June in Our House

A little late, but better than never. Here's what happened in our family in June:

We introduced some new games to the boys. They are old enough to move beyond CandyLand (and we parents are more than excited to leave those preschool games behind for a while!) Here they are playing Ticket to Ride. Some other favorites are Catan Junior, Loot, and Rat-a-Tat-Cat. 

Mark got a stellar end-of-fiscal-year review at work so we threw him a dinner party to celebrate. We made his favorite foods (butternut squash ravioli and carrot cake). It was a ton of fun.

Big brothers swam with little sister (supervised, of course!)

Lucy practiced standing

The boys were ring bearers at their second cousin's wedding. They looked so handsome and grown up!

This hair happened.

We went crazy with the tie dye kit. We tie-dyed everything we could, including bibs, onesies, and baby blankets.

Room Swap/Makeover

Two weeks ago, I got it in my head that I wanted to switch the kids' rooms around. Lucy's old room was a tiny bedroom in the middle of our hallway, right next to the front door which was always slamming and waking her up. She was too close to the rest of the house and all the thumping and rowdiness that comes with two big boys. The boys' old room was right next door to Lucy's. It was a huge bedroom in the back corner of the house, which made it very quiet since it was so far away from the activity of the rest of the house. Plus, the boys' room was much too big for them; they only slept in their room, and rarely played in it. It seemed obvious that switching the rooms was the way to go.

Mark agreed, so we worked like mad people in a single afternoon to dissemble the bunk bed, crib, and switch everything around. A few days later, this was the result: Baby Land. 

That's what we are calling this room because it is so stinkin' adorable that I want to move my bed in and live there. I love this room because it is bright and fresh. It's feminine and sweet without being garishly pink and girly. We plan to foster-adopt another girl within the next two years, so it makes sense to have a bigger space for a crib and a toddler bed, along with all the stuff that goes with a baby and a toddler or two toddlers. It also doubles as a guest room once we move some things around and blow up an air mattress. We had weekend guests and it worked out wonderfully (Lucy slept in Mark's office).

We already had most of the stuff that went into this room. The only thing I bought was the leaf above the crib, the curtains (both from Ikea) and these super cute wall decals from SkipHop.

Changing table and dresser conveniently hidden inside the closet.

Major props go to my mother-in-law for the idea of hanging Lucy's dresses on the wall clothesline-fashion. It's one of my favorite things about the room.

The boys are happy with the move. We had talked with them a while back about switching the bedrooms, so they knew it was somewhere in their future. Their new room is just big enough for their bunk bed, dresser, and small toy bin, and a bit of floor space for stretching out and reading books or working on their projects. But really, they spend the bulk of their day either in the kitchen with me, the living room, or outside, so their room is more of a resting place. In this room, the rug is from Pottery Barn (via Craigslist for us!) and the curtains are actually a duvet cover from Ikea made into curtains by Mark's grandma.

Happy 1st Birthday, Lucy!

This last month your personality has grown. You have been very happy and silly, and really interactive. You make lots of what your brothers call "happy sounds", which is when make tons of babbling noises that make it seem like you're trying to hold a conversation in your baby language. It's incredibly cute. You don't have any words yet, but you definitely have sounds with meaning. I have to say that this is one of the biggest difference between having a girl vs. boys: you are so much more talkative and creative with your voice than they were at this age.

We had your birthday party the weekend before your actual birthday. Your brothers were happy to help you open your gifts and blow out your candle. Your favorite gift was a little pink doll given to you by Great-Grandma. Dolls are definitely one of your favorite things. Another great gift was a quilt that Tommy made during his sewing lessons. He was so eager to give it to you and could hardly wait until your party. You loved your birthday cake, which was carrot cake. You scraped the icing off first and then smashed the cake to bits, and then ate that. I have to say that your method was the most interesting 1st Birthday Cake Smash yet!

Milestones & Stuff: You are getting your two top teeth in. You've been feverish and fussy for about a month, so it's a relief to finally have something to show for all of that effort. You are still doing your unique crawl, and unfortunately you have to go back to physical therapy to learn how to crawl correctly. You are pulling up on things to your knees and trying to pull up to your feet. I think it's going to be a few months until you're walking. You have some funny nicknames: Lulu, Lulu-Bean, and Doodles.

Another milestone is that you finally started eating food this past month! Thus far, you would taste things but usually spit them out. Now you are eating a lot, and can eat almost anything as long as it is diced and soft. You seem to really love vegetables. Some of your favorite food is banana, peach, avocado, carrots, and zucchini. Our birthday tradition is to make a favorite meal for the birthday child, so for your birthday dinner you had the things I've seen you favor the most over the past few weeks: homemade mac & cheese and vegetables (you ate a ton!).

I've written before about people asking me questions like, "So, are you enjoying having a girl?" I couldn't say yes or no before, but now that I can see your personality coming out, I can say that I really am enjoying having a girl. It's fun to see you explore things in a uniquely 'girl' way: gently turning things over in your hands examining them, using your fingers to nimbly pick things apart (things your brothers weren't able to do until much later). You talk to things, you snuggle your dolly, and you light up when you see animals and try to talk to them. When I'm reading a book aloud at the breakfast table, you get very chatty and try to talk along with me, which for now, is very adorable. Lucy, I'm enjoying you so much and I can't wait to see how you grow over this next year.

Last Day of School + Summer Break!

Updates have been scattered lately. We've been so busy having fun in the sun and hanging out with friends that I rarely have a chance to sit at my computer these days. 

Our last day of school was May 30. We celebrated by wrapping up lessons early and heading out to Jamba Juice for smoothies. Then we headed to the park for a playdate with friends. We're done with schedules and lessons for the next two months.

This was my first "real" homeschooling year. We've had a lot of unexpected breaks and unplanned days off, which left me feeling like I didn't fit in everything I intended. But as  I packed up used readers, math workbooks, handwriting samples, and artwork from the past year, I realized that we actually accomplished a lot, and by some miracle actually managed to squeeze in the required amount of days (thanks to doing work on some weekends).

Some time ago I heard the advice to make a photo book at the end of each year, to chronicle what you've done. I decided to do this, mostly so the kids would have something to look back on and remember what they did each year. During the process of sifting through the past year's photos, I was overwhelmed at all of the wonderful memories we'd made together in the past year. There were so many warm pictures of the kids learning how to cook, playing with friends, doing lessons at the kitchen table (or in the living room in front of a fire), going on trips as a family, and simply hanging out around the house. It made me realize that we've done so much more than get through the 1st grade math book or learn to read fluently. We learned how to live together as a family, get along, help each other, and enjoy just being with each other.

Now that summer break is here, we are trying to fit as much fun as we can before school officially starts again. Last year I felt guilty because we mostly stuck close to home all summer. We had our foster baby (Baby B), and going anywhere with three kids felt overwhelming. Now I'm an old pro, and we go to fun places several times a week, like playdates with friends or the beach.

 As you can see, the kids still have a lot of fun at home. With huge amounts of free time, they find lots of things to, usually involving water!

Lucy at 11 Months

Lucy has become mobile in the last month! We have been waiting for months for her to figure out how to roll over, and she finally did a week after turning 10 months old. Finally rolling over also meant that she could graduate from physical therapy. A few weeks later she started crawling! She doesn't do the usual hands and knees crawl, but rather uses one foot to propel herself forward and then drags the remaining leg. She's gotten quite quick at it, and seems very happy with her new skills. One difference that I've noticed between her and my boys is that she's not nearly as into things as they were. At this level of mobility, they were opening everything they could find, tearing cabinets apart, and pulling things down on themselves. Lucy on the other hand, is content to explore the things within her limited reach and she rarely makes a mess. 

She is not very adventurous with food, but she has started eating a bit better. She eats bits of bread, banana, egg, and a few other things. She is still toothless, but has been fussy and feverish in the past week, so I think teeth are coming soon. Teething aside, she is normally super happy and content. She does let me know when has a need, which she did not do when she first came to us, so that is a wonderful thing.

She loves looking at babies and trying to talk to them in her high-pitched cooing voice. She also seems to love animals because she uses the same voice to try to talk to them when she sees them. 

I get a lot of comments on Lucy's abundantly curly hair when I am out and about with her. I get daily observations that she does not look at all like me or my other children. I used to explain that we are in the process of adopting her, but now I just deflect the comments with a chuckle and a smile, and the person rarely pushes for an explanation (though it has happened!) I realized that she's going to get older, and I can't I have a feeling this is going to be a lifelong issue.

On the subject of adoption, we are awaiting finalization sometime in the next month. I'll be very happy when that day comes!

Mother's Day 2013

Better late than never... How we spent Mother's Day 2013. 

Me and my kiddos all dressed up for church

Baby dedication at church with Lucy

Mother/daughter 

My Mother's Day card handmade by Tommy: "Have lots of ♥ and hot fun". Definitely saving this one!

Lucy at 9 ¾ Months.

I normally do age updates for my babies each month. But I haven't written a single update about Lucy since we got her five months ago. I feel like I've been living in some kind of a time warp where time travels quicker than I can keep track. I can hardly believe that she will be one year old in just a few short months. 

We have had an insane year since we started foster care. Ten children have come through our home (except for the last one, who stayed ;). We ran on a crazy treadmill of doctor appointments, visitations, and social worker phone calls for over a year. We are still recovering mentally from the five-kids-six-and-under situation (and Mark's appendectomy) we had over the holidays.

We didn't realize the toll all this had taken on our family until we stepped off the treadmill. 

Now we are enjoying being a family again. We are getting to know our boys again. We are bonding with our new daughter. We are focusing on being peaceful. 

People ask me, "How does it feel to have a daughter?" and "How does it feel to finally have one that is yours forever?" Honestly? It hasn't really sunk in yet. After having so many babies and children come through, it's hard to just snap out of Foster Parent Mode. But as time goes on, I have more and more moments where it hits me that she's really mine forever. I get to daydream about what she'll look like when she takes her first steps. Or says her first words. Or rides her first trike. 

Okay, so far this post turned out to have nothing to do with what Lucy is up to at 9 3/4 months. She going to read about her nine-and-three-quarter month and wonder, "What is all this about?" So here is her update: 

She is a bit behind as far as gross motor skills, so we are trying to help her learn to roll over. She is a champion sitter-upper, but she isn't motivated at all to roll over. She actually can roll over when she wants to, but it's pretty rare that she wants to. Her physical therapist isn't too worried and thinks she will grow into it eventually.

She claps her hands and shakes her head when we say, "Lucy! Clap!" or "Lucy! Shake!" She's on to us though, because now when we say "Lucy!" she'll start clapping and shaking her head, as though she knows the routine and just wants to get it over with.

She is just starting to get attached to me, which is a huge deal. When she first came to us she wouldn't let me know when she needed anything. She could be hungry, tired, bored,  or lonely, but wouldn't let us know. Now she cries when I leave the room and lets me know when she wants to be held by looking up at me and waving her arms around. She cries when she's hungry and tired. We only just started letting other people besides me hold her, but she gets uneasy after a while and starts looking for me. Major good things!

Her brothers absolutely adore her. They sing silly songs to her, play with her, are excited to show her new things, and beg "Mom, can't she sleep in my bed tonight?" This girl has the best big brothers ever.

Funny story: Lucy had a developmental assessment a few weeks ago. One of the activities the tester did was to place four objects in front of her (a ball, a doll, a car, and a cup) and then tell her to pick up one of the objects. The activity was more for a 12-month old, but the tester wanted to see if she could do it anyway. Each time Lucy picked up the doll. I tried the activity again, moving all the objects around, and she again picked up the doll. I tried it again at a friend's house and Lucy reached for the doll every time. To most people with daughters, this is all probably very obvious. But this was one of the first moments when it truly hit me that I have a girl.

Lucy, we are so looking forward to enjoying all of your firsts together with you. We can hardly believe you're really ours! 

First time at the beach

 Cold toes - she really didn't like the cold water!

Playing with food: she isn't fond of any food that isn't her milk, so we are doing having her play with food in hopes that some day she'll eventually eat it. It's quite a messy affair.

Saturday morning brother snuggles

Easter 2013

Dying Eggs

Easter Sunday

Boston

Last week Mark took a business trip to the Boston area. We saw this as a great opportunity  for me and the kids to tag along and soak up some of the history of the area. The plan was for him to work during the week while I went around to different places with the kids. I was really nervous about bing on my own with three kids around Boston, but I decided to suck it up and do it anyway. It was very hard, but I'm glad I did it. The upside is that I'm cured of my hesitation of going places (besides the grocery store) with three kids!

Before the trip I saturated the kids with as much early American History as their little brains and bodies could stand. I'm so glad I did because it made the trip that much more exciting for them.

We crammed a lot into our seven days in the Boston area: 

Boston Museum of Science

Boston Children's Museum

Museum of Fine Arts

New England Aquarium

We walked half of the Freedom Trail to see Paul Revere's House, Old North Church, Faneuil Hall, and Quincy Market

Boston Duck Tour

Plimoth Plantation (including Grist Mill, an old granary)

Plymouth Rock

It dumped a foot of snow the day before we arrived, and snowed all during our first two days. Kicking, squishing, and stepping in snow was one of the highlights of the trip for these kids.

Getting energy out in the rather small hotel room.

(Above and below) At the Boston Children's Museum. If you live anywhere in the Boston area I highly recommend this place. It was the coolest children's museum I've ever been to and it was the kids' absolute favorite part of the trip. If we're ever in the Boston area again, we're definitely coming back here.

Plimoth Plantation. This is a large village that shows how the original pilgrims lived in the 1600s. It was a very cool experience because the village was populated by actors who played the parts of the original Mayflower landers. They talked just like people from that time and actually did real things like tended gardens, mended fences, and ground corn flour for bread. My kids tried to talk to them about things like grocery stores (as in, "Why don't you just buy your flour at the grocery store?"), airplanes, and concrete, but the people always looked puzzled, like they'd never heard of these things before. Great acting, I tell ya!

I got to meet an Internet friend in New Hampshire. We met on a message board when we were pregnant with our firstborns seven years ago. We've both been through an awful and amazing journey the past few years. It was wonderful to finally meet each other and have our daughters meet.

On a Boston Duck Tour. The kids actually got to drive it while it was in the bay!

At the Museum of Fine Arts in front of their favorite paintings. I've been wanting to take the boys to an art museum for a while, and this seemed like a great opportunity since this one holds a lot of paintings by artists they are already familiar with. It wasn't a very good experience because the boys were extremely energetic and had a hard time keeping their hands away from the art. They spent much of their visit with their hands in their pockets.

New England Aquarium touch tank. Touching the stingrays was one of the boys' favorite parts of the whole trip.

Flying somewhere over the Midwest. I shudder to think of what made this water all these beautiful colors, but it sure made for an awesome view.

Finally home again. After a long day of flying, driving, and unpacking, Lucy passed out on my back. 

I have to say that it was SO wonderful to come back home after being away for nine days. I love traveling and seeing new things, but I always love coming home even more!