Nursery windows...

Today, we stood outside those thick glass nursery windows and awaited the glimpse of a pink baby and proud daddy.  As they walked in, we watched with amazement as they brought her over for us to see.  Our hearts fluttered with great joy as she was held up to the glass.

You stood at the window's ledge for entire the bath, assessments, pokes and cleaning.

We were in awe of such a beautiful little baby...grateful for her safe arrival.

I am always amazed at what an extraordinary event a birth is -- it is unique and special each time.  Even though giving birth is probably the most ordinary and common thing that happens on this earth, witnessing it is unparalleled and so incredible.  

three for easter

This year there were three of you.  

Six little hands enjoyed picking up eggs.  Three baskets from the bunny were found around the house. 

Four hands enjoyed dunking eggs in dye.  Four little feet scrambled to be the first to find eggs at the church hunt.  Dozens of wildflowers were picked for the sick sisters.  One carrot, two hard-boiled eggs and a basket of empty (expected-to-be-filled) eggs were left for Mr. Bunny on the back porch.  One hand-written note was carefully written to the bunny.  Two smocked dresses and one baby in bloomers and an eyelet top were donned on Easter morning.  

It was a glorious morning, indeed!

 

today, it doesn't matter

Today, it doesn't matter.

It doesn't matter how much you lick the baby...
it doesn't matter how much you scratch the back door,
it doesn't matter how many times you need to be carried up and down the stairs,
we don't care how much you bark at the back fence,
it doesn't matter how much grass you dig up or how many flower pots turned over,
it doesn't matter how long it takes you to eat,
it doesn't matter if you sneak out the front door when we aren't looking or wriggle out of your collar on a walk,
it doesn't matter how much you lick his ears or how weak your back legs have gotten.

Today, we found out that you might not be with us much longer

and you may be here much shorter than that.

  

Go ahead and lay at our feet, 

beg to be pet,

lay where you wish,

lick us all,

play chase,

beg at the back door for dinner that won't be served for 3 hours,

drool to your heart's content all over the clean floors,

shed mounds of fur,

get up and bounce around the room to go outside at midnight,

take your time sniffing instead of walking when we go out after dinner,

lick the baby like she is your own,

take your time eating despite all the commotion around you,

lay in the afternoon sun,

sleep at the foot of our bed,

bark at the front door as loud as you wish,

and fight to be here as long as you want to.

But please help us know when we need to let go.

It breaks our hearts to think of spending any time here without you both.

Thanks for being our good boys...always.

too much!

We have been doing way too much of this!

Sitting at the doctor's office coughing, wheezing, sniffling, sneezing and having a fever is no fun.

If only the weather would decide if it wants to warm up or cool down, I think we could get over our conundrum of illnesses!

Eight

This month, you traveled away from home for the first time (other than a little trip in the car at Christmas time).  You were quite a little trooper and seemed to adjust to new disheveled travelling schedules just fine.  The new play accommodations (in the form of an inflatable duck tub on the bed) seemed to suit you just fine.  You enjoyed feeling the sand with your hands and the cool sea water on your little body.  I worried about the amount of sand you consumed and the days in the sun but somehow we all managed just fine.  

You developed a sweet friendship for our sweet boy that usually spends his days in the font hallway (waiting for Daddy's arrival) sleeping in the sun that streams in through the windows.  Recently, you figured out that there was more to this house than the living room.  You spotted your new-found friend and you were off...down the entryway and over to see our gentle boy.

This month, you also began pulling at your unruly locks.  You pull at your hair when you are frustrated, tired or sad.  Sometimes you pull too hard and make yourself really mad. 

You are also babbling quite a bit.  I love the sound of Ma-ma, which you say about half of the time and Daddy enjoys the sound of Da-da which you say the other half of the time.  Sometimes you scream and squeal and babble, ba-ba-ba.  We love hearing your little conversations.

We are enjoying watching your little personality reveal itself as you become more vocal and mobile. What a wonderful blessing no. 3 has been.  Finally, we seem to be taking the time to really enjoy all the stages as we know they are fast fleeting.

Seven

Seven, my dear, happened well over a month ago.  I promised myself that I wouldn't delay in keeping track of your first-year months, but somehow life has kept us occupied and jotting down little keepsakes from your month slipped away.

Seven was a big month for you.  You mastered the fine art of the belly scootch or army crawl.  I firmly believe you figured this out before sitting because you desperately want to be a part of what your sisters are doing.  A few weeks after army crawling, you began sitting up by yourself.  

You love being outside and many times this month we drug your high-chair out on the patio to enjoy the warmer mornings for breakfast.  You love our big boy and frequently giggle and coo when he stops by your high-chair looking for something you may have dropped.

Now that you are moving around, you aren't as happy in the Exersaucer.  In fact, you detest being in there now that you can move around as you wish.  Most of the time, you are happiest on the floor digging in the toy bins and exploring.

Your biggest sister gave you a bottle for the first time this month.  You both couldn't stop smiling at each other and I am not sure any milk was consumed.  Your little spirits intertwined and intently focused on each other was delightful to watch. 

This month, we put away the infant bathtub and began bathing you in the kitchen sink.  You love your baths and especially enjoy baths that your sisters assist with.  We are hoping to move you to the big tub soon but right now you are too squirmy and slippery and the sink is easier to contain you.

We love you little one!  

EGGS -- Hard-boiled 101

If you are anything like me, each year just before Easter rolls around, you madly figure out how to hard-boil eggs so your kids can enjoy dying some for the big day.

After many attempts (failed and successful), I have found a fairly simple method that produces an all-yellow yolk (I am not a fan of the yucky colored gray ones).

This method is also suppose to make peeling the egg a bit easier too.

I am happy to say it works.  Our eggs came out perfect each time.

Do you have a tried and true method for boiling eggs?  Please share!

Happy egg-boiling and egg-dying!