Fluke

Well, I was beginning to get excited when Ruby jumped 6 ounces from a Thursday to a Tuesday. But then my analytical-ness gets the best of me when I figured in that on the Thursday weigh-in she hadn't eaten recently and on the Tuesday she had. . .etc, etc.

Fast forward to today, exactly one week from the last weigh in. I tried to somewhat control the variables similar to that last weigh in.

1 week weight gain = 1 ounce

We'll see what she's at next week.

She may not be gaining, but she sure impressed the Lactation consultants with her personality!!

Another memorable experience. . .

Not sure if this was more memorable for me or for Max.

Our dear friend Deb(and husband Mark) asked and offered to take Max to the opera Hansel and Gretel, a production being put on by one of the local universities that Deb happens to teach at. As it turned out, Mark had a scheduling conflict, so I went along.

Initially we were a bit concerned about the content, and thought that it might frighten Max. As it turned out, there was little to be concerned about. I vaguely told Max the story, but made sure to talk about the witch. Of course this was in the forefront of his mind at all times. Just about every--oh, 30 seconds or so he would ask me if the witch was coming out (keep in mind the witch doesn't enter until Act II)

So, the lights go down and we are listening to the overture. It was beautiful. My mind 1) enjoyed the melody and tenuous harmonies and 2) wondered how long Max's attention would handle the music and lack of speech. About 1.5 minutes into the overture, Max leaned over and said, "MaMa, what does E-X-I-T spell?"

Aside from the constant wonder about the witch, he switched laps twice, sat in his seat twice, he really did very well during the entire first Act.

During intermission, I called home to check in, and Max and Deb went off to walk around. I saw them as Deb mentioned that Max was going to head to the bathroom. Deb walked toward me not a minute later and let me know they timed it a little wrong as Max didn't make it in time. I went in to tend to the situation to find out it was double the pleasure, double the fun. Thank goodness for mobile phones and a quick acting Mommy as she had a new set of clothes there within 10 minutes!! We got back into the show still before the witch arrived!!

Max's memory of the even included thoughts that he loved "the people with all the colors on them" and "did they have clothes on?" and "that was awesome!" He really enjoyed it.

I'm glad that's what he remembers, but I can sure tell you what I remember!!

The message got through. . .

So, we kind of use the Golden Rule-ish in dealing with Max and Cooper's relationship. Treat him how you would like to be treated. We also talk to Max about the fact that if he hits Cooper when he's upset, instead of using his words, that he is teaching Cooper to hit too.

Sunday morning I was opening up a package. I used my teeth.

"MaMa, by you using your teeth to open up that, you're teaching me to use my teeth too!"

Damn. He got me!

Weekly highlights. . .

Max wants to play hockey. Inside.

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Cooper and Max are loving "The Baobab Tree." Max can sing the entire book. Cooper is working on it and is so thrilled with himself when he can sing an entire phrase. "I did it MaMa!" Remember that this song has words like: Mt. Kilimanjaro.

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Voted in our Mayoral primary.

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Max has switched from making Valentine's to making shamrocks.

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Cooper passed his hearing test and his ears/tubes are all looking great.

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Cooper could eat yogurt and pears for every meal of the day. Of course he always says "I want to do it by myself."

Ruby .333

Ruby is 4 months old.

Ruby is developing very well. She is a very social, alert baby, who wants to see what's going on at all times. She is grabbing at/for things. She likes to talk especially to her family. She drools a lot. Has always been a drooler. She is also very oral, which is very different from the boys. Hmm, wonder what that means. She has beautiful eyes with long lashes. She has a smile that melts. She has a pout that makes anyone crack a smile or even chuckle a little bit.

Ruby weighs 10 lbs 6 ozs.

Some babies are born bigger than that.

I look forward to the day when my worries for her are in some other facet of her life, but for now, it's still her weight I get to worry about.

I love you so much Ruby.

Thanks

For a great weekend kids.

Our life: wake early, do dishes, change diapers, laundry, play/arts-n-crafts, nurse baby, breakfast(valentine's day french toast), play/arts-n-crafts, read books, nurse baby, change diapers, play/arts-n-crafts, lunch, change diapers, read books, nurse baby, laundry, rest(while resting--put up plastic outside, get things in from garage, play, snack, nurse baby, laundry, read books, change diapers, play outside/nurse baby, go to neighbors, play pseudo hockey, eat, change diapers, go outside for winter campfire, have stale marshmallows, go home, have neighbors over for movies, nurse baby, bedtime for boys, wake early, do dishes, change diapers, play/arts-n-crafts, nurse baby, get ready for church, church, change diapers, wrangle kids to vehicle, drive/pump, all kids rest, mama runs errands while mommy reads work in jeep, during naptime: get sandals for max, some clothes, shoes, groceries from 2 grocery stores, book "words are not for hurting," small easter present for ruby, home and awake, nurse baby, change diapers, play, snack, play outside, mama walks back to co-op to get jalepenos, mommy plays outside with boys and neighbor friend Noah, home, play games, change diapers, laundry, play/dinner prep, nurse baby, eat, play, bath, change diapers, read books/nurse baby, bedtime for boys, laundry, nurse baby, bed.

phew, what a weekend.

In all that time above, this is what I remember the most: snuggling with Max, interacting with Ruby who is loving to watch her brothers, very smiley and vocalizing, playing with Cooper--bouncing him on my knees and swinging him around, Cooper wanting lots of cookies at church, Cooper singing loudly at church, Max being totally into making crafts/Valentines, Ruby's thumb getting better, worrying about Ruby's weight, noticing that Max shoots the N.erf basketball with really great form, having a good time with our friends(neighbors) at the campfire, daydreaming about doing things this spring and summer.

Last weekend was Ruby's Baptism, I have a post brewing, hopefully up soon with some pictures.

Sweet kids.. ..

So the boys have been increasingly better playmates. Cooper and Max were sitting on the couch in the den amongst a huge pile of library books. Cooper would pull one out and say, "Max(th), will you read dis one to me?" And Max would oblige, doing his best to put together the story.

They like to play with the N.erf basketball set. They enjoy playing together in the bathtub. They like to play "air" Rock band. We have their beds pushed together so that, although they sleep on their respective sides, they share a bed. It's been sweet to see this relationship blossom. Just this morning Max was Fire chief Jack and Cooper was "fire station dog." They also egg each other on. Mealtimes are like comedy hour at the improv. I think they each try to see how many times they can say the word "poopy" before we intervene. Just wait another couple of years until Ruby starts chiming in. . .

Day 1

Went great!

Mommy managed to get you all in to school and get to work on time!

Ruby, well, you were a rock star for it being your first day away from us for an extended amount of time. Your teacher was amazed by your strength-considering your size, your alertness and awareness considering your age, and the furociousness in which you guzzle down your meals. She said that you did a lot of talking and smiling, but there were times when you looked at her with the hmm-you're-not-my-MaMa kind of look.

Big brothers did a great job checking in on Ruby.

Last night Cooper told me he wanted to be a baby in the baby room.

New Chapter

Today we have 3 kids in childcare. We'll be eating pb&j's and macaroni and cheese for the next 7 months.

Think of us around 9 am when Mommy is rounding them up at home to get them out of the house and there, and then again just before 5 pm as I herd them into the car to get home. There is sure to be many meltdowns. And that's just me I'm talking about.