later

Some nights you get to stay up past your bedtime.  Just Eva and the mom and dad.  Hanging out and hopefully making memories.  This night I hope you remember weeding the flowerbeds, singing songs and dancing - with your shoes on the wrong feet.  Good stuff.

tooth

This happened... first tooth fairy visit.  Wowza! I had no clue it was coming.  

Then there we were... first lost tooth.  She rocked it.

four and a half plus

Helena, you're actually almost 5 months old today.  

But, as a lot of things go with the third baby, I am a little behind.  At your appointment a few weeks a go, you were just a few ounces shy of 16 pounds and getting long at 25.5 inches.  I can't believe next month you will be six months old.  Talking about starting solids and trying foods with you seems just crazy.  I think you're going to be a lot like your sister and not be a huge fan of food for a while, but we will see.  

We have officially given up that you will ever take a bottle.  You don't cry anymore when we try, which is good I guess.  Instead, you give us a smirk and push it around in your mouth, bite it and chuckle.  It is like our stupidity and persistence amuse you.  Here is hoping that we can get you to at least take a sippy by the end of June.  There is a wedding that I have really looking forward to for a very long time... so pretty, pretty please.

You are still waking up once or twice through the night, but are back to sleep so easily it isn't a problem.  Naps are hit or miss around here.  Some days I get two really good naps and then other days you will take half a dozen 20 minute snoozes - most of them are with me holding you or in a carrier.  This would have stressed me out with your sister, but now I know that you'll eventually sleep without touching me continuously, so I am usually happy oblige.  

Your brother and sister think your the best, and you are starting to feel the same about them.  Hearing their voice causes you to start searching the room, looking for them.  You recognize your favorite people now and get so excited to see them.  Especially when your daddy gets home from work or your Poppy and Goggy visit.  You get so excited sometimes that you shake all over, kick and squeal.  The other morning you reached for me the first time - good stuff little one.

mister man

Our Theodore

You are our force of nature.  You wake-up seeming like someone had spent all night revving your engine.   You are so ready for the day and to get your feet on the ground running sprinting - even if it happens to be only 4:30 in the morning.  It is hard to not be enthusiastic about "morningtime" with you cheering us on... hard, but not at all impossible.  You know my morning routine so well that you tell me to start the coffee.  Thanks buddy for understanding how much I need it.

Somehow, you have still managed to not realize that you can jump out of your crib.  Some mornings I would swear that you are bouncing high enough that your feet would clear the top rail on their own, but you still wait on us free you from your cage.  Thank you for that too sir! I know that neither your roommate Eva or anyone else in the house is ready for you to be roaming free. 

You are such a good little man.  You have taken this big brother roll on so well.  Loving your sister and learning how to boss.  You have been sharpening your big-brother skills by putting me and your daddy in time out frequently - knowing your big sister would never listen - getting the practice in so that you can boss Miss Helena around one day soon. 

You make me crazy sometimes with your semi-fearlessness.  You will climb and jump off tables, furniture, benches... but are too afraid to climb up into a safety-insured playland structure.  I don't get it, but it is the way you are. There is something about the towering mass of tunnels and slides that brings out your cautious side.  I just wish your would go all out there with all the padding and safety nets and save the caution for the basement stairs that have a concrete landing zone.  

When asked a question like, "Are you hungry?" or "Are you cold?" you answer half the time, "No, I not Hungry, I Theodore."  So cute.  Then the other answer we get is, "No I not hungry... wait yes I hungry.  I hungry!!!"  And you are always hungry, even when you are just Theodore.  And eating is still, a messy operation... always.  Moping after every meal time is almost a requirement.

You are all fire, blurr and sparks.  We love you.

updates

Time...

 I know I have the same amount of it as everyone else...but why do I feel like I have less than ever? December is almost over!  So what have we been up too?

Eva was in awe of Santa... rock star awe and would not sit on his lap.  Just stood back and covered her mouth.  It was like she was in the presence of one of the Beatles.  Theo sat on his lap but hated he it.  He could not understand Eva's fascination with the bearded fellow in the big chair.
Helena slept through it all.  It was overall very hilarious.

Eva's Preschool Christmas program was so sweet.  Finding her a dressy outfit that was: a waistless dress, with short sleeves and no itch was interesting.  I ended up with a tutu skirt, silver headband and sparky shoes to make normal clothes look festive.  We are in a "strong opinion" phase of clothing and I am so thankful for the  seamless socks we purchased off Amazon.  Lifesavers.

Still attempting this... I am sure it will click one day.  Right now I think he just believes this is a weird way to pay cars and planes.  He tells me he likes his diapers.  I don't like them.


Watching the snow.  It is always amazing to watch them be so surprised at the white stuff.  It makes me giddy when I see it in the forecast because I know it will make them happy.  They love the snow.

fall

leaf collecting

homecoming parades

napping

pizza picnics

getting acquainted

off roading

first walks

trick-or-treat

candy snacking

scary part

This part of the movie is a little scary for them...

a sweet spot for me.

these three

Here they are... my three.

Soon to be four.

walking

Walking home from preschool.  She was the leader.

these two

I worried a lot about these two getting along.  Yes, I knew they would fight.  I knew there would be moments when they would rather be related to anyone else in the world.  But, I also know how great it could be.  How having someone - that no matter what - is on your side.  Someone that is in your corner and will stay up until 10:00 pm gabbing with you about nothing specific, just becaue you needed them to.

They did that tonight.

Michael and I listened to them chatter back and forth for over an hour over the baby monitor.  Silly banter and even sillier jokes.  Giggles and squeals.  A big sister and little brother trying to keep each other awake and entertained.  

It was magic.

park

When in doubt, I head to a park.  It is my fallback plan for a bad morning, grumpy afternoon or both.  Before we go to the grocery to put them in a good mood, after we go to the grocery to reward them (dangle like a carrot the entire way through the store) for good behavior, before nap to wear them down and after nap to burn off the restored energy...  My reasons and love for a park trip are long.  One day Michael found a new park.  It was a surprise park.  A park that was small and not on the map.  It has a train and swings - two high ranking park attributes for my two little ones.  It is a new favorite.

I attempted a "group photo" over and over.  Using a timer app - in 5 seconds I couldn't get back (waddle) in time to be in the shot.   With 10 seconds the kids couldn't sit still.  This was the best and really my favorite.  Eva was excited to make it on top of the train before the picture took and there is Theo - still missing a shoe (he wouldn't leave the left one on) and running.  And  I look normal-ish, not like I am frantically trying to corral children - because I gave up.  And there is my 33 week baby bump.  Hi Deedle.

blood and tennis

One morning last week we were getting ready to head out.  Park, grocery, post office... nothing unusual.  We were all in different stages of getting ready to leave.  Eva was almost dressed, Theo needed pants and I was in the middle of dressing myself.  As I was picking out bottoms and getting ready to take off my pajama shorts... I hear a thump and an Eva scream.  I get to their bathroom and she is bloody mouthed and loosing it.  Nothing major - just a bloody lip - but tragic for her.  So I am holding, rocking, shushing and getting blood down the front of my white undershirt.  

Then I hear it.  The screen door slam.  At first I thought maybe Michael was home.  Then reality sinks in and I know it is Theo.  He has escaped.  I am trying to untangle from Eva who does not want me to put her down and run to the kitchen.  He's gone.  She's screaming, hysterically at this point.  I am running out the door, searching frantically, scanning and yelling his name.  And then I see him.

He is right across the street.  In the middle of the tennis courts - which are full to the brim with morning league play.  He has confiscated one ball already and asking for someones racket.  All games have stopped and he is getting lots of "hi's" and I hear a "where is your mommy buddy?"  

Here she is!!  Walking over, in a tight, bloody maternity undershirt and sleep shorts.  About 8 months pregnant, no shoes and a bad case bed head.   Oh, and I have no contacts on either so excuse the squint as I try to look like I am making eye contact.  But I too embarrassed to make actual eye contact, so I will be staring at eyebrows and noses.  I am right here!! Jogging over to grab my half naked two year old who I obviously let wander off, unattended.  Oh this blood, it's nothing.  My daughter just busted her lip.  Oh look! There she is - on the sidewalk screaming for me with blood trailing down her face.  Ha Ha -  she is four, he is two and yeah I am due real soon.!  Yeah, I am really going to have my hands full - your right!  Thanks guys and sorry to interrupt your game.  Have a great day!

rocks and animals

A friends rock collection and our animal collection equal loads and hours of fun.

Our giraffe is a carnivore and the baby lion is a rock-ivore.

dear deedle

Written February 15, 2014

Dear Deedle Bean,  

Wow!  Your already making your presence know.  This mommy has been sick-sick!  I thought I was getting away with it, then bam!  Six weeks hit and I guess so did all those precious baby growing hormones.   Right now all I want to eat are clementines, spicy Tom Yum soup and carbonated anything.  The rest of the time I usually am fighting through every bite.  Oh and the sleepiness!  I have been napping better than your brother and in bed by 9 o'clock.  

Love, Mama

Written March 16, 2014

Dear Deedle Bean,

We got to see you today.  You are all head and a little body.  There was a perfect fluttery heartbeat and you flapped your little arms and wiggled around for us.  

It never gets any less exciting to see a little tiny person on the screen.   You have been growing all safe and tucked in for weeks, but seeing you made all the sleepiness and nausea just fine.  Your daddy and I are the luckiest people in the world little Deedle. 

Love, Mama

Written April 9, 2014

Dear Deedle Bean,

I am sitting her having a coffee and cake break, your big brother and big sister are watching Mickey Mouse, and I am enjoying the feeling of you flipping over and over again.  I have felt tiny flips for a few weeks now.  But, today it isn't just a tiny second of feeling where I hold my breath waiting for it to maybe happen again.  Today it's been minutes, minutes of me misty eyed and almost gigging out loud at the same time.  Minutes of me shallow breathing and grinning from ear to ear.  And minutes of me marveling at the wonder of you, tucked away and growing strong. Hello little one.

Love, Mama

Written May 2, 2014

Dear Deedle Bean,

Today we could feel you from the outside.  Your sister and I sat on the couch, I was trying to not hold my breath, and she was chattering on excitedly.  You were kicking and thumping, telling the world, "Here I am!"  

Hello little one.  

Love us.

Written May 15, 2014

Dear Deedle Bean,

Today was your big day.  Deedle on Parade!  Our little name for the grand inspection of you and all your parts.  You are growing perfectly.  Strong heart, hands and feet.  You are right on track with a big head just like your sister and brother.  You're in great company there.

Your sister came with your daddy and I to see you.  She has called you a girl from day one.  You have even been named Belle, Rapunzel and Princess Elsa.   (Do you see a theme?)  Then she started calling you a "him" at the ultra sound.  When asked, she still says your a sister. You see she already has a brother.  

We are keeping it a surprise, and if you are a boy or a girl, we already love you to pieces.  It was so good to see you, to see your perfect heart and brain.  I will get to hold you in a few months.  Oh how my heart flips at that idea - holding a little tiny you in my arms.

Love, Mama

Written May, 21, 2014

Dear Deedle Bean, 

Today we had our last doctor appointment in Columbus.  It's hard to believe we are halfway to meeting you!  In less than a month we will be all moved in to a new house and (hopefully) unpacked and settled in.

At your appointment today, when Dr. Boyles went to catch your heartbeat, you flipped and kicked and squirmed.  It sounded like demolition was going on in there.  She and I giggled.  When I giggle my belly button pops out and back in, back out and back in.  That made the doctor, me and even your sister laugh.  

You heartbeat was strong and steady.  Grow Deedle grow.

Love mama.

spring and summer-ish

100's of Eva selfies

Casper Babypants on Youtube

nap time... well maybe not Eva

seeing Deedle's head, heart, hands and toes

nesting

cars and more cars

hand washing dishes until the plumber can come

80° so its sprinkler time

It is official...
less than a month until we move.
The dates are all set and all the red tape is officially complete.

I have been trying to tackle all those organizing things: drawers, closets and boxes.
My list is long and so far the checked boxes are very few.
This week life took over, but that's okay.

We had a broken microwave and clogged up sink.
Warming up everything on the stove and dishwashing in my big pot took takes time.
It made me really thankful for all things I normally take for granted, however.

Theodore is officially getting his 2 year molars...
that's not a lot of fun for anyone.
Poor guy is grumpy and in pain pretty much around the clock.

We had a little heat wave and spent the days outside.
It is amazing what a sprinkler and bubbles can do for everyone's mood.
It is like a shot of happiness in the arm.

Deedle is growing right on track.
My tired days are fewer and further between lately.
If my allergies would disappear, I think I would be feeling 110%.

I am so excited for summer.

sharing

Theodore usually eats breakfast first.

He wakes up ready to start his day like his daddy.

Eva is a little slower.

More at her mommas pace greeting the day - easy does it.

Most mornings there are two rounds for breakfast.

Theo's then Eva's.

By the time round two rolls around,  Theo is usually ready for seconds.

Good thing his sister is such a great sharer.

little man

Sometimes you are so little.

When you are sleeping and mouth breathing.

When you are sad and want to be held.

But lately there has been less of the little and more of the big.

Insisting on doing it yourself.

Climbing higher than your sister and going down the big slide.

Growling at other boys on the playground to make them laugh.

Getting bloody noses and bruised knees and never crying or slowing down.

Yelling "mama mama" after lights out and laughing when I check on you.

Getting more in your mouth with a spoon that your shirt.

Singing along with the radio in the car.

Bashing and wrecking toy cars into one another until bumpers break.

Finding high spots to jump from and a fall is just reason to try again.

Than today, out of the blue...

you were playing on the floor and you stopped and ran to me.

Climbed on in my lap with a nose still a little bloody on the edges.

You pointed to your eye...

ay

then crossed your arms...

lllill

and pointed at my heart

you!

You had the biggest, proudest smile on your face.

I melting into a puddle.

I love you too little man.

the sweetest

She came to the kitchen while I made lunch and said in a whisper...

Theodore is sleeping mama.

Then she rushed away.

I came in the living room to find her like this, patting his back and she said...

Awwe, isn't he so sweet.

Yes little one he is...

and so are you.