Bode's 4th birthday

We had a simple (but nice) home birthday for Bode. He opened all of his presents and had a really nice time.

Thank you to everyone for the good cheer as Bode enters his 4th year (wow!).
xo

Nico: 3 weeks

Dear Nico,
You are 3 weeks (and 1 day) old.  It feels like you've been with us forever.  Your inclusion in our little family has been seamless.

You  are:
-becoming more alert/aware of your surroundings
-lifting your head
-sleeping for 1 1/2 to 2 hours (or in the case of visiting grandmother, 3+ hours)
-tracking with your eyes (your daddy tested you this morning)
-have an uncanny ability to detect just when your mother steps into the (much needed) shower, and will start scream-crying in protest
-eating non-stop (and also have the special ability of detecting just when your starving mother is about to eat something, and will scream, in baby-speak, "no, put that food down and feed your baby ASAP"

You have brown hair, but, like your sister, there is a lot of blonde in there, too. You were blessed with the same super-long lashes as your brother and sister.  Your mouth is a puzzle. Sometimes I think you'll have your grandfather's lips, and other times, I don't think so.  Witness:

Your brother and sister continue to be fascinated with you, and love you every chance they get.  I hope that you like lots of hugs!

Happy 3 weeks to our little babe.  We love you so much!
Hugs,
Mommy
xo

Bode's 4th birthday/Nana visits Nico

Yesterday we had two very special guests at our house:  Nana and Aunt Dawnie.  We had a mini birthday celebration for Bode Wm.  And Nana met her newest grandson, Nicholas!

Bode scored a lot of cool Spiderman stuff.  Bode, Gianna, and Nico all were gifted beautiful clothes to wear.  I think Nana got a kick out of her clothes horse-youngest granddaughter. Gianna was all about her new clothes.  She even insisted on putting on one outfit immediately. The outfit was too big, and kept sliding down over her hips & rear. But that did not deter her;  she was going to rock a new frock!

And then, RWF turned the tables on his mother and surprised her with a visit. 

Master Nicholas snoozed quietly in his bouncy seat (or as a babe in arms) during Nana's entire visit.  

I was embarrassed because I didn't have any lunch or other snacks available for our family to enjoy.  I actually ran out to the donut shop earlier in the morning and purchased donuts and muffins!  Yuck!  It was the only thing I could manage.  Hopefully I'll have my act together in a couple of more weeks.  Thankfully, Dawn and Nana had stopped for sandwiches for all of us to enjoy (along with other goodies to snack on later).  

After singing "Happy Birthday" (and laughing over a candle that refused to be blown out), Bode and Gianna enjoyed giant frosted cupcakes.  

It was a really nice birthday for Bode.  I feel so guilty because we did not celebrate on his birthday (or the weekend before). So this little get together was a perfect celebration for him. He enjoyed discussing all things Spiderman with his attentive aunt.

We all really enjoyed visiting with Nana and Aunt Dawnie.

Next up, we will have a small family celebration this weekend for Bode's 4th birthday.
xo

Drive

I took the little fam out for a drive today.  I was feeling housebound, and had a strong need to get out.  So I packed the little babe into his car seat (after a seriously long feed, which contributes to my feeling of "stuck").  I announced to Gianna and Bode that we were going "bye bye."  Gianna is my "goodbye girl" and so she was very happy to hear that Mommy was finally taking her out. It has been over 3 weeks since I've taken Gianna anywhere.  Bode said that he wanted to stay home. So I bribed him with a muffin.  

My outing was just a drive to the dry cleaners to drop off RWF's clothes, and then to get a muffin from a drive-through (the muffin bribe worked).  Our outing lasted a total of 21 minutes.  But at least we got out. It is a start.

I am not ready to attempt to take all 3 monkeys to a public place.  One, my stomach/scar is still not 100%, and I find that I get sore and/or uncomfortable after standing/walking around with the baby (in a carrier) after awhile. Two, I am not ready to chase after/negotiate with 2 toddlers in public while feeling this way.  Three, the wee babe still feeds like every 20 minutes (no joke) so I did not want to get stuck anywhere with a hungry baby and two potentially cranky toddlers.  

Not yet.

Happy Thursday.

xo

October 2

Because I couldn't process that it was my mother's birthday yesterday, because I didn't want to think about her (and the accompanying ache), or dwell on loss, I didn't.  I intentionally  didn't think about it being her birthday. I didn't think about what I have lost. I didn't think about what she has lost, or what she is missing out on.

I didn't. But then, I really did.

And later in the evening, during the children's bath, I had a fit of "I need to do something to acknowledge my mother's birthday."  So I ran upstairs to the children's rooms.  I pulled out their new Halloween pajamas.  "Hey guys!" I announced as they splashed in the tub, "You're going to wear your new Halloween pjs tonight!"  They were so excited, they clamored out of the tub with shrieks of "Oooh! Halloween pajamas!" as if I had announced there would be ice cream.

My mom would be pleased, I think, to see how excited her grandbabies were to don new Halloween pjs on her birthday.  And I think that this may be a new tradition, a new way of acknowledging my mother and saying, "Happy Birthday" to her.  My mother loved all holidays.  But she really loved Halloween (just as I do).   So I decided last night that I'm going to move forward on celebrating Fall and Halloween.  We'll decorate, we'll visit a pumpkin patch, we'll do all things Fall. Hooray.  And hooray for a mother who showed me how to celebrate the holidays, and any other day "just because." 

Because life is worth celebrating.
xo

Nico: 2 weeks

Dear Nico,
You had your 2 week appointment today.  You weigh 8 lbs and 3 oz.  (Fun fact:  Bode also weighted 8 lbs 3 oz at his 2 week check-up!) You've grown in length, measuring at 21 1/4 inches.  Your little head circumference has increased, too.  

You probably think that I am a bit invasive, pushy.  I am always picking you up and kissing you whenever, wherever I want. You may be wondering if I am part "scent hound" like Priscilla. I am always sticking my nose on your head, in your neck, anywhere so that I can inhale deeply your lovely baby scent.  You  are probably wondering if I have a problem with staring, because I am always looking deep into the abyss of your eyes, trying to determine exactly what shade of blue eyes you will have.

You are probably wondering if the noise level will ever go down in this house. You have two very boisterous, happy siblings.  They love nothing more than to gallop through the house, looking for you. They love to shout and sing, sometimes for you, sometimes just for themselves.  You are quite the celeb at our house.

You are 2 weeks old and very much loved, loved, loved by all of us.
Love,
Mommy
xo

Bode Wm: four years old

Happy Birthday to my big 4 year old boy today! You light up the room (and our lives) with your cheeksy smile.

This morning before school, I made you stop for a few "4th birthday" photos. You weren't interested in having your photo taken.  After a little coaxing, you managed to stay still for a few snaps (before zooming off again):

You are so much fun and bring so much joy to our lives, Bode! 

We love you so much!
xo