U-Cut 2008

Bring It On

Buby + I sat out on the swings watching the turkey fry.



Buby + Bleu are coming off of 9 straight days of overnight guests. You can never be sure how things will go with a toddler and an infant who are off their routines and on a constant high from adoring relatives. But both babes did amazingly well. Our families live about 5 hours away, so we usually travel to them for the holidays. Thanksgiving is the exception. Oh I love to imagine having one huge feast here... 17 people around the dining table laughing out loud and playing games and later crawling up to their cozy lil' guest nooks. Fluffy pillows. Favorite candy in a jar. But like most of you, we just don't have the space. Plus, during a nesting phase before Bleu arrived we turned our master suite into a playroom and moved ourselves into the original guest bedroom. Then we made my office {which functioned as a second guest room} into Bleu's nursery. Needless to say, we sleep just one or two travellers at a time now.


My parents are the last installment for a while, and they left this morning. We had a fabulous week. My mom took Buby to a preschool event on Wednesday and made Native American crafts. They walked out with a rain stick, a rattle, a totem pole, homemade butter, and a corn husk doll. LOVED it! Wednesday Buby helped my mom in the kitchen. They made her famous apple-raspberry pie {as requested by My Sweets} and then spent hours at the table concocting things you wouldn't believe out of Play-doh. On Thursday my dad fried a turkey in 45 minutes start to finish. And Friday ~ for the third year in a row ~ my parents came with us to cut down a Christmas tree. This is a tradition which we hope to continue for a long time. We used to hit a different farm every year, until last Thanksgiving when Tom found the most incredible u-cut somewhere off the beaten path. Seriously... any tree at this place would do just fine.


After Buby took down a Douglas Fir {photos coming} we all went to lunch. That's where I said, "I don't feel Christmasy yet." Everyone agreed. It was too warm. And the holidays had sort of snuck up this year. "Let's go home and play Christmas music," I said. "That'll get us in the spirit." My mom made turkey a la king with our leftovers {5xs the amount so we could freeze some} while my dad helped string lights. Buby jumped and cheered as soon as they were lit and then decorated his own little tree before skipping up to bed. Under the glow of white twinkle lights My Sweets handed me ornaments from my big green "favorite ornaments" bin. He doesn't like to decorate the tree himself, but he does like to watch and keep me company. So I hung away with Bleu girl on my hip and a happy heart. Her first Christmas. With each "ooh" and "aah" I could feel the season grabbing onto me a little tighter. Today I was knee-deep in the attic digging through decor while My Sweets hung lights outside. Okay, I am finally ready for December... bring it on!!

So Thankful

For the love of God, two healthy babes, the bestest husband / bff in the whole world, fun parents + in-laws, a big brother, lil' brothers, and friends. Cheers.

7 Months

Bon Anniversaire baby Bleu.

Caught on Camera

Sneaking grapes.

Recommended

School Photos

Buby in preschool at 3 years, 3 weeks.


Came home today.


So it appears Buby settled on a split expression. Part bashful and part I'm WAY too cool for you.

Family Portrait

Last week Buby told me he wanted to "paint something big." I was fresh out of oversize paper + canvases, but I remembered that I had an old cork board in the attic. A cork board that I'd put a rough coat of white trim paint on last year but never finished. Buby was psyched. He would paint a family portrait. 11 brushes, 9 paints and 4 palettes later, here it is. From left: Jazzy, Daddy, Buby, Mommy, and Bleu. I held Bleu and talked while Buby went wild with our hairdos. Then he explained, "I'm next to Daddy because he keeps me safe." Nola is running. Look, Mom, I made her running. Like this {as he struck the pose himself}. Isn't that funny? Ugh, so smart that kid. I'm in love with the finished product. I just wished I'd given Buby something nicer to paint it on. Anyway, I hung it in the playroom so we could all love it.

Cutie Cousins

Buby + Bleu had a fantabulous time hanging with cousins Sid + Lily last weekend. Buby was bursting with energy like you wouldn't believe, but he was pretty gentle and huggie toward the girls. And willing to share most everything. The girls were surprisingly comfortable with Bleu scooting all around them on the floor. Everyone ate, played and slept well for two days. I wish we lived closer to the fam so that we could do this A LOT more.


I can't get over how all 4 kiddos sat still long enough for us to take an adorable series of photographs. The twins are happy + curious + active + 100% able these days. And Bleu's always on the move herself. Good thing for Melissa's impromptu game of "stinky feet." What a crowd pleaser that was.

And no, you're not seeing triple. It was a happy accident Sunday morning when all 3 girls came down wearing the same outfit. Thanks to Target.

Early Thanksgiving

1 down, 1 to go. We like to do Thanksgiving twice around here. This past weekend we hosted Mike, Melissa, nieces Sidney + Lillian, Grandma DJ, and Tom G. There were 10 of us gathered around the dining table, and I LOVED it. 10.5 if you count the itty bitty babes in Mel's belly. Our family is growing, and there is no better feeling.



We kept the menu pretty basic. No fuss. Fried turkey, pineapple, stuffing, gravy, garlic mashed potatoes, steamed green beans with broiled almonds, strawberry Jello with bananas and whipped cream, cranberry sauce, pumpkin bread, applesauce, rhubarb pie, and chocolate cream pie. Buby wanted a little of everything. It was a wonderful evening with very energetic babies, very full bellies, and very much for which to be thankful.



I dropped Grandma DJ and Tom at the train station this morning on the way to Buby's school, attended a PTO meeting with Bleu and arrived back home with the kids just in time to welcome my mom for the week. Good times. LOTS of photo to come.

Pumpkin Tree

Ahhh. Of all the trees we do I think this is my favorite. Handmade pumpkins, spiders, apples, ghosts, bats, pies, and turkeys. It's the only time we combine two holidays on a tree. Buby + I turn it on every morning at breakfast and watch the lights twinkle. We have 3 days left with the tree. Friday we will undress and ready it for Christmas.

Ballerina Bleu

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Old Photo Friday

A wedding party. May 20, 2000.

The Park

I'd like a free refill on Fall. Please. It's hard to believe these pictures were taken a week ago. Today we bundled up with winter coats, hats and fuzzy gloves. It was too chilly even to walk to the library across the street, so we drove. And forget about taking pictures.

Out + About

Busy days here and a migraine that just won't go away. It disappears for a day and then returns with a vengeance for three. I have many lovely things in my drafts and promise to catch you up sometime Monday.

PS I love Bleu's smile. It makes me smile 24/7.

Parent-Teacher Conference

Tree painting by Buby.



Our first parent-teacher conference was last Thursday. The meeting was a success, though I admit I need to get used to the idea of hearing someone else ~ someone I don't really know yet ~ try to sum up my Buby's social/ emotional/ cognitive/ art/ work/ and muscle development on one two-sided sheet of Hammermill. But he's 3 now, which means he interacts with teachers, teacher's aids, parent chaperons, a principal, and new friends without me around. To protect him. To encourage. To smile at unexpected hiccups. To interject when necessary. I guess that's all part of growing up... as parents. We get report cards now. And a 15-minute time slot twice a year.


In the comments section, Cathy {who I like A LOT} wrote that Buby "is a respectful, caring and polite little boy. He has adjusted nicely to our daily routine and seems to enjoy school." Cool. She added that he is social and has several close buddies in the class. He has especially bonded with John, Jackson, and Carrie. Also in the Fall Academic Report...


Buby is "secure" in these categories:

• Accepts the limits and routines of the classroom
• Willing to share
• Respects rights of others
• Shows pride in accomplishments
• Recognizes the feelings of others and themselves
• Manages transitions
• Remains with task until finished
• Is able to initiate an activity
• Demonstrates appropriate attention span
• Shows an interest in art experiences
• Is able to work independently
• Picks up after self and does daily jobs
• Can run, jump and climb comfortably
• Is aware of personal space
• Can pedal a tricycle
• Manages manipulatives comfortably
• Pours with control
• Participates in multi-sensory activities
• Put on coat, buttons, zippers

Buby is "developing" in these areas:

• Following two or more oral directions in a timely manner

{me: We know Buby is poky and likes to control how fast or slow he reacts. We're working on this at home, too! Cathy said he does not do it in a disobedient way at all and has never said "No" or given her a hard time. It's just that he often ignores her as if she's not even there when she is trying to direct him to do something. She wants to brainstorm ideas with us.}

• Can use scissors comfortably

{me: My bad. It's one small muscle skill I rarely let him practice, even though Grandma bought him kid-safe scissors a year ago. We craft... I cut.}

• Selects a wide range of activities

{me: Yes. He's a total creature of habit. I could see this one coming. During "free play" at school he often chooses the same thing. Trains.}

• Volunteers to be a leader on stage

{me: Buby's shy performing in front of large groups of peers and simply needs encouragement and patience here. I bet he will be joining his friends on stage by spring. And if we're lucky... the winter recital}.

Baby Boom

Buby + Bleu's newest cousin arrived this morning. Ronan Joseph was 7 pounds, 13 ounces and 21 inches long. Congrats to new parents Karen + Steve. And to that sweet lil' newby we say, "Welcome to our world! You are going to LOVE it here."

Thumbs Up

Buby baked these tutti fruity Strawberry Thumbprints last Friday. Grandma DJ supervised. The recipe is from
Yummy Cookies: Baking with Kids, one of Buby's fave new titles. We love it because... it's a board book for big + lil' bakers alike, all 20 recipes are illustrated with a color photo, most consist of just 3 or 4 simple steps, and the book offers lots of healthy substitutes.


Next up? After Thanksgiving we'll bake either Carrot Cake Cookies, Magical Pumpkin Cookies, Peanut Butter + Banana Cookies, Cranberry Oat Chip Mini Cookies, Taffy Apple Cookies, or Whole Wheat Brownies. Decisions, decisions.


Let me know if you want any recipes.

Milk in a Bottle

Me + Bleu


First bottle, 11.14.08.

MANual Labor

We're looking forward to a fun week. Buby has school Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning. He loves his preschool, and I like to arrive for pickup early enough to catch a glimpse of the action. I love hearing immediately what he did in Spanish or music or art, and with whom he played trains or rode a tricycle during recess. The first thing I do once we're all buckled into our car seats is open his blue folder to see what notes the teacher has tucked inside for me. What a treat those are to read.


Buby starts private swim lessons on Tuesday morning {the group chaos wasn't working} and will stock up on some new library books after lunch. Bleu will try peas again. Our regular playdate with the BFFs resumes on Wednesday at 1pm. That night I'll go grocery shopping AGAIN. Thursday we have a few creative craft projects to do here at home between playing sessions. After the kids are down for the night I'll squeeze in the rest of the laundry, cleaning, closet organization, and baking. Only during Grey's Anatomy commericals. I might even tinker with that bread machine. Just so my parents can giggle again at how "domestic" I've become. The girl who couldn't boil water.


Friday some family will arrive for a pre-Thanksgiving weekend chez Buby + Bleu. {That's Aunt Melissa, Uncle Mike, twins Sid + Lily, Grandma DJ, and Tom G.} Can't wait!! The morning after they depart my mom comes for 6 days, joined mid-week by my dad, and hopefully my dad-in-law. We're working on getting him here.

Buby the Photographer

Thank you to Grandma DJ for flying up here to help with the kids! Two days in a row My Sweets, Bleu and I slept in while Grandma and Buby did breakfast downstairs. They made applesauce while My Sweets + I attended our first parent-teacher conference. Saturday she treated us all to Madagascar 2 and then babysat so that us adults could party like it's 1999.


By the way, I'm so proud of our Bleu. The girl did awesome! I purposely pushed back her Saturday afternoon nap so that I could nurse and put her down right before leaving the house. It worked. She slept the first 2 1/2 hours we were gone. We also had Buby all fed and ready for bed before leaving so that he and Grandma could just enjoy the huge stack of books he picked for her to read. I think My Sweets was prepared for me to bolt mid-party, but I didn't. I held it together and we had a fantastic time. Four hours after leaving we were back home. Bleu was cool and Buby was sound asleep. Thank God for grandmas.

Old Photo Friday

2001. Paris in the springtime. My Sweets + I escaped NYC for a few days. I laugh at this photo because it seems all whimsical and old-fashioned. Truth be told... I was just checking for dog poo.

Pumping

Nothing like waiting until the last minute, right? That's so me. Bleu is going to be 7 months old, and I have never pumped. I look at the pump all the time and think, "I should do that." But then I don't. So here I am pumping my heart out the day before a friend's 40th birthday cocktail soiree, to which I've been told I canNOT bring my sweet baby sidekick. It's an adults-only thing, which is cool. But I'm stressing like mad right now. I usually wear Bleu to these shindigs and she's happy to be my accessory.



I know my wee ones will be safe + happy here in Grandma DJ's loving arms, but I've yet to leave Bleu with anyone for ANY length of time. We don't live near family, My Sweets works all week in the city, and I'm nursing... so there just hasn't been an opportunity/ need/ desire to practice leaving her. Since Bleu arrived on the scene, the kiddos always come with. This week she has a cold, hasn't been sleeping well, cries when I leave the room, and still hasn't mastered how to drink from a bottle. This means I will worry about her every split second that I don't feel her 17 lbs of baby love resting on my left hip.



I poured some breast milk into a Dr. Brown's bottle earlier today ~ about 1 oz. as a tester ~ and she had no clue what to do with it. Which makes me think I should have practiced this weeks ago, not the DAY before. Then I realized that silicone nipples come in different stages and flows {who knew!}, so I ran out for a different model this evening. Wish us luck. I'll report back.

Mini Diaries

Today I love the feel of my new mini diary from Marta. It's simple, smart, handmade. What more can a girl want? This fellow blogger + graphic designer inspires me, and I've wanted to buy from her Mini Mart for a while. So just imagine my happiness when I won her last giveaway.


Marta's diaries are perfect for those of us who can't commit to more traditional forms of journaling but desire a short + sweet record of our days. A snapshot of the moment. You should snag a set for yourself and everyone you LOVE this holiday before it's too late.