Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

As I sit down with my feet up for the first time all day I think "it doesn't get much better than this".

Wonderful family, Wonderful holiday - we are so very blessed.

Let it snow

Oh yes, there was frolicking. Now normally we are not a frolicking people but just the day before we received some wonderful news – Tom was called back to work for the beginning of the year!

So on this day, with this first snowfall, with these early Christmas gifts from Nana, there was much frolicking done by the entire Stoner clan.

Before & After

Before & After
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

I was so very nervous. I knew Annabelle needed a hair cut. I knew it needed to be much shorter. It had gotten to the point where combing it was a battle and even then it just looked weighed down. But I had lots of critics in my ear "Don't cut it - you will lose her curls" "Little girls need long hair".

I trusted my instincts. I trusted my longtime friend & stylist Pam and today we cut it - really, really cut it. When she spun her around in the chair and I was fighting back tears - my little girl looked just like Shirley Temple. Curls intact.

Happy 11 Month Birthday Nate!

11 Months
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

What a month it has been - Nate has gone from wobbling on his feet to speed walking laps around the house. He is funny and brilliant and I can't believe I've known him less than a year.

What not to buy

I have been perusing some catalogs in search of Christmas gifts and have found some just really freaky deaky things.

So in the spirit of my favorite holiday story here are some modern day gifts headed straight for the Island of Misfit Toys - I sure hope Santa can find good homes for them - although I doubt it.

These two have been banned by Bill Clinton, Michelle Obama and the Coalition to fight child obesity. Sorry guys, carrot sticks and granola are much more PC now a days.

I'll bet Addison Montgomery would be appalled to know this is the doll with her name sake. Although if you keep reading, even scarier dolls to follow.

Seriously - what kid is going to spend the time to use a snowball maker when they have 2 already built in on the end of their wrist? Maybe the one with the accordion below but that is about it.

A child growing up with this will never have groupies - I promise. Get him a saxophone and give the kid a chance.





The year is 2009 - Kids today have no freaking idea who this group is. Plus buying this for your child is only going to set them up for a lifetime of fear. I know (Thank you very much Dee Dee, I still can't walk into a dark room without fear of that damn Charlie McCarthy doll being there when the light comes on. )

They are always #1 to me.

Professional Pics Oct. 09
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

About a month ago when we took Nate for his 9 month portraits I told the new photographer “Nate definitely is first, he needs to have a nice 9 month portrait. If it is going well I want to try to get one of both kids together. If all the stars & moons line up and we can do a clothes change and you can snap one of them together in their Halloween costumes then you will be donned The Queen of all that is Perfect” She laughed and said “I’ll get em all”. I felt a mental eye roll, yeah right.

Well she did & I did give her that must deserved title. Then a few days later while I was talking to Aunt Charlotte on the phone the photographer called the house and said the store was running a Photo Contest for Halloween and could she enter the picture of Little Bo Peep and her sheep? I agreed and then didn’t really think about it again.

Last week talking to Aunt Charlotte again she asked me if I had heard anything about the contest. I said I hadn’t but wasn’t surprised. I saw some of the other contestants when I had gone to pick up our prints. There was a Land Shark that was hilarious, a Dracula that looked like he was done up by a movie studio plus other random very cute costumes.

The part that I didn’t admit to Charlotte was yes, my feelings were hurt. I put a lot of effort into getting those outfits and getting just the right look. I thought they were completely adorable and even if Land Shark was super funny my kids should have at least been in the top 5. That really was a great photo.

I spent the week since compartmentalizing those feelings. Realizing I don’t have the fortitude to be a pageant Mom. Accepting that not everyone is going to find my children as perfect as I do. Humbly admitting there was someone else who deserved it more. I got it – Lessoned learned.

As we are sitting down to dinner tonight the phone rings – They wanted to inform us Little Bo Peep & her sheep were selected for the Grand Prize. Free portraits for Christmas! Lesson still learned – but so very happy.

Happy 10 Month Birthday Nate-T

Nate 10 Months
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

For someone just now celebrating his 1st double digit birthday, this dude has put up some big numbers in the past month.

8 = Consecutive steps taken on his own. Although his preferred method from point A to B is still speed crawling.

3 = Total teeth with the addition of a new one on top.

104.9 = High temperature when he had H1N1 last week.

1,759,328 = How many Cheerios he would eat if given the opportunity.

21.5 = pounds

18 = fake sneezes every 5 minutes. Followed by 18 crack up laughing when Annabelle fake sneezes back.

Infinity = How happy this little boy makes me

Conversation with my 12 1/2, I mean 2 1/2 year old.

Professional Pics Oct. 09
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

Last night Tom & Annabelle picked me up from work – the following conversation took place in the van on the way home.

Annabelle – Hi Mum Mum
Me – Hi Pinkle – how was your day?
A – Good
M – What did you do today?
A – Mostly got into stuff.
M – Like what?
A – When Nana was feeding Nate I took the opportunity to open 4 lollipops.
M – Why did you open 4 lollipops?
A – To see which one was my favorite.
M – And which one was your favorite?
A – The orange one.
M – What are you going to do with the other 3 now that you have opened them?
A – Daddy can have them.
M – I don’t think Daddy wants open, licked lollipops.
A – Nate-T can have them
M – Nate is just a baby, he can’t eat a lollipop.
A – He is a goat that eats carpet and leaves – he could manage a lollipop.

At this point I’m done – how do you argue with that kind of logic? How do you debate with a 3 foot tall person that uses the words opportunity and manage correctly yet cries at getting her hair combed?

Royalty In America

Pumpkin patch 2009
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

In case you were planning on running for this title, sorry, it’s already taken.

We had a great time at the Pumpkin Patch last weekend. The kids looked super cute in their knitted by Nana pumpkin hats. We went through the corn maze (a small disoriented child that did not belong to us barfed on Tom’s shoe – the best laugh I have had in while), played at the playground area, ran through the patch (Annabelle ran, I chased) and I finally after all these years got my coveted White Pumpkin. I believe they are Good Luck. I made that up but I believe it none the less.

Nate had lots of fun standing up on the pumpkins and eating hay (goat), Annabelle became quite the pumpkin connoisseur.

So much better than our Deliverance patch from last year – this was a new tradition in the making.

Happy Fall

Professional Pics Oct. 09
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

We went to a new studio for our fall portraits - I was so very pleased.

Happy 9 Month Birthday Nathaniel

Nate turning 9 months old yesterday was met with both an expression of “I can’t believe he is 9 months already” and “Wait – he’s only 9 months old?”

He is such a sweetheart. Smiley, laughing, cuddle bug most of the time. He has started dancing – unfortunately for him he dances like his Dad, bopping up and down and not much else. But he loves it, his sister loves it and seeing both their joy is the best feeling I have ever known.

He eats & eats, stands up from a sitting position without holding on to anything (I know those first steps are coming soon),
and absolutely loves books. First thing in the morning he cruises right over to his book bin, grabs a few favorites and announces “eeeehhhhhhh” while waving them in the air. Then he settles down with his back against your chest and helps you turn the pages while you read. He knows when his favorite parts are coming up and waves his arms in excitement.

Still not sleeping through the night on a regular basis, just often enough to let us know he can do it but just chooses not to.

We had a fun evening and my little ham let me take lots of pictures - after a prop change (he kept eating the arrangement) I was able to get some good ones that I thought really captured the true Nate.

Not lost, more like misplaced.

I’m sure in what is a first of very many incidents; Nate made my heart actually drop out of my chest last night. - He disappeared. -.

We were cleaning up dinner, I was unloading some shopping bags, Annabelle & Nate were playing back & forth from the living room to the dining room to the kitchen. A lot of activity going on.

Then I noticed that Nate was missing, I looked around the floor, under the dining room table, in the bathroom, assured the door to the upstairs was firmly shut, back to my Mom’s rooms, under her bed. All the while calling “Nate, Nate” – my Mom & Annabelle were frantically running from room to room too – no Nate. Although it was only about 3 minutes it seemed to happen in slow motion.

During one pass through the kitchen I heard a “e- yah” and turned to look at the cart tucked beside the stove – the whole top of it was covered with groceries I was putting away and the bottom that normally holds a bucket along with the coffee containers- to see Nate had pushed the bucket off to the side and crawled up under. He was having a good old time chewing on the cool stainless steel bars and using the coffee cans as a drum.

Ole' Ole'

Every so often the Fates (or Baby Jesus or Buddha, whomever you believe is the air traffic controller of this thing) will say “Let’s screw with Kristen, look how twitchy she gets”, and so it starts.

The story before the story

Some 13 years ago Tom & I honeymooned at a couples resort on the island of Jamaica. It was an idyllic time, sun, food, more sun and sleep. The one thing, the only one thing was this song. You know the one “Ole’, Ole’ – Hot Hot Hot” followed by some sort of island drum. I don’t know the name or who sang it but we heard it no less than 100 times during our 5 day stay. Morning, noon & night “Hot Hot Hot – I’m Hot, She’s Hot, They’re Hot” – enough to drive a person mad. On the way to the airport as I put my head on Tom’s shoulder in our air conditioned shuttle bus the following conversation took place.

Tom – This trip was wonderful.
Kristen – Yes, thank you, it was.

Followed by companionable silence while we reflected on our week, then driver must have realized we had not heard the song for at least 20 minutes and turned it on.

Kristen – One thing
Tom – Yes
Kristen – If I ever hear this “Hot Hot Hot” song again I am going to gouge my own ear drums out.
Tom – Agreed.

Present Day

Last week I was at a children’s consignment sale and I found a DVD about Sesame Street Zoe learning how to dance. I thought “Perfect, maybe Annabelle will learn some moves that don’t require just spinning” and I bought it. I didn’t even notice on the case it read “Includes Bonus CD!” (You see where this is going right?)

Saturday morning while I got Nate down for his nap I let Annabelle watch the DVD, then she comes running into the kitchen waving the CD wanting to listen. I told her to go ahead; she knows how to use her CD player. The next thing I know my fillings are melting down my throat while I stand paralyzed – Déjà vu of the worst kind. Elmo is screeching “Hot Hot Hot” in my house. My sanctuary, my humble abode is being beseeched with Elmo and that nasal Big Bird going back and forth “I’m Hot, He’s Hot, She’s Hot”. The song ends, I hear Annabelle hit a button and it starts all over again. OMG – flashbacks – the song that won’t end.

By the time Tom gets home an hour later I am practically in a fetal position - I say “Go find out what your daughter is doing”. He walks into the living room to witness Annabelle, tutu on, arms above her head (the one move she learned from Zoe’s dance lesson), spinning, singing “Hot Hot Hot”. He got that same glazed look in his eye as he turned to me and said “What the f**k?” I shook my head, there were no words.

To date – I have heard that song another 100 times.

Phone Home

Annabelle channels her inner ET
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

I always think of the scene in ET when they were trying to hide him amongst the stuffed animals whenever Annabelle says “How about how about Mum (or Cousin Mum Mum as she has taken to calling me recently) lets Annabelle hold all her friends in the rocking chair?”

Spin, Spin, Spin wheel spin

twirl the day away
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

Annabelle has declared herself a ballerina. This consists of twirling and twirling until she is dizzy, falling down, repeat.

Every day she would ask me to make her a tutu out of a towel, Tom’s shirt or baby afghan loosely secured about her waist with a hair clip. We called these homemade versions “ghetto tutu”. After about a week of this I happened to be at a toy store shopping for Cousin Jason’s 1st birthday and found this perfect dress up tutu. She is having so much fun. I worry slightly her equilibrium will not restore to factory settings with all this dizziness but I’m pretty sure there is a pill for that.

Right now my biggest challenge is getting it off her each day as she usually tries to convince me “the tutu wants to take a shower with Annabelle”

8 months old already!

8 month birthday
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

So technically the 5th was Nate’s 8 month birthday but it took me all week to upload pictures and get them posted. Slacker I know.

Taking stand alone portraits is proving to be more and more of a challenge each month – this one ending with a forehead bruise after a face plant into the arm of the chair – so the few I got were all I got.

This past month Nate started really getting into eating – 3 meals a day now of baby food plus puffs. The boy likes to eat, now if only he would sleep…………

Family time

Jeremy & Annabelle at the zoo
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

I knew Annabelle had spent the afternoon with Jeremy when that evening she picked up her Little People Bus and said "Sweet".

Lack of pie incites outrage in many.

Annabelle's loved these letters since she was a year old.
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

I am writing this story today in hopes that it will commit it further to memory. It is one of the snapshots I take in my mind that I anticipate will revisit me in the future and bring me as much pleasure then as it did today. I hope in my retelling the innocent statement that turned out hilarious is not lost, I’ll do the best I can.

Our evening routine consists of Annabelle playing word games with the magnetic letters on the fridge while Grace & I clean up the kitchen after dinner. Annabelle will ask how to spell a 3 letter word, then once in place change letters around, adding or replacing until a new word is made. Her delight in finding CAT can become SCAT or DOG turn into HOG is amazing.

While cleaning up last night Mom & I were lamenting about how we haven’t had any good desserts in awhile and Annabelle asked how to spell PIE. While she was moving letters around she put a H at the end and asked me if that was a word. We sounded it out and determined that PIEH in fact was not a word but back to the drawing board. After a few more combinations she was growing bored of our game I suggested she go find out what Daddy & Nate were up to. Before she left she tried one more, putting a F in the middle to spell PFIE. We again determined that didn’t work and so she took off running into living room to announce to Tom

“There is no F in pie!”

Tom was silent for a few beats and said “Did your Mum tell you to say that?”

Nate says Peace Out

Nate says Peace Out
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

Playtime fun

There are things I never thought about.

When Annabelle was born I was so confident she would be an only child I didn’t allow myself to daydream of her and a sibling, I simply counted my blessings.

Once Nate became known I still didn’t think about it, as if wanting something so badly would make it go away.

Then we found out Nate was a boy although overjoyed I didn’t envision 2 children as playmates – Growing up with siblings a decade older I had no frame of reference.

But now I am experiencing joy I couldn’t have imagined even if it had been drawn out for me – my kids really love each other.

It started with Nate – he would just light up when he heard Annabelle’s voice or saw her bounding into the room. Then he was crawling. I think a big part of his early crawling was he wanted to be wherever Annabelle was at that moment. Then he would smile, he would laugh, he let her know she was his favorite source of entertainment. She began to thaw, no longer did she cast an annoyed look whenever he invaded her space, and in fact she started to really enjoy his company too.

Now, they play. They chase, they peek-a-boo, they go from one room to the next giggling. Every night at dinner when Nate sees Annabelle getting down his legs start kicking from his highchair, if he is not released immediately he will shriek until he can join his favorite girl for their nightly game of crawl through the tunnel.

Tom & I just watch with love in our eyes – the first couple of times I cried a bit. These are memories I will always carry with me. I know they will not always get along; I know he will rip the heads off her dolls or read her diary but for now – at this time- witnessing their pure innocent joy together is the best thing I never expected.

Happy 7 month Birthday Nate!

It is hard to believe Nate celebrates his 7 month birthday today.

I will come back tomorrow night and add a picture, right now I wanted to get the post up before midnight so it would be dated correctly and Nate will someday know that I didn’t forget.

We started off the day with Annabelle singing “Happy Birthday” - but that isn’t anything unusual, someone/something is serenaded with that tune daily in our house. Nana took him for a big walk and tonight we went to the playground.

Before dinner I took him outside to get some natural light in his 7 month picture and boy was he photogenic – thus the reason for no pic in this original post – I have a lot to edit & upload. Will revisit tomorrow - Happy Birthday my sweet, sweet little man.

ETA - Boy was it hard to pick a picture - Nate was really in the groove during this shoot, but for now, this one is my favorite.

Also as a 7 month birthday gift to me - he slept through the night!

A + B = Yay!

If you only read one other blog post this week – read this one.

It is a shared experience written by a dear, dear friend of mine that has been through the proverbial wringer the past few years. Even without knowing the history, it resonates as a stand alone story that makes you feel very happy as you find out the ultimate result.

I first read it a week ago and still smile every time I think about it.

Sing us a song Piano man

Music table fun
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

Nate is so into the music table - he bangs, he sings, he screeches, he hits every button at once. Most of all it allows him to stand up - his favorite thing of all.

Nate 6 month portrait

Best of Nate-T-Boo
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

He is such a little flirt.

It's true

She does love him - mostly
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

There have been random acts of affection. Like capturing the spotted owl in flight, it is rare & beautiful when happens and even more extraordinary to photograph.

Yum!

Nate's first cereal experience
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

The boy likes his food!

After muddling through Annabelle and all her food texture aversions we decided to wait until the full 6 months per Pediatrician recommendation to start Nate on food. Now I am thinking that was about 1 month too late. We just started rice cereal on Tuesday and Nate is so into it. He grabs your hand, grabs the spoon, and opens up his mouth – anything to get it in there quicker. Between bites he kicks his legs and shrieks “eh eh eh” as if to say Hurry Up!

We are going to start putting some fruit in the cereal later this week, he is gonna love it.

Happy 6 month birthday Nate!

July 5, 2009

Happy 6 month birthday Nathaniel!

His name is Nate, he’s super great.
Even late, he is still super duper great.

That is our song – I made it up in the hospital and it never fails to make you smile. You rarely get upset but when you do you always stop fussing when I sing the song and give me one of your great big smiles. You really are super great.

You are reaching milestones early; the pattern appears to be a week before a monthly birthday you do something spectacular. A week before your 1 month you smiled, before your 3 month you rolled over and a week prior to 6 months you started crawling. Now today you pulled yourself up into a standing position in the bassinet part of the Pack & Play. You are really on the go; you want to sit straight up but are still tumbling over when you do it independently. Any minute now you will master it but for now you are content to go after whatever catches your eye on the other side of the room, usually your sister’s books. You love books, sometimes you just look but mostly you try to eat them, that’s OK, we have lots of time to learn proper respect for other things.

Everyone comments on what a happy baby you are. I call it flirting; you bat your eyelashes and light up with the biggest smile whenever anyone (usually women) pays any attention to you. You laugh and kick and grin, it makes the person on the receiving end positively glow. What a charmer! Your favorite person has to be Annabelle, you just light up when you see or hear her. She is warming up to you too and does not complain when you grab a handful of her hair.

We will start you eating solid foods this week after we see the doctor, I think you are ready; you love to sit at the table with us now. I can only imagine what size you will be after you start getting fruits/vegetables into you. You have always been big for your age (the nurses in the delivery room called you “the toddler”), going through 3 size clothes by the time you were 5 months, and now some of that is getting snug. You are healthy and strong, that is all that matters. Your first word is Da-da-da; you love to say it over and over, especially in the car. It puffs your Father up every time.

So my sweet boy I am wishing you the most wonderful of ½ birthdays, we are going to get pictures taken tomorrow morning and then doctor in the afternoon (sorry). Know how very much you are loved and how complete our little family feels now that you are here.

With so much love,
Mum

PS – Please start sleeping through the night. Thank you.

Little Miss Independent

4th of July
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

Annabelle channels her inner Abbie Hoffman with a flag dress for the holiday.

We have a crawler

Nate crawling
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

After a few weeks of rocking back and forth and frog/worm wiggling across the floor, Nate started officially crawling this weekend. He is so pleased with himself.

Watch out Shadow kitty, your days of lounging just out of reach are over.

Meet the Godparents

Josh, Jen, Nate & Jeremy
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

Anyone looking in from the outside would say “Oh I see, you just pick your nieces and nephews for Godparents, that is easy”

To that I say “No, hell no, that is not the case at all”. Well yes, it is true we choose our nephew & his wife to be Annabelle’s sponsors and yes, we choose our niece and twin nephews to stand for Nate but being the spawn of our siblings is not our only requirement in choosing lifelong mentors for our children. Upon reflection I realize we are so fortunate to admire our kinfolk this way (some of them). I mean aside from the “you love them because you share DNA” factor, we really do like these people.

Nate does not have 2 “half-godfathers”, he has 2 Godfathers, which I think makes him so very blessed. As I watched the 3 of them this weekend at Nate’s baptism I was filled with gratitude. I am so happy for Nate that he will have the 3 of them in his life in such a special role. I list the reasons below in chronological birth order and alphabetically, no other reason.

Jennifer – Ever since I have known Jen she has been asking for a cousin so she could baby-sit. Well, here you are, sorry it took over 12 years since you first asked. I hope the offer has not expired as you are no longer a teenager. Jennifer graduated this past year with a double major in education and child psychology. Who better to help me understand what to do with a middle school age boy than someone who works with them everyday (she will have been teaching a dozen years by then) Thank goodness, I didn’t understand boys then and I sure don’t now. She has already bought him a book called How to talk to girls and has stated it is her mission to teach him how to treat a female. I think that is a fabulous idea.

Jeremy – As our family says “Jeremy is well, Jeremy” He is unique, driven, super smart, loyal and behind that grin you can always see the wheels turning. I think Nate is blessed to have Jeremy as an example. Jeremy gets things done and finds a way to get what he wants. Jeremy will be the one to take Nate out for his 21st birthday, I am sure it will be an occasion to remember. Plus Jeremy has always said he is going to be rich, I don’t doubt that for a minute so it doesn’t hurt to have a Godfather with some bucks.

Josh – Josh is a natural charmer, he gives you a smile and you will do whatever he asks. I see some of that in Nate already and I am sure Josh will help him to cultivate that skill. Josh is a football coach, he thinks strategically plus he is very logical. Josh can quickly analyze a situation and come up with the most practical solution and execute without pondering “what if”. I see Josh teaching Nate many many things throughout his lifetime, from sports to real essence guidance.

All 3 of them offer him the outlook of youth while still being older enough to be wise. I hope Nathaniel will look to them at times when he can’t to his parents, or just when he needs a fresh perspective.

I feel confident we made a wise choice indeed.

The dreaded catch-up post

Annabelle & Nate 6/09
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

Ok, Ok I’ll do it – I’ll write a catch up post. I’m sorry for being such a bad blogger friend. It is just that I have been in a mood. A “I’m planning a party, spending money I don’t have, busy at work, overwhelmed with housekeeping, trying to be completely present with my children, nobody reads my blog anyway, not feeling creative enough to write a post” kind of mood. But I'll get over it.

I do appreciate the few e mails I received asking if everything was all right and the one stating “I don’t give a rat’s ass if you are busy or not I want to see a new picture of those kids” made me laugh out loud. Old friends know I respond better to a kick in the butt than gentle prodding.

So here is what we have been up to.

Annabelle
• We started a swimming class last Saturday. She did really well and was blowing bubbles and relaxing enough to float by the end of the first session.
• She sang me the entire 8 verses of “Mockingbird” the other night before bed. It took everything I had not to burst into tears, which would have upset her. I must get this on video, I finally figured out how to use the recorder, now to learn how to post.
• Aunt Stacie arrives today and she is bursting out of her skin wondering “what present will she bring you?” She also wants to review the mix-tape CD Stacie gave her last fall, there are some songs on there I don’t know the name and it is driving her bonkers.
• We are starting potty training – she went 5 times yesterday and loves her Princess pull-ups even though she does not know who the Disney Princesses are. (and when did Snow White become a “Princess”, last I heard she was just a dwarf dweller and now all of a sudden she is royalty?)

Nate
• As of last night he weighs 16 pds 8 oz.
• He is getting Baptized on Sunday. He *just* fits in his outfit. I knew I was walking the line when I bought it but I had a hard time finding a shorts outfit in the 9 month size, let alone the 12 month.
• He really wants to crawl. He can get up on all 4’s and rock back and forth but no movement as of yet. He does scoot from one end of the living room to the other by doing a ½ worm, ½ frog thing with his body & legs.
• He started sleeping 7-9 hour stretches last week. Now if Tom would quit snoring I might get rid of the red eye/black circle look I have been sporting as of late.

That is about it – I’ll be back again soon. I promise.

Happy 5 month birthday Nate

Happy 5 month birthday Nate
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

Our 5 month birthday shoot started out with a thud.

I set the stage exactly as I have been setting it for the past 4 months, white blanket on the bouncy seat, surrounding floor clear of excess debris, set the Nate down and reached for the camera. As I stretched Nate sat straight up and toppled forward, it happened so fast I just got my hand under him before he hit the floor. He laughed. I tried again, set him in the bouncy seat tried to snap a few pictures but he kept sitting straight forward.

I abandoned the idea of using the bouncy seat and just set him on the floor. Up to this point he had not sat unassisted but has been practicing in the Bumbo a lot. At first he toppled to the side, the second time he sat right up, kinda leaning forward but still sitting on his own. As you can see he loved it and I got lots of smiles

Happy 5 month birthday my sweet, sweet boy.

My calendar

An “insert your own photo” calendar hangs above my desk at work, a Christmas gift from Cousin Janine. Each month the season appropriate border with the 4 X 6 blank center calls on me to capture a new picture of the kids so I may gaze lovingly at those beautiful faces while I toil the day away.

While this month’s photo shoot started out with a head butt I think it came together in the end. I learned the trick of take a million photos and sort them out later; there will be a gem among the ruins.

Here are my entries so far. I know someday I will look back on my 2009 calendar with nostalgia. I already am.

Jump, Jump, Jump

I discovered witnessing pure joy could make me laugh and cry at the same time.

Coolest kid on the block

Dec 08 onesie exchange
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

The Decembers (and I thank you again for not kicking me out when Nate was born in January) recently organized a onesie swap. We traded names and designed original onesies for each others babies. While I had fun creating for cute little girly girl Abby, we received 5 super cool ones from Laura.

LMDO = Laughing my Diaper Off – which Nate does on a regular basis whenever his sister is around.

I was so intrigued by the sign language one – what could it mean? Love? Cute? Milk? I finally asked and it translates to NATE. Why didn’t I think of that? Now we love it even more.

The others are so great too – so masculine & hipster.

I am so very blessed to have met up with this bunch of wonderful baby Mamas.

Sandbox fun

Sandbox fun
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

Thank you cousin Jackie for our turtle sandbox - Annabelle loves it! In fact as soon as she saw it her first comment was "This is stupendous" (credit Fancy Nancy on that one)

We played with all our toys and Annabelle couldn't resist a little taste - don't think she will be doing that again.

42 minutes later

Going for the mail
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

Come on Annabelle; let’s walk out to the mailbox.
She runs in her room.
Do you want to go with me for the mail?
She emerges holding her sandals, sunglasses on, bunny ears from Easter on her head (where did she find these anyway?)
It was after dinner on a warm evening – neighbors were out washing their cars, reading on their porches, taking care of their flowers. Everyone had to stop to admire Annabelle and her choice of going-to-the-mailbox attire.
We head across the yard, take a detour through one neighbors yard so Annabelle can flirt with the older kids, another stop at other neighbor to admire his flowers, speak to another walking 4 dogs. Get to the mailbox, find it empty. Head back. Stop at the playhouse, back to see the kids again, over to the swing, around the house for good measure and back to the porch where Tom says “I think your Mom already brought in the mail”
Seriously, this is why I get nothing done.
I love it.

Mother's Day is here again already?

Last year I wrote this post about how I wanted to be organized and have annual Mother’s Day pictures and somehow fell short of my own expectations. You would think writing an article like that would motivate me, I mean I had 365 days to get it together before the next Mother’s Day arrived. That year went by quickly and I found myself wondering this Mother's Day - why can't I have more hours in the day?

As I know now last year I had an apple seed size Nate in my belly so I could get a pass on that chaos. This year no excuses, just me being the behind-the-eight-ball me that I am. Again, went to church, came home to prepare a meal for guests, entertained guests, cleaned up, and took care of kids. Finally about 6 o’clock I asked Josh to take some pics of me and the kids before their tiredness took over. I didn’t get the matching outfits (I didn’t even shop for them this year). I did manage to get everyone’s hair brushed which was an improvement from years past.

I am going to redefine my own expectations. I now hope when they look back on these photos they think “Wow, look how much we have changed physically but Mom still has that look of love in her eyes just for us” instead of “Wow, my Mom really is Bree Van de Kamp”. That is if I can get them printed and placed in the photo album before they are adults, if only I can find where I put it.

Learning all the answers

Party Day
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

There was this time in my life I now refer to as BC, Before Children. Although 35 years long, I don’t remember a whole lot of this time. But I know this, I had all the answers. After all I had spent many a time observing other people raising their children so of course I was well qualified to know what they were doing wrong. I smugly held the knowledge of how I could do better if only given the chance.

Case in point: My children would never be commercialized. They would play with old fashioned blocks, toy trains, Golden Books. No my children would not be made into walking advertisements for Disney; I would not pay money to further profit the man. No character toys, clothes and so on.

You know what I found out? These things make my daughter happy. I learned from the start there wasn’t much I wouldn’t do to make my daughter smile. So as the Sesame Street shirts and Dora cell phones made their way into my life I realized my resolve was broken. From the first time Annabelle read a Thomas the Tank Engine book she was smitten. I swear when I am old and demented I will be reciting “Happy Birthday Thomas” as it is forever embedded in my brain after reading no less than 5000 times between ages 6 & 18 months to Annabelle.

As I sat at my dining room table the morning of my daughter’s 2nd Birthday Party I looked around at the Minnie Mouse theme, Dora placemat, Elmo booster seat that surrounded me and realized back then, I really didn’t have all the answers. Hearing her say “Annabelle is very pleased” upon seeing the decorations I knew I was finally getting a clue.

Happy 4 month birthday Nate!

Nate 4 month birthday
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

He is so super cool - it is hard to believe Nate is only 4 months old - I feel like I have known him forever.

We went to the ped today, his stats are

weight - 15 pds 8 oz - 60th percentile
height - 27 inches - 97th percentile
head - 17 inches - 90th percentile

I was suprised at the weight, I thought he was closer to 17 pounds but I guess he is fitting into 9 month stuff because of his height. 'Either way - he is absolutely perfect.

In this picture he is doing his favorite thing, kicking his socks off and cracking up laughing at his sister.

Keep that baby rollin

Yes, I'm doing it, what I swore I would never do - missing Nate's milestones. Knowing the indignation of being the 3rd child with only pictures at 3 months and then graduation I never wanted to do that to my kids. Here I am 1 month later finally taking picture of him rolling over. I am going to get better- I really am. I promise a picture of him standing before he is 5.

He started rolling 1 week before his 3 month birthday, surprising us all by just throwing those chubby little legs and going. Now it is all he wants to do, even though I put him down on his back to sleep he goes to his side then stomach within a few hours.

Here he is out in the yard Sunday, first doing "the turtle" then over to his stomach.

What a difference a year makes

Dandilion collage
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

I know I know I am such a crappy blog friend. I try, I really do try. I have all these ideas in my head, I take the pictures but then there is a disconnect between writing the stories and typing them out. The days go by so fast with my “2 in 22” as I now refer to them. Some people don’t know I had a second baby so when they ask “how is the baby?” I have to explain I have 2 kids 22 months apart (well actually 21 and a half but that does not flow quite as nice)

This past weekend I attempted to recreate one of my favorite pictures of Annabelle. It sure was easier last year when she couldn’t get up and run away every 30 seconds.

I can see her at age 18 “REALLY Mum, do I have to go sit in the dandelion field with my yellow dress & white hat?” Yes Annabelle, you really do.

Nate gets his first wet willie

Nate 1st wet willie
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

Well maybe not wet, but a willie nonetheless.
The story behind the photo goes like this.

Nate wants to sit up
I put Nate in the Bumbo
Nate loves it
I grab camera
Annabelle hears ‘click’ from other room
Like any true Diva she wants in the picture
I tell her she has to kiss her brother
She sticks finger in his ear
He looks shocked
I crack up laughing
Photo shoot over

Easter weekend

I have to admit - these blog posts with multiple pictures kick my butt. I can never get the images to line up correctly, but I am going to give it a try.

Friday I picked up our new camera. Thank you to all who recommended a Cannon, I really like it and found it easy to operate/edit without reading the directions, which I never do.


Saturday morning we had playdate/birthday party. Brady is the last of our crew to turn 2. We finally got all 4 of them healthy, together, in a good mood all at once. They have all been friends since I met their Mommies at a nursing group when Annabelle was born.









Then we went home, lunched, napped and got up to color eggs. Annabelle loved this and so did I until she stuck both hands in the egg dye. It took a long time to unblue her hands, in fact she still has a tinge on her nails.









Easter morning Annabelle had to hunt for the basket that the Easter Bunny left, it was filled with fun stuff - sidewalk chalk, roll on bath soap, a beach ball and a purse. He even left some vanilla cookies.











Then off to church. On the way I am coaching Annabelle on church etiquette, no running around, no talking while pastor is talking etc. She says "and Easter bunny will be there". I explain that no, he will not

During the sermon Pastor mentions Peter the Apostle and Annabelle says loud enough for everyone to hear "Peter Cottontail - I knew he would be here!" Yes, this is my daughter.



Get home, Twins arrive, Josh gives Nate a bottle while Grace & I get dinner ready. Josh makes a confession, he does not believe in Tupperware, in fact he often throws it away. I am considering one of those home DNA tests to see if the kid is really related to me.











Annabelle runs around in her Easter dress & bonnet, sans shoes & sweater.












Nate does his best imitation of Fat Bastard in Austin Powers - *Don't you think I'm sexy?*


All in all, a great but busy weekend.