The First Day...

Yesterday was a day of firsts. My first morning waking up without the snuggles and scruffy face of Leo. The first where our entire day is up to me--from the moment we are up and running to the moment I have to tuck them into bed with a story.

It's hard to describe the feelings that came over me this morning as I woke up happily and then suddenly realizing why I tossed and turned all nite long. He wasn't next to me.

I could have started my day just feeling sorry for myself and moping around declaring it the first of many more to come pajama days. But when I saw my girls' smiling faces at me? It hit me.

I am the strong one. I am the one to hold them when they cry and kiss them unconditionally. I am the one to greet them every morning with a kiss, a hug and a promise of a good day.

I kicked the other Chelle to the curb and started our day. We started with 8:30 mass which I have been a little nervous about doing by myself...but the girls? Did a fabulous job. No tantrums, fits, nada. Love my girls, it's as if they know that I need help right now...

The rest of our day was insanely busy. A trip to the park, some pb&j sandwiches, nap for Madelyn, vacuuming out my car, picking up dog...well, you know, the brown stuff outside...ew, cleaning both bathrooms, cleaning the mirrors and patio door.

We finished our day with a bubble bath, some tears for Daddy, and a reading of our favorite bedtime story, Knuffle Bunny Too (we love all of the Knuffle Bunny books--if you haven't read them before you must run out and see--they? Are one of our faves by far....).

Pretty sure my heart broke at bedtime with the tears...my chest felt like it was weighed down and I had to just breathe to calm down and be strong for the girls. They're just so little--even little Bella doesn't understand what "Daddy's gone for a long, long time sweetheart" means.

So until tomorrow, I love you all for your kind words, your prayers, your uplifting thoughts, your offers to come and visit you for a mini getaway. You have no idea how much you have comforted me in the past couple of days...thank you, thank you, thank you.

Our First Day Alone...

Today Leo had to go into work to do a report which meant that I would be home with the two little ones...eek!

The good news is we all survived--that's always a plus, right?

I must say I am exhausted, though. Even with a little nap squeezed in.

It seemed like when one needed a diaper change, the other was crying.

When one was eating, the other was crying.

They both managed to nap at the same time which allowed me to take that little nap--yay!

I also folded all of the laundry, washed dishes and picked up the house somewhat. I hope Leo doesn't get used to that--I can already see somedays will be a struggle for all of us!

So that's it. We survived.

This tired momma and her two sweet girls.

I can now breathe a BIG sigh of relief!