Coming Up for Air

When I look back at my archives and there is a long break in posting, for some reason I assume that not much was going on during that period. But in reality, it's likely the opposite: that SO much is going on that I can't find the time to update.

March has been Sicky Month for us. The kids each had a nasty, long, feverish respiratory virus, in turn, so as to drag out being home bound for as long as possible. It led to an ear infection in one. And then most recently, we've had a bout of stomach flu. In the midst of that, life has continued to be full. Thankfully, it's mostly good things.

An update, Christmas letter style:

--David: I would say he's potty trained. He wears pull ups to church and for long car rides, but accidents are the exception rather than the rule. After that one setback, he seemed to get it. He's signed up to go two mornings a week to preschool in the fall (the same place Katy goes now). He had his first swimming lesson, but was scared and only lasted a few minutes. He also moved to a big boy bed, which required a major rearrangement. Katy got a day bed (thanks, Kristen!) that is high off the ground and girly, David moved to Katy's mattress-on-the-floor, and Luke got David's crib, because I like it better than the one Luke was in. We gave away Luke's crib. (Assumptions based on that info to be discussed at a later date)



It's so high off the ground, we had to put a railing up!



But she LOVES it.

In case you can't tell, he is sobbing, due to a miscommunication. He thought he was going to sleep in the tall bed with Katy. Not the greatest start to sleeping in a big boy bed.

Big sister tries to comfort him.

But this is the only way to calm him. (Freakishly bright flash - this was taken in the pitch dark)

As I feared, this new set up has led to new challenges at bedtime, and the kids seem to be staying up until 9:30 or 10 many nights. But I'm hoping that as the novelty wears off, we'll settle in. He's sleeping fine once he goes to sleep.

Luke: Holy cow! This kid is growing too quickly! He'll be 9 months tomorrow, and he is fast crawling, pulling up to stand, cruising, walking behind push toys, and climbing stairs. And he is SO stinking sweet and cute that I want to freeze time. He chases balls and laughs hysterically when Brian tosses him in the air. He wants to play with the big kids, but if you sit him in the grass, he is frozen because he hates the feel. His appetite has decreased quite a bit, and I feel like he isn't gaining weight as quickly, but I think that happened to Katy at this age, too. I'm only nursing him once or twice a day (really at night) because it got to be impossible. He's been sleeping almost-through-the-night, but then waking up at 5:30 for the day. Which just...ugh. But oh, well. His smiling face is a nice greeting at any hour.

Katy: She's getting to be so mature, and I think 5 is going to be a really fun age. I can have conversations with her that are so interesting. And she makes jokes that are actually funny! She's riding a two wheeled scooter and begging to take the training wheels off of her bike. We're working through some learn-to-read books because she is frustrated that she can't read signs/instructions, so she's really motivated to learn it. We spent the last month reading through her Beginner's Bible, which prompted a lot of discussions. (The other day when she had the stomach flu, I heard her praying several times for God to help her stomach feel better). She loves to play Skip Bo and Monopoly Jr. and create projects with fuse beads.

Brian: If you know my husband, you know that he likes college sports, and that he follows both OSU and University of Kentucky with great loyalty. Ever since I have known him, the question has occasionally come up, "What would you ever do if OSU played Kentucky?" Well this Friday at 9:45pm, we'll find out what he will do as the Buckeyes and the Wildcats meet each other in the Sweet Sixteen. If you ask him who he is rooting for, his answer is, "Whoever wins that game better win the whole tournament. Because if one of them ruins the chance for the championship and then loses in the next round, I'll be pissed." So there you go, teams, that's your mission.

Me: This is really about Katy, but our lives as moms are so intertwined with our kids' that it's hard to tell where one stops and the other begins. This month has been a big one for us, as it was time to enroll Katy for kindergarten. I could write a book about my deliberation on the decision. I assumed when we moved into this district that we would go to the neighborhood public school, but then I heard several negative things, specifically about kindergarten, that made me want to consider other options. But we debated and considered and went to meet with the principal this month, and the short story is that she is enrolled at our neighborhood school. I really like the principal, and after our meeting, I feel optimistic that he will place her in the spot where he thinks she should be. And now I am just praying that it will go well. I'm praying that we will love it, and that I wasted a lot of time worrying about nothing (wouldn't be the first time). But it feels like a huge step, letting her step into the unforgiving world like that. And we all know that schools are in turmoil right now, that people have lost faith in the educational system, and that budgets are only getting tighter. But this August, in what feels like a step of faith, we will see how it goes. (I know I'm a spaz, it will likely be fine.)

Next up...David's birthday! Spring! Fun plans! Family visits! We really made it.