Perspective

I got a wake up call today at the doctor's office.

I had been frustrated beyond frustrated because my ankle has been hurting me so badly I can't train.  After talking with my coach, I headed over to the sports medicine doctor to make sure it is not a stress fracture (still waiting for an MRI...so no news yet, but my fingers are crossed).

It had been a crazy morning with the girls, they squeezed me in an appointment at 12:15 right after preschool so I had no time to make lunch.  I had to make do with the drive through.  The girls did a good job making a ginormous mess with their food in the car, and a not so good job eating their food.  

I even bribed them good behavior with milkshakes.  Which despite my best efforts, both Georgia and Tillie ended up with milkshake all over themselves, especially their hair.

We all walk into the office looking a bit dis-shelved.  Like we had been been through a freaking tornado.  Me included...leaking my own milk and milkshake down the front of my jeans.

There is a woman sitting there.  Looking very, very ill and very young.  She says many nice words to me in a very weak voice about how beautiful we are and how blessed I am.  Then she says, "I am not contagious, I have cancer...can I please hold your baby?"

"Of course!" I tell her...please hold her as long as you want.  Partly because I didn't want to deal with her fussing because she was getting hungry and partly because I needed a free hand to wipe up my other kids.

At first I didn't pay much attention Liza and the woman with cancer, but as soon as things settled down I looked over and  she was just resting her head on Liza's as she sat there completely content...not even a squirm.

I got called back to the room, and the receptionist told me if it was okay, she would bring Liza back to me once the woman was done holding her.

I asked the PT who the woman was and how old she is, what kind of cancer she had (it was obvious she was visiting and was not a patient).  The PT told me she used to work in the office and has stage 4 breast cancer....and she is 28.  28.  Married, but no kids, and she desperately wants them.

She held Liza for about 30 minutes of  the appointment, Liza ended up falling asleep in her lap.   And then it just got too emotional for her.  The receptionist ended up taking Liza and bringing her back to me.  As she brought her back she told me that letting this woman hold my baby meant more to her then I will ever know.  

I guess I can stop freaking out about my ankle...and my messy kids.

First Day of Preschool 2012

Dear Girls,

As of a couple of days ago, you have officially started many years of going to school together.  The first day went fabulous for everyone!  We contemplated not sending the twins to the 2 year old program as we did with Theo and Mayzie just because of their June birthday, but we went ahead and gave it a try and much to my surprise the day went well!

Tillie even cleaned up Georgia's snack and wiped her face and pushed her chair in for her when she was all done.  Imagine that?  Sounds just like Little Miss Tillie.

Oh 

My

Godness!

When I look at these pictures I can't help but smile when I imagine all of the fun (and probably getting into trouble) you three are going to have in school together!

And probably all the fun you, Little Liza, are going to have telling your mommy about what your sisters are up to...right????  Oh who am I kidding?  You will soon be one of them!

Love,

Mommy

Kindergarten

Dear Theo,

We have sent you off on your way!  You are in the thick of your first week as a kindergartner at Webster Elementary.  After  a few tears on the first day (mostly due to nerves and probably because I made too big of a deal about "what will I do without you"- which you took literally), you are loving it!  I am so thankful, because I know if you didn't like it, I would do terribly with the whole process too.  Granted, I am not as okay with it as you are, but I'm making progress :)


Its a pretty recognizable feeling for me- bittersweet is.  I have dealt with a lot of milestones with 5 babies in 5 years.  But this is a whole new kind of bittersweet.  I've done the "oh the baby rolls over, oh they can talk and walk, oh your first soccer game"  and the list goes on.  But those are happy, superficial bittersweet type things.  This is the real deal.  This time I meant it when I said stop growing up so fast this summer.  But the summer came and went and now you are in kindergarten...and I can't do anything about it.  Thats life.  And it will keep on rolling, and we will keep on saying,  "where did the time go?"

My friend from college commented on a photo that a posted on Facebook.
 The above photo actually.  She has a 1 1/2 year old little boy.  Her comment said "I'm so glad I don't have to do this until 2016."  Well, I hope she has no plans to blink her eyes!  Because in my mind you were a soft squishy toddler a couple of hours ago.  Here is a quote from Dr. Suess that is right on!

How did it get so late so soon?
It’s night before it’s afternoon.
December is here before it’s June.
My goodness how the time has flewn.
How did it get so late so soon?
You are a SPECIAL boy, Theo!   Your dad and I can't wait to watch you grow and learn through these  next years of elementary school!

On a side note...Its been quiet at our house.  I get home from dropping Theo off everyday at school and quickly realize that the past 5 years I have catered to him because A.  He is the oldest and B. he is the only boy.   During the first day, while home I found myself looking at my daughters and thinking  to myself...Who are you and what do you girls like to do?  I am sure we will make progress!  Funny how pulling one kid out of the mix totally changes the dynamic!  And mind you, Mayzie is loving that she is now in charge of the game.  At least until 3:35 pm.  Which still can't come soon enough each day for a mommy that is missing her baby boy!

Love,

Mom

Also, so sorry that not only did I personalize your backpack with your name, I also made your wear a shirt that says "Theo"...not trying to turn you into a dork, just trying to be helpful!

You will have to excuse us, we're moms.

Not that kindergarten is a that big of a deal.  But I think it is a good thing I can't tag a long.  I would probably resemble these moms.

Except I would be cheering for him writing his name on his paper, or sounding out a word.  Hey, one feat at a time.

Gold Medal

Our family is lovin' these Olympics!  Even at their your ages of 5 and 3.5, (by the way the Mayzie was still in Utero during the 2008 games...and here we are 4 kids later) Theo and Mayzie have become more competitive and more interested in athletics since we have been watching at home. They often play "Olympics" where they choose which Olympian they want to be...usually it's between Gabby and Michael Phelps the only two they know.

Plus it's a good reason to wear their medals right?   Wear medals, but not clothes, I guess.

50 things

10 Things I love about each of you right now.

Theo

10.  I love the questions.  Your brain doesn't stop thinking.
9.  I love that you love to play.  ALL DAY LONG.
8.  I love that you are trying so hard to write and read.
7.  I love that you are willing to try anything.
6.  I love that you are all boy.
5.  I love that you love to dance and sing.
4.  I love that you want to be just like your dad.  You don't wear a shirt if he isn't.
3.  I love that you wear your medal all day long during the Olypmics
2.  I love to watch you help your sisters.
1.  I love that you don't complain near as much as you should for all the extra stuff you have to help out with as a 5 year old little boy.

Mayzie

10.  I love that you sneak downstairs after we have put you to bed to get some "alone" time.
9.  I love that you are fearless.
8.  I love that you are sneaky.
7.  I love watching you be the big sister.
6.  I love that you are a go-getter.
5.  I love that you are fancy.
4.  I love that you are stubborn.
3.  I love that you LOVE to cuddle your daddy.
2.  I love that when Theo is afraid to go to the basement or upstairs alone you say "you want me to come with you, Theo?"  And you go together.
1.  I love that you keep us on our toes.

Georgia

10.  I love that you are quiet.
9.  I love that I thought you were going to be my hardest to potty train...you are my easiest.
8.  I love to watch you climb and hang and climb some more.
7.  I love your tiny little body and your tiny little voice.
6.  I love that you don't want anyone but mommy.
5.  I love that you are a "loner" and we can never find you.
4.  I love that you love to get dirty and wet.
3.  I love you like to hide in small spaces.
2.  I love that no one is a stranger.  You give anyone hugs.
1.  I love your smile, its contagious and sweet.

Tillie

10. I love that you are wise beyond your 2 years.
9.  I love that you are mommy's helper.
8.  I love that you don't like any attention on you and get bashful when you realize it is on you.
7.  I love that you are shy until you warm up.
6.  I love that you love babies.  And you are so protective of Liza.
5.  I love that you love to dress up and can walk in heels better than me.
4.  I love that you are nurturing.
3.  I love that you are talking so well.
2. I love that you love to dress yourself.
1.  I love that you never do anything naughty.

Liza

10. I love your smiling eyes.
9.  I love your dinosaur voice.
8.  I love  your temperament.. laid back but not too much that we forget about you.
7.  I love that you suck that thumb.
6.  I love that you like going for runs with me in the morning.
5. I love that when I get your from your crib you have a giant smile that says "today is fabulous!"
4.  I love to hear you coo while you nurse.
3.  I love that you are a little bit of every baby I have had before but still a little different.
2.  I love that you fit right on in.
1.  I love that your brother and sisters love you and you love 'em back

Love,

Mommy

7 years!

I think I speak for the both of us when I say that if we would have had a glimpse into the future and would have been able to see the craziness the first seven years of this marriage would bring, both of us would have decided that showing up at the church on that sunny, Saturday, July 30, 2005 might be the most..

Ahh youngsters on our honeymoon!

...amazing and best decision we could have ever made!

 I am also 100% positive that that both of us wouldn't trade a moment we have experienced together in the past 7 years.

Actually, not a 100% sure...I may trade in that part where we got Mayzie.  Just kidding.  Kind of.  No I really am!  I love you, Mayzie.  (Seriously though, you are throwing a fit because your pony tail is too tight 3 times around but too lose 2 times around.  FOR AN HOUR).

I love you!  And I am sure this crazy is sticking around for a while, and I am sure Mayzie will still be throwing this tantrum when you get home from work so I am glad to be on this roller coaster  with you!

Family pictures yesterday.  I asked for this one from our photographer...unedited and a "sign of the times"