Birthday Bash

Micah's birthday wasn't so much a big bash as it was just a fun time of being together. He doesn't have a special supper that he loves, so instead we had a birthday breakfast. His morning consisted of French toast, strawberries, milk, bacon and potato patties. He got to hang out in his high chair, in his jammies and have his birthday cupcake. My mom and dad came over (she did the vast majority of the cooking) and it was a perfect celebration for a special little boy. Then it was off to Rochester for the weekend!

Two Years Ago...

Tomorrow my baby will be two! It is hard to believe that 2 years have gone by already. My pregnancy with Micah was a difficult one with me having placenta previa and preeclampsia. I was on bedrest and he was delivered (my 5th c-section) at 36 weeks. Because of my blood pressure, he had a low birthweight. Despite all of the circumstances, he was healthy and had no problems. This was truly a miracle and an answer to many of your prayers. God is so good!

Me, after an amnio showed that he was definitely not ready to be born, but I was so sick that we needed to get him delivered. I was sent to North Memorial because he would need to be in the N.I.C.U. (If only I had a picture of me with my face swollen and my eyes barely open :)

Bedrest at North. I was so happy to see my kids and SO homesick.

After 6 weeks of bedrest, 9 ultrasounds, 13 non-stress tests, countless bodily fluid samples, and 2 amnios, Micah Aaron was born.

4 lbs 13 oz, 18 inches long

So cute! And so tiny! He was down to 4 lbs 5 oz when we came home from the hospital. Even his preemie clothes were too big.

A big yawn for a little peanut.

My mom is the proud grandma who took care of EVERYTHING and EVERYONE for me. I am so thankful for her.

I will post some bday pics later on.

My Eye!

Sometimes strange things happen. A lot of those strange things seem to happen at our house. Today a certain child (HINT- 5 years old, female, with a ton of crazy hair) was using the bathroom.

Child: Mom! I gotted pee in my eye!

Me: What?!?!?!

Child: I gotted pee in my eye!

Me: How in the world did you manage that?

Child: I was watching when I was going to the bathroom and was too close. It is my right eye.

Me: Into the bath! I sure hope you don't get some sort of eye infection.

Child proceeds to freak out over the thought of an infection. But she was very calm when it was "just" pee in the eye.


Lesson learned: there is no need to watch when you are on the toilet.

G.L.O.R.Y.

Over the last couple of weeks, Glory has gone around the house spelling her name out loud and referring to herself as G.L.O.R.Y. She has shown a very sudden thirst for learning and all things school. I have been keeping her busy with Kumon workbooks and printables from the computer. I think it is paying off because she is as pleased as can be with herself and makes sure to get ready for school each day.

Glory wrote her own name, all by herself while I was switching laundry!

I was S.U.R.P.R.I.S.E.D. I just showed her how to write her name a few days ago.

A very happy 3 (almost 4) year old.

P.R.O.U.D.

Magic Fork

This was Micah's 4th giant pancake. I was trying to catch video of him being silly while he was eating. Instead, he saw the camera and displayed his usual charming personality. His crabbiness continued until he saw the magic fork. The fork truly must be magical, as it helped to lighten his mood!!

Signs of Spring

Today is a beautiful 61 degree day at our house. We have some definite signs of spring, aside from the radiant sunshine and the obvious warm-up in temperatures.

Signs That Spring Has Sprung:

1. The yard (and former ice rink) has turned into a mini-lake and stream.

2. I have many extra loads of laundry to do...see sign 1.

3. The laundry tubs are being used more than normal...sign 1.

4. Oxy-Clean has, once again, become a favorite household cleaner...sign 1. (In addition to Magic Erasers and Windex.)

5. Bikes, scooters, lawn chairs, playhouses, and other toys have all made a season premiere.
6. Band-aids are being used liberally...sign 5.
7. The urgency to complete school for the day/year is being felt by all.

The beauty of homeschooling...kids can work outside when weather permits.

The Color Wheel

Today my sister, Nora, came to do some hair. Hair color is a great opportunity for a little homeschool lesson on mixing colors! How do you get pink? Ellie knew that some red and white will make a great pink. If you add some purple in you will come up with this hot pink pigment.

Painting pink tips.

Doing her reading while waiting for her hair to process.

What a glamour girl!

For those of you questioning my parenting choices, the color will be cut out in a few weeks when she needs a trim. Thanks for your concern.

What's Missing?

There is something so special and sweet about kids losing their first teeth. Last night Maggie lost her first tooth, all on her own.

In her words, "I just wiggled it out!"

One Thousand Words

Micah

If a picture is worth a thousand words, what is this one saying?

*turkey, stinker, cutie, trouble, fit-sy, naughty, love-bug, dumpling, toddler, tantrum, uh-oh!

2 years old is right around the corner!

Mr. Manners

Part of our homeschool curriculum includes health. The first few years of health are called Health, Safety, and Manners. Today Caleb learned some special manners he hadn't previously known.



Special Manners for Boys:

*Let girls go first.

*Open doors for girls.

*Carry heavy packages for girls.

*Give up your seat for a girl that is standing.

*Help girls be seated at the table.

*If you wear a hat or cap, take it off when you go inside.



Special Manners for Girls:

*Accept a seat that is offered to you by a boy.

*Let boys open doors for you.

*Let boys help you be seated.

*Always say "thank you" when a boy helps you carry something, offers you a seat, or opens a door for you.



I started laughing when he read these lists to me. I found them to be out-of-date and unrealistic. But as I started to explain to Caleb why each of these manners were listed, I realized just how un-polite of a society we live in. Our culture doesn't teach boys and girls to be the men and women God desires them to be. We don't treat one another with the basic respect that we should.

Now I don't expect every man to open my doors or lift my packages, but seriously, when I am walking toward a door with an infant in a car seat, a diaper bag, a purse, and a toddler by the hand...just open the door!



So while some of these were silly to me, the heart of the message was solid. It isn't really about offering a seat or accepting a seat that is given. Common courtesy is what it comes down to. It doesn't matter what gender or faith you are, or what political party you belong to. We should all treat one another well!!