I don't typically write a Christmas letter, mostly because I don't have time, but also because I write this blog. I figure most people who know us and really want to know what is going on have this address. As is typical for me at the end of a year, I am feeling a bit reflective tonight and have a few thoughts to record for each of us while they are on my mind...
Jillian turned 5 this year, and with that brought the declaration that she can do all sorts of helpful things (next up is a chore chart for her), be "not scared of anything scary", and try new things. She dabbled in tennis and soccer (both deemed 'not fun enough') and continued swimming lessons. She was tall enough for the big slide at the RAC outdoor pool, and spent all her time there tirelessly climbing the stairs, waiting in line, and sliding. Her bright personality is reflected in her clothing choices, and she often stuns me with the colors and patterns she puts together. She is definitely more comfortable taking fashion risks than I am! She loves music, can sing along to most anything I listen to, and is a performer at heart. Her creativity and resourcefulness for creating things out of paper and tape blows me away (as do the sizes of the 'mess' left behind the creative fury). She loves Kinderchallenge and is excited about starting kindergarten next year. We are in the midst of choosing a school, and that process feels scary to this mom who is just sure her baby can't possibly be old enough (despite ready) to take this step. She has an awareness of and love for God that seems mature to me, and I am doing all I can to encourage that growth.
Adrienne, at 2 1/2, is a full diva in training. The amount of accessories she dons each day is overwhelming and provides plenty of challenges for clothing management. She works really hard at walking the line between being a big girl like Jillian and milking the baby of the family thing for all its worth. This means she vacillates between screaming to do something herself and screaming in distress for me to do something for her that she is perfectly capable of doing for herself (buckling her car seat, getting in her booster seat at the table, and washing her hands. She decided naps weren't for her this year, and did a number of naughty little "art" masterpieces with the contents of her diaper. She is passionate about Bubble Guppies, milk, and potty treats. She got her first haircut, learned to pedal her tricycle, and perfected the sweetest good night kiss. She can sense the second I am frustrated with her, and immediately declares, "Mom, I love you" in that moment. That is her secret weapon, and it works every time.
Things really starting rolling for Matt at work this year. He began to see the fruit of all his hard work and effort pay off in publications, speaking invitations, and got his first academic promotion bump to assistant professor. He doesn't like any sort of recognition, but I enjoy watching him grow as a radiologist and was glad to get to go to the academic promotion dinner. He manages to juggle a lot of extra duties and roles at work, and most recently became the director of the radiography program. It's nice for me to be able to give him a bit of academic political advice, as he has to deal with some of the same types of meetings and decisions that I did when I was working for the U. He is fighting hard to find time to workout and enjoy leisure activities for himself, and is like a new man now that he has his beloved sauna in the workout room downstairs. He started researching and collecting board games, and we play almost nightly together. It's been a great way for us to spend quality time after the kids go to bed without sitting in front of the TV or our computers. He (and I) made it an entire year without eating any meat (except occasional fish), and I suspect he will become an exclusive carnivore in 2014 after the experience. Matt is a devoted dad, and no matter the events of his day, he always arrives home excited to love on the girls. One of my greatest joys is watching this guy I fell in love with as a teenager be a father to our children.
For me, this year was a year of self-discovery. I decided that I would really take charge of my anxious tendencies, perfectionism, and self-criticism. While those qualities are part of what makes me me, they were making me miserable, driving too many of my decisions, and were setting a tone in my household that I didn't like. Basically, I realized that those qualities don't just affect me (which was my prior assumption). I was also missing a lot of quality time with my family in the effort to keep diligent control of everything. I am much nicer to myself than I was a year ago, and I think that my ability to accept myself will impact my children in an invaluable way. I'm in a much better place to extend grace to my husband and kids because I can do that for myself now. I read an article about self-bullying that really stuck with me, and I think of the words "STOP! Only love today" often as I go about my day. For some reason, the simplicity of that really speaks to me and helps me reset my thoughts and actions--toward myself and others. I re-discovered my competitive, hard-working drive through tennis this year, and loved learning and competing in a new sport. Bible study continues to be an important part of my life, and I am leading a study for the first time with the help of two friends. I have a pretty clear focus for 2014, and the theme of my resolutions really revolves around taking steps to strengthen my relationships with Matt and the girls. I continue to feel blessed to have the choice to be home, and I don't have any desire to do anything else right now.
So long, 2013.....we are thankful for and welcome a new year of possibilities and adventures.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Monday, December 30, 2013
Sparkly and Special at 2.5
Adrienne, you are now officially 2 1/2! Jillian got you pretty fired up about this milestone, because all you could talk about today was how it was your "birfday" and that you are a big girl now. Incidentally, you decided you wanted to wear underwear again today and you did keep them dry. I hope that this new "big girl status" sticks for you and that we can be done with the potty games. I think now is a fitting time to record a snapshot of your developmental highlights. You are really something else, little one!
I didn't think it was possible, but you are even more "girly" than Jillian. You love your jewels, amulets, tutu, sparkly shoes, bracelets, anything that you can add as an accessory, and you generally add them all at once. You describe everything as "spah-kuly" and say "It's special to me". I can count on one hand the number of times a day that we have a conversation that does NOT include an inquiry about where your tutu is, or the declaration of wearing a tutu. You are all tutu, all the time. You also NEED a princess dress on most every second, and your favorite is your "Princess Elowa" (aka Sleeping Beauty or Princess Aurora) dress. You proclaim that you are beautiful (and of course you are right) and prance about your royal kingdom like you own the place (I'd say it's 50/50 with your sister, but you've got a good handle on this 'kingdom'). I find the constant dress-up to be darling, but it does create a slight barrier with potty training because of all the extra undressing, and we have had several princess-dress-meets-toilet-water incidents in recent weeks. Your Minnie Mouse headband ("my Minnie ears") is also another favorite accessory, and it is generally one I let slide and leave the house with us (along with the Sofia amulet). The rest have to stay home because it's just too hard to handle all the extra fabric of these costumes on top of the necessary winter gear. I am up to my ears in fine laundry over here.
You remain intent on doing whatever it is your sister is doing, and I don't suspect that will change for awhile. This means you now like to walk on your toes, insist on sitting up at the bar for snacks (instead of your booster), put on your own shoes, brush your own teeth, take off your own clothes, and climb in the bathtub without help. The two of you are best friends, but also can be like oil and water: you are certainly sisters in that regard. Your particular means of fighting with Jillian include screaming, gritting your teeth and getting in her face while saying "No Jee-yan" and sometimes I hear the word "stupid" (this gets you a stern reprimand), and there is the occasional slap. This is all normal banter, I know, but it's hard to watch you two behave in this way. I remember my mom lecturing my sisters and I about how special sisters are, and I find myself doing the same thing. You looked at me with wide eyes last night in the bathtub and listened as I gave my best serious talk about how you will always have each other and should treat each other well. And then you clocked your sister in the head. Classic.
You are goofy. Oh boy, you are goofy. You are a natural comedian and love to make everyone laugh with your little jokes and silly expressions. You also can't stop talking about how things were "when I was a little girl" and "Mom, when I was a grown-up, I...." You also like to say that you made everything. The story is that you made your "wuby swippers" (ruby slippers) with glitter and glue.
You are a great little night time sleeper (to sleep between 7-7:30) and you generally rise after Jillian in the morning (between 7:30-8). We are done with naps/rest time, but I still manage to trick you a few days a week with a 30 minute car nap on the way to pick Jillian up from school. You are an appropriately picky eater for your age, which basically means you eat nothing. Your current favorite food is mini whole wheat bagels with whipped cream cheese. You lick the cheese off, and then ask for more "bagel and cweam cheese". You think the bagel is bread and that the cream cheese encompasses the 'bagel and cream' cheese. You continue to adore milk, yogurt, and any smoothie I make. You hate Cheerios, love Alpha Bits and Kix, think scrambled eggs are awesome, and have a love/hate relationship with peanut butter (peanut butter sandwich crackers you love, but a PBJ sandwich is out of the question). You'd eat 3 bananas at a time if I let you.
You are my baby, a true snuggler, cuddly little thing. I love that about you, except when we are out in public somewhere and you suddenly decide you want to be carried. In that case (it's almost always at preschool drop off when it's already pure madness), you will stand and scream "Mom, carry me!" over and over and over in a frantic, tearful tone. It's puzzling to me. You are happy in the morning, and joyful anytime we reunite after being apart--"Mom, you came back! I missed you so much!" You are sparkly and so, so special to me. Love you, A.
A couple cute clips of our diva. I tried to elicit her cute little speech and use of "spah-kuly"
I didn't think it was possible, but you are even more "girly" than Jillian. You love your jewels, amulets, tutu, sparkly shoes, bracelets, anything that you can add as an accessory, and you generally add them all at once. You describe everything as "spah-kuly" and say "It's special to me". I can count on one hand the number of times a day that we have a conversation that does NOT include an inquiry about where your tutu is, or the declaration of wearing a tutu. You are all tutu, all the time. You also NEED a princess dress on most every second, and your favorite is your "Princess Elowa" (aka Sleeping Beauty or Princess Aurora) dress. You proclaim that you are beautiful (and of course you are right) and prance about your royal kingdom like you own the place (I'd say it's 50/50 with your sister, but you've got a good handle on this 'kingdom'). I find the constant dress-up to be darling, but it does create a slight barrier with potty training because of all the extra undressing, and we have had several princess-dress-meets-toilet-water incidents in recent weeks. Your Minnie Mouse headband ("my Minnie ears") is also another favorite accessory, and it is generally one I let slide and leave the house with us (along with the Sofia amulet). The rest have to stay home because it's just too hard to handle all the extra fabric of these costumes on top of the necessary winter gear. I am up to my ears in fine laundry over here.
You remain intent on doing whatever it is your sister is doing, and I don't suspect that will change for awhile. This means you now like to walk on your toes, insist on sitting up at the bar for snacks (instead of your booster), put on your own shoes, brush your own teeth, take off your own clothes, and climb in the bathtub without help. The two of you are best friends, but also can be like oil and water: you are certainly sisters in that regard. Your particular means of fighting with Jillian include screaming, gritting your teeth and getting in her face while saying "No Jee-yan" and sometimes I hear the word "stupid" (this gets you a stern reprimand), and there is the occasional slap. This is all normal banter, I know, but it's hard to watch you two behave in this way. I remember my mom lecturing my sisters and I about how special sisters are, and I find myself doing the same thing. You looked at me with wide eyes last night in the bathtub and listened as I gave my best serious talk about how you will always have each other and should treat each other well. And then you clocked your sister in the head. Classic.
You are goofy. Oh boy, you are goofy. You are a natural comedian and love to make everyone laugh with your little jokes and silly expressions. You also can't stop talking about how things were "when I was a little girl" and "Mom, when I was a grown-up, I...." You also like to say that you made everything. The story is that you made your "wuby swippers" (ruby slippers) with glitter and glue.
You are a great little night time sleeper (to sleep between 7-7:30) and you generally rise after Jillian in the morning (between 7:30-8). We are done with naps/rest time, but I still manage to trick you a few days a week with a 30 minute car nap on the way to pick Jillian up from school. You are an appropriately picky eater for your age, which basically means you eat nothing. Your current favorite food is mini whole wheat bagels with whipped cream cheese. You lick the cheese off, and then ask for more "bagel and cweam cheese". You think the bagel is bread and that the cream cheese encompasses the 'bagel and cream' cheese. You continue to adore milk, yogurt, and any smoothie I make. You hate Cheerios, love Alpha Bits and Kix, think scrambled eggs are awesome, and have a love/hate relationship with peanut butter (peanut butter sandwich crackers you love, but a PBJ sandwich is out of the question). You'd eat 3 bananas at a time if I let you.
You are my baby, a true snuggler, cuddly little thing. I love that about you, except when we are out in public somewhere and you suddenly decide you want to be carried. In that case (it's almost always at preschool drop off when it's already pure madness), you will stand and scream "Mom, carry me!" over and over and over in a frantic, tearful tone. It's puzzling to me. You are happy in the morning, and joyful anytime we reunite after being apart--"Mom, you came back! I missed you so much!" You are sparkly and so, so special to me. Love you, A.
A couple cute clips of our diva. I tried to elicit her cute little speech and use of "spah-kuly"
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| Ah, the "potty treat blue dryer". A stocking stuffer that is a tube of M&Ms with an M&M figure and fan on top. She has no clue there are actual candies inside, and instantly decided this was a "blue dryer" to style her hair. |
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| This is the real Adrienne--a true princess, diva, and girly girl. |
Christmas in Des Moines
We headed down to Des Moines the day after Christmas for a long weekend with the Birnbaum clan. Things definitely get more boisterous each year as the four grandkids get older, busier, and louder! A few picture highlights of the time we had together....
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| Bryce was my most cooperative photo subject for the weekend, as you will see. Love the drool here. |
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| Hi, Jack! |
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| More baubles for this babe |
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| Trying to be patient while awaiting present-opening. |
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| Uncle D and his boys |
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| All aboard! |
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| For real. |
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| Grandad taking in the action |
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| A sink bath photo shoot with a pretty sweet baby |
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| Matt was a good boy and got out on some runs. He took advantage of the 50 degree weather! |
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| Aunt Mal's nail party |
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| Accessory queen |
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| Jillian got one of those great "wet brushes" that easily detangles hair--even crazy, tangled curls like hers. She spent a LONG time primping for her repeat Christmas concert performance. |
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| Oh dear. I see images of the teenage years. |
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| Cookie decorating |
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| Or as Adrienne preferred, frosting eating. |
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| Aunt Mal learned the hard way that toys CAN cause injury |
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| Cousins at lunch |
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Christmas For Four
We had the chance to stay home for Christmas as a family of four once again, and we jumped on it. It is so nice to be able to build our own traditions and enjoy time together without the regular activities and schedule.
On Christmas Eve, we all went to a mid-afternoon service at "the best church ever" together. I think you can tell a lot about a church by their Christmas Eve service, and as much as I have really started to feel good about this church, I was nervous for the service. I was blown away by how great it was, and thought it was just right for the whole family. The service really felt like a celebration of Jesus' birth, not a sermon geared to condemn all the people who only go to church on Christmas. They had a children's choir, children's message, video clips, beautiful music, a skit, and a short sermon on Mary's role in the Christmas story (yes, she gave birth to Jesus, but the point of the sermon was that she said "yes" to God). The service ended with the candlelit singing of Silent Night, which always feels special to me and makes me think of being a little girl in my grandparents' church on Christmas Eve. Jillian was so grown up and intent on her job of holding the candle (with my help). Adrienne was wiggly and everywhere (dancing in the aisles), but so were other kids near us. No one acted bothered by any of this, and this always helps a mom feel OK. It started snowing on the short drive home, and continued to shower a beautiful and peaceful coating of snow the rest of the evening. The girls received the obligatory Christmas jammies after we ate dinner, and they also exchanged the gifts they had selected for each other. This was precious to watch, both of them really picked out perfect gifts for the other. Jillian selected a toy camera for Adrienne and a baby who pees on the potty (because she knows we are trying to get Adrienne re-trained), and Adrienne picked out a Rapunzel hair styling doll (because Jillian has been trying to do her own hair lately and will style the hair of her stuffed animals, dolls, etc). It was a sweet moment.
On Christmas morning, no one stirred until 7:30! Matt managed to convince Jillian that she had to stay in her room until 7 or she might scare Santa away, and it worked. We opened stockings while our pancakes baked (I tried a new recipe for pancake squares and it was GREAT. Recipe is on the food blog), and then we fueled up before opening the rest of the gifts upstairs. The girls really surprised us this year in that they wanted to pause and play with toys before continuing to unwrap. We really expected them to tear through everything quickly, but we managed to drag out the process in a leisurely pace that took us most of the morning. It was a fun and relaxing time for all of us, and we enjoyed the sight of more snow falling softly. This is my kind of snow--on a holiday with no place to go!!
We spent a lazy afternoon watching a movie, enjoying our gifts, and dining on appetizers and the ice cream cake we made for Jesus' birthday. Matt and I stayed up late packing for Des Moines and then played a couple games together (quickly becoming a great way for us to spend an evening together). It was a wonderful Christmas and I feel so, so blessed.
On Christmas Eve, we all went to a mid-afternoon service at "the best church ever" together. I think you can tell a lot about a church by their Christmas Eve service, and as much as I have really started to feel good about this church, I was nervous for the service. I was blown away by how great it was, and thought it was just right for the whole family. The service really felt like a celebration of Jesus' birth, not a sermon geared to condemn all the people who only go to church on Christmas. They had a children's choir, children's message, video clips, beautiful music, a skit, and a short sermon on Mary's role in the Christmas story (yes, she gave birth to Jesus, but the point of the sermon was that she said "yes" to God). The service ended with the candlelit singing of Silent Night, which always feels special to me and makes me think of being a little girl in my grandparents' church on Christmas Eve. Jillian was so grown up and intent on her job of holding the candle (with my help). Adrienne was wiggly and everywhere (dancing in the aisles), but so were other kids near us. No one acted bothered by any of this, and this always helps a mom feel OK. It started snowing on the short drive home, and continued to shower a beautiful and peaceful coating of snow the rest of the evening. The girls received the obligatory Christmas jammies after we ate dinner, and they also exchanged the gifts they had selected for each other. This was precious to watch, both of them really picked out perfect gifts for the other. Jillian selected a toy camera for Adrienne and a baby who pees on the potty (because she knows we are trying to get Adrienne re-trained), and Adrienne picked out a Rapunzel hair styling doll (because Jillian has been trying to do her own hair lately and will style the hair of her stuffed animals, dolls, etc). It was a sweet moment.
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| I tried to get a good picture of the girls in front of the tree.... |
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| As is typical, A is wearing Minnie Ears and her amulet. This is real life, people. |
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| Testing out the Swedish slipper socks that go with the jammies |
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| Ready for the Christmas story before bed |
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| I gave into my desire to purchase the beloved Hanna Anderson Christmas jammies. My heart is goo. |
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| How I found Jillian when I went to check on the girls before I hit the hay. |
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| "Santa" found these funny boxers for Matt--covered in pictures of cheeseburgers, the meat he (we!) just can't wait to eat on New Year's after a year "meat fast" |
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| Matt told the girls that it was their job to fill my stocking, so he took them shopping and said they picked every single thing out with great care. Very sweet. |
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| Pancake face |
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| Aunt Angela sent a silly sock monkey santa hat |
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| Santa heard Adrienne and brought her a fun Bubble Guppies book |
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| Ruby Slippers! |
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| The Wizard of Oz nut was elated to be Dorothy. |
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| A pause in the action for a little Bubble Guppies puzzle |
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| A has her own goggles now "Yike Jee-yan's", so she is set for Hawaii |
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| Santa left a note on the tree that sent us on a hunt to find one last gift. The dollhouse was ready and waiting in the playroom. |
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| "Santa" is hoping for hours and hours and hours and hours of play with this one. |
We spent a lazy afternoon watching a movie, enjoying our gifts, and dining on appetizers and the ice cream cake we made for Jesus' birthday. Matt and I stayed up late packing for Des Moines and then played a couple games together (quickly becoming a great way for us to spend an evening together). It was a wonderful Christmas and I feel so, so blessed.
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