Patrick change Molly’s diaper and said “yeah, she’s definitely a girl.”

Regina (almost 5) observed Molly analytically and lovingly. In one of the family Christmas pictures (a miracle in itself – on a sunny and warm December 24, seven kids 5 and under were all in a good enough mood to gather for a picture), Regina is looking down at Molly with tender affection.

Victor (2 ½) and Sarah (14 months) were fairly uninterested.

We’ll speed through the week between Christmas and New Year’s – two words to summarize: stomach flu. Patrick and I both got it so bad we ended up in the ER to get fluids intravenously. We were both so nauseated that ice chips were not staying down. We couldn’t have been in a better place, though. We had Jan’s expert nurturing to take care of us and Molly as we regained energy and the ability to digest. Jan had talked about ordering lobster for New Year’s Eve. It’s a good thing she didn’t – Patrick and I were only up to chicken noodle soup, and Jan got ill herself as we recovered. The lobster would have been wasted.

We returned to Oak Park feeling much better – and enjoyed several evenings in front of a roaring fire at my mom and dad’s. One evening we took Molly to the Michigan reception at the AEA conference. It was a nice reminder of how much better of a place we’re in now than a year ago when Patrick was a job candidate at the conference. After 2+ hours in a loud and hot conference room, Molly had a very fussy evening. We suggested that perhaps she was overwhelmed – again by having met so many people. My dad had an alternate theory – she enjoyed the party so much that she was sad it was over!

Last Sunday, Molly was baptized at my mom’s parish in Oak Park. We were touched that so many people came to welcome Molly into the church. Several folks from Michigan were there, as well as my Godfather from Indiana, and a college friend with whom I reunited at reunion this year.

We headed back via Ann Arbor again, and were thrilled to see people there. We were particularly pleased that our faith group had their weekly meeting the night we were in town. It was so fabulous to see those folks again.

Our next epic journey will be this summer – a Walsh family reunion (21 people under one roof – 6 of them under the age of 4) in South Lake Tahoe. The timing is slightly unfortunate, as it means we will miss an Oak Park/Ann Arbor friend’s wedding. Coincidentally, though, they will be honeymooning in Lake Tahoe – so we’ll get to take them out for a celebratory dinner!

So now we’re home, the laundry is done, Molly has had her 2-month checkup (shots and all), and we’ve got a to-do list a mile long (“update blog” – check). We’d like to say we’re feeling healthy as we take a running start into the spring semester but… Patrick and I both have colds now.

If a 3 ½ week visit with friends and family lands us with both the stomach flu and colds, perhaps we’ll rethink group daycare…

Stay tuned for a link to pictures…