Thankful - Day 1: Play

It seems at times that it has become somewhat cliche to create daily "I'm thankful for..." posts during the month of November but this year I'm feeling moved to participate. The days are getting shorter, the weather is growing darker, and I am in this postpartum period which is bound to feel heavier and heavier as the sleep deprivation accumulates. So, my goal is to focus on the beauty and joy in the small things and be ever-mindful of how incredibly blessed I am, even when life feels totally chaotic and overwhelming. Some days, all I might be able to manage is a single photo. Other days I might find time to throw in a few words too. But hopefully this daily exercise will help me be present and notice all the small things I have to be thankful for. 

Graham went back to work on Wednesday and the days have been wild and crazy. We've all been (mostly) fed and clothed but the days have felt hectic and completely tasky with minimal time for connection with any of the kids. So today I made it my goal to do something intentional with each child, even if only for a minute. This morning, while Isla was at preschool, I asked Emma what she wanted to do and she said "play toys!" Eventually she identified cars as her toy of choice so we set to work building a road out of books and driving our cars all around the living room. I forgot how much fun it is to play with a 2 year old!

During naptime, I had grand plans of eating lunch and emptying the dishwasher and folding the 3 loads of laundry that have been waiting since maybe Monday? But Jack was fussy and needed me so instead I chose to snuggle him to sleep instead. So worth it!

It was a gorgeous Fall day and I was determined to get out for a walk to enjoy it. As a little pick-me-up this afternoon, I treated myself to my first Peppermint Mocha of the season at Starbucks before walking around and playing at Juanita Beach Park. The kids were in cheerful spirits and it made for a lovely afternoon.

As we were returning to the car, I spotted this giant trail of raked leaves, weaving through the park. I looked around and there was no one in sight (who rakes a GIANT strip of leaves and then just leaves them there unattended - pun intentional!)?? On a whim, I did something so unlike me and unstrapped the girls and told them to have at it! Isla kept asking "why are you letting us do this?" :) You only live once!

Emma: 26 Months

-Has so many adorable phrases like:

"I'm pummin' back" (coming)

"I got it!"

"Wait [for] me!"

-Often talks about what she will do "after I wake up"

-LOVES the monkeys at the zoo and says "see monkeys!" anytime the word "zoo" is mentioned

-Go figure, she also loves her monkey jams and wants to wear them every night

-Sleeps with Piggy AND Minnie Mouse now

-Was a little unsure of Jack in the first 24 hours. Me: "Do you want to bring Jack home with us?" Emma: "No!!" Thankfully, she's warmed up to him now and can't seem to hug and kiss him enough.

-Plays hide and seek with Isla
-Particularly enjoys hiding in the curtains and calls them her "castle" for some reason (all tall buildings are "castles" too)
-Loves her marble run and growing more interested in crafting and coloring

-Favorite book is the Farm book with flaps to open

-Finally getting air when she jumps

-A pretty adorable dancer

-Can work Apple electronics better than I can and tries to scroll down and see pictures on my PC by swiping her finger on the screen :)
-Recognizes the Starbucks logo and points out every store as we drive by (oops)

-Has eaten salad twice

-Loves meatloaf

-And "tookies" (cookies)

-Says "oww!" every time she gets her hair combed (we have big sis to thank for that one)

-Lots of pretend play. Even puts her animals and dolls in time out. And her Christmas ornaments down for naps...

-Likes to "nuggle" (snuggle) and is growing more affectionate with frequent unsolicited hugs and kisses for all

-Now knows what movies are and will ask to "Watch movie!" (particularly "Monsters")

-Can you say equestrian lessons? I'm pretty sure they are in our future. And princess pony parties. Daddy treated the girls to their first pony ride at the fall festival at Kelsey Creek and I think Emma's hooked. All week when asked what she wanted to do each day her response was "ride pony!" 

-Thinks there is something exceptionally special about Grandpa

-Discovered a new hobby of catching leaves and helicopters

-Not at all interested in potty training and says "No potty. All done potty" when we offer a chance to give it a try. We've started a sticker chart for each attempt but are not pursuing it hardcore.

-Will randomly say "Happy Birthday Mommy" or "Happy Birthday Grandma," wishing everyone around the table a very happy birthday. It's adorable, just like her!

First week and then some

(3 days old and totally has his mama wrapped around his little finger...)

 

I think it's safe to say Jack had a lovely first week, getting to know the routine in the Crozier household. Though we did kick our activity down a couple of notches, we still were out and about quite a bit, which I think was good for all of us. Grandpa and Grandma Crozier brought us an enchilada dinner on day 3 and Grandpa got some special time with all three grandkids.

On day 4, I took him out for my first little walk to enjoy the sunny afternoon and discovered he loves being "cocooned" in the Ergo baby insert!

 I don't think any of us can get enough of this sleepy, cuddly newborn period!

On day 5, he sported this totally sweet hat, hand-crafted by cousin Stew (originally for Isla).

Later that afternoon, Grandma Wilson and I took the kids on a bus ride adventure to downtown Kirkland - it was a big hit!

Graham met us down there and then Grandma treated us all to gelato.

The sun popped out just in time for our outing so we headed for the waterfront to enjoy the fall colors and chase some ducks.

We really do live here. Amazing I know.

On day 6, Jack had his first Saturday sponge bath. And attended his first bachelorette party (but that's another story...)

Grandpa Wilson came down to pick up Grandma and was finally healthy enough to hold him for the first time.

Poor Grandma had to fight for cuddles and spent most of her time with us tending to the girls and the house chores but we tried to sneak her Jack every once in a while too

 This time around, I've done my best to "sleep when the baby sleeps," just like they always tell you. But sometimes it was truly impossible to sleep with this much cuteness right next to me! 

On day 7, we dressed him in his Sunday best and, amazingly enough, all made it to church ON TIME!

 

Other pictures worth sharing include this one where Jack went barking up the wrong tree so to speak...

 

And then a sneak peak of our multi-purpose coffee table...for some reason this just cracks me up!

On day 8, Jack had his first official pediatrician appointment (minus an extra little pop-in visit on day 3 when the postpartum clinic was worried about his jaundice level.) I'm proud to announce he gained 13 oz in 5 days and was well above birth weight at 9 lbs, 8 oz! No more setting the alarm to wake for feedings.

After the appointment, Graham and I took Jack along on a lunch date at Barking Frog. He slept through the whole thing...

...and we enjoyed some really good conversation and this amazing sweet potato ravioli with swiss chard and portobellos.

And this apple almond tart with cinnamon ice cream.

On day 9, we took him on date #2 (I know, I know, we're spoiled but it was Seattle Restaurant Week and we were getting GOOD DEALS!!) This time we went to Tavolata in Seattle and again he slept through the whole thing (I would highly recommend people really monopolize on the sleepiness of newborns and go out early! We finished sentences and everything - amazing!)

Hey! I must love this color scheme! He matches his changing pad (and diaper bag too if it were pictured)!

We are loving this little dude and his totally chillax personality!

Isla: 50 Months

-Has grown extra affectionate with me this past month. She seemed especially aware of my heightened emotional state with all the false labor and stepped up to the challenge of making me feel loved. 

-Learning to be a "bucket filler" and all the different ways she can make those around her feel special. 

-Still wearing sundresses...everyday if allowed.

-Loves to accessorize - hats, necklaces, clips and now mittens!

-Can't get enough crafts!! Ever!!

-In the past 12 days since Jack's arrival, her artwork creations (on regular 8 x 11 inch thin paper mind you) have reached a height of 6 inches when stacked. I'm not kidding.

-Made these glitter pumpkins again this year and they were a real hit.

-Instructs you how to orient your paper when coloring.

-Keeps slipping artwork for me under my door while I take afternoon naps.

-Latest art involves cutting out objects (either things she's drawn or that she finds on papers around the house) then taping them onto another paper. We went through 2 rolls of tape in a matter of days! And our floors are always covered with paper confetti.

-Also loves to wrap and re-gift items around the house. Yesterday I received floss and a.pack of hair ties.

-Has decided gelato is the best thing on earth. She's already asking to have it on her birthday.

-Took and bus trip (to get gelato) while Grandma Wilson was here and had a blast. Now has a bus chart which she is rapidly filling with stickers every time she stays in her room until 7 AM. This is working magically!

-Plays so well with her sister, as long as she is organizing the play (which thankfully Emma is usually ok with). It warms my heart to watch their budding friendship. 

-Adores her baby brother.

-Endlessly energetic and needs lots of attention. All the time. This is proving challenging. Enough said.
-Apparently she is the queen bee at preschool, or so I am told by her father who has chaperoned a couple of field trips. This shouldn't surprise me, but it does.

-Officially the World's Best Flower Girl. I know it because she danced the night away until 10:30 PM, came home with raspberry stains down her front and a ripped dress. Talk about a party animal!