Valentines in Progress

Day two of Valentine creating has been accomplished. The paintings are dry and now we have to assemble everything. Even Laney helped out with the painting.

Swinging and Sleeping

Lane fell asleep in her swing for the first time in weeks. Hooray! She is such a sweet princess. She is holding on to her kitty and caterpiller in the photo.

A snow day in January

Another busy snow day. We're stuck at home but we completed many things, including Gabriel's Valentine's box for preschool. He is very proud of it. We started our Valentines. Hopefully we'll complete them in time! The kids did a lot of jumping for me this afternoon. The boys are very creative and set up a border to jump over - here is a video of their adventure! Laney has been obsessed with jumping. I put her in a friend's jumperoo and she now realizes how fun it is to bounce and jump all day!

Art Center

We went to the art center with the playgroup today. Gabriel painted a train and added feathers per his friend Lily's advice. Alexander painted a house (it's actually a church). It's interesting to watch their different techniques. Alex is very careful and tedious in his painting. Gabriel dives right in and completes his task quickly. Both boys were very proud of their work. Laney was charming and stayed in my arms most of the time. Our friend, Ryan, held her for a while and she flirted with Ryan and Lacey.

Happenings in Jan 10

Lane is almost 7 months. It feels like it is going all too fast. She is a very easy going baby, esp. if I am in the room. She isn't too fond of other people holding her for long.

Alex had decided that he can use the potty. Hooray! Maybe we will be down to one in diapers after all!

Gabriel had his first full day of school yesterday. I missed him terribly. I picked him up at 2:40 instead of 3:30. I just couldn't wait that long. Of course, within 5 minutes of being in the van, Alex and Gabriel started arguing and I thought about taking him back for half an hour.

Lane will begin PT on Tuesdays while Gabriel has OT. She will spend time with Summer for torticollis and any possible developmental delays. Alexander enjoys following Gabriel and doing whatever task he completes while we're at therapy. They both get lots of "work" accomplished.

We continue to go to story time on Mondays. We are usually the only family there so it's a nice personal story time. We are getting to know Odessa well.

On Wednesday night, we'll go to Westwood nursing home to have Sneaky's chicken. It will be nice to show Andrew where I take the kids a couple times a month.

Nursing Home Visits

When Gabriel was an infant, we attended a monthly play date at a nursing home. Later, when we lived in Miami, I asked the organizer of our playgroup if I could contact nursing homes to arrange something similar. Since there are a lot of nursing homes in Florida, I thought it would be an easy event to arrange. She told me that no one would attend so I shouldn't waste my time.
I have been an organizer of a playgroup here in Iowa for two years. In October, I finally contacted an activity director at a local nursing home. I wasn't sure if other families in the play group would want to go with me or if the activity director would want a bunch of babies and preschoolers to visit the nursing home. I was nervous when I talked to her!
The playgroup recently went to its 4th event at the nursing home. I have also taken my children aside from the playgroup. I leave with warm fuzzies every time. I wish I had done this a long time ago!
In my own small way, I feel like I'm helping someone. Maybe I am brightening their day when I bring the kids in? I hope so because they are giving me back a lot in return.
My mother and sister have been working in nursing homes for years. One time I said, "your job is gross.," to my sister. I think I offended her and didn't get the opportunity to explain what I meant. Sometimes words jump out of my mouth and I wish I could catch them and rearrange them.
What I meant to say was... I admire what you do. I am happy you are someone who chose to help people, especially people who seem to be forgotten in our society. I don't think I could do it because dealing with death is difficult for me. (let alone feces)
If you're thinking about making a difference, even if it seems small, do it. You won't regret it.

Good bye 2009 - hello new decade

Hello to a new decade and good bye to 2009. 2009 was a very challenging and stressful year for us. We learned about Andrew's disease, dealt with complications due to pregnancy, and watched our daughter in the NICU. Gabriel had stitches in his ear and Alexander had a surgery cosultation. We said good bye to loved ones including Gram on Christmas day. We learned about ourselves and about true friendship.

As we continued to settle into Sioux City, we also had adventures in Miami, Washington DC, and Denver. These adventures exposed the children to more than we have available in Sioux City and we are grateful for the experiences.

At the end of this decade, we will have two teenagers and and a 10 year old. It is unfathomable as we deal with day-to-day life with preschoolers and an infant now. May we continue to enjoy the challenges and adventures our children give us as they go too quickly. Before we know it, we will have those teenagers in the house and we will wonder what happened to our busy 5, yo 3 yo, and 6 month old.

May 2010 be a healthy and happy one for us those who touch our lives. Thank you for being in our life.

(the above photo is the children with the gifts from Westwood nursing home December 8,2009)