Sick Days

I didn't take many pictures of the things we have done to pass the time while EVERYONE has been sick.  We read a lot of Magic Tree House books (the kids LOVE them).  They have watched more movies then normal (We usually just watch one a week with the kids).  We have done art projects, played games and lots of Lego's (best toy ever).

The only project I snapped pictures of was the morning they made necklaces out of beads or cheerios.  They loved it and it entertained for hours.  And now I have "custom" jewelry to wear!

 I love his toothless grin!  How long before he enters the awkward tooth stage- you know the stage where half the mouth is big teeth the other half small, lots of gaps...

Our fingers are crossed that we will all be well again this week.  I am running out of lazy day entertainment and ready to send them out to run around.

Titus Pictures

Someday Titus is going to ask me why there are not many baby pictures of him.  I feel bad because it's not even "fourth child" syndrome that has kept me from taking pictures.  I haven't taken many of anyone, I think it is just because life has been so crazy since Titus was born.  I was feeling remorseful about my lack of Titus pictures so I tried to capture a few of him ( his siblings sneaked in a couple).  It by no means makes up for the months of few pictures but they are still cute!

Titus has been enjoying eating!

 When he first wakes up he is SO happy!

 Titus has the smelliest belly button ever (I haven't actually smelled many but I can't imagine many worse).  I think its because it's so deep and tight.  It's really gross.

 We have had someone sick at house for the last month- first pink eye, then a cold/flu, followed by diarrhea and now the kids are taking turns throwing up.  Needless to say we have had a few pajama days around here.

 But Daddy livens things up and keeps us from laying around dwelling on our miseries!

 In case you are wondering why Garret has socks on his jammies (I asked the same thing), he likes wearing them because they are "boots" and he is a spy!

 Alright, back to Titus....

 The kids thought it was so funny that he sneezed when I took a picture that I just had to put it on the blog.  I love how the kids think everything he does is "the cutest". 

 If you look under his eyebrow he has a birthmark.  It is fairly light but I think it's cute and hope it sticks around.

 He has been stuck at 7 teeth for a while now.  Number 8 just can't seem to break through...lucky us- we have been enjoying a drooly- hands in his mouth baby for a long time!

 He bites my shoulder when I hold him facing  towards me.  Then he smiles at me.  I am not sure what to do about it.  Wear thick clothes I guess.

His favorite sounds to make are "bababa" and "dadada", but he has lots of other sounds he can make.

 He gets so excited when any of us talk to him.  He flashes the cutest little grin at us.

We all think he has his own look....but looks an awful lot like Spencer. 



Spencer



Titus

 Titus is getting closer to crawling but I think it could still be a while.  He is a rather spoiled baby and if he squawks he either gets picks up or someone brings him a toy (there are perks to  being number 4).

 He is the best little sleeper.  Long Long naps and a solid 12 hour stretch at night!

We love Titus (aka TyTy).  Sometimes when I hold him I try to tell my brain to memorize the moment. I wish it were that easy.  I wish I could always remember every detail of his babyness.  Since I can't I am going to try and do a better job of taking pictures of him and all of them. 

Coloring in the Kitchen

This girl is really delightful!  I wish I could capture all the spunk and life she has in a picture...but I can't.  I can't even seem to capture many of the fun moments.  But here is one very small moment- Adele coloring while I cook...With her pants on backwards!  Love Her, Love Her, Love Her !!!(Even if she did throw up all over the place today- twice...and that is saying something because I HATE the smell of throw-up)!

Angel Dresses

If you haven't read the book "The Hiding Place" you should.  It's a great book and a few of us friends just read it.  I think we all agreed it was inspiring.  To go through such a dark thing as the Holocaust and come out of faithful and strong is amazing.  Could I be so strong?  Could I stay faithful?  Honestly I hope I never have to find out...however I believe it was easier for her to remain faithful and strong because she had such a strong foundation going in.  I hope my foundation is never tested the way hers was, but I would like to take any opportunity I can to build my foundation.

In an effort to look beyond our own lives and personal trials we decided to do a service project at our girls night.  I feel very blessed to be acquainted with "sisters" that are so willing to use their time for good, to reach outside themselves, to enjoy service and to be such great examples of love.

We made "Angel Dresses" together.  They are tiny little dresses that are put on babies that are born to early and do not survive.  The babies are cleaned and put in the dresses for Mothers to hold them in.  Then they can take the dresses home and have something tangible to remember their babies.  It was a bitter sweet project (we wanted to make them but hope there are few chances for them to be used), but we all liked feeling like we might in a very small way send our love to someone going through a hard time.

I think they turned out so well.  Thanks for a great night!

D.C. trip

I survived my flights there and then it was time for some fun.  Stephanie surprised me with play tickets.  We saw two gentleman of Verona (it's an awful picture but proof we were there).  It's not one of Shakespeare's greatest but was still fun.

 We ate SO much all weekend.  We kicked off the binge eating with milkshakes!

 We filled up lots of time with the kids.  It was great seeing Natalia and Seina. Seina (does that have one N or two?) was so mellow.  Natalia was a little spunkier!  She and Adele are destined to be partners in crime!

 We went to a movie together one night (Thanks Hector for babysitting). 

 Titus got pretty sick while we were there which was delightful! 

Lucky me I got to crash Valentine's and Steph's birthday. Valentine's was fun.  I got to offer a small bit of assistance on Steph's project for Hector and I ate TONS of their chocolate covered strawberries.  Steph's birthday we went out for treats together (I told you I ate a lot...I came home and told Tyler I wasn't going to eat a single treat for a month as penance). 

It was a quick trip but so fun and so good seeing everyone.  I feel so blessed to have the family I do.  I love the time I get to spend with all of them. 

By the time the return home trip rolled around Titus was a mess.  He had one of those colds you can't hide.  Anyone that looked at him knew he was sick.  He was like a living germ.  I cleaned him up best I could before the flights.  The second flight was dark and I had gotten him into a restless sleep.  When we landed and the lights came on I looked at him and he was All crusted over.  It was nasty, his eyes were glued shut, he had crusted boogers all over his face, he looked red and swollen.  I quickly put him in the front carrier and rushed off the plane.  People tried to tell me that he was such a good traveler.  I didn't even turn  him towards them.  As soon as I got off the plane he threw up all over me- one of the nasty smelly throw ups.  I didn't even clean it up.  I rushed for the pick up place and rather than greeting Tyler with "warm embraces" he was greeted with "help me with this kids".  It seems like flying with kids is always an adventure! 

It was fun getting away and fun getting back to my other kids and Tyler.  I can't believe how much I miss them when I am gone!  Thanks Steph and Hector for a great weekend and thanks Mom and Dad for helping with my kids. From the sounds of it Tyler and the kids did great without me.  They were sick here too.  They stills managed to have lots of fun and make great memories. 

Patriotism

I flew to DC to visit my sister.  I took Titus with me (he is still very attached).  We were dreading the flights there.  The first flight went smooth enough, then we had a brief layover and Titus was starting to get burnt out with traveling going into our second flight.  We had assigned seats so my fingers were crossed I would not end up with a "baby hater". 

Turns out I was assigned a seat next to a hero (literally).  Our flight was filled with soldiers about to ship off to war.  The pilot welcomed them and everyone clapped!

The lady that sat next to me was AMAZING.  We talked for nearly all four hours.  We talked about war and life and Titus.  She held him and played with him.  He was obsessed with the flag on her sleeve.  She didn't deny being nervous about being away for so long, but she didn't seem to be sad to go at all.  She had kids in the military as well.  I asked her if that made her nervous (the idea of my kids being in the army scares me).  She said "no" and that she would be afraid if they were doing drugs or living recklessly but that she would never be scared as long they were doing good things that they believed in.  I could go on and on about the conversation we shared- it left an impression on me.  I felt grateful for where I live (sometimes it's easy to see only it's flaws) and I felt very grateful to the people that have and are keeping it safe.  I also was reminded that us back home need to do our part to keep this country great, it's the least we can do to honor the sacrifices others are making on our behalf.

 At the end of the flight, this good woman said that Titus could have the flag from her uniform (when they go over seas they switch to a camouflage colored flag).  She said Titus was the reason they did it all. And that she would think of him if she ever needed to be reminded.  And I will think of her when I see a flag or hear about heroes.  I told her I would give her a medal for all her help on the plane with Titus if there was such a thing!

I don't know if we will ever meet again (in this life at least).  But it was a great few hours.  I am truly thankful for the people that have and continue to made this country great- I hope that even though I am not a soldier in a uniform that I can still be a citizen willing to make the sacrifices necessary to keep this country great. 

I loved having watching someone enjoy Titus (don't get me wrong we all enjoy him but he was singled out this trip and that was special). I love when my life intersects with others and connections are made.  Airplane rides seem to be the perfect setting for this.  If only I could say all my flights went so well....!!!

Secret Cupid and Valentine's Day

I was gone on Valentine's day this year so we did an early celebration!  One night we picked names and did my little store where they spent their "love bucks" and bought gifts for each other.  Rather than be secret cupids for a whole week this year we did it for one day.  The kids cracked me up again.  They thought they were so sneaky.  Garret had me and he would come up and say "look at that" point then shove something into my pocket.  He even put "love Garret" on some of the pictures he made me.  He was so surprised when I knew he was my cupid.  Adele had Spencer and she would go put something on his bed then say "go look on your bed".  He had no idea who had him!  Spencer had Tyler and he actually thought pretty hard about where to put things.  It was lots of fun. We also enjoyed pink heart shaped pancakes and pink milk!

 On the actual Valentine's Day my Mom made sugar cookies with them and Garret enjoyed his Valentine's party at school. (Thanks Jen for taking pictures).  He was very sweet and saved the Valentine's to show me when I got back.  He loved them all but the one from Naomi the girl in the pictures he says he will keep forever!

It was different being apart for Valentine's but we all found ways to show love to each other.  I love celebrating our love but mostly I love that it is there all year round.  Happy Valentine's 2012!!!