Mother Lover

To my special lady:

In just a couple of short weeks, we will be celebrating our 8^th year of marriage.  That’s unbelievable to me!  Now, this isn’t an anniversary post, but as I got caught up in thinking about what we can do for our special day I totally overlooked one of the most important days of the year. 

It was last Tuesday when I realized that in five days the kids and I would be attempting to make you a delicious Mother’s Day breakfast while you were supposed to be sleeping in.  I say “supposed to be” because a pillow held tightly over your ears can only block out so much noise from the “playful” screams of our four little angels. 

I suppose I could blame my lack of awareness on the past few weeks that have been packed full of non-stop craziness, but like Jeff always says, you should treat every day like it’s (insert special day here…in this case it would be mother’s day).  In theory, my brother’s philosophy is a good one.  We should treat each other like every day is Valentine’s Day or your birthday or Mother’s Day.  Then again, if we did that, how could we appreciate these special days that only happen once a year?

Anyway, before I start busting out in the Carpenters singing about how the world needs more love, let me say these three simple words…I love you!  And seriously, more than words can ever say.  I could go on and on in my awkward way of expressing my undying love for you, but let me do it by sharing my top 5 favorite things about you.  There are only 5 because I got a late start on Tuesday.

1. Your smile.  There’s nothing I love more than seeing you happy because you don’t just smile with your mouth.  It’s like Willy Wonka created a new kind of candy especially for you that tastes like toblerone and haribo gummy bears but better and you just tasted it for the first time.  Your eyes brighten, your lips are the perfect shape and you just radiate happiness.

2. Your selflessness.  You always put others before yourself even when you shouldn’t have to wait.  It’s a reminder for me to be better and I know that the kids appreciate it, too…in their own way.  Let’s just say they will appreciate it when they get older and come to understand how much you’ve done for them.  

3. Your friendship.  You’re always so thoughtful and you remember all the important dates, unlike your absent-minded husband.  If I get stranded on a deserted island and can only bring one thing, I’m bringing you.

4. Your sense of humor.  From fist pumping to hip shaking to honking, your sense of humor is definitely one of my favorite things.  I love that I can throw out a terrible joke and you will laugh at it.  Or you will play along with a spontaneously ridiculous story because you can catch my slightest hint.

5. Your influence.  I really like myself more around you even when times are tough.  Actually, especially when times are tough.  What else can I say?  You...complete me.  It's not plagiarism if it really applies, right?

I look at you and at what we’ve accomplished over the past 8 plus years and get overwhelmed in thinking about what lies ahead of us.  You are everything I need and want and I love you so much!  Thanks for being a wonderful, beautiful, strong wife, mother and friend. 

Love, Rob

I got out of the shower this morning to find that Ella had found my lipstick and transformed herself into a real-life-joker.

Which originally was real-life-adorable.

Until I went to get the camera and saw that the lipstick was also all over my real-life-carpet.

Then I was real-life-mad, and she went to her real-life-room. Oh, how quickly emotions can change in real-life.

Short Again

I originally chopped my hair a couple of months ago, but realized after my most recent cut that I hadn't posted it yet.  I love short hair.  L.O.V.E.

(insert special shout out to my awesome stylist, Julie, here)

Oh...and I normally don't laugh at the camera - Rob and I were IMing while I was taking this shot. Here's our convo:

(Maddie was on a fieldtrip up by Rob's work, and he stopped by and surprised her)

Robby:  Maddie's such a sweetheart.
Melissa:  Was it fun to see her?
Robby: Yeah.  She's going to bring a lot of tears to my eyes.
Melissa:  What did she do this time? :)
Robby:  She's just so cute.
Robby:  and loving.
Robby:  I just love being a dad.
Melissa:  I'm so glad!
Robby:  as I'm leaving, she says to one of the teachers, "That's my dad."
Robby:  and she's so proud
Robby:  makes me feel good.

Can you blame me for smiling so big?  I've got it so good.

Surely, the person who snuck in and replaced my infant with a monster-sized three month old HAD to have known that I would eventually notice.  The nerve of some people.

Story Time with Papa

My dad came out for a quick trip to see the kids and meet Claire.  He's a really great grandpa.  He lets the kids climb all over him and hangs on every word out of their tiny little mouths....EVEN if he doesn't understand a thing they are talking about. Watching him pretend to know every single Toy Story reference Jude made was priceless.

Here he is reading The Tickle Monster to them.  It involves a lot of laughs, and tons of tickles.

Claire managed to take a few hours off of her RSV and be a happy little granddaughter for his visit.  She gave him lots of smiles (none of which were caught on camera) and cuddles.

Thanks for making the trip out Papa!  We love you and hope you'll come back again, soon!

Little Mouths

I've had some real gems today.

Maddie:  Mom, do you know how to sew a purple dress with purple sparkle shoes and a wand?  Because that's what I'd like to wear to school today.

Me: No, but I do know how to pull jeans and a tee shirt out of your dresser.

Maddie: That's not even close, Mom.

*                         *                        *

Me:  Buddy come over here and give me a cuddle.

Jude:  Do I have to?

Me:  Yes. (He comes over and sits on my lap)

Me:  Do you remember how we would sing songs and cuddle when you were a baby?

Jude: No.

Me:  Well, we did because you're my favorite little boy.  I love you buddy.

Jude:  Yeah.  And I love McDonald's.  Can we go there?

Falling Behind

Yes, yes...I know.  I REALLY do.  Sorry.  We have spent the last two weeks dealing with sick kids and crazy schedules.  Two weeks ago we took Madelyn, Jude and Ella to Disney on Ice - leaving Claire with Rob's very helpful sister and mother. By the time we returned Claire had thrown up a few times, and had a fever.  The next day the monster cough began.  RSV and Croup.  It's been a long couple of weeks, but I'll take the time to post something soon.  I pinky swear.  

But I did want to send a quick shout out to all of the friends and family that have called and helped us these past two weeks.  We really appreciate you.  

Oh - and just to add some fluff of sorts, which pictures do you see first?  I always seem to notice the faces before anything else.  Wonder what that means.  

Um....

I know Maddie gets on the computer, and I know that she plays with photobooth, but I had NO IDEA she was suffering from multiple personalities.   (Yes, I know it's no longer called that...I just didn't know if you did!)  

If you click on the video, it will make it bigger...and turn up that volume.  And please forgive the psychotic layout of this post.  Blogger is acting nutso.  

Well, there you have it....CUH-REEE-PY!  

Try, Try Again....

It takes a lot of these:

To finally get one of these:

When I was a kid, my grandpa gave our family the BEST Christmas present ever.  It was a sled that had brakes, and a steering wheel.  It was like having a non-motorized snowmobile, and we were the envy of all the sledders on the hill.  This year Rob and I found a similar sled at Costco, and I couldn't have been more excited to give it to the kids for Christmas.  Here's a small clip from their first snow day with the most awesome sled on the planet:

Maybe next time I'll take the "Ages six and up" label a bit more seriously. 

Everyone Needs an Aunt Marissa

She is a knitting GENIUS!  And she doesn't send us the stereotypical, "Look what Aunt Mildred made for you guys!" gifts, either.  She sends us awesome stuff!  See for yourself:

The kids were so excited that it was snowing, so they could wear their hats out, immediately.  And in the one place that we went, we were asked by three people where they could buy these adorable hats.  (Did you zoom in on the picture to see the blanket?)

She also made some really cute onesies for Claire, but I forgot to get a picture of those.  I'll get some when Claire has them on.

Marissa, you are so talented.  I have no idea why you spend your time making cool stuff for my kids, when you could be making a fortune on Etsy....BUT we couldn't love them more!  You are amazing - thank you so, so much!  We love you!

31 on the 31st

Today my love turns 31.  Isn't he ancient?  The other day I was talking to his mom about how old Rob was getting, and she reminded me that Rob would have been even older had he come when they originally hoped for him.  My in laws had three children, and then even though they wanted more, they were unable to have any...for SEVEN years.  Then as a surprise, and blessing, Rob joined their family.  I jokingly said, "Well, that's because he was hanging out in heaven with me!" The more I thought about it, the more I realized that if Rob had come seven years earlier, the two of us probably wouldn't have ended up together - and the thought of that makes me unbelievably sad.  Rob and I have been through a lot together, and spend most of our time together juggling children, but he is without a doubt the most perfect man on the planet for me.  (Don't even get me started on what a great dad he is!) Even though his parents had to wait so long for him to come to earth, I'm so grateful that they never gave up on expanding their family.  Rob, I couldn't love and appreciate you more.  You truly are my best friend, and I love being married to you.  Happy Birthday, handsome! XOXO

Claire Bear Stare

The Boy is 4

Today is my little stud's birthday.  I've been meaning to do a Jude-post for a while because there is just SO MUCH to say.  If I had to sum up Jude in a few words they would be:  Ham (a broken toy hamster that is Jude's "best buddy." 99% of the words out of Jude's mouth are about Ham), paper, scissors, tape, crayons, and blocks.  I've never met ANYONE as creative as this kid.  If the boy is not making something, he has no idea what to do with himself.  I don't know that any level of story telling can explain what happens at this house on a daily basis...I think pictures are the only way to show the world what this kid is made of. 

 These are hanging on his door.  I'm not QUITE sure what they are.

 This is the entire cast of Toy Story made out of blocks.  On any other day, it is usually some sort of device for Ham.

 The boat that is hanging on his wall.  He has since added rocks. It's about two feet long.

 Ham's house.  (That's Ham on the bottom) The house is equipped with a television, a slide, a hammock, a bed (blanket included) a swimming pool, and a car.  Several times I've caught Jude laying on the floor in front of Ham's house laughing.  When I ask him what is so funny, he says, "Oh - I'm just watching Ham watch TV."

This morning he went to wake up Ham (as he does every morning) and I overheard this one-sided conversation.  "Ham!  Ham!  HAAAAAAAM?!  OH MY GOSH - ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  WHAT THE HECK, HAM?!  GEEZ!  DON'T YOU KNOW IT'S MY BIRTHDAY?  THEN GET OUT OF BED!"  He finally came out into the house empty handed and said, "I just can't get that guy to wake up."

Most people would see this painting and think that it's a normal paper-plate painting.  Nope.  This, my friends, is a Lightning McQueen hat.  He made it because the hat he has now is getting to small.  He then spent the day trying to wear it on his head.  Unsuccessfully.

This morning, Jude was able to open one present at breakfast.  He opened this:

The (what I thought was) entire cast of Toy Story.  Jude was thrilled...for about five minutes.  Within ten minutes he was asking for paper to make everyone else.  Apparently you CAN'T play Toy Story without Andy, Andy's mom, the Prospector, more than one alien, Lotso, and the Chicken Man.  When he picked out his toys for show and tell, he chose the Toy Story toys. Perfect.  Except that most of the "toys" he had picked were the ones he had made out of paper.  

(Prospector and Andy pictured here - the rest are at school)

When I asked him what trains he wanted on his cake he brought me these three:

Is it safe to have paper and candles on the same cake?  Guess we'll see!

His messes may drive me crazy at times, but the truth is that I am SO, SO, SO proud of this kid.  He is the most creative kid I have EVER seen. I mean, what other kid can be perfectly happy with a Thomas the Train made out of a Milk Duds box taped to a Dots candy box?!  He makes me laugh every single day, and is such a cute kid.  I love him more than I can ever express.  He is our one and only Jude-a-tude, and that's something that can't be duplicated.  

Happy Birthday, Handsome!  

The First Week

I'm always amazed at how slow the last week of pregnancy goes, in comparison to how fast the first week of having a newborn flies by.  This has been, quite possibly, the easiest transitioning-to-new-baby-week yet.  Claire is a FANTASTIC sleeper (we usually only have one feeding per night) a wonderful eater, and all in all, a really great baby.  She doesn't cry too often, but she does spend most of her time asleep whimpering.  There's a whimper with almost every sleeping breath.  The first night I couldn't handle it - it kept me on pins and needles thinking, "I can't go to bed now, she's about to wake up!"  I've learned my lesson, and now can easily fall asleep to the rhythmic, "Mmmmmm"s and "Hmmmmm"s.

Rob is finally starting to get better (he's had a nasty cold that started a few days before she was born) and is now able to spend time holding, feeding, and cuddling with her.  I've been really lucky to have him around so much.  He has basically been home every day since December 18th.  He has tons of PTO, and has been wonderful about using it to spend time with all of us.  (Have I ever mentioned that I totally love this guy?!)

Overall, it has been a fantastic week.  The kids are obsessed with all things Claire, and are constantly asking, "What's she doing now?"  (I think they are starting to get bored with all the same answers...sleeping, eating, nothing) And Jude spends most of his time waving at her.  He's pretty sure she has waved back a couple of times.  I'm pretty sure she was asleep both times he claimed it happened.

Here are a few pictures of this weeks' adventures: