Reflecting Back

Since I print books of this blog for the girls at the end of each calendar year, it seems fitting to close out 2012 with some reflections and observations (from my perspective) for each of us...

Jillian really matured this year. I think it's true when they say that 3 is a really hard age, and that it gets better (whatever that really means) at 4. I've seen her develop a passion for creating art of all sorts, noticed a blossoming curiosity of deeper issues (life, death, religion, friendship, compassion), and watched her learn to spell and write her name, choose rhyming words, and begin to sound out words to spell them. I think she is ready to read, so I'd better get on that while she's as excited as she is. Just this morning she told me that she loved stars (I had stars on my pajamas) because they shine SO bright. I giggled and told her that stars actually remind me of her--because Jillian does shine SO bright.

Adrienne grew into a "real person" this year. We celebrated her first birthday, watched the first steps, heard the first words, got those first real kisses, and can see her develop her own individuality. That is some  big stuff. She is so, so sensitive--yet somehow assertive enough not to cower away from a challenge or sibling "issue", and demonstrates true persistence in making her requests known. I am struck by her desire to always know where Jillian is. It warms my heart to observe the tender relationship between these sisters.

Matt really got his feet wet at work in this first full calendar year as a staff radiologist. He finally saw some long-standing research work come to fruition in publication, and was invited to travel for committees and presentations beyond what we expected. I think he felt the burden of the responsibility of his job begin set in, and while I don't mean that negatively, it is certainly the reality. I observed him struggle with work-life balance, boundaries, and time for himself. I often forget that the job of "mom" isn't the only hard one in the family--it's tough to be the dad, too. I am always proud of how he displays such tenacity and humility in absolutely everything he does; two of my most favorite human qualities.

This year I turned down the opportunity to return to clinical work. It surprised me that the decision was easy. I've been home for three years now, and while I still have a long list of professional goals, achieving them isn't on the horizon for me. And I'm happy about that. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to be with my girls and to be in charge of our routine/activities/daily experiences. I am fortunate to have some amazing friends walking this same path with me, a great Bible study group, and the chance to squeeze in personally fulfilling activities (learning to play tennis, singing again after a 10+ year hiatus--this time with the worship team at Bible study, cooking, and blogging about the girls and my love of good food).  I read some fantastic books this year that are really working me over in terms of how I choose to fill my time and my thoughts. That's a good thing.

Welcome, 2013....we are looking forward to the adventures you will bring!

Des Moines

Last night we returned from a fun family weekend in Des Moines. It was a fast trip, but such a blessing to be able to spend some holiday time with all the Birnbaum clan. Grammy and Grandad's house sure is full of happy noise when we are together now that there are 4 grandchildren! The girls loved playing with their cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents, enjoyed the obligatory tea party, Krispy Kreme donuts, and had fun exploring the basement full of our old toys and dolls. I loved an afternoon outing to Penzey's and Starbucks with my sisters. A few picture highlights....

The guys engaged in a thrilling game of Clue

Matt and Uncle D playing with Jack's new toys after the kids were in bed--boys will be boys!

Jillian holding Baby Bryce. Do not worry, her head is fine. She just decided to test out her new bandaids

Grandad and Adrienne, loving on one of Grammy's dolls

A sweet moment between Jack and Jillian

Adrienne (with Curious George) participated in her very first tea party with the help of Uncle John--she loved the juice and crackers.

The best shot I could get of all 4 kids

Jack and A exploring the "pretties"

Cheers!

I loved my lazy morning snuggles with this sweet (big!) 6 week old nephew

Rub a dub dub: 3 cousins in a tub!

A rare sight: Jillian all tuckered out on the drive home.

1.5

Oh, Adrienne. How can it be that you are 18 months old today? We have seen so many changes in you recently that let us know you have arrived: you are in no way a baby anymore. You are a toddler, emerging into a little girl faster than it seems possible. I credit much of this advancement to your older sister--not that she is the reason that you are moving along so quickly, just that she is your role model, the one you strive to be like, imitate, and so on.

You desire to be autonomous in all ways. You have definite opinions, and do not hesitate to express your displeasure if they do not align with ours. Oh, that scream. That ear-piercing scream is like your weapon. If you do not have the words to say what you mean, you scream. It continues to get you results. It gets your sister in trouble, and probably gets you what you want more than it should (like that cup of milk you want to carry around despite my rule that you only get it while seated in your high chair). Speaking of milk, you are addicted. You think it is the only fluid that exists, and I am often only successful getting you to drink water if I give it to you in an open cup--which you are doing quite well with. You eat well with utensils, except for when you get impatient with that last bit of yogurt in the container, then all bets are off and you use your hands. And speaking of yogurt, you would prefer to eat only that at every meal. It is my current lot in life to monitor your milk and yogurt intake, I suppose--you are a true dairy monster. I'd love it if you suddenly became obsessed with broccoli. Maybe someday.

Climbing is your current passion, specifically the couches and dining room chairs. I keep the dining room chairs in the mudroom during the day, but there's not much I can do about the couches. Why can't you just sit down once you are up there? You'd rather stand and look at me mischievously, as you wait for me to notice and tell you to sit down. Generally, you reprimand yourself by saying "sit down" before I can get it out. Recently, I caught you trying to throw your leg over the back of the couch, which I must insist you NOT do.  It is fun to test limits, though, isn't it?

You continue to pick up language faster than I can track. Two-three word phrases are the norm now. On Christmas day, you said your longest sentence. Jillian got you a stuffed puppy, and we told you to tell Jillian thank you. You said, "Dank you Jilliya ah dah puppy" (thank you Jillian for the puppy). Wow!  I also got teary last week when I put you to bed and told you I loved you. You responded with a very grown-up, clear, sincere, "I love you mama". You imitate every new word you hear, so we clearly have to be careful around you. The one thing we can't get you to even attempt to say is your name--it drives your dad bonkers that you won't try and say it. I guess we can't blame you, it is a long one. You answer questions with "Mmm hmm", "yeah" or an emphatic "NO!"--it's clear you understand the questions and the meaning behind your answers.

You love to play with your babies/stuffed animals, and make sure that you always involve your two favorite objects in your play schemes: ziplock bags and tissues. I cannot keep you out of the baggie drawer, you want them to put objects in to carry around. You also say "nose" every time you see a tissue/wipe/napkin. You love to wipe your nose, and the nose of every stuffed friend. You also think it is really fun to take your socks off and put them on your hands like mittens. Why is it that you will keep socks on your hands, but not mittens? I may need to just got with it.

Over the weekend Grammy commented on how she liked to watch you play, that you have a gentle spirit that is evident when you play. She is right. You are sweet, still so snuggly, and very kind to your toys. You are your own little unique and wonderful person. I'm so glad you are mine...yes, even when  you throw yourself on the floor in fit of toddler rage.
xoxo Mommy

Christmas at Home

We spent Christmas at home this year as a family of four. It was really nice to be able to spend unhurried time together, create our own traditions, and have a laid back holiday.
On Christmas Eve, we went to the 4:30 service at church. We decided to try taking Jillian into the sanctuary with us for the first time. She did pretty well overall, but got pretty squirmy towards the end. Her art teacher was seated behind us with her family, so that was a distraction for her as well. I ran out of time to take pictures before we left, so I grabbed a few once we returned home. Not ideal, but this is real life, people!

The true toddler emerges

How Adrienne really felt about taking pictures

Blurry, but the best I got. You can still see that they looked pretty cute!

Love this of Matt and Jillian

We ate chili for dinner (Birnbaum tradition to have soup of some sort on Christmas Eve. It was often chili), and then the girls got to open their one gift. I suppose I built this up to be a grand event, and didn't tell Jillian that the one gift on Christmas Eve is ALWAYS pajamas....she was completely beside herself with disappointment and threw an enormous fit. Not a very proud moment for us as parents--it's so hard to teach gratitude.
The girls went to bed and I prepped breakfast for the next day (baked french toast), and we waited til it seemed "safe" to play Santa. During this time, Matt gave me a gift that I will always treasure: a handwritten letter to me (and eventually, to the girls) about how he fell in love with me. After reading an article about how no one writes letters anymore in this age of technology, he was inspired. He bought special paper, pens, and sticker seals and spent all of nap time on Christmas Eve down in the basement working on this secret project. He documented our history, dating years, engagement, and how it is we arrived at this point in our lives. It was truly beautiful, and means more than any material gift he's ever given me. I love that the girls can read this someday and will know his feelings and his perspective--so much of what they will know is in my voice (this blog). Girls, I am writing about how special this letter is to me here because it's important for you to know that the real romance and beauty of a relationship isn't in flowers, gifts, and overt romantic gestures--it's about knowing your partner and giving to them in a way that is meaningful to them. Your dad knows that I am one who values words and expression of feelings. He will tell you that I bug him every year to just buy me a card for Christmas. The fact that he did this as a surprise to me absolutely blows me away. He is a good, good man.

On Christmas morning, Jillian waited until 7 to get up! We suggested that she wait until 7 so that she didn't accidentally run into Santa (read we wanted to sleep in a bit!). She came into our room and said, "I woke up and my clock said 6, so I just kept looking and looking until it said 7". We then waited 45 painful minutes for Adrienne to wake up. We had a fun time opening presents, playing with new toys, and dancing in the living room. It really was a wonderful Christmas morning.

Jillian's most requested gift: a Care Bear

It was so cute to watch Adrienne open her gifts. She has her own style: slow, patient, and deliberate!

Jillian couldn't stand Adrienne's patient approach. She is dying to help.

Hooray! An Adrienne-sized Curious George!

Matt is ready for Hawaii

Adrienne gave Jillian Candyland. She and Matt spent a long time playing that morning.

We ate leftover chili for lunch and took a rest before our guests arrived. The Durgins came over to enjoy Christmas dinner with us--brisket, mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, and our traditional birthday cake for Jesus. Jillian loved helping me decorate the cake with copious amounts of red and green sprinkles.

The kids enjoyed watching Frosty the Snowman before everyone headed home and we tucked our little elves into bed.

Max, Jillian, Bekah, and an uncooperative Adrienne

This was a blessed Christmas, full of wonderful memories for our family. I am so thankful for the time we shared together, and with dear friends.

Merry Christmas!

Our first official Santa picture. Adrienne was crabby, so Matt thought if we all got in the picture she would be fine. Apparently not. Oh what a memory we have in this photo--it will always make me laugh!

Geography

Jillian and I selected gifts for and packed a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child this year. Her preschool/our church participated in collecting the boxes, and I found it amazing to learn that 782 boxes were donated at this one site! Yesterday, I got an e mail from the organization informing me that our box was headed to Kenya. I was excited to tell Jillian and we had a conversation at dinner about it. She asked where Kenya was, so Matt enthusiastically got the globe out and started a geography lesson..."This is the WHOLE world. This is where we live, this is where Grandpa lives.." , and so on, and "All the way over here is Kenya". He started in on some more details before she interrupted--"Hey Dad, do you know where Santa lives? Here let me show ya." And then she quickly took the globe from him, turned it and immediately pointed exactly to the North Pole. "Here, Dad. Santa lives at the North Pole. Right here".  We will have to work on expanding the focus of her world view. Ho Ho Ho!

PB&J

We decided to give Adrienne her first peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch today. She was eager to try the "big girl" lunch that is so adored by her sister.

The verdict?

Not a fan.

Dress-Up

Jillian has enjoyed dress-up for a couple of years, and I have been waiting for the day that Adrienne would join her. We had a sitter this morning, and when we returned, I was greeted by not 1, but 2 lovely little fairy princesses!

A closer look at Adrienne revealed she was wearing a fairy dress, wings, and a pirate sleeve while sharing a toy bottle with Minnie. Convincing her to remove this ensemble for nap time was no easy task.

Breakfast of Champions

I think Adrienne is in a growth spurt, because she is eating A LOT for breakfast for a little person. She also is obsessed with yogurt, and that is creating some resistance to eating other foods...but that is for another post. This morning, she ate a waffle, two things of applesauce, and a container of yogurt. When she was done she stacked up her trash so neatly for me. Thanks for the help, A!

Snow Day

We had a snow day yesterday, complete with blizzard conditions. Oh goody. Jillian was dramatically upset about the cancellation of school--her last day before Christmas break. This meant the delay of her class's Jesus Birthday Party, and that her Spanish teacher would not receive her hand-delivered gift. We had tears, drama, and some frustrated behavior. Matt wondered what in the world could be wrong with Jillian that would cause her to be upset about a day off of school. I told him to give her a few years. Thankfully, we recovered and survived our day of stranded-ness. We were indeed stranded, as I sent Matt to work in my car (has 4WD)--no way was his old junker going to make it in this stuff, and I had no intention of venturing out.  A few pics from the day...

We made cookies. Finally. I was feeling lazy so declared we would not be frosting them. Jillian had to get over that disappointment, too.

In the end, all was well. Proud of those lovely treats!

We played dress-up, and apparently were not concerned about low-cut dresses.

We wore polka dots and sat in a polka dotted chair.

And a little elf insisted on making another appearance. Again.

Matt made it home just in time for me to make a white-knuckled drive into town for my evening MRI. I was bummed to find out the results this morning showed my little slip on the stairs last week caused a few problems. You know it's not good when your radiologist husband calls and says, "Malia, you really hurt yourself". He had to see it to believe it, I think. Here's the short diagnosis: messed-up shoulder. The long diagnosis: shoulder dislocated briefly during the fall, which tore part of the labrum (cartilage around the joint that helps hold it in place), the anterior glenohumeral ligament, and internal capsule, and caused an impaction fracture. Awesome. I have x-rays on Wednesday, followed by an appointment with a shoulder specialist, and a PT appointment. Note to self: Do not, under any circumstances, happily trot down the stairs again because you have finally put your crazy children to bed. You just might take a tumble you wish you hadn't!

Holiday Humor

Last night I remembered some Christmas pajamas that Jillian had worn when she was around Adrienne's age. We dressed Adrienne in them for bed, and at first, she was not so thrilled with what she saw reflected in the bathroom mirror.

 Luckily, she got over it quickly and started feeling a little more festive. That's the Christmas spirit!

She was so much in the Christmas spirit that she threw a royal hissy fit this morning when I tried to remove these jammies to change her diaper and get her dressed for the day.

An elfin Jillian, December 2009

I had a good laugh when I came out to make Jillian's breakfast this morning. There sat the Three Wise Men on the table, all huddled together. All I could think of was "Rub a Dub Dub, Three Wise Men in a Tub". I know, I need to get out more.