Easter

It takes a lot work to make a holiday special. As a child, you never really notice all that goes into it. But, as a parent now of 3 children, holidays are a lot of work. Special meals means lots of cooking. Fun, meaningful activities take a lot of prep work and planning. And, we don't have any extended family around so most of it is up to me and Charles to do. And women are usually the tradition keepers in their families.

Easter egg bath on Easter Eve- new tradition!

Zekiel watching the bath fun and wishing he were big enough to join them. Next year, man!

Charles was in charge (ha!) of the resurrection rolls this year. Last year was the first time we made them and we used the crescent rolls out of a can which leaves a nasty feeling/flavor on the roof of my mouth. Yes, they are easier but, we have a bread maker and decided to make our own rolls. Charles is the bread master and he did a fabulous job with the rolls. They were delicious.

We wanted to make them ahead of time the night before but, we ran out of time. I was asked to speak on Easter Sunday by my wonderful husband :) Ok, I volunteered. I love speaking in church. Call me crazy. Then, I was also asked to sing. AND I had to prepare a lesson for my Sunday School class. I was released as Primary Chorister last May (but, was still filling in regularly until Aug) and got called last Oct to teach Sun Sch to the 16 & 17 yr olds. I was so happy to be with the youth again! Anyways, I realized on Easter Eve that I had committed to doing too much and was kind of stressing out.

Charles helped me to see that it would be okay to have our resurrection rolls when we got home from church for lunch instead of breakfast. I'm grateful that he helps me be flexible when I am being rigid for some reason.

At church we found out that our good friend Becky who Azure and Vince just adore was in the hospital. Right away I knew we should visit her. Seeing her there really made our Easter feel special, like the real meaningful holiday that it is. We brought her some Easter cupcakes that the kids decorated with special Springtime liners and toothpick banners that I got on clearance last yr after Easter. Charles followed my directions to make cream cheese lemon frosting.

We had a lovely dinner with Theresa and her in-laws who came from CA. We followed tradition and read the Easter story in eggs.

For our Easter gift this year, I bought caterpillars for our butterfly habitat that I bought last year for Easter. This is our new Easter tradition!

Watching these little guys (why are caterpillars referred to as male and butterflies female? thoughts?) grow and get into the chrysalides was emotional. I cried a few times. When they have grown full size the caterpillars crawl up to the top upside down and hang there. Then their body starts shaking like crazy and- get this- the bottom 1/4 of their body falls off! Did you know that?! I didn't. I imagine that that probably isn't a pleasant feeling. We could see their eyes and little faces as caterpillars. When they emerge as butterflies, their eyes and their face looks completely different! This was one point when I got emotional. Our potential is so much more than we can even imagine. If you told that caterpillar part of it's body would just fall off, and that it would grow beautiful colored wings and fly- it would probably boggle it's little mind. We are divine beings and our potential is limitless if we have faith in that Creator who created us.

Looking forward to teaching these lessons over and over again to our children (and myself!) by watching this amazing metamorphosis. You can order them here.

Oh, and I had a birthday. Now, I'm 32. Which is kinda weird. I told someone I was 31 last week and then said, "Wait. No, I just had a birthday. I'm 32 now. I think." I can see the signs of aging in my face and it's a little unnerving. Sometimes I still feel like I'm 16, and then I see a picture of myself and I'm like, "Wow. I'm getting old." We still have lots of wonderful years ahead, right? The best is yet to come!

And one last thing- last year on my birthday I made a wish...

and part of it came true that very week ;) The other part came true on Christmas day :) Remember, the Lord fulfills His promises! To you, and me. 

6 wks-3 months

This little man is 3 1/2 months already. It is soo irresistible to see him grabbing for me, and balling his body up tightly with his mouth gaping open at me wanting to nurse. So, so precious!

2 months

Be still, my heart!

I LOVE snuggling with him- he hugs me SO tight! It's kinda sad when their limbs start stretching out and they stop curling up. I am enjoying this while I can.

He isn't squeaking as much anymore :(

His schedule right now is bath around 7pm. Asleep by 8pm. Awake around 7am. 11 hrs on average. I credit it all to the baby hot tub and his tight double swaddle. Oh, and the familiarity of this exact routine every night.  We have moved him out of our room into Vince's room so he's now in the crib and not the bassinet. We were hoping it would help him sleep in a little and it has. He was waking up around 6:30 when he would hear Charles' alarm clock go off. Now, that he can't hear it, he sleeps 30 mins longer. Every little bit helps :)

His nap schedule varies greatly every day. Usually around 9 or 10am (2-3 hrs after waking) he is ready for a nap and will usually sleep 2 hrs. Ideally, it seems he does well being awake 2-3 hrs and then sleeping 2 hrs but, sometimes he refuses to go down. One of the most frustrating things is trying to get a baby to fall asleep that is clearly tired but, refuses even after multiple attempts! Dealing with that and a defiant 3 yr old throwing tantrums leaves me anxious to leave the house for some alone time as soon as Charles gets home from work.

6 weeks

He can track objects with his eyes and enjoys gazing up at himself in the mirror on the panda (the playgym). In the mornings he is very tranquil and smiley. He is perfectly fine just laying on a blanket surveying his surroundings. As the day progresses he becomes more fussy and needy and incapable of entertaining or consoling himself.

6 wks

A lot of times I feel Charles and I have bitten off more than we can chew with 3 children. Not that we regret the timing at all- remember miracle baby and miracle timing! It's just a lot.

Roll from back to side- 2 mos

My boys (2 mos)

 First time in the Bumbo seat. Azure at dinner asked, "When is Zekiel gonna be able to sit in his seat?" "When he's 3 months probably." Then, I realized he was 5 days from being 3 months and said, "Well, let's put him in it now!" They were SO excited!

Yes, Vince uses Azure's old pink bib now. We had new friends over for dinner and they referred to Vince as a girl b/c of the bib and his long, curly hair!

Vince always asks me to "take a pitcher of me and Zekiel on the panda."

This yellow blanket that he's laying on was knitted by my Nana before I was born. She knitted it for her cousin Nick's son, Russell in 1968. Her cousins came to her funeral (which I intend to blog about) and gifted it to me for Zeke. "It rightfully belongs to you and your children now." I can't tell you how much it means to me to have this blanket. By the time I had babies she was no longer knitting blankets anymore. This is such a treasured gift!

Look at those baby blues!

And, now I'm semi caught up!