too short & too long

our whirlwind holiday trip came to a close upon our safe arrival in Balto yesterday afternoon. (we deplaned on to the tarmac & everything. did we step into a '60s movie? nope...) our visit was good - chock full of family gatherings, with a few friends sprinkled in here & there. actually, it was pretty exhausting. in my old age, i don't even sleep well in my old bedroom - just because it's not "home" - or because i suck. i slept the entire 2 hour flight back to balto & duration of the 45 minute train ride to the city. D ended up having to rush off to work as soon as we got in the door & i sat down to continue reading this fabulous book new book Eat, Pray, Love, (thanks, Marmy!). at some point, the growing weight of my eyelids took over, so i surrendered to a 15 minute disco nap. i woke up 2 hours later (in the same chair). sooo... my life is very very exciting.

earlier this week i asked my mom what i was like as a baby... dan & my friend katie previously shared the sentiment that they're just trying to get back to the way they were at age 11 or 12 - because that person is who they are in the fullest expression of themselves. i don't remember ever feeling that way. but i think parts of our personality probably always existed. maybe we're destined to have a particular disposition. my mom characterized me as careful, serious & quiet - an observer. she had to be careful what she said because i took everything literally. as far as i can remember, i have always been this way. i wonder if i was predisposed to be this version of me or if i learned it as a coping mechanism... hm. i'll never know. (although i don't really think of myself as serious. most people might see me that way though - unless they know me really well. i'm pretty silly.)

dan's mom said he was always very laid back & still is.... lucky bastard!

i finally got some holiday cards in the mail right before we left town. what a relief! i still have another 4 days off work & i'm not quite sure what to do with myself. katie may be coming down for a visit over new years. we shall see.

i close w/ photos of BABIES!

my little brother & my niece in their jammies, home sick the day after christmas. they may be sick, but they're still cute!

grandpa o'b & the newest member of dan's family, elizabeth. (she was sick too - but still very cute.)

my buddy, mama grass & little baby grass. not sick & very cute, although blurry. (those babies, they're wiggly worms.) during our visit, dan was sharing with him some sweet sweet dance moves.