There are a few downsides to becoming more mobile and trying new things. Ingrid had an unfortunate run-in (more like flop-on) with one of the plastic toy bins this afternoon. She was attempting to pull up on it from a slight kneeling/tummy position, lost her grip, and hit the edge of it with her cheek. I wasn’t able to catch her in time 🙁 Poor baby girl. (Good thing it was a rounded edge, but still…) She has now joined the shiner ranks alongside Nolan and Lincoln.
So it seems our little miss has really taken off on her moving & climbing. She gets where she wants to go by rolling everywhere. She is very close to crawling and has been pulling up on things like the laundry basket and just tonight, was I found her kneeling next to her crib rail. I had placed her in her crib (sitting) while I went in to her brothers’ room to kiss them good night and when I returned to our room, there she was, smiling with her little head poking up over the rail. She was so proud of herself 🙂
Now I have to keep her up up long enough for Jake to get back from the gym so he can help me lower her mattress. Her eyelids are getting heavy…not sure she’ll make it!
then perhaps they could tell me how this happened:
Nolan’s lower teeth used to sit in a row. Now, it seems one is out of alignment – pushed toward the front. *sigh*
I went downstairs for a minute and left the boys playing nicely in the living room. 30 seconds later, I heard screaming & crying. Nolan came down the stairs mumbling, “My tooth is loose!” Sure enough, one was wiggling, there was blood in his mouth, and he was sobbing. As a mom, any sign of blood in your kid’s mouth makes your adrenaline pump. You never know what you’re going to find. I was able to deduce that somehow Nolan’s mouth had a run in with Lincoln’s foot. Don’t ask me how. Unfortunately the two of them can’t recall how it happened either. All I know is we made our first emergency trip to the dentist this afternoon. Our little man should be just fine, but we have to watch things for the next couple of days.
We made it 5 years without an accident that warranted an unexpected trip to the doctor or dentist. Not a bad run, if you ask me!
We took the kids to the splash pad tonight after swimming lessons. That may sound a little redundant, but really it wasn’t. While Shecklet #1 is a fish in the pool, Shecklet #2 has not enjoyed his lesson experience. We won’t be returning him to the pool (in that setting) for a while.
Anyway…it was extremely hot & humid today, so after we exited the warm junior high pool, we headed for the cool water & “spider web” as Shecklet #1 calls it. (It’s the giant rope climbing structure at the park next to the splash pad.)
While we were there, we gave Shecklet #3 her first opportunity to swing. She loved it!
Dear Nolan,
Wow, 5 years! I can’t believe how fast time has gone. I suppose I may say that with each passing year, but it’s the truth every time. You have grown so much this year I can hardly believe it. You continue to grow in confidence and compassion and are such a funny and loving young boy. I am amazed at how much you absorb throughout the day and am grateful to be able to experience life through your eyes. I am so thankful to be your mother.
Today we began the day in the best way possible, thanking God for the gift of you at mass. When word got out afterward that it was your birthday, you proudly told people that you were now 5! And you held up your fingers to prove it 🙂 We stopped to pick up donuts (which has become a bit of a Sunday tradition) and a cappuccino (for me) and brought them home to share. Then I got started with frosting your cake. This year, I asked if you wanted a caterpillar cake (like the one we saw in a magazine) and you said yes. While I was frosting the cake, Daddy went to the garage to get your present ready. The look on your face when you saw your new red bike in the garage pure joy! Lincoln helped you check out every detail of it and you hopped on to check out the size. I think you have a great summer in store!
Our family & friends arrived around 2:30 for cake and ice cream. After singing to you, we dug in to the tasty caterpillar and then you went outside with Lincoln and our friend, I. A little while later, you asked if everyone could come outside to watch you open your presents. You did a great job sharing your new things. Your uncles helped you break in your new bat, glove & baseball and you also played a round of croquet with Nana.
I pray you always share that wonderful smile and welcoming personality with the world. Your Daddy & I love you very much and look forward to seeing what God has in store for you this coming year.
XOXO
Mommy
We’re working on sitting up. So far, Ingrid is able to maintain a vertical position for a few seconds and then she leans forward or topples to the side. She loves the change in view from laying on her back or tummy. I can’t believe she’s 6 months old today! I think time goes much faster when you’ve already got kids running around. I’m trying to savor each milestone we have with our little girl. She has been such a gift. And the novelty still hasn’t worn off. The boys are simply enamored with her. It makes my heart smile.
Jake and I got up this morning and went to mass with Ingrid, letting the rest of the house sleep in. My dad was there as well. Afterward, my dad offered to take us to breakfast on main street. Jake told me to go and he would head back to the house to check on the boys. When we walked into the restaurant we found my brother and cousin Jared sitting at a table. We sat down and shortly after, Josh and his girlfriend, Jordan, joined us. My mom eventually joined us as well. Good food and good conversation.
After breakfast Jared took Tony & me to see Josh’s new house and dogs. Then we went back to Jared & Kyla’s to pack up, have lunch, and try to get a few pics of the cousins. Emphasis on try. (You may notice that Lincoln is missing from the little cousins photo – he wasn’t in the photo taking mood.)
I don’t know which group was more challenging to capture, the younger cousins or the older!
Finally, as we left town this afternoon we stopped to say one final goodbye to Uncle Joe. As we were pulling into the cemetery, Lincoln said to me, “Mommy, that sleepover was a blast!” It was really good to be with family.
Saturday morning we got ready for the funeral and again, had the boys stay home with a babysitter. The funeral was a beautiful good-bye to Uncle Joe. My brother, cousin Kerri and I were asked to read the readings during the mass and we were also pall bearers along with Jake, Jared & Kyla, and Josh & Jordan.
After we returned from the cemetery, the church ladies provided us with a wonderful luncheon. We were able to visit with many of our extended relatives, many of whom we had not seen for several years. “Why is it that we only get together at weddings and funerals?” was a question that was asked many times over.
Jake and Jared brought the boys to the church after we were finished eating so we could introduce them to family members who had only seen them in pictures. At that point we also selected a few items of Joe’s to remember him by.
After a long & emotional morning/afternoon, we returned to Jared & Kyla’s for the evening. We had dinner and sat around the table reminiscing and looking at photos.
Uncle Joe ended up having the last laugh tonight. My cousin, Josh, had brought home a humidifier box (after the encouragement of my mom). When he opened it at home that night, he had to drive back to Jared & Kyla’s to show us what he had found. Apparently my mom had used the box to send Joe a care package for his birthday back in what we think must have been 2004! The birthday card and treats inside the box were never opened! Little Debbie cakes were hard as rocks and Hershey Kisses exploded while Hershey Miniatures disintegrated. From what we can figure, Uncle Joe must have thought he was getting a humidifier for his birthday and didn’t even bother to open the box. So funny & yet, not surprising 🙂
We traveled to SD this weekend to lay my Uncle Joe to rest. It was a sad reason to get together with family, but at the same time, good to be with family. The kids and I rode with my dad (my mom had gone down earlier in the week and Jake and Tony drove together after work.) All 3 kids did quite well in the car. The boys were entertained for a while by good ‘ol Cars. Thank you Pixar.
Once we arrived at my cousin’s house, we had dinner, changed and went to the prayer service for my uncle at the church. Jared & Kyla found a sitter to watch all 4 boys so we could attend the service undistracted. When Kyla and I arrived home, we found the boys here:
They remained up until about 11:30. WWWWWAAAAYYYY past bedtime, but they were having so much fun with each other, how could we put them to bed???
Dear Lincoln,
I thought I’d write you a recap letter detailing today’s events. I can’t believe you are 3 years old today. As I sit here typing, I’m looking at a picture of you and your big brother when he visited us in the hospital after your birth. You look so tiny! Yet, I can see in your eyes, it’s you! You have become such a fun, independent, inquisitive & loving boy. I thank God for the gift you are in my life!
The day started off much like it did on the Easter Sunday you were born – we woke up to wet, heavy snow. You, Nolan & I had breakfast in our pj’s and gobbled up purple waffles – your request. After getting dressed, we had planned on going to the Children’s Museum, but the snow and slop made the roads extra messy (and dangerous,) so we decided to save that adventure for another day. You didn’t seem to mind since you had a chance to play with a few of the birthday presents you opened in the morning.
For lunch, you asked for “Taco Bells,” so you and Daddy (who took the day off from work) picked up tacos and nachos for us. After lunch, you, Nolan & Daddy went to pick up your cake – Buzz Lightyear was what you asked for this year. I briefly considered making your cake again this year, but decided to let the ladies at the bakery make it for you this go-around. You fell asleep in the car on the way home, so Daddy laid you down for a birthday nap – probably a good idea since you ended up being up past your bed time yet again tonight.
Our family and friends came over for cake and ice cream at about 6:30. We sang “Happy Birthday” to you and your eyes just beamed! I think you enjoyed being the center of attention today 🙂 After cake, you politely asked if you could open your presents, and had so much fun doing so. You received many wonderful, sweet well-wishes & gifts from your grandparents, aunts, uncles & friends.
You are loved by so many wonderful people, Lincoln. Never forget that. And in the words of your great-grandma Fran, God loves you, and so do I!
XOXO
Mommy
