before #3

At 37 weeks, I find myself preparing.  Preparing the the tiny corner of our bedroom, which will become our littlest lady's "nursery," preparing lists of telephone numbers, schedules, and final to-dos (not to mention editing the continuous mental list that runs through my mind on a daily basis), preparing my heart and mind for the physical demands of labor and receiving our sweet babe, and preparing the little lady and man for life with a new sibling.  One might say I'm "nesting." 

 

Recently, in the midst of my many preparations, I looked up to find the little lady and man cuddled close on one end of the couch peering at the bright screen of the Ipad.  Caught up in the sights and sounds of the program they were viewing they were unaware of my gaze.  I stared at each of them, comparing their tiny facial features, facial expressions, color of hair, noting the familiarity and intimacy they shared as siblings born only twenty months apart.  In a short time, they will no longer be a pair, but will welcome a third party into their little world.  This thought overwhelms me as I imagine three little faces peering up at me full of life and wonder, the sounds of three children filling our home with laughter, songs, shouts, and cries, and as I anticipate the little lady's reaction to having a sister and watching our little man become the big brother.

 

How sweet it has been to watch these two grow, side by side, sharing so much of their lives with one another.  As we prepare for the arrival of number three, my heart is full as I cherish the final days/weeks of being a family of four and anxiously await the moment we become a family of five.  

 

 

 

 

 

 



last visit

This past weekend Doc, Mimi, Auntie Dawnie, and Uncle Bobby arrived in Cleveland for one last hurrah.  We were blessed with crisp fall temperatures, sunshine, and the glorious colors of fall as we spent time in charming Chagrin Falls strolling Main Street, window shopping, enjoying a hearty brunch, and sampling ice cream at Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams (splendid, indeed!).  Saturday afternoon the fellas enjoyed a round of golf, while Mimi treated us girls and Joey to new shoes at Nordstrom.  The little lady entered the kid's shoe section with a very specific shoe in mind - "pink, sparkly, slip-on."  She walked away with these. (check. check. check!) 

 

Saturday evening the adults enjoyed an evening out at Crop Bistro, surprising Doc with a celebratory dinner in honor of his recent retirement.  Our evening was filled with special moments as we celebrated this special man in our lives, dined on amazing food, engaged in meaningful conversation and laughed together.

 

Other highlights of the visit included catching the first half of the Packer game at Shula's 2 where the little lady and man pretended to be waiters for the better part of an hour, carrying trays, taking our cash and orders as we cheered on the Pack, watching Uncle Bob grant each of the little man's requests to be carried or cuddled, the little lady's impromptu salon session with Auntie Dawn which included a "cut," style and manicure, and the simple joys of being together as a family.  It's hard to believe that the next time we are all together our littlest lady will be present, bringing new joy and reasons to celebrate!

 

 

 



family [apple] tree

Torn from the pages of Parents magazine last fall, I was pleased to rediscover this simple fall craft  and carve out a bit o' time this week to complete it.  With a quick trip to Michael's for a few additional supplies, which I did not have on hand (I may enjoy a good craft, but do not keep florist's foam and wooden dowels on hand) we were set to begin crafting our apple tree.  The little lady and man enjoyed peeling sticker after sticker, and I appreciated the simplicity of the project, which resulted in what will now be our adorable fall centerpiece.

 

 

Materials

***

plant pot, jar or vase

 florist's foam

wooden dowel

green construction paper (I cut two for each child, and placed them back to back with packing tape.)

 glue or strong tape (such as packing)

apple-shaped stickers

Popsicle stick (or other variety) and photo of your child



an afternoon at eddie's fruit farm

Field trips.  A few stand out from my childhood as particularly memorable. I have even greater memories of planning and organizing them as a teacher.  Yesterday, I was able to enjoy my first field trip as a parent chaperone.

 

The little lady and I were just a tad excited.

 

 

Arriving at Eddie's Fruit Farm for an afternoon of apple picking, observing nature, and frolicking with friends.

 

The little lady and new BFF, Megan.  These two are cut from the same cloth, sharing an affinity for all things social, girlie chit chat, imaginary play, and having dynamic personalities.

 

Processing all that Farmer Bart had to say on the topic of apples.

 

 

Cautiously tasting her first concord grape. 

 

Picky.  Picky. 

The little lady scanned each branch, carefully selecting five apples to bring home.

 

 

The crew - Erin and Nicole's Afternoon Pre-K class

 



A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - shaker residents

It's hard to believe our time in Shaker is coming to an end. 

 Estimated departure date, December 21st.

 



our soulful singer and her little brother

entrepreneurs in training

Last Friday, we joined friends Neko and Katie Grace for the perfect fall play date, a cider and cookie sale.  With cash register full of coins, warm ginger cookies and steaming cider, the girls and little man joyfully made their way to the sidewalk to wave down the friendly folks of Shaker making their way home from work.  The first hour of business was spent tasting their product, frolicking in the grass and waiting expectantly for potential customers.  By 4:30 business had picked up and the kids took turns pouring cider, passing out cookies, collecting cash, and occasionally body checking one another for dibs on the register.  By far the most humorous aspect of the afternoon was watching the children wave their petite arms in the air, pleading with cars to stop, and their hysterical fits of "angry" laughter when cars zoomed by ignoring their boisterous cries of "Ciiiider for Saaaale!"  It was an afternoon filled with laughter as we enjoyed the beauty of fall, the warmth of the setting sun, and making memories with sweet girlfriends.

 

 

Quality control?

The little man spent most of the afternoon sneaking cookies and gulping cider.

 

Desperate, but delightful cries as they spot potential customers coming down the street.

 

"Errrr...they IGNORED us!" [hysterical laughter]

 

Our favorite customer of the afternoon..."It's. MY. Daddy!"

 

 

...and might I add, our tallest customer.

 

The little lady and man were thrilled to walk away with their take of the profit, four quarters each.  That's a lot o' loot.