A little hope for miss Hope.

She's doing pretty well! http://hoperobinson.blogspot.com/ My uncle (Hope's grandpa) called this afternoon and caught me shopping Christmas clearance at Wal-Mart. He said that's she's doing well, and she's a fighter. I wanted to give her some hope from another little girl who adores Hope (still misses that striped red hat from her earliest days!), my Avery. Avery is a fighter as well. She will fight with anything. She will even fight with herself on a good day. Just ask her to do something, and she will fight! Hey, see, there's hope little Hope! One day you will grow up and be just like Avery and every time your parents tell you "no" you can say "yyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssss" in your VERY whiniest voice, ok? But one thing, precious baby girl in the isolette, you must NEVER tell anyone that auntie Tena told you to do this, ok? Great. :) I can't wait to hold you some day, and neither can Avery! God bless you baby, I know He is making you strong and helping you fight. It's a rite of passage for every precious Princess of The King!

I have no idea what to write about.

This week is still part of no-school Christmas vacation (oh, is it PC to say that? Should it be "winter break"??) so I have my 3 kids home all day, every day, plus I have my 2 nephews and 1 niece here on MWF. Really, they are all GREAT kids, I have to say that first, but there's a lot of snot wiping and diaper changing and face/hands cleaning going on with 6 kids 8 and under. Today I was so stellar for lunch. I made pb&j. Hey, they were all happy (my 8yo nephew doesn't care for mac n cheese, imagine that?) and it was easy for me. Caden ate a FULL sandwich (2 slices of bread) and several others packed away the food, too. Must have been all that playing outside this morning. It's majorly melting here at over 40 degrees. I am ready for the stinkin' ice to be gone, but the snow is pretty. I like that Walgreens commercial where the snow falls only on the grass, not on the roads, driveways or sidewalks. I think they call the town "Perfect". Agreed.

I wasn't sure what to give Declan for lunch, and I didn't want him to have a pb&j before he's 12 months, so I hauled out a can of candied yams and warmed them slightly, then gave them to him on his tray (yes, you'd think I could just feed him sweet potato baby food, but this child REEEEEEEEEEEEFUSES baby food from a spoon. Will NOT do it.) and he ate like gangbusters! Granted, he was a light brown/orange MESS at the end, but boy did he love it. That's a hit! He's also taken to clapping lately, started earlier in the month, but if that isn't the cutest thing I just don't know what is.

I can't remember if I told you or not, but I am finally on some antibiotics for all this crud I've been having over the past several months. Except for part of a cold still hanging on, I am finally feeling better! Hooray!

A Caden Christmas funny.

We opened gifts today at James' parents. Caden had opened a few things and it was back to his turn. This turn he had a large box and was struggling to get it open. His uncle and James were helping him, and Caden's back was to grandma (with the camera). He fought the box a few more times and finally turned around and made the sign for "camera" at grandma. The non-verbal child could not have been more clear - "Take my picture lady, this is good stuff!" As Caden's aunt said, "That was the best part of the whole day!" and I concur.

There are many times that I underestimate Caden. I believe he "doesn't understand" or "doesn't care" when in fact he truly gets what's going on and comprehends it to the point that he can actively participate in his surroundings. It's difficult to communicate in a talking world when you yourself do not speak, but Caden teaches all of us, time and time again, that communicating is not synonymous with talking, and he communicates very well. I'm thankful for the Caden's present today, and I cherish those glimpses he can share of himself. He is truly one of my best gifts.

Are you ready?

For Christmas, that is. Are you stockings in a row? And most importantly, is your heart in the right place? Take some time to pray about this, if you haven't already...quiet your mind and heart and find time to thank God for the best present of all - JESUS! I know I have everything "done", but several things have cropped up in the past 24 hours to make me feel a bit frazzled and I just want to enjoy the peace of the season.

As much as possible with 3 kids under 6, that is.

Oh and I installed something called Sitemeter on this site so I can see who visits and all that, fun!! Some of you are coming from far away! Please feel free to leave a comment and let me know that you stopped by...I find it all fascinating as to where you're coming from and why and all of that. Like especially, who do I know in Audubon, Iowa?? I see you frequently, out yourself!!!!!!!

It's starting to leak out, so I better just announce it -

we are pregnant! Well actually *I* am pregnant, but it takes two to make a baby so we are officially pregnant. We are due in late July/early August sometime, and other than being sick with every OTHER thing under the planet lately, I am feeling fine. We were surprised it happened so fast, but we are happy and looking forward to summer! Our tagline is this: Something good DID come from election night, 2008. :D

It is SO cold!!

I don't ever remember temperatures being so cold here. I'm sure they have been, I just don't remember it. The temps alone are below 0, with windchills pushing the actual temp much further than that. We were outside to get to my parents' today for our Christmas there, and it was just too brutal to be outside honestly. Funny caveat - I was trying to get Caden and Avery out of the van at my parents' house and Caden wouldn't cooperate, which isn't unusual, but I was FREEEEEEZING and I had no patience, so I said, "Quick dicking around!!!". Wouldn't you know it, seconds later, still fussing with Caden, Avery pipes up, "Quick dicking around!!!!" with much gusto. Niiiiiiiiice Tena, good move.

Anyway. We had a great time at my parents' house today. Such good food, I think that is the best part about Christmas. My mom made her usual cheese fondue, plus we had peppermint ice cream dessert and yummy punch, then all kinds of snacks - thanks Chris and Cathy for the popcorn cake, yummmmmmmmm!! We of course exchanged presents and we gave my neice the Baby Alive Learns to Potty doll - huge hit!! Avery loved it too. It talks to you and tells you what to do for it (put me on the potty, I love you, etc.) and Avery replied EVERY time and did just what the doll asked every time. Now keep in mind, this was a gift FROM Avery TO my neice, LOL! But my neice returned the favor, and Avery received a baby that coos and sucks a pacifier, plus really breathes (tummy moves up and down) when she falls asleep. Also a huge hit here, and interestingly enough, it is CADEN who is the most in love with this doll. It cries, and he whips out that bottle to shush it, he pats it on the back, he just loves it up! Of course I want to go to Wal-Mart first thing and buy him another one because they are fighting constantly over it, but James says no. Hopefully the infatuation will die down with her (she's been named Hallie, lovingly rhyming with Callie, Avery's other doll) and there won't be many more fights. But it's a hit!

But yeah, it's cold. It's REALLY cold. With the cold comes our furnace running more, which means we're sucking up the propane ($$$$$$!!!) left and right which is not a good thing, so if you could say a prayer that the temps warm up, that would certainly help us. Of course it's up to God, but we figure He understands this kind of stuff.

I haven't felt well in AGES.

I am tired of it! Last weekend I had fever, chills, the entire stay in bed thing. Before that I had a nasty cold, and now I have the cold back! This is so unfair. It's like the never ending cold and sickness. I am now officially a mouth breather and I am sure that's OH SO attractive.

In other news. We go tomorrow to my parents' house for Christmas, big fun! Avery is way excited.

Christmas Wish for a terminally ill 4 year old -

http://www.wgal.com/news/18312086/detail.html

Please send out a quick card to little Hannah and brighten her day! 42 cents can make a big difference.

2 hour early dismissal due to - sunshine??

As I type this, I just got Caden off the bus. It's 1:50 here. School was let out 2 hours early due to an ice storm that's supposed to come through here. But, it's not coming until 5pm or so. I greatly dislike Caden here during naptime for Declan, because he's just plain noisy with no quiet switch. Avery? You can tell her to be quiet and she will. Caden either doesn't get that or he refuses, either way you'd like to bop him a time or two. He's got his pacifier in his mouth and he's in his bumper, so we're good - for a while.

So I'm slightly disgruntled, LOL! I'll get over it I'm sure. What are you doing today?

Avery's preschool Christmas program tonight!

It was so cute, albeit totally chaotic - YOU picture 75 4-5yo's singing (screaming, some of them). She was in the front row (she's small, of course she was in the front row) and she almost pulled her skirt up allllllll the way but my prayers were answered and back down it came. She sang so well, we were proud. All 4 of her grandpas and grandmas were there and she had fun.

She is so weird. I don't know how to describe her, but she gets all funny about things and refuses to speak to people. I don't know if it's a power issue or what, but it's truly annoying. And yes Avery, I hope to still have this blog when you're old enough to read this and understand and I will tell you that it is ANNOYING when you're like that. Enough said. :)

Speaking of Hope - keep praying please!!!!!!!!!!!

Pray for Hope!

My cousin and his wife had a baby, little Hope. Hope was born VERY premature and needs our prayers. My cousin's sister (still my cousin, obviously, lol) started this blog: http://hoperobinson.blogspot.com:80/ Please join in with comments, prayers, let them know that prayers are coming from all over the world to them in Indiana!!!!

I have to blog about this or I will forget.

Tonight we were lazing around in the downstairs living room and Avery was playing the piano. She kept asking us to suggest songs so I was offering crazy song titles like "Hamburgers Make Me Hurl", we were just laughing and having a good time.

We suggested "The B-I-B-L-E" and she sang it all and accompanied herself. At the end of it she yells BIBLE, so we know she knows the word, and has just spelled it numerous times throughout the song. So I asked her, in my teacher way, "Avery, what does B-I-B-L-E spell?" and without skipping a beat she replies "WORDPECKER"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I about fell out of my chair laughing, James about dropped Declan on the floor and Caden, not knowing what was funny but wanting to join in started laughing his head off. You couldn't have captured a more hilarious moment, seriously. I am still laughing like crazy just typing it out.

So after that I asked her to spell the word she does know..."Avery, what does K-O-H-L-S spell?" "KOHLS!!!!!!!!!" 1:2 isn't bad. LOL!!!!!!

No school today - oh joy!

I love my kids. I do. The very sun rises and sets on them, but I love them even MORE when they are gone from me. Especially Caden. He can be a real handful at times, and when he's bored he isn't pretty. School was canceled today due to weather (ice, wind) so I have all 3 home here with me.

Normally on Tuesday mornings Caden heads out the door by 7:30 and Avery, Declan and I get ready quickly and head to church for Coffee Break. This morning, none of us were up before 8:00, which was truly nice! And I can't complain too much - right now Declan is napping, Avery is watching Diego and Caden is spinning in his bumper. Things are pretty quiet right now. :)

There is a danger in having a very laid-back child.

Ok so there's many dangers in that, but the one that plauges me the most often is the danger of believing something is seriously wrong when he becomes fussy. I'm sure to a parent of a fussy child or a colicky infant my concern would be downright laughable (much as to me, when parents of typical kids fuss about their 12 month olds not walking yet). However, I went so far as to bring Declan to the doctor this morning because I was sure there is something wrong with him.

And there isn't.

But he has certainly been "off" for several weeks. It started with refusing bottles after just a few ounces, instead of the usual 6-8 ounces he chugs. Then he began to fuss and cry about eating solids. THAT we believe we have figured out - he's taking control of eating and he isn't shy in letting you know (case in point, the other night I snagged something desireable from his highchair tray and ate it myself - screaming temper tantrum ensued for more than 60 seconds, good glory).

Bless the drs heart. She said, "Now is the time when they usually start changing a lot, you'll probably notice he's different in lots of ways." You'd think this was the first time I've done this parenting thing.

Avery just took her pants off,

came over to me and announced that she had to take them off so she could "scratch her owie." Um, she has a tiny, pin-sized dot next to her belly button that is apparently itchy. Maybe I should pay attention to her so that she doesn't freeze as she goes about pants-less.

Oh, and I also wanted to say this:

To whomever took yet ANOTHER "check" out of our checking account without our consent, you SUCK. We will be closing our account now, thanks for making us do all your dirty work.

SAHM's do not get to call in sick.

That is truly a travesty. I asked James to take the day off and give me a sick day, but that didn't pan out either. Then I tried to bribe Avery with a nap and THAT didn't work. I am majorly striking out, but I feel so unwell and I am SOOOO stinkin' tired. Who will watch my daughter while I nap???