At Home Journal vol. 7

Outside my window:  Cloudy.  We got a dusting of snow this weekend but the lawn is showing 80% I'd bet.  Kate and I have been noticing lots of robins and I'm hoping one will nest on the ledge by our front door again this year (I cleared it off for them!!).  Our neighbor tapped one of our maple trees last weekend.  The weather hasn't cooperated for the sap to run much yet but we've got 1/3 of the 5 gal. bucket full.  Hope to have more next week as I plan on having a group come check it out!  Field trip to the Snyders!

Around the house:  We're gearing up for some spring cleaning all to be completed before Triduum.  Wish the bug had bit sooner in Lent.  It has been needing to be done.  And now I've got some motivation as Easter and Kate's birthday approach.  It will be nice to have done for hosting company! 

The baby:  He's the sweetest thing.  Pretty much growing cuter by the day and so interactive!  I need to take more pictures of him. He just woke up so we'll see if I can get this finished in one sitting!

The kiddos:  The girls have been really into crafting lately.  Mostly coloring and cutting, pasting if I'll let them, play-doh, markers, stickers and so on.  Kate has been going through this "I don't like any food you feed me" phase.  I hope it's a phase!  Ugh!  And she's been whiny!  I could do without the baby talk.  On the plus, she's all about turning 5 and all the rights and responsibilities that come with it!  Can you believe she'll be 5 soon?  I can't.  Julia still is struggling to master #2 on the toilet.  Ugh, those diapers are the worst.  I've been trying not to obsess over or over think it.  She is nearing the whiny threes and has picked up a few 'lessons' from her big sister, much to my chagrin.  Oh, and I must mention the singing!  Everything can be a song or spoken in "Mother Goose" tongue.  Kurt is VERY amused and eventually annoyed by this.  She gets it from me.  Bedtimes are improving all around.

Bringing me joy: Getting rid of stuff.  This is difficult for me.  As is organizing.  But when I buckle down and do it I find it so satisfying.  Now if only it wouldn't be such a messy process and my kids wouldn't interrupt the action. Hehe!  Some days and weekends filling up in the future- a concert for Katie's birthday gift, family visiting to celebrate, a Brewers game and weekend in Milwaukee, a trip to Green Bay, a family reunion, swimming lessons, the 4th of July etc.  I know, summer seems far off but I'm still excited.

Thinking about:  The disaster that was me at Mass this weekend and how I can prevent  that from happening again.  How the roots of the word Eucharist - Thanksgiving - and the root of the word thank - think.  So when I think of something...I am in a sense thankful for something.  And how do I pray with that in mind.  Holy Week and what's got to get done.

Reading: Just finished Son, the last book in The Giver quartet.  Got a few others I'm looking forward to from the library...we'll see. 

Pictures to share:  These are from last year at this time.  The chicks come soon!  Happy Easter! We're looking forward to their arrival.  On another note-- Interested in chicken?  Place your orders now!

Katie said that when she turns 5 she might hold one! 

Home Journal vol. 6

3-13-13
Outside my window: Sunny, nearly snowless, though I thought I caught on the news last night that it was a bit nippy. I haven't ventured outside my home since Saturday so I really couldn't tell you but I wouldn't mind finding out! Seems springy-er. Its amazing what a few hours north will get you though, my dad was busy plowing 9 inches of snow this Monday!

Clothing myself in: Smart-wools, Brown boots, dark blue jeans, gray top and tank (the top is maternity but still fits nice) I had on a sweater but was sweating and the finishing touch-- one of the girls just gave me a Hello Kitty sticker.

Around the house: We're recouping from having a really sick kid so though I've been trying to keep a handle on things there is a pile of unfolded laundry waiting me in the living room and some folded clothes to put away in a basket hiding in our bedroom. I think I just finished washing the last of the sheets and blankets. I've got the crock-pot on supper duty. I'll just boil up some noodles before Kurt get homes and throw a veggie in the microwave. Presto! The girls are progressively messing now that Julia is feeling better and Katie has a playmate again.

The baby: Has been as usual wonderful! He's continuing to be cheerful, easy going and such a love. I think he gets that from his dad. I was/am a bit concerned that he'd catch our in house bug but am putting hope in my antibodies and that yummy mommy milk. In the wee hours of last night I woke up panicked after he'd spit up that he was going to start throwing up. Kurt calmly reminded me that it could have been the Hoisen sauce I had with my chicken last night. I think he was right- note, lay off the Hoisen (but oh was it tasty!).

He hasn't hit any milestones of note but he turns 4 mos. this week. I still haven't got any stats on the boy but we'll finally be heading to a well child check-up next week. Barring another flu outbreak.

The kiddos: As aforementioned, Julia caught some sort of stomach bug which started with throwing up on the kitchen floor on Saturday and proceeded to escalate to throwing up quite frequently (every 20-30 min.) into the wee hours of night. God bless Kurt for taking the late hours so the baby and I could sleep. It continued on into Sunday with a high fever that hung around till Monday. Yesterday the fever went down some and we attempted to get her to start eating again (which has proven difficult). Today she's ornery and very vocal...a good sign, no fever and she hasn't thrown up in 48 hrs. Katie has been missing her sister A LOT! She's been pesky and antsy. I am glad to know how much she really enjoys her days playing with JuJu. I can't quite imagine the transition to Kindergarten when Julia will miss her undoubtedly more! She is definitely showing more signs of readiness for more learning. Her current habit is copying words/letters she sees and asking what she wrote. (Examples include- AFV (from the TV show), days of the week from the calendar, dedications and words from favorite storybooks, etc.) I also caught her sounding out letter sounds as she wrote. We made a school visit the end of February (I know, I need to post more regularly) and it went well. We'll go back again in May for an afternoon in the classroom.

Alright...I got interrupted by a child, then white smoke, then a feverish baby and now we'll try and finish it today...as the avoiding sickness did not occur and my fevering baby is currently sleeping peacefully I am not making guarantees.

In the kitchen: I made General Tao's chicken (w/ Hoisen sauce) this week for the first time. It was a modified healthier recipe from Cooks Country magazine. Yesterday we had crock-pot roast today it's become beef stew. Tomorrow something without meat.

Bringing me joy: The news of Pope Francis! It was great to share the moment of his announcement with Katie. And to celebrate as a family! Especially enjoyed Simcha Fischer's Papamoon article this a.m. Only a fever- as in the baby hasn't thrown up (yet) and this brings me copious amounts of joy. The thought of getting a haircut. Funny how just thinking about it makes me happy. I'm in that post-pregnancy stage of hair loss by the handful. I will be ecstatic to get out of the house and have someone chop it! The sacrament of Reconciliation.

Thinking about: Making a good Lent, worries about sickies, praying more often, loving my family each day to its fullest. And with that, the baby is stirring.

Feel the Love?

What my Baby Wore Today (Christmas 2012)

When you're home for Christmas...after a late night at Christmas Eve Mass...you wear flannel.

 

Flannel makes me cuter!

Flannel makes me cozier!

Flannel makes me look more like Dad!

As an aside, Mom had me all dressed up for Christmas Eve and two minutes before we were headed out the door  I pooped it all up so I just wore "normal" baby clothes as I'd pooped in the rest of the Christmas attire earlier in the day.  Everyone thought I was the cutest nonetheless but Mom didn't take any pictures.  See what other babies wore at Simple Mama.

At Home Journal vol. 3

Outside my window: Sunny, chilly and still some snow on the ground!

Clothing myself in: Real khaki pants (as apposed to maternity), a navy blue knit t-shirt, everyday wool socks and a flowered scarf.

Around the house:  things are fairly tidy.  There seems a never ending pile of laundry that has come with Erik's arrival.  And for me the tricky part is we get a better deal on electrical in our cooperative before 11 a.m. and after 7 p.m. so I'd like to do all the laundry then...but find myself thinking about it now while the kids nap and I have a moments peace.  I also noticed I have to bring in my planters, now frozen and covered with snow.

The baby: is a darling child and I say that with no sarcasm!  At this point he couldn't be an easier addition to our family.  He has definitely started filling out and you can see it in his legs, cheeks and chins.  He is also staring at me lots when in arms.  I love that curious look!  We had him baptized this past weekend.  Friends of ours agreed to be his godparents and we couldn't be happier- thank you Troy and Rachael.  The baptism itself seemed like a bit of a three ring circus for me, with our kids and their kids but I take comfort in the loving smile of our patient pastor and in that Christ made the sacraments effective.  Welcome to the Church Erik Edward!

The kiddos:  Katie has been all about Advent and the activities we're trying to do as a family this season.  She is still volunteering to hold Erik constantly it seems but I hesitate to go too far when she has him as there is the deep longing to tote him around like a baby doll.  She really enjoyed St. Nicholas Day this year.  And has loved extra time with Gramma in the past weeks.  I think she will be ready for Kindergarten in the fall.  Crazy how big she is getting!  Julia is living up to being two (and a half!) and still adjusting to life with the new baby.  Her tantrums and meltdowns stress me out and her non-stop motion accounts for my lack of energy most nights.  I feel like I need to give her more time but I'm not sure what that looks like at this point.  She is such a funny little girl and I love her dearly...but want to affirm that to her as most of me seems monopolized at the moment.  She is all about Christmas and asks daily if it is today (no concept of time)!  She's been miraculously taking charge of her own potty training.  She'll wear and keep her undies dry until nap time and usually after nap.  We have been struggling at night time though as she takes that opportunity to poop after being laid down for bed (fun!) and ends up leaking out of her diapers by morning sometimes...wondering about pull-ups...we never used them for Katie but she was always dry at night.  Ah, the joys of a mommy journal!  Seems awful similar to my musings from last time!

In the kitchen: we are still enjoying a freezer meal or delivery from friends here and there and I have yet to really delve into cooking much.  Just keeping it simple and pretty hassle free.  Tonight, meatballs and pesto pasta, tomorrow Kurt's aunt is bringing us a meal, Thursday my brother will be coming into town and we may venture out, Friday a kid friendly retirement party, Saturday is up in the air and Sunday we're hoping to Packer Party with some friends!  Ah, life is good!  I am saving up for Christmas time!

Bringing me joy:  countless blessings, time with my parents this past weekend, my brother's upcoming visit, SNOW!

Thinking about: The Christmas pictures my mom and I took the kids to take last week at Sears.  It was not a good experience (though the kids were beyond wonderful and so was my mom!) and now I can't even get the pictures they emailed me a link to to download, grrr.  We'll be going back to Portrait Innovations next year.  A conversation I had with another mom and then talked with Kurt about.  We are sure blessed and I try not to take that for granted. When will we get more snow...can Christmas come any faster?  I am not ready!!!!  And when will I be able to get ready...took comfort in this post.  Should I even attempt a Christmas letter??

Some pictures:

Erik in our family baptismal gown...see the names embroidered 'round the bottom...thanks Gramma Ann!

What are you wearing?  "See in this white garment the outward sign of your Christian dignity..."

Hear the sounds of the circus...my monkey in Dad's arms and elephant on my feet?  Though the godparents look like they're paying attention!

Father Bernie and the three he's now baptized.  I think this picture is the best of the bunch!

Katie wanting to be in a picture.

God bless you little buddy!  (See, she snuck into this picture, too!)

Welcome Baby Erik!

 

He's here!!!  And here are a few pictures from his first day with us.  I know an aunt who wanted to see some more pictures.

 

Erik Edward  11/14/12, 4:52 a.m. 9 lbs. 4.9 oz., 21 1/2 inches long

The family of five!

Big sisters!

 

Proud as can be, Dad and Katie!

My little girl.

Gramma Ann and Erik
Do you see the sticker Julia brought him?  Too, cute!

The girls and Gramma also brought him this outfit.  It went great with the John Deere bedding at the hospital! 

All is well here.  Just taking it easy and getting used to a baby in the house again.  We're adjusting.  He is a sweet thing and is determined not to stay a baby for long.  Lots of eating and sleeping makes you grow!

H Week

Here are some things from this week of H interest...

Hundreds...



Counting to a hundred with the hundreds chart! Julia thinks she's got this figured out.



99...one HUNDRED!

I promised Kate we'd count something edible for snack after nap time today...like Cheerios or goldfish.  The concept still isn't quite figured out as she said, 'I can't eat that many!  I'd be so full!'  Hehe!

 

 

Hair...

Rag rolls anyone?

Here's a picture of the curly "Shirley" (as in Temple) after hair!

Our online friend Heidi mentioned that to curb some of the whining (and in our case crying and screaming) about hair combing that she bribed her daughter with promises of curls.  Kate has recently taken to asking for curly hair like Julia for the past few months anyway and I thought...what the heck!  It has worked like a charm!  She now begs to be bathed and sits still for combing and rag rolls.  It looks awful cute when done, too!  She's loving all the attention and can't wait to show Gramma.  Thanks Heidi!

Hopscotch...

One foot...

I took the girls out this morning and we attempted to play hopscotch.  Which they LOVED!  I could only manage so much hopping at this point but that didn't seem to trouble them too much. 

Two feet...hop, hop, hop!

Heidi...
The other Heidi, my cousin, is coming to visit this weekend.  This is the H thing I've been most looking forward to the past few days.  First off, good company but also, help!  Perhaps having a babysitter in house will help things move on to Hurry to the Hospital?  Those would be H words causing me to shout-  Hip Hip Hooray!

A Trip to the National Mississippi Museum and Aquarium aka An Attempt to Walk the Baby Out

Friends of ours from Gym and Art had the great idea that since there was an extra week between our next G&A get together we could meet today at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium for the morning.  If you've never been, I must give it a big recommendation!  Come visit us and we'll go with you!  It is a must see if you're spending any time in the Dubuque Area for kids and adults alike. 

 

Anyway, I thought, I'd attempt to walk the baby out before my OB appointment this afternoon and I brought my camera!

 

Katie holding a snail in the Discovery Lab.  She was all about it!

All the kids in our group from the four families that met today waiting for me to return from the bathroom. ;-)

Katie in the piranha tank!  The current featured exhibit is one Voyage to the Amazon.  It was the first time I got to see it.  There will be a new exhibit featured beginning in March I believe.

Girls in the belly of a catfish!

H is for Hawk (it is H week here)!

IF you're still reading...my OB apt. went fine.  The baby was not walked out though I'm rather tired from the day!  I'll have to go in again next Tuesday for a stress test if baby hasn't appeared outside before then.  Now though, I'm crossing my legs til after I vote tomorrow. ;-)  I figure if I vote early I could have this child before all the results are in...the way things are sounding that might be the case if I wait a few days, too!

At Home Journal (vol. 1)

So, I'm sure I won't be the last to try this but a few friends have been doing some online journaling and I thought I might give it a go.  I've never been much for journaling but  sometimes it would appear especially as things continue to be busy around here that it may be the way to get a blog post out and still keep family and friends updated. We shall see...

October 30, 2012
Outside my window:  Well, its chilly!  Fall in WI is definitely here to stay.  I'm grateful for the sun and the clear blue sky especially after all the Sandy Storm news from out east.  Guess, I'm also happy enough to be land locked.

Clothing myself in: maternity jeans, black long sleeve cotton top and gray and black scarf tied in a Celtic knot. 

Around the house:  Well, the girls are in the midst of playing house and they aren't the tidiest players.  So the living room even though I've picked up things numerous times in there is cluttered, again and so is the kitchen table, the counter tops and the sink.  I've got to empty the dishwasher before Kurt gets home.  That should help somewhat...at least in the kitchen.

The baby:  I know, everyone is interested but the baby has definitely dropped and I have to go to the bathroom constantly it seems.  And this kid is certainly the most active child thus far.  Maybe it will have some sort of kicking in its future?  Yikes.  I actually got on the computer to print out an updated copy of our birth plan to bring to the clinic next week...yeah, I got side tracked.

The girls:  Have been playing really well together A LOT lately.  Mostly it is imagination play... they and their babies take on countless names identities and adventures.  Sometimes including, train trips to Grammazona (Julia's version of Arizona), bands, fire departments, dance parties, school...with names like Hannin, Mike, Kale, Totty, Lily, Ike and Nina.  They totally crack me up...of course, my identity changes, too,  usually I'm Gramma though.  Which gets confusing when they call for Mom and I'm not the Mom they want, oops!

This week is 'G week' for us...we've been talking goats and had grilled 'G'eese sandwiches for supper last night.  It is also green week at the library story hour which coincides nicely!

In the kitchen:  We've continued to process tomatoes (7 pints this weekend) and apples (still waiting in the canning kitchen...there may be a few fruit flies enjoying my procrastination) from our harvest.  I was pleasantly surprised with the quantity and quality of our late tomatoes this year.  Kurt, Dad and I picked a huge tote full for green ones before our first frost and nearly all of them in the past month have now turned a beautiful red.    I made some homemade tomato soup yesterday that was in my opinion delish!  Though it gave me terrible heartburn...

Bringing me joy:  I've not had nearly the back pain this pregnancy as the last!  My Kurt is so sweet and patient with me these days.  What blessing!  Also, the girls are so excited for Halloween- Katie, Captain Hook/pirate and Julia, Tinkerbell and the All Saints party we're hosting at our home on Thursday- Katie, St. George and Julia, St. Bernadette.  I'm handing out treats and wondering if there are any very pregnant saints I could be on Thursday without much effort...hmmm, two years ago my friend and I went as Elizabeth and Mary and acted out the Magnificat...I thought about the woman in Revelation *including wailing and moaning aloud!  But the costume is tricky for that one.  Ideas?

Thinking about: The election and upcoming birth of this baby...

Picture to share: Felt like this was out life here for awhile...just fruity!  Isn't this a pretty piece to have in the kitchen though?

Ok, best print out that birth plan and order a car seat online!  Tata!

Baby Bets

Well, it's close enough now that I wanted to open up this post for the arrival and stats of Snyder Baby #3. 
History :
Katie - 3 days late,  born just after 9 p.m. 9 lbs. 7 oz. 21 inches long
Julia - 9 days early, born just after 4:30 a.m. 8 lbs. 7 oz. 21 inches long
Currently with this pregnancy my initial due date is 11/17; the early ultrasound dated 11/14.  I have had more early contractions this time; having very few with the previous two kiddos and these have been noticeably stronger.   Though I think part of the problem is I'm a bit dehydrated. 
So, leave your guesses - boy or girl,  date, time,  weight and height.  The winner will receive a Kieler T-shirt and bragging rights.

Baby is growing!

It has been a month and a week between these ultrasound prints and the previous. The tech estimated baby's weight at 2 lbs. 7 oz.  I can certainly see that this little one is putting on some weight from the pictures - look at those cheeks and that nose!  The heart shots all look good this time...that's a blessing.

Sorry the resolution isn't as good.  JuJu is napping in the office so I took these with the phone rather than scan them.

Baby #3 Photo Shoot

I think I mentioned the baby pictures in my last post...I've finally scanned them but didn't crop them  so excuse the extra gray spots, please. 

There will probably be more pictures in August as I got called back to get another ultrasound (they didn't get a good picture of the heart).   Next week I'll have my 'third trimester' appointment- time is going too quickly.  Hopefully come November I'll be a bit more ready for baby to make his/her debut...right now it scares me!  My to do list is LONG and I feel out of practice with babies.  I am, much to my surprise, feeling great- better than I was my last pregnancy at this time.  I am so grateful as Julia continues to be a bit of a challenge some days.

Things, obviously from lack of posts, have been BUSY here.  The girls and I spent a WONDERFUL week up north at the lake with my family.  The garden has been bringing forth much fruit.  Thus far I've done two batches of fresh salsa (I need to post that recipe) 4 quarts each.  And this weekend I processed 9 quarts of  Portland Marinara Sauce (I need to post that recipe, too).  YUM!  We've also had homemade french fries, onion rings, Chinese cabbage salad...you get the picture.  We've also had company and are getting ready for more!