Winter Wonderland

Technically it's still Fall--and I know this because Jenna's husband, Ryan's birthday is December 19th and he reminds us he's a Fall baby. Looking outside, I would say winter is officially here. Fortunately, I get to stay inside with this cutie...

Bill's Day Off

Guest post by Bill :)

This past Tuesday it was my honor and privilege to be the helper in Rori’s preschool class. I had a ball, it was so much fun. I am so proud of my little girl. She is so smart. I always knew she was smart, but when you ask her what she learned at school she tells you a letter, and says I cut things out and colored. The same thing happens with Sunday school and Cubbies. What did you learn today, I ask. About Jesus she says. I’ll learned on Tuesday that Rori can count both forwards and backwards, she knows the days of the week, the months of the year and the Pledge of Allegiance. It was a treat to see her interact with others kids. I got to hear all about Spiderman and Princesses from the little boys and girls in her class. I got to help them learn the letter K and found out everyone likes Cheez its. Not Cheese Nips, but the real deal Cheez its. My fun day did not end after school though. Rori and I picked up Liam and met my buddy Dan and his son and daughter at McDonalds playland. It was hamburgers, fries and cokes all around. There is nothing like a McDonald’s coke! The kids had a great time running for the 2 and half hours we were there and I had a nice adult conversation about something other than work. You think that would be a full day, but it was not. When we got home we blew off Liam's nap (sorry mom) and got bundled up and headed out into the snow. Rori shoveled off the sidewalk for me. Liam raked the sidewalk too--we only have two shovels. After I finished the driveway, it was playtime. We had a snowball fight, made a snowman and some snow angels too. I got to watch and cheer on Rori and Liam as they went down the Jungle Gym slide to see how fast and far they could go. After being outside for an hour and a half and the kids little cheeks being red it was time to go in. Rori was ready, Liam needed to be convinced. We all shared a bowl of hot oatmeal once we got into our dry, warm clothes. It was the perfect day even if Brendan would not go to sleep for me again. I can’t wait be to sick from work again (shhh) and help in Rori’s class in the New Year. Papa

Symbiosis

Bill has always been the "baby whisperer" with our children. He could almost always get them to stop crying and go to sleep. There was a point in the early months of Liam's life that I didn't even think that he liked me. (That went away and for a while I was the only one he wanted--it was wonderful while it lasted). I assumed it would be the same way with Brendan. I was happily wrong! I feel like Brendan and I have a special relationship--symbiosis--if you will. Snuggling him calms me and it seems to work for him too. For example, the last two nights he has been crying uncontrollably while Bill was holding him. Bill tried all different ways of holding him to get him to stop, feeding him, swaddling him, nothing worked. Nothing worked, that is, until Mommy came along. Immediately, completely instantaneously, upon my putting my hands on Brendan and before he was even transferred to my arms, he stopped crying and didn't resume. It was wonderful and magical and made me feel so special. I pretty much melted into a puddle of love. I feel like I really know Brendan, I can easily figure out what he wants or needs, and I think because of this he rarely cries with me. I am not meaning to brag about my mothering skills, but I just really "get" him, you know what I mean? Bill on the other hand is a bit devastated to have lost his baby whispering skills, but we won't mention that to him.

I am going to enjoy this special time and hold onto it for as long as I can. With the other two, I couldn't wait until they could talk and walk and I just never really loved the infant stage. With Brendan, I don't want it to end any time soon. I realize now how quickly it goes by and how the snuggling and dependence for everything doesn't last forever. (Well, we still get snuggling from Rori and Liam, but sometimes I have to ask for it).

The big V

This weekend Bill and I realized that we are getting OLD! I hope this post isn't too much information or too personal--if it is, just skip it :) Anyway, we met our small group for brunch this weekend and discovered we are the only couple in the group that hasn't had the big V...vasectomy, that is. And the small group couples aren't the only ones we know who've had it done--other friends have too. I think we have more friends that are all done having kids than are in the child bearing stage. This just makes me feel old! What's next? Talking about our aches and pains and how we can't have coffee after lunch, lest we never fall asleep, or having dinner before 5pm and following it up with a trip to Wal*greens to get my Aqua Net? Oh dear, I just realized that I am watching PBS while I'm typing this...I've got to go now and turn on MTv--but I don't understand today's music and what is with that American Id*ol kid???

A Sweet Boy

Please pray for my dear friend Christina, her family, and especially her sweet three year old boy, Owen, who is having open heart surgery today. This is his third heart surgery since birth and obviously there are possible complications that I know they would appreciate prayer for. Christina is an incredibly strong woman. She has worked full time in order to carry the health insurance for her family--something they obviously couldn't go without. And she somehow manages to keep the numerous appointments with specialists and therapists for Owen all straight--while also raising an adorable toddler girl. She is a super mom--I don't know how she keeps it all together (and she looks fabulous all the time, on top of it!). I'm praying for you and I love you, Christina!

Tis the Season

It is good to be children sometimes, and never
better than at Christmas, when its mighty
Founder was a child Himself.
Charles Dickens

Advent is here! Tis the season for Christmas cards, making cookies, wrapping presents, but most of all for celebrating our Saviour's birth!

More 4 year old logic

Today Rori came to me and said, "I accidentally broke the bracelet that Baba Hoo Hoo gave me. I need a new one." Rori is needing to learn to appreciate the things that she has and not assume that she can always just get a new one. She doesn't always treat her things very well--which I know is typical behavior. However, it is getting frustrating when I threaten to throw something out if she doesn't take care of it and she just says, "okay." Grrrr.... Anyway, I digress. I told her that Baba Hoo Hoo was going to be sad because it was a special bracelet. So she proceeded to tell me, "Well Santa Claus can get me a new one and then she'll never know!" sigh. I love that little smarty pants.