Category: the Middlest

The Next Seat Up

Well it happened. I switched her pumpkin seat out for the convertible carseat. And as I was preparing to wrestle that seat into safety, a little lump welled up in my throat.

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She’s getting so big.

It may seem a little whimpy, but it is real.

She’s getting so big.

Abi’s third birthday has come and gone. (I promise I’ll get that birthday post up before her next birthday… er maybe before she moves out.) And while Hannah is “Mommy’s baby” … so is Abi.

There’s this little part of me that holds the bittersweet memory… sweet little blondie in my arms. Oh she had her flaws – she would be in no one else’s arms…. EVER. But it was just my Abi Grace. Those piercing blues.

And look at her now.

I see Abi in Hannah’s eyes.

And I see a Rachael I struggle to remember in the wake of her four year old personality. She really was tiny once, right? It’s hard to remember what the normal felt like.

So maybe that’s why Hannah moving to the convertible seat comes with a little sting.

I know how quickly she’ll soon be forward facing.

And then in a booster.

She is my Joy.

And I have learned that Joy comes with some bitter moments at times too.

Just like retiring the little patten-leather church shoes. Size ones come with a slight laugh. They’re so not going to happen anymore.

That little squishy stage has slowly rippled away. 10 and a half pounds at birth has melted into a long, skinny busybody.

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Thank You, Lord, for Hannah’s Mommy-clinging times. Thank You, Lord, for those quiet nursing moments when she lets me just stroke her strawberry locks. Thank You, Lord, for that smile only Mommy and Daddy can get out of those beautiful browns and open-mouthed squeals. Thank You, Lord, that she still comes to find me on those knees, sharing her delighted exploration finds.

Thank You, thank You, Lord…

it helps this Mommy let go

…and install the next seat up.

– I love you, my babies. From four on down to the floor. [And my extras ; ) ].

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Ice Paint

Rachael had a friend, Danielle, over for a play date. The night before we had prepped some ice paint (food colored water and popsicle sticks poked through aluminum foil for stability in the ice-cube trays).

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I got the idea off of Rachael’s Sunday School paper.

Funny how fun simple can be.

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And Waking Her

I couldn’t go back to sleep after our early morning nursing session. But Hannah? Oh no, she had no problem. She snuggled into me and slipped into a deeper, satisfied sleep. I kissed her forehead. Brushed aside her strawberry strands. That sleeping baby … never want to forget …

I went to lay back down. Just to give it a try. I knew my brain was already awake. And despite only the five hours, my body wasn’t feeling the need for more sleep. I was just awake. Ready. Wanting to get a jump on the day’s workload. I looked forward to it. That high of throwing yourself into hard work so you can admire the accomplishment.

The house was quiet. Deep breathing over the monitors.

Thank you, Lord. You bless me so. … Beyond words.

The vacuuming. The straightening. A few things here and there. Then I heard her squirm and moan. Odd. She was sleeping so soundly. “Do you need to go potty?” I whispered over her golden locks. A weary, clumsy toddler crawled from her bed. It’s in those moments that I am reminded of how little she is. Even though she’s running her world.

She woke up during her wait. The feet started to swing. A smile crept across her dimpled face. I knew she was up. But I gave her the opportunity to lay back down a bit. That lasted for twenty more minutes of straightening and cleaning. Then two blue eyes peeped out of her doorway. “You can come out.” I answered her eyes.

She watched me divide out the laundry. Putting aside the things that have grown too small. One shirt here, some pants there. And then she broke in, “Mommy, will you play with me?”

“I’ve got to get this work done, just a minute and then I’ll play.” Came the automatic response.

Silence. More folding.

“Mommy, will you get down the princess game? Mommy. Will you play with me?”

“I’m almost done with this stack.”

Her excitement grew as the stack neared it’s finish. A small celebration radiated through her little body at the last item’s folding. And off she darted for the playroom, ushering me in.

Down came the princess game. She scooted in beside me. There was so much other open floor to play on.

I returned to my “to hang up” pile.

“Mommy, will you play with me?”

Ok, God. I hear you. Priorities. She needs me.

I set aside the laundry.

“Yes, baby. I’ll play.”

Her quirky little personality. Her cackling laugh. Her little dimples. Her wild blond hair. Her ticklish squirming. Her concrete definitions. I drank it all in for over a half hour of early morning play.

I cherished it. I cherish it still. Such a rare gift sometimes. Just sitting with her and absorbing her world.

Thank you, Lord, for waking me up this morning.

…And waking her.

– Love her so.

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Wordless Wednesday: Picking

I love how they feel compelled to always pick me flowers when they’re outside.

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They don’t know they’re just dandelions

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and I hope no one ever tells them,

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To them, they are a bouquet of roses.

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And I adore them.

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Wordless Wednesday: Serving

This morning I was served breakfast in bed.

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And they were even thoughtful enough to bring my morning nurser some love.

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And they didn’t want to disturb Daddy’s shower.

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– Love their little hearts.

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It’s About Time!

So it’s time to start sharing about California. Buckle up this is gonna be a long ride.

No, in order to remain sane I’ll just start to throw in come CA posts here and there amongst my other ramblings.

So day 1 we traveled. We hauled 3 kids and 2 adults (we met my parents at the airport) out of their beds between 3:30 and 4am and loaded into the van. Rodger, Matt’s Daddy, was so gracious to stay over the night before and drop us off at the airport. You may be wondering why we didn’t take the boys – no it’s nothing personal people. We had just planned this trip before ever getting the placement and there is something MUCH different about traveling with 5 children (two of which are babies) and trying to find accommodations for 7 people and a vehicle that’ll fit us on the other side. Since things would be further complicated with vacation clearance if Mom would even want her boys traveling cross-country and other stuff we nestled the boys in at Grandma’s house and called frequently. We knew she’d smother them with spoiling and love and they’d have many wonderful opportunities to have adventures with her throughout the week.

So our plane took off at 6am ON THE DOT. And we attempted to settle three little ones in for nap #1. Hannah was out like a light at take-off with a little nursing goodness. Abi was next in line with Daddy’s hair petting and Rachael decided to stay awake the whole time and talk my Mom’s ear off. Since my Dad added in at last minute (not knowing where exactly he’d be flying from until his trucking orders were given) we hugged and promised to see him on the other side in CA. Mom graciously joined our clan to provide support staff. 😉

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The girls got a chance to have more “firsts” than just the flying and found themselves enjoying the airport monorail much more than the actual flying itself. Something about the excitement of a train mixed with having your feet decently grounded brought a smile to all of our faces as the girls enjoyed the window seats.

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I am ridiculously proud of how well the girls did on both flights getting to CA. There were many opportunities for meltdowns, but they really did a great job. Since I had adjusted everyone onto almost CA time a week prior to our departure, the effects of an early morning and airplane excitement were the only two challenges that day. Sadly we learned that my dear Rachael felt the effects of air-sickness not on the last landing (in which she started turning a bit green) but in the rental van right before we were about to cross the golden gate bridge. So with a little pull-off on the side of the road, change of clothing, and the use of the last of my baby wipes we gimped along to the hotel, stopping occasionally to coach the poor child through it all. All I can say is, when my kids are physically ill, they are MIGHTY troopers. Though “I need a bag” was a phrase that took a week for Abi to stop repeating in the van after our CA vacation.

So we hit a Subway for dinner (lunch in CA time) and headed back to the hotel (sitting in traffic for what felt like years while the poor Rachael still experienced her motion sickness.

Once finally to the hotel, we put the girls to bed (who went willingly) at 6p CA time. Rachael’s color had returned to her face and her normal spunk post-shower spoke of motion sickness ending with her two feet on solid ground. We were happy to see her keep dinner down before bed and the two girls knocked out without a complaint. Hannah and I knocked out somewhere in the land of “lay down and be quiet so the girls will go to sleep”. I awoke to Daddy watching ESPN and my Mom and Dad bringing us a pizza for dinner. The girls didn’t even stir.

Thus ended our Friday day of travel. And joy CERTAINLY came in the morning with a solid 13 hours of sleep for all.

… to be continued …

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