Farewell to the adorable little siblings of Dora, who entered our home via Santa’s bag of goodies on Christmas morning as part of the Big Sister Nursery Addition for Dora’s Talking Dollhouse .

I’ve looked everywhere reasonable for the inch-and-a-half plastic fraternal twins. Behind the radiators, between the couch cushions, under the living room furniture. And in most of the unreasonable places as well, including the potty, the trash, baking dishes, potted plants, and the dog’s bowls. They were last seen in the grips of the younger child.

I just need to accept the fact that they’re gone.

I’m not sure why I feel such anxiety over their disappearance; perhaps it’s my maternal instinct gone wacky. I heard the desperation creep into my voice when I was interrogating the two year old as to their whereabouts: “WHERE ARE THEY? WHERE ARE THE BABIES? WHERE DID YOU PUT THE BABIES?” I tried to buy her cooperation, even: “If you will just tell mommy where you put the babies, I’ll give you a cookie!” Nothing. She and the almost-four year old just walk around the house not-very-helpfully calling out, “Babies! Where are you?”

Perhaps they’ll show up still. I’ll keep their little crib ready for them.

Kelsey: “Mommy, I want candy!”
Me: “No, Kelsey. We’re going to have breakfast.”
Kelsey: “But I don’t want breakfast.”
Me: *silence*
Kelsey: “Mommy, I don’t want breakfast. Hey, I know what I want!” *pause* “Candy!”

About 15 minutes later, Laurel walks into the kitchen

Laurel: “Mommy, I want treat.”
Me: “Not right now, Laurel. We’re going to color with markers!”
Laurel: “No Mommy. I want treat. Kelsey want treat too.”
Me: “Would you like a banana?”
Laurel: *runs away into the living room, screaming “NO NO NO NO NO NO NO” and throws herself on the floor*

Passing a gall stone feels very like trying to digest hundreds of shards of glass. Not that I would know, but I guess anyone out there who’s eaten a glass by mistake would understand. Umm. Anyone ? Yeah. Anyway, I had my hand on the phone, ready to call 9-1-1. Those of you who have met me know how rare this type of reaction to pain is for me. Natural childbirth, I can deal with. Mostly because I know what to expect. Now that I know that I have some gall bladder trouble, I can better prepare for this. But I hope it doesn’t come to that!

So, the ultrasound showed I have sludge in my gall bladder. No more stones that they could see. If the pain doesn’t desist within the next two weeks, my doctor wants me to talk to a surgeon.

I’ve put myself on a low-fat diet, one that’s specific to those with gall bladder pain/problems. I’m thinking of doing a gall bladder flush, although it doesn’t sound like a whole lot of fun. Well, unless you think drinking 11 ounces of olive oil in a 12-hour period is fun. Since I have abdominal pain whenever I eat, it seems, not eating is proving to be most satisfactory.

I’ll update here with more info if there is anything to report. Until then, go enjoy your cheeses (well, except for you, Amy!), your sinfully delicious luncheon meats, your ultra-processed carbs and acres of chocolate and fizzy drinks and beers and wines, and and and…. *sigh*

Kelsey’s new game: grab something Laurel is playing with and run like hell in the hopes that the distressed toddler will chase her around the house. Laurel isn’t quite as keen on this game as Kelsey is. Allen just reprimanded Kelsey, shouting, “Kelsey, bring back that bunny. I’m not playing.” Of course, overtired Kelsey thinks this new game is even more fun, to have DADDY chase her! When Allen caught her, I could hear him growling at her, keeping his patience just barely in check. “GIVE ME THE BUNNY! GIVE ME THE BUNNY!!”

I suppose it would be really bad form to laugh right now, huh? *giggle*