I doubt I will ever have to explain this time to anyone who is currently around. This virus has everyone terrified and we’ve been acting accordingly in an attempt to “flatten the curve” by staying home and quarantining ourselves. This is halfway through our second full week at home (we started 03/13 and today is 03/25). A usual go-and-do-er, I’ve been at home with the kids for 12 days straight – our only trip into the world has been to Dr Katie for Zora’s 6 month check up and vaccines.

We are lucky. I am working from home, Kevin is still going into a pretty empty workplace. Many folks have been laid off. We have a beautiful home in a beautiful neighborhood. We’ve had friends grocery shop for us. We’ve convinced our loved ones especially grandparents of the girls to stay home. We have our fingers crossed that we will all make it through this pandemic alive and well. We know not everyone will.

While fear abounds, I get the joy of being at home with two beautiful amazing wonderful loving girls.

I never thought I’d be a good stay at home mom, but we’re all having fun. Knowing it’s not forever and knowing that it’s for both the health of my family and my community that we are trapped at home makes it easier.

Zora is an easy baby. She’s absolutely adorable all the time. She’s learning so much. She’s holding her own bottle, picking it up if it falls down, scooting around like crazy and can’t wait to be on the move. I’m pretty sure if she was mobile this would all be much more challenging.

Luckily, she’s still too short to get around in her car/Walker but she loves to bounce in her jumpy and play in her jungle exersaucer. She LOVES watching whatever her sister is doing and being involved in as much as possible.

Ember is having the time of her life. I’m glad she doesn’t understand the concept of time yet, so this all just feels like a never ending weekend to her. She wakes up often and asks if we are having a “girl day!” And I happily say yes. We have Girl Day 5 days a week while daddy is at work. Then we have Family Day.

I’m finding a balance between doing enriching lessons and games and exercise and art time and just letting her play on her own, or sitting down to play pretend with her. Each day we all get up and have breakfast (usually eggs) and watch a little Daniel Tiger to get rolling. Then we do some painting, or have a dance party or do yoga or play with toys or puzzles. Usually Ember puts on a princess dress and we hang around the house together.

I’ve been cooking because take out isn’t something we feel comfortable with yet, and I’m enjoying it AND losing weight.

It’s been raining for days. Today the sun came out and Ember got to visit with her shadow for the first time in a while. I try to go outside with them at least once a day for a walk or to play on the playground. With both kids it can be tough, but I think it’s worth the struggle.

I hope this time together helps us to appreciate each other more, take time to play, and be sure to appreciate our moments.

We miss visiting friends and school and seeing our grandparents. We video chat with Mamaw and Granddaddy. We visit Gigi and wave from the car. I am hopeful this will end soon. It’s an emotional struggle but I am choosing to focus on the good. These girls. My little family. We are doing this for them. And they are exquisite.