Permanent party, sans slumber.

Yes, it's been two weeks, a very busy two weeks. Carla and son are still co-housing with us. Sunday we celebrated his second birthday with a little party. Invited the neighbors across the street who have fallen in love with him, and some friends from who hadn't seen them since they first left town four months ago. My friend Kate and her son were also here to visit and for the baby shower we hosted at my mom's the same afternoon as the birthday party! We had a full house that night, and it took an extra two hours to get the four boys to stop running around the living room and settle into bed. I suppose the cupcakes and fruit snacks and various candies had something to do with it.

We woke up the next morning (yesterday) and packed up for another party -- the annual Not Back to School swimming party we celebrate with our homeschooling group. First we had to go to Target for various accesories the three of us moms needed. A bathing suit for Carla, maternity wear for Kate, a new hat and earrings for me. The kids got popcorn and a preztel. And then we headed to the party for pancakes!

Last night was the third session of my childbirth class, and it was great. Every week gets a little easier. I've had plenty of prep to do, which has made for some late nights. That, plus the baby shower planning and party errand-running, has pretty much taken up every spare moment.

In the meantime, I've been checking my yahoo groups again. Maybe because when I'm this busy I need to zone out and read other people's stuff a little. Maybe because I need support to stay at my best under stress. Even when we do get to bed on time, we've had various maladies traveling the house and interfering with everyone's ability to rest. First it was a stomach bug, and then a head cold. The local heat and smog have made the latter even worse for Cute Boy #3 who also has asthma to run him down. Combine that with the diaper rash that generally follows increased nasal drip. Carla hasn't slept well in weeks.

Then again, it's all relative for the mother of a co-sleeping toddler. Most of the time we hardly notice the night nursings, the sweaty head nestled in our armpit, the drool drenching the sheet under our back. It's quite beautiful -- especially when they wake up quietly in the morning, go find a toy or a brother or a friend to play with, and let you sleep in.

The rest of the time -- when the 2-year-olds start the day with a yelling contest, and the 3-year-old insists I get him MILK to go with his whining -- we just brew the coffee a little stronger.