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It's a Happy Day around here of the birthday variety. The man of the house has turned a year older. At this point, knowing the exact year isn't a such big deal, or so we're trying to stress to the little ones (who keep reminding him that he's 42 - ha!).
Because I love him so much, I did something miraculous this morning - I didn't hit snooze, got out of bed before dawn and cooked him a big breakfast. I was amazed that I was able to pull it off.
We agreed to do gifts this evening because our mornings are usually too hectic. Today happened to be quite an unusually smooth morning. We compromised and gave him a few cards. The funny ones. Who doesn't love singing dancing bacon?
Looking back, we probably should have done gifts this morning because the afternoon was pretty jam packed - dance for Lily and a baseball game for Alex. Sigh. That's our life, always on the go. I surprised him by picking up his favorite meal on my way home from work. Mmmm, ribs.
After Alex's game we were finally able to do the cake and ice cream thing. Just us, now a family of six (!!). It was way past bedtime, but that's okay, Sometimes you have to give up school night baths for chocolate cake. You only turn 42 once.
Happy Birthday, Matt! I love you!!
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Five months. 5. F I V E. I can hardly believe it's been that long. Didn't I just give birth? I sure feel like it was the other day (and still have the body to prove it). Seeing the transformation from a screaming little blob to a happy giggly roly poly baby is pretty awesome.
She's still the best baby ever. Happy, smiling, babbling most of the time. She'll gladly sit on my lap during our many soccer practices and baseball games watching all the action. She's always taking it all in. She adores her sisters and brother. I'm pretty sure the feeling is mutual.
Right now she's in the grabby stage. She grabs everything. Not that I could get much hand-sewing or knitting done with her in my lap before, now I don't even dare try. She'd be all over it.
I have given in and started her on solids. Isn't grabbing at food a sign for that? Much to my surprise, she loves it. We're only doing rice cereal mixed with breastmilk, but she gobbles it down and doesn't gag or anything. None of my others ever did that. I have a feeling she'll take to regular food just as well. Baby girl likes to eat like her mama!!
She's also discovered Ruby. Ruby is not a fan. Ruby loves to lay right next to me any time I sit down on the sofa (so annoying)and Cecilia is usually with me. Now Ceci likes to grab Ruby's ear, fur, or whatever is nearby, which makes Ruby promptly get up and leave, ha ha. Silly dog.
Life is certainly much more full with little Ceci on board, but I wouldn't change a thing.
Of course she didn't want to smile or laugh during our little photo shoot, and those dots you see all over her are mosquito bites. Poor babe is eaten up! Also, that gorgeous quilt she is laying on was a generous gift from Sarah. As you can see, it is getting much use. We love it!
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It's hard to believe that Cecilia is 3 months old today. 3 months! It seems like such a short amount of time, yet so much has happened.
Ceci is by far my most laid back child - thank goodness! She hardly ever cries, unless she needs something, and she's a good eater & sleeper. She'll happily lay on a blanket exploring her surroundings if i need to put her down for a bit, but her favorite place to be is in the moby wrap. Oh my, what a lifesaver that moby wrap has been!
She's all full of smiles and laughs. Oh, how I love hearing her laugh! Unlike all my others, she knows how to self-soothe. She likes to suck her fingers and rub her hair. Sometimes she gets a bit rough and scratches her head up, but she doesn't seem to mind.
With so much going on her around, I guess she has to go with the flow. Drop offs, pick ups, basketball games, dance classes, she's been to them all. And all the kids adore her. I was expecting to have some issues with the de-throned baby, but so far not much has happened. It's a bit hectic at times, but she fits right into our family nicely. I can't imagine life any other way!!!
Happy 3 months, Ceci!!
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Has it really been that long? 3 weeks? In some ways it feels like just yesterday, but in others it feels like this baby came into the world forever ago. What is certain is that we can't imaging our lives without her.
I had every intention of writing a 2 week post a week ago, but that didn't happen. Little Cece has been a non-stop feeding machine! And with myself being the only source of nourishment, I've been a bit occupied.
Thankfully all that dedication paid off with an 8 oz gain this week. As of last week she still wan't back up to her birth weight, so there was a little concern. All is well now.
She really is a good baby. She doesn't cry much, only when hungry, tired or to proclaim her dislike of a dirty diaper. Overall she is very content. I think she may be my most mellow child. After Ava, I need that!
Of course, I have forgotten how demanding life with a newborn is. My goodness, I don't remember it being this hard. I know this time is short, so we're making the best of it. All those snuggles and late nights are so worth it!
**that beautiful blanket above was made by Chris, we love it!!
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There goes another one, getting older on me! Today Alex turns 7. Wow.
Just as you requested, we had pizza for supper and a chocolate filled birthday cake with mint chocolate chip ice cream. All Alex!
This past year you've started to enjoy playing sports - soccer, basketball, and baseball. Not once did you ask to quit. (I'm sure your dad is relieved about this!) The best part about it is your attitude. You love to be out there playing with your team, no matter how you do or if you're winning or losing. I love that!
You've also started telling jokes. That joke book of yours sure gets a workout. The term 'class clown' may or may not have been mentioned at one of your parent - teacher conferences :-) You are a big goof, that's for sure. But please, take it easy on sneaking up to scare people. Not everybody (especially your pregnant mama) enjoys that!
As the middle child and the only boy, I know you sometimes get the short end of the stick. Lily gets to do everything first and Ava is the cute little one that everyone goes gaga over. And you're constantly surrounded by girl stuff - sorry about that. I'm sure you think it's no fun now, but your future wife will appreciate the lessons you're learning (I hope).
Happy Birthday Alex! You're one special dude - I love you!!
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I didn't mean to leave you hanging, but the family and I just spent a week at Disney World. Yep, there we are in the Magic Kingdom.
Truthfully, I was dreading it. I am not a disney fan, I hate crowds, and I was pretty certain my pregnant self would be miserable walking around in all that heat.
But you know what, it was a week with my family away from home doing something that the kids enjoyed. I decided to suck it up and have fun. That wasn't too hard to do once I got used to being in a sea of people.
It really wasn't as bad as I imagined. Magic Kingdom wasn't my favorite, but Epcot was quite nice.
Seeing all the country exhibits was fun and much to my surprise, the kids got a kick filling out their passports with stamps and words from all the foreign lands.
Morocco was probably my favorite. Just look at that tile! So exotic and sensual. We bought some incense to bring home.
In America the kids participated in the Pledge of Allegiance after the drum & fife procession. Then we all took a little nap during the showing of the American Adventure - oops! What can I say, we were pooped!!
We also really liked Hollywood Disney, but I think the hotel pool was the biggest hit (just pretend Lily isn't blinking in that photo).
All in all, it was a good trip. Relaxing, not exactly. Memorable, definitely. I'm still not a disney fan, but I wouldn't trade the time we spent together for anything!
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Today my eldest turns 10. It's somewhat hard to believe. Lily, my whopping 10 lb baby girl is now wearing my shoes and getting taller by the minute. No longer a little kid, but not yet a big kid, she has always been wise beyond her years. I distinctly remember the pediatrician saying at her 2 week visit that she was "so mature for her age"...not exactly what you want to hear about your daughter! I took it as a positive, and her mature disposition always has been. My friend used to say that Lily was an old soul...I have to agree.
When I look at her now, I can see the beautiful young woman that she is becoming. Of course she wants to hear nothing of this, she's holding onto her childhood tightly with both hands (thank goodness!!). Kids grow up much too fast these days, I feel lucky to have one who still wants to be a kid.
Dancer, athlete, brilliant student, you've got it all, girl. Keep on doing what you're doing, you make us proud :)
Happy Birthday, sweet Lily! I love you with all my heart (even if you do steal my shoes)! I hope all your birthday wishes come true.
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May 1st was a big day around here. Remember 5 years ago? 5 YEARS??? Yep, on May Day this little imp of mine turned 5. It’s hard to believe. I don’t think of her as 5 and can hardly imagine that she’ll be in kindergarten this fall, but it’s true. Of course she’s more than ready (me, not so much).
We celebrated her big day with a hula themed birthday party with family and a few friends.
There was more than enough cake and cupcakes to go around along with paper umbrellas and fancy straws for our drinks. We wore our leis and the birthday girl sported a grass skirt.
I think my favorite part of the party was her wish before she blew out the candles. She took extra long to think about that wish...eyes closed and all. I wonder what was going on in that little mind of hers?
It was a fun, full day. To quote this little firecracker “it’s my birthday, peace out sucka!”.
Happy Birthday Ava!!
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