Sunshine Moments on Cloudy Rainy Days

Elias has now aquired some of the most intellectual glasses a 10 month old could have. We call him our little professor!

Things are finely slowing down when it comes to doctor appointments for Elias. I now understand whan many families say, "It's rough the first year. Life coasts after that!" We have all his specialists in place and aside from the follow ups from the surgery and the opthamologist we'll only have the therapies to worry about. The other great news is in 3 weeks he'll be out of the helmet. I'm thrilled because I'll be able to nuzzle him anytime I want. I wonder how he'll respond to all the affection when he has nothing to fend it off!

We've also taken more time to be one on one with the older two. They love riding in Kent's truck with him and running errands. Such simple things seem to filled their needs nicely. With me it's a little different. Everyday is spent with me and so often being at home I become distracted with the things that need to get done. With so little time I thought it best to take two birds with one stone, lunch out with Mama! It's great because I can relax and not worry about clean up and they have my undivided attention.

I took Isaac to Five Guys (incidentally they have the best fries ever!) and had him sit and eat peanuts while I brought out our meal. He looked oddly at me when I handed them to him and said questioningly, "These are peanuts?" I thought nothing of it until I came back out and he was spitting on the ground, "These are weird peanuts Mama! I don't like them!" Apparently he ate the peanut shell and all! I laughed and coaxed him into trying again while showing him how to shell it. He thought it was pretty funny too and so we took this shot.

Keila has every monday afternoon wiht me. We either picnic at home and watch My Little Pony or sometimes we go out. She's rather funny if we are out, she knows it's a big treat and acts all grown up from her voice and word choice to how she daintly uses her napkin to wipe her mouth. I feel a little like it's teatime with the Queen. How she loves posing for the camera!

Then there's the annual fun in the rain and mud. It's become so much of a tradition that we've learned to save up some ugly clothes they can trash all they want!

Keila was freezing her little tooshie off this day, soaking herself to the bone. I have to say as crazy as it is to get them cleaned up, they are a calm, quiet and happy bunch after a warm bath and change of clothes. I'm sure we'll see Elias joining in the fun next year.

Adventures in Eating

Isaac has an insatiable curiosity for everything. If you let him he will ask questions of you until send him to bed. Lately he wants to try new food. For whatever reason, he learned about pomegranates in school and wanted to try them. We got lucky and received three in our basket of veggies we get twice a month. He loved them but wished they were a whole lot easier to eat.

While at the grocery we spotted this odd thing, a dragon fruit. I'd know its name but had never tried it - two dollars for a cultural experience? Why not! So we brought the thing home and read all about it. Apparently it's from a cactus of sorts found in Southeast Asia. It's fruit resembles a kiwi in that it has small seeds throughout and the flesh can be either red or white. We had no idea what we had and were thrilled with the results! Isn't it a thing of beauty?!

It really did resemble a kiwi in texture and had it been ripe picked off the cactus I'm sure it would have been sweeter. Apparently it can be grown in more tropical places like Houston or Hawaii. We also at a persimmon that day and Isaac told me he wants a record of all the weird things he's eaten so here it is. May he always be this adventurous !

Angel Heart

All my children are my "angel hearts" but some are more so than others at times. Elias though is a very content child. If you hold him, give him a little love and attention he is easily satisfied. It was particularly apparent when we went for a minor surgery. Despite being hungry and sleep deprived he was happy as could be at 5:30 in the morning.

I, on the other hand was more of a wreck. I didn't sleep well all night and was a little tense but out snuggle time before the procedure helped. Nothing is better than the a warm silky baby boy to hold and smell. They took care to bring toys to entertain him, but my phone was much more fun.

The procedure took just over an hour and went well. He desperately wanted me and took the time to grumble his feelings on my delay but within minutes he was smiling again. While he'll be in pain for a few more weeks I'm sure he'll do fine. Besides, I don't mind the extra snuggle time!

Farwell 2012

Thus we are at the close of another year. We are all a little older, some taller, some rounder and hopefully wiser. It's been an eventful year but with all it's ups and downs we found much to be grateful for.

Elias turned 9 months old on Christmas Day! He is as darling as ever. In fact, as a precaution to kissing attacks and faux hawk rubbing he has taken to wearing his specialized helmet. You must schedule for snuggle time in the evenings and early morning feeds which Mama has first priority over. He loves to chat, deep long conversations anytime when his older siblings are not about - typically late at night or early in the morning. He can sit up on is own for a good amount of time and loves food and feeding himself. He is often found using his charm on his parents to taste everything from ice cream to chocolate which I'm sure his siblings feel a great deal of injustice over. Alas, it is hard to be born of pure Cutonium and the youngest!

Keila is our ever precocious girl. She started her first year of preschool and takes great pride in HER own friends. She was recently invited to her very first birthday party where she had fun introducing me to her little group and telling me all about them. She loves all things beautiful, jewelry, shoes, clothes, and music. Se loves to break out in song at random times and "shake her bottom" (as she calls it) and if you let her she'll have you dancing alongside. Despite this, she is a true introvert at heart and loves nothing better than one and one time with mom or dad, snuggling, reading or simply chatting in her cute little toddler voice. Who knew there was so much to say at the age of three!

Isaac is five and finishing his last year at preschool. He is very proud of the fact that he can do simple sums and sound out small words. He is forever creating his own books and has quite a portfolio of work with regards to Angry Birds. Should they EVER run out of ideas for this popular game, Isaac will be ready with resume in hand to apply for a job! He's becoming more and more of a gentlemen every day and will hold open the doors for everyone nearby. Along with this he's developed other skills such as tying his shoelaces and cooking simple microwave meals.

Flo has reached even greater levels of efficiency this year as she juggles two children in preschool, one with weekly therapy and doctor appointments as well as a permanent aide position at the preschool two days a week. On the side she is earning degrees from the University of Life in 'medicine in children with Down syndrome' as well as 'how to cut through government agency and insurance companies red tape'. While these degrees are not recognized nationally, she feels confident they will come in handy for future use. Amid all this she is grateful for her children who help her keep life in perspective and always provide laughs daily.

Kent felt he needed more excitement in life and changed his hat if you will multiple times this year. He moved from being a ICU pharmacist to managing them. According to Isaac this means he "watches them and tells them what to do" which Isaac feels is boring. Dull or not, management suits Kent and he is seriously considering doing an MBA. Who knew you needed a degree to do that well! ;0). Just a few weeks ago he was released from his calling as a Scoutmaster. After three and a half years of working with the boys he finds he's a little sad at the loss of the calling, after all where will he get the best stories to tell! On the other hand he is grateful to have more time to pursue projects at home and play time with the kids.

We are grateful for the growth we've experienced this year as individuals and as a family. We are also mindful of the blessings we receive from the Lord daily and are optimistic for 2013. Happy new year everyone!