Pre-Thanksgiving Celebration...And...a Moment of Despiration

Kourtney and Alyson both had feasts at their school to celebrate Thanksgiving. They had a fun time making hats and turkeys then chowing down on tasty snacks. Here are a couple pictures of Koco at her celebration. She's the lone pilgrim in the pic below!

Alyson's teacher asked her if she would play the violin for her class before feast. She played "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and "Mary Had a Little Lamb," and did a great job especially considering she's only been taking lessons for a few months.

So, here is my MOMENT OF DESPERATION. Alyson and Kourtney were suppose to bring a snack to share with their classes. I copped out on Koco's celebration because I bought strawberry shortcake rolls and cut them up into slices. I decided that I'd actually make something for Alyson's celebration the next day, but my plans were nearly foiled when Ellary and Keegan both woke up from their naps at the same time, just when I was in the middle of stirring up blueberry cupcake ingredients. How I have forgotten how complicated schedules can get with a toddler and a newborn! Ellary was hungry. Keegan was hungry. And I only had so much time before the cupcakes needed to be made and delivered.

Ellary found a bag of Cheetos in the pantry and began to squeal "Mooore! Mooore!" while Keegan cried in his bouncy seat and I stirred, stirred, stirred. Out of pure desperation I gave in and set Ellary in her high chair, pulled off her dress and let her plow into the bag of Cheetos. Notice, I gave her a cup of yogurt, just to balance it off! In a couple of minutes I had the cupcake batter poured and in the oven, and Keegan was eating lunch too. Wow-what a time! I took these pics after Keegan ate a little and settled down, just to let you know!

Now that it fits...

Here are some pictures I took of Keegan in his blessing outfit last week now that it actually fits him... :)

I also took some pictures of Ellary with Keegan while he was still in his blessing outfit. She had no problem wanting to hold him on her lap. Ellary's already such a great big sister at only 18 months old!

Good Buddies

Here are some pictures I took of Ellary and Maverick over the last couple of days. What great buddies!

Ellary's First Words

For only the third or fourth time in her little life, Ellary tried to repeat words back to us today. It all started when I was helping her take her socks off this morning. "Ssssocks," she said with a little lisp. And it wasn't just once but several times. Kris and I then began recalling words Ellary has spoken and realized that we haven't put them down anywhere yet...So, why not here first?

The list:

1. Dadda

2. Momma

3. Hi (hidada) Then her arm goes up high in the air and she waves only her fingers, up-down, up-down.

4. More. More like, "mo".

5. Please. A slight variation of this.

6. Dog. Now she says it more than ever since we've had Maverick.

7. Fish

8. Shoes

9. Socks

Goog job, little girl. Keep up the good work!

Fruit Frenzie

We have a routine when we come home from the grocery store: 1.) get Ellary safely in the house, 2.)bring the grocery bags in and set them on the counter top, 3.) put the groceries away. Well, we strayed a little from this process after arriving home from a long trip to the grocery store after our vacation. We had too many bags to set them all on the counter so a few ended up on the floor. As I began to put the produce in the fridge I spotted this little girl on the floor eating strawberries stems and all. I grabbed the camera and these pictures are the result. I wouldn't have been surprised to see that she had devoured the entire container of strawberries and munched on a banana or two had she had the time. Ellary absolutely loves fruit!

Ellary is 1 year old today!

Ellary turned 1 year old today. Wow-what a big girl she is becoming! She's brought so much happiness to our family, and we are especially grateful for her on this day. Unfortunately our digital camera was on the fritz (we didn't know it had problems until after viewing the pictures), so here is one of the only ones that really turned out. Luckily Kris got out the video camera and was able to document Ellary's birthday more fully.

We had a small gathering of friends who helped us celebrate this special occasion. When it was time for cake and ice cream, Ellary didn't know what to think about her cake. However, after getting a taste of it from a spoon, she tore into the thing. She ate a little more than half the piece that was given to her first by carving it away with the handle end of the spoon and then hand feeding it to herself.

Thank you to all who thought of Ellary on her special day! It means a lot to us!

Ellary's Ecard

Mom and Dad sent some ecards for Easter. The girls realy enjoyed looking at them, and Ellary got a kick out of the music that played with her card. Here she is dancing with Alyson, Kourtney and Ellary as they watch the ecard play.

Mostly Text

Alyson is off this week for spring break, but with the snow falling off and on, and the temperature dipping to below freezing at times, we are left with not a whole lot of things to do. We planned to go to the MSU Dairy and Farm, and to the 4-H Gardens, but those two things are definitely out of the question. So, we are finding other things to occupy our time such as making pinatas, going to the library and seeing friends. One pinata is for Alyson's birthday party in a few weeks. The others are the size of water balloons and look like Easter eggs. The girls also played with a friend from church today. And we plan to ride the CATA bus to campus on Friday to have lunch with Kris. Let's hope the weather is better for it then!

Kris was at the game to see the Spartans lose to UNC yesterday. What a bummer. It was as if MSU just fell apart and couldn't recover. Oh, well. It was a rare occasion to see them play in the championship game, and we're all glad he took the opportunity to go. Kris would probably like me to mention that he got to meet Greg Anthony, a former NBA player, and he has the pic to prove it. Here are some some shots he took while at the game. Ellary meanwhile is getting around very well now. She manages to stay on her feet from one room to the next. She knows how to wave and give kisses too. Ellary also has a fascination with throwing balls and retrieving them. Her laugh is getting stronger and longer, and she curiously watches her sisters more intently than ever. I keep reminding Alyson and Kourtney that she is watching them and that they need to be good examples for her. They are most of the time...

It's hard to believe that Ellary will be a year old on April 22nd. Wow-I remember the day she was born so well it feels like it just happened. I have to say that I cherish those first two days with her while in the hospital. Some women absolutely dislike the hospital and can't wait to get home. I say cherish it...once you are home, there are so many other things to occupy your time and as a new mother it's easy to overdue it. I look forward to the stay in the hospital the next time we have a baby. The quietness, the relaxation, and the moments to bond without too many interruptions are priceless!

Here are a few updates to look forward to. Easter of course! The Easter Bunny is making a surprise visit on Saturday. Ellary's birthday is on the 22nd. We're having a few friends come over to celebrate with us. Then Alyson's birthday is on the 30th, but her friends' party will be on the the 25th. We are also going to see the theatrical version of "James and the Giant Peach" as a family on May 1st. So, we will keep you posted!

Ellary's Wiggle

Ellary has discovered dancing. She wiggles her little tummy side to side and touches it, maybe to make sure she's actually moving or maybe because she likes to feel her body in motion. Here's a video of her dancing (technically wiggling) while playing with her farm magnet.

Kris' Update Wish Granted...

Kris reminded me that this blog is our family's virtual journal and that we need to provide updates more frequently. Well, Kris, your wish is hereby granted...


Kris

• Kris was on the road a lot last month. He had two accounting conferences, one in New Orleans and another one in Virginia. Kris has decided that he likes traveling for vacation but not for work! He also began teaching this semester.

• Kris also began teaching this semester. He really enjoys it, but grading has been very time consuming.

• On the bright side, Kris gets off the same vacation times as his students do. Whether he decides to work those days or not is up to him. In a couple of weeks we will be spending spring vacation at Myrtle Beach! We are so excited to see the ocean and take in some sun.

Alyson

• Alyson is ever growing and ever changing. She has lost two teeth in the last two weeks. Now Alyson is missing her front two top and front two bottom teeth. Surprisingly enough she can still whistle through the big gap in her mouth (she can not actually whistle with her lips).

• Alyson is beginning to read beginner books on her own. About two and a half weeks ago she read a book to a therapy dog at the local library. Kourtney sat beside the dog and let him put his head on her lap.

• Alyson also had a piece of her school artwork chosen to be displayed for one year in a local government office. A banquet will be held for the children and their families very soon. Kris and I haven't actually seen this particular piece of artwork so we can't wait.

Kourtney

• Kourtney is on a learning spurt. She asks me to make her homework almost on a daily basis and looks forward to going to Alyson's school on Friday mornings. Alyson's teacher is great about letting Kourtney participate in class, and now Kourtney can't wait until she is in kindergarten too!

• Koco has also been enjoying the hamster she got for Christmas. Twinkles gets a lot of attention whether she wants it or not and is an expert on warfare...ok, Twinkles really knows how to use her mouth to defend herself and is not afraid of letting people know it!

• Koco will almost daily say "It's so nice having a baby." And lately she's been adding, "I want a baby boy." If she only knew there's no choosing when a baby comes and what gender it will be.
  

Ellary

• Ellary is sick right now but is still such a good baby. She also knows what a camera is all about and will smile whenever one is pointed in her direction.

• Alyson and Koco are daddy's girls. Ellary on the other hand is a momma's girl and I love it. I hope she maintains her loyalty and easy going disposition as she gets older. She has been such a blessing and a pleasure!

• Ellary has just two teeth (really only 3/4 of one and 1/2 of another). They have taken their sweet time breaking through. Of our three girls it's taken her the longest to have any teeth!

Jessica

• I am on a sewing binge lately. I have several pregnant friends that I'm making burp clothes and tag blankets for. I have also made several sets of curtains, a skill of mine that is left much wanting. If anyone has any EASY instructions on how to make pleated curtains, PLEASE let me know (I may have to borrow your book again Crystal!) Needless to say, Kris' Christmas present to me is getting some good use.

• I'm also trying to take (when everyone is healthy) the girls out to story time at the library, playgroups and to other fun events in the community. We saw a folk singer perform a few weeks ago, and we attended a get to know Michigan kind of event as well. I can be somewhat of a homebody if I don't try to get out so it's been quite an achievement.

Little Sick Child

Ellary developed a night cough about a month ago that progressively got worse. I took her to the doctor a few weeks ago who said it was a viral infection and to check back in with him if her cough got worse. Well, she began to cough so much and so hard on Thursday night that Ellary couldn't keep her milk down. Then Friday morning it happened all over again. The poor little girl was miserable! Instead of waiting around for her 3:15 appointment, I took her right in to InstaCare. The doctor diagnosed Ellary with bronchitis and an ear infection and said we should notice some improvement within three days.

JUST WHEN I THOUGHT ELLARY WAS GETTING BETTER...I layed her down for a mid-morning nap today and the poor babe kept coughing and coughing. I ran upstairs and just after I pulled her up over the edge of the crib, she projectile vomited all over me, on my mouth, on my chin, in my hair, down my shirt...Luckily the milk hadn't settled too much in her tummy so it didn't smell as bad as it could have and her clothes were unscathed! In that moment of disgust, as I peered into the eyes of a non-coughing and relieved baby, I thought about a memory I have of my mom holding my dear niece who had just vomited and how my mom, being a sympathetic puker, threw up too...Good thing my mom wasn't me at this precise moment or the mess would have been atrocious!

There is no way a mom can be mad when something like that happens...to see your child feeling so bad, and when they are braving an illness so well even though they have no idea what's going on...it just gives me the kind of patience for them that I wish I could maintain everyday in spite of the circumstances.

Ellary is sleeping like a baby now. And I have taken a shower and I am clean once again...