Lifers, Part 2

One thing I loved about growing up the eldest of 6 was: there was always someone to do something with. Anytime I wanted a playmate, shopping buddy or movie pal, I got it. As I watched our 2 girls and Max interact on our trip, I hoped they were having the same experience. So far, they seem to be perfectly content playing with each other and truly enjoy one another's company. It's been a blessing the girls are close in age and enjoy the same things. Max is content with either, but seems to favor Lizzy if she is home. They have meshed to together, our three, and I am thankful. Our prayer is they also become "lifers", that they establish a strong sibling bond that will lead them through adulthood as friends and confidants. How will baby #4 fit in? This I have wondered and at times worried about. But, as I quietly watch and listen to their interactions with each other, I'm lead to believe their love too will multiply, not divide, and soon we will have four "lifers" to love.

Lifers, Part 1

Through our 10 years, Kelly and I have enjoyed many friendships. Some we still talk to frequently and others we take time to catch up during the holidays or through blogging. There are however a few couples that will remain forever life friends no matter how infrequently we see them. Most of these friends were made in the newlywed stages of our life. Friends we spent years with in San Fran knew us before we had children and life was fresh and new. We were all poor and a little homesick, finding unity with those in similar situations. What fun we had as kid-less couples, living it up in the City By The Bay. Then came our friends who helped us through Residency, a stressful time. We were new parents, as were they, adoring our babies and having fun planning for the future. These were bonding times. Now, we don't live by most of these friends, but love taking time to see them on vacation, where it feels like no time has passed. This last week we had a chance to see two of these said friends.
The Rebers are close school/residency friends who we loved living by and were so sad when they moved to AZ. We had a great time with them in Las Vegas while the husbands were busy learning how to fix feet, the wives and children played (and played).
The Emetts knew us as we began the residency years: Kelly, always gone and me, an apartment manager. They met us for a weekend in Zions, one of their favorite vacation spots. We appreciated their graciousness as they showed us around this magnificent place.
We laugh now at how our families have grown. What started as both of us having one, has now turned into growing families with lots of kids. They have seen how far we've come, and vice-versa. We feel lucky to have several of these friendships and know we will be friends through life, lifers.

Early Bloomer?

When Rosie was only 3 months old, we took a trip to a favorite spot....San Fran. There, we met up with "Best Best" and family. Both of us had newborns to dote over, mine however was unusually fussy. Why? Rosie was such a sweet, happy baby (as long as she was being held) and I was confused by her sudden personality shift. Was it traveling? Perhaps a change in schedule?

The answer became clear one week later when she cut her first tooth. A three month old. I was shocked. I remember talking to her Pediatrician and he looked at me like: "So she got her first tooth. big deal". And then I said something like: "But Dr. "C" she is only 3 months old......is that normal?". And then he said something to the effect of: "Well, it may be normal for Rosie, it's perfectly fine". So, I let it go and thought that since she liked to eat so so much, maybe she was just getting teeth early to help in that pursuit.

Cut to January of this year......Rosie tells me she has a loose tooth. "No WAY" I think, you only just turned 5. Lizzy didn't loose her first tooth until 1st grade, and I thought her sister would follow suit. Nope! Rosie did indeed have a loose tooth. The same one that came so early, was now on it's way out. She was beyond excited. I was apprehensive. I'm not ready for Rosie to grow up. Luckily, her enthusiasm was contagious and she soon had the entire house working to free her tooth. Daddy of course received the honor in the end when she simply couldn't handle another minute with the annoyance of a wiggly toothy, and begged him to "get it out". The tooth fairy was very happy and left a note for the girls saying she really needed 2 more teeth (Lizzy lost one too) to finish building her swimming pool.

I found myself back at the same Pediatrician, having the same conversation as I did 5 years ago. I confessed "I think maybe Rosie is an early bloomer (ahhhhh)" and he answered "I think Rosie is doing perfectly well, following in her own DNA make-up and enjoying growing up". "Okay" I thought again. I'm thankful for a wise Pediatrician who helps me see the error in my ways and for my "early bloomer" who is so very happy to bloom away.

Nesting & Me

One of Max's (and the girl's before him)favorite books to read is "Best Nest". In it, a Mother bird decides she needs a new nest....RIGHT NOW. Father bird is quite content with their old nest, but since Mother bird insists, he has no choice but to oblige her demands and sets off to find a new "Best Nest". After trying to find the perfect new nest in some peculiar spots, Mother bird realizes that "The Best Nest" was her old one all long. She so wisely sums it up at the end by saying: "There's no Nest like an old Nest for a brand new bird".

Recently I have been admiring the bird. The care and time that goes into building their nest is simply amazing. So inspired am I, that I've found myself buying bird artwork, bookends, push pins and table linens as to surround myself with a positive symbol of mothering. Nesting has become top priority, I've given Father Bird a long list of things we must get done before May. It's been exciting to watch as our nesting efforts have taken shape; a rewarding and bonding process for Mother and Father. As I reflect on the past 5 months of pregnancy, I realize how my life has changed.....I think for the better. I've enjoyed, in fact, crave my quiet afternoons spent in my cheerful and relaxing bedroom. Friends make comments about me not being "out and about" or as "social" as I once was. It's true! I have enjoyed peaceful, quiet days at home, feathering my nest and pondering on the miracle of growing a baby. Introspection has lead me to enlightenment on things I can do better and things I must enjoy. All in all, I'm loving this experience called pregnancy and would gladly join Mother and Father bird in singing: "I love this house, I love my nest, In all the world this nest is best".

All Body

Mom- Max, are you excited to be a Sunbeam in Primary? You are so Big!

Max- Yea, "ZZY" goes.

Mom- Yep, Lizzy goes to Primary.

Max- Ro-zie goes there.

Mom- That's right, so does Rosie.

Max- You go in the Pie-mary, huh Mommy.

Mom- I know Max, I'm so excited to have you come.

Max- All Body's go to Primary, not Nurchee, Primary.

Mom-Yes, Everybody goes to Primary, not Nursery!

Needless to say, Max has been a fun addition to Primary. He is the youngest sunbeam and the LOUDEST, but I can't help but love his boisterous comments and enthusiastic singing in a place where "All Body" is welcome.

Many Hands

This year I hosted my Mom's Birthday/ New Years Eve Party. After a most delicious dinner, I told my family I had an activity planned. They were excited. Until I brought out the activity and explained how much "FUN" they were going to have sticking 900 sticky notes, in a colorful pattern, on a very large piece of cardboard. They were even more "Excited" when I told them how "Cool" it would be if we lined them up "Perfectly" to make it look like a paper quilt. I'm telling you they were jumping up and down for a chance to help.

All kidding aside, I appreciated my family helping me do this very large project I dreamed up. My Brother Ben, Sis-in-Law's Amy and Krissia, Sister Emmy and Mom saved me (and let's be honest, Kelly) hours and hours of tedious work. Even though it was a project for my Primary, it became a service rendered for me. They weren't there to see the children's faces light up with excitement at the grand reveal, they didn't hear the raves of "WOW, that must have taken a lot of time" they simply helped me because they love me, and that's enough. So, thank you good family, you have proven again that Many Hands make Light Work........now who wants to come over for the SuperBowl, I have some fun things planned :).

Mele Kalikimaka

Yes, we did have Christmas. Santa was good to us this year: Rosie a new changing table and accessories for her "Bitty Baby", Lizzy a tea party table, chairs and serving set for her American Girl and Max, little Max and his new Truck from Santa. Elizabeth summed it up with this conversation on Christmas Day:

Lizzy- "Mommy, Santa is SO NICE"

Mommy- "Yes, he really is Lizzy"

Lizzy- "Yea, cause you guys would NEVER buy a real car you can drive for us, and Santa just brought one to Max, he is so NICE"

Mommy- "Yes, Lizzy, he really is so nice"

As for Kelly and I, we were still on cloud 9 after our trip to Kauai, so everything seemed swell. It was a simpler Christmas for me. Knowing that I would be gone the first week of December, I simplified. I took less time decorating, baking, wrapping, shopping and stressing and more time enjoying. It was quite amazing how I much I didn't miss all the fuss and I think I'll make it a habit from here on out (Kauai and all......I wish!). Regardless, Christmas 2009 was "Merry and Bright" as it hopefully always will be.