In the last week, DJ stopped going to sleep around 7 or 7:30 like he had been for a couple months. He's also getting up all night every hour or hour-and-a-half. Not cool. So this morning we had this conversation.
Me: [Sigh] DJ, what am I going to do with you?
DJ: Feed me, and change me, and love me, and play with me.
Me: Okay, but I'm going to be half asleep today.
DJ: Okay. [Irresistible smiling and cooing.]
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Let it be known
Today--March 21st, 2012--was the second day of spring, and we played outside in bathing suits. Rather than feeling like winter (like it usually would in early spring), it's actually hard to believe it's not summer. In fact, it's rather disorienting. It seems like I should be done with class; it seems like campus should be empty; it seems like we should be headed to Pam's this weekend for barbeques, boating, and swimming.
At 5:30 today it was 85 degrees, and since our hoses aren't even hooked up yet, I took the kids to my parents' to play in the water table. I was barefoot in a sundress, the girls were in their suits, and we were HOT. The girls played for a long time, free from the oppression of the indoors, winter clothes, and the many, many, illnesses we faced in the last months. Donald waved his arms in the sun and breeze while Nellie and Annie turned the slide into a water slide and watered the daffodils and other flowers that are already blooming. When we got home I noticed that we're getting a little tan.
Okay, future self. Don't hate me. All I'm trying to say is that while you're depressed and bundling kids up in snow suits, you should remember the time Michigan cheated and had summer in March. And remember, spring always, always comes. It will be warm and green again. I promise.
At 5:30 today it was 85 degrees, and since our hoses aren't even hooked up yet, I took the kids to my parents' to play in the water table. I was barefoot in a sundress, the girls were in their suits, and we were HOT. The girls played for a long time, free from the oppression of the indoors, winter clothes, and the many, many, illnesses we faced in the last months. Donald waved his arms in the sun and breeze while Nellie and Annie turned the slide into a water slide and watered the daffodils and other flowers that are already blooming. When we got home I noticed that we're getting a little tan.
Okay, future self. Don't hate me. All I'm trying to say is that while you're depressed and bundling kids up in snow suits, you should remember the time Michigan cheated and had summer in March. And remember, spring always, always comes. It will be warm and green again. I promise.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Annie, two-and-a-half
I have loved two-year-olds ever since I taught the preschool class at church in Kalamazoo. They are just so darned funny! And Annie is no exception. I keep saying, "I know you're not supposed to say this about your own kid, but she is the cutest thing I've ever seen!" She has three states: meltdown, weepy, and happy. Luckily, she's usually happy. And for Annie, happy means bouncing, dancing, prancing, singing, and chatting excitedly. Here are some highlights.
- Annie is firm regarding her favorites - namely, purple, her blankie, milk, chocolate donuts, and Ariel.
- She tells us that when she grows up, she wants to be Nellie.
- She is daddy's girl. It might be a phase, but she follows him everywhere, asks where he is every few minutes, wants to help with whatever he's doing, and is happiest the minute he gets home from work. It's great. (Really! That might sound sarcastic, but it's fun to see. Nellie has always been pretty attached to me, though she's been enjoying spending more time with Kevin since D.J. was born.)
- At the same time, she's my girl! She loves sweets, puts nail polish on just so she can pick it off, and is a light sleeper. She loves her big sister and little brother (we're both #2 between a sister and brother). She loves babies and dolls and books.
- Annie loves anything with a skirt. She puts people in two categories--those who are wearing skirts, and those who aren't. Her outfit of choice for the last few months has been a dress over a skirt over pants.
- She is desperate to go to preschool...her favorite days are when Nellie is the Razzle Dazzle (special person) at school so she gets to go into the classroom and sit in the circle, sing songs, and play in the sand table. We're seriously considering sending her to the 3-year-old preschool next year. She calls her nursery at church preschool and will march right into the room by herself, no problem!
- She's crazy about games on Grandma Linda's and Papa John's phones and iPads.
- She loves baths. She can stay in the bath for hours (trust me, she has.) She's also doing well at swimming lessons - her favorite part is jumping off the side of the pool.
- She's learning to say her "ls" in this way where she sticks out her tongue whenever she says a word with an l in it.
Who says you can't go home?
No really, who said that? I want to talk to him and find out more about this claim. I mean, what kind of research is it based on? Because we are very much going home. As in, we have moved into Kevin's family home.
I guess it all started almost a year ago. Kevin and I had quietly joked together that if his dad got a new job in a new city--or even if he didn't--we would slowly start to move our stuff in to his house without him noticing. Then maybe we'd stay for a night, then a weekend, then a week, until we had fully moved in. Really, it wasn't a very well thought out plan, and obviously we weren't serious. It was just that our house was starting to feel awfully small, especially when we found out I was pregnant with #3. And like many others, we owed (owe) more on the house than it was (is) worth, so selling wasn't really an option.
And then. Just a few weeks after we learned about the baby and before we'd told anyone, John called up to say he'd gotten a job in the U.P., and to ask--did we want to move in as a long-term house sitting/rental arrangement. I still remember what I was doing when he called--trying to wrestle Nellie and Annie out of the car in our driveway. All of a sudden, what had been a completely crazy idea thrown out in jest became a serious option.
But it was actually a hard decision. We loved our neighborhood (and still miss it. We left a diverse, quiet area in Lansing with friendly neighbors and a playground just down the street) and our little house that we'd fixed up just the way we wanted it. It seemed like so much work to get the house ready to rent and move when I was several months pregnant. And there were interpersonal issues to think about, like entering into financial arrangements with family, sharing space, making sense of what's ours and what's not, and just the general idea of moving into a place filled with memories--good, bad, and everyday. It was weird to think about living in Grand Ledge again, even after living in Lansing for several years. We weren't sure how to come up with the money to fix up the house and pay the fees associated with converting to a rental property (think over a thousand dollars.)
In the end, though, I think we knew all along it was an offer we couldn't refuse. We could have made a two-bedroom house work for us, but honestly I'm not really sure how. And I had a great talk with my friend Jerilynn, who had heard me worrying about space and money issues ever since I found out I was pregnant. I'm pretty sure her exact words were, "are you crazy? This is exactly what you need. This is an answer to prayers. This solves all your problems."
I wouldn't go so far as to say it's solved all our problems, but now that we're more or less settled, with the move long behind us and renters who (usually) pay rent in the Holly Way house, I am happy and at peace with the decision and very grateful that John offered the possibility. We have lots of room--probably more than we need (though we've managed to fill it with ease!) We're further from school and work, but not too far. It's nice to be even closer to my mom and dad and to Sarah and Alex and their family. We've been able to spend far more time with John than we did before, even though now he lives 5 hours away! He comes home every few weekends for work or to visit. While I feel bad that he has to deal with our noise and mess and craziness (which I try to make up for by feeding him well!), it's been nice for us and for the girls to grow closer to him.
Also, there are three bathrooms. And a walk-in closet. And a whirlpool tub. And a garage. And little bonuses that John left behind, like a toaster oven and all of Genny's old toys. So all in all, it was a great move. And it turns out, you can go home. All the way home.
I guess it all started almost a year ago. Kevin and I had quietly joked together that if his dad got a new job in a new city--or even if he didn't--we would slowly start to move our stuff in to his house without him noticing. Then maybe we'd stay for a night, then a weekend, then a week, until we had fully moved in. Really, it wasn't a very well thought out plan, and obviously we weren't serious. It was just that our house was starting to feel awfully small, especially when we found out I was pregnant with #3. And like many others, we owed (owe) more on the house than it was (is) worth, so selling wasn't really an option.
And then. Just a few weeks after we learned about the baby and before we'd told anyone, John called up to say he'd gotten a job in the U.P., and to ask--did we want to move in as a long-term house sitting/rental arrangement. I still remember what I was doing when he called--trying to wrestle Nellie and Annie out of the car in our driveway. All of a sudden, what had been a completely crazy idea thrown out in jest became a serious option.
But it was actually a hard decision. We loved our neighborhood (and still miss it. We left a diverse, quiet area in Lansing with friendly neighbors and a playground just down the street) and our little house that we'd fixed up just the way we wanted it. It seemed like so much work to get the house ready to rent and move when I was several months pregnant. And there were interpersonal issues to think about, like entering into financial arrangements with family, sharing space, making sense of what's ours and what's not, and just the general idea of moving into a place filled with memories--good, bad, and everyday. It was weird to think about living in Grand Ledge again, even after living in Lansing for several years. We weren't sure how to come up with the money to fix up the house and pay the fees associated with converting to a rental property (think over a thousand dollars.)
In the end, though, I think we knew all along it was an offer we couldn't refuse. We could have made a two-bedroom house work for us, but honestly I'm not really sure how. And I had a great talk with my friend Jerilynn, who had heard me worrying about space and money issues ever since I found out I was pregnant. I'm pretty sure her exact words were, "are you crazy? This is exactly what you need. This is an answer to prayers. This solves all your problems."
I wouldn't go so far as to say it's solved all our problems, but now that we're more or less settled, with the move long behind us and renters who (usually) pay rent in the Holly Way house, I am happy and at peace with the decision and very grateful that John offered the possibility. We have lots of room--probably more than we need (though we've managed to fill it with ease!) We're further from school and work, but not too far. It's nice to be even closer to my mom and dad and to Sarah and Alex and their family. We've been able to spend far more time with John than we did before, even though now he lives 5 hours away! He comes home every few weekends for work or to visit. While I feel bad that he has to deal with our noise and mess and craziness (which I try to make up for by feeding him well!), it's been nice for us and for the girls to grow closer to him.
Also, there are three bathrooms. And a walk-in closet. And a whirlpool tub. And a garage. And little bonuses that John left behind, like a toaster oven and all of Genny's old toys. So all in all, it was a great move. And it turns out, you can go home. All the way home.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Kids (and fortune cookies) say the darndest things
Twice in the last week, I heard something that absolutely captured exactly how I feel, but was put into words that I never would have thought of.
First - "Life is not a struggle. It's a wiggle." (Fortune in a House of Hsu cookie)
Second - "I'm like a ball of sugar in your heart!" (Nellie, after we read to her from her first report card then attempted the we-would-still-love-you-even-if-your-teacher-said-you-were-super-naughty-but-we-would-be-disappointed conversation)
Yes. Just...yes.
First - "Life is not a struggle. It's a wiggle." (Fortune in a House of Hsu cookie)
Second - "I'm like a ball of sugar in your heart!" (Nellie, after we read to her from her first report card then attempted the we-would-still-love-you-even-if-your-teacher-said-you-were-super-naughty-but-we-would-be-disappointed conversation)
Yes. Just...yes.
Big Sisters
Annie wants me to post a picture of her, so here is one of my favorites among the recent photos. Kevin took this while I was at class (I'm taking one class on Thursday nights). I asked Kev what was so funny--apparently he said the word "eyeball," which Annie thinks is the funniest word ever. I also like it because it shows how well the girls take care of their baby brother. Nellie talks to him just like he's a kid in her preschool or something--she'll carry on regular conversations, joke with him, show him things--it's pretty great. Annie tells us every day, "I like my baby brother! I want to keep him! I think baby brother likes me!" And he does.
Donald - 2 months old
Speaking of not being all that big (see the quarterback post), he kind of is that big. DJ was 11 lbs at his 1-month checkup, which means he gained three pounds in a month! At his 2-month checkup last week, he weighed 12 lbs. 12 oz. and was 24 inches long. That puts him at the 72nd percentile for weight and the 84th percentile for length. The doctor said if he continues at this rate he'll be bigger than Kevin and me--actually, all our kids are guaranteed to be taller than me, so I hear, because there is more than a 6-inch difference between our heights. So I'll be the short one in the family! Anyway, the fact that I carry around an almost-13-pound baby all day might explain why I feel like I'm getting tendonitis in my left wrist and elbow. That kid's heavy!
DJ is a sweet, generally happy baby. Pretty much the only time he cries is when I dare to change his diaper in the middle of the night when he just really wants to eat. Also, he does NOT like riding in the car. He sleeps about as well as the girls did--meaning, not well. But he's been going down around 7 and sleeping until at least 11 (last night it was after 1:00), so that's good. But then he's up several times after that, and of course I don't really feel like going to bed at 7!
He started smiling around 4 weeks, and he smiles pretty much all the time. He really loves his sisters - they can always get him smiling! And he loves when we sing, and tries to sing along. He coos carries on conversations with us. He's a fun little guy; I thank God every day for our healthy little (not so little) guy!
DJ is a sweet, generally happy baby. Pretty much the only time he cries is when I dare to change his diaper in the middle of the night when he just really wants to eat. Also, he does NOT like riding in the car. He sleeps about as well as the girls did--meaning, not well. But he's been going down around 7 and sleeping until at least 11 (last night it was after 1:00), so that's good. But then he's up several times after that, and of course I don't really feel like going to bed at 7!
He started smiling around 4 weeks, and he smiles pretty much all the time. He really loves his sisters - they can always get him smiling! And he loves when we sing, and tries to sing along. He coos carries on conversations with us. He's a fun little guy; I thank God every day for our healthy little (not so little) guy!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Future Quarterback
I'm not particularly proud of this conversation, but here it is.
J: Look at these pajamas, aren't they cute? They have little footballs on the feet, and say "Future Quarterback."
K: Mmhmm.
J: Sorry to break it to you though, buddy, but it's unlikely you'll ever be a quarterback.
K: What, you think he's more linebacker material?
J: I was thinking more along the lines of kicker.
K: Hey, don't wussify him.
J: I just don't think he's going to be all that big.
K: Michael Vick's not that big.
J: I dunno...yeah, I guess. What about Kirk Cousins? He's not that big. [Cutesy voice] You can be a quarterback like Kirk Cousins. He's a nice boy.
K: Michael Vick's nice! You know. Unless you're a dog.
J: Look at these pajamas, aren't they cute? They have little footballs on the feet, and say "Future Quarterback."
K: Mmhmm.
J: Sorry to break it to you though, buddy, but it's unlikely you'll ever be a quarterback.
K: What, you think he's more linebacker material?
J: I was thinking more along the lines of kicker.
K: Hey, don't wussify him.
J: I just don't think he's going to be all that big.
K: Michael Vick's not that big.
J: I dunno...yeah, I guess. What about Kirk Cousins? He's not that big. [Cutesy voice] You can be a quarterback like Kirk Cousins. He's a nice boy.
K: Michael Vick's nice! You know. Unless you're a dog.
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