Anna’s Five! (and more)

First the other little stuff: At the ultrasound, this little one had her arms up over her head and face – so sweet! She also had the hiccups. 🙂 Anna was sucking her thumb in one ultrasound and was really wiggly – hard to get measurements on. Maggie was fast asleep the whole time of hers, I think… she wouldn’t show us if she was a boy or girl (we paid to have a second ultrasound to find out!).

Jordan update: He plays with some new toys appropriately! We have a little singing piano that he intentionally bangs on to get it to sing… he will do this repeatedly! I think he would do it even more if it were louder. Another breakthrough – we found “Honey Graham Sticks” at Fred Meyer (FM Brand) and he wants me to put them in his mouth! He loves to bite them! HOORAY! This is one of the few things he permits us to put in his mouth. And the first thing that he lets me continue putting in his mouth, even after a chunk breaks off and he feels the dreaded “chunk of not at all pureed food” on his tongue. No, he’s not “chewing” yet, but getting things in his mouth is a great start! Lastly, I went outside the other day to check on the girls… when I came back a few minutes later, he was crying at the door! Did he want outside? Did he want to not be alone? Did he want his mommy? Any of the above would make me happy… way to express yourself and be “in” the world, Jordan! We love you, little buddy!

Now – to Anna’s birthday!

On Sunday, we went to my parents house for the big bash. My sister turned 25, Anna turned 5, Jackson (her oldest) turned 3, and we went ahead and celebrated Jordan’s 3rd also. I don’t know if I’ll remember everything, but it was a special day. It was special to be around the grandparents, to see all our kids interacting together, and to talk with and be around FAMILY.

Brian went outside and built a fire for roasting hot dogs while I whipped up some macaroni and cheese. The kids played, Jordan crawled around a bit and finally settled in the living room (Mom, SO happy your house is carpeted now!), Melissa and I talked about pregnancy (she’s due May 1st!) and about the party, getting things ready. Mom, Melissa and I spent most of our time puttering around the kitchen getting things ready, the men spent most of the time talking and playing with the kids outside. Eventually, the last guests arrived too and things continued on. 🙂

Brian laughed when he told me about taking the kids for a bike ride. They were to go down to the end of the long driveway and back… him helping Anna on her brand new, princess, two-wheel bike, Jackson and Maggie riding little balance bikes. Partway down the road, Maggie started screaming hysterically, because Ginger the dog was headed her way (slowly). 🙂 When she calmed down, then Jackson didn’t want to ride any more… and so on and so forth. I guess it was a comical, interrupted procession, which my husband enjoyed immensely. Don’t I just have the most loveable, wonderful husband!?

The kids decorated cupcakes… thoroughly… once we were in “party” mode. Then we took turns singing happy birthday and doing candles for each of the three kids. It was really special and I just loved seeing the smiles on each child’s face! Jordan had no idea what was going on, and looked like he’d like to be put back in the living room, but once he tasted the frosting on his free Albertson’s first birthday cake (which was adorable!), he was more interested for awhile. Can’t wait til my boy decides he wants to put food in his mouth! (He did rub his hand on the cake and put it in his mouth several times. And Brian gave him a few bites too.) Oh, special times!

We ate cupcakes and drank lemonade. The banitsa turned out really yummy and we all enjoyed a taste of Bulgaria. Then came presents time… it went well! It was a little hard to concentrate, because Jordan got the shrieks and giggles! It was really funny… especially for the first five minutes! haha. It wasn’t really a problem and we didn’t have much control over settling him down, so we just rode with it, laughing when he laughed and snuggling him whenever he looked like he might stop for a breath. All the kids got good grandparent time and we took our time over things. Anna was given some special Fancy Nancy books and new ballet tights… and a promise of new ballet shoes and five ballet lessons this summer! I think she is pretty excited about it. We did our best to give it to her in such a way that she can happily anticipate the lessons. I think it worked out – she has been wearing her leotard, tights and slippers for two days now.

We finished the day at Grandma’s with a rough ending, but it was ok. Jordan fell asleep in the carrier when Brian went on a walk with his mom… and woke up when it was time to go. He cried for a good 20 minutes, looking like he just wanted to go back to sleep! (He had missed his nap!) Pretty soon after he calmed down, Anna took a nap and woke up (or didn’t wake up really) crying and not making sense. But we all made it home without too much stress and got the kids tucked in bed, all happy and worn out. 🙂

Ok – let me post the pictures in now. The pictures are faster for me to put in a clump here at the end instead of up with the words – sorry! Click on the pictures to see them bigger and to read the captions…

Videos:

Jordan laughing with Grammy the Sunday before – Home four months from Bulgaria. You might notice how he is really happy and loving time with Grammy, but struggles to make eye contact. It’s too overwhelming for him. So he smiles and glances at you then lifts his eyes up to look at something behind you. Although… sometimes I think he is looking at angels. 🙂

Anna’s first two-wheel bike ride (with Brian):

Jordan’s first birthday cake!

Jordan giggling at the birthday party: