Stall Techniques

Symeon has become a master at stalling.  When it is time to do something he does not like he suddenly is so thirsty he is going to pass out without a drink or he is so hungry he can't possibly take another step without consuming some food.

A great example is when it is time to go to bed.  He frantically looks around for something he needs to do before heading off to bed.  Tonight I was laughing so hard because when I said ok Symeon give Daddy loves it is time to go to bed he began to cry and went into his room and closed the door.  I thought well I guess he is going to bed.  A minute later he came out and went to the fridge saying he was hungry.  I am always a bit torn when it comes to denying him food because in general he does not say he is hungry unless he really is so we settled on him having a graham cracker which he could eat while we read books.  I think he used that minute alone in his room to think of the food idea.

Then when we were in his room reading books I told him I needed to put his "medicine" on his face which is lotion since this time of year his cheeks are chapped.   So as usual after I put it on him he wants me to put it on my face which I do but tonight he took it to another level and wanted lotion on the lamp and the chair and the fan.  I had to laugh he is getting good.

Then after "needing" about 20 drinks of water which I denied I put him in his bed where he proceeded to let me know that Cat his stuffed animal needed medicine on his face.  So I applied a little to cat's cheeks kissed Symeon and called it a night.  I can't imagine what else he will come  up with when he really starts talking but I am sure he will have me laughing like he did tonight.  I so appreciate his creative inventive spirit in all aspects of life even bedtime.  

Meeting Santa

Our church has a fun night every year for the entire community to come play games, hear Christmas stories, drink coco, eat cookies, do a craft and meet Santa.  This year Symeon really enjoyed himself and try to guess who liked Santa and who tried to escape from his lap. 

 

 Here  is Symeon playing with the train set it was a big hit with all the kids. 

 

 Here he is making a snowman ornament.  It was the first ornament he ever made and I am so excited to see it every year when I hang it on our tree. 

 

 Here is Symeon trying to escape from Santa.  Believe it or not Symeon wanted nothing to do with him... which means guess who liked him?

Yes Marin was quite taken with Santa she didn't cry she just looked at him and pulled at his beard.  Maybe we just need to have Santa babysit her? 

6 month photo shoot

When I was home in CT several weeks ago my dear, talented, wise, lovely friend, who listens well, offers Godly advice and with whom I have been laughing with about the silliest things for over 20 years did a photo shoot of Marin and I.  I wanted to make sure Marin had 6 month pictures that were all her own so having Lisa do this for us was such a blessing.  Lisa is still working on editing the photos but she sent me one of her favorites and I am sure it is to be one of  mine as well.  You are a gift my dear friend in so many ways!!  Many thanks!!

Our little climbers

Yes I do mean climbers plural.  I don't think 6 month old babies are suppose to climb but since Marin has figured out that she can pull her self up to standing I guess climbing was the next logical step.  Well Symeon is Symeon and climbing has always been a part of his life.

She was stuck up there and cried because she could not figure out how to get down.

           The climb                            Steadying himself

And he's up.  We have found him doing this the last several days he always has the biggest smile on his face. 

Oh Christmas Tree Oh Christmas Tree...

How lovely are your branches!  We had a great time this weekend putting up our Christmas tree with the kids.  Symeon is in love with the tree and wants to show it to anyone who stops in for a visit.  We havea small tree since we have always lived in small places so we decided to put the tree up on a table to keep our little climbers from pulling over the tree.  We also decided to make it a joyous season for us all we would buy some bulbs and put them on rather than our memory ornaments that can't be replaced.  Let's face it even if we do not let the kids touch the tree and discipline them for touching it they are most likely going to touch it at some point and if my ornament from our honeymoon in Venice, Italy was broken I might hold a grudge against one of my children.  So with all that said we decided to have a funky tree that is fun and makes all of us a bit more relaxed during this season.

 

  The helpers

I love this picture Marin's expression is like Oh my gosh he didn't

Symeon and Daddy hanging the ornaments

Symeon and Marin in the lights bin and in front of the almost finished tree.

Ahhh I love the warmth a Christmas tree brings to a home!

Recycle

I have always been an advocate of recycling and have always recycled but in the last six months life has been so busy that honestly washing out jars and carrying out the recycling often felt like more than I could manage.  In the last month I do feel like a life rhythm is again being established and thus I have renewed my recycling commitment.  I am not always able to take it out as often as I would like but we are once again recycling and being more intentional about living out our values.

Here I am hauling out the recycling late one night.  We had so much I had to take the elevator.  Shawn thought it was so funny he decided to take a picture rather than  help.  Thanks Buddy!  

 

Thanksgiving

We had a blessed and restful Thanksgiving.  This is the first time in many many years I have not worked on Thanksgiving and although I don't really mind working it was a nice change of pace and a much needed time of rest and relaxation.  We spent the holiday with Shawn's brother Jeff his wife Katie and their kids Sam who is 2 and a half and Maya who is 10 months.  We had such a fun time together and the kids really enjoyed each others company.  Here are a few of my favorite pictures of our holiday. 

 

 The happy four Maya 10 months, Symeon 1 1/2, Sam 2 1/2, Marin 6 months

 

The girls enjoying a light drink

 

These two might be trouble when they get a bit bigger!

 

 

 The boys baking Nana's famous apple pie.  They did a great  job!

 

A little wrestling

 We spent a lot of time outside throwing rocks in the water, eating M&M's and playing on the porch.

 

Here are our guys enjoying s'mores.  True to their personalities Sam sat and savored his while Symeon had a few bites and then he was off again.  

 

Marin enjoying her first Thanksgiving.  She was the only one awake when it came time to eat which was fine with us adults. 

 

 Handing out Cherrios to the crowd.  This was a favorite snack the whole weekend. 

 

Uncle Shawn and Sam enjoying a snack

 

 Marin and her Uncle Jeff, we are hoping at Christmas she will let people hold her but honestly this might be as good as it gets. 

 

Maya loves to eat!  She spent a ton of time in her seat enjoying life.  Here she is with a black bean beard it was adorable!

 

Katie and Maya enjoying the campfire.  Love that faux fur Maya!

So Busy

Marin is very busy these days.  She is getting into everything and has begun pulling herself up on stuff.  When we went for her 6 month check up the doctor said she is doing things that a 9 month old would do.  She is so similar to Symeon in that regard, he was also a very busy baby.  They both rolled over at 3 months, sat up at 4 months, and crawled at 5 months.  Symeon took his first steps at 10 months so we will see if Marin continues on the same path.  If she does that means we will have two walkers in just a few months.  I'm not sure Shawn and I are quite ready for that adventure.

 

 

If you are wondering what you are looking at Marin loves to drink out of Symeon's water bottle.  She sucks up so much water we have to take it away from her.  She will go to any lengths to get it and since she has not quite figured out how to set it up right she will often lay on her side drinking away.  

Phish

Shawn is a huge Phish fan and he went to a show recently in Philly.  In my younger childless days I would often go with him but to be honest concerts of any sort are not really my thing.  I can't stand large crowds of people, I hate standing for an entire show when I paid for a seat, and the clincher I am often in bed long before 2 am which is when he got home.  I know I may sound old but I have been like this since I was a teenager except for the 2 am thing.  Anyway Shawn had  a great time and he had amazing seats 6th row from the stage dead center.  He came back with some cute shirts for the kids I think Phish fans are mostly in their 30's now with kids so they are catering to their fans.

 

 Phish Show

Future Phish Fans

(Oh wait Phish will probably be way to old to be touring by the time they would be allowed to go to a show.  Sorry future Phish fans I guess you will have to find your own band to love and follow.)

Daddy's Girl

Symeon and I were out the other night a little later than we expected and when we got home this is how we found Marin.  She often falls asleep on Shawn, in his lap, on his shoulder, or sucking on his fingers.  I guess it is easy to sleep when you feel so loved

CT Friends and Family

Marin and I recently took a flight to CT for a long weekend.  We had such a wonderful time visiting with my family and dear friends.  In one short weekend we had a photo shoot with Lisa who is an amazingly gifted photographer some pictures soon to follow, celebrated my niece Clover's 8th birthday, and had a small reunion with some high school friends.  It was a wonderful and restful time for us both. 


I have not seen some of my high school friends in a number of years so it was really special to get together reconnect and meet each others children.  Here are a few pictures from a really special afternoon.  You are all such a great group of women and I really enjoyed our time together.  It did get pretty wild with lots of little ones running around but that made the day even more special.  We have gone from knee socks, polyester skirts, and maroon sweaters to motherhood together what a blessing to continue having these friendships through the years.   

Michelle and William

Lourdes and Danielle

Here is the whole group minus some willing photographers.  There were kids ranging from 17 years to 6 months, an adorable set of twins, many handsome little guys, and two new babies on the way.  AHF created the bond and I am forever grateful. 


Here are some family photos.  Do you think Marin and my brother's daughter Clover look just a bit alike? They were super sweet together.