Friday, May 25, 2012

My Mothers Day Gift: Your 7 Month Birthday



Setbacks and delays abound.  I had a big scare this week regarding my pictures.  I plugged in my portable hard drive, where I store every single picture I own, and every folder was empty.  Just blank.  My heart sank and felt sick to my stomach because it's been a year since I backed them up.  You're only 7 months old.  Do the math.  Yep, that's every picture of you, and tons of your sisters.  Fortunately, I took a deep breath, connected to dad's computer instead, and they're all there.  Needless to say, I have been backing up for days and it's really putting a kink in my blogging schedule.  But the pictures are safe, and I am more relieved than I can say.  


Leaf-eater
Now on to the post I wrote over a week ago but didn't add without pictures:
What a busy weekend!  You and I spent our first Mothers Day together.  And while it's not even close to being my first Mothers Day, it was yours.  Even more importantly, it was my very last "first" Mothers Day.  The kind with the new baby smell.  The next time I hold a new baby in my arms and can lay any claim to him or her, she or he will be a grand-baby.  Yikes!  Let's hope that's quite a long while off.  


Where we spent Mother's Day morning: In bed.
Before any Mothers Day festivities could get off the ground, we had another big day to get out of the way.  Saturday was Ashley's senior prom.  I'm not sure how I got to this place where I have a senior in high school, a tiny baby and two more girls sandwiched in the mix, but here I am.  Ashley looked amazingly beautiful and sophisticated.  It's pretty much impossible for me to reconcile in my mind that tall, young woman in front of me with the memory of the little girl that she used to be.  


My first baby.
I had no idea how emotional I would be about her senior prom.  Somehow it all seemed so final, and I couldn't help but fight back tears when she joined her friends on their "party bus."  She has a way of stressing me out when it comes to any sort of function or event.  She is a bundle of nerves and doesn't handle the stress well, and I don't handle that well.  But I cried anyway, because we'll never do this again together.  The crazy dress shopping.  The second-guessing of the dress we bought even though it says "All sales are final" on the receipt.  The back and forth decisions about all of the little details.  The crunch-time freak-out because she doesn't like her hair.  The panic because we're running late.  It's kind of become tradition.  


Cute couple.
Funny enough, the sunset was gorgeous Saturday night.  All I wanted for Mothers Day was to sit on the beach with my family and watch the sunset together.  We just haven't gotten down there enough this year and I almost ache when I see the pink and orange sky from our driveway and know the beach is a five minute drive away.  Your sisters (and dad) woke us up on Sunday with breakfast in bed: pumpkin pancakes, coffee and chocolate truffles.  It's a good thing I don't eat a breakfast like that every morning!  What a nice surprise.  There were funny cards and Godiva chocolates.  The kind of things Mothers Day is made of.  We made plans to meet Uncle Kendall, Jill and the kids at the beach.  Grammy was going to show up also.  We were finally going to take some family pictures.  I couldn't think of a better way to end the day.  But as luck would have it, it began to rain.  Somehow, our favorite beach was in a cocoon of sunshine hold-out for a while.  But by sunset it was pouring.  We were trapped in the snack bar tiki hut.  Minus the snack bar, because it was closed.  Good thing we brought empanadas, arepas, subs and muffins.  Do we know how to party, or what?


We made it to the beach, at least.
This was our view to the left (yes, those are min-rip curls...unheard of in the gulf)...
...and our view to the right.  Yes, that's a downpour out there.
There was just enough time to play in the sand for a bit.
We headed to shelter just in time.
We spent a lot of time doing this...
...and this...
...and this.
Sunday was also your 7 Month Birthday.  I had planned on getting your "month birthday" pictures at the beach.  I'm so disappointed that things didn't work out as planned.  But pictures or no pictures, you turned 7 months anyway.  




What Finnlee is Digging: 7 Months


  • Shaking your head "no".  You are doing it constantly now.  Answering every sentence with even the slightest questioning lilt on the end of it with a shake of the head.  It is so adorable.  For now.  Ask me in two years how I feel about this.
  • Dropping things.  Your newest obsession is picking things up as high as you can and then just opening your little fingers to see what happens.  Lots of fun when it's little stuff like measuring spoons (favorite).  Not so much fun when it's bigger stuff.  Ouch.
  • Bananas!  You have decided that they are your food of choice.  I have fully capitalized on this by blending them with all sorts of odd foods to expand your palette.
  • Rattle apps on Mommy's iphone.  They are lifesavers when I'm driving and you would rather I wasn't.
  • Squealing/Screaching/Screaming.  It depends.  When you're happy you can let out the cutest, loudest squeal.  But when you're mad, you've got quite the temper.  I tried to squish your cheeks together the other day and you let out an angry yell like I've never heard from a little baby before.
I have so much more to add thanks to a blogging hiatus.  I'll save it for another post.  For now, we'll just revel in one last 7 month old Finnlee pic.



Monday, May 14, 2012

Light of My Life

There is something I really must tell you.  I am in love with you.  I have been whispering it in your ear over and over for months now, but you have yet to return the sentiment and it's getting a little awkward.  I am head over heels, nuts-o about you...the sweet little bundle of drool, chubby cheeks and coy smiles who has invaded my life recently.  I am consumed with the sparkle in your eyes, the pout of your lower lip, the wild blonde hairs hiding among your puffy mane of peach fuzz.  I live for the times that you wrap your little arms around my elbow, lower your forehead to my bicep and lean in close for a full-body-to-arm hug.  I could spend countless hours doing nothing but watching you hoist a measuring spoon over your head just so you can drop it and then pick it up again.  Riveting stuff.  It's a borderline obsession.  And because I never want you to doubt it, just know that I have spent your first months on this earth in a state of complete devotion, with no promise from you that you won't abandon me for "better things" when you hit those dreaded teenage years.  Because you will.  Because you're supposed to.  You can't always fall asleep so close to me that I can feel your breath on my arm. You won't always depend on me for your every need.  And you certainly won't always greet me with such a radiant smile.  But today you do.



You are the last in a string of daughters who I have watched grow up and apart.  Each of you in your own stage of independence.  I am watching your oldest sister prepare for her adult life.  I am afraid of some of the choices she will make, but they are hers to make.  I will be here for advice, guidance or just to listen.  Kylee is crossing that threshold between childhood and teenage angst.  With a closet full of t-shirts covered in funny sayings and an ipod loaded with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, One Direction and Raffi, the conflict going on within her is outwardly obvious.  And my sweet little Sydney will be graduating kindergarten in just a few short weeks.  Somehow to me that means leaving every last trace of babyhood behind.  Today she was singing a song off of the radio.  I couldn't help but wonder when she learned songs from anywhere other than The Wiggles or Barney.  I am painfully aware of how quickly time goes by when you are measuring it in milestones and kids' birthday parties.  I have learned that these early years are worth their weight in gold and seem to pass in double or triple time.  I hope that by the time you are a teenager I will have figured out how to communicate with them.  Please be patient with me if I haven't.  



All of this introspection, coupled with the fact that Sydney tends to run when she sees me with my camera in my hands anymore, is probably the reason I forgot I was grilling dinner and made a mad dash for my camera when I saw her playing in the backyard wearing her white bathing suit cover-up and no shoes.  She was pretending to be a farmer who just so happened to have a comical southern accent.  Let the chicken burn.  This stuff is priceless.  So we ate slightly crunchy chicken sandwiches that night.  But I captured some beautiful memories.

















I'm excited about the prospect of following you around the yard, toddling through the grass.  Someday.  You and your sisters fill my world with so much joy.  You'll never truly understand how much you mean to me.  That light shining behind your sister up there...you girls are that light, times a million billion trillion.  And you can add any other made-up "illion" number on there and still not be overshooting.


I have quite a bit to post from last weekend between prom, your 7 month "birthday, and Mother's Day.  I'll get my pictures uploaded and load some rare Ashley pictures.  They are few and far between, indeed.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

The Letter "B"

Who knew a simple letter sound could be so glorious?  I've never been concerned about the rate of speed with which my children reached milestones.  I know you all will grow and learn in your own time.  But knowing that you could be learning to pronounce some consonant sounds soon has had me anxious to hear your little voice.  Most of your noises up until now have been either guttural, like grunts and growls, or like blowing raspberries or wild squeals.  (This isn't entirely true...you do jabber.  But just no repeated consonant sounds yet.)  Just yesterday, as you were blowing bubbles through your pursed lips, I told your sister that I thought you were on the threshold of uttering letter sounds.  And then, while I was busy cooking dinner on the grill, you did it.  You started out blowing raspberries, but then it turned into "Ba ba ba ba."  Fortunately, Daddy was a quick thinker and he caught some video on his phone.  He even caught you saying something that sounded a lot like "mama"...just sayin'.  I'm so proud and excited to know you are well on your way to being able to communicate.  Just wow!


Getting so big.
Last week was daddy's birthday.  I am positive that you were aware of the fact that I was rushing around, wrapping gifts, buying a special lunch, trying to pull of a special dinner and some homemade (peanut butter & chocolate- his favorite) cupcakes, make sure the house was nice and clean & not look like I was the hired help in the process.  You are still quite attached to me and it doesn't make days like this any easier.  But all in all, I think he had a nice day.  And you were pretty amazed by the candles.  Check out the cool shot I got of them being blown out.


Don't worry, Daddy's not four.  I just didn't have thirty-four candles.
You also met your arch nemesis last week.  This pudgy little baby doll is obviously a threat to you.  Apparently you want to hold onto your title as the reigning smallest cutie in the house.


Sure, you look all cute and innocent.  But that baby doll is about to get it.
If anybody asks, you didn't see anything.  Okay?
Take that, new baby.
I eat babies like you for breakfast.
Let's just say I'm glad we aren't expecting anymore babies!


Thursday night was also the parents' viewing night at Sydney's dance class.  She has been taking ballet and tap for three years now and she's quite good.  And I'm not just saying that because she's my kid.  This is the second year she's been invited to join her age group's performance team.  When they're little, like her, the performance team doesn't compete.  They just perform several exhibition shows throughout the year.  It's a small, invitation-only group, decided by the teachers (and her teacher is the studio owner).  The stage experience would be very helpful, but it means taking two, maybe three, classes instead of one, buying several costumes, not to mention the gas back and forth for the extra classes and performances.  It could get pricey.  I'd hate for that to be the reason to deny her though.  We might not have to worry about it.  She has been asking to play soccer next fall instead of dance.  We would never force her to dance.  Or play a sport.  I'd like to see her try some new things also.  We'll see what next year holds.


I wonder if you'll be a dancer, too, little Finnlee.
Tiny tapper.
We may or may not be playing dress-up with you regularly now.  I'm not going to confirm or deny anything.


Baby genius.
Summer brights.
I swear, since uttering your first consonants yesterday, you seem to be determined to speed up this learning thing.  You also have been trying to feed yourself with a spoon (including a measuring spoon I gave you to play with).  You've also been big-time into shaking your head "no."  I am trying so hard to teach you what it means without you thinking that I'm telling you to stop.  You seem to find it hilarious though.  I think you think you're teaching me how to do it instead of the other way around.  You just seem bigger to me.  More aware.  More understanding.  Like you're figuring out this world around you.  Half of me wants to tell you to slow down.  And half of me can't wait to see what's coming next.  Bring it on, baby.  Bring it on.  But do it slowly, please.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Rainy Days & Mondays

Big week in our house!  After much consideration, your dad and I decided it was time to reward Sydney's sense of responsibility and love for animals with a pet.  We kept it small because we aren't prepared to take on a large animal at this time.  Sydney doesn't mind his size.  She's just thrilled to be the new owner of Crunchy, her turtle.


Meet Crunchy
Your first time seeing fish.  How cool.
Not to be outdone, Kylee talked dad into a beta fish.  I think the amount of maintenance it requires, versus the turtle, accurately reflects how dedicated she will most likely be.  And, because we weren't done obtaining new playthings, dad also upgraded my phone to an iphone...which isn't so far off from the pets the girls received.  Both wil require lots of love and attention...oh wait.  So, I have officially joined the rest of civilization in the touch-screen phone madness.  Of course, by the time you are old enough to read and understand this, you'll find it very amusing that my iphone was so state-of-the-art.  It will, no doubt, have been replaced by newer, faster, smarter, better things.  Although for the life of me, I cannot imagine what.  I've never been one for gadgets and didn't mind that my phone still had buttons that had to be pressed, but I did warn dad when we found out that I was pregnant with you that I was pretty sure that some sort of i-device was mandatory to raise children these days.  In the waiting room during Sydney's ballet class there isn't a single parent who isn't entertaining a child (or entertaining themselves) with some gizmo.  I've already downloaded a rattle app that you really love.  I think it will be a game-changer.


Ironically, most of your toys are rather low-tech.  Considering that you are the youngest by six years, it's safe to say we didn't really have many baby toys hanging around the house when you came along.  So there's a lot of Montessori style play going on, both because I believe strongly in the Montessori style of teaching, and because there's more "other stuff" than "baby stuff" around this house.  There's plenty of hands on discovery play (with Mommy supervising, of course) with things that aren't necessarily toys.  I found the concept of "sensory baskets" online and decided you'd be okay with a "sensory bowl."  So we loaded one up with kitchen goodies and let you explore.  


Giving the potato masher a thorough exam.
Mirrors become outside toys in our house.
The gift that Mother Nature gave us last week was followed up by a grey, windy & rainy weekend.  Monday was more of the same, with some random outbursts of sunshine.  We pretty much hibernated.  There wasn't even enough light to take any pictures.  Besides, somehow you've managed to contract yet another cold.  I am going to laugh at the next person who tells me I'm smart for waiting until one child is in kindergarten before having the next.  Kindergartners are germy.  Lovable, but germy.  On the bright side, your immune system is getting a boost.  


With our wacky weather and contagious state our activities have forced us to spend lots of time at home.  We've capitalized on that by filling our time with sister sleepovers that included planting herb gardens, baking cookies, playing dress up, backyard treasure hunts and sometimes rainy trips to the pool.


Poor little chive seeds don't know they're doomed from the start.  I  can't grow anything to save my life.


Treasure Hunt.  No, there aren't always beads hanging from our palm trees.
Sydney's version of a pirate bandanna.
Recommended treasure-hunting footwear.  They were very fashionable pirates.
Finally, the sun again!
And some long-awaited pool time.
There's been playtime with Mommy.



And creative school outfits.


Yes, she wore knee socks with bermuda shorts...and I let her.  And, yes, she has to climb onto the bus.
There were touching moments.


Ashley's boyfriend asked her to prom with candles.  Excuse the mess.  She's 17.  And we moved the comforter and rug to eliminate fire hazards.
We had entire days with nothing to do but sit outside and take in the last of the cooler weather.


I handed you my orange, but you were way more interested in the dirt, grass & pine needles.
That tongue!
Messy Meals


This is what happens when Mom gives you the spoon.
Playing dress up with unnecessary scarves.
Stealing light from nearby windows.


Nothing sweeter than a just barely awake baby.
Watching the rain fall.
And, in general, just growing up.  Every day is a new adventure.  You felt the rain for the first time.  You saw a turtle for the first time.  So many firsts.  So many adventures.  I'm so lucky to share them with you.