Thanksgiving 2010

This year I am particularly thankful for family.  We've been so fortunate to have Mike's parents with us for the last few months.  It has been such a blessing especially with Mike's crazy-unstable-unpredictable-ridiculously-long-shifts schedule.  It has made it so I don't feel like a single parent and I've loved some of the flexibility that it has given me, like when I need to run errands and don't have to drag 3 kids along with me.  In addition it has allowed Mike and I the chance to go on more dates--something that before happened only once or twice a year. The girls have also really enjoyed having grandma and grandpa here.  This is the first opportunity where they have really had time to spend with them and get to know them.  I know that they will look back during this period with fondness and have great memories of their grandparents.  For this--I am so gland. 

Thanksgiving 2010

8 Years!

In the process of trying to finish this post, I was interrupted by Gracie's cries.  One hour prior I had laid her down on my bed for a nap.  She had woken up and was letting me know I needed to go in and get her.  I took longer than she felt adequate and had worked herself up into a hysterical cry.  Upon opening the door, I found vomitus content all over her hair and clothes, not to mention my pillow, sheets, and bed spread.  Lovely.

Yesterday, was our eight year anniversary. We celebrated at P.F. Chang's, more for the ambiance than the food. Although both were good.  We had had full days and it was past 9 pm before we walked into the restaurant.  Despite being tired, this was a day to celebrate, and Mike was a good sport given that he had been standing in surgery all day. 

I told him as we were finishing desert how it doesn't feel like we've been married that long.  Maybe it's because we have been so busy, trying to get one and then the other through school.  Not to mention having 3 kids in the process.  It's definitely been action packed. But I've enjoyed every minute of it and I wouldn't trade it for anything...vomitus and all.

Side-Learning

It is true. We are not the same parents to first borns that we are to subsequent kids. With Raquel I would practice the alphabet, colors, numbers, animals, shapes, and any other imaginable thing I could think of.  Although my desire to have my kids equipped with those things that will make them be successful is still there, my obsessive zealous training has diminished with every ensuing daughter. 

Maybe it is because I have more to worry about.  Or maybe I've just become progressively lazy.  But, the remarkable thing is that succeeding children pick all of this stuff up despite our lack of coaching.  Often at an earlier time than their older well instructed siblings did. They are eager to learn, they mimic everything and often sit in the side lines absorbing everything that their older brothers or sisters are doing.

This has been especially true with our youngest.  She is super bright; doing things well ahead of schedule (in spite of me).  I've been particularly surprised with her ability to sing.  I don't remember my other 2 girls, at her age, being able to carry a tune like she does.  Among many songs, on any particular day she can be heard belting the chorus to Hallelujah. 

I'll try to get her on camera one of these days but for now here is a video of her soaking up some martial arts training.  You wouldn't know by looking just at her that she is not the one being taught...she is all about it...even if this side-learning sometimes comes with a price.