Watch Us Grow!

What is Love....voice of the very young

2011-11-06T11:12:00.000-08:00

What Love means to a 4-8 year old...
Touching words from the mouth of babes..

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, 'What does love mean?'

The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:

'When my grandmother got arthritis , she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore..So my grandfather does it for her all the time , even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.'
Rebecca- age 8

'When someone loves you , the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.'
Billy - age 4

'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.'
Karl - age 5

'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.'
Chrissy - age 6

'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.'
Terri - age 4

'Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.'
Danny - age 7

'Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing , you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss'
Emily - age 8

'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.'
Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)

'If you want to learn to love better , you should start with a friend who you hate.'
Nikka - age 6
(we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)

'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt , then he wears it everyday..'
Noelle - age 7

'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.'
Tommy - age 6

'During my piano recital , I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.'
Cindy - age 8

'My mommy loves me more than anybody
You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.'
Clare - age 6

'Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.'
Elaine-age 5

'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford .'
Chris - age 7

'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.'
Mary Ann - age 4

'I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.'
Lauren - age 4

'When you love somebody , your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.' (what an image)
Karen - age 7

'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross..'
Mark - age 6

'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it , you should say it a lot. People forget.'
Jessica - age 8

And the final one
The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.

Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap,

and just sat there.. When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, 'Nothing, I just helped him cry.'

Patches

2011-04-10T09:30:00.000-07:00

I have a pile...it's been growing for 2-months now and, not only is it hard to ignore, but the selection of pants in Alessandro's drawer is getting leaner and leaner. It's finally time.
Much to my chagrin, I am doing the very same thing to my kids that my mom did to me. It embarrassed me to no end to wear clothes to school that had them, but, probably much like my own mother in this situation 35+ year ago, I seriously see no choice in the matter.
With a giant sigh, I take out the iron-on patch material - actually the same kits from my mother's collection in her sewing basket - and try to best match the fabric with the layers of pairs of pants. It takes two days, but at least now, Alessandro has something to wear, in which he can play and play hard. At some point, he will be more balanced in his sense of fun and fashion. Thankfully for me, and for the pile of patches waiting to be tediously sewn on, we're more in the camp of fun right now.

The Girls' Thoughts On Japan

2011-03-21T08:21:00.001-07:00

The events in Japan have been overwhelmingly tragic. There have been so many videos of the "black tide," the bold and relentless loyalty shown by a pair of stranded dogs, stories of hope with the discovery of a 4-month baby girl, who was swept out of her parents' arms during the tsunami, being safely found 3-days later under a pile of rubble and so many more. There is much for kids over here to learn from this event. We have talked about the importance of preparation, how empathy and charity works to improve spirits, and we've even reached into our "donate" sections of our piggy banks. Some of these lessons have been reverberated through lessons and fund raising at school. Here is the result of the girls' class and their thoughts and wishes for Japan....

Ava's Apology

2011-03-18T17:44:00.000-07:00

Ava's picture reads: "I'm sorry for taking something from your store. I just wanted it. That was wrong. I won't do that again. Sorry."
Well, Ava did a "no-no." A big "no-no." She asked for something while at the store and Mom said no. The little plastic cell phone that really held 4 kinds of lip gloss went back into the cubby by the register. I thought that was the end of it, but a day later, while at home, Bettina pointed out that it was in the house anyway. She said she found it in Ava's "secret pocket." So, I approached Ava. She spend some awkward time trying to think of a good reason why it was in the house and not the store, and then she quickly says she found it "on the floor." Interrupting, I finally cut to the chase. "Ava, you know why I'm disappointed right now, don't you." She nods, eyes now pointing downward and unable to meet my gaze. "Tell me why," I lead, and she spills her guts. Instead of putting the cool lip gloss into the cubby, she put it into her pocket while I was at the check out counter. I tell her about what will happen next: a trip to the store where she will ask for the manager who may, if they wish, call the police. She will also return the item as well as offer to pay for it (even though she didn't open the wrapper). She agrees, goes to her piggy bank and pulls out the $3.37 within. It's $1.58 short of the value. I ask her what we should do. She offers to work it off over the weekend. We make a list: "make my bed everyday, clean to toys downstairs even if they're not my mess, help mom clean the walls and moldings with a rag, collect the chicken eggs even if it's raining (which it will - a lot - this weekend), and write a note with an apology to bring to the store." Although I'm disappointed that she boldly stole something from a store, I'm impressed with how bravely and cooperatively she deals with the consequences.
Perhaps we all have a story like Ava's. I remember having to go to the Thrifty store in my hometown and come clean to someone there. I don't remember the thing I took, but I remember the face of the man that had to listen to me. I'm sure my mother remembers what it was that I took. I also remember how horrified I was about having to go to my great-grandmother and tell her that I lifted some small little ornament I admired from her house. I really didn't want to disappoint her. My mother would probably remember what I took from her house, too.
I'm hoping that this exercise will do the same thing for Ava: she may not remember years from now what the item was that was so tempting that she had to take it right then and there, however, I'm hoping that she will remember the face of the manager she must face tomorrow and will adjust her need for immediate satisfaction in the future.

Why Pre-School Shouldn't Be School

2011-03-17T22:09:00.000-07:00

This article, "Preschool Lessons" by Slate Magazine, explains to a tee exactly why I love Reggio Emilia-based schools, especially for preschool. A series of studies finds that kids learn early exactly what a teacher is for: to show them the "right" answer. She's the teacher, they reason. If there was more to learn from this activity, she would have shown us. In direct teaching activities, kids lose their natural and innate curiosity and imagination, leaving them handicapped in finding creative problem-solving solutions.

Kids, especially before they start school, need to first learn how to be curious and how to discover information. We need to encourage them to explore and create solutions and invent new purposes. What better way to do this than through play-based activities and student-driven curriculum?

Christmas Eve Reflections....

2010-12-25T23:56:00.000-08:00

After Alessandro nearly burnt the house down by throwing a down pillow onto the fireplace, splattered cracked crab all over Grandma's dining room, thrust his hand into the stick of butter, his fingers through every slice of bread and chocolate mousse all over his white oxford, he is now asleep....and it's finally a Silent Night! ♥

The Christmas Pageant

2010-12-12T22:45:00.000-08:00

waiting for the play to start - sneaking a peak through the crack in the sanctuary doors.

My Uncle sent me an email last week that I finally had time to read today. I couldn't believe the uncanny timing and similarity to the day I had today with the kids at today's Christmas Pageant where they were angels and a sheep. The girls were pretty good, but Alessandro writhed from the pain of waiting in the back of the church for 50-minutes, refused to wear his hat (the one that gave him the sheep ears) and then continued to run back and forth down the aisle multiple times during the play and then again during the sermon. After church, I had 3 or 4 comments about what an active and quick runner my sheep is. Here is the emailed story sent to me by my uncle:

THE CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
My husband and I had been happily married (most of the time) for five years but hadn't been blessed with a baby.

I decided to do some serious praying and promised God that if he would give us a child, I would be a perfect mother, love it with all my heart and raise it with His word as my guide. God answered my prayers and blessed us with a son. The next year God blessed us with another son. The following year, He blessed us with yet another son. The year after that we were blessed with a daughter. My husband thought we'd been blessed right into poverty. We now had four children, and the oldest was only four years old.

I learned never to ask God for anything unless I meant it. As a minister once told me, "If you pray for rain, make sure you carry an umbrella." I began reading a few verses of the Bible to the children each day as they lay in their cribs. I was off to a good start.God had entrusted me with four children and I didn't want to disappoint Him.

I tried to be patient the day the children smashed two dozen eggs on the kitchen floor searching for baby chicks. I tried to be understanding when they started a hotel for homeless frogs in the spare bedroom although it took me nearly two hours to catch all twenty-three frogs. When my daughter poured ketchup all over herself and rolled up in a blanket to see how it felt to be a hot dog, I tried to see the humor rather than the mess.

In spite of changing over twenty-five thousand diapers, never eating a hot meal and never sleeping for more than thirty minutes at a time, I still thank God daily for my children. While I couldn't keep my promise to be a perfect mother - I didn't even come close... I did keep my promise to raise them in the Word of God.

I knew I was missing the mark just a little when I told my daughter we were going to church to worship God, and she wanted to bring a bar of soap along to "wash up" Jesus, too. Something was lost in the translation when I explained that God gave us everlasting life, and my son thought it was generous of God to give us his "last wife." My proudest moment came during the children's Christmas pageant.

My daughter was playing Mary, two of my sons were shepherds and my youngest son was a wise man. This was their moment to shine. My five-year-old shepherd had practiced his line, "We found the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes." But he was nervous and said, "The baby was wrapped in wrinkled clothes." My four-year-old "Mary" said, "That's not 'wrinkled clothes,' silly." A wrestling match broke out between Mary and the shepherd and was stopped by an angel, who bent her halo and lost. I slouched a little lower in my seat when Mary
dropped the doll representing Baby Jesus, "Mama-mama," and it bounced down the aisle crying. Mary grabbed the doll, wrapped it back up and held it tightly as the wise men arrived.

My other son stepped forward wearing a bathrobe and a paper crown, knelt at the manger and announced, "We are the three wise men, and we are bringing gifts of gold, common sense and fur." The congregation dissolved into laughter, and the pageant got a standing ovation. "I've never enjoyed a Christmas program as much as this one," laughed the pastor, wiping tears from his eyes. "For the rest of my life, I'll never hear the Christmas story without thinking of common sense and fur."

"My children are my pride and my joy and my greatest blessing," I said as I dug through my purse for an aspirin.

Cavalia

2010-11-28T22:24:00.000-08:00

We have been staring down the Big Tents, me knowing exactly what's inside of them, for weeks. The girls ask about it on our way to school and I tell them that in those tents they do a very neat show with real live horses. I took my niece Alisia to a show about 6-years ago. It left an indelible mark on my heart. Of course they want to go, but I tell them the tickets are too expensive. That's one draw back about having twins. Or perhaps two girls or multiple children, for that matter. You become more limited in what you can do or see without spending hundreds of dollars. One night of Cavalia for the three of us in "bad" seats is nearly one-month board for one of the horses. Then Grandma brought it up. She wanted to know if I thought the girls would enjoy it. "Yes," I answered. "But for that money, they need to be older and really into horses so that it is truly special." But, Grandma likes to spoil. She bought all the things to get the girls outfitted for their pony, Checkers. She wants to be known as the "Pony Grandma," I guess.
Grandma got us tickets to Cavalia. We asked her to come along with us, but since she's highly allergic to horses, she was worried the show would trigger an asthma attack like it did when she saw the Lipizzaner Stallions in Austria.
The show was, of course, fabulous. The girls enjoyed seeing the Roman riding, trick Western riding and the two 6-month colts. They got a kick out of knowing that Mom used to do some vaulting when she was growing up. They wanted to know if I also did the trapeze like the acrobats did around the riders. No, but Mrs. Branaugh did. "Ohhhhh!" Afterward, they waited in line for some autographs and got some pictures with the performers as well. We left the Big Tent, but they were still high off the show. Bettina is visibly galloping down the sidewalk like a trick pony and Ava's chattering about this and that. "Can we go again tomorrow?" she asks. "Remember what I told you about it being expensive and very special? Perhaps next year." She thinks about this while Bettina is trotting circles around us. "Maybe if we practice for a long time, like until we're 7-years old, we can do our own Cavalia! We can ride Checkers and you can do Misty!" I compliment her idea and ask her to who we give tickets. She immediately starts planning - the guests, the tricks and all the practice that it's going to take. When I take down the dictation for the thank you card to Grandma, Bettina makes sure that Grandma knows that she most of all will be invited to the Cavalia that she and her sister will do in 2-years time.

Welcome Checkers!

2010-11-28T22:05:00.001-08:00

They always say, "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." However, if you're going to have to feed it and cover their vet bills for the next number of years, you better make sure it's a good fit. So, I checked the mouth, his feet, temperament, confirmation, and gaits. And, he had to be cute, too.
One early September day after school, the kids and I drove down the the South Bay to see a woman about a horse. A pony, that is. An Amish-breed painted pony, 12.2 hands and about 7-years old. I didn't want to like the pony because I wasn't sure that we were really ready. I had tried to get a friend to give lessons on her pony first to make sure the girls were ready. They had been clamoring for months about wanting to learn to ride independently on a horse more their size. But, my friend's pony had been lent out and leasing one was more expensive than owning one. We arrived and met "Checkers." He was a little taller than I wanted, but the upside was that the girls wouldn't out-grow him. He'd also been trained to pull a cart, so that could be fun in the future, too. Each girl rode him fine and liked him. I spent some time in the round-pen trying out his ground manners and communication. Well, I couldn't find anything "majorly" wrong with him. He bent to natural horsemanship cues, was hard to spook and had a good head on his shoulders. He was curious but still mindful of manners, so I did a very scary thing: committed to picking him up on Saturday.
We go to see him before school (the girls start at 11:40). We moved both horses to a barn just 6-miles away from there. Checkers has been great in everything, however, he has learned that the girls' hands are not very strong. He will often pull the reins out of their hands or ignore them until either the crop comes out or I start walking next to him (he loves to play Follow the Leader). He and Misty are tighter than anything. If I pull one out, the other is running circles and whinnying until they are in eyesight again. Checkers is also a talker in general - whenever he sees any of us, he will knicker and beckon us closer, hoping for extra treats. He's a real friendly guy who follows the girls and me around the pen like a little pull toy. We are so happy to have Checkers in the family!

School

2010-11-28T21:29:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that we're heading back to school already! You'd think I was writing this in August, like I should have, but it's nearly December and we're heading back after a week of gorging ourselves with turkey, trimmings and all the other delicacies of the season. While thinking about writing about these nearly-winter activities, I remind and chastise myself that there is some catching up to do.
You'd think that the girls' first day in Kindergarten would be one of those milestones that I'd run back to write about, ensuring that every detail of the day would be fully documented in picture and prose. Equally important was Alessandro's first day at pre-school two-weeks later. However, with all the transition, paperwork and taxi-ing, the blog was one of the many things that got pushed to the wayside.
In short, everyone LOVES school. The girls come home with a healthy portion of curiosity and have shown already tremendous growth. As luck would have it, the education curriculum-pendulum is pretty much at the same place it was when I was teaching. So all the skills I started with them will be useful to them (yea!). In fact, at their first assessment, the teacher says they have most of the Kindergarten reading skills and suspects they will be early readers. As a former reading specialist, this makes me very happy. They get older 5th grade reading buddies, which is thrilling enough. However, when they are matched with one of their friend's sister, it's enough to send little Bettina over the moon. I can't tell you how many pictures she's drawn that bear Cali's name or how many times she talks about her at home. I sometimes worry that the original friend, Stephanie (Cali's younger sister), may feel less important or dissed as Bettina blabs on about her sister.
Both are blooming socially and are doing very well in counting and basic addition as well. We have also signed up for the Kindergarten's version of Girls Scouts. Ava and Bettina are Daisies. They have vests on which I am continually sewing on something new. They have 2-years to earn all their pedals. And, since no one mom wanted to be the troop leader, we have started a co-op. It's my turn to help host next month and in January. So, I've been spending time on the Girl Scouts of America's website, getting trained and preened to become a "trained leader ." My big give-back is that for one day every month until June, I can pick up the girls one-hour later than usual. Host 2-events and pay about $100 in registration and clothing for 9-extra hours. Eh - it's about even.
Alessandro, of course, continues to think he's five and gets confused when he has to go home for a nap instead of line up on the green line when the Kindergarten bell rings. He pines for them, unless he's already at his school, which is 2-days a week.
First impressions about school? Bring you checkbook - it seemed like they were asking for money at every single opportunity! I almost resented having to walk to the door to pick up the girls because I knew that someone somewhere was going to remind me to pay for something new. However, it is also the cutest, most hopeful, tender-hearted part of their lives thus forth.

Batten Down the Hatches!

2010-08-24T08:07:00.000-07:00

I need baby locks for my baby locks...Alessandro has figured out a lot this week. He can now open doorknobs and is constantly in the pantry (which used to be my "safeguard.") So, now, the breadth of this destruction is even larger. He moves chairs to reach things on the countertop, including the butcher block (which I had to move), uses furniture to climb to higher shelves (he loves to play with the TV and surround-sound equipment, sometimes startling himself into tears if he turns the volume up too high), and just this morning, he used a chair to climb into the refrigerator. Thankfully, this happened BEFORE the Costco run. But, the tomatoes, grapes and most of the eggs he launched onto the floor in search of apple juice were a total loss. (Anyone know how to get egg out of a kitchen carpet? Can you get salmonella from walking on a carpet?)
Sigh...and I thought he was a handful before.... When does pre-school start again?

Mila's Day Dreams

2010-08-19T10:10:00.000-07:00

Would be so cool to convert these to note cards.... What creative imagination (and a sound sleeper) this woman has!
Click here to see Mila's Day Dreams

Ava's Adenoidectomy (or as Mommy says, the Pajama Party)

2010-08-18T21:46:00.000-07:00

For the last couple of years, our pediatrician has asked the same question every time Ava comes to visit: "Does Ava have a cold?" "No," is my response, "she always sounds that way." It gets to the point that I start teasing the doctor and she realizes the pattern. "Well, if this is normal, then I'd like you to see an ENT (ear/nose/throat doctor). I'll bet she has enlarged adenoids. Is she a mouth-breather?" Well, yeah....
Sure enough, x-rays show that Ava's airway is 80% blocked by her adenoids and the ENT recommends that they be removed. Minuses: pain for up to a couple of days, general anesthesia risks, risk of bleeding. Pluses: improved airway & breathing, less ear/sinus infections, better/more normal development of the palate and jaw which can decrease chances in orthodontic work in the future. Paul and I weigh the facts and decide to get it done before school starts.
I worry about worrying Ava about the procedure. I don't tell her about it until the day before when she sees me packing some of her clothes and toothbrush into a bag. "Why are you packing my pajamas?" she asks. "Because, we're going to go to a pajama party at the doctor's very early tomorrow morning." I remind her about the visit to the doctor a few days back and explain that we get to visit him again. He is going to fix something in her throat and she gets to wear pajamas. I actually manage to get her a little bit excited about the event, detracting any nervousness, which was exactly my intent.
Ava and I arrive at the surgical center at the same time as another mother/daughter team, about 6:25am. Ava and the other little girl, Mia, hit it off in the waiting room and find out they are both 5-years old and having the same surgery. Mia is taken in a few minutes before Ava, but we see her in the bed opposite us in the pre-operation area. They wave to each other and make funny faces while doctors and nurses talk to the adults. Then, Mia is pushed down the hall, propped up by her unicorn pillow. I realize we didn't bring any of Ava's lovies and regret it instantly. The anesthesiologist is great and asks Ava to choose between the cherry-smelling mask or the bubble gum. Ava goes for cherry and shows him how she can breathe deeply and pretend she's eating cherry pie. This is when I realize I didn't need my cup of coffee. My adrenaline starts pumping; my sudden nervousness makes me jittery and hyper at the same time. I think I need my own cherry-mask. Soon, Ava is blowing me kisses as she's wheeled down the hall.
Although I brought a book, I choose to read the mindless tabloid articles in the waiting room for the half-hour procedure; I can't follow a plot right now. I keep watching the door for a familiar nurse or doctor. The surgeon comes out claiming Ava's the best patient ever and is ready to be seen. He also mentions that while he was in there, he noticed she also had a sinus infection, something neither Ava nor I were aware of. I wonder what percentage of her time she was so congested. She is just gaining awareness when I reach her and she crumbles into a pile of tears upon seeing me. I know this is normal, so I'm OK. The nurse sets up a wonderful large reclining chair in front of a TV of cartoons and puts Ava on my lap with a blanket and a towel over my clothes. She cries for 3-4 minutes, then settles into watching Phineas & Ferb. We soon learn she is much like her mother (sensitive to anesthesia) and we go through a couple of bed-bowls. However, Ava is a trooper! We can hear Mia in the room next to us. She hasn't stopped crying since she woke up. I remind Ava how brave she is. Ava is very sleepy and twice she nods off in my arms. I take this as the perfect opportunity to tell me she's ready to go home and take a nap. She's not sure her stomach is ready, so we wait one more cartoon program longer. She's still not very interested in her blue Otter Pop during the car ride back and it gets only half eaten.
We make it home and she takes a nap in a dark room. I celebrate with my mother that we didn't loose Ava's cute husky voice to the surgery (something Paul and I would have missed). One-hour later, Ava just pops out of bed and comes looking for her Popsicle. She downs three and asks Grandma if she can glue the sticks together to make an "A." While the glue is drying, she asks if she can draw and soon is busy engulfed in art. It's like nothing even happened. No complaints about pain...nothing! Tonight we went out for dinner to celebrate Ava's bravery. She ate like a horse with nothing bothering her throat. And, do you know what makes it all complete? While watching my angel fall asleep tonight I notice that for the first time, her mouth is closed; she's breathing through her nose! Amazing.

Business with Daddy

2010-08-18T21:38:00.000-07:00

Paul told me a funny story tonight. While at the restaurant, Paul took Alessandro to the bathroom to wash his sticky hands. While there, Paul decided to use the urinal. Alessandro stood there and watched Daddy, then picked up his shirt to look what he should do. "You want to go pee-pee?" Daddy asked. "Yeah," answered his little voice, so Paul pulled down Alessandro's pants and took off his diaper.
Alessandro looked down again and waited. He pushed, but didn't have any pee-pee ready. He pushed harder, but all that came out was a big fart.
"Good job," says Daddy. Nothing like doing business with Daddy.

A Summer's Goal Realized

2010-08-11T21:19:00.000-07:00

Darned it if we weren't going to make sure the girls were water safe this summer! With Little Man being as mobile as he is, I wasn't going to have 3 non-swimmers and attempt to go to the pool! So, last April, we started swim lessons with our gym's swim coach in an effort for them to be safe enough to join the Jr-Jr swim team... the pre-school of swim teams, per say, which was set to start in June.
In April, it didn't look good. The girls screamed, protested, writhed in emotional pain that we would force them into the pool to try doing anything other than cling to someone's neck. The coach, a veteran teacher of 20+ years, was dumbfounded. Never, she told me, had she seen a student which such a "strong foundation" for swimming fight so hard. And, there were two of them!
Well, we decided that Mom had to stay away from the pool, lest the kids think I'd be swayed by their protests. In addition, each time they tried what the teacher asked, without crying (Tina would sometimes hyperventilate she'd be so upset), we'd take a trip to Powell's Candy Store for their choice of candy. Bribery and lack of a sympathetic eye was our strategy. Two months later, they could kick on a kick board by themselves (no one touching the board) and were ready for the big pool.
Today was their last day of swim team. After 2 more months, Bettina can swim the length of the 25-meter pool freestyle, back stroke 4-5 arm movements before spinning on her tummy to see what's ahead, then starting on her back again, and can side stroke and butterfly kick with the kick board. Last week, she swam 18-laps in 20-minutes. Pretty awesome! Ava is a bit more like a princess. The stars have to be aligned or she stops to rest (or adjust her goggles, swim cap, etc). She can side stroke and free style, but blows off the backstroke (unless she's hugging her kick board) and doesn't quite "get" the butterfly kick. Last week, she swam 10-laps in 20-minutes. Hey, she's water safe. I figure next summer she can start perfecting all the technicalities!! Below is a video I took today in the last 2-minutes of their 20-minute workout. I wish I'd thought to do it earlier because they weren't as tired and were swimming a whole lot better. However, it's clear that, as far as our Goal for the Summer of 2010: Mission Accomplished!

It's Kind of Like Rats...

2010-08-10T23:22:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't you know it....the morning we have a doctor's appointment for Ava, Alessandro wakes up incredibly early: 5:45am, about 1.5 hours before he usually does. Now my timing for the day is totally off. Yet, we have the doctor's appointment, a pretty important one at the ENT as Ava is slated to have a abenoidectomy next week. So, off we go, three kids and a mom.
There is a large waiting room at this office and it's is really nice. Ava remembered that there is a television that plays cartoons ("Ice Age" was playing last time, she reminds me) and a toy box when we're all finished. It's big enough for a bunch of toddler toys and a Montessori-style wooden table with 4 chairs (the kind that has the colored beads on wire tracks all twisted up like parallel roller coasters) to sit on one side, a small library of children's books in the middle and the flat screen TV (currently playing the news) on the other. Bettina goes for the kids' books; Ava sits on one side of the wooden table and starts pushing beads from one end to the other; Alessandro copies Ava from the other side.
After watching them, I say aloud "I think we're going to stay here all day," to the receptionist. "It's the quietest they've been all day!" I drink my cup of coffee and think that perhaps we can make it through this appointment despite Alessandro being overly tired and just primed for a melt-down.
Soon (too, soon), Ava's name is called and we're crammed into a small exam room with only 2 chairs and a ton of expensive doctor equipment just about eye level for kids. Now, it's about here that I should have turned around and said, "Is it OK for us to wait in the larger room until the doctor is REALLY ready?", but, I assume (stupidly) that the doctor must be close to being ready to see us because we were escorted here to begin with.
The first 3-minutes were spent trying to fairly figure out just who, out of the 4 of us, get to sit in the 2 chairs. The kids all try various combinations of cramming together, pushing and shoving ensues and Alessandro shrieks in protest when he can't have one to himself. After I create a system of "fairness," Alessandro leaves the game, walking over instead to the doctor's tools. He somehow manages to turn a light on one of the instruments and smiles with pleasure. Picking him up, I try to distract him pointing out the posters on the wall asking them to find their ear (nose and mouth). Bettina then discovers (accidentally) the lever that makes the patient's chair recline and Ava falls back suddenly. The room explodes in kiddie laughter. I start to realize I'm losing control and wonder when this doctor is coming into the room.
Twenty-minutes later, I'm angry and talking to my kids through clenched teeth, just trying to keep them from playing with all these expensive gadgets and tools. Finally, the door opens and in comes the doctor.
Now, Ava's ENT doctor is a tiny man with a meek disposition who's completely calm, organized and speaks in a whisper - essentially the exact opposite of the crowd he has waiting for him in his exam room. He does a good job of pretending he can talk to me and ignore all the chaos of the kids around me, however, I can hardly hear him and it takes all my concentration to focus on what he's saying. Frustration wells up inside me as I try to bat away the noisy kids who ask me questions, crawl on me or attempt to take something off the doctor's cart. I'm a little conscience of what this quiet doctor thinks of me and my crazy kids as they were the same way last time we came. Then I wonder if he even has any at home with whom he could be comparing mine.
He opens the door, releasing my kids who wildly run down the hall without me in search of the toy box. As I trot to catch up to them, he says, "You are sure a busy mom!" I feel like I need an excuse for the ruckus.
Driving back, I reflect back on the visit and wonder how to have a decent conversation with a doctor. Why is this doctor's office so difficult all the time? And, then it dawns on me....the exam room is just too darned small!! Kids, given a small space to wait, become like rats. They were happy enough in the large waiting room where they had individual space to work on their own activity. But, bound in a small closet for an extended amount of time, they back-bite, trample and become loud. Perhaps, then, doctors could create a special "large-families" room, sort of like the handicapped stall in the bathrooms; a room that's just a little bit larger to accommodate our special needs. Or, perhaps, the next time we're there, I'll just ask to have the conference in the waiting room where there's enough room for my rats to roam.

Happy Birthday, Alessandro!

2010-06-23T06:31:00.000-07:00

A year of photos of our little man -- we love him so much! Last year, he definitely was still a baby; he's all toddler now. He started pre-school (or a week of their summer school version) last week and adores it. He's been dying to go. When we'd go by the school to drop off the girls, Alessandro would wriggle out of my arms and run across the driveway, down the breezeway, pull open the door himself (which usually gave time for the girls and me to catch up to him) and screech down the hall, banking a hard right at their classroom door. He'd run straight in and find a place at a table or on the carpet where he'd dump over a bin of plastic animals and start playing with the other boys. They would just look at him, then look at me, and wonder to themselves how to be polite about getting that little boy out of the way of the game! After I'd check the girls in, he'd kick and scream and wriggle out in more attempts to stay with the rest of the gang.
At the class's pre-school graduation, I was pleased to hear a mom say, "You know, we need a picture of Alessandro with the class. He's like the class mascot!" Well, he's got a class of his own now, however, I've been ever-so-worried about the nap schedule routine at school. Alessandro's an early napper and, frankly, it's worked out well that way since I have to pick up the girls from school by 2:15. At school, he'll have to learn to shift his nap forward 2-whole hours. I'm crossing my fingers. THAT schedule will actually come in handy for the girls' Kindergarten schedule next year, so I hope it sticks.
Alessandro will be at pre-school today for his birthday. I think I might bring in a couple boxes of Popsicle for his class to help him celebrate (again)!
What can I say about Alessandro on this, his second anniversary of life: he's so full of energy, an optimist, determined, pretty good at sports, loves his sisters, balloons are his best friend, is aware of his limits, but tests them often, is stoic, and the light of our lives. I could never imagine life without him.
On this day, two years ago, he was a birthday present to US!

Where's the Straight-Jacket?!

2010-05-18T22:00:00.000-07:00

Little Mr. Up-To-No-Good! Alessandro's a total handful now! He's a stealth trouble-maker who knows how to open the cabinets and climb onto the sink vanities, open drawers and pull out every single hair bow in the girls' collection and throw them about the floor. He even climbs into the chicken coop after eggs.
If things are too quiet, I know to look in the bathroom where he will be standing on the vanity with the water running, bar of soap in his hands, rubbing the mirrors and all his clothes down with the stuff. Thank goodness he hasn't rubbed his eyes yet or somehow burned them with the soap.
Last night, I thought the girls were brushing their teeth while getting ready for bed. "Girls, you're wasting water. Shut off the water while you brush, please," I call. "It's not us, Mommy. It's Alessandro," they answer from their room. Gasp! I sprint up the stairs to find him standing on the double vanity in his footed pjs, both sinks blasting water, one half filled and the other, just about overflowing (he somehow plugged them both up). He's dipping a wet washcloth into the water. Wet marble, footed fleece pjs, child standing....so dangerous! He instantly knows he's not supposed to be where he is and tries to jump down. I panic that he's going to fall. This is going to kill me!
This morning: While cleaning the Cheerios Alessandro has dumped all over the downstairs like some sort of ticker tape parade, I hear the sink water running again. I drop what I'm doing to dash upstairs to rescue Little Man from himself again. Along the way, I remind the girls (who are being silly instead of finishing to straighten their beds) that we need to leave in 2-minutes. I turn off the sinks (again!) and get Little Man down from the vanity (how does he climb up there, anyways?). Ava comes in and informs me she's peed herself laughing too hard about Bettina's joke. Both she and the bed are totally wet. So, I strip the bed while she changes, start the sheets in the washer and head back down. We're going to be late for the dentist! We're all at the front door ready to leave. Wait - where's the baby.... I run back upstairs and find him on the floor of my bathroom with all the band-aids and toilet paper strewn around him. He sees me and tries to bolt, but I've got him cornered. I pick him up like a sack of potatoes and he kicks and screams in objection. I think to myself, "Where's the straight-jacket!!" However, I haven't quite figured out who it's for....me or the mischief!

Alessandro - 22 months

2010-05-13T22:31:00.000-07:00

playing with the water fountain at Great-Aunt Mary Ann's house

I promised myself that I will be in bed before 11pm - that I will just drop whatever I'm doing and go to sleep because if I don't, I'd be up until 1am every night, trying to do it all on 5-hours of sleep. This is an attempt to explain why it's been 3-months since Alessandro's last monthly update. Excuses aside, let's talk about Little Man! I've only got 15-minutes to write!

What a bundle of happiness he is! Alessandro exudes happiness; laughter and smiles bubble through his cute dimpled cheeks. He loves to be right in the middle of everything still. He's a big help around the house, insisting that he put his dirty diapers in the garbage and his dirty clothes in the hamper - and whatever else he sees his sisters do, he wants to do it too. Tonight, I was calling the girls down to help clean the giant mess of toys in the play area. And, while I was starting to clean, throwing Littlest Pet Shop toys in one bag and horses in another, I noticed that Alessandro was chasing me to add to each bag. Surprisingly, he knew that I was sorting the toys a special way. So, I let him hold the Littlest Petshop bag and watched, amazed, as he chose only the correct toys and then zipped it up and dropped them into the toy basket. He trotted back, wanting to finish the horses! So, his sorting/math skills are showing promise already.
He is in training to be off the "chu-chu" (aka pacifier) soon and, so far, he's pretty good about giving it back except when we're in the car or in his bed. Another score...however, Paul noticed a little discoloration on one of his front teeth and wondered if it might be a cavity from all the juice he drinks (he has always refused to drink milk). Well, next week's first trip to the dentist will tell.
Alessandro loves to play ball and regularly shoots baskets in his toddler hoop with the girls and Daddy. Daddy loves this, admiring his shooting stance (overhand with some wrist action - the proper way - vs underhand or with both hands like his sisters do) and calls him "Basketball Boy," cheering every time he scores (which is more often than not). Alessandro has been asking for the basket to go up higher, so now there is more of a challenge.
He knows his alphabet song and has started speaking whole sentences. One of the first most-memorable ones was after he noticed my shock at coming in and seeing the mess of toys on the floor. "Tina did it," Alessandro said. I called Bettina in, and sure enough, she had. I was also amazed when he pointed out the window and he said, "Blue car, Mommy!" Yeah, it was a blue car driving past us. Coincidence? Could be, but wow! He'll also say things like, "Emma go bye-bye," "Bye-bye, Misty! I love you!" followed by a blown kiss. He loves to "talk back" to the television when shows like Dora the Explorer or Kai-Lan ask kids to repeat words back. "Hola, Tico," was said with gusto and enthusiam during Dora's adventure today.
The kid loves to dance, is an excellent jumper, and is very physical. He will continue to swing punches at me to get my attention. He throw things - hard - and can easily (and regularly) hurts the girls without even trying. During the summer, he will start a music and movement class at the gym. I know he will LOVE it!
My favorite time of day, however, is bed time. It seems to be the only time he's not in constant motion and he will crawl onto my lap in his PJs, smelling so good and clean from his bath, and will let me cuddle up close to his head while I read him his books. He's very into his board books now and has decided favorites. He used to favor Sandra Boyton, but now it's the picture word books. He points to photos for me to name or I'll say a word and he's to point it out. I bury my nose into his hair and just breathe through it so I can drink up every ounce. He will start to rub his eyes and then ask for his apple juice. One last cuddle...one last caressing of his face and our eyes lock as I say a sincere "I love you, Little Man. Sleep tight." And, I leave with my heart full.
We are sleeping through the night, now, which is great! I don't think the girls did until they were three-years old. OK - 5-minutes after 11pm - time for sleep!

My Swagger Wagon

2010-05-13T12:52:00.000-07:00

I must admit -- I wasn't looking forward to becoming a Mini-Van Mom. Something about it just seemed "old" or something. However, I'm now proud of my sweet ride, 4-years "riding with my posse in the HOV lane." Cracker crumbs and sand cover the floor, apple juice glazing the chair in front of Baby Brother, childrens' music stacked in the 6-CD automatic changer. Yeah, it's my Swagger Wagon....even though we drive a Honda.

(click here if you can't see the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUG3Z8Hxa5I)

Vacationing Whales

2010-04-08T19:11:00.000-07:00

There is a ship's bell at the entrance of Las Olas ("The Waves") restaurant which looks over the beach and pounding surf in front of our hotel. It is rung when the whales (greys and blues, among others) or "las ballenas," which migrate down the coast, swim near to shore and are spotted breaching or blowing along the way. They are most abundant from January to March. This morning as we eat breakfast, the bell is ringing near constantly. Every couple of minutes, we, along with other guests, stop eating and look out toward the horizon to see the mist from their breaths and the blackness of their backs. Ava, who complains near constantly that everything is either too hot or cold, worries that the whales will get too cold swimming out there. I assure her that the whales don't complain too much about the relatively warm waters in Mexico. "They are going to places where the water's much colder than here. They have tough skin with lots of fat under it," "Oh," she understands, "even whales go on vacation to Mexico!"

Kids on Vacation

2010-04-08T18:52:00.000-07:00

Ava is now very adept at ordering strawberry daiquiris from the pool-side bar. She scoots herself hand-over-hand from the shallow-end to the first submerged bar stool, then hops from one stool to the next until she's in front of the bartender. Then she says, "Un strawberry daiquiri, por favor," then scoots herself and her drink back to the hot tub. She does this a dozen or so times a day, retrieving drinks for Bettina as well. It's really very cute! Our room couldn't be better placed. From our balcony, we look directly onto the hot tub and wading pool, which is where the girls spend 80% of their time. Next to it are the poolside bar and snack-shack, so, when they're not in the pool, they are likely eating the very yummy kid-friendly food. From our balcony, we can keep track of them; especially handy when Alessandro's napping or trying to spot and catch up with the gang afterwards.

Bettina has been an absolute shadow of Megan, following her around like a little puppy. When the waiter comes to ask what we'd like to drink, Bettina answers, "I'll have whatever Megan's having." She absolutely fawns over her. Our second night at dinner, Bettina demonstrates her resolute loyalty by gently petting and covering Megan with the linen napkins in an effort to comfort Megan as she quietly suffered from a sunburn.

Alessandro is now in the habit of looking for iguanas each and every time we pass a hollowed out place in the wall near the restaurant. They are like clockwork; each morning, two of the reptiles park and sun themselves (at least until we stare them down too long). Then they scurry out and hide again inside their wall. It never ceases to fascinate the Little Man.

Money Well-Spent

2010-04-08T13:51:00.000-07:00

It gets windy in Los Cabos at about 10:30 in the morning, so the best money we've spent so far is the $50 we paid a couple of local women on the beach to braid the girls' hair Bo Derrick-style. It sure beats hearing them whine, cry and complain about getting their wet and wind-blown hair brushed out each time they get out the pool or go to eat. Beaming, Bettina said that she feels like a princess having her hair done. It took about half and hour and, I swear, they never sat that still for that long for any of my hairstyling! They look like little Malatos, especially now that their skin is getting all browned from their now third day in the sun.

Spring Break 2010

2010-04-08T09:10:00.000-07:00

" I don't want to go to Mexico," Ava says, showing a bit of apprehension.
"Why not?" I ask.

"Grandpa says that they only speak Spanish there. How am I going to make any friends when I don't know how to speak Spanish?"

"Friends will come easy enough," I assure her, "and, a lot of them can speak both English and Spanish. And then there will be Kylee and Megan - they will be there too."

"Excitement his both Ava and Tina's eyes. They quickly claim one for each other and when we do meet us with tme in LAX, they quickly run and clasp hands with them. Getting to LAX, however, was a feat to begin with. Five-weeks in advance, we sent in Alessandro and Paul's passport application/renewal forms and they assured us they would be ready in enough time for our departure. Alesandro's came with more than a week to spare. Paul's, however, arrived a mere 19-hours before our scheduled flight, which left us biting our fingernails. Alessandro and I also nearly missed our flights as we were held up for nearly and hour over a ticketing issue with Alessandro. he was flying internationally as a lap-child and there was confusion within the three entities (Expedia, Alaska and American) as to whether or not we had paid the taxes for his "fare" on the e-ticket (even though he was "free" as a lap-child). He and I literally made it to the gate just as they were closing the door. My belt and necklace were still in-hand from the security checkpoint and our shoes and carry-ons stashed in Alessandro's stroller, used more like a race car than a stroller, in order to get there in time.

The flights were seamless and, although Alessandro didn't sleep, very easy. We arrived at our hotel to mimosas and a welcoming breeze. The all-inclusive resort took on immediate value as we quickly found the margaritas and walked around to get our bearings. Ah! Mexico!

Easter Egg Hunt

2010-03-26T17:45:00.001-07:00

The hidden stash

On Tuesday, I started to wonder if something funny was going on. Yesterday, the chickens only left me one egg and today there are none. I usually get at least two if not three. I wonder if my mother-in-law, who lives next door and had obviously been doing some weeding in our yard today, didn't just lift up the hutch and take a few and didn't say anything. Although we'd certainly be just fine with that, I quickly dismiss this thought as it would be SO unlike her. Hummm....
Wednesday there are no eggs again! Huh? And yesterday, only one. I wonder if they've made some secret nest....I rummage through the backyard, looking at their usual dust-bath spots, but can't find a thing. If you saw our backyard, you could see that finding a secret nest is like finding the proverbial needle in a haystack. That's why Nonna has been weeding in our yard; it's a jungle with most plants 2-3 feet tall with a canopy of some weeds over 4 feet tall. I sort of like it that way as I think it give the chickens extra protection and they LOVE to eat and chew on the variety of weeds around.
Then I wonder if maybe they're sick or stressed and have stopped laying...
Well, today I went out and, again, found no eggs in their boxes. Determined to find them, I look under tarps, wheelbarrows, around rock piles and then, FINALLY, I see something blue in the corner of my eye... There in the weeds is a hole in a thicket that leads to, you guessed it - a hidden nest, piled high with 15 eggs!!
So, I grab one of the kids' sandbox pails and collect the clutch. As I'm gathering, I wonder with a smile if I haven't thwarted some collaborative with the Easter Bunny. I mean, they're already painted green and blue! I envision the chickens syphoning off their work for a designated night drop-off with a local bunny worker. If so, Easter Bunny, I apologize in advance! I will be sure to do all the work at this house to help lighten your load.

A Children's Song that Speakes "Parent"

2010-03-18T09:14:00.000-07:00

The Parent's Daily Anthem - elected by me who USED to not drink coffee....and then kids came...

Thanks for speaking "parent," Ralph!

Grandma's birthday

2010-03-08T22:22:00.000-08:00

We just finished celebrating Grandma's birthday. Ainsley came down with her kids and we found time to get everyone together for a rare photo. Here's the result with Grandma (or as Alessandro says, "Emma") and all five of them: Alessandro, Darren, Ava, Braxton and Bettina.
Happy birthday!!

The Girls' Life in Pictures

2010-03-08T21:02:00.000-08:00

The girls just LOVE drawing....Any sort down-time is dedicated to crayons, paper and sounding out words. It always seems to be that I start paying close attention to their art during the spring time each year. Last year blogged about their art they were making shapes and using different colors. The year before, I blogged they were just starting to eek into the schematic stages of drawing.
This year, not only are they are late stages of the schematic stage, but they are adding words to their drawings. Another mom in their class commented to me one day that Ava & Bettina are pretty advanced in their drawings. After hearing that, I took note of the art around their classroom. They have been studying dinosaurs and the kids were asked to say and draw what they would do if they saw a real dinosaur. Dictation was taken by the teacher and written underneath each picture. Ava said that she "would hide," and in her drawing, she is hiding while the dinosaur walks past her. The dinosaur has the word "Roar" next to it. Bettina told the teacher she would "fight it" and in her picture she is facing the dinosaur. The word "Hiya" is etched out in black crayon next to her. That mom was right. They are not only deeper into the schematic stage than most kids, but they were the only ones in both classes (out of 28 kids) that incorporated words with their drawings. That's sort of cool!

Dos Part Deux?

2010-02-17T23:13:00.000-08:00

Comparative study: new chicken vs. Dos - are they the same bird??

I always had a feeling that the story of Dos wasn't finished. I can't explain why.
Something told me to keep checking with the animal shelter. Actually visiting is hard with three kids, even though it's very close to the house. There's enough chaos as it is at the shelter much less when you bring a pack of kids with you. So, I kept a virgil by calling in and listening to the recorded message of which animals had been turned in during the last 24-hours. I also kept an eye out at the big websites, petfinder.com and petharbor.com. In the meantime, we replaced Tres with a beautiful bird, a lone Easter Egger hen from Alameda. The Coast Guard family decided to reclaim their yard; a free-ranging chicken (read chicken poop everywhere) and a baby who was just about ready to walk were not a good match, so they gave her to us. Her introduction to Uno was dramatic for about a day after which Uno stopped chasing the bird I have named Nellie (she's a very friendly, but nervous Nellie) and started bonding with it. After nearly 4-weeks after Dos's last sighting, it seems the impossible happened. I was actually in the shelter returning a sweet Red Star bird named Lola who just wasn't going to fit into the flock. She'd been debeaked by her previous caretaker and couldn't defend herself against Uno's persistent pecking. Even though it was after adoption hours, I took a quick look into the bird kennels and couldn't believe my eyes! "I think that's my bird!" I told the lady at the door.
We couldn't take her out since adoption hours were over, but I was told to come back tomorrow to confirm and I could trade Lola for this one (SF shelters allow you to trade animals within 15-days of adoption).
So, today we went in and visited the hen I thought for SURE was Dos! However, after handling her, I'm not entirely convinced. She looks exactly alike, however, this bird is a lot more skittish and a bit heavier than Dos. Paul is sure both can be argued away as things that happen to a bird who's been gone a whole month. Perhaps he likes thinking it's the same bird (like the kids do). At first, I was convinced they were the same, but now I'm not sure. A big indicator is that Uno is not giving this bird a hard time at all! This makes me lean into thinking she is Dos as Uno has downright chased, chided and tortured both of the other birds we brought in. So, what do you think? There are pictures above of both birds...can you tell the difference? Well let the audience decide...

The Second Return of Uno and the Demise of Tres

2010-01-31T18:30:00.000-08:00

Pretty little Dos is Missing.
We had my cousins over for dinner last night. We feasted like kings and enjoyed ourselves, happily chatting and drinking wine until nearly the wee-hours of the morning. Little did we know, we were also hosting another feast in our back yard.... Raccoons...and Paul swears that he's gonna kill them the next time he sees them.

Early this morning, Paul goes down at my request to let the chickens out of their coop to graze and wander for the sleepy morning we'd planned. He comes back with a grave face and mouths to me (so that the kids can't hear) that Tres, the black one, has been strewn across the backyard and the other two are gone. He returns to the yard to collect the parts, which are mostly picked clean, so that they aren't discovered by the kids. While doing so, he spots Uno on the other side of the fence and sends me out to fetch her. Within minutes, I'm in the back of the fence, clucking like a chicken, to coax her out from hiding. She comes running over when she hears me and is easy to catch. We gather in the house to pet and love on the second safe return of Uno (you may recall how in September, Uno was lost in the "great outdoors" for nearly 4-days until we found her, gratis to a craigslist lead, on the side of the highway!). Two chickens accounted for; one, Dos, is still MIA.

Paul is melancholy all morning, mourning the terrible fate of Tres and the terrifying and grotesque scene which Uno had to live. We can only hope that Dos is safe somewhere, hunkered down like Uno did last fall and will come out later to be discovered. There is absolutely no sign of one brown feather to suggest she had a struggle with anyone. "This is why we shouldn't be keeping these things," he mourns. He's insinuating it's for the kids' sake, but I know he's thinking about his personal discomfort and emotional trauma. Who knew he was really such a softy?

We searched the terraces behind our house; first him and then me (since I can make the gentle clucking that brings them out). The entire time I'm combing the bushes and grasses above the freeway, I'm feeling guilty. Did I inadvertently leave the latch undone when I checked on them last night before the company arrived? Tres was nested nearest to the window. Could the raccoons be cleaver enough to fumble with the lock until they opened the door or was I just lazy in my haste to cook my cousins' dinner and left the window half closed?

Absolutely no sign of her in the wilds of the terraces. So, we've posted our craigslist ad again and have emailed out to the neighborhood via the parents' group. We hope there will soon be a reply, even if it is to note some small clump of brown feathers in the field. There is hope to find her - Uno has shown us that. However, tonight we mourn the definite loss of Tres. Hopefully, one chicken dinner is enough for the raccoons this week.

Alessandro - 19 Months

2010-01-28T21:24:00.000-08:00

Alessandro is getting more and more like a little kid and less like a baby. Well, he still has a strong relationship with his pacifier, but in most aspects, he's a little man.

He's able to string two and even three words together (example, "apple juice, Momma") and eagerly jumps into songs or dances he knows. In the car, he will start clapping in all the right places to B-I-N-G-O and, from the other room, he will race to the television to chant "Spongebob Square Pants" when he hears the pirate ask, "Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?" My mom watched him one morning and when I came back, she marveled in telling me that he sung himself to sleep singing the "A, B, C" song. He knows all the way to "E" and then just starts making them up.

He parrots everything that's said to him and the girls have found this a lot of fun. "Say 'silly song,' Alessandro," they'll say, and he does. They will spend a whole car ride asking him to repeat words and no one tires of it. One morning, again at Grandma's, I prompted him to say, "I love you." We were entertained and warmed by a whole symphony of back-to-back "I love yous" that at times when into song and were shouted at the top of his voice. Valentines Day come early.

The flip side to this is that he knows he's growing up; he wants to do everything himself. Mealtimes are a disaster and a mess. I've decided just to throw an art smock on him and sweep the floor 5-times a day instead of fighting or training him. The exchange just results in more mess and both of us upset. I have needed to take away the crayons and art supplies while he is awake as he will proceed to draw on anything and his sisters get very upset that he's "ruined" their drawings with his slashes of color. And he has started his "terrible two" tantrums...yikes!

All in all, however, he is the purest form of joy and enthusiasm. We get all kinds of complimentary comments about him, often confirming his "Little Man" status and demeanor. We love him to pieces!

Sick

2010-01-05T21:38:00.001-08:00

It all started a week ago. It seems a whole lot less dramatic now, but only because we're on the back end...the back end of a giant tsunami that totaled this household completely.

Day 1: Alessandro was cuddling in bed with us in the morning and, after drinking from his sippy cup (his equivalent of a lovie), he threw up a little bit. Completely confused about what just happened, he held it in his mouth long enough for me to jump out of bed and carry him to the bathroom sink. That was weird, Paul and I wondered.
We had plans of driving out to look at a couple houses with our realtor. We were already running late, but had to stop on the side of the road 3 times on the way there to clean up the Little Man who had absolutely totaled his outfit and his car seat. Paul got to look at the house while I sat with the kids at the curb of the street and helped Alessandro "get his yuckies out." We didn't know what was going on with him, but I asked Paul to take the girls and go with the realtor to see the rest of the tour while I headed back to Grandma's. Not only could I clean the little guy and his stuff up, but I could keep him separated from everyone else a bit longer.
Even thought we got him cleaned up, he needed at least one more bath at home before he fell asleep. The sequestering starts.

Day 2: I'm worried about how often this guy is getting sick. He started a fever and I think about H1N1....tamiflu is on my mind so I call my pediatrician's cell phone. She wants to see him. He's alert, she says, and hasn't yacked all morning. Perhaps it's over. He's got a small amount of fluid in his right ear, nothing painful at this point. Wait it out since the tamiflu can cause vomiting in its own right. That afternoon, the vomiting comes back anyhow. It's so hard to take care of a kid who doesn't yet know what to do when vomiting. At least the girls know to lean over a bed-bowl or toilet -- even a sink. With little Alessandro, he goes wherever he happens to be. You need to have quick reflexes.. and a lot of cleaning detergent.

Day 3: Vomiting continues with a vengeance! He can't keep anything down - it goes out on either end. To make things worse, Bettina picks up a fever. I go to town at the pharmacy. Not only is it the last day of the year (have to spend the Flexible Savings), but my friend Patti tells me her drama in trying to care for her boys while spending 4-hours on her own bathroom floor! Her advice: Immodium and ginger ale for Mommy.

Day 4: Ava's picked up a fever, too. Neither girl is having the GI troubles BB has, however, Daddy suffers a little. My hands are chapped from washing them and everything else so much and I'm doing like 4-loads of laundry a day to keep up with the infected clothes and linens. Alessandro won't let me out of his sight. He has to be physically touching me or he complains. Poor muffin! Our house has the constant disjunct music of coughing in 5 different keys. It's hard for anyone to sleep uninterrupted.

Day 5: I contemplate calling the dr on a Sunday morning of a 4-day weekend. Little Man hasn't had a wet diaper and will not drink near enough. He gave up on the Pedialyte yesterday, and now won't even do juice. I even offer him soda. Although, he does have a small appetite....but only for a few bites of pumpkin pie! More and more laundry. I spend the night skimming medical pages on the internet and believe that Little Man must have the rotavirus. It is supposed to last up to 8-days!! Oh, Lord, give me the strength!

Day 6: This is the first day in 5 he hasn't thrown up!! Paul complains about having to go to work when he's not feeling well. I stare at him with distain and well as the panic that pleads, "Please don't leave me here all by myself!!" As he leaves, he realizes he's got the better end of the stick and stops complaining. I call in the dr's when they open and they want to see ALL of them right away. I load everyone up (which is a feat in it's own: everyone wants to be carried, everyone's whining and crying about being too hot/cold, etc) into the car and try to start it. The impossible happens - the engine won't turn over!! I am livid! However, a friendly neighbor helps me jump the car and we're only 7-minutes late. The dr agrees the baby's dehydrated and wags her finger at me for not calling yesterday. Although he's alert, is interested in the toys and can handle a fair amount of mobility, he's dropped 3-lbs (13% of his body weight) and his capillary refill is a little slow - on the cusp of needing an IV for hydration. He also has a slight ear infection. Bettina has a raging ear infection - one that the dr wants me to see it's so bad. Not only is the ear inflamed and red with puss behind it, but it also has a pimple on it that shows there's even more infection waiting. She can't believe that Bettina's not complaining of the pain. "Does your ear hurt?" we ask her. She shakes her head no. "You've got a stoic one here," she informs me. Like I didn't already know. Both the girls' coughs lead the dr. to lend out the nebulizer. Bettina 3-4 times/day; Ava 1-2 times/day. I admit to her my worry yesterday and my reservations about calling on a Sunday. I'm informed that on the Richer scale, I'm an under-reactor. I'm jokingly given a "prescription" to call her anytime I am mildly thinking about calling her. She also wants to see a wet diaper from the boy by the afternoon or I'm to go to the clinic and get him an IV. She also wants me to get both liquid and salt into his system anyway possible - so I take him to McDonalds...he can't resist the fries or sipping off my Diet Coke. I have slight luck with the Diet Coke, but none with the fries. Even the girls, who have fallen asleep in the car in their own feverish realms (I don't dare enter any restaurant - especially one with a playland), refuse to eat much...but they of course enjoy the Alvin and the Chipmonk toys! By 3pm, there is still no wet diaper, so I go to the clinic expecting to get an IV. However, the doctor there veto's the IV and instead asks me to squirt 5ccs of liquid every 15-20 minutes for the next 2 days or until BB drinks properly on his own. I'm stewing a bit wondering if this young doctor has ever had 3 sick kids to take care of all by himself with all the laundry, floor mopping, sanitizing and custom cooking that goes along with it...are you kidding? Every 15-20 minutes?? But, he also give a little anti-nausea medicine which seems to do the trick. The kids hungry for the eggs and ham (??) Paul makes for dinner and he drinks a whole can on ginger ale over the course of 2-hours and falls asleep. Both girls fall asleep early, but with mid-fevers, still. They both sleep restlessly so, like the rest of the past 6 nights, so do I.

Day 7: Everyone sleeps until 8am!! The girls have broken their fevers, everyone has slight appetites and LO AND BEHOLD: Baby Brother makes 3 wet diapers!! I'm hopeful that we're on the back end. I can finally take them out to run a few quick errand, we check on Misty, and get everything ready to go to school tomorrow!! Thank goodness! I will get some downtime tomorrow! I think I'll go to the gym and take a much needed steam bath.....and now, to get to bed before 11pm! Nighty-night.

Suddenly, 40 Doesn't Seem to be the New 30....

2010-01-02T21:48:00.001-08:00

I didn't have a problem turning 40 this year. I've believed, like most, that because we waited longer to get married and have children, essentially doing everything our parents had been doing in their 30's, that we were a young and vivacious as our parents. I had no concerns - only celebrations - around the black "over the hill" day.

That all changed at my last OB/Gyn appointment. Chatting with my doctor, she gave me the requisiton for a mammagram. "Now you're old enough to start going to these lovely procedures," she congratulated me. Whoa! I suddenly realize the obvious.... can I really be THAT old....shucks.

Our Holidays in a Blur

2010-01-02T21:46:00.000-08:00

...Because a blur was how it really happened. How did it get to be 2010? However, we have the pictures to prove it - Christmas pageants where the girls were angels at one church and a sheep, cow and singers in another; parties at our house, Grandma's house, Sylvia's, polka dancing at the Monte Cristo; rich foods, special treats, wrapping paper, chaos, toys, thank you cards. Bettina's favorite gift? a digital camera, Ava's? a stuffed chinchilla, Alessandro's? a basketball set.
Lots of fun, celebrations and late nights. Santa came, left presents, ate his cookies and even drank his egg nog. A memorable month, indeed.

Too bad we had to start 2010 with a very sick kid. Alessandro finally appears to be coming off of a truly horrific stomach bug. Laundry, laundry everywhere, but not one item clean. On New Year's Day, Bettina came down with a fever, but no real menacing bug yet (fingers crossed!).

All I Want For Christmas?

2009-12-23T13:11:00.000-08:00

We couldn't stop laughing about finding this t-shirt while window shopping at Ghiradelli Square. Watch out, Ava...two can play at this game!

The Day We Brought Snow to School

2009-12-07T21:55:00.001-08:00

It has been cold; a big cold front that lasts 4-days is coming through. It's first day brought rain which, with the cold evenings, brought snow the hilltops and mountains. From our house, you couldn't tell, however, after making the transition through the Hwy 24 exchange, heading toward the Berkeley Hills, you could see the white stuff covering the tops. I point it out as we head to school:
"Hey, Ava -- see that white stuff at the top of the hill? Guess what that is," I say.
"I dunno, Mommy," she answers.
"It's snow!! Isn't that exciting?"
"You mean like at Aunt Ainsley's house? That's so special! Can we go there and touch it?" she asks.
Why not? I think. So, I get off the freeway and wind our way up to the top. The whole way up each kid is clamoring about each and every snow patch they see. It gets thicker and more even as we progress. We all pile out of the car at a turnout at the crest of the hill. Baby Brother is excited as well, pointing and making muffled chatter through his pacifier. I get a left-over soda cup from the car and tell the kids that we could fill it up with snow and bring it to school for all the kids to see. Excited hands and eyes get busy. They love the shocking feel of the cold snow as they scoop it up and put it into the paper cup. Bettina is so excited, she wants to guard the cup the rest of the way to school and holds it in her lap. I have to do up her seat belt she is so reluctant to let it go. Ava comments as we finish our drive that she wishes is was "S" week at school so that they could put the snow into the mystery box so people could guess what it was.
From the parking lot, Bettina can't carry anything but the snow-filled paper cup to her class she's so preoccupied. As I put her things in her cubby, I look to find her parading the snow around the room like she's Clara with her Nutcracker.
When I pick them up at the end of the day, I ask Ava about sharing their snow. She realizes now that we don't have it. "We forgot our snow at school!" she panics. "Where did it go?" I tell her that Miss Kathy probably threw it out after it melted. "Why?" she asks.
"Well, probably because after the snow melts, it's not so special anymore."
"But, why isn't it special?" she asks, a little hurt.
Perhaps that's the magic and the story to be told. Isn't it wonderful to realize that a pile of dirty water really is still special through a child's eyes because, at one time, it was snow.

Lots of Ballet Today

2009-12-03T23:22:00.000-08:00

Alessandro, Julia, Hanna, Ava, Bettina & Christina before watching The Velveteen Rabbit
The ODC version of The Velveteen Rabbit was a last-minute, unexpected treat as some friends found extra tickets 3-hours before showtime. Although we usually see Misty today, we decided to sidetrack and try something new. Who knew it would be as great as it was! And, where else do you get a kid-friendly (both on content and lenght) ballet a mile and a half from your home for $10 a seat?
Despite the fact that it started right at the beginning of Baby Brother's nap time, Alessandro truely loved the show. He sat still and watched from my lap for the whole 60-minutes, pointing and grunting to aspects he particularly enjoyed. Ava and Bettina also did quite well.

As if one holiday ballet a day isn't enough, we'd already scheduled to see The Nutcracker that night with Grandma. The girls dressed up again and we went out for dinner at a place with linen napkins, Sprite sodas and chocolate gelato! "I wish we could have a special day everyday, Momma," Ava concludes.

Off the Market

2009-11-24T23:25:00.000-08:00

While driving in the car today, Daddy asked Ava if she'd heard anything about the ad she put out to sell her brother. "No," she answered.

"Do you still want to sell him?" he asked.

"No," she answered. "I'd miss his cute little face," she said, which makes Daddy burst with a smile and glance over at me.

"And, he's sort of funny and makes me laugh," she continued, looking over at him sitting next to her in his car seat.

So, I guess it's final: Baby Brother is off the market.

Wired for Faith

2009-11-24T23:16:00.000-08:00

Here's a nice article sent to me by the Children's Minister at our church....poignant, I think:
By Jim Barringer on November 24, 2009 at 12:00 am
My pastor and his wife have a baby, Grace, who everyone agrees is the cutest baby ever born. Whenever she’s trying to walk, or pushing a ball, people can’t help but stare because she’s just so adorable. At Chili’s after church tonight, one of the teens was playing peekaboo with her. You know what peekaboo is like for kids; they think it’s the coolest thing in the world when the person reappears, and they never get bored of it.
That’s because children come into the world with no concept of object permanence, the idea that things continue to exist even when the child can’t see them. Child psychologist Jean Piaget did the groundbreaking work in this area, demonstrating that most children master this concept sometime in the second year of their lives. Prior to that, as far as they are concerned, nothing in the world exists if they’re not looking at it at that precise moment.
I personally think that sounds like a great premise for a horror story: a man lives in a world where things disappear forever if he stops looking at them. The fact that children don’t understand object permanence for the first two whole years of their lives fascinates and terrifies me. While I was busy writing the first draft of a short story in my head, my girlfriend asked, “Why do you think God allowed children to be born like that? Why is object permanence something he makes us learn?”
It’s a brilliant question, with an even more brilliant answer. Being born without object permanence means that, whether we’re conscious of it or not, almost the first thing we learn in our lives is that something can exist even if we don’t see it. Does that idea sound familiar to you? It’s the most crucial building block for having faith in God. Pretty much everything else that we do in the first two years of our life is instinct: crying when we’re hungry, when we’ve just soiled our diapers, when we want attention, when we don’t even know what’s wrong because we’re not used to these fickle bodies yet. All of that is instinct that is not learned or taught. But object permanence is, for most humans, the very first thing that they learn all on their own, and it opens the door to understanding the existence of God. Not only is it a vital physical lesson, it’s the foundation for the most important spiritual truth in the universe as well.
How very brilliant on God’s part that he has so engineered us that, even before we’re capable of articulating the thoughts, he is already guiding us toward knowledge of himself. It really is proof that he is condescending, in the good way – that he delights in descending to everyone’s level, that he is determined to make himself known to everyone on the planet, even those who are too young to understand that he is pursuing them. The very idea makes me worship him even more for his majesty, his subtlety, and the steadfast love he pours out on everyone, including two-year-olds who can’t possibly give anything back to him or even understand or respond to his love yet.
If there is any finer proof that humans were created to discover and worship God, I have yet to hear it.

If you can't beat them....

2009-11-24T12:46:00.000-08:00

Housework with three kids around is a bit of a chore, no pun intended. Every time I put away the Tupperware back in the cabinet so I can vacuum the kitchen carpet, Alessandro opens the door and throws them all around again. Imagine trying to clean the hardwood floors, bent over on all fours, scrubbing the old avocado and juice stains off of the wood with a 17-month toddler tackling your mid-section and then climbing up to ride you bronco-style. I know he's probably just trying to get my attention so he can play with me, but with 5-minutes more, I know I can finish the whole room.....so I power through.
How's the saying go? If you can't beat them....
The next thing I know, I look over and there's Little Man on his hands and knees as well, bent over the hardwood floor with my kitchen towel instead of a rag, rubbing the wood and then dipping the towel into the soapy bucket like he's seeing his mommy do. I'm smiling ear-to-ear. What a little wonder! So, laughing and smiling, we clean the kitchen floor together - and I add the kitchen towels to the laundry when we're done!

Brother For Sale

2009-11-18T20:16:00.000-08:00

Alessandro's been going through a rough phase...playing rough, that is. He's a hair-pulling, knee-tackling, eye-grabbing kind of guy right now. That's how he thinks he fits in. We're all having a hard time adjusting to it. The girls in particular were at the end of their rope this evening. Ava asked me if I could put Baby Brother in a box. "In a box? What do you mean?" I ask. "In a box downstairs with the other stuff you're going to sell at the Twins' Sale," she answers. "You want us to sell Baby Brother?" I ask. They both nod their heads... Let's go with this and see what come out of their little hearts. I get on the computer and take dictation:

Dear Buyer,
We have a baby to sell and his name is Alessandro. And we don't want to have him because he hits us and do everything else that we don't like and we really don't want him for us. We want another baby brother - a girl baby who will listen to our words to what we say to her. And we don't want to buy Alessandro to us, OK? We want to sell it to you. Alessandro hits a little bit and pulls your hair. It hurts us very, very, very much. And we don't like him. And he goes jumping on our back, pulls our dresses and hugs our knees. We want girl everything.

They're watching me type the email and Ava thinks of an idea. "Let's send this to Antonio [our nephew whose parents are expecting in May]. He wants a baby brother and not a baby sister. Maybe he'll take him." I'm sure Sylvia would, too!

Daddy asks, "But, aren't you going to miss him [Alessandro]?"
"Yeah," says Ava.
"Yeah says Bettina too!" Bettina adds.
But, they both give a look like, "So, when can he move out?"
Poor kids...too bad we love him too much to sell him to someone else.

Better Than a Shot in the Arm

2009-11-13T22:04:00.000-08:00

It's the scare everyone is talking about...the local news, the morning talk show, Dr. Dean Edell and every mom at pre-school drop-off: H1N1
There's been so much controversy and panic over how everyone should handle the H1N1 flu season....especially since the vaccine is out late. And, I can't believe how many people, because it's late and not already incorporated into the seasonal flu shot, are scared of the H1N1 shot and think it's actually bad for them. Even my sister, who's an intensive care nurse, pregnant AND has a young child at home, planned on skipping the vaccine. I had to ask: "WHY?!" Well, she summarized, it's a new vaccine and hasn't been tested, so she can't trust it. She was going to get the seasonal shot, because she's been getting that one for years, and that was the extent of it. WHAT? Um, Ainsley....the flu shot, because it's customized every year to which strains they think will hit, is new every year! I know how to get to her, though....I know I'm not convincing...but someone else is: she listened to 2-days of Dr. Dean (which she can do while visiting down in the Bay Area) on the radio and she's converted. Anyone who doesn't get the shot, according to Dr. Dean, especially if you in any one of the high risk categories (my sister was in 3 of them!), should just die from it so the gene pool is that much better off.
Well, the next problem, after you wisely decide to get the shot (and have all your kids vaccinated as well), is to find a place that can give them -- has them actually in store. A few weeks ago, finding the vaccine was an every-day thread in Facebook friends and Mommy-groups communications. Who's got them? Where can you find them?
It was through one of the mom-groups that I learned the City of San Francisco had a large stock of vaccines that they were going to give away at a number of clinics. After following the link, I discover that there's one literally in our neighborhood and I jumped on the chance.
Armed with coloring books, snacks and a stroller to contain Baby Brother, we arrived an hour in advance of the clinic's opening. I was pleased that only about 40-people were in front of me. I was close enough, even, that the kids could run and play in the driveway where they wouldn't be too close to the traffic on the street. Within a half-hour, the line's to the end of the block. Kids run in all directions, women, heavily pregnant, sit in camping chairs that their husbands carried for them, infants sit or fuss in baby bjions or infant car seats. People are talking with each other and the parking lot takes on the feel of a family reunion only the kids were all strangers 45-minutes ago. The clinic ends up becoming a community event.
When the clinic opens, I'm surprised to see not one, but 5 Sheriffs working both in and out of the clinic, reading the rules (high risk people only) to ensure that people behave properly. I think of the other 8 clinics in San Francisco and wonder how many Sheriffs are working overtime so people can get their flu shot. I suppose, however, with all the anxious people worried about being left out, the City didn't want to chance a frenzy or panic. The poor sheriffs ended up being totally unneeded - once inside, they allowed non-children and non-preggers to get their shots, too. So, now, we're all vaccinated with our first round of H1N1. This was 3-weeks ago. Still, almost all my friends living in the East Bay have not been able to get the vaccine, even those with high-risk kids. Their doctors (including my pediatrician) still can't get their orders in. Our pediatrician isn't sure she'll even get some in be the time our second dose is needed. Crazy.
While we were waiting in line at the clinic, Ava, always apprehensive of owies, was still asking why she really needed to get a shot. I told her the shot would be easier to forget than being sick at home for at least a week. She said she thought she'd take her chances and just stay home from school sick, until I reminded her that she also would have to stay home from ballet and Tae Kwon Do and ballet/jazz. She wouldn't get to see her friends anywhere. After consideration, she decides to get the shot. At least it's good to know that she thinks her friends and regular activities are better than a shot in the arm!

Why is Every Kid Under 4 Afraid of Santa?

2009-11-12T23:03:00.000-08:00

It surprises me every year...before we're thinking of what to cook for the big Thanksgiving meal, it's always a trip to see Santa! The stores are playing Christmas music and the malls getting the kids excited with Santas abound. We learned last minute about this Santa opportunity at a local nursery and gift store that's known for having the best Christmas displays and tree decorations -- been around since I was the kids' age. They serve hot apple cider (which to Baby Brother, doesn't taste nearly as good as plain apple juice) and home made mint brownies and cookies....HOME MADE (I think I ate about 5!). Each kid got to pick out one tree decoration and we took photos with Santa and put our name in a raffle. We left with lots of cute photos, some knowledge of how German hand-painted decorations are made, full bellies and a prize from the raffle! And I never win those things!
The girls are wearing their Japanese headbands - gifts brought back by Grandma's recent trip there. They have little kimonos that match, too! Alessandro's kimono comes with a matching headband, too -- samurai style.

Halloween On The Hill

2009-10-31T22:12:00.000-07:00

Barbie-Princess Fairy (Bettina), a Princess (Ava) and our Little Prince (Alessandro)

Halloween was a fantastic time this year. The girls made up their own

costumes (and carved a pumpkin) while Alessandro got a chance to "understand the rules" and routine of trick-or-treating. At first, he didn't quite know what to do; we had to convince him to take a candy at the first house. At the second house, he took the candy from the first house (which as half-eaten) and put it inside the basket of candy. At the third house, he just picked up the whole basket of treats and started to leave. But, following Ava & Bettina's lead, he learned to take just one..and later, just one handful, and put it in his basket. Funny to watch the whole learning curve.

The girls helped to carve a pumpkin which we entered into the Community Garden Jack-o-Lantern walk party and then Farley's Jack-o-Lantern contest. They won a free hot chocolate, a lollipop, and a whoopie cushion (which has proved to produce much slap-stick style laughter)!

All were tired when we got home and went to bed before eating too much candy. Tomorrow we start daylight savings and gain and hour. I wonder if the transition will be an easy one or if we will all be waking up far too early!

Happy Halloween! Can you find us?

2009-10-31T21:18:00.000-07:00

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Boogie for Ba'ha

2009-10-26T13:02:00.000-07:00

Ava and Bettina participated last year in a philanthropy event called "Boogie for Ba'ha" (picture is from last-year's event). Their pre-school sponsors the education of a young deaf Palestinian boy named Ba'ha. Ba'ha lives in the Gaza Strip and attends a specialized school for the deaf called the Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children. Ba'ha is the only deaf child in his family with six children and the specialized school helps him to communicate with them as well as the outside world, giving him lifetime skills that will allow him many options to grow up more self-sufficient and full of confidence.

Last year, Ava & Bettina raised $160.00 for Ba'ha's tuition, which is only $600/year. That meant that, together, they helped Ba'ha go to school for nearly one-quarter of a year! This year, they wish to be equally helpful and will promise to dance in the dance party the whole 10-minutes the music plays for your pledges. YOU CAN HELP by:

sponsoring their dancing efforts (a flat fee or a per-minute pledge) and/or
writing them encouraging notes confirming they are doing something important to help

They dance next week, Nov. 4th at 10:30am. Please let me know if you'd like to pledge. Checks (make out to LOPC - Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church) need to be turned in by November 9th.

You can read more about Ava & Bettina's event last year on our blog: http://aboutourbabies.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_archive.html
We are sure to post about this year after its end as well.

Thanks for your help!!
XO,
Allison & Paul

JUMP!

2009-10-16T07:21:00.000-07:00

Cousin Braxton (almost 23 months) and Alessadnro (almost 16 months) entertain the crowd by showing they can jump off the fireplace hearth at Grandma's house (a whopping 4"!).

Alessandro - 15-Months

2009-10-05T22:17:00.000-07:00

This month, Alessandro gets his 2nd haircut - atop a pony!

Alessandro is

growing like a weed. Each day seems to bring new surprises. While doing busy work around the kitchen, I realize I'm listening to Baby Brother sing "Happy Birthday." How he picked that up, I don't know. Perhaps at William's birthday party? (He was asleep during Elsa's.) However, the girls and I love hearing him so much, we sing it with him just to watch him grin at our recognition and the attention he gets from the applause. He is still experimenting with his gross motor skills, trying to master jumping. So, whenever he climbs a stair or the hearth on my mother's fireplace, we all count, "1, 2, 3!!!" and he jumps and grins, giving himself a hand at gaining both our attention as well as more practice. He is also getting anxious about wanting to hold the spoon during eating time and feeding himself. Usually a disaster, but it's good practice from time to time. I've also noticed that lately, he gets into the cabinets for the purpose of setting the table rather than just making a mess.

He melts hearts in public, insisting on greeting every person he sees with a dimpled smile, a "hi" and a hand wave. He will also blow kisses as he leaves. He is DESPERATE to join the girls at pre-school. He literally jumps from my arms and runs into the classroom, climbing up into a chair to reach the markers and paper or to join the other boys playing on the carpet. He doesn't understand why he can't stay with everyone all day long. The teachers suggest that I enroll him into the class for the 1-2 year olds, but that's not what he wants to do. He wants to be a Sunflower (4's class) just like Ava & Tina and their friends. Much more exciting to draw, do art and play with the big kids.

He still shows no signs of dropping his morning nap or drinking milk anytime soon. He loves watching and chasing the chickens. Sometimes he wants to be with them so much, he walks into their coop, swats and waits for them to come close enough to touch. He is captivated by animals and is nurturing a new love of books. He will carry books all around the house, stopping every now and again to open the pages and show them to people. His favorite is shaped like a race car and came from the Bairds' last visit. I'm loving this age where hugs and kisses come freely and he's usually not far from me - laced between my legs or singing or chatting closeby. He is a real blessing!

The Return of Uno

2009-09-23T21:20:00.000-07:00

Uno home at last, head stuffed into her feeding trough. Ava & Tina posing below the "lost chicken" sign we posted at the local store.

Well, we are all celebrating a huge triumph over all the pitfalls of life here! After 3 1/2 days of being out in the wilds of the neighborhood, amid cats, hawks, raccoons and who-knows-what, Uno has returned!!

I must admit, I wasn't very hopeful after the first 24-hours were over Monday night. My email to the neighbors only resulted in stories with sad endings. And, although I didn't want to believe Uno would follow the same fate, the girls clearly didn't believe. In their childhood innocence, being devoured by another creature in the cruel backyard wasn't even on their radar, nor did I want it to be. So, we did all the things a family "should" do when looking for a lost pet. On Tuesday, we made up a sign, which the girls colored, describing our lost chicken, and posted it at the local market among the other fliers. Both on the way there and on return trip, the girls are searching for her and calling her name. As we near home, we timidly enter the state-owned land between our house and the freeway. Some homeless people have cut the fence and there are well-used trails that zig-zag through the giant retaining walls that are terraced above the freeway. I'm reluctant to wander too far, not knowing what I'd come across in the company of kids. Although, we see no sign of Uno there either, Baby Brother has now picked up a new word after hearing it repeated for the last hour: "Uno."

I also created a craigslist ad and posted her picture to it. All that came back Tuesday was another story about pet chickens that had a sad ending too. Today's email, however, was different. When we got back from school, I'd received an email from the craigslist ad I'd created:

"hello, i don't know if this will be any help at this point, but I was in a truck that was getting onto [the freeway] near [your house] and we saw a small white hen on the side of the highway very close to the on ramp. I was afraid for it, but at work and unable to stop. hope this is somehow helpful. good luck! ~kila"

"Was this today? We live right above there...." I answered.

"today around 11am. the [freeway] on ramp near [basically your street]. my co-workers and i really hope you find it."

Wow! There's hope! So, I grab the phone and dial Paul. I tell him the good news. He says he's on his way home. Knowing it's been nearly 6-hours since this nice person saw her, I tell him I'm going to call Nonna and ask her to watch the girls so I go now to see if by chance she's still there.

Nonna's there in 2-minutes.

I first start out running. I reach the on-ramp and realize it would be pretty dangerous for me to just walk out on the freeway. I look to make sure she's not someplace easy for me to get to, but end up running back up the hill and getting into my car. It's commute time, so the on-ramp is slow to merge with the freeway, which is also clogged with traffic. As I approach the freeway, I can't believe that I actually see her on the side of the road! She's stark white against the green ivy that climbs up the retaining wall. It's surreal, actually, seeing a white chicken on a busy city freeway! I slowly inch my way up the traffic-clogged ramp and closer to where she is. I pull to the side, put on my indicators and confuse a bunch of people as I get out of the car and walk to the side. Slowly I walk up to Uno, making sure to talk softly. She lets me get close and only makes a small complaint when I pick her up. I'm SO thankful that she didn't scurry or dart into traffic! The people watching, stuck in the slow commute, are very confused -- did that lady just pick up a chicken? I can hear it in their bewildered faces. I carefully carry her and don't relax until the car door is closed and she's sitting in the passenger seat looking at me. I notice she's got a very dirty face, but is otherwise very healthy. I am so emotional, I nearly cry!

I make my way back onto the freeway and then off the next exit. Uno seems to be thankful already. She walks from the passenger seat and onto my lap. Next up to my arm. She rides perched on my arm and seems to enjoy watching the short drive home. She remains on my arm as we get out of the car and happily announce our arrival to the team of kids at home. Together we take her outside to the coup. She instantly flies down and starts pecking at the food like there's no tomorrow. I let her eat and then fill it up to the top. The water, too. She must be thirsty with all the hot weather we've been having. I can't believe she's been out there for 3 1/2 days!!

Everything settled, I get back to my computer and thank our craigslist friend:

"OMG! I just went down and FOUND HER! Thank you, thank you, thank you! You and your co-worker are AWESOME! You saved a little chicken's life and three little kids' hearts. Can we buy you a round of coffees and some home-made brownies for your next commute???"

He writes back: "no brownies needed, but wow! she's quite a survivor! my co-workers will be so glad. i'm really amazed and happy to know she's at home with her family again."

Well, we are too. Just take a look at Alessandro...calling "Uno" and blowing kisses....

GONE!

2009-09-21T12:27:00.000-07:00

Well, we knew that there would be all sorts of stories to come out of our chicken-raising experiences. This is surely one that could have ended the whole series!

I remember yesterday, just after dark, that I didn't close the chickens in and left them to forage around the yard, just as they like to do. Since I was in Sacramento attending my cousin's kid's birthday, I called Paul, who stayed at home, to remind him to close the chickens in before the raccoons came out. When I get home, he's out in front. "Good," I think. "He can help me bring in these three sleeping kids." His eyes tell me he's deeply annoyed by this...or something else. He soon tells me he's been looking for chickens for an hour, "They're GONE!"

After I put the kids down, I go off with a flashlight and confirm what he says. I expect to see strewn feathers or at least a dirt pile where a struggle for life started/ended, but I don't see anything unsual. However, the chickens are not in our yard, nor are they in Nonna's yard next door. Paul and I shine the flashlight under her deck where tons and tons of old wood and building materials lay while we go over different scenarios about what could have happened to the chickens. Paul is so upset and angry at me and swears he's never getting chickens again; we're cruel and terrible guardians. He goes upstairs while I sit in the darkness listening for their cooing/roosting sounds. I get nothing. After about 45-minutes, I give up and go upstairs. As I pass Paul, he tells me that he's going to take a sledgehammer to the coup in the morning so I don't kill anymore innocent chicken-lives. A bit extreme, but I sense there is a little boy in that fury, upset about the unresolved lives of his little pets. I worry about how to explain this to the kids and soothe myself by researching different humane societies that adopt out chickens. Clearly this family loves raising chickens...

I go to sleep but am suddenly not tired. I can't believe I'm losing sleep over chickens! When sleep finally comes, I dream only about scenarios of finding chickens and hope to awake to hear their morning noises outside the window. However, when I do wake, it is still dark and 6am. I notice Paul's not in the bed and never made it, either. I wander around and find him sleeping in the basement with all the windows open. His ears are unusually aware; he awakes to tell me he was hoping to hear them during the night, wandering safely back into the yard so he could close the door behind them. I feel sorry for him as he's clearly fond and concerned about the chickens.

By 7am, the chickens would have started their normal routine of coming out of their boxes and starting to forage for food, waiting for me to come out and fill up their feeder and water. Hopeful and sad, I duck my head out amid getting 3-children ready to leave for school. Paul and I don't talk about it and he leaves for work. About 10-minutes later, he comes back in. "I heard them! They're in the corner lot! I think I saw two of them!" I run up to the neighbor's door and ring it. No one answers. I fly back. Paul asks what I'm doing. "I'm going to jump the fence and get them!"

"Get what, Mommy?" Ava asks. "The chickens," I answer. "What happened to the chickens, Mommy?" "They got lost last night." I go over my mother-in-law's fence and then over the 6-foot cyclone fence that separates her yard from the the next. Two of the chickens, Dos and Tres, are foraging under the rose bushes. It's clear that nearly 6-week old chicks can do something Paul & I didn't consider: fly....fly both far and high.

Hurray!! Within minutes, the two of them are back in the coup. I write a quick email to the neighborhood asking them to be on the lookout for Uno, the yellow-white one. So far, all that's come back is a note saying two chickens were taken from a different neighbor's yard by raccoons. Not encouraging, but we'll keep looking.

I do have to say, however, it is clear that these chickens are part of the family. After dropping off the kids at school, some mom friends were asking, with baited breath, about the chicken-saga. "These chickens have got to be in your holiday card photo this year," one mom ventured. I sort of have to believe that she is right!

We All Fall Down!

2009-09-20T11:34:00.000-07:00

Ava decided this morning that she didn't want to take a bath today with Baby Brother. She wanted to do what Bettina got to do last time: take a shower. So, while I bathed Baby Brother, I delegated the shower routine to Daddy, who was about to jump in anyhow. Ava has this thing about not getting her ears or eyes wet, so I was concerned about how she'd take the shower, but her confidence and determination said it was time to give it a try.
From my perch upstairs, I could tell that the shower wasn't all that Ava thought it'd be. She started to complain as Daddy told her that her hair wasn't even wet enough to put in the shampoo. Then I hear more complaining, more screaming, and Daddy just trying to get it done. The scene escalates higher and higher until it sounds like the animalistic panic of pure survival. Then I hear a big crash...Uh, oh...time to investigate...and quickly.
I run down the stairs and find the whole shower curtain and rod on the floor, both Daddy and Ava on their backs on top of it. Daddy finally got the water turned off. The only thing left standing is Bettina, wondering what the heck just happened.
Apparently, Ava was so determined NOT to finish her shower that, when Daddy picked her up to go under the shower to wash her shampoo out, she kicked off the wall with such force, it sent both Daddy and she flying backwards out of the shower, taking the curtain and rod down with them.
I couldn't help myself....listening to the story, tears of laughter were streaming down my face. That's one determined kid!!! Thank goodness no one was hurt! I guess its only baths again for Ava.

Pete Mulvihill of Green Apple Books Recommends: Raising Chickens in San Francisco!!

2009-09-18T22:14:00.000-07:00

AUGUST 11, 2009 | SAN FRANCISCO
Pete Mulvihill of Green Apple Recommends

Don't forget: the books mentioned below are available at 20% off for tablehopper readers for two weeks following this mention at Green Apple Books—simply use the code "tablehopper" at checkout (either at the store or online) for your discount.
If you're just looking for a book to read, this month's Bookworm column may not be of much help to you (though we have thousands, of course, at the store). But if you're thinking of keeping chickens, read on. (Are those crickets I hear?)
This spring, my wife and I shamelessly jumped on the "urban homestead" bandwagon. We were inspired by the usual factors: Michael Pollan, these thrifty times, neighbors who keep bees. We also wanted to show our city kids where food comes from. So when my wife's office (Sunset magazine) got chickens, we toyed with the idea of getting ourselves a few laying hens. We hemmed and hawed, not wanting any more responsibilities in life, but curious. Between Farm City and Sunset magazine's experiences, we realized just how easy it is to keep chickens. So in mid-April, we pulled the trigger and bought four chicks: two barred Plymouth Rocks and two Cuckoo Marans.
And we got The Joy of Keeping Chickens by Jennifer Megyesi ($14.95).
Each chick was five days old and, at $4.50 each at Half Moon Bay Feed and Fuel, seemed like a good deal for two–three years of eggs. Of course, we also bought about $100 worth of stuff: cage, heat lamp, waterer, and feed. While the chicks grew surprisingly quickly atop our dryer, we threw together a coop and run with recycled lumber from Builder's Resources for about $40, plus another $100 or so at hardware stores for plastic roofing, chicken wire, etc. At about eight weeks, the pullets moved outside.
While we waited for eggs, one chicken gradually showed his true colors: he was a little more aggressive, had a bigger comb, and eventually started the day (his last) with a pure "cock-a-doodle-doo." Once we realized we had a rooster on our hands, action had to be taken. So we consulted The Joy of Keeping Chickens (and YouTube), then we slaughtered, plucked, cooked and ate "Tillie." S/he made a nice pozole, albeit an expensive one. And while I would have preferred another laying hen to a hearty pozole, that process was ultimately a rewarding byproduct of our urban homesteading experiment.
And finally, last week, 22 weeks and $333 later, we got our first egg. And it was deliciously rich and rewarding. Even now, a week later, we're giddy when we open the little door to the laying box and find a light brown treat.
As for the book, it has everything you need and more—it even covers raising birds for meat, which is just not practical or cost-effective in San Francisco. It's well organized, clearly written, nicely put together, colorful, and very respectful, even loving.
FAQs: we sold our chick "starter kit" to another family for $50, so that reduced our costs. Plus, our picky-eater preschoolers provide many scraps for the chickens, and our local produce market saves trimmings from aging greens for the hens—both of these things keep our feed costs minimal.
You can leave your hens untended for days on end, so it's much easier than owning a cat or dog (though it's best to ask a neighbor to collect your eggs every day or so—since that task has its own reward, it should be pretty easy). In San Francisco, you can have up to four animals (e.g. if you have a dog, you can only have three chickens). No roosters. I have no idea about other cities.
Inspired? Feel free to email me or ask for me when you're in the store. Or see my wife's blog: with this link, you'll see the chicken entries only (in reverse chronological order, so start at the bottom).
Next month: a review of egg recipe books perhaps. Thanks for reading.

It Makes It ALL Worthwhile

2009-09-15T22:05:00.001-07:00

As crazy and manic as my life gets, there is an occasional zinger that cuts me to the core and reminds me how much I have it made:
After cleaning the kitchen last night, I look down at my feet and scoop up a cute little boy with a pacifier in his mouth. "Wanna give me a kiss?" I ask him, looking at him eye-to-eye. He takes his pacifier out and puts his wet little mouth to my lips. I'm a bit surprised as I didn't think he'd know what I was saying. However, I'm so touched by this unexpected gesture of love, I squeeze him and say, "I love you!" With the pacifier back in his mouth, he says, "I wuv jui." My heart leaps. "Give me a hug, bug," I say. He opens his arms around my neck, lays his head on my shoulder and gives a bear squeeze. "My lord, he doesn't miss a thing. He knows exactly what's going on," I think. I hold him closer, squeeze him back and rock back and forth. I am amazed and so very thankful for this little gift and a transcendental moment that is now etched in the memory of my heart.

Breakdown of a Typical Busy Day

2009-09-15T21:26:00.000-07:00

Wake up at 6:00am to baby's cries. Change baby's diaper and let him drink from his sippy cup so he can go back to sleep for another hour. Try to sleep again, but can't. Get out of bed. Do a couple loads of laundry. Get baby out of bed and changed into clothes. Make pancakes as girls come down the stairs. Clean up kitchen while everyone eats. Help girls get dressed and do their hair while making their beds. Put the girls' ballet/dance clothes in backpacks while searching for Baby's shoes and 2 more diapers for the bag. Throw some snacks in my purse. Out the door by 9:15 am. Meet friends at the door of the Academy of Sciences museum at 10am. Spend 2-hours with butterflies, fish, alligators and penguins. Help escort five kids to lunch room and divi-up lunch. Eat leftovers. Another hour in newly-discovered toddler play room (score!). Go back to car after saying bye to friends and drive to the East Bay. Drive past 3 new houses on the MLS that could have potential. Wonder why the newest one isn't open for Broker Tour day. Stop by child consignment shop to look at Halloween costumes. Deposit check into bank. Drive to ballet/jazz class. Chat with friend while girls dance. Admire how cute they are!! Pick up Grandma to run errands. Drive to mall. Return items at two different stores, fall in love with new western lines at Janie & Jack. Make mental note to check often for sales. Help Grandma buy new frying pan while managing children who have to touch everything. Eat dinner at Nordies. Look at and try on Christmas dresses (!?!) that Grandma wants to buy the girls. Drop Grandma back home. Try to make it to the bridge's toll plaza again before the 7pm carpool lane is over. Miss carpool lane by 30-seconds. Unload car. Give kids small snack and juice. Change everyone into pajamas, tidy room and get out ballet outfits for tomorrow's class while girls brush their teeth. Put baby to bed. Read two books to girls. Go outside to feed chickens and change water. Do another load of laundry. Go back upstairs to chastise girls for being too chatty and silly. Try to go through email. Go back and separate girls so they will settle down. Read email in the dark because one kid is now in my room. Put her back into her own bed 30-minutes later and rub her back for 15-minutes until she relaxes enough to sleep. Greet Daddy in a whisper-voice as he come home to see what eveyone is doing. Shushes Daddy who wants to wake everyone up since his late meeting made him miss "everything." Make lunches for tomorrow's school day. Fold 3-loads of laundry. It's now 11pm. (sigh!) Wish I had more time for fixing clothes, taking pictures of things to sell on eBay and to perhaps read a chapter from the new book lent by Grandma. Remember that lunch's leftovers are still in the car. Go out and retrieve them. Turn out all the lights. Watch sleeping husband passed out in front of TV. Leave the hall light on a bit for him. Change clothes. Get into bed (ahhhh!). Remember I'm hosting dinner for 3 high school friends tomorrow night. Panic. Contemplate getting out of bed to defrost something. Decide I'll deal with that issue "in the morning." (another deep sigh) Nighty-night!

09/11/2001

2009-09-11T11:07:00.000-07:00

I WILL always remember...and I want my children to never forget. Let the media show the footage all day long on this day, every year!

Flying the Cardboard Coop

2009-08-24T23:17:00.000-07:00

The chicks turn 3-weeks tomorrow....they are much more feathered (almost a molted look) and are already testing the boundaries of "the box." This morning, I found the yellow one, Uno, patiently waiting on the OUTSIDE of their cardboard box to be put back in for her water and food. [More cleaning.] While changing their food again tonight, she jumped up on top of the water bottle to get a better look at my activities. Ah-ha! That's how you got out! Now I know to move the water to the middle of the box....and to hustle down to the feed store to buy me a more permanent coop.

Fun at the Zoo

2009-08-20T23:21:00.000-07:00

We recently went to the zoo again with friends Dean and his mommy (one of my best friends), Tiffany. We spent over an hour in the farm yard alone and then rode the carousel. It was Alessandro's first time on a carousel! He loved it, but was a little nervous when his ostrich started moving up and down...Cute!

Uno, Dos, Tres - 2-Weeks old

2009-08-20T21:57:00.000-07:00

Uno (the yellow one), Dos (the striped one) and Tres (the black one) are now 2-weeks old. We thought children grew quickly? How about chickens! They now have most of their wing feathers and some of their tail feather are coming out, too. They have 6-more weeks before all their feathers are in and they are ready to live outside full time.
I've decided, if they can live through the first 2-weeks at our house, they can live through a hurricane! There are many funny stories to tell of the misadventures of these fluffy friends -- funny only because they have survived this crazy life I'm so used to living: living among children.

Adventure #1:
Daddy: [goes downstairs and notices there are no chicks in the box] Girls? Do you know where the chicks are?
Bettina: Yeah.
Daddy: Well, could you show me? I can't see them.
Bettina: [takes a break from watching SpongeBob on the TV and walks downstairs and over to the play shopping cart. Pulls out the child-sized purse from the cart and unzips it. Out come three little chicks.] They're right here, Daddy. Silly!
Daddy: [comes upstairs after replacing the chicks in the box and looks at Mommy.] Did you know that Bettina zipped up the chicks - all three of them - into her purse?
Mommy: Ah, no....
[Mommy and Daddy wonder how long those poor chicks were stuffed into that little bag. Mommy quickly adds the purse to the dirty clothes pile.]

Adventure #2:
[Mommy is trying desprately to make the most of her *free time* while Baby Brother naps. She's on the phone trying manically to sort out business with a friend. Mommy stops talking in mid-sentance after peering out the window, hearing loud, unhappy chirping sounds from outside.] OMG, Anne, I have to call you back. Somethings going on with the chicks. [Mommy goes downstairs and sees Bettina with the garden hose. The back patio is drenched.] Bettina! What are you doing! You know not to play with water without an adult....
Bettina: But, Mommy, we're giving the chickies a bath.
[Mommy notices a totally soaked yellow chick trying to hide in the corner. It takes us three minutes to find the other two who are equally drenched and shivering from cold and fright. Mommy wags an angry finger at the two girls explaining how chicks can get sick and plops the chickies down under a heat lamp. Half an hour later, they are dry and fluffy again.]

There are also the unknown stories...questions like, "Why is there bird poop on the tops of all the books on the bookshelf?" or "Is that bird poop on the top of the guest bed?" I just shake my head, not bothering to ask what kind of carnival ride or game the poor chicks had to endure, and do a lot of laundry.

Go Donate Blood -- Now....

2009-08-15T17:30:00.000-07:00

This baby's birth story is incredible and intense. It's about my friend Cindy and Ava's God-father, Mike. You must watch and heed the message. Warning - it may have you crying.....

13-Months - Little Man Looks Like a Litte Boy

2009-08-10T22:53:00.000-07:00

Now, I wonder if I'm looking into the future with this shot. It looks to me more like the school picture of an 8-year old....not a snapshot of a little 13-month baby!

Nonetheless, this is Alessandro at 13-months old. The biggest news, of course, is that we're weaned!! Mom has reclaimed her breasts and they are thanking her very much for that. Alessandro is OK with that except he still won't take milk from a sippy cup (grr!). At least, not enough. Another upside is that it is now very easy to put him to sleep. Just a 2-3 minute relaxation routine instead of 15-20 minutes of nursing.

He is also in the middle cutting more teeth. Two more on the bottom have crowned, but there has got to be more. He hasn't slept longer than 2-hours in 4-days and he's screeching like a howler monkey most of the day. I try not to give him too much Motrin, although that and the Baby Oragel seem to work the best in alleviating his discomfort.

He is very physical and adept at throwing balls and anything else he can get his hands on. Seems very "boy" in the regard for sure. He is great at climbing down stairs carefully, although I still worry if he stands up in the middle of a stair case lest he take a step backwards and fall. He is all over the place in a playground. I'm fine with him climbing around the toddler section, but he can't help himself in following the girls into the "big kid" sections. He climbs up the stairs after them, tries to straddle the teeter-totter and runs across the tall bridges which have me worrying at every corner. He's not bold enough to try the slides yet. He opts instead to master each section of the climbing by scaling a section, backing down carefully and repeating a number of times. His favorite toys remain balls, especially the liquid-filled glitter balls that Grandma bought for him. The one with the floating eyeball that lights up when bounced is one he will always hunt down and claim.

He's added a couple more words to vocabulary: "done," "momma," "juice," "more", "hi" are the ones he can do without prompting and he'll mimic a number more. He can ASL sign "hat," "shoes," "dog," "more," and "done." He's also starting to change his nap schedule, getting ready to drop a nap. We now nap around 10:30am and again around 4pm. Lights-out is around 8:30 or 9pm.

He LOVES the pet chickens we have, as well as any animal that moves! He often watches the chicks in the box and will start walking toward any animal that's near. It was fun taking him to the farmyard at the zoo. He spent half the time watching the ducks in the water and the other half following around the different goats. We love this little guy to pieces!

Uno, Dos, Tres

2009-08-10T22:13:00.001-07:00

Meet the newest members of the household....

And, I mean household.... they need to stay indoors under a heat lamp for 2 more months. We picked them up at the feed store where we get Misty's treats. The girls spend time looking at chicks and ducklings while I get all the things I need for the horse. This time, however, we boxed up a couple and took them home.

The guy helping us out to the car asks the girls, "What are you going to name them?" Ava answers, "How about something in Spanish." The man tells her, "My name is in Spanish...why don't you name them Jose?" I remind him that we want them to be hens, not roosters. Ava, still contemplating the Spanish, quotes from Baby Brother's English/Spanish counting table: "How about Uno, Dos, Tres?" Somehow, it sticks. Paul pushes it when he gets home so Tina thinks of other English names for them as well: Pancake, SpongeBob and Popcorn. Who is which, I don't know. I think I prefer their Spanish names.

Although the girls have always admired chickens, I think it was really Paul who placed the idea of getting one in their head. When he was a little boy, his family has some chickens and Paul was infatuated. He used to tell me stories about how he'd get up out of bed in the middle of the night and go sleep next to the chicks or bring one back to bed with him. He laughs about how they pooped in his bed. I think Paul secretly wants to relive those fond childhood memories and share them with his own kids.

Me? I think it'd be cool to raise chickens. Even cooler if they eat all the bugs and spiders that have taken over the backyard in the 4-years since we used it for something other than a construction staging area. I think it will be a great experience for the kids. Fresh eggs are also a benefit. Welcome, Uno, Dos, and Tres! I'm sure there will be many entertaining stories about you to come!

Feeling Like Madonna

2009-08-03T21:17:00.000-07:00

Alessandro is just a few days shy of 13-months when I decide I'm ready. With six teeth, breastfeeding has become a not-so-cute-and-sweet event for me. I put up with it because he still will not take milk any other way. He has never taken to a bottle and, although he will drink water and juice from a sippy cup, he refuses milk. I worry about him not getting all the calcium his little growing body needs.
A few days shy of 13-months, I worry no more. I worry instead how my nipples will ever recover as not just one, but both of them are chewed raw and are incredibly painful. "That's it," I huff to our little man, two mornings before our vacation. "You're done! No more boob for you!"
"Finally!" Cheers my husband, who has complained about the lack of weaning for a month or more already.
His cheers only last a day. Soon, Alessandro is upset and frustrated, unable to fall asleep. Paul takes back all encouragement and tries to persuade me instead to "just give it to him" so that he can fall asleep just as easily as his son used to.
My patience draws thin as my nerves get jostled and the pre-vacation anxiety hits. It culminates into the perfect storm when the pain of engorgement, coupled by my PMS hits and creates a hormone frenzy inside my body and temperament. It hurts when somebody even looks that them, much less brushes up against them. The skin becomes so tight they itch and I feel like I'm wearing Madonna's famous bustier - the one with the hard pointy cones. I laugh as I envision myself in it, singing "Express Yourself."
A double-dose of Advil helps and, about the time we make the 3-day trip to Idaho, I'm completely comfortable again. Not only that, but Little Man is starting to become OK with just going to sleep with nothing but a couple sips of juice off his sippy cup. All's more-or-less done and converted in enough time to enjoy vacation. Yay!
Now all I need to do is figure out how to get him to drink milk! I wonder if I somehow sweeten his milk? Will he just get used to it and eventually drink it? I've decided I'll continue trying for at least a week before whining to the pediatrician, just in case he does resolve it soon. Until then, he'll be eating yogert for breakfast, cheese sandwiches for lunch and cottage cheese for dinner!

Yay! Good news from Tahoe

2009-07-20T21:49:00.000-07:00

Yay! Word comes from the mountains that Ainsley finally found my camera!! Rumor has it that the couch ate it and only now, 3-weeks later, did it come into sight. I was really starting to sweat it. I wasn't sure I could possibly go much longer without a camera. So many missed photo-ops....the County Fair, swim lessons, their first Tae Kwon Do lesson.... At least we'll have it for the next family gathering in McCall, Idaho!
Also, the mystery of the missing maternity clothes was solved ....all the borrowed/shared bundles were safely located in Ainsley's basement, just as I thought....she WILL be comfortable and clothed while she waits for her January bundle.
It also appears, after a second IntelliGender test, that Ainsley & Patrick are still unclear if the stick was yellow/orange (girl) or green (boy). They are leaning to the yellow/orange (girl), but will probably have to wait until next month's ultrasound to be sure...assuming that Baby is well-placed.

Little Man gets a Little Haircut

2009-07-17T09:59:00.000-07:00

Alessandro finally gets a "real" haircut and not one that Mommy tries to pull off one-handedly while he nurses at my breast.

I have to say, it was worth the $16! You can actually see his face! I was worried Daddy would get mad (he always gets mad when the girls hair gets shorter), however, when he came home, Daddy said, "Who's the handsome guy who got his hair cut today?"

Grandma asked if she could be the lucky girl he takes out on a date. Must be some special occasion that he looks so darned dapper! Nah - just my little guy with a little haircut.

Celebrating Alessandro's Birthday at 6-Flags

2009-07-17T09:48:00.000-07:00

For Alessandro's "real" birthday, we took time for a family outing, traveling to Vallejo to Six-Flags Marine World. We had a whole lot of fun! We got the tickets free from a friend and didn't realize that we weren't supposed to bring in our own drinks and snacks. They were stuffed in the diaper bag which didn't get searched at the stroller entrance. We were amazed at how much money a family could spend provided they didn't have all the perks we walked in with. $40/adult and $30/child and drinks that cost $6/each, food that was equally expensive, we figured a regular family drops about $250 a visit!! Yikes! Who can afford that? That's what we spent for a weekend in Tahoe over the 4th of July (granded, we did have a locals special).

Apparently, enough people can afford it as the place was full - not too full, but certainly not deserted!

The girls enjoyed the rides, little kid roller costers, shark, dolphin, orca, and sting ray displays/show and of course the water safari ride where everyone got soaked!!

Fantastic day that everyone - except the birthday boy, probably - will remember!

The Facebook Handicap

2009-07-17T09:44:00.000-07:00

I realize, now, that with Facebook, my blogging has taken a nosedive! I'm forgetting to add to my blog since it's so easy to just add a blurb to my FB profile. It is less effort and gives me the gratification of instant feedback. I will have to be more disciplined.....

Happy Birthday, Alessandro! A Year of Cuteness...

2009-06-24T00:08:00.001-07:00

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A video montage of the cutest little boy God ever created

I Want To Ride My Bicycle

2009-06-20T11:01:00.000-07:00

Always wanting to be in the middle of things, Baby Brother mounted his trike and cruised the lane at Grandma's house like the rest of his siblings....acting as if he does it every day. He loved honking the horn and following everyone down the road. Got to love his sense of independence....Between this and his new steps at the barn, looks like it's time to get a helmet!

More Ballet Pictures

2009-06-13T22:36:00.000-07:00

The girls with dance friends Morgan and Madison
photo with Grandma, who sponsors the girls' classes
Very proud parents!

The Big Demonstration

2009-06-13T22:34:00.000-07:00

The girls had their big event today...the one they've been rehearsing for 6-months. We can now say that our daughters have danced on the big stage at the Lesher Center for Regional Arts in front of nearly 300 people! The pre-ballet class, the youngest of the show, were the cute little mushrooms that everyone ooh'ed and awe'ed, giggles and smiled about. They were so flippen cute! Grandma got them little rose bouquets that matched their tutus.
Ava has taken very easily to ballet and the steps have come easy to her. She just focuses on smiling at the audience and "keeping the magic in her cheeks." Bettina had a harder time, especially with the "step-hop" routine which looks like skipping. This week, however, she shone through and knocked it out of the ballpark each practice and on stage. They have improved a lot since January when they started at this ballet school.
It was nice to see the other classes dance as well and watch the progression of the different ages and students. From the pre-ballet like Ava & Bettina to the kids who start coming twice a week, then 3-times and finally up to 6-days a week. Who has that kind of money, I don't know, but we will just cross our fingers that we can afford whatever it is that gets their hearts aloft.
For the summer, we're putting our ballet shoes away and will try Tae Kwon Do, gymnastics and swimming lessons instead. Grandma like to sponsor the girls dancing and we will give them all a short break before coming back. We have made some good friends and the girls just LOVE their teachers here.

Alessandro - 11 Months Old

2009-05-19T23:21:00.001-07:00

Alessandro is 11-months old on Saturday. He has covered a lot of ground in his 10th month: he added 4 new teeth (the upper eyes and fronts), experimented and then mastered crawling, learned to turn around to go down stairs backwards and he's now walking...like a drunken sailor, but he's walking!
He loves getting into the cabinets, dumping out Grandma's recycling basket, playing hide-and-go-seek, throwing the letters from A & B's stools and any bath toys he can reach down the stairs, the Cars toy Elio gave him and in his sisters' new Fairy House. He will be forever embarrassed to find out that, when finally in the bathroom cabinets, his favorite thing to play with is Mommy's tampons! He plays with gusto and enthusiasm, catapulting himself into the throws of things. He loves to do what everyone else is doing and just sort of fit in. He now gets angry when he's fed food that looks different than what everyone else is eating - no more jarred foods or he'll screech! "I want what they've got -- whatever that is..."
Twice this week, he's proven he's trying to communicate. His first word, ironically, was the same as the girls': "dog." I found this very interesting since we don't have a dog anymore. He saw a dog at the park and again at Great-Aunt MaryAnn's house. He pointed and said very clearly, "dog!" He has also repeated back to me "done" when he's finished eating and doesn't want any more. He signs "done," too. He has also started waving hello if you tell him "hi" and is saying, "uh,oh" if he drops something. We can't believe that he'll be a year old next month!! It's gone by very fast...

Ava & Bettina Turn Four!

2009-05-18T21:57:00.001-07:00

With an "In the Garden" theme, we welcomed Ava & Bettina's 4th birthday with a party with all their friends and cousins. Here's a video montage of all the fun.... Enjoy!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Grandma Calls Her "Fire Foot"

2009-05-01T22:30:00.000-07:00

Bettina at the Bothin Burn Center waiting room

We just came back from a great vacation to the Carolinas. We planned to visit family and friends, see some sites, and attend a beautiful wedding. There was one activity, however, that we didn't have planned in advance: the urgent care.
While visiting my cousin's house in South Carolina, Bettina decided to test the theory that a smoldering ash-fire is hot. There were no live flames since the slow vegetation burn hadn't been fed for awhile. Only a little rising smoke indicated that this was nothing more than a hill of grey ashes piled up high just like an autumn stack of leaves.
We didn't see it happen; all us adults were sitting together inside. However, the screaming told us even from there that something was seriously wrong. Three little footprints inside the ash-pile told us that Bettina likely jumped straight in middle then, after feeling the burn, stepped sideways out and then rolled to the ground where we found her. Quick cooperation brought all us adults together into a team: Paul carrying her into the house, me drawing a quick cold bath and removing her clothes, Jimee googling burn treatments and Barry flipping the yellow pages for hospital and urgent care phone numbers. It's uncanny how well everything came together.
We were lucky that the local urgent care was able to see her right away and was able to prescribe some serious pain meds. It was the first question I had upon entering and I repeated the request about every 3-minutes: "where are the pain meds!" She was wide-eyed and screaming at the top of her lungs in terror and pain....for nearly 2-hours straight! They helped us dress the wounds and determined they were not serious enough to keep her in the hospital - just off her feet. Good thing we traveled with the stroller!
When we got home, our pediatrician took a look and sent us to Bothin Burn Center in San Francisco. The doctor, Dr. Deweese (a burn reconstructive surgeon), is not a man with any bedside manner. In fact, I'm not sure he ever looked me or Bettina straight in the eye. He was direct, efficient, and, apparently knows his stuff. It's a good thing he has a great nurse! She knew everyone by name and her sunny and helpful disposition more than made up for his gruff ways.
The first month, we had a steady regiment of bathing her feet, trimming the skin, applying the salve and gauze, taping it off and putting a pair of socks over the whole thing for protection. Bettina calls this part "putting on the banjos (bandages)." Bettina was very sensitive about the handling of her feet and didn't want to share the bathtub for fear that someone would knock her wounds and hurt her. She started using her feet as a crutch for activities saying she couldn't do things because her feet hurt. The doctors assured us she was no longer in any pain. Perhaps just feeling a bit itchy with the healing. We let her complaints go for about 5-days, then told her she needed to start getting tough. I pretended not to hear her when I dropped her off at school, pretended not to worry when I dropped her off at gymnastics, and didn't let on that I was half-expecting a wince when putting on her ballet slippers. Would they be too tight? She danced, tumbled and played just like normal as long as I pretended everything was normal. A very complex mix of relief and anxiety.
It's been a couple of weeks now and, after a bunch of salves, creams and lots of rolls of bandages, Bettina's feet look much better. After weeks of trimming, they are no longer bubbled or wrinkled, and the grey-white skin has been replaced by fresh bright-pink skin. We need to be very careful with this new skin. I tell Bettina (who doesn't like the look of it) that it's skin that's just been born, so it looks different. We need to take care of it differently, as well. Lots and lots of sunscreen and socks for the next two weeks to boot.
At our last visit to the Bothin Burn Center, there were two other patients waiting, both in electric wheelchairs. One of them, a man in his early 30's, asked Bettina who she was visiting. She answered that she was there to see the doctor and asked me why his hand and arm were covered in a bandage. I answered, "The same reason your feet are in bandages, I guess." He then introduced himself. "My name's Ben. What's yours?" Bettina answered. "Did you get hurt?" he asked. "Fire," is all Bettina said. "Yeah, I guess we all know a little about that, don't we. Fire is bad, huh." "I jumped on fire," she answered. I saw a bond and an instant appreciation start to develop between this little kid and Ben as she started to tell him about her accident. There are fliers in the waiting room describing how Bothin Burn Center addresses all aspects of burn wounds, the emotional, social, recreational and even nutritional therapies burn victims may need. Even though we didn't make an appointment to cover these issues with the hospital, I could see that Ben and Bettina were working out their own. I so had wished I could somehow covertly record this moment. It brought tears to my eyes. It wasn't long before Ben was giving Bettina a tour of his wheelchair, allowing her to try all the buttons and sharing his burn story as well. Ben doesn't always need a wheelchair, just after his accident which happened a week before Bettina's. He will, thankfully, get better, just like Bettina, and will be able to give up his wheelchair as well.
We tease Bettina about her feet now. Grandma calls her Fire Foot and we talk about the lessons we all learned about staying safe, especially around fire. It has been an incredible learning curve as well as an opportunity to feel blessed.

Alessandro - 10 months

2009-05-01T22:26:00.000-07:00

Alessandro is a huge cuddler with Mommy -- she is just eating it up! At 10-months, Alessandro is very good at cruising and standing up by himself for awhile, but less than a minute. He can cruise along furniture easily and has even attempted a number of times to walk forward between things. However, each attempt just ends up falling forward on his face. Once, he got one step and a sort of trip before catching himself on the table in front of him. I'll bet by 11-months, he'll be walking!
He is able to crawl up steps, like he did in this play-tube at the San Francisco airport. He went from standing next to the tube to pulling himself inside and crawling to the other side. he plays often with his sisters and other kids, giggling infectiously with games of chase and pee-a-boo. He loves to pounce on and grab people, particularly attracted to faces (noses and eyes). On our trip to Raleigh, NC, we visited with cousins including the kids' second-cousins Ella and Rudy. Rudy is about 9-months older than Alessandro and the two of them were hilarious the way the wrestled and giggled with each other. They were certainly talking each other's language: the language of "boy!"
Although he still uses his pacifier for comfort, he is finally getting better about sleeping in the night. He can start to comfort himself at night and now I'm up only once with him per night, usually around 2:30pm. He has also started drinking from a sippy cup (yea!), but not enough that he would take his milk-meal/snack from it. We use it for water during meal times. It's a good start.
Favorite toys: balls, the sea captain from his bath boat, and he is really starting to enjoy opening kitchen cabinets and pulling everything out. I am very soon going to get those baby-proofer door latches, despite Paul's concerns they will damage/change the cabinets too much. I have also had to tell Paul that we need to get a legitimate door handle for the kitchen pantry as Alessandro opens the unlatched door and will throw all the food on the floor as well. he has two very-tall teeth on his lowers and I've been waiting for those uppers for some time. No sign of them yet, although I blame general crankiness on their anticipated arrival.
This month, Alessandro attended his 5th wedding, my friend Natasha's in Raleigh, NC. Here's another picture with a bride and him. We've put his sportscoat to good use!

Hot Days, Sleepless Nights

2009-04-20T21:02:00.000-07:00

The weather has been stunningly hot lately. Bayside, it's been in the high 80's. Today in SF, it reached 91!! This sort of weather has us bee-lining for the water. We tried a new (for us) beach at Lake Temescal with friends Dean and Catie. Great way to cool down. A nice sandy beach complete with lifeguards (and not just the cute one pictured below)!
However, the unusually warm days mean unusually warm nights. Last night we "cooled down" during the night to 75-degrees from 78. Too warm for covers; everyone was up tossing and turning with sweaty pillows and bunched up bedsheets. It's warmer tonight, but we'll hope that the last sleepless night will keep them knocked out a bit more solidly.

Beeping Eggs

2009-04-18T21:32:00.000-07:00

This year, I took the girls to "Do Good" with me and volunteer at the Blind Babies Foundation Beeper Easter Egg Hunt in Golden Gate Park. We were suppossed to be volunteering, but there were so many volunteers, we ended up acting more as participants than helpers. There was much to do and was a great opportunity for the girls to learn about the visually impaired.
We got to meet "Enrique," a one-year old puppy studying to become a Guide Dog. We took pictures with the Easter Bunny and then make a tactile photo frame in which to keep it. The SF Fire Dept also came out so we could feel all the different textures of the hoses, truck and tools and, of course, ring the bell. "Thumper" and all his friends from the adopt a bunny foundation were there and we could touch them, too. There was Play-dough and painting with golf-balls (roll the balls in a tray), face painting, and of course, there was the egg hunt! Ava & Bettina met a set of twins just 3-weeks older then them and got to help kids find the beeping eggs; they could collect 3 non-beeping eggs to keep for themselves.

Easter Pictures

2009-04-18T21:10:00.000-07:00

Ava sporting her bunny tail.

So, this year, I wasn't as organized as I usually am. I was distracted by some house drama and, come 10:30 pm the night before Easter, I hadn't got anything for the kids' Easter baskets. So, tired and a little perturbed, I searched throughout the closets trying to find things to re-gift before crashing into bed.
Ava wakes up first in the morning and wanders downstairs. She is the first to find the baskets waiting for them at the breakfast table. "Mommy, Mommy! Bettina! The Easter Bunny came! Wake up!" she screams excitedly. After we all arrive, she announces, "I don't think he came down the chimney like Santa, though." "How did he come?" I ask. "He must have come through the basement," is her answer. "Why do you think that?" "Because all our presents are from the closet we're not supposed to play in." Whoops! I guess I'm not as clever as I think! "And he used the Easter eggs we made yesterday, too!"
Good thing nobody cares what was brought but just that something was brought. Regardless of my conscious, the girls excitedly peel and half-eat their Easter eggs and play with the re-gifted toys. After going to church with Grandma, we head over to Sylvia's house where we have another little egg hunt, again with mostly re-gifted toys and the leftover coins from our pockets. All is well!

Getting Sea Legs

2009-04-17T21:46:00.000-07:00

Alessandro, now 9 and a half months old, is really getting his sea-legs under him. He can stand for quite awhile like he does here at Grandma's house, while contemplating and choosing a toy in Grandma's sun room. He's getting so big so fast, it's hard to keep up!

April Flowers

2009-04-01T20:55:00.000-07:00

Ever Watch 3-year olds Try to Eat Rice with Chopsticks?

2009-03-24T22:12:00.000-07:00

Alessandro - 9 Months

2009-03-24T21:32:00.000-07:00

Our big boy has mastered crawling and is starting to experiment with cruising. I bought him a few new pre-walking toys including this walker. He enjoys using it, getting used to taking steps and pushing the toy forward....or backward should his balance falter. We celebrated his 9-month at the doctor's office for his scheduled well-baby appointment, but attending to his cold that he hasn't been able to quite shake. Both he and his sister Bettina had ear infections. We left with only one shot (Hep B), leaving the polio for another time when he's not feeling so poopy, a couple prescriptions for antibiotics for the infections and a nebulizer for Bettina whose cough is a bit tight and wheezy. I've never had to use one of these contraptions, so I felt lucky that it took nearly 4-years to get the introduction. I fear that we'll be late to pre-school for the next week as the treatments take like 10-15 minutes and we'll never get out of the door on time.

Alessandro is still unable to sleep through the night and can't bring himself to drink from a sippy cup or a bottle. My pediatrician, who I love and is also a playful Facebook friend, suggested I take myself and my boobs on vacation out of the house for a weekend. One of her boys (she's got a set of B/G twins and another single boy) was the same way, and she says that cured him. Very tempting.....Part of me wants to quickly implement the "tough love" approach and then, the other part thinks, "well...he's my last and it's only for a couple more months.....he can't possibly be one-year old and not converted...." Which to I listen to, the devil on one side or the angel on the other? We'll see.

His appetite is good and is really more interested in what everyone else is eating than whatever is in the jar. He wants pancakes from his sister's plate rather than quartered bananas on his high chair or minestrone soup rather than that jarred apple sauce. He's still easy going, but determined to get what he wants. Don't get in his way, either, lest you want a lot of screeching in your ear. He's a real challenge to change his diaper...his sister Bettina was the same way for a long time. He plays easily with the girls who are good about removing the "little toys" too small for him. He is happiest in the middle of it all doing the same as everyone else and just blending in. The baby gates are all up now, so I breathe easier when doing the laundry or general cleaning up. The girls, however, have figured out how to open 2 of the 3 of the gates, so I'm constantly double and triple-checking to make sure they are locked. Life is pretty good and easy for this little man.

Scissors

2009-03-20T21:15:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday was Parent/Teacher Conferences at pre-school. I got a chance to sit down with the girls' teacher and discuss the social, cognitive and physical skills the girls have achieved during their time at school. I was never worried and in fact, looked forward to hearing glowing reports on what geniuses they are (they are, aren't they?). The paper given to me listed all sorts of skills that the teachers observe in each child. A check mark means they are still learning that skill; a plus indicates they have mastered that skill.
Ava's paper had all pluses, and Bettina's pretty much did, too. The one area I expected, communication, she had some checks because, when she's upset, Tina tends to shut down and not use her words to communicate. And, sometimes, it takes a couple requests before she will follow instructions. I know all about that. There was one other check, next to "knows how to handle and cut with scissors" that I didn't know about. You see, there are certain things that I just don't do at this age in my house: Play-dough (too messy), markers and pens (potential messy) and scissors (potential disaster) are just a few of them. However, after seeing a check mark, I had an attack of guilt. Perhaps it's not Tina's fault she has a check there, but mine. OK, I'll let you use scissors at home.
We go home and I review the "rules" about scissors before I go upstairs to attend to laundry and general cleaning: only use the scissors to cut paper...this yellow paper that I'm giving you. If you run out, tell me - I'll get you more. Stay at the crafts table here in the kitchen.
The girls were happily busy for a good chunk of time. I listened to their excited chatter from my room. Suddenly I hear, "OK, now it's my turn to cut hair." WHOA! INTERVENTION!!
"Girls??? You're remembering to cut only paper, right?"
"No, Mom, we're cutting hair," Ava answers.
"Stop right there and freeze! Mommy's coming down."
I can't tell just how bad it is or who has it worse, but strands of hair cover the floor. Baby brother, who I plopped on the floor to figure out what to do next, quickly gets it all over his fleece pants. Ack! I pick him up again. The mess stuns me like a deer in the headlights.
After running a bath, getting everyone in it and cleaning the floor, I decide it's not as bad as it could have been. Since they are training scissors, they only open very slightly, so Tina really just got a bunch of layers and not a blunt cut. Ava hardly got cut at all.
Friends on Facebook ask for photos, but really, it's not dramatic enough to be funny via a photo.
As Paul and I talk in bed that night in review of the day, he laughs, "Perhaps it's a good thing that Bettina hasn't mastered the skill of scissors yet! Think of what could have happened to Ava's hair if she had?"
Good point!

Alessandro - 8 Months

2009-03-08T21:28:00.000-07:00

At 8 1/2 months, Alessandro is really blossoming. He's crawling around very easily and today, he even climbed the 2 stairs in the picture below (sunken chapter room at the UC Berkeley DG house) all on his own.

Paul and I bought an industrial shelf with bucket sorters so that all the projects around the house staged for "tomorrow" or "this weekend" have someplace to wait because, already, Alessandro has found and dumped over at least 4 boxes of wood screws as well as having played with power screwdrivers, spackle knives, boxes with door knob parts and the like. I have also needed to strategically place heavier toys in front of the house plants as he has already found a love for digging in the dirt. I know I will have to find a better solution soon, but for now, this is easy. He is constantly pulling himself up on things and is just now starting to think about cruising. He will walk with BIG steps and high knees if you hold his hands. Nearly every meal, he pulls himself up onto the girls' little table to watch them eat.

He himself is eating thicker food with more texture as well as some table foods: halved blueberries, cottage cheese, avocado from the spoon, rice crackers (Mum Mum are fantastic!), banana chunks, Nonna's applesauce (not filtered) and just about any bread heels. He is really interested in eating what we eat and is becoming very attentive to my plate. Breakfast (7:30am) is the same, one jar of fruit with Nonna's applesauce in it. Lunch (after nap or about 11:30 or noon) is some table food and then 2 jars, one veggie and a fruit, and dinner (around 4:30pm, again after nap) is similar to lunch. His favorite foods are yogurt, applesauce, squashes and he loved the halved blueberries he had yesterday. He was a bit unsure of the new texture cottage cheese brought, but liked it, spending an unbelievable amount of time gumming it, ensuring it was mashed well enough (good boy!).

With Easter and a wedding coming up, and a sale at Janie and Jack, I bought the little man a little blazer. OMG! Just too cute. We pulled it out today and he wore it to our Founders' Day luncheon at the chapter house in Berkeley. One little dapper man amid a sea of sorority women. Later in life, he will be please with his early start!

Interview with Ava (3½) and Bettina (3½)

2009-03-03T22:01:00.000-08:00

1. What is something mom always says to you?
Don’t make a mess/Don’t go in the laundry

2. What makes mom happy?
Peoples to not make a mess... I mean, you give her a hug/Giving kisses and hugs

3. What makes mom sad?
If you don’t get hugges and kisses/When I make decorations with crayons on the walls

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Tickle/Pulling on my cheek

5. What was your mom like as a child?
A toy/A silly tractor

6. How old is your mom?
Three…five…are you five, mommy?/Maybe six

7. How tall is your mom?
This much (putting her hand up to my head)/Look it up in the sky

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Share things/Clean up all the rooms so it’s set

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Be scared/Say, "Come back here!"

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Being a mommy/Give you kisses and hugges and play

11. What is your mom really good at?
Doing computers/Getting medicine

12. What is your mom not very good at?
Doing sommersaults/Doing tractors…only farmers can do tractors

13. What does your mom do for her job?
Get medicine/Answer the phone

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Pasta/Maybe french fries

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
When she gives me hugs/When she answers the phone

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
June (from Little Einsteins)…she’s a ballet dancer/SpongeBob Square Pants

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Play/Clean up

18. How are you and your mom the same?
You got brown and I got brown (hair)/We match hair-es

19. How are you and your mom different?
This big/I’m this big and you’re this big

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Gives me a hug/Maybe, um, give paper

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
Cleaning up/When we go get lunch

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
To Misty’s house/Go to the park

I Think I'm Hopeful

2009-03-01T17:40:00.000-08:00

Are our 20-somethings a "lost generation?" I hope more will watch this backwards than forwards....

Motor'en

2009-02-20T20:07:00.000-08:00

It's official....At 7-months and 4-weeks old, Baby Brother has found first gear and is motoring around the house now. It's fortunate when Daddy's home for one of the big milestones, and this time, he was there. Alessandro had taken one to three steps forward, but had never really busted out crawling across the floor. Tonight, he did. And, Daddy was there for it all. Here's a little video we took after figuring out that Alessandro had figured it out.

Stitches

2009-02-18T13:48:00.000-08:00

Wouldn't you know it....at 5-minutes to 5 o'clock, just after ballet but before leaving Grandma's, Bettina clocks herself on the coffee table. Stoic little thing...she won't show she's hurt, hiding the gushing wound under her hand, until she sees Mommy. Then, the tears pour.
I take her to the bathroom to wash off the blood from her hands and assess the wound and know instantly it needs at least 2, but probably 3 stitches. Damn, now we only have 3-minutes until the doctor's office closes... I scramble for the cell phone which has the number pre-programmed and dial.
"I know it's like 2-minutes until closing, but can I rush down there? Bettina's gonna need stitches and I don't want to go to the emergency room." The bad news: the doctor's already left for the day. The other bad news: they don't do stitches there anyhow. The good news: I don't have to go to the emergency room! There's a great little urgent care place nearby where they can do the work with hardly any wait. You make an appointment and, even better, it's only for pediatric work!
A short phone call later, I have an appointment for 20-minutes-from-now. Within an hour, Bettina's in and stitched up (they did a really nice job, too! ) and out the door with a couple of prizes to commend her bravery.
What is the wonderful place that EVERY mom should know about? Night Owls Pediatrics in Pleasant Hill. The other good news: as long as you have a PPO health plan, you're completely covered; all you need to pay is your regular co-pay! Fabulous tool to know about!

Time to Angrogynize

2009-02-14T22:49:00.000-08:00

This is just too much! I think we need to add to our dress-up closet.

Poor Dean! You know he has a way with the girls if he's willing to play dress up with princess outfits. Well, the girls' friend Dean is such a sport. And, we have ammunition on him for, well, the rest of his life. When over for a play date, Dean just jumped right in and grabbed an available costume with coordinating accessories. However, I think it's time we got some more androgynous....perhaps Dean and his mommy will be giving the girls some Superman capes or the like for their birthday??

Can't Find First Gear

2009-02-14T17:21:00.000-08:00

So, Baby Brother is crawling....he just can't find first gear. We're stuck in neutral or reverse. He's trying very hard to get that crankshaft in the right direction; the focus on his face is clear. However, when trying to get something, he finds himself just a little bit farther away each time he starts to crawl. He doesn't get frustrated, though....at least until he's backed himself into a corner and can't go anywhere anymore. Then he whimpers until I place him in the middle of the room so he can try again. And try he does. Still moving in reverse or stuck in the middle just trying to find that first gear. I'll bet he has it all straightened out around his 8th month.

It's Just Art

2009-02-11T22:09:00.001-08:00

In the last two months or so, I've noticed a dramatic change in the drawings and art the girls create while at school. I've talked about changes like these before like in my post about their drawings of bugs. They were then (last April) just showing signs of growing into the schematic stage where they use recognizable forms in their art. Still, their entire drawing would be done using the same marker and the same color -- and they would draw on top of their drawings, too, not really feeling the importance or maintaining a value of the image.
Now, the girls come home with colorful pages that tell a story. Their people are brown with pink dresses standing on green grass with birds in the background. They have fingers and feet and hair, smiles and noses. Sure, it's just a pile of papers in their cubbies which almost always get thrown into the recycling just as soon as we get home...it's just their art. But, it's so indicative of how they've developed and continue to become more aware of their world and all the parts to it.
They have emotional responses and connections to how others perceive their drawings - their reality. The other week, Bettina drew a picture of Ava while at school. Her teacher told me how much time and effort Bettina took in creating 'Ava,' using different colors, making brown hair and arms and legs, black ears and tongue, how she drew her floating above a field of green grass. Bettina even wrote Ava's name next to her. Proud of her work, she put the cap back on the pen, walked over to Ava and said, "Here, Ava, I made this for you." Ava's got a bit of a mean streak and, seeing a slight imperfection where the brown pen dotted the paper below her legs said, "I don't like it - you drew me taking a poop!" Ava was being silly (doesn't everyone know nothing's funnier to a three-year old than poop?), but Bettina was devastated. She immediately changed to a sad face and "hid" in the corner for over half and hour before re-engaging in play with others. Paul and I posted this picture on the wall and regularly complement Bettina's artistic nature and thoughtfulness towards her sister.
Is it just art? Watching the changes as they come into our house, even though most of them end up in the recycling, is entrancing and it makes me marvel at these little people who are growing in so many ways beyond their weight or shoe size. It is remarkable to watch their minds and imagination unfurl and grow.

Definately Time to Drop the Mattress

2009-02-08T21:45:00.000-08:00

Alessandro can pull himself up onto things now. Still trying to figure out how to turn his feet around to crawl, he is relying on pure upper body strenght to get where he's wanting to go. Unpacking after a recent trip to Costco, I put Alessandro down next to the box of diapers and wipes that go in the upstairs closet. I turn my back for a second and look to find him standing up, feet still a little curled under, and holding on to the wipes box. He let go with one hand and tried to reach for the diaper box. Curled feet don't make for stability, so I had to catch him. Not 15-minutes later, he'd also gone from on his tummy to back in a sitting position.

He can do this with his activity block as well. Here's me trying to "catch" him trying to stand.

Yep, time to knock that mattress in his crib one more knotch down. He'll pull himself up and launch himself out.

Alessandro - 7 Months Facts and Stats

2009-01-22T20:33:00.001-08:00

Little Man is getting ready to crawl! Here's a little video where, as he does dozens of times a day, leans forward and with a little effort, gets his knees beneath him. He rocks back and forth, getting used to the balancing thing, and then usually falls on his face and tummy. At Grandma's house the other morning, he actually moved his knees forward two little steps before falling on his tummy. In the meantime, he has discovered alternative ways to transport himself while his upper-body strenght gets perfected: he rolls across the room, he will "bottom shuffle" (scoot around on his bottom, using a hand behind and a foot in front to propel himself), and commando crawl, slithering forward on his stomach.

We don't have another "official" doctor's appointment until 9-months, but we went in to check for an ear infection and found he was 19 lbs 5 oz (and didn't have an ear infection). He went through a huge food frenzy when he was eatting about 5-jars of food a day, but has backed down to about 3. And, mom has not had any luck in 1) getting him to sleep through the night or 2) take a bottle. This guys just a boob-man and I think I'll just start giving him a sippy cup and make that the next goal.
Current schedule: out of bed by 7am, nap from 8:30 or 9am to about 11am; lunch (1-2 jars of stage 2 food) at 11:30; nap from 2-4pm; dinner (another jar with oatmeal or rice cereal mixed in) at 4:30pm; get ready for bed at 6:30pm, sleep by 7:30pm (depending if the girls are going down at the same time), waking at 11, 2 and 5:30am, but we're trying the "cry it out" method to curb this pattern. He's only slept through the night once and, wouldn't you know, the girls were up 4-times that particular night leaving me no sleep!! (Grrr!)
This month, we had some photographs taken by an excellent photographer who specializes in the old-school styles and vingnettes. I wanted to mimic some of the old photographs I have of my mom's parents. I have a photo of my Grandfather, about Alessandro's age, wearing his baptism gown. Although their coloring is different, the pose is nearly the same. I plan to hang them next to each other. For the girls, I have other pictures of my Grandma and her twin sister that I tried to mimic. They were a little bit older than my girls at the time, but we found a set of vintage dresses to borrow and I made up some large silk bows and styled their hair the same way my Grandma and her sister's were done, although their hair was shorter with the classic 1920's bob do. I'm very excited about the whole grouping.

Tea Time for Tots

2009-01-20T10:51:00.000-08:00

Friend from school, Hanna
Bettina and her play high tea
Ava awaits her high tea goodies

I've found this little tea shop, Crown and Crumpet, in Ghiradelli when we went over there for our Christmas hot fudge sundae. The girls and I invited a friend of theirs from school, Hanna, and her Mom and baby sister to meet us there to try it out.

It's absolutely adorable and the hostess wonderfully helpful. She rightly judged our group of seven (5 kids: 3 aged 3-1/2, a one-year old and the last just 7-months) and put us on the fast-track and brought the girls some play food shaped like tea cakes, a 3-tiered cake tray and thongs for each little girl. This busied them until the "real thing" came along. A very helpful hostess, she suggested the Tea for Two combination to be split by the whole table with a pot of "Blue Eyes" (aka "pink") tea for the kids and a chai for us adults. It was perfect! The kids got to try crumpets, scones, tea sandwiches, tea cakes and all the trimmings of curd, whipped butter, strawberry jam, etc. They loved the fact their tea was pink, too!

This was a very fun activity - a bit fast-paced for a nice tea for me, but that's just life with 3-year old short-attention spans in a relatively nice tea shop. Hanna's mom, Gina, and I fantasized about doing one of these at home -- getting some pretty fabric for table clothes and cute little children's tea dishes. At this age, they'd appreciate it just as much and there wouldn't be the anxiety of the "one-false-move" that can happen so quickly with little kids in a nice place. Probably a more relaxing place to go with either an older kid (5-years+) or with a better 1:1 ratio.

Afterwards, we went across the way to a new kids' play gym called Peekadoodle. Very fun and decorated with common San Francisco themes (Golden Gate Bridge, Victorian play house, cable car, etc). However, it's a monthly membership that's too rich for my blood ($110/month). I prefer to dabble in play places and try different things different days. And, with pre-school 3-days a week, we wouldn't be able to go often enough to make it worthwhile. If I were very local and lived within walking distance, it would likely be a no-brainer. However, this time I'll pass.

Our Year in 25-Minutes or Less

2008-12-31T10:57:00.001-08:00

Can't believe it will be 2009 tomorrow!! To celebrate, we'll likely enjoy some ice cream and ice skating, too, if Daddy gets the things he wants done around the house all fixed up. If you have the time, here's a rather substantial look at our year through pictures and video:

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A San Francisco Holiday

2008-12-22T14:31:00.000-08:00

Well, Grandpa and Sherry's airplane is grounded in SEA so, along with 3-other days worth of flights, they are going back home instead of down here as intended. It will be a blue Christmas without them. However, Aunt Ainsley did make it down from the snow just before having to go back to work and we managed some fun - San Francisco style.

We started out with Christmas decoration gazing while listening to carols in the car. We saw the trees at Pier 39, Ghiradelli Square and Union Square. We then went in for a hot fudge sundae at Ghiradelli and took pictures on the cable car at the Hyde Street turn around. Oh, what fun it is to ride and eat chocolate at the same time!!

And, although we won't be able to host Dad and Sherry, we will still probably go down to Fishermans' Wharf to get fresh cracked Dungeness crab for Christmas Eve's dinner. Paul's mom and younger sister and family will come for the "traditional" ravioli Christmas Day feast, which we will host. Christmas with my Dad and Paul's older sister will have to wait until 2009.

Alessandro - 6 Months

2008-12-22T14:23:00.000-08:00

Well, he doesn't have teeth yet, but is obviously teething. Naps are shortened by teething pain and drool as well as shoving anything in his mouth is constant. He's also biting me while nursing (Grrr!).

Here are his healthy stats at the beginning of his 6th month:
Height: 26 3/4 inches - 75%
Weight: 16 lbs 12 oz - 50%
Head Circumfrance: 43 cm - 25%

His silver-plated rattle is still his favorite toy. His god-parents gave him a new crinkle-teething book which he also likes. He rolls from one side of the room to the other with ease. Unwrapping presents this Christmas might be a fun activity for him!!

Care to Elf Yourself?

2008-12-17T16:26:00.000-08:00

I love this site!! You've got to check out our annual elf dance, gratis a Jib Jab... Click here to watch a jingle-jangle.

Having a Holly Jolly Christmas

2008-12-16T16:51:00.000-08:00

Well, Ava and Bettina are ramping up to have a hilarious Christmas. Here's a little "play" with Ava as Santa Claus and Bettina as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer..... and, Merry Christmas!

Alessandro's Baptism

2008-12-15T20:58:00.000-08:00

With God-parents Ralph & Tiffany and Rev. Judy. Also gathered with the family and his sisters, also wearing their crosses, gifts from Grandma on their Christening Day when they were just over 4-weeks old.

It was a rainy day, but not quite the freezing torrential storm that was expected. In the white heirloom gown I bought from Feltman Brothers (called the 'Roosevelt') that Grandma gifted for the occasion, we went to church - this time on time - to baptize our child. If you've been reading this blog for awhile - or are just familiar to our funny family stories, you will remember that we almost missed the girls' baptism we were running so late. On top of that, while Paul was hurriedly changing Bettina into her christening gown, she had one of those giant explosive poops that sprayed "mustard" all over the car as well as Daddy's pants. For some beautiful Godly reason, it completely missed her gown. I was laughing too hard to either help him or hold Ava properly. Poor Paul threatened to boycott the christening because there was no time to clean his pants. Oh, the things the congregation didn't know that day....
Not nearly an occasion for such a story today. Alex's baptism was cute and happy. We got many compliments on him - even today as I dropped the kids off at school. However, two of his cousins had complaints: Antonio couldn't figure out why the minister kept calling him "Alex" ("His name's not Alex!" he said in not-so-hushed tones as his mother tries to shush him). And Jacob, my cousin's 12-year old, wanted to know why he had to wear a dress! Well, we know who will keep him straight from now on!
Now our baby is christened - even if they couldn't pronounce his Christian name.

Alessandro - 5-Months

2008-12-10T12:34:00.001-08:00

Does this cowboy thing ever really get old for me? Ah, no.

weight - 16 pounds (50%)
height - 26.5 inches (75%)
head - *forgot* (25%)

So, now we're 5-months and so many changes: we've outgrown the infant car seat (at 26.5 inches, 1/2 inch too tall) and had to change to the monster convertible one. Still backwards facing - at least until 20lbs and 1-year. We're grabbing absolutely everything and can even transfer from one hand to the other. He is rolling (both ways) all around, across the floor and under the Christmas tree to pull on some of the ornaments there (note to self: move the ornaments up one more notch). He is still a happy giggler and goes with the flow. Today, he had to wait until 11:15am for his 9:30am nap because we had to take Bettina, with a suspected ear infection, to the doctor (good call - bulging ear drum for sure! Antibiotics and these great drops that topically numb the drum to ease her pain). He is eating solids (only rice cereal, bananas - which he LOVES - and sweet potatoes), so I have to remember to pack a bowl and a spoon, as well as break out the old baby food processor from the cupboard. Oh, the memories. I still have some of the old jars from the girls, too. How nice! We need to put Nonna on baby food alert. She did such a great job making all kinds of food for the girls, and they both became great eaters (even compliments from the pre-school teachers about how un-picky they are), we have to set Alessandro up for the same plan. Making food never seems to be a problem for her - nice Italian heritage. Things to look forward to this month: celebrating his baptism this Sunday and buying a new Christmas stocking. Also, we will probably be out of the 3-6 month clothes and breaking into the next level. This is always fun as you feel as if you just went shopping! Nice feeling.