I can’t believe Anna is five years old! She’s beautiful, independent, smart, caring, generous and full of fun and laughter. She’s close friends with Maggie and her Mama’s big helper. She’s the little baby who made me a mother for the first time and she bears every parenting hurdle along with us as we learn. Anna, it is an honor to be your Mommy. I love you!
– Anna graduates from Cubbies:
Fancy cake from our neighbor on her actual birthday "day."
Preserving has got me worried this year. It’s where I have some of the most fun in the kitchen. It’s where I get some of my cheapest food. And it’s just sooooo tasty! But I’m worried. Due date September 9th? That’s going to bust my most packed time of year! AHHHHHH!!!!!
What I want to do this year… (made a list to see what would be on it… it was a bit longer than I thought it was!) I put in bold the things that would be new:
Strawberries: Dried, Jam
Raspberries: Dried, Jam
Blueberries: Dried, Preserves?, Frozen whole
Blackberries: Jam, Frozen whole
Cherries: Cherry pie filling (I bought a cherry pitter this winter and i know where I can get cheap u-pick pie cherries!)
Plums: Dried, Jam, Frozen in chunks
Pears: Sauce, Dried, Canned in pieces, pear butter
Apples: Sauce, Dried, apple butter
Peaches: Canned in pieces, dried, preserves Apricots: Apricot preserves
Tomatoes: Chopped tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, salsa
Soooooo – my local friends! Maybe I will sit with the baby or waddle with my huge tummy this late August and September and give you free “lessons” in canning? Your payment for help? I keep most of the preserves. :-):-):-)
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…
Was there ever a more pink, purple, sparkly, princessy bike made?
Complete with princess! (It's a perfect fit!)
Self portrait. Vanessa and Amy (Joravena and Shaylee) - Anna loves all the hair things!!!!!
First time on the new bike!
The "big kids" - Maggie was really sweet, rocking her "baby doggie." She has really been into caring for babies lately!
What Jordan was doing. 🙂
Gotta go on adventures when you're at Grandma's house!
This girl just gets me every time. She is SO CUTE!
Running to look at the barn. (funny story - they were way ahead of us and went in the barn. A minute later, Maggie runs out screaming in fear... "HORSIE IN DERE!"
James' cherry tree is in bloom. It's lovely. As healed as I am from losing him... it broke my heart again to see Jordan next to the tree - without his brother.
Banitsa! (Egg, feta cheese, plain yogurt, wrapped in phyllo dough and sprinkled with powdered sugar)
A picture of that fine man I get to call my husband.
My dad is a grandchildren magnet!
Hard at work decorating some cupcakes!
Joining in the fun...
This was after we told them to STOP!
SO CUTE! (Don't know why I don't have one of Anna... there were lots of cameras going, though.) Look at that adorable 3-year-old!
Thank you, Albertsons, for helping make Jordan's very first birthday party a success... even at three years old!
"What's on my tongue! Yum....?"
Little blue boy! (little boy blue?) ... and his destroyed cake!
Mid giggle fit... (that lasted 30 minutes)
Now that is one perfect birthday picture.
Asleep in the mei tai.
Changing his diaper didn't wake him up!
Posing in her ballerina outfit!
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. 🙂
Wow – what an eventful week it has been and it’s not quite over!
We went to a free easter egg hunt with Maggie and Jordan... probably won't do that again, but it was an experience!
Too many people for the field, maybe? This was just the walker-2 year olds! (See Maggie's little pink hat?)
Yep, we let the wave wash around us... Maggie found five pieces!
So proud of her work in the 2 minute hunt!
Wrapping herself around Mommy when I asked if she wanted to hug the bunny...
Yep - you get a belly shot. Lucky you! I'm 18 weeks.
Beautiful girls on Easter morning. I am sooooo blessed to be having a third girl! I can almost see it! (Where are my pictures of the girls in the sweaters Grammy knit them???)
See how grown-up Anna is looking! They both are! This is the egg hunt at Grammy's and it was awesome!
Amy is so great with kids! And cat toys are sooooooooo fun, says Jordan.
Playing "swords" and laughing hysterically.... with huge, bendy flowers.
Sooooo big! They are cutting off the dead daffodils themselves!
The first guest arrives! Beautiful day and beautiful girls!
Doing their best princess poses....
Pizza complete!
Decorations complete! (Jordan was a little upset by it all, but came through ok)
Decorating in progress. And I still kinda fit into a couple non-maternity shirts.
The finished creations.... look at all that pink!
Clifford time!
Presents time - which Anna couldn't quite bring herself to open! (She was asleep not 20 minutes after the party ended at 7:30)
Smiles! Goodnight
Easter:
Anna had a special sleepover planned at Grammy’s house for her birthday over Easter weekend. Poppy picked her up on Friday night after work and she stayed there until Sunday. She got to go to a special planting day at a garden center on Saturday (complete with goodies to take home) and we met them halfway through church service on Sunday. I had the pleasure of meeting a family at their church who have ten children, part by birth, several from Ukraine, and several from the US foster system. And he said something so encouraging – though I am doubtful that I believe it…. he said, “Ten children between toddler and high school grad is less busy than four kids under five.” So I guess if we can survive the next couple years, we have it made! (no, we aren’t shooting for ten kids – let’s settle into four first, people!)
My dad was able to join us too, which I LOVED. My mom was visiting my brother over the weekend, so we had the pleasure of his company! I don’t feel like I see my parents half as much as I’d like, so it was really good to spend some time with my dad. We all had a yummy Easter lunch together and an egg hunt in the back yard, and the weather was just gorgeous and we all went for a nice sunny stroll. I was so proud of Anna for holding up to so much extended fun (that is tiring for a little person!) and she fell asleep on the way home and then slept extra for several nights and added in a few naps too. 😀
Babies and Birthdays:
On Thursday I had a midwife appointment (which is fun to bring all the kids – they do well… maybe because the appointment is in the playroom of her house?). I’m almost tracking the weight gain of my last pregnancy which is good and the baby’s doing well. We discussed plans for dealing with post-partum pains which I’m dreading a bit. It feels good to have a plan. The pains – afterpains and the big milk delivery. The plan:
Advil (because it works well on smooth muscles like the uterus), AfterEase (because it has both Crampbark and Motherwort and some other things), Calcium-Magnesium supplement, starting at 37 weeksish, and placenta (going to be encapsulated) Hope it helps!
So that went well and we got to visit Grammy at work too. The next day…. oh… the day I’ve been anticipating and dreaming about all week! The ultrasound!
The ultrasound was done at a very friendly place (I went out of my way to go here) and our technician was really nice and accommodating. Maggie and Anna sat down with Brian on the little padded bench with their snacks and we all had a nice monitor to watch the ultrasound on. I was surprised at how well Anna could tell what she was looking at! She did all her measurements first before checking gender… leg bones, head bones, abdomen, heart, brain, spine, etc. It was kind of her to mention every once in awhile that the baby looks perfect. (Especially since we have to wait a few days for the actual results.) The little stinker wasn’t cooperating at first to find out if we were going to be welcoming a little Dean or a little Carolyn… but after just a little wait, we learned we’ll be having our third princess! Carolyn Jane (nickname Carrie?) is measuring right on track and should make her debut sometime in September! Yippee!
As with the first babies, it’s always hard to “let go” of the other gender… you know… it could have been either a boy or a girl and I enjoy taking turns imagining our future with either. And at first it’s hard to not have one of those futures! But it doesn’t take me long before I’m so swept away by really getting to have three princesses that I am happy and glowing! Brian was beaming with pride on the way home… oh, how I love my husband! Despite being outnumbered and not having boys to do rough and tumble things with, he is a daddy right down to his bones and in love with all his children so much. I might even wonder if the girls wrap him around their fingers even more easily? Well, whatever the case, I am grateful that he has Jordan to keep him company when he needs a little more manliness around here. As he put it the other day, “It’s great to just sit with him and grunt at each other for awhile!”
I spent the afternoon choosing a baby book on amazon. 🙂 Hope I have time to fill it out!
Birthdays:
Anna is turning five. Wow. Where did the time go? Her birthday isn’t until Tuesday, but her birthday party was Friday and a family birthday party is Sunday! She is growing up soooo much. She looks older. She acts older. But, thankfully, she’s still my little girl and needed snuggles and help with opening her presents last night because she got too shy. We only had two friends over for her party, but that was plenty. That is – they had a blast and I was tired, so it must have been enough! They had an Almost Sleepover:
Pizza and pop in dressup clothes
Ring around the Rosy and Duck Duck Goose while I ate
Decorated their own cupcakes (with sprinkles, smarties, marshmallows and gumdrops) and ate them
Washed up several times
Changed into jammies
Made beds of sleeping bags, pillows, and blankets in the living room
Watched three episodes of Clifford
Popped and ate popcorn
Opened gifts (she got PERFECT five-year-old gifts! Thanks friends!)
Said farewell and took home a couple balloons
Simple. As easy as it gets. Fun!
This morning… in about 15 minutes, Anna will wake up to her new bicycle. It’s pink and purple. It has princesses pasted ALL OVER it. There are streamers and even a cheap little basket that looks like Cinderella’s carriage on the front for a doll and “stuff.” It has no training wheels. She’s been using a balance bike for awhile and doing really well. I hope she is ready for this! The training wheels are in the loft still, just in case we need them. Even if she can’t ride it… I think she’ll be happy to possess it. haha
Today I enjoy a day at home and do some preparations for tomorrow! Cake making, dishes, laundry, gift-wrapping (it’s a birthday for my sister, her son, Anna, and also Jordan even though it’s a month early)
I wanted to compile a list of cheap fun treats… for little boys or girls. Here are things I’ve found so far to be awesome:
– Finger paint from the Dollar Tree
– Bubbles from the Dollar Tree
– Sidewalk chalk (cheap anywhere)
– Stick on earrings (amazon has them – where else? eg. Cute small packs or 500 pack)
– Glitter glue tubes from the Dollar Tree (first half sqeezes out easy, but the second half is hard to get out for little hands)
What are some other consumables, treats, cheap activities?
