Trying to Reason With Hurricane Season

Hurricane Season: It's one of my favorite things about living on the gulf coast.  It's also the source of a lot of frustration.  By the time you can read this, you will no doubt be aware of my affinity for any kind of storm, but particularly hurricanes.  As much as I enjoy a good beach day, with blue skies and tons of sunshine, I feel a rush of excitement over a driving rain and blustery winds.  Hurricanes and tropical storms are just part of life when you live in Florida.  I am just in awe of their power.  And who wouldn't love an excuse to throw a hurricane party?  I don't even mind losing electricity for a while.  That's just a chance to bust out some board games and crafts.  So when they announce that a storm is on its way, I watch the news with anticipation.  I avoid buying perishable foods and plan which foods will thaw first, if it comes to that, so we can barbecue accordingly.  I pre-make some sandwiches, cut up fresh fruit and buy drinks in individual servings so we can have a cooler full of food at our disposal. The planner in me makes a rare appearance during these situations.  So when these fickle storms change their mind at the last minute and head elsewhere (as often happens), the storm-chaser and hurricane-party-planner in me is understandably disappointed.  

Barely windy.  We've had gustier days without a storm off the coast.

Tropical Storm Isaac was no different.  We were expecting it to become a hurricane and make landfall by Monday.  Daddy acted accordingly and pulled the outdoor toys and furniture indoors.  

"Helping" Daddy take down the trampoline.

I went through the motions of making sure we had what we needed to get by for a few days, if necessary.  We made an all-important (to Sydney) trip to the craft store to grab a few crafty things and buy fabric to make clothes for her toy sheep.  For some inexplicable reason, this was extremely urgent.  

You've heard of a wolf in sheep's clothing?  Well, here's where the sheep got the clothing.

But, as usual, the storm passed us by.  I watched in annoyance as the weather anchors announced that we had "been spared."  Sure, we had a little rain and some mild wind, but honestly we have better storms all summer.  What a bummer.  I keep joking that a hurricane is a Florida baby's right of passage.  You need to experience one to be a true Florida Cracker. So I suppose you aren't 100% Floridian just yet.  But all was not lost.  Your dad and I have made it a habit to try to head to the beach just before a storm.  The gulf is magical when there's a tropical system brewing in it.  The air is filled with electricity, the waves are surging and the wind is cool, yet humid.  And, usually, only the locals show up, which is kind of a recipe for beach perfection.  We headed out to take a walk on the beach on a particularly overcast Saturday, not expecting to see a sunset at all.  Imagine our surprise when, just above the horizon, the sun found a spot to make its escape and shower those hazy clouds in the most glorious light.  It was one of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen in my life.  And that's saying a lot, because I've seen quite a few.  Pure magic.

The skies were grey and overcast.

But then the sun decided to make an appearance.

Saying goodbye to the sun.

Ad it just got prettier and prettier.

All in all, much of the weekend was spent preparing for a storm that never came.  While we were figuring out how to take apart the trampoline, you were figuring out how to say some new words.  You now say "dog" and "no" (the actual word accompanies the head-shaking) and "I love you"...I know what you're thinking.  That no way a 10 1/2 month old baby can say a three-word sentence yet.  But nobody has told you that it's a three-word sentence.  You think it's just a really long word that we say all of the time.  And, perhaps because you hear it so much, and, perhaps because you are part parrot, you have begun to rattle off a three-syllable sound that sounds just like "I love you", minus the actual proper pronunciation.  It's happened on four separate occasions now, so I feel confident in saying that it's intentional.  No way it's a fluke.  Other big girl things are happening, too.  Your baths are now officially taken in the big tub, with Sydney.  You are a slippery little sucker and you slip and slide all over the place.  I can't take my hands off of you for a second.  It provides much entertainment for Sydney and an arm workout for me, but I really need to invest in some of those sticky tub grippy-things.  I'm pretty sure that's not the technical term, but it'll have to do for now.  We've also made a complete jump to finger foods.  You were going backward in your food progress, so I started giving you actual table food, diced into miniature pieces, to gain your interest.  It's really important to me that you like a variety of healthy, whole foods.  We'll figure out how to get your eating back on track.  I really don't think you will want me showing up to your kindergarten lunch to nurse you.  

This little guy must've blown out of its nest.  We (and his momma) watched over him all day.

Checking out the mess the storm left behind.

This week has been all about getting your room ready to actually move you into.  Sydney has been very patient with me, but the blank walls were making me crazy.  I'm finally making some progress and will post some pictures once I'm happy with the way it looks.  You absolutely love playing in there, which makes me very happy.  I feel like your whole world is our living room right now and I'm kind of looking forward to the days when you can toddle around so that at least we can start exploring.  August is coming to an end, and even though the calendar insists that fall starts in October, I have my own way of thinking of the seasons. I consider September-November to be fall.  If only the weather would cooperate.  We had a few cool mornings last week that were both exciting and depressing.  It will be a while before the weather cools down, but by then we should be taking nature walks together.  I think I'll light an apple candle on September 1st, in honor of the imaginary beginning of fall, however.  Happy "Almost Fall", little pumpkin!

Back to School

I wrote this Tuesday, for the record, so the time doesn't line up (but I don't really feel like rewriting it).  That is just how slow I am at uploading photos.  I really need to streamline this process.  Since then, you have (finally!) gotten your first tooth!  It's not visible yet, and I'm pretty sure the one beside it is coming simultaneously.  But we can't call you toothless any longer!  Hopefully you are more adventurous in your food choices soon now that you have some chompers.  But for now, the back to school post:

Yesterday was a big day around here.  Sydney started first grade; Kylee started seventh.  The first day of school always brings with it such a massive adrenaline rush.  We all jump out of bed and smile through breakfast.  Nobody is griping about catching the bus or whining about being pulled from their warm bed...yet.  Lunches are packed the night before.  Backpacks are filled and supplies are labeled.  Outfits are laid out neatly, planned well in advance.  Unfortunately, this is not reality.  By next week, the newness will have worn off and we will be lucky if I remember to pack lunch before we set out for the bus that we will, undoubtedly, have to run to catch.  Ahhh...routine.  I have not missed you.  Well, hopefully we are a bit more organized this year.  But I say that every year.  You get pulled into the craziness, of course.  You have no choice.  You tagged along with Daddy and me as we walked Sydney to her classroom yesterday.  Elementary school kids always get walked in on their first day in our family.  Sydney greeted her teacher with a wooden (non-working) magnet, a hand-drawn (actually, traced) fish and something else that I can't recall at the moment.  The first of many heartfelt gifts, I am sure.  

First day of First Grade, homemade sign and all.

This is typical.

Kylee's first day wasn't quite as smooth.  She is unhappy with her schedule and I plan on doing my very best to make sure her school experience is the best it can possibly be this year.  I already have a call into the guidance counselor.  Yes, I am that mom.  I will always fight for my kids.  You will never doubt that I am behind you, one hundred percent.  Luckily, for now, that just means protecting you from strangers with overly-loud laughs and snuggling after you get shots.

Walking her to class.

Ready to do this!

Another reason that yesterday was huge around here had everything to do with your dad.  Recently, we've really buckled down on our diet.  There have been some pretty major lifestyle changes, brought on by some tests your dad had a few months ago.  We've really just done things we knew we should have done all along, but sometimes you need a push.  A follow-up appointment yesterday brought the amazing news that all of the effort we've been putting in had a major pay-off.  Dad's test results came back with a remarkable outcome.  His lab-work was so normal that even the doctor's can't believe it.  This is the stuff they write about in medical journals.  Total success story!  This may be a bit over your head by the time you can read this, but just know that it means that Daddy did everything he could to make sure he sticks around for you girls for a very, very long time.  I am so proud of him.  

Waiting for Sydney's bus.

Looks like it was a good day!

I'd like to tell you that the house is spotless and the laundry is caught up now that summer is over, but no such luck.  I am looking around at the clutter-magnet that is our home and wondering where to start.  You aren't exactly making it easy on me either because your nap schedule has been disrupted, and teething has been killer for you.  I will be really happy once those teeth pop through, and I never thought I'd say that as a breastfeeding mom.  I'm using all of my best tricks to soothe you.  Confession time: one of the sure-fire ways to stop the tears is to sing "your song" to you.  It just so happens that "your song" is a Barry Manilow tune where I've changed the name from "Mandy" to "Finnlee" in the chorus.  I have no idea why.  Once, when you were a newborn, I was trying to comfort you and out came "Oh, Finnlee..." and it worked.  I blame my mom for playing too much Barry Manilow and Neil Diamond during my youth.  Those songs are forever emblazoned in my mind.  Honestly, each of you girls have had "your songs"; Ashley's was "You Are My Sunshine", Kylee's was (and is) "Brown Eyed Girl" (although she got a lot of "You Are My Sunshine" also), Sydney's was "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" by Frankie Valli.  But for all of my baby-singing, you are the only one that it actually works for.  Your sisters are pretty famous for being very honest with me about my singing skills.  It never stopped the tears when they were babies, and now they all groan, "Mom!" when I start singing along with the radio.  Actually, Sydney once said to me, when she was about three and I was singing in the car, "Mom...shhhh...let the music do it."  Seriously.  So I love you for loving my singing.  I hope you're not tone-deaf, though.

My busy, busy girl.

It's been a typical, late summer, rainy morning so far, but I see the sun peeking through.  I plan on heading outside with you once your nap is over.  It's been breezy and almost pleasant in the shade.  Maybe I'll start a load of that laundry I mentioned above and head outside to paint some monograms for your room.  Yes, that sounds good.  Let's have a relaxed, but productive, day today.

Ten Months- Double Digits

10 Months Old

Well, it finally happened.  Monday you hit double digits in the month count.  You just refuse to stay small, don't you?  What is so great about growing up anyway?  You are a feisty little ten month old, too.  And a toothless one.  I tried my best to get the usual "month pictures" before I realized that nothing will ever be the same again.  You will not be sitting still for a photo shoot anytime soon.  There is no chance that I can just sit you down and snap away.  I need another set of hands to corral you and keep you out of danger.  And I also have to learn to love blurry pictures.  Actually, I do love blurry pictures...I just have to learn to love the fact that those amazing eyes of yours probably won't be in focus in any pictures again for quite a while.  I think I'll have to rethink my strategy for next month, because all I have to show for the ten month mark is a bunch of blurry, headless, out-of-focus shots.  And, of course, the list of:

What Finnlee's Digging: 10 Months

• Babies!  Real life ones or just pictures of babies.  You're not picky.  You just like small humans.  A lot.
• Mickey Mouse.  Strange, I know.  But Mickey Mouse Clubhouse airs right around breakfast time, and when you hear the music you start bobbing up and down, doing your best dance moves.  It's adorable and disturbing.  I'm really not pro-tv for babies.  But your reaction is priceless.   
• Daddy, daddy, daddy.  You light up when he comes home.  You want to hang with him when you're not hungry or tired.  I think he's your new favorite person.
• Swings.  You love swinging at the park.  I feel guilty taking you to playgrounds during these sweltering summer months because you get so hot and sweaty.  That is until we plop you into a baby swing.  Then you are in breezy, squealy heaven.
• Water.  To drink, that is...still not so much for baths.  You started drinking water from a sippy cup a bit more frequently (probably because of those sweltering playdates I mentioned above.)  You really like it.  

You are starting to understand the meaning of "no."  It's been a funny thing to you, that shaking of the head that you love to mimic.  But with all of your coffee-table-cruising, you've heard "no" quite a bit because you are drawn to the off-limits stuff like laptops and portable hard drives and charging cables.  Yes, I should make life easier on both of us and put them on a desk, but that kind of defeats the purpose of having a laptop.  But today, after being told "no" twice to touching the keyboard, you started reaching your hand toward it, stopping midstream, and shaking your head while looking at me to see if I'm noticing.  I'm noticing alright.  And here I thought it was all a game to you.  But you're really getting it.  Little smarty.  I'm pretty sure you'll hear the word "no" quite a bit by the looks of things, so I'm glad you are catching on.  

This is you...trying to escape.

You also are also blowing kisses now!  Okay, if I'm being honest, all that happens is that you put your hand over your mouth.  But it occurs at the moment that we tell you to blow someone kisses, so it counts.  Right?  And you reserve your best kisses for Mommy for now.  The great big, open-mouth, slobbery ones.  The kind that last for an uncomfortable amount of time.  You tried to lay one of those on Daddy and his whiskers completely freaked you out. I doubt you'll be trying that again anytime soon.  Poor dad.  I'm surprised (but glad) that he hasn't shaved them all off for you by now.

How we actually spent much of your "month"day: blowing bubbles.

Despite your lack of teeth, we have been making our best attempt at finger foods so you can practice gripping small things and eating textures.  You are not. a. fan.  I really don't know what to do about it.  All of your sisters had teeth long before this age, so finger foods were a natural progression.  With you, it's a conscious effort.  And one that makes me nervous.  Last night it was brown rice.  I thought it was small enough to go down with minimal chewing.  Wrong.  You act like you're gagging on anything that isn't pureed.  How am I going to feed you a birthday cake???  I have such high hopes for a smash cake, however between the likelihood that you are harboring some food allergies and your aversion to non-pureed foods, I'm afraid you may end up with a vegan "milk"shake for your first birthday.  

You get so sweaty outside.

The majority of your major progress lately has been on the social scene.  You have gone from a clingy, sobbing recluse to a smiley, chattering mingler.  You wave at strangers when they tell you hello or goodbye.  And you have this new language that is all your own.  It started when I would whisper to you and you would whisper back something that sounded like "D'ula B'ula".  Now you say it in full volume, with your tongue flicking out of your mouth between syllables.  And if there happens to be high ceilings and good acoustics, all the better. You'll happily shout it out so everyone can hear.  I'm not so sure the other Target shoppers or doctor's office visitors find it as endearing as I do.  

Still not quite sure what to make of these bubbles.

I have been busy turning Ashley's old, empty bedroom into a beautiful space for you and Sydney to spend time in.  One of my favorite things to do lately is to watch the two of you together.  I am seeing a side of your sister that I never have.  She's always been the "little one," but now she gets to be the helper, the influence and the hero.  I am so proud of the big sister she is being to you.  You truly love her and I can see the adoration in your eyes.  You want to go where she goes and do what she does, already.  It's a beautiful thing to observe this blooming relationship.  

Sydney, teaching you the fine art of bubble-popping.

We are back on school schedules in order to ease back into the routine as much as possible next week.  Friday, we met Sydney's teacher.  She is thrilled with who she has this year, which makes me feel much better about walking her up to the door Monday morning.  I adored her kindergarten teacher so much that I almost feel bad for any future teacher she has.  But perhaps I'll get to reprise my role as "unofficial class photographer."  And luckily, your cousins have Sydney's old teacher this year, so we have an excuse to drop in now and then to say hello.  Sydney is so wound up about starting school that everyday she goes on and on about how she wishes she could start today.  She makes paper teddy bears and flower magnets and paper dolls for her teacher.  Because what teacher doesn't need those things.  And tonight she was too hyper to go to sleep.  Then she ended up sleepwalking, standing in the corner by the play kitchen, talking to "her teacher" and giving me the thumbs up because "Life is awesome!"  I actually got some of that on video.  I should warn you now that all of your sisters were sleepwalkers at this age.  It doesn't look good for you.  

Finding her desk.

I'm sure the next post will have back to school pictures and some mention of what we are doing with our time now that the house is empty all day.  But for now, I am hanging onto the last tiny shred of summer.  I refuse to let it go.  I really wanted to catch the sunset tonight with you and Sydney, but time wasn't on our side, so we had a frozen yogurt date instead.  I am cherishing these times.  Sydney is already warning me not to lift her out of the car now because she's a first grader and "that's just embarrassing."  Apparently, I'm also not supposed to tell her I love her in front of her friends either.  What?  It won't be long before you are also making these ridiculous requests, too.  But today it is summer vacation.  You are  still a baby, and Sydney is only unofficially a first grader.  I really like today.

One down...

So, the pictures have nothing at all to do with this post.  Ashley would kill me if I posted moving pics of her.

So, this was the big weekend.  The weekend that Ashley moved out.  If you were able to tell me how you feel about this, I think you'd be pretty angry that I let her go.  You love your oldest sister so much that sometimes you'd rather hang with her than me.  And that's a good thing, usually.  I really don't know how I'll ever get anything done around here ever again.  Your dad has been busy helping her renovate her new room at Grammy's.  They've been painting, ripping up carpet and installing new floors for two weeks now.  Her room has been packed up for days.  But it was only when you watched her load things into her car that you began to take an interest.  You eyed her suspiciously as she hauled her entire wardrobe to her backseat.  It still amazes me that her entire life can basically fit into one carload.  Ahhh, the simplicity of youth.  

This was just a day we spent at Cambier Park this week.

 

It's kind of like a semi-family portrait.

What surprises me most about this huge step is the way I feel about it.  If you would've told me when Ashley was little that someday she would move out and that I would be ready for it, too, I would've told you that you were crazy.  I could not imagine a day that I'd be ready to see her move on.  And while there will be lots of thing I am going to miss about having her around, I am so excited to see her start her life.  I'm glad that she feels ready to be independent, even if I know that she isn't as ready as she thinks.  I know she will learn a lot and experience many things in these next few years that she wouldn't if she lived at home.  Part of this "being okay" probably comes from the fact that she'll be five minutes up the road, at my parents' house, and in my old room, no less.  It's like having a safety net while she learns how to fly.  I know she'll come home frequently.  She's in a panic that you'll forget all about her.  She would never let that happen.  For all of the reluctance she felt about a new baby in the family while I was pregnant, she is the most taken with you- for sure.  Possibly even a little obsessed.

It was so hot out.

And we had a grumpy rock star with us.

Ashley's departure also frees up a much-needed bedroom around here.  A room that will soon be Sydney's and yours.  I'm very ready to give Kylee her own room for the first time since Sydney was born.  I knew the weekend would be a flurry of moving dressers and swapping beds, but I never could've predicted the chaos that ensued.  A broken pipe caused a mini flood in Ashley's old room just as she was packing her final boxes.  To make a long story short, there is currently a giant hole in the concrete slab of your new room, ripped up carpet, an industrial fan drying things out, and the smell of damp carpet padding permeating the air.  In case you were wondering, it's not a pleasant smell.  It's times like this I am so thankful that we don't have a dog.  So my much-anticipated decorating of a new room for you and Sydney will have to wait a bit.  

So we hit up Starbucks on 5th for some Izzy's.  (Seriously, what is this face?)

That seemed to soften up the grumpiness a bit.

Got teeth?

Since things haven't gone as planned, and it has also rained for two days, we've spent the weekend baking, playing, picture-taking and sleeping in.  The upheaval around here is evident everywhere you look.  Closets emptied by the leak detection company still need organizing.  Displaced children's furniture has found a temporary home in the playroom.  Odds and ends that Ashley neglected to pack are sitting on my dining room table.  And even though it looks like a disaster, I feel surprisingly content and relaxed.  Lazy even.  Change is in the air.  New rooms.  New school year.  Soon, a new season.  And a little further off, a birthday party and a new year for you.  I'm starting to get excited about it all.

Crawling, ruffly baby behinds are precious things.

Keeping Up With You

So, I had a post all written out, just waiting for pictures.  And I scrapped it.  You are growing up so quickly that something I wrote two days ago is now old news.  I know you're baby #4 around here, but you are unlike any baby I've ever had.  I've never had a baby who sees an electric outlet and instantly feels the need to inspect it.  Your sisters never tried to escape from every grocery cart I ever placed them in.  And, believe it or not, none of them ever crawled.  Ashley was an early walker and just skipped the whole crawling-thing.  Kylee just scooted around on her rear until she was one.  And Sydney had an army-crawl-thing going on.  But, as of last night, you are officially our first true crawler.  You've been teasing us with it for a while now.  And you've been able to get around just fine without being on your hands and knees, so I wasn't sure if you were going to bother.  But because you are my inquisitive, mischievous child, it was the draw of my laptop cord that tempted you to bust out some epic crawling moves.  And just like that, you were off.

You are simply scrumptious.

Giggling with Daddy.

 I suppose your sisters were all pretty content babies.  They never really got into much, and my attempts at baby-proofing were pretty half-hearted, and as it turned out, unnecessary.  By contrast, I can't turn my back on you for a second.  I wonder what this says about you as a child.  As an adult.  And, most nerve-wracking, as a teenager.  I am going to go ahead and assume the best; that you will be ambitious, and curious, and full of determination.  In the meantime, I am exhausted.

New words are making their way to your lips these days, and some of them are sounding familiar.  Your use of "mama/mom-mom" and "dada" are always accurate now (except for when you purposely say the wrong name when prompted, and then laugh because you've learned that your sisters find this to be hilarious).  And you are either saying "night night" or "num num" when you're tired.  I'm not sure which, but either one makes sense.  I guess time will tell.

Roly-Poly

Lately we've spent a lot of time watching the Olympics, school shopping, and doing things like school haircuts and free zoo days.  I'm torn between the twinges of excitement I am beginning to feel about fall being around the corner and not being ready to see summer come to and end.  One thing I am getting excited about is the thought of your first steps being around the corner.  Being able to take walks side-by-side.  Seeing you take footsteps in the beach sand.  And just around the corner, really, your first birthday party.  Now that you are such a handful, I don't know when I'm going to get everything done that I've been planning for this party.  Naps?  We really need to increase the frequency and length of these naps.  Is that negotiable?  Why, oh why, didn't I get more done before you became mobile?  I have a feeling I'll be asking myself this about a lot of things very soon.  And now it's time for me to get some rest so I can keep up with you tomorrow.  Goodnight, my little monkey.  Make some mischief in your dreams.