One week left

Bode has one week of preschool and then he will done. Graduated. Over. Fini. Fin.

He has grown and changed so much this past year.  This past month. This past week. Today.

I have a ton of thoughts and lots of emotions about this year. And I keep telling myself, "You need to write this down."

But mainly?

I'm just happy to be with him. Happy to watch him grow. Happy to watch him be.

Happy Wednesday.
xo

Park

Here are lots of photos highlighting my children's happiness today. Their mother finally had a good attitude and the energy to take them to the park.

- Three (!) babies in swings.
- Bode's hair looks funny because he wore 2 pigtails earlier in the day.
- At first, Bode insisted on swinging in the baby swing. I reminded him that he swings on the big boy swing. When I refused to lift him into the baby swing, he got mad and climbed in by himself!
- Bode has been wearing 2 watches for the past several days.  I showed him how to use the timer function on my running watch (that he's wearing). Any time something is about to happen, he hits one of the buttons (that beeps) and announces, "I'm going to have to set the timer for that."
- I am reminded, once more, that I keep forgetting that Gianna is almost 2 years younger than Bode. She just does everything that he does. It is easy to forget. She got on the seesaw easily for Bode when he asked her to play with him. But when he started pumping it up and down, I could see a bit of anxiety.  She was very happy when I explained to Bode that "Gianna might not like that, Bode." She got off quickly when I stopped the seesaw for her.
- Nico loves to swing.  He was awake for most of the park visit before nodding off in the stroller. We were there for a long time. It was nice to not have to worry about having to feed him while at the park! Now that he is older, he can go longer between feedings. This frees me up for the other babies (emotionally and physically).

It was nice to have the energy and to be mentally "up" for a visit to the park today. I hope that I can take the children more often! They certainly deserve it.
Happy Tuesday.
xo

Memorial Day weekend

My brother and his family visited me & the babies this weekend. We had a great time talking and playing. They spoiled us so much! It was so nice of them to spend their long holiday weekend with us. We miss them already!  

My brother is the most gentle, sweetest soul. I love him so much. And, he has a wife and two daughters that are just like him - so sweet, thoughtful and loving.   They are a great family. 

Today, the babies ate ice cream:

Gianna could care less if ice cream is dribbling down her chin, arms and legs. She is going to stick her whole face in and enjoy every sticky bit of that ice cream.

Bode, on the other hand, does not like the mess.  He holds the cone gingerly, biting at the ice cream with his teeth. "Oh, it's melting!" he'll cry, "Can I have a napkin?"

Thank you to all the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice.
xo

The week so far

When I wrote the post title, I wrote, "Friday" because I thought today was Friday!  It has been a slow week, but busy. Here are some little details about our week so far:

On Monday, I took Gianna to the park after dropping Bode off at school. She was ecstatic to be swinging in the park. She was so happy, it made my heart hurt a little bit. It made me think that I need to do more for her. At the park, I  talked to a lady visiting from San Diego. When I told her that we had moved from Los Altos Hills, she actually said, "I know it well. My husband went to Berkeley, and we visit the area often."  She sympathized (without my even saying anything, I swear!) that it might be a hard adjustment living here. In the afternoon, it was business as usual:  playing outside in our yard until it was time to go in for dinner!

On Tuesday, we got water at the Saratoga State Spa Park ("Spa park"). Bode and Gianna love going to the springs and just filling up bottle after bottle after bottle.  It is a good activity for them. It teaches a little about our natural resources, they count (we filled 11 gallon jugs),  and helps with fine motor skills (opening and closing caps).  Note: Gianna's leg is all red because she and Bode were "painting" each other with sidewalk chalk before we left for the park!

On Tuesday afternoon, my friend C came over. She just had a baby! It is baby #2, so there is a bit of a transition. I know, going from 1 baby to 2 babies is a bit overwhelming at first!  C also has a 2 year old, so it takes me back to when Bode was almost 2 and Gianna was born! C is already getting out with the 2 babies on her own, and the baby is only 1 month old, so I think she's doing great!  We stayed outside and talked about the "transition" while the bigger babies ran around the yard.  I was really worried about having Baby Envy when she said that she'd visit us.  (I mean, just look at how tiny that baby is)  But luckily, it never happened.  I have my own wee one to cuddle right now (even though he is not so wee anymore).

On Wednesday, Bode and I had a shared chiro appointment.  I had a sitter so that I wouldn't have to take everyone out. I picked Bode up from school and we went out on a lunch date before our appointment. It was so nice to have alone time with Bode. I miss him so much.  It may be hard to believe that I actually "miss" him, because I see him every day. But having alone time with him is very special.  I can focus completely on him, and we talk about things without all the other noise and activity around us.  I took him out for pepperoni pizza. He likes to eat all of the pepperoni off the pizza, and then maybe he'll take a bite or two of the rest.

This morning, everyone just happened to be wearing blue. So I pulled out my camera for some snaps.  Then I noticed Gianna's hair.  I suggested we go for haircuts, and of course, these adorable monkeys were game!  I don't have photos of them post-haircut but I'm sure I will in a few days!

And that brings us to Thursday.  We have had a rainy week, with lots of thunderstorms. We've been getting outside when it has not been raining so hard or when the sun pops out. Tomorrow, no plans but to relax!

Happy almost-Friday to you.

xo

Nico: 8 months

8 months?!!

*Ahem*

I have a lot to say about you.
More to come.
xo

The weekend

It was a cold and rainy weekend. We did not get a lot done, and really just hung out in the rain. 

On Saturday, the day of the race, it was actually sunny and cool, perfect running weather.  Saturday night, RWF and I enjoyed our date. We went to an Indian restaurant that we last went to when I was 7 months pregnant with Nico (sniff).  We ordered a bunch of food (RWF did this only for me, not for himself).  I devoured everything, and went back for more. I asked him if we were on a first date, if  he'd be thinking twice about asking me out again, given how much food I ate.  He joked that after seeing how much I eat, he would not be paying the tab for another date. Ha, ha.  I love Indian food. Oh let's face it, I just love to eat.  We went for a long walk around downtown afterward, and in Congress Park, watched a wedding party being photographed, as well as high school students enjoying their prom (which was held in a museum on the park grounds).

Sunday was cold and rainy.  I actually like rain, but I could definitely do without the chill in the middle of May.  Sunday morning, we were sleeping in bed when Bode and Gianna burst into our bedroom, hopped up on the bed and dove under our covers. They snuggled with us for a bit before demanding breakfast. It was a nice way to wake up, especially since I was in no mood to wake up early.  So their cheerful entrance made the transition a little easier for me.  We got up, ate breakfast, and went to Bode's soccer game.  It was overcast and cold (did I mention that it was cold? Cold? In May?), so I was not happy about standing around in a cold drizzle, but I wanted to go.  Gianna, Nico and I took a walk while RWF and Bode played the soccer game.  The other thing I've noticed is, I really have to stop watching the game. I tend to get annoying. (who, me?) RWF mentioned that I may want to step back a bit.  But I can't help but yell at Bode if he is facing the wrong direction, or sitting inside the goal talking to some girl....stuff like that. I'm like, "HELLO! You are here for soccer! Run! Move! Kick!"  Yes, I am that annoying mom that I promised I would never be like.   Afterwards, RWF treated us to a muffin.  This is dangerous territory for us. I mean, the timing.  First, the children have been up since 6 a.m. Second, they've eaten breakfast around 7 a.m. so they are hungry. Third, they've been running around since 7 a.m., gone to soccer, been outside, etc., so they are hungry and tired.  We chanced it though, and went to a local bakery.  Bad move.  First, it was late in the morning and the bakery only had two muffins left: pumpkin apple and blueberry.  Bode and Gianna didn't want them. They wanted the CUPCAKES that the bakery had displayed in the glass case.  We explained that it was muffin time, not cupcake time.  Bode and Gianna proceeded to pout and whine for cupcakes. RWF announced, "We'll take the two muffins, please."  Wailing ensued. Then we shuffle (the place is small, and I had Nico in a stroller) to the one available table, which is a two-top and really, too small for our party.  I'm banging into baker's racks loaded with bread as I try to navigate the narrow passage, Bode and Gianna are whining, and RWF is steaming about his decision to take us out.  Then we ran into a friend from the school. Ooops. Not the best impression to make in a public place, but I smiled like nothing was going on and chatted a bit.   Then people started chuckling, and my ears tune in to hear Gianna screaming, "NO  YOU CAN NOT! NO! YOU! CAN! NOT!"  She is walking around the restaurant with one of the muffins held high above her head, and Bode is walking behind her, trying to snatch the muffin out of her hands! Gianna shrieks some more, RWF intervenes, and gets them to sit down. I look at one woman who looks at me, amused.  I shrug and say, "I'm sorry..." She smiled and said, "Oh, it's really funny! Like he can't just grab that out of her hands! Are they always this close?" I look over and Bode and Gianna are now sharing a chair, and the muffin. Bode is hugging Gianna. I told her that they really are close, but it is crazy a lot of the time.  She of course had nothing but positives to say about our family. So that of course made everything better. We ended up sitting together at a four-top (that a man relinquished to us) and enjoying our muffin treats together, as a family. Whew.

Hope that you had a happy weekend.

Happy Monday.

xo

Race day

Bode and Gianna, after the race

For the past 4 months, I've been working on the race committee for the Emma Foundation 5K and Kids Run, which is hosted by Bode's school.  Volunteering is important to me and to RWF, and so when the request came out for volunteers, I took it as a sign that it was time for me to roll up my sleeves and help. I also volunteered in order to meet more people, and to 'stretch' out of my comfort zone.  When I signed on, I had no idea how much I would be stretched!  It was not easy to do this gig with a 7 month old, and two toddlers.  And my respect for working parents grew once more. In addition to attending weekly meetings and posting advertisements, I was given the task of asking for sponsorships ($). Asking people (companies) for money made me very uncomfortable!  I wouldn't say that I was a complete success, but I did get a few companies on board to help us.  So it did stretch me, and I am glad that I did it. It also helped that RWF was very supportive of me volunteering, and did what he could to help me attend the meetings.  (Thanks, RWF!)

I was especially happy today, watching everything come to fruition. I've run in many races, but I've never been behind-the-scenes. It was great to see all of our hard work being enjoyed by so many children and adults.

Nico, not a runner, but sporting a very dangerous looking scratch

The best part of course was when my little family showed up. I was working the children's registration table, and when I saw my husband rolling up with my baby and two toddlers in tow, I left my post, and ran off to greet them! Everyone in our family was registered to run, but nobody did (because of timing issues - hello, we do have a 7 month old baby!).  But we supported the run by just showing up! Bode and Gianna wore their race shirts all day.

Later in the afternoon, Bode and I went to Starbucks together.  Downtown was packed with people walking around.  At one point, Bode hopped on a garden inset, and walked its curb. While I was watching him,  he bent over to pick up a cigarette butt.  I SCREAMED and smacked the gross garbage out of his hand.  My reaction was so violent, I  think everyone in a 5 foot radius of us stopped and looked. Bode's face crumpled, and reddened, as he started to cry.  I hugged him, and tried to explain why I had done that (and spoke loud enough for concerned passerby to understand that I didn't just randomly smack my child!). I felt terrible, but I was more horrified that he had picked up something that had been in someone's mouth and on the ground. ICK.  I made him promise that he'd never do it again, which he did. (I am still grossed out about it.)

Tonight RWF and I have a date! I am so excited. We have no plans. And as we have just discovered, Saratoga is mobbed for the Preakness and graduation, so we might just be out of luck on an actual restaurant dinner date!

Happy Saturday.

xo

Mother's Day Tea (and a warning)

Today Bode's class had a tea for all of us mothers. It was very, very sweet.  I was late, of course, due to feeding Nico and trying to squeeze just one errand into the morning before setting off for Bode's school. We walked in, and everyone was seated in a circle. Bode yelled, "Oh! There's my mommy!" and that made everyone chuckle. I quickly sat down beside Bode with Nico in my arms.  Gianna had already parked herself next to her BFF and future preschool teacher, Miss Amy.

The children sang their "morning song" and then we all sat for tea and scones. Scones are Bode's favorite treat, and I knew that he was just eyeing the number of scones on that platter the whole time!

After we had our tea, the children presented us with handmade cards. We made small talk around the table.  Or, I tried to make small talk but I had to keep my eye on Nicholas, who was seated on the round rug in the center of the room.  At one point, he made a grunt, and I walked over to check on him.  Well!  He had a little Mother's Day surprise for me, too! Let me just say that this was not a one wipe job.  He was soaked through, and I was completely ill prepared.  The fact that he had an explosive poop was embarrassing enough. The fact that the poop went through his pants and I didn't have a spare pair was mor.ti.fy.ing.  Mother of the Year?  I think not. Amateur of the year? Yes. 

I cleaned him (and myself) up as best as I could.  Then we went back to the festivities and I tried to reclaim my composure.  But one of the teachers whispered, "We don't choose when or where we go, Mom."  Wink, wink.

Ugh.

That isn't why I am writing today though.  Something more disturbing happened today.  Something that has creeped into my brain and has haunted me for the rest of the afternoon.

At the tea, someone mentioned, "...graduating from preschool."  And at first, my response was, "Oh, yeah. This school year went by fast. Only 3 more weeks...blah blah blah..."  But then I thought, "Wait.A.Sec. Graduating from preschool? Yes, Bode is graduating from preschool. Oh MY GAWD. MY BAYBEEE!"

It is so depressing for me to think of how fast this goes. When Bode was a baby, I used to hate (and inwardly roll my eyes at) the All Knowing People who used to smirk, or direly warn, "It goes by so fast."  And I knew...I really did...I knew that it would go by fast. I mean, not having lived it before, I didn't know. But I knew to appreciate it all. I really did. I wanted Bode (and all my babies) so much. That of course,  meant that every little millisecond with this baby, Bode William, was (is) precious. 

And now here he is. This baby. This boy. This almost-5-year-old boy who is graduating preschool and going to Kindergarten.

Bode Wm, you are my first love, the first one who made me a mother. I love you so much! It breaks my heart that you are growing up so quickly. But I am so very proud of the young boy that you are, and will love and appreciate every day that we share together. And I must warn you:  I will probably cry at your preschool graduation!

xo

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there! I hope that it was a happy day for you.  I'm kind of "eh" on Mother's Day. As I told RWF, "Every day is Mother's Day for me."  I really feel this way. I am blessed with 3 amazing little beings. 

Three amazing little beings! Who would have guessed?  I will never forget that sunny Saturday afternoon that I brought up "having babies" with RWF.  I was reading a mag, lounging on the deck outside on a chaise.  RWF was inside, watching a game.  I called in through the screen door, "I want to have a baby...."  I was testing the waters. I was pretty serious about RWF.  And I knew that he was serious about me.  But we had not yet broached the topic of children in our convos about our future.   I was tentative, but bold.  Does that make sense?  I didn't want to be the first to bring it up, afraid that I'd look and sound like the crazy female, whose biological clock was ticking loudly. I was suddenly shy, and could have easily slipped him a note as I left for the airport, something like this:

Do you want to have children?

YES

or 

NO

Instead, I took it up with him through the screen door.  We were occupying the same space, kind of, but I didn't have to look directly at him when I brought it up. I was only nervous because  if he'd had said No, or expressed reservations about it, it would have been a deal breaker. I didn't want to end the relationship. Luckily, RWF was positive about a family (or, one baby!). We had the talk, face to face, conversing over the course of a few days. 

And now here we are. 

As per my annual Mother's Day request, RWF took some snaps of me with my babies.  Here we are, last year (pregnant!).  And this year:

I am incredibly blessed, and I am reminded of this every day when I see my little babies.  Every day is Mother's Day for me.

I'm grateful to RWF, too. I am so glad that we had that conversation!

I'm sure RWF still looks around, house full of babies, like, "What?!"  (just kidding)

Happy Mother's Day.

xo

Have a happy weekend

I hope that your weekend is full of love and smiles!
xo

Andrew!

Andrew (cousin to Bode, Gianna and Nico) is in New York for a wedding. He drove in to see his cousins today.  Aunt Dawnie and Uncle Craig showed up to see their son, and to spoil their niece and nephews for a few hours. 

This morning, when I revealed that we were having special guest stars Aunt Dawnie, Uncle Craig and Cousin Andrew on our show today, the kids went ca-razy.  They immediately began chanting, "Aunt DAWN-NIE! Aunt DAWN-NIE! Aunt DAWN-NIE!" as if she were some kind of rock star. 

Gianna is getting to be such a big girl. But she retains her little girl demeanor around Uncle Craig though. They enjoyed sitting together, lunching together, and had a few rounds of  "hamburger/french fries" as well.

The rest of the day kind of paled for these monkeys. But they really needed a quiet afternoon of downtime after hanging with their favorite local celebs!

We enjoyed seeing everyone.

Happy Friday.
xo