Recent pics

Still need to find one of Leksa, but this'll hold you in the meantime, right?

Winter update

Been lazy about blogging again. Sorry about that. I could have blogged that Abrielle put her hands together yesterday (a milestone, according to the parenting books), and Adam read an entire Hardy Boys book in one morning. And Liana called the part in her hair her "head crack" the other day. I guess I could have told you all about all that. Guess I just did. ;O)

And another day Liana stuck red dot stickers all over her face and I told her I felt like playing dot-to-dot, and she told me to do it, and so I told her to go get a marker and I would, and she did, so.... what was I to do? I played dot-to-dot on her face! It was washable marker though. She did pretend to be mad about it, but it was the first thing she told John when he came through the door that night. ;O) (And while this picture makes her look like her mother is the meanest lady on the planet, please understand she's Quite the actress, and that she BEGGED me to post this!)

This winter aside from freezing (it has been bitter cold here), and adjusting to a new little one in the family, I've been having fun decorating the house. John and I decided that it was time to replace some of our old furniture. We are now at the point with the kids that we don't worry that they'll TRASH the house, so we can get some new things without worrying so hard that they'll be destroyed in two seconds. I can't tell you what a relieve that is! Our poor old couch had holes in it, worn spots, stains on it; you name it. And our kitchen table! Uff da. That needed replacing about two years ago. Two of the chairs literally lost back slats when people sat in them. We always held our breath that they'd hold together for company so nobody would be mortified. I've been ok with not having "nice stuff" because I knew that the places that we've been living have been temporary anyway, so why worry about decorating. Plus, if ya don't have cash to buy it, it doesn't appeal to me in the first place. Well, it occurred to me that the kids are going to be all grown up by the time I "get around" to having the house (wherever that may be) cozied up with "pretties." So, we sprung some money out of savings and I've been watching for sales and deals ever since. Looks rather homey around here. New curtains, new livingroom and diningroom furniture, etc. Even some new dishes. Well, used; I got the dishes off Ebay. Even got a few pieces of mom's china pattern off Ebay for some really good deals.

Anyway, that's the scoop. Hope you all are staying warm and enjoying your families. Make a memory today!

Checking on Babykins

I asked John to check on the baby, who I had wheeled over to the window to get some sunshine while the rest of us had breakfast. I happened to look up to catch this sight. Thankfully the camera was within reach...

Happy Birthday Adam!

It is Adam's 13th birthday today! :O) Adam and I made his birthday cake this morning - cheesecake! This is the first one I've ever made from scratch, so I'm hoping it turns out. The batter was good, but who knows if we did it right. I bought lots of pie filling for topping though, so if the cheesecake doesn't turn out, we'll just dump more cherries on top, right? ;O)

John and I realized last night that starting today, we're going to have teenagers in the house for the next NINETEEN YEARS except a three month stretch between Aleksa's 20th and Abrielle's 13th birthdays.

I can feel those gray hairs sprouting already! LOL!

That Mothering Instinct

It was one of those lay-around-the-house-all-day kind of Sundays... Lots of sickness over here, so we stayed home and layed low. John has walking pneumonia, and I still have a cold or flu, or whatever it is, that has hung on strong since last Monday.

This afternoon Liana was sitting on my lap, Aleksa was right next to me and we were just hanging out together on the couch talking. Liana suddenly said, "Mama, I'm not going to burp."

And I realized that I had been pounding her back like I do to Abrielle.

I blinked a few times and started to chuckle. Hadn't realized I was "burping" her at all! I suppose by 9 years old, she probably can manage that on her own. But in case she ever needs any help, I guess she knows where to come!

Speaking of ingrained mothering, I've noticed since Abrielle has been born that my mother-bear inclinations toward the other three have cranked up to new levels. Probably hormones, I suppose, but I do think it is interesting that suddenly I'm ready to do battle with anyone who remotely speaks unkindly/unfairly/unwhateverly to my kids. Once last week John told one of the kids at the table not to put too much salt on their food, and I was about ready to take HIM outside. (Well, I should add that I didn't say anything, but I know I shot him a Look!) Over salt?!? Before Abrielle was born it probably would have been ME telling Adam not to put too much salt on his potatoes!

It's hormones. It's gotta be.

This is rough though, because John and I are ALWAYS on the same page where the kids are concerned. That has been a huge blessing because where most couples spend a good chunk of time getting on the same wavelength with their parenting philosophies, etc., John and I just "know" what eachother thinks about things and think the same thing ourselves. Like the other day I realized that never once did we even THINK about discussing whether or not I would nurse Abrielle. It was just a given that I would. Like a complete "no duh" given.

Anyway, I just think it is interesting that there is such a new dimension to this parenting stuff. That mothering instinct is serious business.