10 months

She's been experiencing a bit of a cold the past few days and what we'd like to hope is teething, with how interrupted her sleep has been. Her little nose has been a raw and constantly stuffy faucet, and she wails when the likes of a hanky comes her way. But she's still as sweet and smiley as she can be. Lately, her smiles have been scrunched up noses and slit-squinty eyes. And she giggles contagiously when we pretend to eat her feet. Abigail can really get her rolling.

From 03/29/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

To balance her super sweet personality, she's a super fussy eater. She's been displaying some strong-will of her own, and if Iris isn't putting it into her mouth, ain't nobody putting it into her mouth. Not without a fight of flailing arms and hands and pursed lips. She's not having the pureed foods at all anymore. So we've just been dealing with a lot more messes as we allow her to eat mashed-up adult food by herself. Which is fine by me. Though I sometimes have to tell Mike to just look the other way.

From 03/29/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

The flight of stairs beckons to her every day. She has yet to get over that first step, but once she does, she's going to conquer them all, as determined as she is. And she circles the furniture in the living room without tire. She still hasn't figured out how to get back down gracefully or without taking a blow to the backside. She's a speedy little crawler though, and I've had to run to catch her, mid-air, from taking off right over the the edge of the stairs from the second floor landing- squinting with glee all the while. She sees us all go down with ease. And why shouldn't she?

From 03/29/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

She delights in her nightly bedtime ritual of getting hugs and kisses from the other two and sometimes even squeals out loud and waves while repeating, "Nahnah nahnah." (Nigh' nigh').

From 03/29/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

We love you so, Iris Faustina!

National Aviary

We finally made it to the National Aviary this morning. We figured we should take advantage of free admission while Uncle Rob still interns in the hospital there several days a week. Turns out, we didn't even need him to come to the front desk to let us in though. I just told the nice women there about our connection, and she placed bracelets on our wrists.

From 03/29/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

We headed to the Little Peepers Storytime that takes place every Tuesday morning. We got there early, and the reader, Janet- a very friendly, animated woman- kept talking to Jack and Abigail and asked if she could lift them up inside one of the clear tubes in the penguin tunnel so they could get a better view.

From national aviary

From national aviary

After storytime, the kids assisted feeding a silkie chicken named Marsha. Then we walked around and saw some more big birds displayed down a corridor and spied Uncle Rob doing what he does through a little window into the veterinary hospital. The kids stood on little stools in front of the window and were excited to see someone they knew. He came out to say hello before we headed to the grasslands exhibit.

From 03/29/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

From 03/29/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Abigail watched this one very warily.

From 03/29/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

From 03/29/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

The two-toed sloth and a toucan.

We came across a big group of people, where a feeding was taking place, and birds were flying about the big glass room pel mel. Then a woman turned on the "rain," which the birds loved. After we left there, we met up with the Wards before going into the 11:00 show, which was spectacular. Great birds flew right by our heads on cue and ate from hands, while a big screen played a narration of many of the birds we saw and their native habitats. When the bald-eagle named Independence came out, flapping his one gimp wing, Lee Greenwood's "Proud to be an "American" played with images from around the country, and I felt the tears coming. But I managed to pull myself together.

From 03/29/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Our last stop before visiting the penguins one last time was the rainforest exhibit, where many exotic birds flew and squawked in the humid vegetation room. The kids loved the loud and rainbow-colored lories.

From 03/29/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Jack was fascinated by this green catbird, who was feasting on a worm. I think he was mostly trying to discern the cat resemblance.

From 03/29/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

We stayed for feeding time, when the birds kept swooping down to take treats from museum guests. The little people were also requesting sustenance.

From 03/29/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

I liked this gangly fellow.

From 03/29/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Making funny faces at a laughing kookaburra should make him laugh. Logically. (I love how Mali and Brinnly always look like they're about to make an appearance at a holiday ball.)

From 03/29/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

What a great treasure to have so close to us! And so suitable for kids. I can't believe we've never been before. But I'm glad we had the opportunity to go there while we could get free admission- Thanks, Rob.

more pictures here

we are family

There were noses-to-the-glass goodbyes this morning as Mike's parents left to head back home to Wisconsin. I swear, time really is picking up speed. Nine full days seemed like a lot in foresight, but I can't really remember what we did for a lot of that time after celebrating Jack's birthday festivities earlier in the week. We had fun with Grandma and Grandpa as usual- that's what we did. We hung out at the Children's Museum on Thursday. The Wards came and visited all of us for a while Friday morning (Jack got his first proposal, "He's the only boy, so he'll have to be the prince," reasoned Mali), and we stuffed ourselves sick at Ressi's Fish Fry that evening. I got some appointments for myself out of the way while I had some free and fun child care. And the kids partook in their ritual Grandma and Grandpa activities (watching the timer while Grandma does her eye drops, picking books for them to read before naps and bedtime, smelling Grandma's pills every morning, etc.).

From 03/27/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Other than Jack's birthday album, this is the one photo I have to show from their visit. Steak 'n' Shake!

My parents came this weekend (they stayed at Rob and Heather's), so it was nice for both of our families to be together again for the first time since our wedding nearly five years ago. And nice of my parents to give Tom and Sharon a break from getting jumped on and tugged at and crawled all-over, etc. ;)

Now the kids are sick with the colds and likely teething pains (though they seemed to be doing a lot better after naps today), and we're trying to get used to life in our own rooms again. Both Jack and Gail slept on our floor for the duration of the grandparents' stay. So sleep left a great deal to be desired. But what's minor sleep deprivation when it means the kids (and we) get to see distant family? We did have a great visit and are looking forward to the next- of both families.

Jack's four-year diagnoses: silly

Yesterday, Jack had his four-year well-checkup. After being convinced that Dr. Hildebrandt was NOT his doctor, but only Iris' and Abigail's, since he'd only been to the office for his sisters' appointments, he finally knuckled under. I carried him thrashing and wailing (with all of his clothes on, mind you) to get weighed and have his height measured. Clearly, that was torture. But once it was over and I carried all 33.5 lbs of him back into the checkup room, he seemed astounded that that was all it was. And loosened up a lot. His face seemed red, and tears seemed to well a bit in his eyes when I told him that yes, there would be shots at the end. But we talked about how Sister Bear from the Berenstein Bears was so brave when she got hers, and that gave him all the confidence he required. "I'm going to be so brave too!"

He told Dr. H all about his birthday party and cake and the new dinosaur game he got. And just how much he loves dinosaurs. Logically, Dr. H asked him if he wants to be a paleontologist when he grows up. "No. I'm going to be a train conductor. And all of my kids are going to be on the train and play in the play room that's on the train." He spelled his name and told him his favorite food ("green beans"- that's a new one). Dr. H proceeded write all of this down- as well as what color lollipop he wanted after his shot, nodding in great interest all the while. Then Jack a hearing and an eye test, of which he passed both.

When it was time to get shots, he sat on the doctor's table and hugged me, as the nurse instructed him. She gave him a green lollipop and told him to squint his eyes tight. When he got the first one in his upper arm, he laughed out loud. And did the same for his second shot in his other arm. Apparently they were giving silly shots. Goofball. He gleefully picked a T-Rex sticker and rushed to the waiting room to tell the tale of his bravery to Grandma and Grandpa. Fortunately, Mike's parents were able to watch Abigail and Iris in the waiting room (where there were a bunch of toys and books) during the appointment because it ended up lasting about an hour, and I can't imagine trying to keep the three of them in good spirits in a doctor's office for that length of time.

After the appointment, we headed over to Bakery Square so Mike's parents could get the tour around Google. Then we stopped into Trader Joe's to pick up a few items and headed back home to play outside with chalk and dinos and have lunch. Jack asked me to bring out his animal hospital set so he could tell all of the animals how very brave he was for his shots- and commenced reenacting his appointment with them. The weather was absolutely wondrous-- short-sleeves-warm and sunny. Too bad the rest of the week promises to be fairly chilly (with snow in the forecast for Thursday).

We did make it to Chuck E. Cheese this morning per Jack's birthday request. He was missing the Ward girls, as he'd really wanted them to be there, but they're still getting over a string of illnesses. Get better soon, Ward clan!

Dear Jack

(I had worked on a copy of this for an hour, when the entire draft disappeared into an oblivion. So here is my second slightly shorter version, in which I tried to reproduce the meaning of the first and not necessarily the flowing language. It's late.)

***************

I can't say Mimi didn't warn me of how fast the time would go by after having children. But it's starting to get kind of scary. I watched my sweet-as-can be first born sleeping tonight, and I feel like I must have blinked. Like I must have missed something. Because here we are, celebrating your FOURTH year.

After you were born, I remember that feeling of bliss. And exhaustion. There was no way I was going to allow anyone take you to the nursery so I could get some "quality sleep." No sir. You slept right by my side, tightly swaddled. I liked to unwrap you and just admire your miniature tapered fingers and your wrinkled and not-yet-filled-out feet.

When it was time to bring you home, I couldn't believe that this perfectly tiny boy was all ours to keep. I sat for hours, studying your perfectly formed features and mimicking your quickly-changing expressions. Fortunately, the week after we brought you home was unseasonably warm because I wanted to walk you around and show you to the world. I was a proud Momma. You had granted me my wish of being a stay-at-home mom.

A sweet little personality emerged. Playful and bubbly yet sensitive, you filled our days with a joy that we could never have imagined.

And taught us how to be parents.

You were just the right beginning to our growing family.

Though you were only 14 1/2 months when Abigail was born, you doted on your baby sister and tried to be helpful and anyway you could.

It has been heartbreaking to see you experience fears and disappointments along the road, but we know those things will help form you to the person God wants you to be.

And we've marveled and rejoiced with you when you overcome those fears, when you hit new milestones.

When your second sister arrived, you proved what a gentle, loving and considerate boy you are- to both of your sisters.

Homeschooling you has been a delight thus far. I love witnessing your zeal for dinosaurs, building, books, music, and especially learning about God and your desire to do your best.

You are the most imaginative, inquisitive, attentive, self-entertaining, radiant, lively, compassionate, considerate, fun and sweet little boy I know, and I'm so blessed to call you my son. Of course, there's a sadness in seeing how fleeting these wonderful years are. You've reminded us lately that you have to grow up because that's what little boys do. But thank you for trying to make us feel better by your assurances that you'll at least live close by and come home for dinner every day. You'll always be welcome.

Dad and I are so proud of you, Peanut Butter! We love you so very much!


HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY!

Happy St. Pattie's Day!

The forecast called for lower 60's today, so after some pretzel math, writing "Tyrannosaurus Rex" several times, a lot of reading and a lesson on St. Patrick (and Iris' morning nap), the kids and I packed up some lunches and headed to a park not far from here. One little leprechaun kept pinching me on the way out the door because I failed to put an smidgen of green on this morning.

From 03/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

I'm going to gush about him enough in the next few days, but he has been so incredibly charming lately, asking if there's anything he can do to help around the house, thanking me for every little thing, being the sweetest snuggler in the mornings... If this is what a four-year-old is like, bring it on.

From 03/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Banksville Park is one of the only parks in town that still has one of those spinney things.

From 03/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

They must have spent thirty minutes on that alone.

From 03/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

It was only warm enough for no jackets for about a half hour when the breeze died down. But wondrous still.

From 03/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

She is really starting to move now. She crawls with her belly up and has been climbing on everything that lends itself to kneeling in front of. Once she's that far though, she's stuck. One of these days, she'll conquer scaling one whole step.

From 03/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

From 03/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

From 03/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

From 03/17/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Jack was telling me to impede Iris' progress. She kept going in and taking their food and jamming it in her mouth (mostly blueberries, of which she devoured many).

We ended up staying for more than two hours, and you better believe they all went down as easily as I could have wished for naps today. I was planning an Irish dinner, but it may just end up being green eggs and kielbasa (I don't have any ham on hand), as a different park may be in store for most of this evening.

Jack keeps pointing out that his birthday is on the first day of spring. And it can't come soon enough. We'll take more of this weather (and warmer) any day!

family size foretold

With his birthday coming up, Jack has been curious about the event of his being born and has been asking about that and Abigail's and Iris' births. After recounting those and how many kids are in the families of relatives and other people we know, Jack said he was going to pray to God to give our family one more sister for him. Along with six brothers.

pennant banner/new schoolroom

I had the idea to make a birthday pennant for Jack's birthday on Sunday. But when I was cutting the pieces of fabric with my pinking shears, I thought, this would add a lot of fun to our new "school" space in the basement.

Let me back up a bit. After realizing that our dining room was slowly taking on the appearance of an elementary classroom-- its walls becoming bulletin boards and dining "things" once stored in the hutch being replaced with crafting supplies, flash cards and activity books, etc.-- we tried to come up with a better arrangement. The basement play room surfaced as a fitting solution, so we invested in some much-needed storage from Ikea, and I set to work on the transformation.

It's still a work in progress, but here's a sneak peak with one of the two pennants hanging from the ceiling beam. I was originally planning on making letter stencils and painting "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" on them (with a dangling felt T-Rex, which can be removed), but I decided to skip any printing to make them more versatile for future uses- such as frill for the homeschooling room.

joyfully waiting

This has been a long winter. The later Lent and Easter this year seem to delay the joys of spring even more. But I am thankful for another hour of daylight in the evenings now. And for the day of warmer (50's) and sunnier weather yesterday, which I basked in on my long midday run. And then relaxed while Mike took the two older kids to the park in the evening.


Our church looked beautiful surrounded by the white-covered trees on our way to the fish fry on Friday. But I'm not sure if I can appreciate any more snow. I've seen so many little pale green blooms trying to poke out here and there. I want to tell them it's not quite time. And I'm reminded that this is a most appropriate time for Lent-- the gray and cold of a lagging winter may have depleted my energy and put me in a dour funk at times, but there is such anticipation of the life and the warmth of the welcoming outdoors that is to come. Though even in the midst of this long winter, God grants me full doses of that deep joy that fills my whole being. Nothing can replace my feeling of peace and warmth when all of my children are crawling all over me when we play on the floor, or when I'm sitting with them reading a book and they're all snuggled in close. Likewise, Lent isn't supposed to be just solemn and gloomy. Though there is self-denial and hopefully some time of solitude and prayerful mediation, we can experience joy when we fix our eyes upon the cross. Like my giddyness for going on evening walks with family and grilling out and playing at the park with the kids, there is that same anticipation for Easter.

A happy Lent was the subject of a post I read the other day on CatholicMom.com. In it was this quote:

“Happiness, not punishment or self-hatred, is the ultimate goal of any discipline, just as when one diets, exercises, or learns a skill,” Sutera says. “To live a Lenten life is to look forward with joyful anticipation toward Easter. As each Lent culminates not with crucifixion but with resurrection, each Lenten life is also lived to transform and transcend one’s own death to find eternal joy.” (p. viii)

So may you find happiness during this Lenten season and comfort in the sure Resurrection of Jesus Christ!

Ash Wednesday

The two older kids and I spent the morning at the Wards' house after Mass (Mike took off for Ash Wednesday and stayed with Iris so she could nap). We made these butterfly crafts with the kids for the start of Lent, implying that, like caterpillars to butterflies, we should change into something more beautiful during Lent by seeking to grow closer to God. They liked the butterflies.

This evening, after attending Ressi's fish fry, we spent some time having extra family prayer time. I made a salt dough crown of thorns wreath this afternoon while the kids napped- a wise decision because it turned out to be an extreme annoyance to roll and nearly impossible to braid the uncooked dough. We opted for placing only 40 toothpicks ("thorns") into it and then discussing the ways we showed kindness or acts of mercy throughout the day before removing only one at the end of the day. Seemed innumerably less complicated than allowing the kids to take out a toothpick for every little act of mercy or kindness.

From 03/09/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

But it turned out pretty well and really got the kids' wheels spinning in regards to thinking about and performing merciful acts.

From 03/09/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Abigail's crown of thorns

From 03/09/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Coloring the Lent calendar

From 03/09/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Mighty proud of his Duplo cross

We talked about Lent and specifically self-denial with the kids this morning, after which Jack decided he wanted to give up tv (not that they watch much at all, but it's such a big deal when they do, so I thought this was pretty sweet), and they both want to give up one "treat" a day, whether after lunch or dinner.

Lastly, I wanted to share this article on Lent, which I found simple yet compelling Blessings to you as we begin this journey of Lent!

prayer request

If you pray, please offer a prayer for this family from rural Pennsylvania who lost seven of their eight children (ages 9 months to 11 years) in a farmhouse fire last night. May God help them through this inconceivable time of grief and suffering.

Incisors

There they be, the sweetie teef.

From 03/08/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

creation

We're in our third week of school now, and so far, it's been going wonderfully. Just thought I'd share some of what we did this morning.

From 03/08/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

Inspired by the story of creation, which is our Bible lesson topic for the week.

From 03/08/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

We made gingerbread cookies (from this "simple, nourishing gingerbread cookies" recipe, though it turned out dry, so I added applesauce).

From 03/08/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

And sang songs while making them.

From 03/08/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

I dug out all of the cutters that could be considered part of the creation- a butterfly, a duck, a bear, flowers, stars, sun, moon, dinosaurs, man and woman, even a Christmas tree.

From 03/08/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

From 03/08/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

I kept catching the kids stealing tastes of the icing (it's only cream cheese, stevia and vanilla)

From 03/08/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

We observed how God created us each different, even if from similar molds- like man and woman- or dinosaur.

From 03/08/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

From 03/08/2011 (by Eye-Fi)

I gave them a each a few sprinkles with which to decorate all of the cookies, and I caught Abigail adding her entire allotment of sprinkles to the one cookie she knew she was getting ready to eat :)

We're excited about getting our last "Alleluias" out during our pancake dinner tonight (Happy Shrove Tuesday!) and doing some Ash Wednesday activities at our favorite girls' house tomorrow.