Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
I am on your side Kerri.
Or, better put, she loves being on her side. K loves, loves, loves just hanging out on her side. She is almost 5 months... holy cow... 5 months, she is getting old.... and has not rolled over yet. Normally I might be worried that the milestone was not hit "on time." But in this case I think it is because she is always in some type of contraption... whether it be a high chair, bouncy seat, bumbo, etc. She is usually strapped in and up high so the B-monster cannot get her. Lately (after realizing she is almost 5 months and not rolled over yet) I decided she needed more time on her back flat on the floor. Funny thing is, she is pretty amazing at balancing right there on her side. Just when I think she is going to tip over, nope, there she is right on her side. She is usually smiling and happy and just generally enjoying herself. I think it actually takes more talent to balance like she does then just tip on over. Good for you Ker-Bear.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Thanks Chris!
My brother, Chris, is a big technology "buff." He loves the newest gadgets and he knows all about them. He is so excited to get the latest item and try it out. What is even more amazing is that he gets just as excited for someone else to get the newest and the latest. He has been so helpful in our quest to get the best (at a reasonable cost) TV for our new family room. He has been researching for months. We finally ordered it. It is coming Friday. I am happy it is coming... He is ecstatic. He can't wait to come hook it up (I thought you just plugged it in?!??) and make it the best it can be for our family.
That's the thing about Chris. He really wants the best for you. I don't say it enough, but thanks Chris for always putting others in front of yourself. I give you a hard time for doing this, but it really is a quality you don't often see these days. It is a quality that should be appreciated more.
And just for that, the next time you call, I am going to be SUPER excited about our new TV!!
That's the thing about Chris. He really wants the best for you. I don't say it enough, but thanks Chris for always putting others in front of yourself. I give you a hard time for doing this, but it really is a quality you don't often see these days. It is a quality that should be appreciated more.
And just for that, the next time you call, I am going to be SUPER excited about our new TV!!
Every once in a while...
I have to stop and thank you God for the blessings you have given my family. I often feel overwhelmed and under appreciated, over scheduled and under paid. Today I just feel blessed. At this moment all is good. I may get up three times tonight to attend to a coughing child, or a bad dream or a potty trip, but honestly, thank God that is all it is. My girls are here. They are healthy. We are happy.
Just another ordinary miracle... that is what every day is. I just need to slow down and realize that. I need to remind myself of that. I need to teach more and "tell" less. I need to stop more and go less. I need to appreciate the moment as it is happening more and worry about the next moment less. It is so easy to say that now as I sit here in a quiet house where everyone is sleeping (and Sean is at the Phillie's game!). It is a whole different story to actually do these things as the day is happening. I need to try. I will fail, but I need to try again. and again. and again.
Just another ordinary miracle... that is what every day is. I just need to slow down and realize that. I need to remind myself of that. I need to teach more and "tell" less. I need to stop more and go less. I need to appreciate the moment as it is happening more and worry about the next moment less. It is so easy to say that now as I sit here in a quiet house where everyone is sleeping (and Sean is at the Phillie's game!). It is a whole different story to actually do these things as the day is happening. I need to try. I will fail, but I need to try again. and again. and again.
Monday, April 13, 2009
A letter to the O'Reilly Girls from 221 Greenbrier Lane
Dear Girls,
This is just a little note to say goodbye and thanks for the memories. You brought light, life and laughter to me for the last 4 1/2 years. I remember when your parents first moved into me. They took much pride in me. They got right to work painting and tiling, "remodeling" and decorating. They loved inviting friends over, and they were always up for a party, planned or impromptu. They even lit candles!
Just two short years later they brought home their first baby girl, Maura Bryn. Oh how hard they worked to make sure that everything was perfect for you, Maura. The nursery was lovingly worked on by lots of family. Grammom and Aunt Mary painted the beautiful mural on the wall. Oba made curtains and helped Daddy paint. Grandad put up wainscoting. Everyone wanted to make sure the princess (or prince) had the perfect castle.
How nice it was to hear the laughs and even the cries of a baby in the house. What a good baby you were too. You rarely cried, and you let me get well deserved rest at night (houses need their beauty sleep too, you know!). Just four months later, we found out another baby was to join the family. I remember, it was right after the Annual St. Patty's Day party that we found out about you. Your mom couldn't believe it and was so excited to tell your dad. She ran right to the Hallmark store to get a "Big Sister" shirt for Maura. It was now time start getting the big girl bedroom ready.
And Maggie, we were all secretly (at least your mom and I) hoping for another little girl. How thrilled I was when your mom and dad put up the stork in the front yard announcing the arrival of another princess. I was proud to see everyone slowing down in front of me to read all about you. It got a little crazier in the house, but they were good crazy times.
The back yard started to get filled with toys and no longer were we lighting candles in the house. We still had friends over now, and they usually came with their kiddos too. I was thrilled to hear the laughter of children echoing in my walls again!
Just when we thought things were slowing down, Miss B arrived. What a wonderful summer that was. There were many trips to the park and even the pool. I missed you when you were gone, but was always happy to hear that front door opening and a burst of life coming through. B was a quiet baby. A good sleeper and a good eater. Maura and Maggie, you two started to share a room, and B was in the nursery. We thought this would work for a while, and it did, but then, we found out about Miss Kerri Jean. I remember it well. Your mom was packing for Ireland. Your dad was away. Boy, was your mommy surprised. She was so anxious for your daddy to get home to tell him about you, Kerri Jean. Kerri Jean, I was thrilled to hear that you were on your way, but I also knew, I would not get to know you as well as the other girls. I knew that you and your family would need to move on and find a new house to fill with love. I wish I got to know you better KJ, but if you are anything like you sisters, you will be full of life (and quite the monkey!).
Girls, I enjoyed my time with you. I hope you hold a little memory somewhere in the back of your mind of the good times you had in me. Please remember that you loved your first house. And know that your house loved you too (best of anyone that has--or will-- live here). I heard you telling your mommy on your last night here that you will miss me. The feeling is mutual. Iwill miss you too!
Love,
Your First House.
This is just a little note to say goodbye and thanks for the memories. You brought light, life and laughter to me for the last 4 1/2 years. I remember when your parents first moved into me. They took much pride in me. They got right to work painting and tiling, "remodeling" and decorating. They loved inviting friends over, and they were always up for a party, planned or impromptu. They even lit candles!
Just two short years later they brought home their first baby girl, Maura Bryn. Oh how hard they worked to make sure that everything was perfect for you, Maura. The nursery was lovingly worked on by lots of family. Grammom and Aunt Mary painted the beautiful mural on the wall. Oba made curtains and helped Daddy paint. Grandad put up wainscoting. Everyone wanted to make sure the princess (or prince) had the perfect castle.
How nice it was to hear the laughs and even the cries of a baby in the house. What a good baby you were too. You rarely cried, and you let me get well deserved rest at night (houses need their beauty sleep too, you know!). Just four months later, we found out another baby was to join the family. I remember, it was right after the Annual St. Patty's Day party that we found out about you. Your mom couldn't believe it and was so excited to tell your dad. She ran right to the Hallmark store to get a "Big Sister" shirt for Maura. It was now time start getting the big girl bedroom ready.
And Maggie, we were all secretly (at least your mom and I) hoping for another little girl. How thrilled I was when your mom and dad put up the stork in the front yard announcing the arrival of another princess. I was proud to see everyone slowing down in front of me to read all about you. It got a little crazier in the house, but they were good crazy times.
The back yard started to get filled with toys and no longer were we lighting candles in the house. We still had friends over now, and they usually came with their kiddos too. I was thrilled to hear the laughter of children echoing in my walls again!
Just when we thought things were slowing down, Miss B arrived. What a wonderful summer that was. There were many trips to the park and even the pool. I missed you when you were gone, but was always happy to hear that front door opening and a burst of life coming through. B was a quiet baby. A good sleeper and a good eater. Maura and Maggie, you two started to share a room, and B was in the nursery. We thought this would work for a while, and it did, but then, we found out about Miss Kerri Jean. I remember it well. Your mom was packing for Ireland. Your dad was away. Boy, was your mommy surprised. She was so anxious for your daddy to get home to tell him about you, Kerri Jean. Kerri Jean, I was thrilled to hear that you were on your way, but I also knew, I would not get to know you as well as the other girls. I knew that you and your family would need to move on and find a new house to fill with love. I wish I got to know you better KJ, but if you are anything like you sisters, you will be full of life (and quite the monkey!).
Girls, I enjoyed my time with you. I hope you hold a little memory somewhere in the back of your mind of the good times you had in me. Please remember that you loved your first house. And know that your house loved you too (best of anyone that has--or will-- live here). I heard you telling your mommy on your last night here that you will miss me. The feeling is mutual. Iwill miss you too!
Love,
Your First House.
We're In!
We have officially moved into our new house, well my new house, Sean's old house, but new now... yes it is all confusing. It all happened so quickly, but then again it didn't. We have been waiting for two years, but then once Sean's parents bought their new house, everything seemed to go very quickly. Again, confusing. We listed our house mid March. 10 days later it sold. 30 days later (tomorrow) we are turning the keys over to a new family. I am sad, happy, relieved and nervous all at once. I hope that our old house brings great memories to the new owners. it served us well. We brought all four of our girls home to that house. We feel comfortable there. We feel at home there. I am sure this new house will also serve us well... the memories and all that, but for now I am going to be a little sad to say goodbye to the old one. I am also sad to say goodbye to our neighborhood and our church. I already told Sean if we have another (Holy Hannah!) child, I want to baptize her at Sacred Heart where the other girls were baptized, even though it will not be our parish any more. I got chocked up saying goodbye to Father Mckee on Sunday (we made the commute on last time!). Ahh...
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Saturday, April 4, 2009
B update
B has been talking more and more everyday. Sometimes she will just surprise you, like the other day when we were playing with a tub toy (a purple one) and she said "Purple" very clearly. She can pretty much repeat what you say, if she wants.
She is also still very, very busy. She never stops. She runs as fast as she can, arms and hands flapping in the wind, and looks back and you with her snaggletooth grin, as if to say, "I dare you to try and catch me." She knows when she is doing something wrong, she just does not care... unless there is a threat of no treat. She really does just want to do what the big girls do. The other day she was all the way up on the top of the monkey bars ready to cross. I got there just in time.
She also loves to sit on the potty. She also tells me when she needs a new diaper. She will bring over the diapers and wipes and lie on the floor if you are not quick enough. I am so NOT ready for potty training. I am waiting until the weather is nice and there are no more layers. It is much easier to change an accident when it involves a sundress and panties.
She is also still very, very busy. She never stops. She runs as fast as she can, arms and hands flapping in the wind, and looks back and you with her snaggletooth grin, as if to say, "I dare you to try and catch me." She knows when she is doing something wrong, she just does not care... unless there is a threat of no treat. She really does just want to do what the big girls do. The other day she was all the way up on the top of the monkey bars ready to cross. I got there just in time.
She also loves to sit on the potty. She also tells me when she needs a new diaper. She will bring over the diapers and wipes and lie on the floor if you are not quick enough. I am so NOT ready for potty training. I am waiting until the weather is nice and there are no more layers. It is much easier to change an accident when it involves a sundress and panties.
You know it is not good...
...when the preschool teacher asks if she could talk to you for a minute, then takes you far away from all the other moms to discuss your child. Apparently Maura, once the ideal, conscientious student, has been slacking off a bit in class. Her work has been sloppy, when it used to be so neat. When we asked her about it, she said she wants to win the contest. "What contest would that be?" The one to see who can write and draw the fastest. Apparently it is a quiet contest... maybe between Maura and herself? We aren't really sure. What do you say? You're four now Maura, time to straighten up and get serious about your work!
At least she's not the smelly kid!
At least she's not the smelly kid!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Taking turns
We all try to teach our children to take turns and share, but this is a bit much. The last few days B and KJ have been taking turns waking up at night. Mommy and Daddy need our sleep. Please, if you want to cry for one (or even two) hours at night, that is fine, just try to coordinate it with your sister. I am tired and may very well wreck my car.
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