Clara #1

Yes, these pictures are in reverse order, but you get the same idea.  

Happy Birthday Clara, we all love you.

Dearest Clara, is it really true?  

Today we say Happy First Birthday to You!

Let's take a moment and pause as we do,

to recall the fond memories with this year in review.

You came into the world much as you live it now, calmly and with fair warning. (And thankfully following the family credo:  if you're not early you're late.) I do recall the instant you came out, with far too many nurses rushing around a little too frantically, and you taking your own sweet time to make that first call of life.  I know some of those nurses, one in particular, was a little bit worried.  You were a shade of blue a bit too bright to be alright.  Finally, however, in your own sweet time, you took your breath.  For some reason, I knew you would, I wasn't worried.  You didn't cry though, it was just a yell as if to tell everyone "quiet done already, I'm here and I'm fine now quit poking."  And then you rested, and finally we snuggled -- your big round baby cheeks and fresh new skin.

And then you ate.  And you ate and you ate and you ate.  And you were so happy.  You are still happy, such a people person.  Your smiles are so honest and pure.  You love waving to anyone, and want to touch their hand.  As if you know that one touch from you will cure the evils in the world.  As if being palm to palm with another person will make them forget their troubles; and, for many, I think even if ever so briefly it does.  Your euphoria can be contagious.  Especially your great big belly laugh.  You think Greta is hysterical.  You don't even realize that this benefits all of us.  You give Greta an audience, you give us a break, and the laughter that plasters our walls is infectious.

I'm so sorry your ears hurt for so long.  I wish I could've crawled in there and fixed them sooner, but your happy demeanor didn't seem to plead your case about how bad they really were.  I'm glad they're better now.  And I'm glad you're sleeping through the night.  Isn't it nice, to get that 11 or 12 hours of just pure fresh baby sleep?  I do miss you though.  11 months of seeing you several times a night, and now I have to go half the day missing you after not seeing you all day?  But it's best for us all, so sleep on little snuggle bunny.

We are done nursing, you and I.  I think you were more ready than I was.  You just finished your last bag of frozen breast milk too.  I know you don't like that formula as much, but you tolerate it because you looooooove your bottles.  In fact, it seems like you love them more now than ever.  (That's another story, seeing as you didn't even eat your first few days at daycare because you hated your bottles so much.)  Your favorite foods beside that are tomatoes, avocado and corn.  Did you come from me--I mean, tomatoes and corn?  Ew.  But I'm so glad you eat them so heartily.  

Now we're ready for the next step.  For a while I thought you were ready to talk, I know I've heard things like "hi", and I thought there was a 'bye bye' at some point, but now you're back to some loud and crazy gurglings.  But that's okay, because I like those too.  No rush here, but you know you're going to have to walk one of these days.  I can't carry you forever, even though I'd like to.  Especially when you will stop whatever you are doing, and just come over and lay your head on my shoulder.  Truly amazing, and unforgettable.

Dear Clara, you have brought so much joy into so many lives this year.  I can't wait to see what the future holds.  In the last couple of days, as you have become a bit frustrated with diaper changes, endured a little more wrestling torture from your sister, and have found that there is amazing solace in a soft blankie, you have also learned a truly valuable lesson.

That when you are having a bad day, that when there are things you can't 

control, sometimes the best thing of all.....

is your own big toe.

PS -- Clara, I know it's your birthday, but were you that excited that TODAY you had to wake up at 3:45? For two hours?

Is this right?

This conversation has happened before. Several times, in fact. It's just that it hasn't been until recently that I've realized at some point it has all become a game. A mind game, a challenge. I wonder if Greta is counting to herself to realize how long it will take me to either go completely bonkers, or to realize what she is up to.

Before we begin, let's give some quick background:
1) Greta has known left and right for nearly a year.
2) Greta is totally capable of putting on her own shoes. Tying no, puttin on the feet, yes.

Here's how the insanity works:
Put shoe on foot.

Stare at it. Ask mom: "Is this shoe on the right foot?" Mom, who is ALWAYS busy when this game is being played calmly says "Nope, looks like it should go on the other foot." Aha! And the bait has been grabbed. "No Mommy, it's on the right foot." "No Greta, can't you feel how uncomfortable it is..." Again, and again and over and over the question the answer the comments, until I finally stomp over, line up the shoes correctly so we can move on with life. Greta 1 Mommy 0

And so, after about 20 times of this over countless weeks, I realized something. When you put your left shoe on the wrong foot, it is not on the "wrong foot" it is indeed on the right foot.

This morning, I was smarter. When asked the million dollar question "Mommy, is this shoe on the right foot?" I smiled, looked at her through a foamy toothpaste of a smile and said "Yes, Greta, it is on the right foot. But can you please put your left shoe on your left foot, and your right shoe on your right foot?" "Sure mommy!"

Ha, now we're tied.

take my temp!

Stick a fork in me, I'm done.  No, I'm not sick, I'm hot.  Nothing to do with looks either, trust me on that one.  (Some of you can stop laughing now...please.)  

I was in my trailer (ugh, classroom...'learning cottage' as the higher ups call it) without air all day, now I know what sardines in a can sitting in the trunk of a car in the middle of the desert in August feel like.  They spend half of what is called winter down here freezing me out so I wear a coat all day and the kids have to wear gloves while writing, and then have us sit in a sauna in the spring.  5th graders can be known to be unpleasant enough BEFORE you put them in a hot sweaty metal box, not only are they prone to unpleasantness after, but they smell bad too.

I was hoping, just hoping I could enjoy a little spring.  That means anything under 80, for a little while. However, I do happen to notice that the greater metro-Detroit area is experiencing a bit of warmth right this moment as well.  In fact, depending on east-side versus west-side (Michigan people, you know what I'm talking about) it is about a degree warmer on the west side than it is here right now.  And, if you know us, in our attempts to weave green &  economical living, we set our thermostat waaaaaay up so that the air doesn't come on until the eggs are frying themselves.  Kidding kidding, of course.  Or, unless my mom comes to visit and complains about how hot it is.  Because she never wears anything that comes above her wrist...or calf.  okayokay.  I'm done.  Stop rolling your eyes mom.  I'm sure Chris is wondering what happened to me, I am actually hiding because Greta will not stop talking and it is driving us insane.... So if this post is random, sorry.  At least when he asks where I've been I can say I've been blogging.  I better go rescue him, he gets to go to work tomorrow, I don't know who has it better....  :)  I need a cool glass of water, and then I think there's a couple of beers in there too.  I think I'll go get us some, relax, try and tune Greta out and just veg.

My sweet little Clara-belle, it is hard for me to believe that one week from today we will sit around the dinner table with cupcakes held high ready to toast and celebrate your first year of life.  I'll save the poetic verse and the joy-filled memories for next week though.  I can't wait.  Thanks for being here with us.

Okay, I had a few minutes this morning, so I thought I'd catch up on some blogging.  These are Easter Sunday pictures from brunch.  It was a gorgeous morning, and we are enjoying Spring.  Not the greatest pics, I'm still playing around with my camera.  My goal is to get it figured out before Clara's birthday, and our spring trip to the beach!

bike ride

I could've sworn I did a post with these, but I guess not!  Short attention span....  

Anyways, here is the inaugural bike riding day.  Greta really enjoyed it, it rained yesterday afternoon, but we look forward to getting out again today!  Notice Clara being so patient playing in the wagon in the background.  I don't think you can see it up close, but that helmet has bunnies on it, and the tail is 3 dimensionally furry!  (Just for you Auntie Danielle.)

Look really really closely at Greta's shoes in the last picture.  They are two different colors.  Someone gave us two pairs of Crocs.  One a pink pair, and the other a kind of coral pair.  Greta has decided (though I don't know why) that she will wear one of each color.  For the past two weeks, she never wears both colors the same.  We've tried to get her to change them, especially when we are going out somewhere, but she just says "no, I like doing it this way".  Okay, I guess there are some things I should just let be now.  It's kind of cute seeing her own fashion passion come through.  I say that now.  Ask me again in a couple of years how that's going.

the most important accessory

I know this picture was up on the last blog.  But I forgot to mention that the 'accessory' bag that it came with was being filled, emptied and filled again with carefully chosen lipsticks and various other accessories before the bike was even assembled.  And, while he is carefully trying to hide it, there is a beer carefully nestled behind Chris' legs....

GLN 3.8

Ready Set SWING!

Wow, what a rush.

That is, 3.8 months.  Over 3 1/2 years old.  Such a change from just plain old 3.  Between 3 and 3 1/2 were some really good months.  Cute, funny, blooming personality, loving, caring, listening, it was all so good.  So much better than whatever came between 16 months and then.... And now, here we are on our way to 4.  It really amazes me.  Not that I have an almost four year old, but just what 4 really is.  I've taught four year olds, I've baby sat four year olds, I know 4.  It's just, that it seems so different now.  You are not just a little girl anymore.  You know the difference between boys and girls.  (no, not that difference -- I mean your "pink is for girls blue is for boys" delineation, "girl" toys and "boy" toys, etc.)  The way you chew your gum, put your hand on your hip and talk with your other hand seemingly explaining the meaning of life, or how you want a pair of roller skates.  

Yes, this is the first time in your life you actually WANT something.  (Besides that one time last November when you spied that Tinkerbell rolling backpack and asked in wide-eyed wonder, "I can't take this home can I?" You made me melt, I caved, you still love it.)  It is all daddy and I can do not to buy you those skates, but we agreed you will get them for your birthday.  That, and the scooter you tried in the store and are also talking about.  Your new swing and new bike are the pre-4 excitement for now.

There's something else about being 3 1/2 though, another point which isn't on my list of favorite things that you do, but I realize it comes with age.  You have your own agenda of when and how things will be done.  "Take your jammies off so we can get you dressed" can take a half an hour unless threats are involved.  You also seem to think your sister is a wrestling dummy.  I know she laughs hysterically when you lay on top of her and jump on her stomach, or whap on her head, or flick her in the cheeks, but for some reason I don't.  All I see is a potential injury with hospitalization. 

So, I can't wait to see what 4 brings. Right now you are so bright and busy, but you still crave attention from us instead of playing with your toys.  Your teacher is raving about your behavior in school, and you are learning so much there.  You are developing "best friends" and are fully aware of people you decisively do not want to be friends with (and for good reasons too).  I think you are a remarkable pre-4 year old.  But, please stop blocking your sister from coming into the room...unless you are going to be the one to change her diaper.

Happy Easter everyone!  We had a great Easter morning.  Greta thought it was amazing that the Easter bunny came, but wasn't really impressed with the real colored eggs he hid and liked the plastic ones better, even though she really didn't care what was inside them.  

Clara is mildly mortified that we left her all day yesterday, and consequently has not wanted us more than 5 feet from her all day.  That's become a tad annoying. 

We did enjoy a spectacular Easter brunch at our favorite restaurant, the Pinecrest Inn -- the world's absolutely most unbelievable omelets.

Dinner of ham and deviled eggs, mashed potatoes and edamame was nice, but uneventful.  Nothing too fancy, holidays really aren't that exciting when you don't have family around, it's pretty much just another meal.  (Same battles, just with maybe an extra table decoration to get in the way.)  

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter, and that if spring hasn't found you yet, it will soon.

GOLF

What a delightful day!  Not only did I get to spend with my husband 13 uninterrupted hours free of wiping, holding, speaking/listening to, feeding/watering, diapering, did I mention wiping, playing or whatever else requires interaction with children...but we marveled in glorious spring.  It was just like someone dropped us off in a picture of springtime.  There were flowers blooming and fragranting the air, birds were chirping, sun was shining.  No sooner did you begin to feel a little warm, then a nice cloud seemed to just swim by or a breeze gently fanned you cooler, and then the sun proceeded to warm you up again.  The shade was refreshing, particularly when enjoying a nice cool beverage and a perfect little lunch.  Yes, combine all of that marvelous springtime watching some great golf, at a once-in-a-lifetime course visit, and the whole day was ...I can't say it enough...perfect.

I even managed to overcome my irrational fear of being spontaneously involved in a catastophic accident (see my life insurance) to enjoy the 4 hour drive (each way) to and from the event today.  And you know what, it wasn't until we were about 2 hours from home that I even really missed the kids!  I hope that doesn't sound too awful, and if it does sound awful to you then 1) you get to go out a lot more than I do and 2) I don't care.

a classic pimento and cheese sandwich:  $1.50

                   ample bag of chips:  $1.00

                22oz draft beer:  $2.75 (NO, that's not per sip, that's per glass!!!!)

watching Tiger Woods tee off on the first tee behind throngs of people:  okay

watching Tiger Woods tee off on 11 tee from the ropes:  more impressive

watching Padraig Harrington tee off, or Phil Mickleson frustrated on the fairway:  better still

a great day at The Master's just me and my hubby:  priceless  :)

And so now, amongst Easter basket preparations, lotioning up the areas of pink popping up on my previously pasty self, it's time to get ready for bed.

Good Friday

          

Please ignore my hair.  Unless you want to give me an ambush makeover or something like that.  In fact, put your thumb over my part of the picture...there, isn't that better?

I COULD be taking a nap right now.  The house is eerily silent...dogs are sleeping, the cat is sleeping...Chris is still at work...and BOTH -- count 'em, 1...2...-- girls are sleeping.  I, however, am not sleeping.  I am not one to pass up on a napping opporunity -- ever -- however, I had a lovely night's sleep last night and the night before!  Clara slept from 7:30 pm until 6:30 am, and Greta was very quiet until I woke up too.  It was amazing.  At first, I didn't even know where I was!   And so, here I sit with a blank mind, not able to think of anything worth writing about.

I would love to be able to announce the beauty and warmth and all that is lovely about spring, but seeing as there is a thick coat of green pollen coating absolutely everything outside, that is impossible.  It's such a teaser.  As soon as the weather is nice enough to open windows and really spend a lot of time outside -- BAM!  You have to shut the windows, or risk living with sticky, iridescent green EVERYTHING.  We need a really good storm to wash this stuff away too.  Not just a little sprinkle, that does nothing but make everything sticky and messier.  I'm talking one of the good old inch in an hour type of deals.  I do believe we're forecasted for something like that tonight, I'll keep my fingers crossed, even if it means I end up sharing my bed with a certain 3 1/2 year old I know who does not like thunder!  And so, there will not be any poetic spring musings today.

I will wish you all a Happy Easter, there will not be any blogging tomorrow, as I will be enjoying a lovely day in Augusta with Chris watching golf and enjoying the famed Augusta National course.  There won't be any pictures, as no cameras are allowed, but I'll tell you all about it another day.

Michigan Part One

We had it all:  sun, rain, snow... and family fun.  Good to see everyone, I'm going to let most of these pictures just speak for themselves and will come back and update soon.  We miss you already!

Dance Fever

It has become quite the routine in our house that, after dinner, we are all sitting around the living room (aka, our entire house) doing various things that it becomes Greta's time to entertain us all with a dance marathon.  Sometimes we carefully select songs, and other times she goes over to the keyboard and chooses one of the pre-recorded songs that came with the keyboard.  Thankfully she knows how to change the songs now, because for the longest time (months, we're talking) she only knew how to turn on the pre-recorded song, and so it would obviously play the very first song.  That song was a lovely elevator-musak rendition of the ever popular (for who and when I still don't know) "How Deep is Your Love".  Let's just leave it at this when I say there are no words to explain how happy I am that now she knows how to change the songs.  

Greta has been able to move through the song choices, and found a new snappy number that she enjoys marching around the house to.  So, if you are walking by on a warm spring day and hear a certain song ringing through our rafters, it's not that we are overly patriotic people, you can be sure it's just Greta marching, dancing, and pushing repeat to the rousing Battle Hymn of the Republic.

You'll be glad I didn't include pictures when you finish reading this.

Coincidentally, after dinner is also a time that George seems to wake up and get a little punchy.  Amid growling and other unpleasantries, George -- who is as 'kind' at 13(ish) as he was when I met him 8 years ago -- enjoys exerting his dominance over his canine brother Putter, who accepts whatever George has to dish out with grace and humility.  So yesterday during dance time, Greta was dancing, Clara was bebopping to the beat and Greta just starts laughing hysterically.  She just laughs and laughs and we look up and of course, there is George "dominating" Putter -- again and again and again (see why photographs just didn't need to be in this edition).  "Mommy" Greta manages to giggle out "George is dancing over Putter!  Look at him dance!"  

After we could stop laughing ourselves, what could we say except "Yup, Greta.  George is one great dancer."  Where's Simon Cowell when you need him?

We're home!!!!!

I am all ready to begin a blog-fest, as I've missed my time here while I was away.  I have plenty of pictures to share and stories to tell.  

However.

The girls are at school, and seemed quite excited to be back there, and I just finished grocery shopping...

so it's time for a nap.  I need to catch up on all that sleep that Clara so regularly deprived me of.  We need to work on her traveling skills.

So check back later, I promise I'll make it worth it.