Gwen turns 10

Tomorrow sometime special turns 10. A while decade of Gwen.
I should wait until tomorrow to post about her, but I wanted to write out a few things.

Gwen's a pretty awesome kid. She's so obsessed with Pokémon at the moment, is fun watching her so enthralled with something.

Lately her moods have been more unpredictable. She is easily upset and feels sad a lot. Her anxiety seems better, for the most part, she isn't suffering from stomach aches like she was last year.
She is doing really well in school. She's great at math, and loves her teacher.
She still doesn't have a best friend, her one good friend is a year younger than she is, but they get along pretty well. I don't worry too much about it, especially since we're moving in about a month. She'll make plenty of friends then I think. She's so vivacious and fun. I don't think she'll struggle with the move.
Daddy being gone during the week is hard on her. He's almost always home for her birthday and he won't be this year. I want to make the day special for her, but I'm not even sure how. We tried to have a mini celebration on Sunday, but there was a tomato on her plate and she freaked out. She ate it eventually, and though she didn't like it, she admitted that the freak out wasn't worth it.
I'm taking cup cakes to her class tomorrow, I know she's excited about that. Of course they have Pokémon on them.

Natalie is four

o

Dear Natalie,

Today you turned four. Though for weeks you've been telling people you were turning 5, because you'd count "1, 2, 3, 5!"

Grandma and Grandpa and some cousins were visiting this weekend so you had a birthday morning full of family. They gave you gifts that you loved. Though when asked, your favorite present was a pack of gum I gave you. Silly girl.

You and I went to lunch and saw a movie (Cinderella). You weren't a huge fan of the movie. But it was really nice to have time with just you.

You can almost write your name, you know most of the letters, and write "N" and "A" on everything. When we count you can count to 10, even though you sometimes skip 4. You buckle yourself into your carseat and get mad when I try to help. Naps are a thing of the past, but some days you still need one, and I fight with you. Occasionally you take car naps (5-15 minutes). I miss my afternoon quiet time, but you napped longer than Rhayn or Gwen.

Natalie, I love you so very much. I love that you are four now, four is a fun age. Though you are also very stubborn. Just like your mama!

You've been weaned for a few months, but Abi still nurses quite a lot. So sometimes I can see in your eyes that you wish you could. Sometimes I express milk for you into a cup and you like that. But mostly you seem to remember it fondly.

Always,
mama

Abby 1 year old

Dearest Abigail,

This week you turned 1.

Its been a rough week for me, because I can't believe you are so big.

The day before your birthday you had your first dentist appointment. Natalie had one as well. She was just fine until they attempted to take an x-ray of her teeth. She then started crying and was terrified. She barely let the dentist look in her mouth. You also didn't like him looking in your mouth. He pointed out that you do, in fact, have an upper lip tie. He also said there is no reason to "fix" it, which I'm glad for because I don't think it needs to be fixed either. Its not tight, nursing isn't uncomfortable. You have only 4 teeth at this time.

Speaking of nursing, you are still happily doing there. So is Natalie. Though I distract her and am trying to gently wean her, she still asks almost every morning and night. but not every day. I am fine with you nursing longer, at least another year. We'll see what happens though.

No, you still are not walking. You can crawl, you cruise along furniture, you scoot on your bottom. You don't free-stand yet. It is interesting, I thought it would be ok, but I keep expecting to be able to just stand you there, and you immediately sit down. This doesn't work well when we're out in our yard, so I end up wearing you much of the time.

At this moment you are taking things out of my nightstand drawer. Cute, but kind of a pain. You love to take things out of cupboards as well. I always forget about this stage. 

Abby, you are a sweet snuggle baby, like Gwen was. You like to be held. You also love to follow your sisters around and don't like when they shut doors in your face. Your eyes light up when you see Natalie, she is your best buddy and I hope that stays the same.

You don't talk. You can sign "milk" and "all done" but that is it. You might say "Hi" but I'm not sure. You are doing things in your own time. And I love that about you.

Always,
Mama

Happy Birthday to me!

Today is my birthday, my 35th birthday.

This morning I slept in, and got up at 7:30. Then had a slow leisurely morning (the whole day actually was like that, nice and calm).

 The girls and I decorated the tree. I had set it up yesterday. We didn't have turkey, Will smoked a brisket and I made green bean casserole. (*I also threw both of them up.)

 After dinner I opened my presents. I received a turtle necklace from Gwennie, nice pair of slippers from Rhayn, a beautiful painting of quail (from Rhayn to the whole family I'll post a picture of that later, it is so cool), a pair of Fatbaby boots that I've had my eye on for a while, a nice purple track jacket, a fuzzy robe, and an ornament that Gwen made.

 It was an excellent birthday. Really the only thing that could have made it better would be- not *puking and having our friends over. I miss my friends.

 But I got to spend the day with this guy and that was good, he did so much today to make my day special.

 We finished off the day eating this cake that Rhayn made and watching The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (best claymation movie, if you've never seen it, please do, or at least read the book, it is written by L. Frank Baum.) Now I am going to go to bed and hope for sweet dreams and no puking*.

*I've only puked twice yesterday and once today. I hadn't puked up until then. I'm 9 weeks 5 days today. So the pukies should be getting better, not worse.

Seven Years of Gwen

Dear Gwen,

Yesterday you were just six but today you are seven. At some point in the last year you've stopped being "Gwennie" to become the more grown up Gwen. And I am okay with that, though there are times when I remember your sweet little baby face and and terrified by your growing up, beautiful, big girl face.

A month ago you finally lost your first tooth, the bottom right one. But it had been wiggly since we moved here in January so it wasn't at all a surprise, it was also not a surprise how you worried yourself nearly sick about it. You were concerned that it would hurt when it came out. The last night you had it, barely hanging in, you shuddered as both Rhaynnon and I tried to help it out. We knew it would eventually come out, and that after seeing that it didn't hurt, you would be prepared for the next one. That next day at school, sitting with a friend on the playground, your friend told you to try twisting it and that did the trick.

You got to come home with your tooth in a little treasure chest and a new gap in your smile. And smile you did, so proud of losing that tooth. It was a Friday night, and your sister had a cross country meet the next morning. You couldn't sleep because you were so excited about the Tooth Fairy coming for the first time (for you). At some point in the night you got up and looked at your fancy new bracelet and gold dollar coin that the Tooth Fairy left. I'll admit that I was a little upset about finding your treasures on the chair.

This might be the year that you are the first one out on Christmas morning, sneaking into the living room to see your presents. Rhaynnon has always been a sleeper, and would sleep in on Christmas morning. You? Not so much. You were up this morning a little after 6 ready to open presents that taunted you last night. Unfortunately those gifts had to wait until after Rhaynnon's early morning soccer game.

This year has been a big one for you. You started school last year at a Waldorf school, and midway through the year we moved 3 hours away and you started attending a more traditional school. In one semester you learned all of the letters and started to learn to read. You went to summer school because starting midway through the year did leave you a little bit behind. But now? Your teacher said that you are exactly where you should be. She also said you are a great helper with an awesome attitude. I only wish you were like that at home, too. But I see, in you, things about my own personality that I dislike (and some that I do like) but mostly, I see your dad.

There are days when you are the best big sister, I know how much Natalie looks up to you, too. She is really starting to look forward to you coming home in the afternoons, while she has always loved it when Rhaynnon comes home. I think that, even though she touches your things, you love her, and are happy she is your sister. 

You have had a lot of ups and downs this year. And I know that will continue, because it is part of life. I hope that you continue to love learning.

I love you, always and forever.




Mama

Natalie 12 Month Newsletter

Dear Sweet Natalie,

Today you are one. It has been a crappy day because your sister is a mess. She started off our morning in a miserable way. It is hard to recover from that and thankfully you won't remember this day.

I am slacking with writing your monthly newsletters. I just can't seem to remember to do them, or I will remember and you or one of your sisters needs help.

Lately you've gone back to taking 2 naps. I have to say that I am grateful for that. You seem a lot happier when you get 2 naps instead of just one.

A month ago you started walking. You are almost ready to run, or at least you think you are. We love watching you walk because your hands look so silly. You waddle like a duck all over the house. 

Rhayn remains your favorite person besides me. Though sometimes you even prefer her to me, since she is more fun I think. I suppose I am alright with that. I know that the two of you will someday have an amazing friendship, just always remember that Gwen is around, too.

You are still happily nursing. I don't see that stopping any time soon. I'd like to nurse you until you are two. After that, we'll see. I only wish you didn't wake to nurse in the night. It is only 1 or 2 times usually, and you fall back to sleep so quickly. You aren't the same kind of nursling as Gwen was, you nurse to nearly asleep (most nights) and then pop off, roll around a little and fall asleep that way. I think if I were to night wean you, it was be just fine. But I am far too lazy. Honestly I nurse because I am lazy besides all of the benefits.

Next week you have a doctor appointment, with vaccines. I am curious how much you weigh, I assume 20 pounds, but we'll see. You are a chunky baby, and you seem heavier than Gwen was because she hung on when we held her. You just sort of hang there.

I hope you are a happy child and easy going would be nice. But no matter what, I will always love you,

Mama

Old enough for Hogwarts.

Days ago it happened, her birthday came and went. There were gifts to open, including a package from her good friend back in Phoenix. She had a good day at school and we even made cupcakes because she asked for them.

She only asked for a new lava lamp, but we gave her painting supplies since she has been into watercolor painting lately. I love watching the paintings she brings out of her room. She loves it and really that is the best thing.
I wanted to write a long letter to her, and maybe I will. Though I am totally slacking on writing monthly newsletters to Natty, her 11 month-day came and went with little fan fare. Her 1st birthday is sneaking up on us so quickly that I am feeling panicky. And of course there are other big birthdays this year, and turning 35 is hitting me hard. 35 this year. Yikes! My baby sister turned 25 this week it starts the year off, she is 10 years younger than I am, and my mom is 20 years older than me. So the year Brie turned 10, I turned 20 and my mom turned 40.

Anyway this post is supposed to be about Rhayn, not me and my 35 year freak-out.

Gratitude Day 22

I am grateful for my life. Today is my 34th birthday. 34 years of me!

A Quickie

Hopefully tomorrow I will feel like posting about Gwennie's birthday, or posting about her as a 6 year old.
Hopefully tomorrow I will also feel like posting about Nan's awesome skillz.
Hopefully tomorrow I will not be feeling quite so down about life.

But for now I am going to bed and I plan on reading. Until then,please enjoy this silly picture of a 6 year old and a 5 year old.

Adjusting

Saturday was Will's 34th birthday. 34 seems old for some reason. (I will be 34 in November.)

After his week in Sierra Vista he drove home Friday night, only to hop on a plane to Philly on Saturday night (actually 1am on Sunday.)

We've discussed a little more about this probable move to SV. And the part I am going to discuss next gives me a funky feeling. For a while at least, he is renting an apartment down there. Sure its only going to be about 6 months that he'll be there without us, but it just feels/sounds wrong.

We are not separating but man does it sound like it. This move is really hard on us both. We've grown in the past few years since he returned from his deployment and I think we rely on one another more than we ever have. I count on his help with the girls often. I really miss that (and him) and he's only been gone for a week.Adjusting to our life here, with him coming and going like a visiting relative, is not going smoothly. Gwennie is having a rough time of it. Her bedtime routine had finally been established and most nights she was asleep around 8, but not anymore. Now she will still be up at 9ish. And she is continuing to wake up before 7. The poor kid is not sleeping well. On Thursday night she flat out REFUSED to sleep, or even stay in her room. At 9 I told her that if I saw her again she would not be going to the movie in the morning. At 9:15 when I had to go back upstairs and talk to her again (this time finding her playing in the toy room) she was informed that she had lost her movie going privilege. Then I spent 30 minutes with her throwing a bit of a fit while she ran up and down the stairs telling me that she didn't want to be near me. At one point she told me that she would "still snuggle with me but she didn't love me anymore since you are so mean". In the morning she was really mad because Rhayn was able to go to the movie with our friend A and her kids.

Rhayn is helping me hold up (or down?) the fort right now. She has taken on a much needed role, but I am trying to allow her to be a kid, just one with more responsibilities. I want to give her an allowance or something to show her how much help she is being to me.

Natalie is "little miss won't take a nap unless mama is holding her" or laying by her. I wonder if it has to do with her super awful diaper rash*. Or if she is sick. On Saturday she had green goop in her left eye and her nose is pretty stuffy (today she has green boogers). I ended up pumping on both Friday and Sunday to relieve a little bit of engorgement because she isn't nursing really well right now. I now have 4 ounces squirreled away for her if she needs it though! She is also considering crawling, when she is having tummy time she practices and goes in circles around and around. She is rarely where she is originally put. She is also working on sounds. She can make loud noises that aren't mad noises more like she is just seeing how loud she can be. She still can't roll from her tummy to her back consistently she has done it once or twice.

*The rash looks worse this morning. And like it has spread. Yesterday morning it looked dry and peeling in the morning and today its bright red and warm. Poor thing.

Gratitude

I am almost 39 weeks along. 1ish week to go (if this little bugger is anything like her/his sisters s/he'll come out on the 22 or 23rd. Next week! Egad.)

Yesterday Rhayn and I took a Mommy/Daughter afternoon out. I promised to replace her bed sheets for her birthday (the ones that she has been using were bought before she was born.) We went to lunch while we were out which was really nice. Then we went to Ikea, and also the mall to the Lego store. By that time I was totally ready to be home. She didn't fuss at me when I told her it was time to go. Maybe my grimace as I was walking and my waddle made her see that I was uncomfortable.

Saturday we hosted Rhayn's birthday party. She had quite a few classmates over for a Harry Potter themed party, many of the kids came dressed as students from Hogwarts, some simply came as Muggles. They made wands, estimated the number of "Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans" in a jar (these were really just Jelly Bellies.)While Will took the kids just down the street to play Quidditch, my friend P and I ran to the store to pick up pizza and the cake. It was a bit warm so the Quidditch match didn't last long and they all headed back to the house to "find the snitch" which was a puzzle for the kids to figure out.The kids ate pizza and enjoyed a small slice of ice cream cake (birthday cake flavored!) We attempted to make Butterbeer, which I think would be best served HOT, as the butter in it just coagulated on the top of the cold drink. (No, we didn't serve the kids Butterbeer with dry ice in it, this was only for effect!)
After the food came presents. Then parents started to arrive to pick up their kids. We think everyone had fun, but its hard to say. Rhayn will ask them next week if they had a good time. Which brings me to the final thing I am so grateful for this week---

IT IS SPRING BREAK! BABY! No school, no lunches to pack (unless of course we go to the zoo, which is the plan for later on this week.) Now if only the baby would come this week, it would be perfect!

Happy 10th Birthday to Rhayn!

Its drill weekend, that means Daddy is out of town. Today is Rhayn's tenth birthday, too. Yesterday we headed to my parents house to visit and also because there was a carnival in town. We grabbed some cousins and my sister and I watched the kids go on rides.Rhayn and Gavin went on the Gravitron twice (bad idea). It made Gavin feel sick.Then they went on a spinning dragon ride with Gwennie and Madder. After some time, Gavin's stomach settled down and he went with Rhayn on the ferris wheel.
Followed by this ride, the octopus? which was really the only one Rhayn had wanted to ride from the moment we got there. The line was rather long for it, so they had chosen to go on the others first.I think they had fun. I know Gwennie loved riding the couple of rides she was able to go on with Madder. Today Rhayn is headed to a spring training game with her BFF, C.

Weekly Gratitude

This week I am grateful for

~3ish weeks to go. That is right, I am 37 weeks along. This baby could come any time (but please let them wait until the 10th-ish because of Rhayn's birthday being this weekend!)
~Rhayn. She will turn 10 on Sunday. Where has the time gone? I mean it seems she was just born and she'll be 10!? already. Sigh.
~nuts. We have some mixed nuts that sit out on the counter (or table). The girls love to crack and eat them. I love that, even though it means I am sweeping more often. (Hazelnut shells hurt when you step on them!)
~fruit (or berries). I love fruit, and this time of year is a great time to buy it. I love how inexpensive strawberries and mangos are right now. We've eaten a lot of mangos, since it is Gwennie's favorite fruit of the moment. I enjoy slicing up a mango and watching Gwennie eat it, the juice dripping down her hands and face. Sticky and messy but so much fun.

Gratitude Monday

Today I am thankful for

• being born, 33 years ago.
• Facebook, and reading 20 plus "Happy Birthdays" posted on my wall.
  
• an evening out with my awesome cousin, and laughing so hard about balls. I bought a maternity sweater that has ties on it, and at the end of the ties are pom poms. This caused much laughter and joking about "my balls". It was crass but the laughter was needed.
  
• a growing belly. I am 23 weeks along today.
  
• putting out Christmas decorations, just because I can. I decided last year (or maybe the year before) that my birthday was a better indicator of when to put out the Christmas decorations, because it is exactly the same distance from Christmas every year (unlike Thanksgiving which changes). So yesterday I put up the tree, and got out all of the boxes. No, I didn't decorate the tree, we'll do that either tonight or tomorrow, but the tree is up and I feel the season coming on.

Larry's night out

Hairball and I swore we wouldn't name him Larry, but what the heck do you name a lobster? We thought maybe "Lucky" or "Leftover" would be good.

In our grand tradition (remember the year Xena got a tattoo?) Hairball and I brought a friend along to document our evening out. Well, actually we totally forgot this grand tradition until we were at JoAnn's and saw Larry in the clearance stuff. He was just so cute and we couldn't leave him there. He loved riding on Hairball's head.After JoAnn's we went to my favorite consignment store, because I could really use a new pair of maternity jeans. However they didn't have any that I loved. (I did find a pair of purple Dr. Martens that I hope will fit Rhayn, they are so cool. I really wish they would fit me.) Larry stayed put away while we shopped, he wasn't excited about baby clothes.

Even before Larry came along, we had planned dinner at Red Lobster.
Larry was not happy about this especially when he saw all of his relatives in the tank just waiting to be eaten. He looked over the menu and cried. Hairball and I ordered the "Ultimate Feast" (to share) and we had to place Larry on a plate. He was not amused. (Is it just me or does he bear a striking resemblance to my brother, Ender?)
After Red Lobster, Hairball needed to buy a gallon of paint. Larry helped her pick out a good color, then we looked at the Christmas decorations. Larry really liked this Christmas yard decoration. I don't think you can see it, but it has a huge lobster on it.

We also went to Target, and Game Works (where we laughed a lot) but we were both tired and didn't bring Larry out. I think he may have fallen asleep.

When I got home, I realized that once again, I took NO pictures of myself. So Larry and I stood in my bathroom and took a crappy mirror shot. Then we got into our pajamas and went to bed.