Halloween 2011

Costumes have always had an important place in our house, so I really can't believe this is the first year we've done the whole Trick or Treat thing. I mean there have been October costume parties and fall fest events each year, but last year we were in London over Halloween, and the year before that we had just been in our new house a month and had a newborn, and wandering around the new neighborhood in the cold with a three year old who wouldn't have missed it anyway, well... it just wasn't going to happen.

This was the year, though, and I LOVED explaining Trick or Treating to Brooks. He was enthralled with the idea that on one night of the year, he could pick his favorite "dress-up" to wear outside the house, ring random doorbells, and be given free candy just by saying a few magical words. It was like I had given him a million dollars. Though you can't tell it from this photo, they were both having a blast...


We met up with the Ha's and Westrom's, two families from our church and covered about two blocks in our 'hood in just under an hour. It was a dry, crisp and cool fall night, perfectly lovely weather for strolling around with friends and such fun to see the neighbors welcoming all these kiddos.

The "big kids" couldn't figure out what to make of some of our neighbors' decorations. The cackling skeltons and moaning ghosts got some very confused stares... So glad that no one completely freaked out while we were out there.


We had with us an Astronaut (who could have done this all night)


A Cowboy (getting a bit tuckered out by this point)...


And a Green Apple (who had completely lost the battle, and caved to sleep a half hour before)


We were accompanied by three lovely fairy princesses and a sweet puppy dog.


And I am already dreaming of the sequins and tulle and wings that we will need in future years!

Trick or Treat!

Pictures of Month-Old Babies

Recently, I have heard just about every possible combination of comparison - of my children with each other and of them with each of their parents. Ie, "wow, Jack looks just you!" "Wow, Jack looks JUST like Eric!" "Don't the kids look exactly alike?!" "Ok, she doesn't look like either of her brothers?!" etc, etc, etc.

I love these conversations even with complete strangers, because I love trying to figure it out myself. They seem to change almost constantly, especially in those first newborn months. But I thought I'd search through the digital family archives for the boys' newborn pictures for actual evidence...

Brooks, in December 2006


Jack, in September 2009


Lucy Kate, in October 2011


So, okay. I now have my opinions here...

What do *you* think?

Day 1 of my new SAHM normal... this time with THREE!

Today, Lucy Kate is 19 days old, and today is my first day at home with all three kids by myself. It's 5:00pm and I'm still alive.

During weeks 1 and 2 after her birth, we were happy to have both my mom and Eric at home with us to keep everyone fed and entertained, make sure the house ran smoothly, and force me to nap occasionally. This past week Eric returned to work, and his parents came out to help out for several days. It's been amazing to have such great support and service from our families during this happy and busy transition time. I've been very fortunate.

But today? Well, today's been amazing. I woke up at 5:30am, said goodbye to my husband and mother-in-law as they left together, and made myself a cup of tea. My mom and sister and in-laws all swear that the early morning is lovely, but I really had not seen it often enough to say. This morning, I started some laundry, got dressed and started feeding Lucy Kate, all before the boys announced the end of their night of sleep at 6:06am. In total, the day looks like this:

• Washed & dried 7 (yep, seven!) loads of laundry, and most is folded and put away already.
• Baked homemade blueberry muffins with Jack, & ate them together on the kitchen floor, picnic-style.
• Lucy Kate, Jack & I went to Target & The Container Store where Jack charmed everyone with his happy hellos, & LK won hearts with her sleepy pink cuteness.
• Brooks was on-time for his preschool pick-up & we were on-time to pick him up. Miracle.
• I only asked someone to hurry maybe 5 or 6 times.
• Lucy Kate didn't miss a feeding.
• All three kids slept for about 45 minutes simultaneously. (WHY was I not asleep, too?!)
  
• No screaming or yelling from the Mama. Yep, none. (granted, the day is not over yet...)

This was a GREAT day. But I can hear the boys waking up, and LK is getting hungry. Signing off to go enjoy the rest of this happy day.

Jack is 2!!

We had Jack's 2 year doctor's check up today. Lots of memorable moments from the visit....

Jack tried saying "doctor" about 40 times unprompted before the doctor arrived - such a big deal with his speech delays! His Doctor, Bennett Kaye, watched him run down the hall and confirmed what we thought - he runs like a two year old. Hurray, no occupational therapy needed!

As Jack was poked & prodded with tongue sticks, lights & other exams tools, the doctor was amazed at his easy-going personality and called him a "delightful patient" several times. After the exam it was time for immunizations, and after the nasal flu vaccine, he just had to have one finger prick. The nurse was preparing for the usual toddler weeping and wailing, but Jack just looked at me and said "Owwww" - no crying, no whimpering, just "ow". Seriously. Completely amazed by the band-aid, he was distracted within 90 seconds.

He then fell asleep in the car, transitioned perfectly to his bed and took a 3+ hour nap. I swear this is the sweetest boy ever born!

Jack's two year stats: 31.6 pounds (90% percentile), 35.75 inches tall (75%), and - no surprise here - he still has a huge head, at 51 cm around (95%).

I love this baby boy. I can't believe we're hours/days away from him not being our "baby" anymore. Oh, he said BABY today at the doctor's office, too! It was pretty much adorable. Pointing to my belly, he stated clearly "BABY" - finally verbally acknowledging the impending arrival of his little sister! :)

Happy birthday, Jack Attack! We love you more than I can say!

a few thoughts at the end of the night...

I've always loved thunderstorms. I don't ever remember feeling terrified of the lightning or the big booms and claps of thunder, even as a child... in fact, I think of them as more thrilling than anything. God's great power on display, and our world's natural order a bit out of whack as our weather responds to conflicting forces, etc... It's pouring here right now, and with our kitchen window propped open, I can hear the rain washing through the gutters, into the streets and sewers beyond. It's a soothing sound to me.

This morning on a very rainy walk from the car to our final mom's group meeting at the Zidlickys, I was delighted to hear Jack try to say "water" as he pointed excitedly to the rainwater gushing through the streets next to the curb. His efforts at communicating (with something other than grunts and screams) continue as we've started working with a speech therapist once a week. Seeing him come alive to everything around us is so fun. He loves to point out balls (bahhhwww) and dogs (agggff - his own version of a barking sound) everywhere we go. The first time he noticed a plane high up in the sky was the first day of May, as we were strolling around a few blocks after supper with Uncle Steve & Mitsuko. He was completely amazed at the bird-like thing zipping through the sky. It was precious.

Brooks asked me this week what the birds were doing up there in the sky, "flying without flapping their wings". I tried to describe "soaring" (floating up on the wind), "zooming" (diving towards the ground) and "flapping (working hard against the wind), but realized that Brooks might be at a disadvantage with this as probably has never laid on his back in the grass and watched birds fly. While I love that he waves at the strangers we pass by on the sidewalk when we're out for a neighborhood stroll, knows to do "check-ins" with me at the local playground, and watches for the walking man or red hand lights at major intersections, there are definitely a few disadvantages to being a city boy. Hopefully we can rectify that this summer at the grandparents' houses.

On Sunday, the boys leave for a week of "Grandparent Camp" at Grandpa and Nana's house. Brooks is completely delighted with the prospect! He really can't wait, and I'm so pleased that he's looking forward to the time so eagerly. I think having Jack there will be more fun for everyone, too. Brooks and Jack play very well together, typically, and based on how they choose to spend their free play time at home, I think they'd be a bit lost without the other around for a whole week.

After celebrating a cousin's wedding in Medina the following weekend with them and the rest of our OH family, we say goodbye to Dada who'll zip off to London for work, and we'll head to TN for a few days. Being at my parents home is the best sort of vacation for me - getting to watch my family and my children interact, having more helping hands for everything, and getting to sleep in as much as I want... I'm looking forward to all of us being spoiled rotten for several days on end! And hopefully playing in real live sunshine!

We hope the sunshine will follow us to Hilton Head, as we'll head there as soon as Dada flies home from the UK for our first true "family vacation" - not traveling to see anyone, or planning to do anything but hang out with each other - in a very long time. We were actually dreaming about this trip in October 2008 in Santorini, Greece, if you can believe it. The Greek island was beautiful and we LOVED the architecture, the rugged beauty, and the warmth of the people, but we were ready to just slip our toes into familiar sand and do nothing productive for days on end.

My new camera takes beautiful photos, but unfortunately, I haven't downloaded a single one to my computer yet. I'm sure the correct cord will find it's way into my possession. Right now though, it seems like one more thing that needs my attention. Hopefully before vacation when we plan to take LOTS of happy photos.

Until then, I think I'll crack my bedroom window open and tuck in for the night. The thunder is still rolling through. I'm grateful for a warm bed and safe shelter.

Night, night.

Today

Today, I've been celebrating the sunshine as I sit with a glass of fruit tea and enjoy the wind chimes tinkling outside my open windows. Today is the first day of really springy weather in Chicago, and I've dug in the dirt, washed dishes while whistling and bought sidewalk chalk for the boys to enjoy doodling with before suppertime.

Today, I've also taken my eldest to the doctor to be tested for strep - positive! And surprise, he also has scarlet fever. Apparently, that's not as bad a diagnosis as I thought it was when I was a child. My best childhood friend's sister had scarlet fever when we were very young, and we were worried that she wouldn't live. Perhaps I had read Little Women by that point and already wept through little Beth's tragic demise. Now, they just give us a bottle of pink bubble gum flavored antibiotics and tell us to avoid other kiddos for 24 hours! I love modern medicine.

Today, I've been delighted by Jack's curls, frustrated with him by his inability to articulate exactly what he wants to eat & drink, and entertained by his desire to simultaneously walk everywhere and be carried everywhere. To say that we are eager to see his speech develop would be an understatement. Thankfully he has very expressive eyes and grunts and gestures. Without those, we'd be at a loss 99% of the time.

Today, I've been feeling anxious to blog again, though for no particular reason. I just miss it. Maybe this will motivate me to download some photos. :) Love from sunshiney Chicago.

Current obsessions...

Right now, both boys are a bit focused on a few (wonderful) things. It's fun to see what captures their minds and imaginations as various points as they grow. These photos are quite representative of our boys' life right now....

Books, books, books! Why in the world did I ever think that our second son didn't like books!?! Right now, Jack is loving 15 Animals, My Car, Brown Bear, and What Do You Say? In fact, it's hard to get him to sit through a reading of anything else. He completely melts down if we try to read him another title, so we're just perfecting our rendition of those favorites. Thank goodness for great children's book authors!!


Richard Scarry sure is fun to flip, though. :) Big pages, lots of photos, not a lot of words. This one is a current favorite for solo-reading!


Birthdays... Brooks turns 4 (yes, FOUR!) in just over a week, and we're talking a lot about age and birthday celebrations. Looking forward to a quiet family celebration with Uncle Steve who will be visiting from Japan! (this photo is my favorite from Dada's 35th birthday back in Sept. Love these two men!)


Bathrooms!!! How are we already spending so much time in the bathroom with this one?! It's amazing! But he loves the potty, the toilet paper, and especially the bathtub! It's hard to get a modest photo of him "Swimming" in the tub because he's thrashing and splashing every single second. It's truly a wrestling match in the bathtub every night!






Buses, Beefeaters, and Bears named Paddington... All things London have come alive again for our little world traveler after our adventures back in the UK earlier this month. We're so thankful we were able to return to our old neighborhood while a few fuzzy memories remained locked inside. It was great to make some new memories with our dear friends there, too!




Bananas - the photo speaks for me.


Basses! Today, Brooks and Jack and I went to visit Mr. Paul (a friend from our church)'s violin shop. While Brooks knows him as a fantastic bassist, Paul is also a professional violin maker/repairer and opens his shop up for field trips. He let Brooks try out the "Brooksey-sized Bass" (a cello with it's endpin shortened!) and the smallest violin I've ever seen. Brooks was THRILLED!


Just a glimpse... Life is busy and full and usually so fun!! :) I rarely feel rested, but I'm so thankful for these two little men to chase after. Aren't they precious!? :-D

Happy 1st birthday, Jack!

Jack, what a beautiful boy you're becoming! We love you so much, and your giggles and hoots, bear crawl and your cheeky grins all bring us great delight. In honor of your first birthday today, here is a collection of your momma's favorites from this past year.

What a cute baby burrito you were in the hospital!


Your brother loved you from the very beginning...


So did Dada...


Everyone wanted their turn to hold you...


Or to try and make you smile...






Mama likes watching you sleep,


and loves that you have your Dada's big blue eyes and dimply knuckles.


You've already proven yourself to be a great traveler...


And met lots of really wonderful people... (Eric's grandma, Ellen Wheeler


and our niece Sally Joy Fender - who looks like a tiny babydoll in this photo but is actually an appropriately-sized newborn!)


And made good pals with the little guys at Mom's Group... (Jack's in dark green, then clockwise - Elliot, Aidan, Sam, and Cooper... we were missing Caden and Beckett that day to be the complete set of boys!!)


You've celebrated Christmas...


And been to a family wedding...


You've learned to play...


and grab your toes...


and do push ups...


You can sit...


And stand...


And crawl on your hands and knees...


and today you "cruised" for the first time!


You've eaten LOTS of good food! Plastic chicken legs...


and applesauce...


and corn on the cob...


and now, birthday cupcake!


I love you, Jack! And I thank God for you every day!