Just Catching Up

Summer is in full swing here in our house.  July and August are always crazy months around here.  The garden is doing awesome.  We are eating fresh veggies out of it every day.  I'll do a post on that another time.  The kids have been busy visiting family and hanging out with friends.  Alaina started marching band at the high school. (it still boggles my mind that she's starting high school....) So, she's gone Monday through Friday during the days until school starts.  Rachel has been reading like crazy and crafting.  Cael has been bug hunting and playing with the neighbors. Liam has been crawling, babbling, and just generally being very very curious.  And, he has his first tooth!  Curtis just started a new job. Yeah!  And, me... well.... I've been just trying to keep up with everyone else.  I've been canning summer goods, running kids around, holding a teething baby, looking for bugs, doing house chores and knitting every chance I get.

That's what I really want to post about today.  The knitting!!! I've finished more socks and some other goodies.  I'm knitting dish clothes and matching dishtowels for Christmas gifts.  I finished a pair of socks, two bandana cowls, a fat robin and nest toy, three star child mini dolls, and started some more things.

 Bandana Cowl For Aunt Megan.

 Bandana Cowl For Aunt Shannon.

 Bellatrix Socks

 I Beleaf Socks (I call them Falling Leaves Socks)

 Fat Robin And Nest

Some of the dishcloths.

I have to take photos of everything else still.  More to come soon!

Just Like Me

These kids of mine have changed so much. Seeing our family Christmas photo reminded me of this. I couldn't believe how much Alaina is looking like me. She's always looked so much like her dad.

The other day I learned what a selfie is. Really! This is something that's been around forever, but now has a new special name.....yeah...anyways I was sitting trying to knit when Cael climbed in my lap. My camera was next to me so I grabbed it and took this.

And this

And this

And this

Take that! Photos of me with every one of my kids. I'm always the one behind the camera so finding a photo of me with a kid is crazy few and far between. I love seeing how much of me is in each kid. Same shape or color of eyes, our chins or cheeks. Boy do I love these babes of mine.

New City, New House And A New Baby!

So much has changed in our lives in the past 7 months that I hardly know where to begin. Going month to month seems like the way to go.

July and August:  Both months saw us packing up the house and hosting birthday parties.  Its amazing how much stuff our family has accumulated in the 9 years that we have lived in this house.  I'm glad I took the time to go through our things and pack well.  I even took the time to keep a binder with inventory sheets with all the boxes and contents. I cant begin to say how  much this helped with unpacking.  The kids mostly hung with their friends and did some pouting about moving.  understandable considering we were about to move them across the state.  My baby belly continued to grow, I was still losing weight and feeling generally exhausted and sore.  By the end of August Cael knew something was up and started to gt very clingy and fussy.  It seemed to throw off his whole schedule.  Not good!

September:  We moved out on the1st.  We were very fortunate to have family come and help. Saying goodbye to friends and family was tough.  Especially for our girls. School started on the 3rd.  Ray was excited but nervous. She is such a champ.... she loves her school. Alaina hadn't smiled in months.  But when we walked around her new middle school she actually smiled.  When I got in the car I cried.  I still tear up thinking about that smile.  She was so unhappy about the move so that smile meant a lot to me.   It still took her a few weeks to really start to like her school and make a few good friends.  But that smile.... that smile did so much for us all.

October:  We finally got keys to the house.  It was a forclosure so it was a mess.  We still couldn't move in. And with my due date rolling in fast I really couldn't do much to help.  My folks made the drive over to help Curtis scrape, clean, and paint. And by the end of October we finally got to move in.  Over the month the kids started to enjoy their schools and the Spokane more.  Making the final move into the house was so needed.  Staying with family was wonderful and it couldn't have gone more smoothly, but being in our own space with our own things really made our lives more comfortable and settled.

November: This month was pretty much the "waiting for baby" month.  Everyone (excet me)was busy trying to uppack and keep workingo n the house.  I however couldn't.  This pregnacy was tough on my whole body and I pretty much just wanted to sleep and rest.  Baby finally arrived on the 20th.  I'll do a seperate post about him later.  We had family in the house for much of this month.  It was wonderful and our holiday was peaceful and happy in our new home witho our new babe.

December: Still setteling in really. And waiting for that snow that everyone keeps mentioning.  (it never really came) The holidays were the usual busy that happens.  But, we got to spend Christmas here ate home with my folks.  It was really really nice.  We drove over the pass to see family for the New Year.

January: We spent the New Year at my mother in laws house.  Lots of family and friends got to see the new babe and the kids got to visit their friends that they have missed so  much.  Traveling with the new baby and 3 other kids was more tiring and stressful than I thought it would have been.  But, I wouldn't trade that trip for anything. We were really missing our family and friends.

I guess that brings us up to date.  I'll be doing more posts about our projects and events over the next weeks.

What?! Baby #4?

 

Yep... you see my sidebar and the above photo right.  We are expecting baby #4 on December 1st. Our little one in the ultrasound above is 13 weeks 4 days along. 

This little one is a surprise for us.  We are still in a bit of shock even though we are feeling excited about him/her.  I mean really.... just look at that profile.  For my past 3 babies the first ultrasound was done between 6 and 8 weeks for dating purposes.  Those ultrasounds look mostly like a peanut.  This little one shocked me.  He/she is a fully formed little person about the size of a lemon all curled up.  Perfect spindly legs and arms.  Pearly spine, stomach, bladder, and that beautiful fluttering heart.

How am I feeling?  Well,  I'm tired, cranky, nausaus, weepy and feeling huge.  None of my regular pants fit.  So Saturday I pulled out some older pants from my closet and revamped them into maternity pants.  They are much more comfy, but I'm still in that "I feel huge, but you can't tell I'm pregnant" stage.  This little one is pushing out much much faster than any of my last 3 did.  My midwife says it's because my muscles are good and stretched out by now.... yeah.  Soon shirts will be a problem too.  As most of the ones I have still fit but don't cover the maternity band.  That's ok though... just more sewing fun to be had.

How are the kids and hubby?  Well, the kids were shocked but happy.  And, of course Cael won't really understand what's happening until baby arrives.  Hubby is doing good too although he is certainly craving a good meal.  I can't seam to pull myself into the kitchen to cook lately.  I sorta fixed that today though.  I did some good freezer meal cooking today while I felt good enough.  There are at least 12 meals in there to help out on those days when I just don't want to eat... which is pretty much every day.

I figured I would kinda track my pregnancy here.  So far I've had just the 1 appointment with my midwife.  All is well but she wasn't able to find the heartbeat.  So, she sent me off to get an ultrasound.  I wasn't surprised by this.  It wasn't until my 16th week or so that they were able to get Cael's heartbeat.  Anyways.... the ultrasound went fine.  The tech said "Did you know you have a tilted uterus?"   Yes, I knew.. but just kinda forgot about.  She told me that that was why the midwife couldn't find the heartbeat.

Weight: -10 lbs
Food Cravings... well all I want to eat is bagels and chocolate.

We Love You Mom

I came home from grocery shopping to find this on our dinning room table.

Swoon.... I do love my girls.  My oldest did the drawing of the eye. 

Turning One!

Oh my little man.  How fast you've grown.  I can't believe we've had you for a whole year.  You've changed so much since the day you were born.  So tiny and fragile.  You've filled our lives with such joy and happiness.  You've completed our family in a way that even I can't describe.

The day you were born you had barely any hair.  Invisible eyebrows, and one eye that wanted to stay closed more than the other.  You were always hungry and wanted to be held always.  So soft and tiny.  Sweet and cuddly.  Your sweet wrinkly baby skin and smell had the whole household kissing and hugging you.

Health wise you were having troubles.  You were a snacker which was causing sleeping troubles. Our pediatrician was encouraging as much nursing as you could takeso she wanted us to tickle your feet and play with your tummy to try and get you to eat more at once. But, by day 15 you were in the hospital because you were projectile vomiting.  Thankfully it turned out to be nothing that they could find.  Daddy and I both decided that a to full tummy was causing the vomiting because once we stopped trying to get you to eat more at once, you stopped vomiting.

As the months ticked by you grew and changed so much.  By month three you were so much more aware of all around you.  You recognized your sisters and dad when they came into the room.  You started making noises and smiling.  You loved to look at toys and lay on the floor watching your sisters try and play with your.  Still not sleeping at all well, but other than that you were such a happy and content little man.

At 6 months you were rolling over and smiling at everything. You learned to sit up by about 7 months. Laughing and co-oing.  You always wanted to be right at the action, so you were sitting in your highchair a lot so you could see everything.  It was one of your favorite spots to sit.  I put one of those cart covers on it and hooked on toys.  You could play and be comfy.  Still not sleeping well, but you were starting on some very basic solids which made you very happy.

9 months and growing fast.  By now you were rolling to get to new places and getting up on all fours.  No crawling yet. But, you could go up the stairs...And, you loved it!  Slithering/Crawing happened around 10 months.  You would slither like a snake.  We called it your slither... or your amy man crawl.  You were very very efficient at it.  I think that is why it took you so long to actually crawl.  You got efficient at crawling by closer to 11 months.  You loved table foods.  Baby food did nothing for you.  You want to do it yourself or have us give you chunks of things.  No teeth yet so this was tricky.  I switched you to formula (my milk gave out) and you began sleeping a bit better.  Instead of being up with you 8 times a night, your were now only up 3!  You sleep on your belly with your bum in the air.  Soooo cute!  And, you sleep everynight with your bunny.  Grandma Vicki gave you this bunny for Easter and you won't let him go.  Oh... you love balls.  You would push them, watch them roll, and slither after them.  Below is daddy's favorite picture.  He calls this one "Dr. Evil"

12 months.  One year old!!  I still can't believe it.  Your cruzing around the furniture, climbing everything, and crawling so very fast. You love to be chased and climb the stairs.  You babble all the time, and love to look outside.  Playing outside is your favorite.   You love to explore and touch everything.  Not much goes into yorur mouth (thank goodness), but you do love to wipe things across your mouth.  Your sticking your fingers into any hole in your head.  Your mouth, nose, and ears.  Your fingers are always in your ears.  It seems like it's just a good resting place for your fingers.  Very cute!  Your loving fruits, veggies, and dairy.  Especially yogurt and cheese.  Your sleeping better.  Up maybe once to feed.  And your taking nice 2 hr naps during the afternoons.  Your such a sweet and loving little man.  You love to sit and cuddle and watch movies.  Your favorite right now is Cars.  You can't seem to get enough of that one.  Your favorite toys are your wood stacked toy.  (the kind with the rings that go on the pole thingy) You also love this car ram that you put a car on and it goes back and forth down the ramps.  Your favorite stuffed animal is still your bunny.  It's getting very loved.

Every day you grow and change and I just love watching you learn.  We love you more than you know!!!!

Happy 11th Birthday Alaina!

On the 13th my oldest turned 11.  I can't believe how fast she is growing and changing.  Being in full "tween" stage she is now all about nail polish, clothes, earrings, makeup, etc. Her favorite activities are reading, riding her new bike (even though it's pink), playing board games, coloring (she is currently doing fun geometric drawings with some "nice" colored markers), shopping and her new love... photography.

She is just as sweet as they come.  She is kind to everyone.  Polite.  She wants to learn pretty much anything that she can.  She is very interested in all things science and math.  And, likes to be called Alicat.

Being very much her fathers daughter, she wants to be involved in everything that her daddy is doing.

My daughter is turning into a wonderful young lady.  With a very open heart and a kind soul.  We love her dearly.  Happy 11th Birthday Alaina!!!

Happy 8th Birthday Rachel!

 

I can't believe your 8 already.  You've been so very proud today.  When asked if you felt any older, your answer to daddy was "Oh yeahhhhh!!!!!"  Your so wonderful in so many ways.  Your smart, loving, compassionate, curious, always moving, always thinking and creating, and most important.... Your so very very loved.  No one can make your brother laugh the way you can and no one can make me smile bigger than you when you tell me a crazy story or adventure you've just had.  You bring so much joy and love to our lives.

You see the world in such a beautiful way.  Your always willing to give someone another chance and your always willing to forgive.  I am honored to watch you grow and learn.  And, I can't wait to see what you do next!

Mommy Dairy

Back in late January I was in the kitchen making dinner. Rachel was on the floor playing with Cael while he jumped in his jumper. She asked me for some string cheese and while she was eating it, I hear her saying to Cael...

Rachel To Cael: "Do you like cheese Cael?"
Cael: Cute co-oing and happy noises
Rachel to Cael: "I bet when you get older you'll love cheese. Well, maybe not. But, right now your only getting mommy dairy."

I immediately started laughing which startled Cael and made Rachel look up at me wondering what was so funny. Mommy Dairy.... only my Ray would think of something like that. I wrote down what she had said so I could remember it right. That girl just makes me smile. So creative and loving. And, I thought some of you might like a giggle!

Milestones

Cael turned 6 months old on February 26th.  Same day as my 31st birthday.  I can't believe how fast the time flys by.  He's doing everything that a 6 month old should be.  He's rolling over, babbling like crazy, and a few days ago... he sat up.  All by himself!  I can't believe he can do that already.  You plop him down and for the most part he will just sit there.  He's still learning to use his balance to keep from flopping over, but he's doing great.  Such a big boy! 

Bonus picture of the kids on the 25th of February.  It snowed and snowed that day.  Teeny tiny little snowflakes.  It was bitter cold and even with it snowing all day it really didn't pile up to much.  But, it sure made for some winter fun!

To The Goyas With Love

Dear Goyas,

I don't know who you are or what you are, but I wanted to write you today to say "Thank You".  You have given our son hours of enjoyment.  And, you have given us hours of pleasure watching him carry on full conversations with you. I don't know what your doing to capture so much of his attention lately.  But the shear amount of "goya, goya, goya" or "en goya" or "goy, goy, goy" or "aiiiii, aiiii, aiii" or "ouy, ouy, ouy" or "guy, guy, guy" and many other pronunciations have been coming out of his cute little voice for a month now.  He seems to be staring out at nothing.....but something... when talking to you.  So, I know you must be there.  So... whoever or whatever you are... Thanks. 


With Love,
Cael's Mommy

A Time For Family

December is always a time for family in our house. Lots of gatherings and general holiday merriment. This year was no different. We had about 20 people at our house for Xmas Eve dinner. Crazy hectic but oh so worth it. I love having lots of family in the house as this is the only time when everyone is together all year. People have begun moving further away and "starting their own lives". So, to me there is nothing better than to hear that roar of laughter and chattyness echoing through the house. Watching the girls play with family they don't see as often and watching my new son get oohhed and awwed over is a wonderful thing. Below are pics of our family which is so very loved.
Lousy picture of my side of the family. Me, with baby Cael, my parents, hubby, brother and sister in law, and our girls.
Hy husbands dad and step mom with Cael.
My mothers best friend and her family. I've known them since I was born. They might not be blood, but they are my brothers and "surrogate parents" non-the-less.
My husbands Mom and her Hubby with the girls about to go to a play downtown. Just look at those smiles!
The kids with my folks. They now live about 4.5 hours from us so having them here with us is always a special treat.
My husband with his gorgeous sisters and mom.
My husbands grandparents. This photo captures them soooo well!
My brother and sister in law. They are so much fun. My girls always get so excited when they come over.
Cael with is Auntie. He slept with lots of people that day and I got lots of pictures, but I just loved this one.
Christmas morning. I think they are tuckered out!

Christmas morning opening stockings. They had a great day. My oldest daughter got a cell phone (after 5 years of asking Santa for one) and my youngest daughter got Legos which we played with all day. So much fun!

I Can't Tell You How Much I love This Man

Today is our 9th wedding anniversary. This year and every year following this one will mark more years together than apart. I always knew I would marry him and love him the rest of my life. Even at 16. Many would think that, that was silly or naive. But, I knew...

For 15 years we've been through it all together. And, I wouldn't want it any other way. He's my partner in life. My best friend, and other half of of my soul. Our relationship is always growing and changing. But, always in the same direction.
He loves me.... and shows it every day. I feel privileged and honored to know him and love him in return. And, I never want to take him or us for granted.
Just look at this family we have made together. I don't think life could get any better than this.