Pete's first day of school

Pete had his first day of school today.  He was very good but seemed a little shellshocked. :)  He went right to Kimmy but had a very serious look on his face.  He did not eat right away but was tentatively taking pancake in his hand and putting it in his moth as I was leaving.  I'm not sure his eyes ever went smaller than "wow."

Grandpa Phil already stopped by to check on him.  They were holding him as he prepared for a nap.  He was such a good boy and I am so comfortable leaving him there.  I just can't believe my last baby is growing up. :(

Winter fun

With all of the cold weather and snow days from school, we have been finding creative, and often messy ways to pass the time.

Yesterday, the girls each cracked their own egg into a bowl and practiced "painting" with the egg on some pieces of bread, their hands, and the counter. :)  They had so much fun I could hardly get upset about the sticky paste they were leaving everywhere.  A house full of toys, and we spend our time with food. 

I have also been baking like crazy, trying all kinds of new recipes, sending most of my yummies with Andy to work.  Brent is a big fan of my caramels. :)  And the ladies in the office want me to go back to work because I'm ruining their diets.

The kids have been very good.  I think I am the only one suffering from the lack of sunshine and time outdoors.  Anxious to break out the jogger for a second round.  I should really keep track of how many miles I log.

The kids haven't been sleeping well, mostly because of teething issues and then they wake each other up.  Thankfully, we can get a full night of sleep every full days to keep us...me...from going over the edge. :)

Look at Pete go!

Pete is growing so fast! He pulls himself up, walks around the edges of his pack-n-play, and now he's riding a motorcycle, at only 9 months!  He has two sisters to keep up with, so he needs to be ready.  He's going to be on the go before we know it!

Thanksgiving

Saturday, November 29th, 2008

I was driving with the kids today, and Ella asked how babies got into mommies' tummies.  I gave her my poor, unprepared answer, but she seemed satisfied.  She sat a few minutes, then asked, when Pete was in my tummy, was it sausage or turkey?  When I asked for clarification, she got shy and said never mind.  I waited a bit, and then answered, the most correct answer I could conclude, sausage. :)

Pete hit his nose on the glass base of the tv tonight.  He was following Lucy around the house, and somehow he hit his nose, I think.  Lucy did something, there was a bang, then Pete was crying so hard he wouldn't breathe.  I just stared at him, waiting to see where the injury had occurred.  Nothing immediate showed...until the blood began to pour from his nose.  Since I had no idea what had happened, I couldn't be sure if it was just his nose or his head.  I called Jean, since no one else was around, and she was here in a flash, sliding through two stop signs and somehow managing not to fall racing up the icy steps.  By the time she got here, he had calmed down and I was able to more lucidly assess him.  I ran him across the street to have Michelle take a peek before I hauled him out to the emergency room, and she thought he would be fine.  The first of many times I will see my children hurt or bleeding.  At least I handle it better than Daddy. :)

Andy officiated a Division III semi-final game today in Naperville, IL.  We are very proud of him and they didn't know any other official who had gotten that big of a game in only their second year in the league.  His parents went, but I decided to stay home with the kids.  It's just too long of a trip at such a young age.

My parents are in Branson, MO enjoying a much deserved getaway...and shopping like it's going out of style!  Every time I call they are in a different store.  I'm going to need to expand the kids' closet after this trip.

Andy's parents hosted Thanksgiving this year.  I think the final tally was 28.  I was home sick, unfortunately, but I hear they had a great time.  All the kids went to the gym, then we made the ginger bread houses (I had promised to make with them) that night when they got home.  They were both exhausted.  Ella woke up at 5:45 she was so excited for the day.  We never thought she'd make it through the day.  Next time, big plans will be kept a secret. :)

Oh, the little ones

Last night was a trifecta of sleeplessness.

Poor Ella threw up six times, a walking fountain of vomit.  It was on the wall, the door, the chair, the carpet...in her room, the living room, the hallway, our room.  We ended up sleeping for awhile on the cold kitchen floor, she and I, a blanket and a pillow.  I think she still had whole onion rings in there.  Must have been too much celebrating for Grandma Joan's birthday.  MorrisInn is usually better going down than coming up.

Lucy was up several times coughing and crying as if she was in pain.  Poor peanut didn't feel well either, but she made it through the night.  All she wants is "mil-K."

Pete was in bed with me, back and forth throughout this entire ordeal.  Thank goodness both he and Lucy stayed asleep during the cleanup and vomit fest.  He spent the rest of the night in bed with me after we got Ella cleaned up and back to sleep.  She was curled up with her puke bucket when I checked on her this morning.

We had a wonderful time last night for Grandma Joan's 71st birthday.  I can't believe she is that old! (sorry mom) Jean and Harry joined us along with Phil and Nancy.  We had a really nice time, and the kids were great!  This might be the first time we've eaten out with all three.  I can't remember.  Lucy and Pete were both in high chairs.  Ella had a booster.  We had to laugh at how little they all still are.  Lucy and Pete are going to look like twins soon!

We all came back to our house for cake afterward, except Jean and Harry.  They went home to have cake with Jeff's family, who up to that point had forgotten her birthday.  She was wondering when the question of "why are we having cake" would finally kick in.  She shared a story of how when the kids were younger, NO one remembered her birthday, so she baked a cake and plopped it on the table in front of all of them and watched as recognition and horror settled in.  You gotta love Aunt Jean. :)

Andy found out the other day he is officiating a junior college bowl game again this year, on Sunday.  He has moved up very quickly in the officiating ranks, this being only his second year in the league.  And he was told that big plans are in store!  We also found out last week that he qualified for a 7 day trip to Panama for us!!  We are SO excited!  We went and got our passports today.  Seven days away from our kids might be more than we can handle, but we are both really looking forward to a vacation.  The resort is beautiful and we are told to expect all first class.  Everyone once in awhile we just randomly blurt out, "We're going to Panama."  It's become our mantra. :)

Oct 30

Last night, Ella made two crafts with fuzzy pom poms, puffy paper, markers, and stamps.  Today, she sent them with me to school, one for me and one for Grandma Nancy.  She said if our students were good....and she paused because she realized she didn't want us giving them away...if they were good, we could show it to them. :)  I showed mine to my first period students who were actually prepared for and took the vocab test.  I'll save it for my others when they are good.  Such a little teacher, and SO in charge. :)

Lucy slept for 12 hours last night.  She was asleep in the chair by 7:30, stirred once around 11:30, but didn't get up until I plucked her out of bed at 7:30 this morning.  This is in stark contrast to her normal 10:30 bedtime.  She had pictures yesterday at school with Ella, so she missed her nap. They said she posed well on her own, but would have no part of posing with Ella.  None of my children really need naps, but they get them at school.  Now we just need to work on tiring her out, and shortening/taking away her naps, on a regular basis.  

Pete ended up snuggling in bed with me...again.  He seems to have found my weakness...and his way into our bed.  Andy was officiating a playoff game in Clear Lake, so he didn't get home until about 11:30.  

Two days ago we were in the basement, and Ella and Lucy were sitting in the chairs in front of the computer.  Ella was maneuvering Jump Start Toddler while Lucy gazed on.  Lucy was snuggled up under Ella's arm, with her foot resting on the leg of the table, kicked back on her sister, sipping on her juice.  Ella very protectively kept her arm around Lucy, and guided her through the game.  They sat that way for quite some time, probably 10 minutes, but of course broke apart when I tried to get a picture.  Add another chair now, and make room for Pete!  Absolutely priceless.

Tomorrow is Halloween.  Better make sure the costumes fit. :)  We carved pumpkins two nights ago.  The girls loved it!  I tried to roast pumpkin seeds, half with garlic salt and half with sugar and cinnamon.  I think this could take a few extra tries to get it right.  Good thing we have more pumpkins!  But you gotta wonder, is it really worth all the work when you can just buy them at the store?  I still say yes, IF I can get it right. :)

I'm trying a new pumpkin loaf recipe now.  Had some from Starbucks that was PHENOMENAL!  I'm trying to find a similar recipe online.  I hope to have some ready for the kids for the weekend.

Ella

Ella is our oldest child and she plays the part to a T: maternal, smart, confident, and the upholder of "the rules."  She remembers everything...and helps the rest of us remember it too. :)

Ella is our performer; she can sing and dance, remember the words to every song and sing them scarily on tune.  Her newest thing is taking a bow and performing for us in the living room.  With her wild hair, dark eyes, long limbs and tiny frame, she is a beauty, and doesn't her Grandpa Rouse know it. :)  

Ella came 2 1/2 weeks early.  Labor started Friday night, around 1:00 am.  She was born later that morning via c-section, after 8 hours of labor.  She was breech and her little leg was dislocated.  She wore a harness for 8 weeks, and was in the hospital at 5 days old with RSV.  Ella had a rough start in life, but she has blossomed and flourished with each passing year.  Ella can accomplish anything she sets her mind on, and once she knows what she wants, look out world!  She is our leader and our precious.  What a young lady she has become!