Toothy McTootherson

Since Ellie has seen fit to sprout six new teeth in the last three weeks, for a grand total of eight, I proposed renaming her Toothy McTootherson. Kate dually informed me that "Ellie will NEVER like that name." You know, she's probably right. So Toothy is out, and Ellie is still in. But I do think I had a valid point, no?

(Please note that the sad bangs and bruises are due to the fact Ellie insists on using her forehead as a battering ram as she continues mastering the art of pulling herself up and standing solo. Normally this would worry me greatly, but having survived this stage with Maddie and Kate, I have realized that despite the large number of meetings that take place between a baby's head and various hard objects, the bruises aren't permanent, and the other damage doesn't seem to be either. We have our families' heredity to thank for that. Unusually hard heads seem to run in the family.)

Sometimes You Just Need a Friend

Jay returned yesterday after being away for a month-long training. We were ecstatic to have him home again. To celebrate, the girls really wanted to take Daddy out for ice cream after school. We've made it a bit of a tradition to go to one of the ice cream shops down by the ferry, and then go for a walk together along the marina. The marina is a beautifully landscaped area from which you can see the ferry, the moored boats, water-front homes and the gorgeous mountain peaks. Part of the beautiful landscaping is several large boulders that the girls like to climb on. One in particular is shaped a little like a chair and they like to pretend it's a bed and lay down on it.

Well, as soon as their ice cream was finished yesterday, they took off for their favorite rock. I'm not sure how many times they've been told not to run or jump by those rocks, but I'm sure by now the number is in the hundreds. Kate's feet were going a little too fast and down she went. I saw her fall, but from my vantage point I couldn't tell exactly where she'd landed. I yelled "Did she hit the rock?" and my stomach gave that sickening lurch it always does when one of your children takes a bad tumble. Maddie said "Yes!" Kate stood up and there was bright red blood everywhere. Thank goodness for Jay! He scooped her up and examined the damage and helped to stop the flow of blood. All the scary things that go through your head at a time like this - broken out teeth, broken noses, concussions, fractured skulls - just thinking about it makes my stomach quiver! She had hit her nose really good, but thankfully the soft part took the brunt of the impact and there was no serious damage. She was just sore and scared.

When we got home she just wanted to lie down in her bed, and she wanted "MaaMaa" (that's her pet name for Maddie, left over from the days when she was first beginning to talk and couldn't pronounce Maddie fully) to stay with her. Maddie said "Kate, would you like me to lay with you and read you a book?" So with a make-shift ice pack held to her swelling nose and eye, Kate fell asleep listening to Maddie read her library books. Then while she slept, Maddie made her "presents," consisting of pictures she drew and part of a birthday cupcake from a celebration at school.

Watching my girls care for each other like this is truly wonderful. The amount of love and empathy shared between them sometimes leaves me breathless. It more than makes up for the many moments we have had lately of fighting, yelling and general sisterly discord. My faith was renewed that sisters can be and forever remain the very best of friends.

When Daddy is in charge of the camera...

What do you see?

Nice mother/daughter shot

or

Baby who has lots of snot?

(Kleenex please, Daddy!)

Happy Mother's Day, Mama!

Mother's Day was a simple affair around here this year. The highlights included watching Kate's preschool class perform a darling singing concert during the morning church service, followed by a picnic lunch down at our swing set. Maddie and Kate were both so excited to have me open the gifts they had made for me. Maddie's was a beautiful set of note cards with a tulip design she created and printed herself, and Kate made me a sweet tea towel with her four-and-a-half-year-old hand prints all over it.

Best of all, even Ellie got in on the action. In the days before Mother's Day she began saying "mama," which I think we can all agree, are the sweetest two syllables any mom can hear. It is especially endearing when she says it over and over again as I'm holding her, and she's patting my shoulder. And to spread even more icing on the already sweet cake, on Mother's Day night she went to sleep in her crib at eight o'clock and didn't make another sound until six the next morning. I woke up in a panic and ran to her room, only to be greeted by a baby sitting up and playing contentedly with her blanket. The first night of solid sleeping always has this effect on me. LOVE the uninterrupted sleep, HATE the moment of sheer panic (something must be wrong! I haven't slept through the night in months) Only took us ten months to get here, now we'll have to see if it lasts.

Wish Blossoms

The Wish Blossom is Maddie and Kate's favorite flower. All you have to do is pick it and make a wish as you blow the fluff away. One time Kate told me her wish was for more Wish Blossoms to grow. I think that one came true, our yard seems to be full of them.

Peek-a-Boo

I see you!

The Little Bean

The Little Bean entered our life two and half weeks before we expected her last summer. She has been playing the game by her own rules ever since. Before we even brought Ellie home from the hospital, Kate had started calling her Ellie Jelly Bean, and she has been referred to as some version of Bean ever since. I'm sure it's not going to be something she loves, but there will time enough for her to hate it later. Like her sisters before her, she is fiesty and independent. Well, not completly independent yet, she is attached to her mama. Sometimes this stage can be so frustrating, but I do miss it when it's over. Children are just never as dependent on you in the same sweet, precious way ever again. Who could resist those wide eyes staring up at you and two little outstretched arms insisting on being picked up? It forgives the fussy baby who has been doggedly following you around and preventing showers or even bathroom visits from being taken with any privacy. Ellie loves her big sisters. One of my favorites times of the day is when she sees them for the first time in the morning. She gets so excited when she first hears them, and then when she sees them come into the room the excitement bubbles over into full body jumps, quivers, hoots, and smiles. It is a wonderful thing to behold. I'm thankful every day for this Little Bean who has come to be a part of our family.