Hey guys, I need your help. Marley and Amelia's preschool is having a spring bulb sale to make up for our budget deficit this year. It runs through the end of March. Orders can be placed through our website, and will be mailed directly to you. We still have a long way to go to reach our goal. If you know anyone that might be interested, please send them the link to our page. Thank you! And I promise to have some real blog posts up soon!
Alki Co-op Preschool Flower Power Fundraiser
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Serendipity
This morning Jeff and I went to the elementary school to attend the tour for parents of incoming kindergarteners. (Can you believe we are going to have a kindergartener?!?) This is a big school and there were probably 60 people there for the tour. We sat down in the cafeteria just as the principal was beginning his presentation. Someone passed me a sign-in sheet and I glanced at the other names before writing Marley's. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the name just above ours.
Now, we run into people we know all the time in West Seattle. In fact, there were several other familiar faces at the school today. Some we expected to see, and some we were a little surprised to see. But, I was shocked to be looking at this particular name. See, this was a very unique name.* One that is not easy to forget. And one that I hadn't heard in a long time.
I tapped Jeff on the shoulder and showed him the name. We peeked over at the couple sitting across the table. "Is that them?" I mouthed. He nodded.
I did my best to pay attention to the rest of the presentation. But, when it was over I nearly dove across the table so I could say the following:
"You may not remember me, but our sons were in the NICU together five years ago."
We visited Marley in the hospital every day for five weeks after he was born. The NICU can be a very isolating place. You're so focused on the health and well-being of your own child that making friends is the last thing on your mind. But, we definitely had a connection with this family during our stay. I hoped to keep in touch with them. After Marley was discharged, though, we never saw or spoke to them again. Until today.
They immediately remembered us, too, and we hugged like long-lost friends, which I suppose we are. I had this momentary flash where I was transported back in time to the NICU. Visiting Marley, and chatting with them afterward in the lounge. And now, here we are preparing to send our preemies to kindergarten. Except they're no longer tiny babies. They're big kids now, and the NICU seems like a lifetime ago.
And that, my friends, is serendipity.
*I don't want to print the name here, but if you're curious email me and I'll tell you what it is:)
Now, we run into people we know all the time in West Seattle. In fact, there were several other familiar faces at the school today. Some we expected to see, and some we were a little surprised to see. But, I was shocked to be looking at this particular name. See, this was a very unique name.* One that is not easy to forget. And one that I hadn't heard in a long time.
I tapped Jeff on the shoulder and showed him the name. We peeked over at the couple sitting across the table. "Is that them?" I mouthed. He nodded.
I did my best to pay attention to the rest of the presentation. But, when it was over I nearly dove across the table so I could say the following:
"You may not remember me, but our sons were in the NICU together five years ago."
We visited Marley in the hospital every day for five weeks after he was born. The NICU can be a very isolating place. You're so focused on the health and well-being of your own child that making friends is the last thing on your mind. But, we definitely had a connection with this family during our stay. I hoped to keep in touch with them. After Marley was discharged, though, we never saw or spoke to them again. Until today.
They immediately remembered us, too, and we hugged like long-lost friends, which I suppose we are. I had this momentary flash where I was transported back in time to the NICU. Visiting Marley, and chatting with them afterward in the lounge. And now, here we are preparing to send our preemies to kindergarten. Except they're no longer tiny babies. They're big kids now, and the NICU seems like a lifetime ago.
And that, my friends, is serendipity.
*I don't want to print the name here, but if you're curious email me and I'll tell you what it is:)
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Three Month Olds: Piece of Cake
Stick shifts and saftey belts, bucket seats have all got to go.
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| Samuel: 14.5lbs, 25" |
When we're driving in the car, it makes my baby seem so far.
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| Amelia: 13lbs, 24.5" |
I need you here with me, not way over in a bucket seat. I need you to be here with me.
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| Marley: 10.5lbs, 23" |
Not way over in a bucket seat.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
a day in the life
So, what's it like? Ya know, with three kids? I get asked some variation of this question at least once a day, and I never know what to say. Life is busy. Hectic. Enlightening. Stressful. Exciting. Exhausting. Hilarious. Maddening. Fulfilling. Chaotic. Wonderful.
We are truly living so moment-to-moment, that it's hard to make any generalizations about 'how it's going'. Each day is different. Each hour is different. So, here, I give you a snapshot of one day, which is so like, yet so unlike, any other.
8:15 am I awaken to happy noises from Samuel. I was just up with him two hours ago (when Jeff was leaving for work). But, on this particular morning, we seized a rare opportunity to go back to bed for a bit. Now, however, I know it's time to face the day for real.
8:35 am I hear the door to Marley and Amelia's room open, and Amelia heads up the stairs. "I'll sit here and read, while you change Sam-Sam's diaper," she tells me. Marley emerges 15 minutes later, and we're off and running. Sam gets changed and fed. Marley and Amelia get teeth brushed and clothing on.
9:30 am Marley's playdate, Henry J, arrives. Not sure why I bothered having them get dressed. Their clothes were, almost immediately, replaced by costumes. Marley (and his friends) are always good about including Amelia, so I have some time to make myself coffee and eat breakfast. I still haven't fed the kids, but I know they're too busy to eat yet anyway. I set out fruit and toast, and eventually they realize they're starving, and come to the table. A little while later, Henry J's mom, Katie, joins us. I soak up an hour of grown-up conversation over lunch - even if we mostly only talk about our kids. Sam dozes in my arms.
12:30 pm Katie takes the older boys to preschool, and Amelia and I head upstairs for the next round of Samuel changing and feeding. Sam enjoys some diaper-free time, and then Amelia and Sam both proceed to pee on my bed. That was just the motivation I needed to start laundry for the day.
1:00 pm Amelia plays by herself nearby, while I feed Sam and lay him down for his nap. I collect laundry from various locations around the house and bring it down to the basement. Amelia helps me sort and start the first load.
2:00 pm My middle child enjoys her time to play alone and creates elaborate stories (which she narrates aloud). She rarely naps during the day, so this is her 'quiet time'. I take advantage of her independence and clean the kitchen and bathroom.
2:45 pm Sam wakes up from his nap and is ready for more changing and eating. Marley gets dropped off half an hour later. We munch on a snack of veggies, pita bread and hummus.
3:30 pm I contemplate whether or not I need a shower today. I decide 'yes', since I can't remember when exactly my last shower was.
4:00 pm But, first a trip to Trader Joes. I have a meeting at the preschool later tonight and am in charge of snacks. I decide to grab a frozen lasagna for dinner. My philosophy is that every trip to the grocery store should result in one insta-dinner. No reason to shop and cook on the same day!
5:00 pm More feeding and changing Sam. He takes a nap and Marley and Amelia watch the first half of Madagascar, while I take a nice. long. shower.
5:45 pm We build houses for Mario figures out of Magna-tiles. I start the lasagna too late and realize that it won't be done before I have to leave.
6:30 pm Jeff gets home from work. We Skype with Sarah to open a package that's been taunting us all day. I rush off to my meeting just as my family is sitting down to dinner. All three kids are asleep by the time I get home.
9:30 pm Jeff and I sit and have a bowl of ice cream together and chat about our day. I spend an hour goofing around on the computer before finally forcing myself to go to bed. I sleep fitfully for a while because I just know Sam is going to wake up at any minute.
1:00 am Sam wakes. I change and feed him and we both go quickly back to sleep. I sleep deeply now.
6:00 am Amelia wakes up crying. I go down to comfort her. I'm not sure what she wants. I think something from her dream that doesn't really exist. I tuck her back into bed and head upstairs, hoping to crawl back into my own bed. Sam is awake. I change him and bring him in bed to nurse, still longing for just a little more sleep.
7:00 am Jeff leaves for work. Amelia comes up. I don't think she ever fell back asleep. 6 o'clock is an early wake up time for her. I foresee a rough day ahead. She gets in bed next to me and Sam, and lays, mostly, still. Sam nurses to sleep, and Amelia and I sneak out of bed and go downstairs.
8:00 am Marley emerges from his room. Amelia wants to listen to music. They are ready to have a dance party. They want to dress up and build a fort. And just like that, we're ready to do it all over again. Only a little different.
Editor's Note: It appears that I fell off the picture-taking wagon in the second half of the day. You get the idea, I hope.
We are truly living so moment-to-moment, that it's hard to make any generalizations about 'how it's going'. Each day is different. Each hour is different. So, here, I give you a snapshot of one day, which is so like, yet so unlike, any other.
8:15 am I awaken to happy noises from Samuel. I was just up with him two hours ago (when Jeff was leaving for work). But, on this particular morning, we seized a rare opportunity to go back to bed for a bit. Now, however, I know it's time to face the day for real.
8:35 am I hear the door to Marley and Amelia's room open, and Amelia heads up the stairs. "I'll sit here and read, while you change Sam-Sam's diaper," she tells me. Marley emerges 15 minutes later, and we're off and running. Sam gets changed and fed. Marley and Amelia get teeth brushed and clothing on.
9:30 am Marley's playdate, Henry J, arrives. Not sure why I bothered having them get dressed. Their clothes were, almost immediately, replaced by costumes. Marley (and his friends) are always good about including Amelia, so I have some time to make myself coffee and eat breakfast. I still haven't fed the kids, but I know they're too busy to eat yet anyway. I set out fruit and toast, and eventually they realize they're starving, and come to the table. A little while later, Henry J's mom, Katie, joins us. I soak up an hour of grown-up conversation over lunch - even if we mostly only talk about our kids. Sam dozes in my arms.
12:30 pm Katie takes the older boys to preschool, and Amelia and I head upstairs for the next round of Samuel changing and feeding. Sam enjoys some diaper-free time, and then Amelia and Sam both proceed to pee on my bed. That was just the motivation I needed to start laundry for the day.
1:00 pm Amelia plays by herself nearby, while I feed Sam and lay him down for his nap. I collect laundry from various locations around the house and bring it down to the basement. Amelia helps me sort and start the first load.
2:00 pm My middle child enjoys her time to play alone and creates elaborate stories (which she narrates aloud). She rarely naps during the day, so this is her 'quiet time'. I take advantage of her independence and clean the kitchen and bathroom.
2:45 pm Sam wakes up from his nap and is ready for more changing and eating. Marley gets dropped off half an hour later. We munch on a snack of veggies, pita bread and hummus.
3:30 pm I contemplate whether or not I need a shower today. I decide 'yes', since I can't remember when exactly my last shower was.
4:00 pm But, first a trip to Trader Joes. I have a meeting at the preschool later tonight and am in charge of snacks. I decide to grab a frozen lasagna for dinner. My philosophy is that every trip to the grocery store should result in one insta-dinner. No reason to shop and cook on the same day!
5:00 pm More feeding and changing Sam. He takes a nap and Marley and Amelia watch the first half of Madagascar, while I take a nice. long. shower.
5:45 pm We build houses for Mario figures out of Magna-tiles. I start the lasagna too late and realize that it won't be done before I have to leave.
6:30 pm Jeff gets home from work. We Skype with Sarah to open a package that's been taunting us all day. I rush off to my meeting just as my family is sitting down to dinner. All three kids are asleep by the time I get home.
9:30 pm Jeff and I sit and have a bowl of ice cream together and chat about our day. I spend an hour goofing around on the computer before finally forcing myself to go to bed. I sleep fitfully for a while because I just know Sam is going to wake up at any minute.
1:00 am Sam wakes. I change and feed him and we both go quickly back to sleep. I sleep deeply now.
6:00 am Amelia wakes up crying. I go down to comfort her. I'm not sure what she wants. I think something from her dream that doesn't really exist. I tuck her back into bed and head upstairs, hoping to crawl back into my own bed. Sam is awake. I change him and bring him in bed to nurse, still longing for just a little more sleep.
7:00 am Jeff leaves for work. Amelia comes up. I don't think she ever fell back asleep. 6 o'clock is an early wake up time for her. I foresee a rough day ahead. She gets in bed next to me and Sam, and lays, mostly, still. Sam nurses to sleep, and Amelia and I sneak out of bed and go downstairs.
8:00 am Marley emerges from his room. Amelia wants to listen to music. They are ready to have a dance party. They want to dress up and build a fort. And just like that, we're ready to do it all over again. Only a little different.
Editor's Note: It appears that I fell off the picture-taking wagon in the second half of the day. You get the idea, I hope.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Two Months, Part III
Samuel turned two months old on Christmas. He is full of smiles, and we think, on the verge of his first giggle. At night he sleeps anywhere from 3-6 hours at a time. He loves to be held, and often isn't happy to be left alone in his bed. He hates tummy time and refuses to even try to roll over or lift his head up. But really, why would he ever need to when he's got two older siblings to do everything for him:)
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| Samuel at 2 months: 13.5 lbs |
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| Amelia at 2 months: 11.5 lbs |
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| Marley at 2 months: 7.75 lbs |
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