Maura lost her first tooth on December 22, 2010. Her two bottom teeth were loose for a while. I thought it would happen any day for the last month. She was hoping it would happen any day for the last six months. It seemed her baby teeth really liked her mouth as they stuck around pretty long. It was getting pretty disheartening to her that all her friends (most younger) were losing their teeth, then her little cousin Caitlin, then to really rub it in Chloe (Mag's bff) lost hers! So I told her, in desperation, the longer they stayed in, the better the "prize" from the Tooth Fairy. ell, that made her a little happier.
This last week they were very loose. I mean sideways in her mouth loose. On Wednesday she stayed at the Y to swim with her cousins and it was barely holding on. Luckily they rushed home where she yelled for me to run downstairs. I did and she showed me sideways-barely-holding-on-bloody tooth. She calmly said she was going to take it out. And she did... just pulled it right out.
The next day her second tooth fell out. She kept both on her shelf. She wanted to put them under her pillow Christmas Eve (I may have mentioned how cool that would be). So the Tooth Fairy and Santa left her a little something. Mags collected the Fairy Dust left behind by the fairy (Maura did not notice that, just the golden coins and moo-lah). I hope it was worth the wait.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Bye Bye Lights
Kerri loves her some Christmas lights. Unfortunately for her we do not live in Havertown anymore where lights (especially colored ones) were plentiful and blow up Christmas decorations adorned every other yard. Round these parts it is beautiful, but in a white lights and red bows kind of way. Still, she loves it. As we drive she yells LIGHTS, LIGHTS, LIGHTS as we drive by, you guessed it, a house with lights, then yells, just as loudly BYE LIGHTS right after we pass them. Repeat. This is fun to hear, because I was reading past blogs this evening, and I was reminded at how quiet our little Ker-Bear used to be. Things have indeed changed. She likes to be heard now. And I like to hear her.
Not a creature was stirring, especially not Mags.
On Christmas Eve (while daddy was balled up in our bed with the flu) Maggie and I checked the Internet (NORAD) to see where Santa was. Well, he was somewhere in Africa. When I showed Mags how close he was to the "water" (aka Atlantic Ocean) and how we were just on the other side, she immediately decided she wanted to go to bed. It was 5:30 pm. We had not eaten dinner, had dessert- which I had just let them pick out since our annual Christmas Eve dinner with the Smiths was called off sue to illness- written our letter to Santa, put out cookies... you get it, we had not done any of the Christmas Eve prep that goes on when you have little ones. None of that mattered. Maggie was going to bed She ran up the stairs, brushed her teeth, threw on her Christmas jammies, which she previously refused to wear because she did not like the cut of them, but was too nervous to worry about that now, and was asleep by 5:45.
The rest of the girls were asleep by 8:00, but there is really no evidence of Christmas Eve night in our house. With Daddy being sick and Mags in bed.. well, the documentation just did not happen. Maura wrote a great note to Santa, making sure he knew that she had not one, but two teeth under her pillow. We fed Santa and the reindeer. We said goodbye to the elf. We read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. And then all was quiet... for ten minutes. Then the hard work began. The tooth fairy was nice enough to write a nice letter to Maura and leave Fairy dust. Santa also wrote a few letters, one for the teeth, one for the cookies. The elf had to too. Boy, they should have thought about writing them a little sooner, so as not to have to do it all in one night. The presents appeared, by that time daddy was able to get out of bed and help Santa carry the larger items... like the three story doll house! And then 9:23 came along and all was quiet again. It's a Wonderful Life was watched by the fire light. Wine was poured (for me, not sicky) and it hit me... Life Really is Good... real good!
The rest of the girls were asleep by 8:00, but there is really no evidence of Christmas Eve night in our house. With Daddy being sick and Mags in bed.. well, the documentation just did not happen. Maura wrote a great note to Santa, making sure he knew that she had not one, but two teeth under her pillow. We fed Santa and the reindeer. We said goodbye to the elf. We read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. And then all was quiet... for ten minutes. Then the hard work began. The tooth fairy was nice enough to write a nice letter to Maura and leave Fairy dust. Santa also wrote a few letters, one for the teeth, one for the cookies. The elf had to too. Boy, they should have thought about writing them a little sooner, so as not to have to do it all in one night. The presents appeared, by that time daddy was able to get out of bed and help Santa carry the larger items... like the three story doll house! And then 9:23 came along and all was quiet again. It's a Wonderful Life was watched by the fire light. Wine was poured (for me, not sicky) and it hit me... Life Really is Good... real good!
Bye bye crib.
Dear Crib,
You have served us well these 6 years and 4 months. Never was there a time you got to rest. Never did you get put on hold, never did you go in a spare room. For a while you were joined by a second crib. The two of you worked well together, keeping young children safe while sleeping, but it is sad to say, it is time for you to go.
Sean lovingly dismantled you (just as lovingly and carefully as he assembled you, I am sure) yesterday. You are resting comfortably in the attic, and our "baby" Kerri is resting comfortably in her full sized bed complete with feather bed and down comforter. Not that you were not comfortable hard, plastic, crib mattress, but let me just tell you that Kerri dove into her new bed last night and slept twelve hours until her sisters came and woke her up. She is now napping soundly.
I must say, crib, as well as you have served us, I do have one complaint, by the age of 2 years and 1 month (some sooner, none later), all of my children were easily scaling your walls. I am not sure if the blame lies in you or in the DNA make up of my children (obviously fault of Sean and I) but it does seem quite suspicious that all four easily climbed right out of you. I have heard rumor and legend of other children staying in their cribs until 3, sometimes 4 years of age!
We have put you away faithful ol' crib. Not sure if you will be taken out again or passed on to someone else, but please know you were loved and appreciated.
Autumn (the mom)
You have served us well these 6 years and 4 months. Never was there a time you got to rest. Never did you get put on hold, never did you go in a spare room. For a while you were joined by a second crib. The two of you worked well together, keeping young children safe while sleeping, but it is sad to say, it is time for you to go.
Sean lovingly dismantled you (just as lovingly and carefully as he assembled you, I am sure) yesterday. You are resting comfortably in the attic, and our "baby" Kerri is resting comfortably in her full sized bed complete with feather bed and down comforter. Not that you were not comfortable hard, plastic, crib mattress, but let me just tell you that Kerri dove into her new bed last night and slept twelve hours until her sisters came and woke her up. She is now napping soundly.
I must say, crib, as well as you have served us, I do have one complaint, by the age of 2 years and 1 month (some sooner, none later), all of my children were easily scaling your walls. I am not sure if the blame lies in you or in the DNA make up of my children (obviously fault of Sean and I) but it does seem quite suspicious that all four easily climbed right out of you. I have heard rumor and legend of other children staying in their cribs until 3, sometimes 4 years of age!
We have put you away faithful ol' crib. Not sure if you will be taken out again or passed on to someone else, but please know you were loved and appreciated.
Autumn (the mom)
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Kerri is Two
Well, our little KJ has turned two years old. It seems like she just all of a sudden became a big girl. I know it was happening all along, but bam, I turned around, and there she was, doing all the things her sisters do and talking up a storm.
She had a small little "party" with B, Jimmy and Brady at our house while the older kids went to make gingerbread houses. Later that night we had my parents and Sue over for another party. She loved it. At first she did not quite understand the idea of the gifts, but she soon figured out that these were her HER new baby dolls! She got about four new dolls, a leapfrog letter writer, a car, a car ramp/garage, a crib for her dolls and a pillow pet. She loved it all.
Kerri is very independent. If she wants a drink, she very well might get it herself. She can get out the cups, find a lid, go to the sink, pull over the step stool, and poor herself a glass of water. She may leave the water on, but let's not get picky!
She also knows exactly what she wants and when she wants it. If she can not clearly tell you what she wants, or you are not moving fast enough, she will grab your hand/arm/leg/shirt and pull you to it.
She has a hearty laugh. It is contagious. She really can't help but smile when you hear her laughing. She is very ticklish so it is easy to get her to laugh.
She loves her sisters and loves to help them. She calls Maura, raura. She calls Maggie, uggie. She calls Bridgey, didgey. It is very cute to hear her calling their names. She loves bringing stuff to them too. She is a great delivery girl.
She loves to snuggle. She will lie on your chest as long as you will let her. She used to love going to bed and would practically dive in. This was until recently. She now gets out of her crib, turns on her light and changes her clothes all by herself. I said she was independent.
She works hard for her sisters' approval, but won't think twice about whacking one of them in the head if they do something not nice, especially to another sister.
She loves Jay and all things dogs. Her favorite book is Brown Bear, Brown Bear. Maggie and Maura "read" it to her over and over again.
KJ you make me laugh. You are always ready to go, go, go. I never have to ask you twice to get your coat or shoes on. You are the first one at the door ready to go. You do get shy sometimes, and when you do, you get a littel scowl on your face... you look mad.
I love watching you grow and learn. I look forward to seeing what new mischief you will get into tomorrow, because I am sure there will be some.
She had a small little "party" with B, Jimmy and Brady at our house while the older kids went to make gingerbread houses. Later that night we had my parents and Sue over for another party. She loved it. At first she did not quite understand the idea of the gifts, but she soon figured out that these were her HER new baby dolls! She got about four new dolls, a leapfrog letter writer, a car, a car ramp/garage, a crib for her dolls and a pillow pet. She loved it all.
Kerri is very independent. If she wants a drink, she very well might get it herself. She can get out the cups, find a lid, go to the sink, pull over the step stool, and poor herself a glass of water. She may leave the water on, but let's not get picky!
She also knows exactly what she wants and when she wants it. If she can not clearly tell you what she wants, or you are not moving fast enough, she will grab your hand/arm/leg/shirt and pull you to it.
She has a hearty laugh. It is contagious. She really can't help but smile when you hear her laughing. She is very ticklish so it is easy to get her to laugh.
She loves her sisters and loves to help them. She calls Maura, raura. She calls Maggie, uggie. She calls Bridgey, didgey. It is very cute to hear her calling their names. She loves bringing stuff to them too. She is a great delivery girl.
She loves to snuggle. She will lie on your chest as long as you will let her. She used to love going to bed and would practically dive in. This was until recently. She now gets out of her crib, turns on her light and changes her clothes all by herself. I said she was independent.
She works hard for her sisters' approval, but won't think twice about whacking one of them in the head if they do something not nice, especially to another sister.
She loves Jay and all things dogs. Her favorite book is Brown Bear, Brown Bear. Maggie and Maura "read" it to her over and over again.
KJ you make me laugh. You are always ready to go, go, go. I never have to ask you twice to get your coat or shoes on. You are the first one at the door ready to go. You do get shy sometimes, and when you do, you get a littel scowl on your face... you look mad.
I love watching you grow and learn. I look forward to seeing what new mischief you will get into tomorrow, because I am sure there will be some.
Christmas Shows
Mags performed in her concert this year. She did great. She mouthed all the words and did all the motions. This is a huge improvement from a year ago. Last year she would not even walk (or let us push/carry/pull her) through the doorway. She made us a beautiful wreath of handprints. She was very proud to show off all the stuff in her room. She also loved being with her Friends. I am loving this year for her.
B also had her show. She proudly walked in her room. She did not bother much to mouth the words, but she did do most of the motions. She too made a beautiful wreath and an ornament for the tree. Very special. We were lucky that Sue could come to Maggie's show and Sue and Tim both came to B's show (my parents were sick). We were also lucky Kerri could make it, as she had a belly bug (that cricket) the day before.
B also had her show. She proudly walked in her room. She did not bother much to mouth the words, but she did do most of the motions. She too made a beautiful wreath and an ornament for the tree. Very special. We were lucky that Sue could come to Maggie's show and Sue and Tim both came to B's show (my parents were sick). We were also lucky Kerri could make it, as she had a belly bug (that cricket) the day before.
Funny Bridgey!
Our B has grown into quite the comedian. She loves to dance and sing silly songs... if you'll laugh. She loves a good knock, knock joke. Sometimes she is the funniest when she is not trying to be funny at all. Here is a conversation in the car the other day.
Mom: Be nice the Kerri; she is sick.
B: Why is she sick, Mom?
Mom: She caught a little bug in her tummy.
B: Oh, did she swallow one of those crickets from the basement?
Mom: Be nice the Kerri; she is sick.
B: Why is she sick, Mom?
Mom: She caught a little bug in her tummy.
B: Oh, did she swallow one of those crickets from the basement?
Friday, December 10, 2010
Life is Sweet
We just got back from Hershey Park. It was a "birthday gift" for Kerri, but the poor thing got sick and could not go. I felt badly at first, but after going, she was much better off at my parents' warm house, rather than in 30 degree weather shoved... I mean bundled oh so tenderly, in a stroller. We went withe the Smith family, so everyone was very excited. I think B might have been the most excited to have a "sleepover" with Brady, as she has been asking for one for weeks.
It was a fun time, a meltdown or two, but mostly lots of fun, especially considering it was 32degrees outside! When the girls saw Santa they all froze and the only thing they could say they wanted was: Maura: toys; Maggie: toys; Bridget:toys... not very helpful for Mommy elf!
I think swimming in the hotel pool and the breakfast buffets were the biggest hits. Overall, a sweet time was had in the sweetest place on earth!
It was a fun time, a meltdown or two, but mostly lots of fun, especially considering it was 32degrees outside! When the girls saw Santa they all froze and the only thing they could say they wanted was: Maura: toys; Maggie: toys; Bridget:toys... not very helpful for Mommy elf!
I think swimming in the hotel pool and the breakfast buffets were the biggest hits. Overall, a sweet time was had in the sweetest place on earth!
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