7 Quick Takes - Peter update

1) Peter is 3.75 (ish) months-old today.

I have stopped doing weekly pictures of him on the day of the week he was born (Friday) -- mostly because I keep forgetting to take the picture. So I have returned to the vague about-a-month or about-a-month-and-a-half to relay his age. It only bothers me because babies change SO FAST and going by week gives a much more accurate understanding. But the general public really doesn't care, I am sure, and are probably much happier to just hear his age in months, so there ya go.

This outfit came from his Grandma. She appreciates the love of superheros that goes on in this house. --  But it should be noted that when Rebekah saw the outfit she exclaimed, "But Peter is not an orphan!!" I explained to her that he can be a new kind of super hero that comes from a nice loving family who continues to live, even while he fights crime or saves the world, or whatever.

2) Peter is liking his new toy.

Although I love to hold my babies, and carry them in my arms, and wear them strapped to my body, sometimes I just need to put them down for five or ten minutes so I can take a shower or work with messy/hot food in the kitchen!  Thus, when a friend was selling her "amazing-toy-of-awesome" (although that was not quite the phrase she used) I decided to give it a try.  At first Peter was too short for it - his feet dangled (as the seat is not adjustable) and he did NOT like that. But this morning (a few weeks later) a thick folded blanket under his feet did the trick and he was able to enjoy this "play-station" while I took a shower.

3) Blowing raspberries is probably Peter's favorite "thing" right now.

I'm not sure this needs explanation. But I will note this is how he woke me up this morning.

4) Peter is better than an alarm clock.

I should qualify that by "better" I mean more effective at awakening me. Unfortunately I cannot figure out how to turn him off, or even set him for a later time. But he does a great job of gagging on my milk, blowing raspberries, wiggling, grunting, etc. to make me wake up with him in the morning.

And he WAS waking up about 7:30am, which is a great time to get up. I can make the coffee for my hubby before work and that is about when the kids start wandering around. But the last few days he has been up and moving around 6:30am which is just so early for this tired-stayed-up-too-late momma! But what's a gal, to do? I know he will sleep better eventually -- probably by the time he is in high school.

5) Peter loves to be talked to.

He will look you in the eye. He will smile. He will coo and screech. He is a big fan of interaction.

6) This stubborn boy will NOT take a binky!!

I have tried and tried to give Peter a binky (because my other children took binkies and it was such a great way to keep them calm and help them sleep). Peter, however, will give me the most horrible face every time I try to put it in his mouth and then he will cry and fuss and generally just be miserable.  He won't suck his thumb, either. Silly boy.

7) Peter enjoys being walked to sleep.

Although I enjoy breastfeeding Peter, as I have all my other children, Peter is the first to not put sleeping right after eating. He will enjoy some milk and then all of a sudden pull off and be "done." So I will burp him and rock him and listen while he cries. And then often I end up walking him around and he dozes off. 

I'm thinking this might be partially accidental training I have done. As you know I have been getting more and more into walking. I see it as my challenge -- can I walk to do this errand?  And the more I carry, the better! So I have been walking and carrying Peter everywhere since he has been born. He is quite used to it now. Hence him enjoying that movement and being soothed to sleep by it. 

Pros: I enjoy walking, so what's a little more to get the little guy down. Cons: Our house is small, so I have to take him outside to really get a good path, but it is often hot and distracting and sometimes buggy. 

"Until we meet again. . . " - Peter

Advent Updates

So the title might make you think that I'm going to be doing some deep reflecting on the season of Advent, but I tricked you because I actually am just using that title because it IS Advent and these are some of the things I have been noticing.  So while some MAY have to do with the liturgical season, I actually chose the title simply because of timing.  In any case, if you are still reading this, feel free to read on. . .

The Children:

Zipporah reminds me of a little monkey as she toddles around, all bow-legged, tummy sticking out.  It is really adorable.  I read in a book somewhere that children learn to walk by mimicking their parents, so perhaps I need to consider my walking style.

Samuel has taken to whistling. . . a lot.  And I've been grumpier than usual, so I'm often telling him all day to cut it out (in a bit of a gruff tone).  I hope I'm not scarring him for life.  On the positive side, he must be happy to be constantly wanting to make such noise "music."

Miriam, all dressed up.

Miriam is growing into her middle name, Dolores, at least as far as it favors her Great Grandma Dolores Stroda.  While Miriam continues to be sweet and kind and loving, she has this growing bossy attitude.  She wants things done how she wants them and done and while she is sweet and polite about it, her persistence can be overwhelming!

Jacob is really blooming at his school studies. . . when I can manage to keep him in the same room as me to get them done!  He seems to really enjoy reading now, although I don't think he would admit that, but he will gladly sit down and let me read to him and ask him questions about the text as we go.  He is also quite proficient in Math and LOVES to do Science.  His only trouble is handwriting.  Since Math has lots of writing it is definitely a chore to get done.  And as for writing sentences. . . oh buddy, the challenge is real.  I'm going to laugh when he becomes a writer some day - hah.

Random picture of Rebekah and Zipporah, for your viewing pleasure.

Rebekah has started this habit of drinking from her cup sideways.  Seriously, she holds it up to only have her mouth, purses her lips real tight and drinks.  I try not to comment but just seeing it drives me nuts.  At least she has it down and does not spill or anything.

Paul has been grumpier than usual lately, but I'm chalking it up to the holidays.  He carries a lot of energy in all he does and that can be overwhelming at times.  He was throwing himself full-throttle into his school work, but he is only in kindergarten, so there really is not that much to do!  He will easily be done with Math by the end of January and his Literature will be close behind - as will the rest of the his work.  I'm wondering if his teacher has any tips for us as this happens (I forgot to bring it up in our last conference).  There are lots of educational games for him to play on the computer, but I don't think more screen time is the answer.  If more "official school" curriculum is not available I just might need to get him some extra workbooks of some sort.  Unlike his older brother, Jacob, Paul LOVES to write and even wrote a letter to Grandma - all on his own!

Around the House:

I taught Rebekah and Samuel how to do laundry, but honestly I like doing it myself.  Samuel is still the best at folding and putting the clothes away, but he is grumpy about it.  Miriam is the most eager and a little helpful, Paul is even more helpful, but neither of them are good at keeping the drawers neat - surprise, surprise.  Fortunately we have low standards around here.

A while back our oven died and we picked up another used one that was nicer than our old one!  And get this, the new one has A SELF-CLEANING feature!!  I used it the other day and it turned out great!

All the kids are are getting better at getting their dishes into the dishwasher after meals and that is such a blessing.  Although, once again, Samuel is the best at getting the table cleaned off.  Rebekah can do it, but she often comes up with some mostly-plausible excuse to not have to (just like her Daddy).  

As for cooking, Rebekah and Samuel are both quite helpful in making simple meals.  Now we all just need to learn some more recipes!

Faith

We had a friend over to play the other day - a friend we see at church regularly - and somehow my older kids got on this kick bragging about the prayers they know!  They were going on and on and while I am glad they know lots of prayers, I was thoroughly embarrassed to have them flaunting them that way!  Oh humility.  I guess I have been focusing a little too much on the "bare bones" (aka, the words to the prayers) and not enough on the spirit behind the prayers!  Back to the drawing board here.

Our Advent wreath continues to be a hit.  Rebekah and Samuel take turns lighting the candles.  Samuel reads one of our devotionals and Rebekah reads the Scripture for the Jesse Tree ornament.  If I forget, they always remind me.

Gordie and I have been consistent with our Night Prayer (from the Liturgy of the Hours) finally, due to an Advent resolution on my part.

Fun

Gordie was going to put climbing stones on the OUTSIDE of the garage and get harnesses and everything and have the kids climb all the way to the top (two stories up!) but then he realized anchoring the stones on the second story would mess up his drywall inside our playroom.  So instead he came up with this idea for an indoor wall!  The kids all love it and he can hardly wait to get materials to make more - thinking of having the kids climb horizontally around the room.  Gordie is also hoping to put some handles on the ceiling for the kids to swing from to get around as well.

Rebekah received the game Dixit from St. Nicholas and it has been a hit.  Her artistic side really enjoys the pictures I think and it is simple enough that she has been able to play it with Samuel and her cousins when they came and her friends.

Speaking of which, St. Nick brought the game  Suspend to Jacob and of course the pieces have never been used in the recommended "game form" but they have gotten non-stop action as building tools, of course.  Jacob has built everything from collapsible planes to giant leaning sky-scrapers.

Picnic in December?  Sure, why not?

Random Children Update

Normal OCD people give regular updates of their children (or possibly take a picture of them every week on the day of the week they were born. . . sorry, Monica, I hope we are good enough friends for me to make fun of you -even though I secretly admire your ambition) but although I might have some OCD in me, I am anything but regular.  However, I have never let this stop me before.  So, I feel like sharing some of the cute things my kids have been doing/are up to and even though it is not necessarily a "milestone" or a "half-birthday" or some such, I know that if I don't share now when I have an inkling do do so, I will most likely forget by the time it is "proper" to do such an update.  So, there you have it - my great explanation for a reason to brag about how great my kids are.  Read on if you care to find out.

MIRIAM

Miriam is only eight-weeks-old (aka two months) tomorrow, but she is growing SO FAST!!  I am already asking where my baby went as I cuddle my little "chunk" :)
*She has the most adorable snort.  Only babies can get away with making this noise in a non-rude capacity and she does it very well.  I find it one of her most endearing qualities.  (Of course, there is not much about her that I do not find endearing -as only a mother can, of course :)

*She also does this little breath in quickly, breath in quickly, breath out slowly thing.  I'm not sure what causes it.  In an adult it would be a calming thing - I often take a deep breath and let it out slowly just because I think it feels good.  I learned this habit from my dad, but EVERY time he would do when I was younger, I would cringe and he would clarify, "I'm just breathing" so I did not think he was upset with me for something or other.  In any case, back to adorable Miriam and her "instinctive" calming breathing thing.  Again, very adorable here.

*On practical matters, she has been sleeping a good six hour chunk at night for a couple nights in a row here and that is exciting.

*She is "typical" (for being one of my children) in her eating.  She nurses well and often, which could be annoying for others, but I really don't mind - or even think about it unless my companions make comments such as, "She needs to nurse AGAIN?" Which makes me stop and ponder when she last nursed - often not long ago.  She would probably nurse every hour if she did not fall asleep.  But this is the one point in her life when she can eat AS MUCH and AS OFTEN as she would like AND IT IS TOTALLY FINE, so why not let her enjoy it?!?!  Soon enough she will be an adult and have to make "responsible" eating choices and such, but now she can be carefree, why not baby her, 'eh? :)

*She gives out some smiles now, but I imagine she will be giving many more soon.  The first one she gave me ABSOLUTELY melted my heart. I am never prepared for just how much I can love my children.  I remember thinking about Rebekah sleeping in her crib (when she was our only child) and thinking of how I might BURST because I just loved her SO MUCH!  If anything happened to her, I would be ABSOLUTELY crushed.  Any parent reading this knows what I'm talking about here and maybe even some who are not parents.  But in any case, it caught me totally off-guard with Rebekah and then with each child, my love grows more than I think it possibly can!  Miriam is no exception.  Oh I LOVE this little lady! :)

PAUL

*Paul is the most inquisitive child for his age (2 years) that I have come across.  He asks about EVERYTHING.  He wants to touch it.  Turn it off and on.  Take it apart.  See how it works.  Because of this, he is "highly destructive," but I have come to realize (or at least HOPE) that it is not with malicious intent that he destroys EVERYTHING he can get his hands on.  He is really just curious.

*He is a TALKER!  He is constantly asking what things are and then repeating back the new words.  And you can almost see his little brain classifying and storing the new information.  He comments on EVERYTHING.  He talks about toys, trains, doors, people, fences, cars, food, etc.  And he is ALWAYS commenting.  If he is not talking, something is wrong, or he happens to have a mouth full of food (which does not last long).

*Paul likes to climb and is very agile for his age.  Every time I hear, "I jump!?!?" I frantically search around for where he might be and usually respond with an emphatic, "NO!"  "How about you jump on the ground?  See, down here!"  He easily climbs into his older brother's top bunk and pretty-much anywhere else in the house.  I've thought of asking him to fetch items from the top kitchen cabinets, but I hate to encourage him.  Maybe once he is older - like say, four years :)

*He is very STRONG-WILLED.  Recently Paul transferred from a playpen (the tallest "bed" we had) to a "bed" (mattress on the floor) because of the previous comment about him (he started climbing out).  Bedtime right now is a bit on the challenging side as he does not wish to stay in his room and go to sleep and no amount of anything - love or punishment - seems to get him there gracefully.  I am PRAYING PRAYING PRAYING this stage will pass already.  Just this evening I finally took the light bulb out of the lamp in the boys' room as well (the overhead bulb has been removed for a couple weeks now) since Paul INSISTED on turning the light on the minute the door was shut.

*I should also note, that despite his challenging habits at the moment, Paul has THE MOST ADORABLE blond curls and blue eyes. (I know I am his mother, but others comment on this as well - it really deserves to be noted :).  He reminds me of a doll - honestly.

JACOB

*Jacob is a gentle giant.  He came out at a tenth of a pound shy of being considered eleven pounds (10 lbs, 15.4 oz).  Now at almost four-years-old he has larger feet than his twenty-two-months older brother and weighs a tenth of a pound more than him.  (And I should note, his older brother is not small for his size.)  Fortunately, Jacob generally has a sweet temperament.  But if you make him mad enough, he will fight back and you will be very sorry as when he does kick and bite - well, lets just say it is not easily forgotten.  (Little brother Paul had a bruise for a week where Jacob bit him back - NOT ON PARENTAL SUGGESTION I must add.)

*Jacob enjoys his siblings.  We sent him to preschool this last year because he could be in the same class as his older brother.  He HATED school and by the end would generally do what he was told, but always played by himself.  However, he has ALWAYS played with his siblings here at home and when they are gone he will ask me (in a sad voice) where they are and tell me he misses them.

*He is intensely creative.  He takes random toys, or parts of toys (often those odd ones from the McDonalds' Happy Meals that Nana brings) and turns them into everything and anything from a ship to a robot or a giant.  He definitely sees things a bit differently.

*He is showing some stubborn tendencies, but we are hoping those will fade as he gets older.  With so many to keep track of, and his size, I often expect him to act more mature than is typical for his age.  Overall, though, with enough encouragement he can be helpful and follow directions most of the time.

SAMUEL

*Samuel (5-years-old) has a soft spot in his heart for his sisters.  He has often commented on how much he loves his baby sister Miriam and told me, with a smile, that we need nine more girls in our family.  Rebekah is his favorite playmate right now, definitely not by coincidence!

*Getting a straight answer out of Samuel can be difficult sometimes.  Either he does not really know what he wants or for whatever reason, just gets his words confused. We only have two cereal choices, but finally I held up both boxes and had him point to the one he wanted as he kept throwing out phrases such as, "you can just give me this one next time."  What next time?  Which one do you want NOW??  Silly boy.

*Samuel LOVES to play video games.  His great uncle got him an Atari for Christmas this past year (a new one - yes, they still make them).  The joystick handles both broke within a few weeks, but Samuel figured out how to stick his thumbs in the hole and touch the relays (totally safe, by the way) to still play the games - and play them well!!  We recently dug out the original X-box (Halo edition) that Gordie's brother gave us for our wedding.  Samuel has been beside himself with glee.  He almost took the Halo disc to bed tonight, but was afraid he might hurt it.  This boy takes his two-hours of screen time seriously every day!

*Samuel is fast!  He can run and run and run and even with his arms flailing every which way (in a manner that would slow most people down considerably) he will win the race.  Maybe we should start training him for the Olympics!  Or we could let him grow up first, I guess :)

REBEKAH

*Rebekah is really growing her own personality and I love to watch it blossom.  I know all the kids have their own personalities, but Rebekah is at the point were she can really express things and offer the reason behind her thinking.  She is truly caring and often wants to know what she "should" do (morally speaking), or what would be kind, helpful, etc.  Although she is not always eager to run around at my every whim, she is INCREDIBLY helpful when I ask her to do something.  Today alone I think she wiped Paul's nose at least eight times for me!  (I must put in, that she is not perfect ALL THE TIME - just most of it, so far :)

*She has a fun goofy side (that I would say she gets from her father) and will do some pretty crazy things, such as wear her hair a funny way, wrap a ribbon around her elbow, or tie her blanket up a like a toga. And don't even get me started on the pretend games she plays with her brothers.

*Rebekah is a lot like me in that she seems to really enjoy school book-work.  She will sit down with her math book and work through an entire chapter or two (which SHOULD take about a month).  (Of course, math is her favorite subject, but she will do the same for spelling or grammar.)

*Rebekah LOVES to read.  This she gets from both Gordie and myself.  She will carry books around.  She will read while walking or while holding Miriam's binky in.  She will read in the bathroom.  She will read over my shoulder - on the computer or in whatever book I have open.  She will read aloud to her brothers.  And one of my new favorites, she will read the messages the X-box games put up so Samuel knows what to do in his games.  I hope she never loses this love of reading.

So there's the scoop on my kiddos.  I have really enjoyed reflecting on them.  I hope some day I am able to find this list and share it with them once they are grown.  I imagine they will get quite a kick out of it :)

Kids

It has been a little while since I gave much of an update on the kids and they are doing more and more all the time, so I figured I better get on it!

Before Mass on Sunday - they LOVE to stop at this bench.

Rebekah:

*She is getting soooooo helpful!  She can watch Paul for me, or help him down from places he is not supposed to be (like the kitchen table).

*She still loves all things "girly" - pink, purple, hearts, purses, pretty hair things, etc

(With that said, she still rarely lets me do her hair as she is a tender-head.)

*She is still doing dance class (ballet and tap) and has recently joined the swim team (although she is basically just advanced lessons at this point).

*Our Girl Scout troop will begin meeting next week and she is beside herself with excitement.

*I really enjoy when she calls me "Momma" for some reason.  I hope it never gets shortened to the typical "Mom."

Samuel:

*He is a talker!!  He can keep up a running commentary at all times of everything that might be around us or in his head.

*He is also very inquisitive.  He cannot help himself but ask questions about EVERYTHING.  Although I know this is good learning for him it annoys me to no end when his questions are improperly formed (as in so badly I have trouble distinguishing what he wants to know).  He often wants to group things by saying "always, everyone, all the people," etc, and I am always telling him, no not ALWAYS or every time, but THIS TIME it is this way - for THIS PERSON (not every person).  I guess I should look at it as a game like Daddy does (making things up as he goes) - perhaps I take life a little too seriously sometimes.

*Samuel is very athletic and sad that he is not old enough to play real soccer or do swim team yet.

*His favorite book right now is "The Cat in the Hat"

Jacob:

*Jacob is my cuddly guy.  He loves to give me hugs and sit with me and look me in the eye.  He likes to be the baby turtle and have me be the mommy turtle.

*He is getting more coordinated all the time, running and jumping after his big brother Samuel.

*He is enjoying school (I think) even though every day I get a report of how he did not behave quite right.  He is happy when I pick him up and often when I leave him, so it can't all be bad.  I think he enjoys having his brother in the same class

*He loves to build with his mega blocks.

*Unfortunately lately his little brother, Paul, has discovered that pulling at, dropping, or breaking apart those blocks causes a great response from Jacob.

*He has tons of words and knows a lot of his letters.  I love to listen to him talk.  One of the phrases I enjoy hearing (because it is cute - not because I really want him saying it) is "No, I tan't" (No I can't).

*He is in the full swing of 3-year-old rebellion, being contrary to everything, but he has THE MOST ADORABLE pouty face.  So I really don't mind.

Paul:

*Paul is at the stage where he is a terror but he is so stinking cute you can't possibly get mad at him.
*He has a few words already.  He recently has started saying "Thank you."  Although it sounds more like "dank you."  But he says it as he brings me something (I guess in anticipation of me saying to him for bringing whatever to me).

*Some of his other phrases: "What's dis?" "I have dis."  He also says "Daddy" and he can say Mommy, but sadly he does not say it much.

*He is getting very good at feeding himself with a spoon.  Although finger foods like peas, black beans, and bananas are still his favorites.

*He still nurses like crazy but it makes him happy so I roll with it.

*I love his little toddle and his giggle.

Hooray for my crazy - fun - little family :)  Thank you God for these blessings!  My life is so full and amazing with them!