There's no place like home

We made it safely back to Houston last night, to find the guys had cleaned up the yards and not too much seemed out of place for us. TJ pointed out the fact that Houston looked weird at night without lights. The groceries we brought from Austin survived the trip. We just didn't know when we'd get cold grocery supplies here in Houston (and still don't) so we stocked up and brought it back with us.

OM will now never, ever forget his ABC's and Anna now knows them all by heart.

Anna mercifully slept until 8:45AM this morning, and thus did we. She's become quite the night owl with this trip, which is very opposite her usual schedule, which finds her sleeping in bed by 7:30-8:00pm (apparently out of boredome). There has been too much fun every evening for such early nonsense. Last night she even made it till 10PM. She has been crying in her sleep during the trip, and last night, even in her own bed, same story. She cried out for her "PACI, PACI" at 1:32am and I went up to help her find it. It dawned on me at that point what a real security object her paci is. I think there's been so much lack of routine and structure lately, although she doesn't get the paci during the day, she knows that at night she can count on it. Anyway, I am looking forward to getting some kind of routine back, at least for her sake. It won't start tonight, though, since it's Z's 30th birthday and dinner starts at 8pm!

For MY 30th birthday, our same evacuee crew evacuated to Louisiana for Rita, which ultimately turned and hit Louisiana (incuding us). But it was still a pretty fun 30th birthday because I was with friends and family. HAPPY HURRICANE RECOVERY BIRTHDAY, Z!

I am going nowhere near the scale based on the personal knowledge of sheer junk I ate during the hurrication.

Anna's bacterial cesspool that is her sinuses is improving. In fact, after over 2 weeks, no runny nose today. I know the use of antibiotics is controversial, but it was overcome by the necrotic-smelling mess that was our daughter. It was obvious the infection was just stewing in her sinuses and it was more than she or I could stand. In trying to at least be responsible antibiotic users on some level, we will run the full course of antibiotics (if you haven't heard, antibiotic resistance is the hot topic). We are greatful that she thinks taking medicine is yummy, which means no fight. Whew.

But she hasn't really been herself in the past few days. Again, not sure if it's due to the lack of structure, or if it's because the terrible month 18 is upon us. We are expecting with this milestone that all of the bull-headed independence is coming, so we are bracing for it. We have seen it more in the last few days than ever. We are trying to lay boundaries while still letting her "learn". By nature, she is cautious and even seems to have an inherent understanding of right and wrong. Mostly, she is obedient without a fight. But lately we have noticed that our baby is now actually a little person, who likes to talk to us, push our buttons, do her own stunts, and let us know what she is thinking. She plays with the older kids like she's one of them. She has run through the house happily screeching at something hilarious to her. At what? Is this a glimpse of what's coming, or is this a result of the past week of vacation? It's not a bad thing, per se. Just another level I need to get ready for!

No, you can't stay up past 8.
No, you can't run around the house with your food. Eat at the table.
No, you can't stay in your poopy diaper. Come here. Now.
No, you must hold my hand while walking on the sidewalk.
NO!
NO!
NO!

I have to figure out ways to ease up.