a happy Thanksgiving

I love to sit by the computer, adjust the chair to my desired height (this is a battle in our house), upload photos from the camera, and look through the moments captured in front of me.  To take a second look and to notice things that I didn't see the first time. 

 

Tonight, both babies are already asleap, and I am looking through our photos from a very wonderful Thanksgiving.  I have typed and erased mutliple times now a description on how blessed and thankful I feel but my words just can't get it right, at least not right enough to click "publish" on the blog header.  I will put it as this... my heart is full and I am one lucky girl.

 

We missed our siblings so much and cannot wait to have them all home and be together in a few short weeks for Christmas. 

 

Janie, thank you for the cute dress for Eli... if finally fits and is so cute.

 



 

Elise ~ 21 months

I am finding myself going back to the blog and looking through old posts more and more often.... to compare Finn and Eli or to just reminisce.  So here is another post for that exact same reason.

 

Elise Ana ~ 21 months, 1 3/4 of a year old.

 

You are one busy bee miss Elise.  Communicating in 2-3 word phrases on many occasions - "mo milk, mo wawa, Eli milk peeese, mommy/daddy sit, bess you"  and equally in Czech too  - "tady (here), taky (also), prikrit (cover me)" and so so many more I can't remember at the moment.  Your understanding far exceeds your vocabulary and it is amazing how much you know in both English and Czech.  Your ear was achy the other day and for the first time you were able to communicate that you had an owie in your ear.  You are definitely starting to explore your boundaries and learning new experiences by testing the limits; just had your first in store tantrum last weekend and caused quite a scene:)    You are the most loving big sister we could have asked for; you have learned to be as gentle as you can be to Finn and are always so concerned when he cries that you come running to him to make sure he's ok.  We can't wait for the two of you to be best buddies so you can show him all your tricks.  You are tackling using the potty and succed 2-3 times per day on most occasions however this has also left us with pee and poopoo in various places around the house:)  You love to eat nuts (pistachios and cashews) expensive taste you have, cheese, chocolate, pasta and canned corn.... anything else is not worth trying as it just goes flying off the table.  You love shoes and jackets and when mommy's desperate for some quiet we open your closet and box of shoes and let you pull out every one; entertains you for at least a half hour.  You also love your baby dolls and give them diapers, place them in Finn's swing and car seat regularly.  You are the best helper and love to switch the laundry, bake and clean the counters with cleaning spray.  At the doctors yesterday you weighed in at 24.3 lbs.  It is amazing watching you grow and learn.  We can't wait for the adventures that lie ahead but at the same time wish we could keep you just as you are. 

 

We love you sweet pea.

 

Forgot that you also discovered peanut butter

 

rainy november

This time of year is when I wish most we lived closer to Seattle where a trip to the zoo, aquarium, science center or somewhere would shed some fun and adventure on these dreary fall days.  But instead I get to snuggle my babies, paint little toes for the first time, make cookies with a great helper yelling "mo chocolet" at the top of her voice (not to go in the batter but in her mouth... I am one lucky momma.  That isn't to say that on these days I sometimes (often) feel like I'm going a little stir crazy, I love these two peanuts more than anything and know I will cherish these crazy weeks in the years to come. 

 

Early Thanksgiving & birthday celebration

Our one of two Thanksgivings this year was celebrated just this last weekend.  It was a perfect weekend - QuLuLu (quinn, lucie and luna) came over, and together with my parents we had a beautiful day eating, enjoying a pretty walk on the trail and playing with the kiddos and luna bear.   We also had fun celebrating mom's and Quinn's birthdays.  I would elaborate more but Elise is biting me as I type and yelling color color color in high pitched screams so I must keep it short.  Here are a few pictures.

 

 

 

Every year we take a group photo together for a family

 Christmas card.  This action shot shows just how the process goes and that with kiddos and Luna it is getting quite tricky, it no longer is 1, 2, 3 smile :)

 

 

one of 10 that turned out

 

Luna fits in perfectly with her long legged slim parents :) 

1st evening without the babes

Before Finn was born, Evan and I were trying to squeeze in our first date in forever (perhaps since before Eli was born), simple movie or a dinner since truthfully we didn't have energy for both.  But then came the smoke from all the fires so we packed up the car and left town every chance we had to breathe some fresh air which was almost every weekend of September.  Before we had a chance to blink, our little sweetie was here.   So last Friday night, first time since Finn was born and quite possibly since Elise was born, we had an evening amongst adults, dressed up and felt a little sophisticated.  It was a little tricky getting out of the house without baby spit up or goobery mess all over our otherwise clean clothes, but once we were at the hospital Gala, nobody seemed to notice the faint scent of Finn's puky residue that I forgot to wipe off;)  My parents were troopers and survived almost 4 hours with both kiddos, thank you!!!!!

 

take two... eyes open

 

Finnegan is 1 month old

I cannot believe that exactly one month ago we were meeting our sweet little boy for the first time.  I received the sweetest card in the mail today which said.... I hope the love in your home has more than doubled.... and I have to say that that couldn't be more true.  Just like with every milestone in life, I don't think that anyone or any story can ever prepare you for the journey that accompanies the experience.  Going from one baby love to two baby loves has been one of those milestones that has blessed our life immensely and has been one of the most special moments. 

 

One month old ~ our sweet Finnegan is a growing little boy. He has the sweetest and most gentle demeanor, is so patient with his big sister, who has also learned how to be a little more gentle with him, and absolutely LOVES to be held or be close to someone continuously.   Wouldn't be right to report only the angelic behavior, after all he is only one month old (with a due date only one week ago) and so it is fair that he eats on the hour to two, sleeps all day and is up every two hours at night.  We love you, our sweet boy, with all our heart. 

 

Happy One month Finn!

 

(this is what happens when you wait to take pictures until 4pm... he is a happy happy boy despite what these photos may show)  We may have to do a redo tomorrow :)

 

 

Sister LOVES brother (calls him brother, not Finn)  Elise loves him so much that lately her first word after waking up in the morning is "bothe" and is always looking for brother.

~ Fun in the leaves ~

 

Had to show how long our pony tail is getting :)