Closer to Five than Four

I have a confession:  I think I like half birthdays more than regular birthdays.  They are one of my favorite traditions.   Birthdays only come once a year, and when you are a small child a year feels like a decade.  There is a lot of pressure to get it right and make it special.  But half birthdays don't come with any pressure because there is nothing mandatory about them. Eliana woke up this morning and was four-and-a-half!  But, it was just a regular day.  Here are the girls as we were leaving for school this morning.

 

 

I think Eli may look a little older, now that she is four-and-a-half . . . .

I've always liked half-birthdays, but last year Eliana wanted so badly to be four I decided to make an especially big fuss about turning three-and-a-half.  We had a cake, and she got one special present, a game called Caribou Island.  We all had a lot of fun.  Who doesn't like an extra celebration? 

Last year's half birthday.  (Look how little Leah is with her short hair and binky!)

This year Eliana got to pick her half-birthday dinner, and got her choice of "happy cake."  She chose macaroni & cheese (homemade of course!) with a turkey dog and raw carrots.  We had carrot cake with cream cheese frosting for dessert.

She wanted Leah to help blow out the candles, but not Daddy.

Don't they look proud?  They blew 'em all out.

The Happy Cake & gift

A Happy Girl with her gift.  (The new Tinkerbell DVD!)

Yup, I like half birthdays.  Maybe a year is too long to wait for me too.  I find my kids ask for things all the time (sweets! treats! toys! more toys!), and so I have to say "no" a lot.  It is fun to have a day to say YES to cake and YES to a special gift and most of all Thank You Lord for my daughters' precious lives, they are treasured and cherished!  

Nothing to Worry About Here!

Eliana got her head stuck in a rocking chair this week.  It was a child-sized rocker, gifted from Fred at Lakeside when Eliana was a newborn baby.  It was around 3:30 on Tuesday, and I was cooking in the kitchen when I heard Eliana cry, “Help!” from the family room.  Eliana cries “Help!” about 400 times a day so I did not immediately drop my spatula.  But, then she started really screaming so I ran over to see Leah trying to pull the rocking chair off of Eliana’s head.  The first order of business was to get Leah to drop the rocker, which definitely helped things.  And then, I calmly assured Eliana, “Don’t worry, if you were able to get your head in there, we will definitely be able to get it out.  Just stay calm and we’ll find the right angle.”   I adjusted her head, I adjusted the chair, I tried all kinds of angling and sliding, but her dome would not budge out of that chair.  I decided to use a little force, which resulted in a lot of screaming and a beet red ear.  Eliana started whaling again. 

I decided that some additional grownup help was needed.  It was agony to leave her, but I convinced Eliana to be brave while I went to get a neighbor.  I took Leah with me, lest she decide to try to free Eliana herself again, and we ran barefoot through the backyard to our next-door neighbors front door.  Thank God, the front door was open and Jordan was right there in the living room with his mother, Pam.  “Uh, Can you help us?  Eliana has her head stuck in a rocking chair?”  The neighbors went running with us back to the family room, where Eliana was calmly waiting.  Jordan said, “Don’t worry, if you were able to get your head in there, we will definitely be able to get it out,” and proceeded to try to find the right angle to free her head.  When it was obvious that her head was not budging, he went to work with the screwdriver.  He took all of the screws out, but the chair was finely crafted and hammered tight.  “Hang in there Eliana,” I said. “When we get you out you’ll have a giant ice cream sundae, with whipped cream and sprinkles and jelly beans and cookies on top!”  At this point I was ready to call the fire department, but Jordan said he could run home for his saw and saw my baby out.  So, with Jordan’s saw inches from her face, and Pam shielding the sawdust from her eyes and nose, Eliana was sawed out of the rocking chair.   We clapped!  We hugged!  We thanked Jordan and Pam!  We thanked God most of all!  Leah announced, “I have poopies Mommy!” and Jordan said, “I think I do too!”

Eliana remembered every last detail of the ice cream sundae that was promised her, and of course Leah got a matching sundae, jellybeans and all.  I did not bother asking, but she offered, “You know Mom, I don’t even know why I stuck my head in that chair.”  But, I think I know why.  I think God was teaching me an important lesson, in a kind and gentle way.  The lesson:  Stop Worrying.   I have always had a tendency to worry, but it has gotten worse since the kids were born.  I have an overactive imagination, and I am talented at imagining horrific circumstances.   It is effortless; they just come to me.  You’d be amazed at the scenarios I can think up.  I know that I need to train my mind to not entertain these thoughts, but somehow thinking of each potential hazard makes me feel more equipped and prepared to deal with it.  But a head stuck in a rocking chair?  Nope, that one never crossed my mind.  It was as if God was saying to me, “You can worry about everything under the sun, but you’ll never cover every possible scenario anyway, so just relax, I’ll take care of you!”  And it is true.  I don’t think it was coincidental that our neighbors were there to immediately help us out.  Pam to help nurture and comfort; Jordan to wield the saw. 

The assignment I have been left with is to stop worrying.  Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”  And Luke 12:25, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?”   So I am meditating on these scriptures every time I start imagining potential disasters, and I’m focusing on the fact that God wants me to have peace, and does not want my heart to be troubled or afraid (John 14:27). 

After Eliana was freed from the chair, she asked, “Why didn’t you take a picture Mommy?” and sounded a little annoyed that I hadn’t. I admit the thought crossed my mind, but I couldn’t quite bring myself to take a photograph in the midst of a crisis.  This mom Katie did manage to snap a photo.  (Eliana was faced the opposite direction, but this should give you a good idea of what she looked like.)  This little tearaway toddler actually made the news in the UK!  I guess Eliana is not the only kid to get her head stuck in a rocking chair, and both of these kids required the fire department to cut them out!

 

Ice Cream makes everything better!

"I tried to help my Didta {Sister}"

 

My Kids are Weird.

My kids are weird.  I suspect that other people’s kids are weird too. But here is the latest from mine.

Leah is completely obsessed with my armpit.  It is a long story.  It was not too much of a problem over the summer – basically when she wanted comfort she would snuggle on my lap and stick her hand in my armpit, or at night she’d roll over in bed and try to wiggle a finger into my armpit.  It sounds really strange, but I had gotten used to it.  Now that the weather is cooler and I’m wearing long sleeved shirts, my armpit is no longer as accessible.  Leah started screaming in anger, “Where’s Mommy’s armpit???” the first time I had on a long sleeve shirt.  So, lately we’ve been having armpit battles.  She screams, “I want Mommy’s armpit!!!”  I try to console her that she has the rest of Mommy, so that should be enough.  I hate to admit it, but Leah often wins these battles by her persistence, and she is getting adept at wiggling through a long-sleeve shirt to reach the armpit.  Arrrggh.  

As for Eliana, she has started lying about her age.  She tells everyone that she meets she is 5 years old.  EVERYONE!!!  The lady at the supermarket, her teacher at church, kids on the playground.  I think she is starting to believe it.  She tells me that when Leah turned 2, she turned 5.

Leah has become a lot more verbal, and is better able to articulate her fears.  She calls anyone threatening or scary a “mean guy.”  This applies to Halloween displays in all the stores, and it makes it easy to know when she is afraid so I can comfort her.  But she also says it about random people (the cashier in the store, the friendly older man who came over to say how cute the girls were, etc.).  The weirdest one though is the Geico gecko.  As soon as the commercial comes on she screams, “Mean guy!!!”  and wants the channel changed.

Eliana has been claiming that she does not sleep at night.  When she wakes up in the morning and I ask how she slept, she says, “I stayed in my bed, but I was awake all night.”  She says that she never dreams because she never sleeps.  Last week, in the middle of the night she woke up crying and afraid of something.  Even in that upset state, she claimed that she had not been asleep!!!  She definitely believes this one!

Leah’s latest obsession is “Elmo Robot.”  Nobody really knows what Elmo Robot is, or where he came from.  She likes Elmo.  And at some point she started to like robots.  But now every time she gets paper and crayon in hand she demands that I come over and “Draw Elmo Robot!!”  In fact, if I am busy and unable to do it, she demands that Eliana draw Elmo Robot for her. (Did I mention that Leah has gotten really demanding lately???)  Basically we just draw an Elmo face with stick legs and arms, and it appeases her, but Eliana and I are both hoping she forgets about Elmo Robot soon!

 

Lastly, Eliana is obsessed with drawing pictures of Hell.  To be fair, she draws Heaven too.  Although the Hell drawings are clearly her artistic passion.  Bryan, a very sweet boy from our church "cell group," got her started with the Heaven/Hell drawings when he gifted a few of his own to her.  It is really fun that Eliana’s drawings are starting to have more clarity and story behind them!  I can’t wait to see what will be next after her afterlife phase!

Popping the head off the marigold.  Sorry Daddy!

"Come on Mom, let's play catch!"

They rarely actually sit their tushies on the swings.

Leah gets a head start for races.

Eli loves dressing up.  This is how we did our grocery shopping.

But first they hi-jacked the car.

"I'm ready Big Sister.  Where we going?"

"I'll push all the buttons!!!"

Fairy Princess at the Wheel!!!

Eli's Soccer practice!!  (She's farthest left)

Leah hanging out at soccer practice.

Hell:  Fire & Brimstone

Heaven!  She said, "First I drew just me and God, but then I decided if I'm there, I want you to be with me too Mommy!"

Farewell Summer!

Today is the first day of fall!  I am so thankful for all of the fun we were able to have this summer, but also glad for the change of seasons, and the return to a more structured routine.  The girls have both started nursery school - Leah is a Lamb, and Eliana is a Froggie, and Wednesday morning Bible study has started up again.   The days have been warm enough for more trips to the playground, but cool enough to start doing some autumn baking.  The girls are exhausting, but so much fun, and so adorable together!  I am thankful every day that we are all healthy and well, and that the girls are growing so beautifully.  Praise the Lord!!
Here are some highlights from the summer that did not make it into the other posts:

The June Fete was even more fun for Eliana this year, because Leah could ride with her.

Our vegetable garden produced lots of peppers, chard, and herbs, but not many tomatoes.

 

Cousin's Trip to the Queens Zoo

What a nest!

Sometimes it is hard to share the mermaids.

First haircut!  This was the rough part.

She's thinking, "I really wanted a pretty lady to be cutting my hair, not this dude."

Eli's new look!

It's just cherry juice.

Cherry juice face number II.

We don't take naps.  But we pretend.

Eliana and Gran - best buddies.

Leah's favorite guy - Caspie.

Pipe Cleaner Glasses

 

Snuggling with Nana.  (Or, Nanny as Leah calls her.)

Picnic lunches always taste better.

 

Running around the minivan before school - a favorite ritual, especially when we're late.

Leah-No-Nap falls asleep at the kitchen table (again!)

It's Not Whether you Win or Lose . . . But My Kid is the Champion!!!

We had seen the signs for the Watermelon Eating Contest while picking up some milk at O'Neill's Food Market.  When I explained to Eliana what it was about, she was all for it. She said, "Mommy, I am going to WIN that contest!"  We marked it on the calendar.

Saturday morning came and the family trekked down to the market.   Eliana was coached repeatedly about the importance of having fun, and not worrying about winning or losing.  She was entered into the 6 and under heat of the contest.  We entered Leah too, mostly because it was freezing out there and I forgot to bring sweaters.  I figured that the free t-shirt, which came down to her ankles, would keep her warm.  (Turns out, Leah wanted no part of the contest, or the shirt.)  Eliana was very quiet before that contest started.  When the gun fired, she started chomping on the watermelon with the most serious expression on her face.  There was quite a crowd congregated in front of the store cheering for the children.  Eliana's Daddy cheered the loudest.

Eliana sizes up the competition.

She returns her focus to her watermelon, with great persistence and determination.

Eliana's mouth never came up from that watermelon until she was declared the winner!  The first prize winner!!!  But, when it was all over, the poor kid was in shock.  She never expected a big crowd of people cheering, and the whole thing was overwhelming for her.  She said, "Come on guys, let's get out of here!"  before she had even collected her prize.  My girl did not even crack a smile until we were safely home, although her proud parents were beaming from ear to ear. 

But once she was home, and bragging to our neighbor Uncle Vince about her victory, the smile came out in full force.  Here is the champion displaying her prize - a $10 gift card to Glenside Pizza.

The thrill of victory finally sets in!

 

 

 

 

 

Special thanks to O'Neill's Food Market for a fun (free) experience, and for always being so friendly to the kids. We're going to start practicing early for next year!

My Baby is Two

I was tired when Leah was born.  Really tired!  It was the end of the hottest summer on record.  (Check the history books kids, I’m not making it up!)  I was carrying around 55 extra pounds, and chasing a non-napping 2-year old around nonstop.   I had pregnancy insomnia, on top of Eliana waking up 3 –4 times a night. The day Leah was born I started having contractions in the morning while at a gym class at Romp-N-Roll with Eliana.  The rest of the 94 degree day consisted of taking Eliana to the playground, and then to the library, going out for pizza dinner (which I could not eat), and going to the OBGYN.  After my doctor confirmed that a birth was imminent, we went home so that Pete could put Eliana to sleep (never an easy task) before we could finally go to the hospital.  I was praying Leah wouldn't be born in the living room

Once at the hospital the contractions were scream-worthy intense, and I began begging and pleading for an epidural.  I was devastated when the epidural brought no relief, and asked the nurse, “Why am I still in so much pain?  When my first daughter was born the pain went away after the epidural?”  She was so mean to me!  She told me to toughen up, and that that this was my first lesson not to compare my children!  Although painful, Leah's birth was quick.  But, it was followed by a grueling hour of three doctors fishing around for lost placenta.  I’ll spare you the details.  But seriously, when she was born, I was really tired.

When Eliana was born (not that I’m comparing my children!), I was committed to attachment parenting.  I was going to sleep all night with her by my side – not in the hospital nursery.  I am almost ashamed to say it, but when Leah was born, I was looking forward to having her sleep in the hospital nursery.  I was (and still am) in favor of attachment parenting, but with more limits this time, please.  Eliana refused the bottle, and only wanted the breast – not this time!  Eliana rejected the binky, and preferred to receive all her comfort from her Mama – not this time!  Eliana’s favorite sleep position was on top of me, and she slept in 20 minute increments when she was not on top of me – not this time!  As much as I loved my Eliana with my whole heart, I was trying to think practically about managing life with two daughters. I kissed my beautiful sleeping Leah, asked the nurse to bring her back when she was ready to feed, and sent her off to the hospital nursery.

A few hours later the nurse woke me out of an unsettled sleep.  She said, “I think your little one needs some kangaroo-care.”  Leah’s body temperature kept dropping too low.  They put her under the heat lamps to bring it up, but as soon as she was taken off the heat it dropped low again.  As I already knew, the best person to help the baby regulate her temperature is the Mama.  Skin-to-skin full body contact, known as kangaroo-care.  I quickly nuzzled little Leah onto my chest and held her close.  I felt so guilty!  How could I have sent her off to the cold, cruel hospital nursery in a little plastic bassinet!   Her cold skin quickly warmed up, and soon we were both sleeping peacefully. 

Leah’s favorite sleep position is still curled up next to me, or on top of me, skin-to-skin.  And to be perfectly honest, that is how I now sleep the best too.   Leah has just turned two years old, and I realize that the time will come soon that she will be ready to sleep through the night in her own bed.  I look forward to that day, and I also plan to treasure the rest of the nights that Leah curls up next to me.   After the nurse told me that Leah needed kangaroo-care, I resolved that this little one would not miss out on any of the nurture and loving that she deserved, just because I was tired.  The first few months of her life were especially difficult, but my efforts were so rewarded because Leah was pure love.  When I snuggled her, she snuggled me right back. When I carried her, she held on to me with both arms.  When she nursed, she patted my arm with her little hand.  Even as a newborn, she reciprocated my love with such genuine affection and appreciation. All babies are gifts from God, but I felt that God had given me a special gift in making Leah so exceedingly loving.

My baby is now two-years-old.  She is growing and developing beautifully.  She is more independent every day.  She tests boundaries.  She has a sense of humor.  She is rebellious.  And she still has a special sweetness, that is just part of who she is.  She loves to snuggle, she gives hugs that last for a half hour, she kisses and nuzzles and cuddles and loves.  Leah is happy to tell you that she is now "Two!" but she is also so happy to drink her "baba," snuggled up on my lap.  And I will continue to savor these moments of sweetness, while she is still so happy to be my baby. 

Birthday Girl and Big Sister on the big day!

Excited to go to U-Swirl after church!

Sugar Rush!

When we sing Happy Birthday . . Leah gets a shy smile . .

Then hides her face in her hands

and tries to disappear.

We also were celebrating Eliana's anniversary of becoming a big sister.  So we sang Happy Anniversary to Eli.  Leah hid her face for that too.

                   Happy 2nd Birthday Leah Charity!!