No matter how hard I try to hold on, it seems to vanish.
I had a baby 3 months ago. 3 months. Thrrr-eeee.
This baby is growing up rapidisimo, and I don't like it.
Here he is today.
I'm so enamored with this little guy.
I had a feeling it was going to be bad before I had him,
everyone told me so. But I never expected it to be this bad.
Seriously.
This is what I see when I greet him in the morning.
You see how he looks at me?
We are super happy with this little man. He has a very laid back personality. When he cries it's more of a "talk" than a cry, as if he were trying to negotiate. He gives smiles away easily and coos, babbles, and even laughs. I love it. And he is sleeping through the night. Really, I couldn't ask for anything more.
And though I've slacked in posting, I've tried to keep up with picture taking. The problem is that the two don't go together very well, because when you finally decide to post you have hundreds of pictures to choose from. So I've picked just a few from the things that have happened in the past 5-6 weeks.
Little Mike at 2 Months
Elena turns 5!
She went with Grandma and Raquel to see Puss in Boots, ate at RR, and had a day filled with presents.
Mike has discovered the swap meet, which according to him is better than any thrift store/garage sale/craigslist deal. He spent the weeks leading up to her birthday collecting presents, so on her birthday rather than having her open them all at once, we had her open 1 present every hour.
This worked out so well, we might just implement this for all their birthdays/Christmases.
She was excited about every present. Actually played with every present. And it made the entire day special.
3. Mothers' Day. I had to work. Mike and the girls surprised me by showing up at work with flowers, cards, cheese cake, and chocolate for the whole staff. They were all dolled up since they were on their way home from church and couldn't have looked more adorable. One of the doctors, upon seeing them all dressed up, asked Raquel why they looked so fancy. She explained that they had gone to church and without missing a beat asked,
Do you go to church?
Lucky for the doctor she said yes because Raquel was ready to tell her all about it. (Or maybe not so lucky). I wish I still had that no-fear attitude about sharing the gospel.
4. Speaking of Lucky...and Raquel.
We take Lucky outside in his cage almost daily so that he can get some fresh air. Last week, after we had done this, Gracie wondered out there, opened the cage, put her finger out for him, he hopped on, she brought her finger out, and yup...Lucky was gone. This completely devastated Raquel. She spend the rest of the day looking and calling out for him. There was crying, sobbing, praying, weeping, and complete despair from Raquel's part. I told Mike it would have been better if she had found Lucky dead because at least that way she would have known what happened to him. But having him fly away like that only tormented her. She was worried he wouldn't have food/water, or worse--that the neighborhood cats, dogs, or owls would get to him. She is doing better now, but she had a couple rough days. There was really nothing I could do to make it better, and that, I hated.
5. Grandma's Birthday. My girls love this lady. I am so glad for this past year and the opportunity that they've had to get to know her. There is a definite and unique friendship that they will forever share. That. I love.
More May moments to come given Mike's graduation tomorrow. Post and pictures to follow.
If you are bored and have nothing better to do Thursday morning at 9:30am you can watch commencement ceremonies live here.
Mike says he can always tell when I'm pregnant because I no longer laugh at his jokes.
In its place is a what? that was supposed to be funny? look.
Which is really not how I feel in a non-pregnant state.
Mike is one of the funniest persons I know.
I can always tell when I'm pregnant (besides the obvious signs) because I'm more snappish.
I don't like it. I told Mike it's pregnancy induced temperament.
Under non-pregnant circumstances, I consider myself pretty even-chill and constant.
But both aforementioned defects boil down to the wave of nausea that drowns my days
starting at about 7 weeks. Its pervasive and unyielding until 17-20 weeks.
So I've begun the countdown to relief. Only 9-11 weeks to go!
So I'm not-amused, barky, and barfy.
Count your blessings for not living close to us.
I wake up wondering how I ever willingly put myself up for this. Again.
Yet I know that somehow, in just a few months,
when this has passed I'll think the small sacrifice was worth it.
Because really, it's pretty hard not to when you have this
to look forward to...
P.S. Thank you for all the nice comments and well wishes in the previous post, they help remind me during this nauseating stage how great this really is.
Every day this month Elena has been asking if her birthday is 'tomorrow'. I've tried to explain in terms she could relate to when her birthday would be. "We go to church 3 more times and it's the day after that." "We wake up 5 more times and then it's your birthday." But in her little soon to be 4 year old mind my explanations held little substance and such breakdowns were followed by "that is such a long time."
Upon finding out that my due date was February 2nd, when I was pregnant with Elena, I felt sure that she would be born in January. We all know how eternal the last month of pregnancy is and an early delivery (within reason) is always welcomed. When January came I waited--hoping every day would bring her arrival. Days came and went with no sign. She made me wait nearly the entire month before making her entrance into this world 5 minutes before midnight, the last day of the month.
Now she too must wait virtually the whole month.
She requested to go to IKEA for her birthday, because she loves the ball pit in the kids' zone. Yes, a definite sign that we don't get out much. So to IKEA we went.
Unfortunately, once there, we found out that the ball pit was closed for cleaning. We went to a near by alternative with the reassurance that we'd bring her back when the pit is open.
Elena made the wish. Gracie blew the candles.
Unlike her sisters, Elena often doesn't display much emotion, she can be happy but her face may not show it. We got a bigger response from the other 2 as she opened her presents.
Nevertheless when it comes to the ones she loves, you don't have to wonder because she has a way of making sure you know it.
It is almost October and temperatures have been in the mid 100s this week. I'm usually all about the weather in Southern California, but this is a little excessive. Plus too much heat puts me in a bad mood. We've tried to stay cool this weekend by resurrecting the kiddie pool, lounging in the hammock, and keeping the ice-cream-man in business.
It has been so hot that Gracie has resorted
to sleeping on the tile...because it stays cold.
We had our primary program in church last week.
With the chorus of every song you could distinctly hear Elena. Her voice was so prominent that others in the congregation would periodically shoot glances at us with a smile and a look that said you know that megaphone-voice heard over all the other kids is your daughter, right?
This was here first primary program and she managed to make it through with only one potty break.
After it was over she ran down with a smile and asked,
"Could you hear me momma? I was trying to sing loud so you could hear me."
"I heard you. In fact, I think everyone heard you."
I love how kids are so uninhibited.
Raquel did great as well, in fact, she was perfect.
There was no wiggling or talking with the kid next to her. She paid attention, she sang the words to every song, and she said her part flawlessly. As I watched her I couldn't help but get emotional. Not only because I was proud of her but also because in a way it saddened me. She has always been a type of little adult, responsible beyond her age, but it was so magnified as she stood up there that it hit me just how fast she is growing. She had lost all those little kid traits that Elena struggled with during the entire program.
In the spirit of Mothers' Day, I'm dedicating this post to some of the things I currently enjoy, observe, love, and learn from being a mom to my girls.
*****
Raquel
Despite my original hesitation about homeschooling Raquel, I have really enjoyed it. I've been floored by her progress this year. Seeing it firsthand has been more rewarding than I could have imagined.
She now reads her bedtime stories to me. So awesome.
She is the best older sister. She is obedient. She is kind. She laughs easily. She doesn't like to get in trouble. She is smart. She is a good friend.
She finds pleasure in simple things. On the way home from the park she asked if I could get them a hamburger. When I said ok, she clasped her hands together in excitement and stated,
“This is the best day ever.”
She often tells me I'm the best mom she's ever had.
She now understands embarrassment. And can hardly stand watching a movie where the character is facing an awkward situation without burrowing her head in the couch cushions.
She is sensitive. She cried alongside me as we watched the Blind Side for the first time.
*****
Elena
Thursday at about 2:30 in the afternoon, the baby's constant shadowing, clinginess, and whinny cries created a need for us to get out of the house before I lost my cool. I packed the girls and headed to a nearby park. We hadn't been to this particular park since moving here 9 months ago.
As I sat on the side walk next to the play structure with my feet on the sand watching the girls play
Elena came up and holding two little fingers up said,
"Member when I was two, and we came to this park?"
I was surprised that she remembered coming here before but more taken back by her acknowledgement of the passage of time. I smiled back and nodded.
"Well now I am thooee," adding another finger to her two other ones.
"Yes. Good job!"
Upon seeing my pleased expression and feeling great by her new found math skills she confidently added,
"Yup. And next year... I'll be one."
We may have some more work ahead of us in the math department.
I love the lisp that is often heard when she says her Rs. I love that even when I've lost my temper and have reprimanded her and are hence feeling guilty for my unwarranted actions, and so decide to go hug her, she immediately forgives and with a sincere and sweet smile says, "Mom. You're a nice mom."
I need to be better about recording her fantastic three year old reasoning and deductions. Last week Mike was trying to kill a mosquito in the house. He was telling the girls that if a mosquito lands on you and you squeeze your skin the mosquito's butt will explode.
"And the mosquito will die?" she asked.
"Yup."
"And it will go to heaven to see Jesus without a butt?"
Not sure if this was the time to teach about the resurrection, and frankly I hope mosquitoes are non-existent when that time comes. I don't know if all living things will be resurrected, and going into this would have brought up deep doctrine I know nothing about. So. I just smiled.
Even with her often mistaken outer tough shell, this girl is incredibly kind.
Yesterday while in the act of play she stabbed (without penetrating the skin) Raquel with a pen in the center of her chest. She was surprised by the fact that this playful maneuver created such a stir. In an attempt to discipline and prevent future similar actions, I had her stand with her nose against the wall. Big tears welled up in her eyes as she started to cry.
After a moment I noticed that this was a different kind of cry. It wasn't the typical this is so unfair cry but more of a I really feel bad for what I did type of cry. I knelt down so as to be at eye level and explained, "Jabbing Raquel with the pen was not nice. You really hurt her."
Unsuccessfully suppressed sobs filled the air as she took deep breaths to regain composure.
"Do you want to tell her you're sorry?
In a desperate way, like when you really need to do something, she answered yes.
If only I could be so quick to ask for forgiveness.
*****
Lorena Grace
I read once that having a toddler is like being with a schizophrenic, suicidal, know-it-all.
Informal definition of schizophrenic: experiencing or maintaining contradictory attitudes, emotions, etc.
Definition of suicidal: dangerous to oneself.
Based on this, I agree with the previous statement.
It's a good thing that her cuteness overshadows all other aspects of this crazy stage.
At least once a day she can be found in the bathroom sink fully dressed taking a bath. She believes food makes a great hair product. And when she says “nuh-uh" it can mean either no or yes.
In her eyes she is no longer a baby, she wants to do everything that her older sisters do.
Whether that be ridding a scooter or washing dishes.
She is great at multi-tasking. Here she is talking on the phone while at the same time doing her daily ritual of emptying every drawer in our house.
When it is all said and done, if Mothers' Day is about celebrating the fact that because of these three I get a special day, then I'm all about celebrating, because I am SO glad they are here.
After Elena was old enough to sleep in a big bed, we started looking for a bunk bed to make the most out of their very small room. Thanks to Mike's skills, we found the perfect bunk bed at an incredible price. It was heavy duty, T-shaped, with a desk at one end, drawers on the other, and shelves.
I am seriously considering getting rid of it.
For the past 3 days this has been the scene when we go in to check on the girls one last time
before we head off to bed.
It looks like their sleeping arrangements have been condensed down to a 3 ft. by 4 ft. space.
3 years ago today I was scheduled for an afternoon at work. Dilated to a 4 at the doctor's appointment that morning, they recommended I call in and tell work I wasn't coming. "You'll be having this baby tonight," he stated. And so it was. You were born 5 minutes before midnight. You looked like an exact replica of your older sister--only with less hair.
You've always had what I call an observant personality. Which many misinterpret as serious, reserved, or cold. You don't freely give out smiles, especially to strangers. But those who are lucky enough to have gained your trust know a warm, kind, fun-loving, no-nonsense, straight up little person with a great sense of humor. Not to mention a fantastic way with fashion...
Apparently, lip gloss can also be used as eye shadow.
Happy Birthday Miss Elena!
And since most of you are far away and were not able to join us for the festivities...here are a few of the highlights.
Here is her loot of presents. All from The Dollar Tree. Parents, if your kids are little and don't know the difference, this is really the way to go. They get a ton of gifts, and if after a week they don't play with the stuff any more--you don't have a problem with it. We spent twice as much on the cake than we did on the presents--gotta have your priorities straight!
It rained a ton! This however, didn't stop the girls from going outside.
I gave Elena bangs. I never cut bangs on Raquel when she was little. I figured that at some point she was going to have to go through the "hair in you face" stage--that the baby is demonstrating so well in this picture--and I'd rather have her go through it when she was little and didn't care.
But with Elena, I think bangs help frame her face rather well. I might even go as far as saying that they give her some girlyness.
Mike told Raquel he'd give her 25 cents each time she washed the dishes. She did them several times last week. On Saturday when we were at Wal-Mart, she asked if we could stop by the toy section. When we got there she started asking me how many quarters she needed to buy different toys. I realized then, that she had brought the money she'd earned over the week...a little over a dollar. After explaining that she was going to have to wash a ton more dishes before she earned enough money to buy any of those toys, she settled for a candy bar. She was super excited to pay for it all on her own. Unfortunately, I think I may have destroyed any future efforts in washing dishes for the purpose of earning money to get a toy.
Speaking of dishes. This is a common sight at our house. I'm sure, if they could, these other two would pay me to let them wash the dishes.
I got someinsight into why the baby's shirts are uncomprehensively soaked after eating...
Unlike me, she doesn't seem to have a problem with this.
Raquellearned about insects in her science class. The girls made ants.
Here is Raquel's
and here is Elena's
Well, she got the 3 body parts, 6 legs, and 2 eyes part right.
