“Kiera, what was the best part of your day?”
“Seeing Roger.”
“What was the second best part of your day?”
“Being on stage”
“What was the third best thing about your day?”
“Seeing Roger.”
< Note Kiera’s name tag:) >
— Kiera on going to Sleepy Hallow with Roger (Calvin) and being in the costume contest 10.28.11
Wow- After a very long Spring and a slow to come Summer— it looks like the sunshine is finally here to stay. I am hoping the garden survived the weeks of rain- a few days of sunshine will be sure to tell us!
I am plugging away at Summer school- I will have completed 30 out of 60 credits after Summer session. Time has flown!
Quick synopsis of our amazing kids.
Kiera seems huge to me- her spirit and her physical body. Everyday she is reminded that she is beautiful inside AND out. She is amazing. Bright, strong, vibrant, confident… One night while heading to bed, she had to say goodnight to guinea pig Diggy. While holding him she remarked that his ears are “fragile-ier” than glass so I had to be careful if I held him. She is arising to the task of tending to a pet- she just came back from a handful of days at Zannie’s and came running in to hug him. Recently we went to a Dia de Los Ninos celebration downtown. (I giggle as I write this, remembering this day.) Kiera was hot after running around in the gym. She came up to me, bright red cheeks and curly hair and said while out of breath, “Boy, I shouldn’t have put on 500 shirts tonight, I am hot!” Her big spirit usually always matches her energy:) The other day it was rainy and cold so we headed to Canal Park to have some “hot dotlat” at Amazing Grace. Upon seeing a ship coming in through the fog, I asked what she thought the ship was bringing in. “Steam and fairies” was her response:) After tilling up part of the front yard, Kiera put her shovel down and said, “Wow, this gardening is tireding!”
Kiera in a nutshell these days- Ears pierced, no training wheels, chapter books, breakfast making (eggs and peanut butter and cheese sandwich), shoe tying, loose tooth (middle left)— our world is better because she is in it!
Now onto Sul Dog!
Dirt- frozen dirt, muddy dirt, dry dirt, sandy dirt— dirt, dirt, dirt! Trucks and cho-chos are also high on his “like” list. His vocabulary is growing leaps and bounds. It is amazing how much he changes every week! His words have shift from noonie to noodle, boopboop to ‘ bucha, wawa to wa-ter to agwa, lala to kitty- big boy stuff. OH- and he is potty “trained”- for quite a while now. He loves his “big boy nunnies”- he rocks! He loves saying “I do it”, “me do it”, or “Huddy do it”. He still refers to his Kiera as “Diddie” but has called us each by name (Papa Mardin, Mama Harah, and Kera) a few times. If he receives any scratch at all he says “Mouse bit me, mouse go down the hole”- it always give us a chuckle. “Wait me Mama” he usually says as he grabs my hand if I start to go down the stairs without him. He is such a lover! Beans and rice, “dotdogs”, nanas, and smoothies are his top food likes. Active weaning has started. Martin and Sully have been able to get a good rhythm going at night- it is amazing to see their connection. He asks occasionally for “mimi”but a quick mama snuggle typically suffices. The change has been quick drastic for me. My role as a mama has totally shifted- all the years of late nights, early mornings, and night wakings seems like it went by in a flash. I wouldn’t have changed anything- being an “attached mama” is rewarding. I can say that I nursed two kids and they didn’t even have one sip of formula- NOT ONE!!! Wow. I mourn the loss of my role as a mama to babies yet look forward to our adventures ahead with an active toddler and an almost kindergartner!
Life is amazing! Our house is feeling good- we got a few windows put in over the Spring and have the walls filled with pictures and art. This is OUR home.
Bliss. Simplicity. Love.
We all should know by now that Kiera is infatuated with
Mama Mia. If the movie isn’t playing, the soundtrack is. In the
event technology isn’t readily available for either we find her
singing or humming one of the many tunes. So when announcement came
that Mama Mia was on tour and was making a stop in Duluth, it was a
no-brainer… We got tickets to surprise Kiera with.
I came home late today to greet and send Sarah off to class with a hi-bye and an iluvu. Sully let the entire neighborhood know that he wasn’t happy with Sarah’s departure so we made a quick retreat into the house.
Kiera was eager to show off the Faerie box project she has begun. So far there are a few decorations and a couple of fleece pillows for them to rest on. Sully’s wailing followed us around the house until he spied the pickles in the fridge and immediately began to point and do his signature grunting.
We made our way into the sunporch to have a dance party. Kiera showed off her killer moves and Sully took notes. I was the honorary guest and an honor it was to see them moving so freely and happy to perform for their papa.
Kiera came over to me and gave me a big hug. I recognized the sweet familar smell in her hair and told her “You smell like camp fire.” She responded with a quip “Yup” and stepped away as quick as she appeared in my lap. She stopped and said “Wait…” and came rushing back. Kiera stuck her face into mine to take a whiff and announced “Yup, you smell like office.”
Fair enough.
Friends new and old paid visits to kiera today as we waited for the doctors to come get her. Grandmas, grandpas, and good friends were with us when the nurse came to wheel her bed down the hall.
Her spirit was good as she was explained the process she would experience. She even had a few things to say about it herself. “Don’t cover my fumb, ok!”
Papa was able to hold her hand as she was put under (not an experience I wish to have again). She fell asleep quickly and we now wait, for the wonderful doctors to work their magic, sitting here in the waiting room. This has to be the worst part even though we are reassured of the doctors’ greatness.
It shouldn’t be long before the doctor comes to inform us of the procedure. We will be sure to update and have pictures…
