Super Smiles

Maeve is generous with her smiles and I am happy to announce that she is officially cooing! Sweetest sounds in the world!

Christmas 2010

Our simple Christmas!


Before we discovered the tedium of putting together the farm set, Jamie and I enjoyed the first fire of the holiday season while watching About a Boy and drinking Senorial Sangria. Ahhh.


Jamie: "This set was very German in that every single piece fit together perfectly and the diagrams for putting it together were very clear and easy to understand. It was also very German in that there were 771 pieces of minutiae!"


Asher and Soren were immediately drawn to the 'box' of their biggest Christmas gift and were thrilled and mostly tortured by it because it was partially constructed.








Could Maeve be any cuter? Do you see how turbo she is holding her head up so well?


Christmas Cutes!

Jamie and I were certain that the train table drama of last year would not be repeated this year and that we would have a leisurely Christmas Eve. Not so much. We were not prepared for the nearly thousand pieces to be constructed for Asher and Soren's big gift--a playmobile farm set. By 1am I was begging to go to bed and Jamie was completely with me--prior to that we had enjoyed a beautiful evening with a cozy fire. I wonder what surprises next year will bring!

After such a LATE night we were blessed with three kids who slept in! Maeve was the first to wake at 8am and the boys followed at 8:30, which is very late for them. Maeve was back in bed by the time the boys were up so Jamie and I watched the boys gleefully unwrap their gifts!

Soren was NOT impressed with the clothing gifts and he aggressively tossed them aside and paced the tree until we handed him real presents (read: toys). It was a simple Christmas but it doesn't take many toys to make a few little boys completely happy.

Later that morning I made orange cardamom rolls and they will become a Christmas morning staple in our home. I made them using the new Kitchenaid Mixer my parents got me for Christmas--THANK YOU! We took the rolls and Coquito and had Christmas crepes and quiche with our dear friends the Ludlows. This was our third year having crepes and quiche at their home on Christmas and I hope it is a tradition we keep for as long as we are all living in the area. We had a fabulous time eating cheesy goodnes and drinking the sensual coquito. Maeve impressed everyone with her amazing baby skills of being totally awesome and sweet.

After departing our friend's house and while everyone napped, I made Christmas dinner. We had tofurkey (don't laugh-we LOVE it), homemade herbed stuffing, roasted asparagus and red pepper with goat cheese, cranberry sauce, gravy, and grape 'cocktails.' It was an impressive meal to all but Soren--he only chugged the drink. Typical.

Asher declared that he had heard Santa's sleigh over our house--that's the spirit!

I will never tire of hearing Asher and Soren say 'combine harvester' and I love that the humble helicopter, which was once 'cocker,' is now always an emergency rescue helicopter. Boys are awesome.

Asher has named his new farmer Darf Whoville and his wife is Donnie. I'll have to take a photo of this farmer because he makes me laugh every time I see him--he has the look of a hardened alcoholic. At the end of the day the farm looks like it is operated by a drunkard so it's a very fitting look for the farmer.

Christmas was wonderful and we even had snow! Yay!

Christmas Eve

Eating chocolate bagels at Wegmans.




Asher fell asleep with his hand in the goldfish bag.


The Deuce rearrange the nativity.


Nothing like adding a garbage truck, Henry the train, a VW bug, a mixer, and a police car to one's nativity set.


Asher man with his little sister.


Asher holds a freaked out Maeve while Soren tenderly cradles the baby Jesus.


Toddlers and infants are the BEST!

Three-year-olds make the holidays extremely dynamic and interesting. Any time Jamie and I would mention that Santa would visit on Christmas Eve night--Asher and Soren would protest and INSIST that he comes in the morning and NOT the evening. They were very passionate about correcting us. They make me laugh. When Soren woke up on Christmas Eve he came down the stairs wiping tears off of his face and declared in sadness, "I though today was Christmas! It's not Christmas." He was devastated...but not for long because we had a very exciting day planned.

Jamie was the event planner for Christmas Eve and presented us with a very active day full of surprises for the boys. We had breakfast at Wegmans where the boys got chocolate "bagels." I love Jamie for many reasons but I was really touched that he would suggest we start our day at Wegmans because I love me some Wegmans.

After breakfast we went to a bounce house where the boys played hard for nearly two hours. It was a real treat because I don't really like those type of places--mostly because I have little tolerance for the shenanigans of the older kids who always end up acting like jerks. The place was not crowded so the boys had a great time.

After much needed naps we went out Italian food and rounded out the day's activities with a drive through a local festival of lights. When we got home all the kids wore their new pj's, gifted from grandma Weiss. Once again I was so thrilled to see all THREE of my kids together gathered around the Christmas tree and as usual, trying to get all three of them to look at the camera in unison was impossible.

Jamie used our nativity set to talk about the birth of Jesus. Asher and Soren had fun lining up all the pieces and included a few other 'friends.' They also declared that there was PLENTY of room at the inn for baby Jesus. I like their version of the story.

I have always loved Christmas Eve and it is an especially memorable and special day with children.

The Merriest of Christmases

I have felt the love of this holiday very personally. There is something about nurturing children--specifically an infant that makes me feel close to God. I desire to be a good mom and I don't think that is possible without the guidance from a loving God. Being the primary source of nourishment, attention, and enthusiastic affection for Maeve has been such a joy. I LOVE baby babes and Maeve is such a dream--she smiles at me all the time and is turning into a champion sleeper. The other morning when I tiredly got out of bed in the wee hours of the morning to succor her--she gave me an enormous smile when I lifted her out of her crib and I was suddenly grateful and happy to be awake. I am astonished at the times and places where the tender mercies of God fill my life.

I love that this season gives many of us greater cause to reflect on the birth and life of Jesus Christ. I think that simply in the consideration of Him we become better, kinder people. As I was reading the scriptures earlier this month I came upon one of my favorite passages and it was suddenly clear to me that it perfectly conveyed the meaning of Christmas.

2 Nephi 26: 24-25

24He doeth not ^aanything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he ^bloveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw ^call men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.

25Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: ^aCome unto me all ye ^bends of the earth, ^cbuy milk and honey, without money and without price.

There is no better way to describe our Savior, whom we celebrate so enthusiastically this time of year. I love that his love, his gospel, and his salvation is absolutely inclusive. He wants us ALL to partake of his salvation. What a gift.

Also, as the mother of an infant I can't help but think of Mary, hugely pregnant, riding on a donkey and hoping for a clean, quiet place to birth her precious baby, the savior of the world. Having just been hugely pregnant I can't imagine riding on a donkey let alone giving birth surrounding by the company of animals. Truly Jesus loved us to be born, a King, in such a humble place. Bless Mary. I wonder what her recovery was like--how she found comfort in such imperfect conditions but above all--how she must have felt so much joy in her beautiful baby. I wonder how tightly she clung to him and how much she reveled in the tiny features of Jesus--chin, fingers, ankles, and ears that I love so much in my own baby. I don't know how she ever let him go. What a brave, beautiful woman and what a Savior!

I wish you a Merry Christmas and the love and peace that comes through knowing and loving Him, our savior Jesus Christ.

Happy with My THREE

Baby Maeve serves as a piano for Asher.









I am loving my time at home with Soren, Maeve, and Asher. It makes me ecstatic to answer, "NO!" to the daily question of whether or not I am going to work. Maeve and all of her unexpected smiles is the sweetest company. Asher and Soren amuse me with their clever topics of conversation. When I see them together I get the chills because they are so extraordinary and I feel so amazed and blessed by them. I have three kids! I still can't believe it.

I am feeling much better--both physically and emotionally since having Maeve. When I think about going back to work and leaving my sweet baby babe and her brothers I get very sad and fear that my postpartum depression will return.

In other news, Maeve slept EIGHT hours last night and she suffered her first head butt yesterday. Oh the thrills of being a kid sister to twin brothers!

Laughter Love

There are countless reasons to love baby Maeve--one being the ease with which she smiles and even seems to laugh! Caring for a newborn is a demanding job but it is endowed with many wonderful rewards, such as those quiet moments when the the world seems to stand still in the presence of so much innocent sweetness.

I love baby babes SO much. I love that their lives begin in perfection--they make no mistakes but simply in their existence they are pure and perfect. Sure they may not sleep more than a few hours at a time and can really maul one's nipple but they are so charming in their absolute dependence. I love that they have no control over their limbs and that they startle so easily, causing those 'frog' hands to leap into the air. I enjoy the busy sounds that a sleeping baby makes--often with Maeve we joke that she is lifting weights in her sleep. I love the way Maeve kicks her right leg when getting her diaper changed and I adore the way her body scrunches into that fetal position when I pick her up from her crib. I love getting to know my baby and recognizing her hungry cues and her tired cues and I adore her marvelous cuteness! I am especially partial to the cuteness she displays when held over my shoulder--she holds her head up so well and observes the world with the fascination of a scientist and then there is the way her hands massage my shoulder--I just love her.

Christmas Week

Christmas week started wonderfully, with a visit from my sweet friend Megan, who came bearing all sorts of delightful gifts for the family.

Monday morning greeted us with our washing machine refusing to stop spilling water! Jang summoned me downstairs where I quickly turned off the water but not before there was massive flooding. I had to leave the basement a soggy mess in order to make my six week postpartum visit with Dr. Tchabo. Jamie came home from work to take care of the situation and fortunately the washing machine is functioning normally again. In jest I called it a 'tithing miracle' but I believe it was a tender mercy that we didn't have to have the machine repaired or buy a new one! Soren did say that he could use his tools to fix it--thanks little man.

This evening we went to a neighbor's house for a rousing FHE filled with Christmas carols and the atomic energy of eight delightful children.

I'm excited to see what the rest of this already eventful week has to offer!

A Little of This Week

Jamie
This week Jamie has left work nearly every day for some type of doctor's visit for Maeve. Having him home during the day even for short periods of time has been fun. He has had loads of holiday parties at work so it has been a good week. Plus--he loves driving in the snow!

Jessica
This has been such a busy week! One of my molars cracked on Monday so I had to schedule a dental visit. I LOATHE the dentist and would rather go through pitocin induced contractions than have work done on my teeth. I tried a new dentist and was dubious of the whole experience when I saw how shabby and aged his office was but he was surprisingly kind and gentle. In less than an hour I had two cracked teeth fixed and it hardly hurt! It was a tender, tender mercy. I missed my six week appointment with Dr. Tchabo because I got my days mixed up so I wasted a morning schlepping to Arlington with my baby babe in the 22 degree wretched cold just to turn around and reschedule.

Asher and Soren
Snow! Glorious snow! Jamie bought the boys snow boots the night before it snowed so the boys were able to go on their daily walk ready for the snow drifts! After their nap they also played in the snow, which consisted of them sitting in the snow and using their diggers to shovel snow. The boys are excited for Christmas and have been enjoying the Christmas editions of their favorite cartoons--such as Max and Ruby and Bob the Builder.

Maeve
After a visit with the pediatric cardiologist and a follow-up with our pediatrician--we learned that Maeve is in excellent health. She had to give four vials of blood from her heel yesterday, which was not a pleasant experience. We did learn, however, that her blood count is superb and it is not likely that she has any thyroid problems. Our doctor thinks that she just has a fast heart rate! Phew. I really feel for parents who have children with chronic health problems that result in frequent doctor visits. It is exhausting.

Hopefully the week before Christmas will be more relaxed and will allow us to enjoy quiet time at home. I do love this time of year--especially when it snows!

Snow!

It snowed today: YAY!

A Sound Heart

My instinct was right--Maeve does have a strong heart. She had an echo cardiogram of her heart yesterday, which means we saw her heart with a sonogram. Stripped down to her diaper we laid her on a table where three leads were stuck to her chest and the sonographer looked at Maeve's heart for 20 LONG minutes. Little gal is such a relaxed baby that she fell asleep during the procedure!

Jamie and I held on to our baby and also one another as we viewed the marvel that is Maeve's heart. We hoped that every time an image of her heart was enlarged and examined at length that the reasons were good. It was difficult to have no narration during that time then to wait an additional ten minutes for the doctor to share the results. I took comfort during that time in Maeve's wonderful health and happy nature.

The doctor indeed confirmed that she had a strong heart. His suspicion was that her rapid heart rate was caused by anemia. We'll consult with our pediatrician tomorrow and possibly have her tested for anemia, which I learned is common in my family! My grandmother was anemic, my mother is anemic and I am too.

What a relief that at the end of all this testing--Maeve's health is absolutely solid. She is such a cutie cutes with her burgeoning smiles and coos. She celebrated yesterday's good news by sleeping from 10pm to 5am! That's what I'm talking about!

My Little Men

Oh this little guy--filled with so much love.




The giant hand is getting Asher! Oh no!


These faces pretty fabulously sum up their response to all the changes in our lives.


On the train at National Harbor's Gaylord conference center. National Harbor was SO busy on Saturday and I marveled that we all PAID to be there. I still think NH is gimmicky, especially since we have to pay for parking and I'm like, "Really Prince Georges county? You are so large that parking should be FREE."





Since the birth of Maeve little real estate on this blog has been dedicated to Asher and Soren. Their lives have changed dramatically and as a result--they have changed too as they adapt to life with a kid sister and a mom recovering from childbirth. It has only been in the past few days that I have attempted to pick them up and carry them. I have missed holding their solid little bodies and smothering my face in their sweet little boyness.

I'm not going to lie--I feel like my place in their lives has slipped, especially with Asher. I heard Asher say the other night, "I don't like mommy." He even punched me last night (laughably NOT hard). I think he has been suffered the most since Maeve was born. Asher is very affectionate and sweet but he keeps a certain distance and if Jamie and I don't cover that distance then he lacks the attention he needs. Asher, once my happy little man, will cry for 45 minutes if we don't have the cereal he likes. He has been very emotional and quick to cry. I know in my mother heart that if I can just hold him more and cling to him that he will start to recover from the difficulties of our new household and be the happy little man that I know he wants to be.

Soren has always been my little man but since becoming an older brother he has become almost hysterical about being in my presence. If I leave the room without announcing that I am leaving then Soren will scream for me and plead for me to wait for him. He has always been by my side and no matter what happens or what changes in our lives, he inserts himself near me and finds comfort in my mere presence. Since Maeve has been born Soren has given up on potty training and absolutely regressed. Jang is very devoted to potty training so she changes his pants several times a day. I have embraced diapers once again and will wait until Soren is ready to say 'see ya' to diapers.

Maeve has put my entire family in perspective. Before I had her Asher and Soren were my babies. Yes they were strapping three-year old but they were still my little guys--my former preemies. Now that I have Maeve, Asher and Soren seem both grown up but also so young and innocent. I marvel at their handsomeness and their independence! They play together so well and with enviable imaginations.

It is a sacrifice growing a family but I can't imagine not having Maeve and I am grateful for Asher and Soren who have been so noble in letting her into our lives. They are darling older brothers and love it when Maeve is awake and they can kiss her and touch her and talk to her. There are moments, especially in the evening when I am nursing Maeve and Jamie is getting the boys ready for bed that I MISS my boys and having the endless energy and capacity to care for them fully. I feel myself coming back together piece by little piece but I am often impatient with the time it is taking. I thank God for the love and forgiveness of children. They will probably hardly remember this time but it will be burned into my heart forever.