10 Months

Annemarie Colleen is ten months old as of yesterday.  And she's wonderful.  

I had a feeling my sweet girl wasn't feeling quite herself when I trekked off to work yesterday.  When I got home: 103.9 temp and a very sad baby.

But she'll be fine in a few days and, even sick, that girl is something fabulous.

At ten months, Annie:

1.) coasts around furniture with relative ease

2.) climbs up and over nearly everything

3.) giggles constantly and is super-ticklish

4.) adores her father

6.) still hates to be snuggled to sleep

7.) still wears her pearls every single day...even at the pool 

8.) has a dark, shiny, beautiful little pixie

9.) loves her headbands and hair bows

10.) does not care for shoes

11.) loves blueberries

12.) and bananas

13.) and peas, carrots, corn, rice, graham crackers...well, food. Girl can eat.

14.) makes an Olympic sport of nursing

15.) is warm and affectionate and the nicest little fancy-pants I have ever met.

Ugh, that girl.  She's fabulous. She even makes a virus look good.

Glitter in her veins, that one.

I'm not winning any awards today for timeliness of posts, as I'm now over a month late on commemorating Leo's birthday, but can I at least get credit for the effort?

While not adequately documented, Leo's birthday was actually quite wonderful with lots of singing and cake and dinner picked out just by him. (Shrimp this year.  It wasn't his favorite, but he thought it looked cool in the display case at the store.) We had to wait to celebrate as a family until Adam was home, and had a great time just being a family and showing our sweet and incredibly handsome boy some lovin'. We went to the park, out to lunch, opened presents...the typical low-key birthday-type things. Honestly, and it pains me to say it, but Leo doesn't ask for much, so low-key suits him well.  It was hard even getting him to ask for presents because all he really wanted for his birthday was for us to sing to him and have cake.  That's it. When he did open his presents (relatively small ones, I might add), he just fell beside himself.  "For me? You got these for me? For my birthday?! For MY birthday?!" God bless that sweet kid.

And, without further ado, here is Leo's very first birthday interview.  (He hasn't quite got the hang of it yet. He'll get there.)

1. Leo, how old are you this year? (Holds up four fingers.) Mom, look at me.  This is how old I am.

2.) Do you know when you turned four? (Holds up four fingers again.) Like this? Like, when I go like this?

3.) How does it feel to be four years old? I don't know. 'Citing, I guess.  (Patrick chimes in, "Just say it feels happy. It sounds better if you just say happy.")

4.) How was your birthday this year? April 30th. (Clearly, we're off here.)

5.) What is the most important thing you have learned in life so far? I have learned how to build Legos.

6.) How do you think you are different now than you were at three? (Holds up four fingers again.) It looks like this. 

7.) What is your favorite things about yourself? I like to play with toys. (Picking nose.) I have curly hair.

8.) You'll be in preschool pretty soon! How does that make you feel? I'm happy to be going to school. Da-da-dum!

9.) Who is your best friend? Patrick. Not Hatchie, because all of the time he is rude to me.

10.) What is one thing you like to learn about? God. God books.

11.) Tell me about our family. Should I say framly or fam-i-ly? Family. Family. Daddy and Mommy. We play the DS. Patrick is family. I'm family. Hatchie is framly...I mean fam-i-ly, Annie is family.  And you. And Daddy.

12.) What do you like about being a big brother? What? I don't think about any of these things. I don't know, I guess.

13.) If you had a whole day to do anything you wanted, what would you do? Play with Patrick. And I would go see Grandma again.

14.) What is your favorite song? (Singing) Everything is Awesome!

15.) What is your favorite movie? Everything is Awesome, I mean The Lego Movie.

16.) Favorite book? The Lego Movie Book.

17.) Favorite toy? Emmett.

18.) What do you want to be when you grow up? I just want to go to school. Maybe a fireman.

19.) How old do you think you'llbe when you get married? I'm getting so tired of this.  I don't think about these things.

20.) What do you know about girls? You. Hooters. (Omg.)

21.) Favorite food? Chicken nuggets.

22.) Favorite candy? Granola bars!!!

23.) Are you scared of anything? I'm scared when you turn the lights off in my room.

24.) Anything else you want to say. No. Please can I be done?

Yes. Done. My conscience can rest easily now.

Happy Summer Vacation to all!

It's The Last Day of Kindergarten And All Is Well

I feel like there are several other posts that need to come before this, but I'll have to work my way there.  For now, here's the latest:

Today is Patrick John's last day of kindergarten.  I went to see our big guy at school today (and bring the teachers' gifts I forgot to send in the first place) and while I marveled at the half-grown, friendly, cheerful little guy on the monkey bars (who even let me hug and kiss him in front of his friends), one of his teachers struck up a conversation with me.  As she spoke, my pride for Patrick continued to grow.

"Patrick always listens the first time."

"Patrick always does the right thing."

"Patrick is always happy to be here."

"Patrick's laugh.  The big laugh.  Do you know what I'm talking about?" (Do I ever.)

"If I ever had a little boy, I would dress him just like Patrick."

 

And there was this kid, the one with the big attitude who butts heads with me daily and who allllllwwwaaays think he's right, the one I worried about having home full-time again and the fighting that is sure to ensue, the one whose behavior I question...that one, he's a good kid.  When I'm not there to remind him, he's a good kid.  

Either because of us or in spite of us, something has gone right in that handsome little freckled boy.

I'm just so proud. So proud.

(And maybe still just a little worried about the fighting this summer.  These boys. They fight.)

Hannah Catherine

Hannah Catherine Groves made her appearance on May 19th, 2014 at 1742, or 5:42pm.  

She is magical.

Here is how it went down:

I was quite literally driving myself crazy in the waiting room.  Every breath I took was a prayer for "the baby." Please, God, make the delivery easy.  Please be good to Colleen.  Please be with Justin.  Please help the baby transition.  Make her ("it," at that time) breathe.  Please, please, please.

And then it was time for the thank-yous.

Justin came walking slowly down the hallway.  If you know Justin, you know how big his smile is, and this was the biggest it has ever been.  His eyes were sparkling.  We hugged hard  as he said, "It was so awesome.  Come on back."

The walk down the hallways was a mile long.  By that, I mean about 35 feet.  But it felt all of a mile, and then there was Colleen, dazed, smiling...with a baby in her arms--a beautiful baby with a head full of fuzzy strawberry hair and a teeny nose and a pretty little heart-shaped mouth.  "I'm a girl baby," Colleen said softly, "my name is Hannah.  Hannah Catherine." My heart exploded.

Have you ever seen a perfect baby? Of course you have.  They are all perfect.  Each one of them.  Including this one:

Welcome to the world, sweetest Hannah.  We have been waiting so long for you! I have so many things to tell you, to show

you, to laugh with you about, but all in good time.  For now, we'll all love you and love your parents and watch as they make you a great, hopeful, beautiful life.  Happy Birthday, little girl.  The world is so happy to have you! 

(PS-I'm still your favorite.)

May 19, 2014: 1743

Loving God, hold the hands of Colleen now and keep her safe; put Your own Spirit into her very breathing and into the new baby, for whom we wait with awe and hope.  We ask you this through Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

I'm not even sure how to title this post, as the person about whom I am writing, I have not even met.  But I will soon.

As I type this, I am sitting in my little sister's labor room.  She's 10cm dilated, 100% effaced, and a +1 station.  In laymen terms, she is pretty close to pushing.

I cannot begin to relay my excitement.  I worry that I'll overstep my boundaries and forget all sense (because I do that.) But my little sister, one of my favorite people on the earth, is about to embark on my favorite journey.  My favorite job. What makes this even better is that she's going to be wonderful at it. It may become her favorite, too.

Dear Future Niece or Nephew,

I cannot begin to tell you how excited your family is to have you.  Beyond just your parents, your grandparents, your aunts, uncles, even pseudo family members have been checking in all day to check on you.  You are loved beyond measure.  (I shouldn't have to tell you this, but you should know that I'm your favorite. Already. Let's just lay that groundwork early.)

You are so lucky! Your parents have been wanting to meet you for longer than you have even existed.  Your room has been carefully prepared, your clothes washed, and I know for certain, without her telling me, that your mom has already snuck into your room late at night and tried to picture what you'll look like in the crib and what she'll look like holding you in the rocker.  

Your life is going to be good.  It already is.  And I speak for everyone you know and who love you when I say get here soon! We can't wait to meet you! 

Godspeed, little angel.

Love,

Aunt Catie

Your Favorite

5.19.14, 1641

I've moved to the waiting room and Colleen is pushing.  In no time at all, she's going to be a Mom (and Justin, of course, will be a Dad.) The reality of how quickly life is about to change for them is almost too much to handle! How did I miss this at the time I was having my own children? Ugh, hindsight. 

Colleen has been a champ.  She looks beautiful, is cheerful, talkative, winces every few minutes and keeps on chatting.  Typical Colleen. Justin could not be more relaxed...at least, outwardly.  

My mom is on her way! I can't wait to have some company here in the waiting room! (There are lots of people sitting nearby, but they are watching Daniel Tiger on a Mac and I can't hear, "Groooooooown-ups cooooome baaaaaaaack" one more time. I just can't.  Where are my ear buds?) Every single time the elevator dings, I risk giving myself whiplash trying to see who is about to get off.  

This is amazing.  It's a really, really good day. One of the best.

This story will be continued...

Coffee Date Wednesday

As I'm sitting down for my second cup of coffee this morning, the baby is sleeping and the boys are busying themselves with some homemade Popsicles.  I've got a few minutes to fill you in on the Walden family happenings, so let's do it! (Here, I'm taking an idea directly from a lovely fellow Hanoverian: a virtual [and unfortunately one-sided] coffee date for us today.)

If you were settling in on the love seat across from me, with a steamy cup of morning brew with some sugar-free Caramel Macchiato creamer, here are the topics we'd cover:

1.) We're potty-training! And we're having decent success, I'd say, for a 2.5 year-old boy.  I'd like to have him trained by next week, but that might be some wishful thinking.  Still, we'll trudge ahead and keep our fingers crossed that we'll have just one in diapers soon...a luxury we're not very accustomed to having.  (Side note: when potty training boys, if you happen to have, say, marbles around, put them up high. A diaperless boy is acutely aware of his parts, and weird things happen to the marbles.  Weird things.)

2.) Easter was a good day for us.  Easter service was gorgeous.  The incense, flowers, Holy Water...sigh.  It was beautiful.  It was a bittersweet day for us, though, as my side of the family was absent.  Not to dive right into the deep stuff, but my father had an emergency (therefore, unplanned) surgery in Arizona on Friday that shook us all deeply. He'll be there for an undisclosed period of time, so while I'm worried and sleepless and missing him, I'm also missing my mother just as much, as she flew out to be with him.  If you are a praying person, those are much appreciated. I speak for all of my siblings when I say we'd love nothing more than to get them both home.

3.) I need ideas for a four year-old's birthday.  Because, in one week my sweet little Leo will be just that.  It'll just be me and the kids, so I'm trying to come up with a super-fun day for my little guy. (We'll be at Hooters, for sure. He's already requested that. In our defense, before you judge too much, those girls really are great with the kids and, aside from some cleavage, are pretty covered.  They aren't indecent.  Swear it.)

4.) Preparations are underway for my little sister's baby shower.  Did I mention she was pregnant? She is...and due very soon.  And, God help me, I will inhale the bejeezus out of that tiny thing.  I'm unreasonably excited, both to meet my new niece/nephew and to see my sister as a mother. (She's going to be great at it.)  And perhaps I can start to pay back all of the free help she's given me over the years.

5.) Finally, our Annie Bananie is nearly 8 months old.  She's crawling, two teeth, says three words, and is super-goofy.  And she loves her Dad.  Her whole face lights up when she sees him.  It's nothing short of precious.  We did finally give her some solid food on Easter, which she really seemed to enjoy, so maybe we'll do something with that.  Maybe. But, for now, she's breastfeeding with vigor again and seems very content with that.  She's a good girl. 

On that note, it's time to tend to the sticky mess in the kitchen.  And maybe put on real pants.

Yesterday, I made a mistake that cost me a lot of time.  And discomfort.  And some blood.  And now, as I type this, I am listening to the sweetest baby girl cry herself to sleep because she can't breastfeed (as a direct result of my mistake) and that's all she wants to fall asleep.  And it sucks. 

I didn't do anything any-/everyone I know hasn't done.  I just happened to get a little more unlucky than some of my peers.  And that also sucks.

And, today I cried a lot.  I'm crying because I'm worried and I selfishly want things to go back to normal and to speed up this whole process, but I'm more upset (okay, maybe not more upset, but it's pretty close), that there is a wonderful and sweet woman (who I knew for all of three hours) tonight who is also worried, and feels somehow responsible, even though she did nothing wrong.  And that makes me feel worse.  Triple-suck.

It's Good Friday, and today wasn't a good day.  In fact, it was a pretty bad day.  But, if that's not enough of a reminder that it could have been worse, though, I don't know what is.

Chins up!

Tomorrow will be a brand new day.  And we'll start all over again, if you'll forgive my somewhat-vague blog post.  (And if your weekend kind of got off to a craptastic start, as ours did, let's take a moment to take a big, deep, breath together and start this circus show all over.)

Happy Easter, friends and family!  May your weekends be as joyful as I hope ours is!

...And then one day, the sweetest baby girl we have officially began to crawl. 

H.B.T.M.

Today was my 34th birthday.  It's also the last year that I will be younger than my mom.  (Not really, of course, but the first time I remember knowing how old my mom was, she was 35. In my young, impressionable, 9 year-old mind, she was forever immortalized as a 35 year-old woman.)

For the 6th year in a row, I didn't get to spend my actual birthday with my husband, but that's not so bad anymore.  It's bummer, yes, but we work around it.  What's more important to note is what I did do today...because it really couldn't have been a better one.

Today, I did absolutely everything I wanted.  

I woke up an hour early, showered, did my face and hair, and drank piping hot coffee all by myself.

I made pancakes!

I wore sparkly jewelry because...why not?

I cleaned this house from top to bottom.  I mean, all the laundry is done and the walls are clean. (As clean as they are going to be, at least.  Some tiny boy at some point found a highlighter, which, to be positive, is better than a Sharpie.)

I got a manicure.  Well, I gave myself a manicure.  Same thing.

I ate a gourmet meal (provided by my mother).  Lobster roll and key lime pie? I mean, come on.  That ranks pretty high on the Perfect Meals for the First Day of Spring list.

I got flowers (x3)!

I made a protein shake in my new blender! (Omg, I really am old.  Because this is a birthday highlight.  And I'm not at all embarrassed.)

I am, at this very moment, enjoying a lovely glass of wine.  It won't be my last.

In a few moments, I'm going to take a hot, steamy, Epsom salt bath.

So, yes, my birthday was simple.  But it was also simply awesome.  I mean that.  I don't mind getting  older one single bit because 1.) I don't actually feel old and 2.) my life just gets better each year.  Eh, I have some tendonitis now and those fine lines around my eyes aren't quite "fine" anymore.  My circle of friends is a bit smaller.  My bright freckles have faded.  I worry a lot.  But I like where I'm heading. I have tendonitis from picking up my beautiful children. The lines around my eyes are from good times that I have had.  The friends I have are ones who know the good, bad, and ugly of me.  Nobody needs freckles.  I worry because I have a lot of people to worry about.  I love where I am in life.  I love the anticipation of where I'm going.  I love the ordinary, not-terribly-exciting business of being a mother, a wife.  I love my life, all thirty-four years of it.  

Shortly after Adam and I got engaged, I turned 26. I remember telling my sister on my birthday that year that it just didn't feel like a regular birthday.  She said, "That's probably because you already have everything you ever wanted."  Yes.  That's where I am at...again...at 34. Job, kids, marriage, family, social life, etc.  I'm where I should be. I couldn't ask for more.  And to those of you who play a big or a small role in the happiness of our lives, thank you. If you're thinking, "Does she mean me?" I assure you that I do.

Cheers to the next 34! 

Happy birthday to me.  Happy, happy indeed.