July

Will was on vacation this past month which was wonderful.  We didn't do much relaxing as we are still adjusting to life with three kids on earth, but it was nice to have a teammate as I went through my day caring for our girls.  Here Will is below braiding Emma's hair while holding Violet, as well as helping Lucy with her new-to-her rock tumbler that she is using to polish the rocks she found on our vacation.

As soon as we got back from vacation, we had a fun morning of journaling about our trip.  It was interesting to hear our vacation through Lucy and Emma's perspectives and we all enjoyed documenting our memories.  Since we've been home Lucy and Emma have been playing so well together too.  In the bottom pictures are the girls playing house together.  Lucy has made the realization that it is more fun to play with Emma than it is to fight with her.  They were playing outside one day when Emma decided to go inside.  After a couple of minutes Lucy came over and told me, "Mom, it isn't as fun when Emma isn't here."  What a break through!  Now I remind her of this each time I feel a fight escalating between them and this usually prompts a compromise so that both are still happy.

We spent a lot of time in the kitchen this month, harvesting produce from our garden and cooking in bulk to fill our freezer for when Will goes back to work.  Below are pictures of bowls and bowls of berries for black raspberry jam.  We also made cherry syrup, dozens of zucchini muffins and jars and jars of fermented dill pickles.

Will installed a built in shelf in our office that we designed to fill another void we found in our walls.  We bought the custom built in from the same Amish carpenter who built the dresser Will installed in our bedroom last summer.  Fortunately for us, Will's aunt and uncle were making a trip to the Amish community four hours away and picked up the book shelf for us - getting us out of a guaranteed scream fest from Violet all the way there and back.  Once Violet outgrows her dislike of car rides, we are hoping to make a trip to pick up our next built in because of course we have plenty more ideas and places to put them!  

When we weren't in the kitchen or installing a built in, we could usually be found on our front porch this past month.  This is the first summer since we've bought the house that our kids are old enough to be able to safely enjoy our porch.  Prior to this year, it was too nerve wracking as we worried they would fall down the flight of concrete steps or break an arm on the porch swing.  I know that next summer we will be back to worrying about the hazards of the front porch with Violet, but for this summer, we are definitely enjoying what has turned into an outdoor living and dining room.  

Our porch feels very private and has a great, natural view.  It gets a good breeze and Violet loves to be rocked to sleep on the porch swing.  The girls play house, put on shows and collect and analyze bugs on the porch.  One afternoon while the girls were playing on the porch they heard the familiar tune of the ice cream truck.  The last time it went by Grandma and Grandpa T. were over and felt bad for the girls when we told them it wasn't a good time for ice cream.  Grandpa T. gave the girls cash for the next time it went by and sure enough, within the week the girls were able to have a treat on Grandma and Grandpa T.  The bottom right hand picture is of the girls enjoying another ice cream treat at the local Dairy Queen - this time sponsored by the Summer Reading Program at our library.

The girls are growing up so fast.  Emma had her first dentist appointment this past month and Lucy has her first lose tooth.

Emma also learned how to pump all by herself on the swing.  They have spent the summer so far experiencing the sweet freedom of swinging, the fun of the slip and slide and the joys of frog collecting and splashing in the creek across the street from our house.

Charlie has enjoyed all of the outdoor time with us, and loves relaxing nearby and licking up our crumbs when we are done eating.  He usually only needs to be told no once and he remembers his limits with the exception of when we go for walks.  Charlie walks with us to the point where we usually have to pick him up and carry him back home, lock him in the garage, and restart our walk.  Truly, Charlie acts more like a dog than a cat when it comes to his human companions.

I discovered a new trick on Pinterest for feeding our chickens.  Not only is it healthier for them, but it is also extremely cost effective for us.  We have been sprouting wheat berries on a five day rotation in mason jars.  This has been a great addition to their diet and our pocket book and it is amazing how much 2/3 cups of wheat berries after rinsing twice a day for five days grows into.  Lucy has also assumed the job of egg collecting and is very proud to be old enough to be in charge of this.

Will and I are officially on a diet and have been trying to get exercise in every day.  This is no small feat, as we barely have enough time to feed and clothe our family of five on earth.  Some days it is so difficult to just get shoes on everyone that I feel like throwing the towel in.  It doesn't help that this is the first summer that Lucy no longer fits in the stroller.  We haven't had a cry-free walk yet and I am shaking my fist at the s'mores and Philly cheesesteaks I craved while pregnant with Violet.  Here we are below, exercising as a family despite whining or crying!

We've incorporated daily errands and geo caching into our walks and have even taken breaks to build fairy houses and have picnics.  Speaking of fairy houses, we went to a fairy garden workshop this past month and had so much fun.

Grandma T. even brought over materials to our house to build fairy gardens too.  The girls also enjoyed doing chalk art with Grandma and Grandpa T. as well as playing with Grandma and Grandpa Hines this past month.

We enjoyed our weekly outdoor story time at the library with friends and enjoyed playing and picnicking in the park next to the library afterwards.

We spent time with our friends at playgrounds and each other's houses...

…and attended three different birthday parties as well.

Quotes overheard from my family this past month included:

Lucy: "Stop pushing my buttons Emma!"  Lucy has also picked up a habitual phrase of saying: "Wanna know what?" and "Want me to tell you why?" before telling us anything.

Me to Emma: "Stop spitting."  Emma: "I'm not spitting, my mouth is just farting."  Emma has also developed a habitual saying.  Anytime something interesting happens she says, "Wha-a-ut?!?"  She also has become the fashion consultant of the family and her favorite focus is Will.  "Dad, you are wearing pink and purple - TOGETHER???" Or, "Dad, you are wearing black with BLUE?!?"

And finally, I have been trying to incorporate more enzymes in our diet from raw foods.  Will is a reluctant supporter of this, and out of nowhere one day he asked me: "Do raw eggs have enzymes in them?"  After I responded with a curious yes, he said: "So that means I should eat more cookie dough?"

We celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary this past month on the same day that Violet had her mouth procedure done.  The day definitely played out far different than we had imagined on our honeymoon when we promised to go back to Prince Edward Island for our ten year anniversary.

Who knew on our wedding day the journey we were embarking on, and how we would endure both sickness and health, amazing happiness and unimaginable sadness.  Through it all, we have emerged with a new depth in our perception of life and an appreciation of simple joys.  With an hour left to our anniversary, Violet finally fell asleep.  Will and I were then able to get our photo albums out and reminisce about one of the best days of our life while playing the song from our first dance on my iPhone.  Probably the biggest thought that occurred to us that night is just how much we have learned over the past ten years.  Yes, Will has gotten a master's degree since we got married and is now almost finished with a stressful one year program to obtain an administrators certificate, but the type of learning we have realized had nothing to do with formal education.  From changing our diets to consist mostly of whole, real and organic foods that helped Will recover from severe ulcerative colitis, to gardening, chickens, bees, entrepreneurship and most importantly, parenting, we have learned so many skills not taught in the years of school we have attended.  It is amazing how much we have grown as individuals and as a couple.  We have held hands through the deaths of grandparents and our own son, have watched in awe as our family on earth has grown and have cultivated many of our dreams into reality.  When we look to the next ten years I have to admit that I feel exhausted and nervous.  It is our hope that the next ten years go easy on us.  I feel so grateful to have spent the last ten years with my best friend and I know that together we will be able to handle the inevitable changes of the next ten years with the gained maturity from the grace and faith of the last ten years.

Violet at Three Months

Violet had a very eventful third month.  At the beginning of the month Violet was diagnosed with having a severe upper lip and tongue tie.  After a lot of research and doctor appointments, Will and I decided to have her lip and tongue tie lasered.  This was a very difficult decision emotionally, but after researching all of the facts, an easy one mentally.  Violet is still recovering from the procedure and relearning how to use her mouth.  She is going to Occupational Therapy now and we are doing mouth exercises with her daily.  As one therapist pointed out, who knew Violet's cutest assets were causing her so much trouble!  Relearning how to use a newly functioning mouth paired with the chubbiest cheeks around have made for lots of challenges with strengthening her mouth muscles.  As you can see in the picture below, her cute and unique lower lip indent was caused by the tension from her tongue tie.  Now we are working to unfold that lip so she can create enough suction to eat without inhaling lots of air, which leads to painful gas, fussiness and sleeplessness.

Fortunately, Violet continues to grow despite her eating challenges.  At her two month check up she measured twenty-four inches long - only three inches shorter than Emma was at a year old!  Here Will is below, measuring Violet on our growth stick.

Violet has even outgrown her big sisters doll-sized bunk beds.

Lucy and Emma's infatuation with Violet continues.  After the month we have had, it is amazing to me that they don't seem to mind the crying and fussiness as well as how much time has centered around our dear baby from the doctor and therapy appointments to the long and challenging feeding sessions.  When it comes to Violet, Lucy and Emma have nothing but affection and pride.

In fact, it continues to fascinate me how much every kid we know wants to hold Violet.  I don't remember Lucy and Emma having such a youthful fan club but perhaps it has something to do with the fact that all of the kids in my life continue to get older and aren't babies themselves anymore.  Either way, I find it very endearing how much the kids in my life seem to have a special interest and love for babies.  Below are three of Violet's cousins, proudly holding her.

It goes without saying that the adult family and friends in Violet's life relish holding her too.  In clockwise order from the top left is cousin Dave, Aunt Jenna, God Mother Joelle, friend Krista, Uncle Tim, Great Uncle Jim and Great Aunt Lucy.  Is it just me, or do Violet's great aunt and uncle look too young for that title?

Aunt Jane came to stay with us for a couple of days this past month and enjoyed some sweet bonding time with her fourth niece.

Violet is already following in her big sisters foot steps with her love of her daddy…

And her lack of sleep…

Violet prefers to be held for her naps that are so short we shall call them "kitten naps", and if there aren't any arms free, her next best kitten nap location is in her bassinet in the bathroom with the bathroom fan going for white noise.  She has taken a nap or two on the front porch as well in her  bassinet.

She likes to be rocked to sleep on our porch swing, which has made for pleasant times relaxing on our front porch.  Here Violet is below on my lap while I rock on the porch swing.  

Will is even able to multitask while he rocks Violet and reads up on his latest college homework assignment.

Violet is starting to become frustrated in the soft carrier I wear her in, and whereas last month she was known to take four hour naps in this, she now no longer prefers it.  We have dusted off the stroller as a result and she now will kitten nap for a couple of minutes in the stroller before she demands to be held for the rest of our walk.

Her bassinet almost made it to the trash when she had a diaper fail so extreme we had no idea where to even begin cleaning it.  Will saved the day with a screw driver and a frugality that found a way to get every soiled piece into our washing machine.

Violet has been very vocal this past month and loves talking to us in coos, oohs and ahhs.  The girls love talking with her, and interpreting what she is saying.  Here she is below, talking about something!

Violet has really discovered her hands this past month and loves sucking on them, grabbing her dress or burp rag and putting them in her mouth as well as grabbing our hair and fingers too.

I am enjoying this cooler summer for many reasons, but one of my favorite is the need for footed pajamas!  I absolutely love snuggling Violet when she is wearing footed pajamas!

What a month it has been and I am relieved that Violet's mouth is healing and that she is continuing to grow!

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted

I've heard that the health benefits of taking a vacation are more from the anticipation of the trip than the trip itself.  We had planned our summer vacation back in February.  So many times I visualized the view of Lake Huron from our rented cottage and the sound of the waves against the shore and even the smell of the campfire and fresh pine.  Through the last uncomfortable trimester of pregnancy I would picture our upcoming week at the beach.  Even during labor with Violet and after my tailbone injury, I kept going to my happy place, which was the fun and relaxation we were going to have Up North.  Truly, we all couldn't wait to experience the natural beauty and peacefulness of Up North Michigan.  A week prior to our trip it was on my shoulders to pack as Will was finishing up a college class and his last week of work before having the month of July off.  It was stressful, packing for my new family of five, and all of the different stores I needed to hit to get the random items we needed for our trip.  The most stressful part was planning and shopping for a week of food, knowing that the nearest store to our rental was at least a half hour away and probably wouldn't have a good selection of the type of food we are used to.  Finally, every last item was bought, prepped and packed and we had the challenge of fitting it into our car.  Decisions were made about whether or not we need three rolls of paper towel versus two and I spent a good ten minutes convincing Will that the giant bag of library books was in fact more important than the bottled water.  Once we were on the road, the girls started complaining that they were hungry and we realized the only edible item accessible was a tin of mints.

The girls did really good on the four hour trip up, and we only had to stop twice.  When we arrived at the cottage we couldn't believe how close it was to the beach and how spectacular the view was.  Stepping out of the car and breathing in the fresh, pine scented air was everything I had dreamed of and more.

The night we arrived was chilly with a strong breeze blowing off the lake - perfect for kite flying.  The girls and I flew kites along the beach while Will built our first campfire and proceeded to cook our dinner over it.  

The next morning we awoke at sunrise, thanks to the fact that the cottage didn't have any window coverings and the girls were convinced they had slept in because the sun was so very bright.  It was a beautiful sunrise, and we were showered, dressed and fed before we would have even been out of bed at home.  We capitalized on our early rising and took a morning walk on the beach.

On the week's menu, I made sure that at least one meal a day was cooked at the campfire.  Will had bought me pie irons for my birthday and we had delicious pizza pockets, garlic cream cheese chicken pies, burgers and fruit pies.  We also had s'mores almost every day.

Unfortunately, the bugs were so bad that Will would run from the house to the campfire and back again to make dinner while we stayed inside and killed the ten mosquitoes that came in each time the sliding door was opened and closed.

By the end of the week even Emma could fend for herself and each of us had our own fly swatter.  Emma would even yell "SKEE-TA!" and smack a bug out of mid air.  Our plans of renting a cottage right on the water so that the kids could play outside all day every day were ruined by biting black flies and amazing amounts of mosquitoes.  Thank God we traded the bottled water for library books!  The week before we left for our trip I researched children's books on beaches, vacations, and the Fourth of July and found about thirty books that I kept out of reach from the girls until we were in the car heading north.  This turned out to be the most valuable item we packed, as we spent a lot of time indoors at the cottage, waiting for the bugs to go away.

There was a super comfy and well worn Lazy Boy recliner there that every family member loved.  I fed Violet in that chair countless times and cuddled the older girls too as I enjoyed the view of the lake out the giant picture window next to the chair.  I also got some of my own reading time in.

The girls continued to get up each morning at sunrise and went to bed at sunset around 10:30 the night before.  This was not enough sleep and as a result they were super cranky, irrational and emotional.  They fought like crazy and drove us absolutely crazy.  The worst part was that they couldn't go outside which is usually the solution to fighting back home.  I had brought several new crafts for them to do in case of rainy days and we utilized those to the fullest.  Besides reading, crafts and fighting, Emma enjoyed having us braid her hair multiple times a day and begging us for food as well as playing dress up with the clothes we had packed.  Lucy enjoyed playing with Violet and tattling on Emma. 

We had packed everything but the kitchen sink it seemed and when we got to the cottage we realized that we had forgotten Violet's bassinet.  This did not help our sleep issues, as I couldn't fully relax at night worrying that someone would step on her in the nest we made for her on the floor, or that Will or I would roll on her in our bed.  Lucy and Emma woke up for various things throughout the night as well and Lucy even threw up in the middle of one of the nights.  The girls shared a bed and their tossing and turning would wake each other up too.  Needless to say all three girls kept us up to the point where Will and I were so sleep deprived we could hardly function.

Friends of ours stopped by on their last day of vacation where they were camping about 45 minutes north of us.  Instead of playing at the beach, the girls got to play in the rain.  I think they had more fun playing in the rain than they did at the beach with the rain cleared up.

The bugs were so bad at the beach that my friend Bonnie and I bailed on the kids and dads and hung out in the cottage while laughing at the crazy antics of our family members fighting off the bugs while building sand castles and riding the frigidly cold waves.

Despite the rain and bugs that day, both families had a relief from sibling fighting so we all ended the day happier than we started.

Once our friends had left, the fighting resumed and we decided that our initial plan of staying at our cottage all week needed to be revised.  We needed to go somewhere for a change of scenery - and in the hopes that all three girls would nap in the car.  We found three different light houses near by which we visited on different days.  In the bottom left picture you can see the girls swatting bugs that were so bad they couldn't even stop smacking them for a picture.

Two of the light houses allowed us to climb to the top.  This was super nerve wracking for me as I worried about the girls climbing but I was surprised to realize that the girls LOVED the thrill of the climb and kept turning around to tell me that I was going to be okay!  I tried explaining to them that I wasn't afraid for myself but for them but they interpreted my anxiety to mean that I was afraid of heights!  I've never had a problem with heights - I have a problem with heights and my babies climbing them!

We also found a waterfall near the cottage with really nice hiking trails and we had fun exploring until we were tired of fighting off the bugs.

 Another day we visited Mackinaw City and all three girls saw the Mackinaw Bridge for the first time.

For some reason the bugs in Mackinaw City weren't bad and so we had fun being outside and visited a playground, had a picnic and shopped the town's Main Street.

 The day before we were supposed to go home, we woke up to a spectacular sunrise.  After the sixth consecutive day of sunrises however, I had enough.  I looked at Will and asked him hypothetically how he would feel if we went home that day.  He looked at me and said he could have the car packed in an hour.  We kept our eyes locked on each other as we tried to gauge if the other person was joking.  After a moment Will got up from his half-dead reclined position on the couch and started packing.  It was hard for me to contain my excitement at the thought of everyone having their own beds that night and NOT waking up at sunrise the following day.  The girls were sad but seemed to get over it rather quickly.  As you can see below we had a lot of packing to do but we were fueled by the thought of not being held hostage by skee-tas in a small, cedar-lined house with a know it all five year old, an irrational three year old and a gassy newborn without a bed.

Looking at our photos after a couple of good night's sleep I am glad that we went as we made lots of great memories.  I am also glad to be home, and although we still have a nervous twitch when anything brushes our arms or legs (skee-tas!), it is nice to be back and sleeping is so much better!  Our kids are back to being our clever five year old, our sweet three year old, and our adorable newborn.  We didn't account for the bugs or the sleep deprivation but it was definitely a vacation to remember!