Friday, June 19th, 2009

This was a long week. We got the interior of our house painted in hopes that it helps sell it sooner. So I was really juggling 3 kids, living out of bags and trying to jump from house to house in the process. It's over now though and it looks good. Just some loose ends to tie up and get back together!


On Wednesday, CLaire and I took all the kids to breakfast at Joe's Deli. While we were there, Mallie was playing with the creamers in the plastic tubs and bit one and it exploded. Mallie has become very sensitive and anytime something like this happens, she is reduced to tears. Sometimes, she gives me a look from across the room, pulls it together until she can get to me and then her little lip starts quivering and the sobbing begins. THis is EXACTLY how Claire and I were as kids.

As we were driving home from Joe's, Jack called out, "Thank you for my breakfast Sloppy Joes'!!!!"


Mallie is sitting on the stairs as I type this. Tommy just put them to bed and she came down on her own, declaring, "Mama!!! I wake up!!"

Mallie goes to swim lessons now. She seems to really like it and she is definately not fearful of the water- blowing bubbles with her mouth on the first lesson!!! When we got home I told her to tell Jack about her lessons. She said "Jot! I go swimming!! I have dut-tee!!! (ducky- they gave them rubber duckies to play with)

Mallie is also repeating every word out of Jack's mouth. It is truly comical. When I say every word- I mean it. He will say, 'Mom! What kind of truck is that?" And for the rest of the trip to wherever we're going, she is pointing out trucks, saying, "mom! What truck is that!?" Last night Jimmy was over and she was eating ice cream. Every question he asked her, she replied with a really quick, "yea." She says it so fast and closes her mouth really tight after she says it. "Mallie, do you like ice cream? "yea" "Mallie, is it pretty cold?" "Yea." Etc.


We continue to have a hard time with Annie's schedule. She is getting up in the middle of the night 2-3 times. At 8 months, we really should be stopping this. She's having 12- 14 oz of formula every night!!! On top of everything she eats all day! Tommy keeps switching her scheulde, putting her to bed at 7 without a bottle, putting her to bed at 7:30 with a bottle, etc....and nothing is working. She was up at 5:30 this a.m. I switched her to eating 3 full meals a day of baby food and two bottles, this week... so hopefully this helps. But, so far, not so good.

We were driving around the Target parking lot the other day and Jack told me that there weren't any parking spaces in this 'area'. His other new word is actually.

We went out to dinner tonight and it didn't go too well. The kids ate first and by the time our food came, we had to take it to go. Annie doesn't like the hour of 6-7 pm and Jack hadn't napped and was going a little crazy. I stayed to pay the check and Tommy was going to take the kids. But ANnie started crying loudly, so he sprinted away with her without Jack and Mallie. I had to send them after him and as I shooed them away from the table, I looked up and they were walking through the restaurant with their arms around each other's waists. It was the cutest thing!!

I read Baby Sister to Jack and Mallie today by Tomie De Paola. It's his own memoriy about when his sister, and future bestfriend, Maureen was born. He described how he prayed for a sister, missing his mom in the hospital, not getting along and then becoming friends with his grandma as she watched them, etc. By the middle of this book, I was sitting on the couch, sobbing in between words. It took me about 1/2 hour to read the stupid thing because I kept having to stop and pretend to look at the pictures because I couldn't talk!!! It just brought back all the memories of when I had Mallie.... WHen my mom had Ali and then just the thought of this successful writer, dedicating one of his books to this life-altering experience for himself. It was so sweet and will be my gift to any big brother who is lucky enough to get a baby sister.

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

Annie is starting to pull herself up on things. She's not standing yet. But she shimmies herself over to things, grabs hol to the top of them and pulls upwards, on her knees. SHe did it to the piano bench and Mallie's bed rail today. She's dying to crawl, too... but I think she'll be pulling herslef to standing before she crawls.

Annie has also decided that she prefers to sleep on her tummy. She's been rolling over every time I put her to bed and then crying because she can't get back over. But the last 2 nights, she immediately rolls onto her tummy and puts her little head down and goes to sleep.... usually after singing herself a little song. Last night she slept through the night for the first time in a LONG time and I think that's why!

I got video today of Annie laughing at Jack playing the keyboard. She gets herself laughing so hard that she cannot stop. It is absolutely the cutest thing. WHenever she makes eye contact with me, she stops and scans my face for a few seconds and then just starts doing this belly laugh.

Tommy and Jack were reading his Highlights magazine tonight. Tommy was reading riddles to Jack that he'd have to complete using the clues and a rhyming word. He was able to get all of them! To me, this was pretty impressive and he was so proud of himself.

Then he started getting silly with the game and saying words that didn't rhyme or make sense. He had us all in hysterics- especially Mallie. SHe didn't really understand the joke, but she knew when it was time for the punchline and was laughing the loudest and hardest.

Jack's been confusing words a little lately.... he asks if Lana is coming over to 'baby-sitter' him. He's been calling the plural of referee "ref-es'. The other day he asked me why the bananas had turned green. I told him that they are green first and will turn yellow when they ripen. He asked 'What does ripen mean?" and I replied, "It means that they are ready to eat". He thought about that for a second and then asked, "What will they eat? Do they eat kids!?"

Sunday, June 7th, 2009

Today was Meghan Nowlin's baby shower! And it was great. It brought back so many memories of getting ready for Jack's arrival. It wasn't that long ago, but sometimes it really seems like it! It was SUCH a great time. I just remember feeling so excited and peaceful and quiet. The best and strongest memory I have was while Tommy was at work, after we moved into our new house and before I started teaching in the fall- I was painting Jack's room and listening to Lunasa. All the windows were open and the fan was on and it was just a perfect day. It was just a really, really happy time that I'm so glad I got to appreciate and will never forget.




Mallie's new motto is 'I a big girl'. Tommy asked her if she's going to get a haircut and she replied, "No, I get MORE. I a big girl.' Then, last night, she tooted in the bathtub and Tommy said, "Mallie! Did yu just toot!?" and she answered, very quickly and matter-of-factly, "No, I a big girl". She wants to eat her yogurt out of the container, because she is a big girl....etc.

Mallie's hair is getting WILD in this warm, humid weather. I am finally able to put it in pigtails or ponytails-or "tonypails' as Jack calls it. But, inevitably, she pulls the rubberbands out and ends up with some serioulsy crazy hair. It fits her personality so perfectly though. She's just so care-free and out there!!!

Jack is getting awesome at throwing and catching. He and Tommy are really able to play catch outside now. It's kind of awesome to see him doing this. He has a strong arm and can really whip the ball if he tries.


Annie is getting really close to crawling. For months, she's been perfectly happy sitting up and playing with her toys on a blanket. Now she is reaching for things that are further and leaning over. She's holding herself up on her arms and trying to move. I think she'll be all over the place in a month or so.

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009

Jack had his first drop-off playdate with his friend from school, Nate Glanc this morning. Nate is a really cute kid and the two of them had a great time. They played "Animals in the Cage" where they ran back and forth from Jack and Mallie's room to Annie's room, throwing stuffed animals in her crib and yelling "ANIMALS IN THE CAGE!" Mallie joined in on this game too. They also played "Two Bad Guys", which involved a lot of growling and yelling and such. I was in the kitchen and heard them chanting, "TWO BAD GUYS" in the basement and then heard Mallie start yelling at them. They had her cornered downstairs, Nate with the laser gun and Jack with the huge Hulk hands. They were just playing 'Two Bad Guys'.... The next time I checked on them, Jack was sitting in the Elmo chair, with a makeshift microphone, commentating on Nate's basketball game. Nate would should the ball and Jack would say, "Oh!!! That's a 2 pointer!! If he loses the game, then he loses!!"


The other day I came downstairs to a somewhat distraught Jack in the basement bathroom. He had an accident and went to the bathroom in his pull-up (a little bit) and on the floor (a little bit) and made it to the potty for most of it. As I was cleaning him up, he sang the following song, to the tune of 'This Old Man':
I went potty
In my pull-up
And I went right by my shoe
But that's OK cause it was a little bit.

Oh no!
She's wiping my front!
And I don't want that to happen anymore!


Yesterday, Jack and Mallie were fighting about a sippy cup. Jack was taunting her with it and she was screeching. Jack kept saying, "Look Mallie, I can drink out of this cup" And all of a sudden, Mallie turned to him and said, "Oh, good job Jot!" And gave him a huge hug (patting his back). It totally disarmed him and he just stood there, hugging her back and looking at me.

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

I can already tell that our summer is going to FLY and that I am going to LOVE it. We are having such nice days being outside and running around. Even running errands is pleasant and I am getting so much more accomplished now that I don't dread bundling everyone up to get in the car!

Jack and Mallie are loving the time in the car these days, mostly due to the new Jim Gill CD we have. We went to see him in concert and they are REALLY into the music. Especially Mallie. SHe knows all the songs and sings them, with her pac in her mouth. SHe even does the motions to them.

We went to the Rec Center today to sign Mallie and Annie up for Kids' Club. THe Curious George theme song by Jack Johnson came over the speakers and Jack stopped in his tracks and announced to the entire plac "MOM! IT"S OUR SONG!!!" He then proceeded to do a strange little shimmy dance and play air instruments while we walked through the center and out the door- as though no one was watching him- when everyone was.

We lost power for about 3 hours last night. Annie was already sleeping when it went out, but Jack and Mallie thuoght it was the coolest thing ever (and secrectly, so did their dad). Jack sat on the couch and leaned on the pillow and started up this conversation, using his arms and gesturing emphatically about how the 'light man' is 'just taking a little rest'.

The other day I was putting Mallie's shoes on as she was making a very loud noise, over and over again. I finally, said, "OK Mallie, that's enough"... and she replied "No Mama, that not enough!"

Mallie went in to wake Jack up this morning and leaned over to him and said (in her voice she uses to talk to babies), "Hiiiii Bud!" They've been using this 'Bud' term a lot lately. They call birds they see 'Bud' and try to run after them shouting, "Come HERE BUD!!!" And they usually get really mad or sad when the thing flies away in terror. Jack also greets his neighbor friend, Robby with a 'Hi Bud!' when he comes over to play.

We went to Claire and Drew's for dinner tonight. Jack and Mallie were playing with beanbags there and got into a scuffle over the yellow one. Mallie hit Jack and Jack threw beanbag at Mallie. So they went to time out together and sat there (amazingly enough) until I went over to talk to them. I asked Mallie, "Why are you in time out?" And she answered me, "I hit my brother" and then reenacted the whole thing so I understood. I was impressed that she knew why she was there and she even said, "Sorry Jot". SHe's really getting it.....

Wednesday, May 20th, 2009

I hate that so many days go by and I cannot get to a computer to write. I'm letting too many stories slip away and I'll regret it someday- Ialready am!

Tonight, Tommy had to go outside to take out the trash. He must have upset the neighbor's dog because we heard it start barking. Jack and Mallie were in bed, but not sleeping yet and he called me in. I asked what he needed and he said, "I think those dogs are saying, 'JACK! GET A DOG!'" He followed that up by saying that he should probably get a dog when he's a big kid, like next year when he's in the 4-year-old class.

Last nihgt, Tommy worked late. Before bedtime, Jack, Mallie and I were laying on the couch, chatting and reading. I looked over and Jack was in the corner of the couch with both arms behind his head and his legs crossed. He looked JUST like Tommy. I asked him who he was 'being' and he got a funny grin on his face and said, "Daaaaaaddy."

Mallie has become completely addicted to her pac. We are trying to keep it only in her bed, but the other day she went into her bed specifically to find it. Tommy found her laying in her bed the other day, just sucking away on it. And if she can't find it up there, she tears the bed apart searching for it. I finally gave up because she is teething and I think it makes her feels better. She'll be eating her lunch and take a few bites, then throw in her pac for a second and then go back to eating. We're calling it her 'after dinner pac'.

Mallie is also REALLY talking and reapeating what she hears. Especially things her brother says. Tonight, we were watching the CAVS game. They made a great play while we were upstairs getting ready for bed and Tommy yelled. Jack yelled back "Be quite down there!" and Mallie repeated him (With her pac in, of course).

Mallie is the HAPPIEST kid on earth when she wakes up. SHe needs zero waking up time. She goes from being out-cold to smiling and chatting in 2 seconds. It's one of my favorite qualities of hers because I certainly do not have it and it makes me cheerier to be around it in the morning and I don't have to pussy-foot around her when she wakes up, like I do for her brother!!!

Annie is eating real baby food now... applesauce, pears and bananas, along with her oatmeal. It's taking a while for her to like it... But she's getting there. I had to put her back on her pepcid prescription this week because she was really struggling with her bottles.... writhing around and not finishing even 5 ounces. SHe seems to be doing better now.

SHe went on her first picnic lunch today before Jack's 'Last day of school' party. She just sat on the blanket and watched the kids eat and watched the lawn-mower at the park. She is so content and happy. And chubby!!! SHe especially loves it when I lay her down and hover above her and snuggle her chubby little neck. Sometimes she laughs out loud and sometimes she gets really still and quiet. She loves to bump noses, too.... and when I tickle her tummy with my nose- that gets a big laugh. Another sure-fire way to get her into hysterics is to stand her up in front of me and say "Ma ma ma ma ma". DOn't ask me why, but this is just the funniest thing she's ever seen. It started out as a lesson to get her to say my name... but now I just do it for the cheap laugh!!! :)

Monday, May 4, 2009

Annie has been reaching some milestones in the past couple of weeks. Some are milestones all babies reach, and others are those that my babies reach and make me feel like they are growing up too fast. First of all, she is really sitting up on her own. She isn't completely trust-worthy and definately needs her boppy piloow around her... but for the most part, she can sit and play for several minutes at a time. I think she really likes being able to sit up like a big kid and watch everyone running around. She's very entertained. In fact, sometimes, too entertained. When something makes her laugh or very excited, she arches her back and flips herself backwards... hence the need for the boppy.

On Saturday she took her first 'Duck Tub'. This has become a rite of passage in our house. When the baby is old enough to sit up well, we inflate the old duck tub (given to Jack as a shower gift) and give them their first 'sitting up' bath. Annie, as the others, LOVED this experience. She couldn't believe that she was able to slpash around with her hands and see her little feet in the tub. Jack and Mallie got in on the action (of course) and helped and we very excited as well. They showed her how to make the duck 'quick' by squeezing it's beak. The whole thing was a huge party in the bathroom. Duck tubs are great fun for the kids.... but ended up making the mom feel like she was going to cry because her little baby is old enough for a duck tub.

Finally, Annie has become a BIT of a cuddler. When she is sleepy, i pull her little legs up into her chest and she puts her head down on my shoulders. I feel like I see babies do this all the time with their mommies... but Annie has never been one to rest her head on my shoulder... I think she's too afraid of missing somthing going on. Anyway, she'll lay her head on my shoulder and put her face right in my neck. I nuzzle her and chat with her really softly and when i lift up my face to see what she's doing, she is usually smiling, with her pacifier in her mouth and closing her eyes. To me, it seems like the ultimately relaxing thing for her. At least, I'd have to feel pretty relaxed to be smiling with my eyes closed!!!

Annie is also becoming a little chatter box.. or at least she enjoys yelling a lot. She's not much of a babbler yet... but she does like the sound of her own voice. So she does long, drawn out 'aaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh's' ALL the time. Yesterday, she started to do it in church and Tommy had to take her out. Once she starts, there's no stopping her. She isn't unhappy... just wants to hear herself.

I was scolding Jack the other day for jumping on the couch and told him that if he did it again, he'd be in serious trouble. Mallie, with her pac in her mouth, repeated me, "SERIOUS TROUBLE!' clear as day.

Mallie has been spitting when she's angry. If Jack does something to make her mad, she yells at him, "Bad JOT!" and then goes, "pppptttffft". She has also physically attacked him a couple of times, leaving scratches on his face. When I go in to break up the fight and discipline them, he tells me, "It's OK Mom, I'm OK" because he doesn't like it when I discipline Mallie.

We drove to the Eastside yesterday for a party and when I looked in the back seat to check on Jack and Mallie, they were holding hands as they sat in their carseats.

Jack and Mallie have been more than sweet to Annie lately. They greet each morning with kisses and sweet things to say "Hiiiii Yi-yi!!! You uuuuup??? I yuv you!!!' shaking their heads and making google eyes at her. She LOVES this!!! Especially from Jack. She cannot get enoug of her brother.

Annie, almost without fail, tends to get very fussy right as we sit down to eat dinner every night. I hvae been pulling her highchair up behind Mallie and she takes it from there. Mallie plays pee-a-boo, shakes her toys at her, talks to her, etc. And Annie sits there and babbles to Mallie and belly laughs. Since this started, Mallie has not been eating her dinners... but atl least the two of them are happy!!!

Jack has started a new thing... Timmy was over and we were sitting on the deck the other day. Timmy said, "This is really nice out here", to which Jack replied, "Isn't it, Timmy?" Then the next day I said, "Mallie, you're so cute" and Jack said, "Isn't she Mom?" I'm not sure where we picked this one up.

He also has been hesitant to try new things at school. Mrs. Pachettie and Mrs. Krueger have been working on this. At Grandpals day the other day (which Papa attended), the kid greeted the Grandpals by holding hands and singing "The More We get Together". Jack just sat with Papa at this part and said, "I'm not doing this part".... and told me when he got home that he didn't sing that song cause he was 'a little shy' which is his excuse for not trying new things!?

Jack started mini-kickers soccer last week. I have never seen him so excited for anything in his life. He couldn't eat breakfast and when he was 'done' he ran upstairs and dressed himself (which I've been trying to get him to do for months!) in his soccer shorts. He was totally excited and was the first one on the field, running around, kicking the ball as the other kids signed in. He is pretty good, too!!!

Mallie has been a huge helper around here lately. She jumps to help me with the laundry (or yawndee as she calls it). She pretends to shake out the shirts and towels like I do. She loves to help dust and wash things.

Mallie knows the words to "Frosty the Snowman'...especially the last word to each line. The best is when she sings, "He led them down the streets of town right to the traffic" and she yells "COP!!!" It never gets old!

Jack has learned from this song and calls the 'cops', 'caps'. We were sitting in a parking lot waiting for Tommy the other day and a police car pulled in. Jack yelled, "Look Mom! The caps are coming!!"