Rabbit Spies an Angel

What happens when you send a Beautiful Rabbit and Angel outside with a camera?

First they find the flowers!

love the toes!

I love how big sister got her shadow in this one :)

everything is more perfect with flowers!!

Angel

Big Hugs!!  (This is sooooo Angel)

Finch, Seraph, Bear, Angel (left to right)

Seraph has been putting food in her mouth on purpose!  She doesn't like to do it when Mom is nearby......but she'll climb up when everyone is gone and poke food with the back side of a spoon and then taste it.  So far she likes Oreo ice cream (ooops, she's allergic to dairy!) and strawberry jam.  What??  When did she start liking sweet stuff??

Her skills at making HUGE messes with food have really developed this past month.  (This is a big step from  not wanting any food to touch her!)

She's added many new words this month, too.  Yesterday she said: "Mom, I need you to give me drink." When I reminded her to ask for water in her cup. She says, "Mommy" every time she sees me...which I just love!!  She's very loving...and gives us hugs and kisses...and her favorite toys hugs and kisses....and my kids' friends hugs and kisses.

She's getting more used to taking the bus to preschool.  Today she frowned, but didn't cry.  Delightful Finch kept asking, "Mommy, where is my bus?  I want a bus to take me to my class!"  She's out of luck as we live very close to the school she'll be attending next year.

Finch is also having a hard time with Angel's potty training.  Finch doesn't understand why we don't all get candy when *she* goes potty. Beautiful Rabbit (as the oldest child) is very sympathetic of Finch's plight.

Have you done your 20 minutes of reading yet?

 My girlie was bit by the reading faerie at a very young age...

It's not so much have you done your reading....

as hey, turn off your light you're supposed to be in bed SLEEPING!

Her backpack is crazy heavy because of all the library books and personal books she hauls around just in case she has spare time to read.  Now if I could just get her to remember to get her reading minutes signed each night....ya know, so she gets credit for all this reading.

Honk, Honk

Leaks

Seraph whined for an hour today before I figured out her gtube was leaking.  Her shirt was so dark that I didn't notice the stain.  I tried all sorts of things and finally decided she just needed a nap...but couldn't calm her down. Right about the time I started to get worried, I patted her tummy and her shirt squished.  Poor girl.  I told her to just use her words next time.  I think she ignored me.  She was lots happier cleaned up and in dry clothes.

A few weeks ago her GI doctor told me to check her gtube every 4-6 days.  He said sometimes they get a slow leak but if you check it often you can refill the balloon instead of inserting a new one. I refilled it.  I'll check it again tomorrow to see if it's a slow leak or needs to be replaced.  It was only half a ml low, but that was enough to leak.

Beautiful Rabbit saw me making a collage on picnik. OOoooooooh!!  She wanted to try it:

You should try it - it's fun.  :)

Not again!

I have sooo many things crammed into each day.  That doesn't count changing diapers or dealing with icky insurance problems.  So I'm big on multitasking.  But, kids know when they're being multitasked.  They know you're not really comforting them if you're clicking your mouse.....or not really reading them the book if you're folding laundry. You can double up too much and then no one feels like they got any time even though really everyone got all the time.
So, today I did it the other way.  Instead of juggling all the kids, I grabbed the closest one and gave her 10 minutes of all my attention.  It was Angel.
She taught me a new game: you say "not again" with different nuances giving it a slightly different meaning each time you say it.  Clever girl.
Later I gave most of my attention to Finch (while I was preparing meds).
Instead of trying to split my attention fairly, I tried to give it out in bigger/more focused chunks.
Potty training went better.
The girls were happier.
I'm happier.

Plant Soilers!

My cute lil zombies love it when their cousins visit!  It's like a bright sunflower bringing us rays of sunshine...with really cool music in the background!
Hope to see more of you soon :)

Dress up

princesses

The kids played dress up tonight....and then marched downstairs all together to show Dad.  Ooops, guess they forgot Dad worked late and wasn't home yet.  Good thing I got lots of pictures!

Ouch

Beautiful Rabbit:  Tickle me!!

Mommy had a migraine today.  ...til about 7pm
I bet my kids learned some new phrases...like, "no, I can't do that.  My head hurts" and "ouch, ouch - you're kicking me in the head!!" It was great fun - they'd copy the new phrases and then giggle and scream. /sigh
They'll rotate them into their playtime this week.
silly gooses!

Snow Day and Cuz

Cousin D came to visit.  He was a huge hit.  Everyone loves him.  Seraph watched through the window as he made a snow bunny then a snow turtle.

 Angel helped - she decided the bunny didn't really want to be left on the porch so she scooped him up and threw him down on the ground.  Bunnies prefer to be on the ground.

 Finch handed me snowballs (I was inside with Seraph) so I could throw snowballs at D and Beautiful Rabbit (not to be confused with snowy rabbit).

 Beautiful Rabbit needs to work on her aim :p  She threw very gentle (and barely packed) snowballs at Seraph's window (before we opened it).  Seraph LOVED watching the snow splat right in front of her face. Giggles all around.

 Ok, I need to get Seraph some boots.

 Cousin D fixed snowy bunny...and then gave him a safe little hideout - safe from Angel and bunnies would rather be on the snow than the cement anyway....

 Snowy Bunny's new house.

It's supposed to snow more tomorrow....and I haven't taken pictures of the snow turtle yet.  He's HUGE!  This was way funner than snowmen.  Thanks Cousin D!!

My kids all took LONG naps after he left - can't wait for him to visit again :)...tehehe

The Final Frontier

Dad: Back off.  Everyone go downstairs.  Go play downstairs.  I need some space.  Go play downstairs.
--------
Mom: Get down.  Mommy needs space.  NO, not on my lap. Get down, sweetie.  Sorry, but mommy needs space. Get down!
-------
Rabbit: Mom, can I go take a shower? I need space
-------
Bear: [pushes out both hands knocking Angel over] I NEED SPACE!!
Mom: why is Angel crying?
Bear: She needed to move.  I need my space.
------
Finch: [jumping, spinning, and giggling]: I need space, hehehe....I need space, hehehe...space space spaaaaaaace!
------
Angel: [all alone at the top of the stairs first thing in the morning when everyone else is still sleeping]: I NEED SPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE!! MOM, I NEED SPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE!!!
-----
Seraph: [looks around the room and then climbs down the stairs to play by herself in the playroom for while.]

We did it!

Saturday night I wrote out a crazy detailed list for each person of everything that had to be done at what time so we could get everyone fed, showered, and dressed for church today.  So this morning when Sexy Haqon woke me up with kisses at 8:25am (yes, that task was on his list), I hid under my covers until Heather's words flashed thru my brain:

When I think too much, I psych myself out. The first time I took the kids grocery shopping by myself, I sat in the parking lot, terrified to go into the store. I thought too much about all of the things that could go wrong or how difficult it would be. I learned that I have to not think about it and just do it.

So, I threw off the blankets and just did it.  It went crazy well.  Everyone followed the plan.  Everyone helped.  Everyone was ready to go....a bit early.

Church was amazing.  We stay home during RSV season...and last year Sexy and I traded off going and staying home with Seraph even after RSV season was over.  So, we hadn't been to church together in.......I have no idea...a super long time.

And it was Seraph's first time to go to church--our first time going as a whole family since the twins were born.  Many of our church friends who've been praying for Seraph finally got to meet her today :)

Seraph's first trip to church

Seraph was super friendly and social.  She explored.  She visited the people around us - instantly charming them with her huge smile.  She danced (rocked back and forth) for each of the songs...

Delightful Finch cheered "yay" and clapped after the opening hymn.  (ummm...not so reverent but super cute!)

When it was time for sunday school, both of the twins went into their own nursery class!  Sexy Haqon and I got to go to sunday school alone.  together.  alone.  No kids on my lap.  for an HOUR!!!  

Five minutes into the second class, the teacher brought Seraph to me.  She'd started crying when they'd put away the toys for singing time.  But, she was happy to play with her toys on the floor next to my chair.  So, I got to listen and participate in real-life adult conversations about God and testimonies.

Somehow I only had to change one (wet) diaper while we were there...

Strong Bear went to class with his favorite neighbor-friend.  He only wants to play with boys.  He's sick of all these sisters and wants to play boy games with boys and make boy jokes and laugh and grunt and be strong and do boy stuff.  He's super excited to meet boys in his kindergarten class and loved being in his friend's class at church.  

Beautiful Rabbit helped me take the younger kids to their classes....so she was a little late for her class.  So, when she walked in, her friends got excited that she was there.  She got to sit with a friend she really likes playing with....

Angel came home singing little churchy tunes.  She's less anxious around strangers than she was last month.

I was so scared that it'd be a torturous experience that left everyone hopelessly grumpy.  I'm soo, sooo glad that we went.  Everyone had a good time.  We're gonna do it again next week...and we've invited gma and gpa to come along ;)

The whole Family at Church

Snip Snip

Why is it......that everything goes in the mouth *except* food???

The Twins

OK, I just threw that in cuz I couldn't think of a title.  I mean Seraph.  She's so silly that way.  She loves chomping on EVERYTHING now.  But, If I try to sneak her some food, she drops it like it's poison.

Gma gave us these fantastic water-erase markers.  I think they're for drawing on car windows to sell your car.  We use them to draw on the shower door.  Each kid gets a bright color to draw whatever they want (just on the glass).

We used to draw letters in the shower with soap.  So, the kids think of the shower as a place to do letters now.  Strong Bear continues to sound everything out.  He asks about everything!

Today Beautiful Rabbit's school sent her registration forms for next year.  Then it hit me - Strong Bear's first day of school is fast approaching. He's not scared of school at all.  He wants to go be like Rabbit.  She loves school and it's rubbed off on him already.  Besides, school is filled with tons of boys to play with!  (My sweet Bear does get tired of being around all girls all the time.)

I finally cleaned off the master bathroom counters/sinks.  (Don't ask how long it's been...)  Let's just say it was filled with everything we wanted to keep out of reach when the kids were just a bit smaller.  Plus it had formula and supplies for Angel.  She doesn't even drink formula any more.  This was left over from when her crib was still in the master bedroom at night. There was lots of garbage, too--empty bottles and papers.

Delightful Finch met our new neighbor's dog today.  The dog is really loving.  Finch liked petting her once she calmed down a bit.  Then Finch decided it was a good time to run up the stairs to explore the new house.  Doh!  I love the way she just makes herself at home wherever we go.  My other kids aren't like that.  It wasn't the time for a full tour, though.  So, I scooped her up and we went home.

March seems like a good month already :)

My Momma said there'd be days like this....

Wonderful days filled with smiles and joy.  I knew they'd come, but didn't expect them to come so soon.

Seraph at the park

I dread the dreariness of February.  Today the sun came out and warmed everything just enough for a trip to the park.  Don't get me wrong - it was still cold.  The wind never stopped blowing.  But the kids (and especially Seraph) had oooooooh-sooooo-much fun!!

Seraph wanted to walk everywhere!  I'd carry her up to the top of the slide (don't want her learning to do steps yet.  nope nope!)  We'd slide down, clap and "yay" at the bottom, and then walk back to the steps.  She tired after a while, but overall she seemed really happy.

We left all the tubes at home!  She wasn't scheduled to eat for an hour, and I decided she could go without her oxygen for that long.  (She's accidentally gone with out it for several hours before and was OK.)  Besides, oxygen tanks mean nasal cannula instead of blowby and she refuses to allow any tubes on her face unless she's feeling too sick to move.)

The park is fenced in, and we had the whole place to ourselves.  Elmo came with us....and a huge ball to play with.  Sexy Haqon brought his mp3 player (so we could stay longer w/out him getting bored, I think)  They don't even look cold, do they?

Did I mention the wind?  Crazy windy!  Seraph didn't seem to mind (last year the wind touching her skin would scare her.)  My favorite was a slide built for two.  I just had to take the twins down it together.  I don't think they cared that they could go at the same time.  But it sure made mommy happy :)

Just for Fun, too!

                                    

My SIL over at Living in Maryland celebrated the Chinese New Year by finding the Chinese zodiac animal for each member of her family and reading them out loud.   Even though today (the third day of the new year) is not a good day for socializing or visiting with friends/relatives, I'm going to look them up for my family.  [For those who don't know, I'm forever copying my SIL.  I even had my twins a few months after she had twins.  I can't help myself.  She's just that cool!]




Sexy Haqon: OX

Born leaders, Ox people inspire confidence from all those around them. They are conservative, methodical, and good with their hands. However, they can be at times chauvinistic and demanding. In fact, the strength of an Ox person comes out in great shows of deter-
mination, obstinance, and defense for what they believe in. Although they enjoy their private life and doing things on their own, Oxen are strong, dutiful and reliable. They construct firm bonds with their home and family, and while not the most romantic of the animals, Oxen make affectionate, faithful partners and lovers. 

Honest, Loyal, Popular, Sincere, Steadfast, Reliable ----------------- Stubborn, Impatient, Inflexible, Narrow-Minded, Sulking

Me:  Rabbit

Rabbits are people everyone likes to be around -- Affectionate, obliging, and pleasant. However, can get too sentimental and sometimes seem superficial. They keep out of disputes, even if they have to turn a blind eye. Rabbits are emotional and even selfish when it comes to enjoying themselves, but they would never deliberately hurt anyone. Even though they seem quiet (and even unattentive), their intuition and intelligence gives them the diplomatic skills to distance themselves from bad situations. Well-groomed, mannered and always fashionable, the Rabbit's conservative exterior hides a love for fun, which catches other people off guard. Rabbits excel at assessing a situation and providing a solution when the time is right. They are sensitive lovers, and seek a partner who can offer security in life. 

Astute, Thoughtful, Refined, Docile, Wise

-----------------

Cunning, Snobbish, Possessive, Fussy, Obsessive

Beautiful Rabbit: Dragon (no surprise there)

Full of vitality and enthusiasm, Dragons are popular individuals, despite being seen as foolhardy or "big-mouthed" at times. They are intelligent, gifted perfectionists that are demanding of others. Their intolerance usually causes a stir, but Dragons enjoy attracting attention, and prefer demanding situa-
tions to everyday rountines. To Dragons, rules and regulations are made only for others. They live, act, and think big, but their pride and self-confidence can prevent them from accepting help when they need it the most. Self-reliant and sufficient, they can survive without close relationships, but are energized with companions that share their wavelength.

Resourceful, Self-Assured, Adaptable, Original, Valiant, Enthusiastic ----------------- Arrogant, Hot-headed, Unpredictable, Critical, Irritable, Discourteous

Strong Bear:  Rooster (like his cousin, Butterfly!)

Roosters are hard workers; shrewd and definite in their decision making, often speaking their minds. Because of this, Roosters seem to boast. They like to put all their cards on the table and respect those who do the same. Roosters love to mix socially -- They are dreamers, flashy dressers and extravagant. They love to attract attention and admiration, and and get angry when someone steals the spotlight. Despite being melodramatic, they are exceptionally practical, logical, and have excellent powers of discri-
mination. This leaves them with high standards of excellence which at times frustrates others. Although they attract many suitors, they are loyal, level-headed partners make a commitment. 

Passionate, Resilient, Patriotic, Industrious, Courageous, Protective

-----------------

Conceited, Blunt, Rude, Bossy, Aggressive, Impatient

Delightful Finch:  Dog

Dogs are naturally honest and faithful to the ones they love. Dogs seem to specialize -- they find an hobby or interest they enjoy and stick to it. Unfortunately, most Dog people are plagued by worry, a sharp tongue, and a tendency to find fault in things. They have a sense of justice and fair play, and are particularly good at finding logical solutions to problems. As far as Dogs are concerned, it is the people that count. Trustworthy friends and good conversationalists, Dogs have a tendency to hold grudges until appeased. Despite having a temper at times, they need loving, stable relationships. Once they've found their mate, they are faithful for life. 

Devoted, Resilient, Unselfish, Honest, Resourceful, Reliable

-----------------

Nosy, Cynical, Cantakerous, Pessimistic, Anxious, Introverted

Angel-Roo and Seraph:  Rat (like their twin cousins!  Oh my!)

Rats are imaginative, charming, and truly generous to the ones they love. However, Rats have a tendency to be quick-tempered and overly critical. At ease with company and groups of people, their intelligence and observation allows them to quickly grasp a situation from multiple perspectives. Rats know how to spot opportunities and seize them, but their opportunism, ambition and restlessness can lead to too many commitments. Don't be fooled -- although shrewd in business at times, Rats are passionate lovers, with a depth of feeling that is seldom recognized by others. 

Charismatic, Sociable, Intelligent, Affable, Quick-Witted, Popular ----------------- Exploitive, Calculative, Secretive, Greedy, Acquisitive, Devious

Look up your own family's zodiac animals HERE and post it somewhere I can peek.