First Haircut

Yesterday afternoon, it was haircut day for my boys.  Early in our marriage, Ted was getting sick of paying money to get his hair cut, so he bought a $20 haircut kit and convinced me to cut his hair.  Almanzo got his first haircut done at a salon where my friend, Liz, worked, but after that he was always excited to get his haircut with daddy.  After Ted got his haircut yesterday, Almanzo climbed up on the stool all ready for his turn...until Oliver started jumping around, begging me to cut HIS hair too.  It's hard to tell in photos, but his hair was starting to get long in the back.  I just wasn't quite ready to say goodbye to his baby hair.

But in that moment, as he stared at me with his big, bright eyes, I couldn't resist.  I knew it was time and I wanted to take advantage of his excitement to make it a fun experience too.  So, Almanzo climbed off the stool and let Oliver have his first haircut.  Ted snapped a few photos and before I had a chance to get all sentimental and emotional, Oliver started giggling that full belly toddler laugh that is completely contagious as I started using the buzzer to trim the long hairs in the back.  It was certainly a challenge between his giggling and squirming over the way the buzzer tickled his neck but by the time I pulled out the scissors to trim the top he sat still enough for me to finish.

When it was all done, I stared at the pile of bleach blond baby hair on the floor and then at the big grin on his big boy face and I couldn't help smiling.  As bittersweet as these milestone moments are, I'm just so grateful God gave me this little boy just when I needed him.  There was a time, in the midst of a long and hard battle with postpartum depression and anxiety that I thought we were done after two kids.  But then Oliver came along and brought so much healing and joy to our home and I just can't imagine our days without his smiles. 

The Mom Project

I never knew what it felt like to have my heart beating outside my own body until I held my firstborn in my arms and [then] wondered how I ever did life without her. Now, three kids later, I wonder what it was like to sleep through the night or take a quiet shower, but I wouldn’t trade this for anything in the world. These three are my hearts, my joy, my life – they are the gifts God has so graciously blessed me with. -Stephanie Hanes

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of welcoming Elizabeth of Story Tree Photos into our home for the morning.  She has a heart for telling stories through photos and chose to tell our story as part of The Mom Project she is working on right now.  She spent the morning watching our daily life unfold through her camera lens and took the time to listen as I shared pieces of our story.  I felt like I was visiting with a lifelong friend as she both listened and shared pieces of her own story and her heart as a mom and a photographer.  It was such a priceless gift to have her tell our story (which you can see on her blog) - thank you so very much, Elizabeth!  I can't wait to print these photos in a photo book as a family heirloom we are sure to treasure for years to come. 

Project Life 2012: Week 45 - 46

November 4 - 10

We visited my mom this week and it's always a good day when we see Gramma.  The kids made handprint turkeys and got spoiled as usual by Gramma.  We stayed for dinner and the kids were so excited when Pappi got home from work.  Oliver was getting a bit of a cold, so he was fussier than usual and I was glad to have my mom's help for the day.

We got out to vote this week for the presidential election.  We know it is a privilege to have our voice heard and spent time explaining why we vote to our kids, but it was funny listening to them process it.  Valerie said, "Mommy, Ollie almost pick up his head...so he can vote!"  Then, later, as we waited for the election results, I asked them who they thought would win the election.  Without skipping a beat, Valerie declared, "Daddy!"  My uncle John's response when I shared it on facebook was, "Romney and Obama wll both be giving their concession speeches in a few minutes. All hail President Ted!" Ha!  

I've been teaching the kids to use a scissors by giving them scraps of paper to cut and showing them how to hold it safely in their hands.  They could sit for hours cutting tiny pieces of paper into confetti.  Of course, I always supervise this activity and try to hide the scissors where they can't find it when they are done cutting.  But it was bound to happen sooner or later - Valerie got ahold of a scissors when I wasn't looking and cut her hair.  Thankfully it was only a little bit in the front and I was able to give her a cute shorter haircut to fix it.  She looks so grown up now!

Valerie and Almanzo absolutely adore their baby brother.  They love to watch him learn new things, yelling for me to hurry over anytime he even makes half a smile.  "Mommy, Ollie smile at me!"  He is the first one they kiss good night at bed time and he gets spoiled all day long with loads of hugs and kisses.  They beg to hold him and he just soaks up the attention.  He will lay on a blanket on the floor curiously watching them all day long and is trying so hard to move so he can play with them someday soon.  One day this week, Valerie declared to me, "Mommy, I not want Ollie grow up.  I want him stay our baby forever!"  And then my heart melted...

***

November 11 - 17

Photo by Julia Jean Photography

This weekend, a sweet girl from our church, Christine, did our yearly family photo shoot for Christmas cards.  She found the perfect indoor location at a local florist shop filled with Christmas poinsettias.  The kids know her well from Awana and babysitting, so she was able to capture the perfect photos of our sometimes shy kids.  I absolutely love the photo she captured of the three kids in their owl hats.  I still can hardly believe we have three kids - what a blessing!

My sister came for a visit with my niece this weekend too and the kids were so excited to see cousin Karli and aunt Kelly.  We had fun watching the two babies kick around and melt us with their smiles.  It has been so much fun sharing this part of my mothering journey with my sister and especially exciting to watch our kids grow up together.  Valerie could hardly wait to hold Karli and would have held her all day long if we let her.

This week, for Awana, everyone was supposed to dress up as an American hero.  I had no idea what to do until the day of and somehow managed to pull together the perfect costumes: Betsy Ross, Paul Bunyan, and Johnny Appleseed.  The funny thing is that Ted could almost pass as a lumberjack without trying, because he has several flannel shirts in his wardrobe that he wears often and it's not uncommon to see him wearing his socks hiked up over his pants.  Ha! 

I finally pulled out my old stash of Barbies I had saved for Valerie and she was completely in heaven.  We spent all afternoon setting up Barbie land in the basement and she just couldn't stop smiling about it.  I found a great deal on a mermaid Barbie from Target's online daily deals and somehow she figured it out before I had a chance to wrap it for Christmas.  "Mommy, when it's Christmas, I get a Barbie!"  When I asked her how she knew, she grinned and said, very slyly, "I see it in your closet..." 

Project Life: Weeks 37 & 38

September 9 - 15

You just can't NOT smile when this little man giggles.

Daddy took the kids on an adventure to return some Redbox movies...and couldn't resist this sweet face asking for ice cream.

 I signed the kids up for a fun learning class that my friend, Chris, is teaching at a fun learning store in town.  Each class has a theme with a book, activity, and project.  Today's book was about cloud shapes, so the kids got to make their own cloud pictures.

 

The kids were so serious about their painting projects.

The kids just love library days, because they love books just as much as their mommy.

 It also helps that the library has fun puppets and other toys to play with.  Almanzo was quite amused with the puppets today.

36 week baby bump

There was a fun kid's parade before Ted's race and the kids had a blast decorating their bikes, "racing" around the block, and eating some yummy snacks just for them.

 Almanzo is very serious about bike races...and he wasn't so sure about the clowns.

 Our favorite racer

Sunday, we were supposed to join Ted for another bike race, but Valerie was fighting a cold and my allergies were making me dizzy and nauseous all weekend.  So, the kids and I hunkered down at home while Ted went down to Lake Geneva for another WORS race.  We were bummed to miss out on cheering him on and a chance to visit with aunt Sarah and cousin Danny.

I'm starting to hit the uncomfortable stage of this pregnancy as baby is running out of space and my body is getting ready for labor day.  The kids seem to think that means they can cause even more trouble.  Their latest scheme was to get into the vapor rub...and I pour it all over Valerie's hair.  It took several washes and finally a bunch of coconut oil to get it all out, but her hair is still a bit greasy looking.  These two certainly keep me on my toes!

I found out at my 36 week appointment this week that I am already 2 cm dilated and my doctor seems to think labor could happen sooner than my due date.  Valerie has been telling me quite often, "mommy, your belly is getting too big, so you need to go to the doctor so you can have the baby".  She also insists that he come soon, because "I want to meet him NOW!"   We are anxiously awaiting his arrival, but praying that whenever he arrives his lungs are ready to breathe in this world and that his arrival is less dramatic than our last two experiences. 

Friday, we decided to go ahead and travel to Hayward, WI for the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival as planned, but, since I was having sporadic contractions and some spotting, decided to pack my hospital bag and the car seat just in case.  We also decided to drive part way back Saturday night so we could make it to a family gathering on Sunday and break up the long drive home.  It ended up being a beautiful weekend and we enjoyed cheering on our favorite mountain biker. 

***

September 16 - 22

My favorite little girl

After a busy weekend, the kids were so tired they insisted on falling asleep in mommy's arms.  I am so blessed.

 "Mommy, I make a tower!  Take a picture!"

 Some days, we spend all morning in our pajamas and cuddle up watching a Netflix movie.

 Somebody was excited about an early birthday gift arriving in the mail this week.  "Heavy! Heavy!" he said as he heaved it up over his head and declared, "I got it, mommy!"

 Like mother, like daughter - wearing a skirt to play t-ball!

Almanzo loves his new t-ball set from uncle David & aunt Cherylyn.  Valerie got one for her birthday two years ago, so they spent the rest of the night playing t-ball in the basement.

Sunday, we joined my family at my parents' new home for a Klein family Thanksgiving.  My cousin, Sparrow, is visiting from Washington with her daughter, Matia, and my uncle Larry is visiting from Canada so it was the perfect opportunity to celebrate the family we are so thankful for.  It was also an opportunity for my parents to invite the family back to my grandparents' home as it becomes their home.  They were all excited to see the changes they've already made and to hear all the plans for future changes.  And, of course, it is such a blessing to continue celebrating the legacy of family my grandparents left behind in the house that love built.

Valerie's imagination continues to amaze me.  Lately, she has been talking non stop about her baby dolls.  She is such a little mommy, rocking her "babies" to sleep, making sure they are fed and clothed, and telling me all about their daily adventures.  One morning, she woke up and said, "Mommy, I really tired...cuz my baby waked me up out of bed! I need tell her not do that, so I can sleep."  

Our littlest peanut decided to tease us with contractions again for several hours Thursday night and then all morning Friday, including during my OB appointment.  I am still 2 cm dilated, but my cervix has thinned quite a bit and baby is definitely head down.  We thought for sure we'd have a baby over the weekend, but contractions slowed down again and we are more than happy to let this little one keep growing healthy and strong.

Project Life 2012: Weeks 34 - 36

We are still working on recovering what photos we can and, since most of my daily photos are now taken on my phone using Instagram, most of the Project Life updates will now include Instagram photos.

August 19 - 25

Our poor computer...which is now holding all our files and photos hostage...

Lazy post vacation days call for lots of cuddling on the couch watching Netflix movies.

 

 Big girl helped push her brother during our early evening shopping excursion to find the perfect going home outfit for little brother.

 We finally found the perfect going home outfit for our littlest peanut.

 33 weeks baby bump

 He insisted on mommy cuddles...and how could I resist?

It amazes me how quickly our kids can figure out the latest technology.  Almanzo was having so much fun playing a matching game on grandma's Kindle.

Bath time saves the day every single time!

So excited to spend time with this sweet momma!

My sweet parents, who just celebrated their 31st anniversary...and are still very much in love.

Our week started out on a major downer - our computer completely crashed, with all our files and photos.  I was literally in tears, but, thankfully, I have photos saved from blogging, facebook, and photo websites I use often.  We've been using the laptop my dad fixed up for us for the time being and have already ordered a new external hard drive to backup our files in the future.  Lesson learned: always back up photos and files in more than one location.  And, if your external hard drive breaks, buy a new one immediately, before your computer has a chance to crash too.

We've also been slowly getting ready for our littlest peanut's arrival.  The kids helped me pick out a going home outfit for him on one of our shopping excursions.  We are also getting excited for my sister's baby to arrive, any day now.  We thought she would make an appearance this week, but she decided it was much more comfy to stay in her mommy's womb for a little longer.  We can hardly wait to watch these two little ones grow up together!

Saturday, we headed to my parents' house to stay overnight before another bike race.  Ted blessed me with the night off, so I was able to join my parents and my brothers at a wedding reception for one of our childhood friends.  It was so much fun to reconnect with the Jacobs family, a family of five kids just like ours who spent a lot of time with us when we were all younger.  I especially enjoyed reconnecting with Corey and his wife, Laura.  Laura and I became Facebook friends when her son was just a newborn and this was our second time meeting in person.  It's funny that it took Facebook to make us friends, when I grew up with her husband, because she has been such a blessing to me. 

***

August 26 - September 1

 There is not much sweeter than wake up to this little man curled up next to me in bed.

Four years old...going on fourteen.  Seriously, this girl is a hoot!

The kids enjoyed a fun play date with friends during my eye doctor appointment today.

 I just love watching the man I love read from the "God book" and pray with the kids every night before bed.  It melts my heart every time.

She is quickly becoming my big helper.  She wanted a drink of water, so she climbed up on a stool, found a cup, added some ice, and then filled it up with just the right amount of water.  I can't get over how fast she is growing!

I just love this photo of my little man reaching up to me with full view of his littlest brother still snug and safe in mommy's womb.  I am blessed.

Daddy and his little man - I just love these two.

Miss V helping aunt "Seda" cook dinner at my parents' house.

This week started out with a bike race, but the rain kept the kids and I from cheering on our favorite mountain biker.  Instead, we spent the day at my parent's house and the kids soaked up the extra attention from Gramma and Pappi.  My parents are slowly making my grandparents' home their home and it's exciting to see the changes they are making.

The kids kept me entertained all week with their silliness.  They are growing so quickly these days.  Valerie is learning to write and recognize her letters and is just so eager to learn new things.  She is also our little drama queen; all of life is her stage!  Almanzo is all about "I do myself" lately, which often exhibits itself in plain stubbornness.  We are in the process of potty training, but it's a long process.  The only time he seems to be willing to actually use the potty is when we let him run around the house naked.  The moment we put a diaper or underwear on him, he doesn't want anything to do with the potty.

Ted has made a routine of reading to the kids before bed from a kids' devotional bible we have.  It's so sweet to hear them talk about Jesus and even sing songs about Him throughout the day.  They always take turns praying with daddy and I love hearing what they ask to pray about.  Almanzo always asks to pray for a bike race and Valerie remembers to pray for her littlest brother to be healthy and safe.  Then, before they crawl into bed, they both make sure to kiss my growing belly and say goodnight to their baby brother.  It melts my heart every time!

***

September 2 - 8 

Meeting our sweet niece...and we already love her so much!

Our afternoon snack is often a homemade smoothie (almond milk, peanut butter, fruit, and a touch of honey) and the kids get just a little bit excited when it's smoothie time!

First night of a new year of Awana and Almanzo made his debut as a Puggle this year.

35 week baby bump

My sister has been sending us photo updates of sweet Karli and we just can't get enough of her!

Like father, like daughter - our engineer in training doing a little bedtime reading. 

According to Valerie, a girl can never have too many pairs of shoes.  These are her new sparkly church shoes and she can hardly wait to wear them!

Our niece, Karli, decided to make her appearance this week and it was the perfect start to a new month.  We spent our Memorial Day meeting her and falling in love with every perfectly and wonderfully made piece of her.  The kids haven't had a chance to actually meet her yet, because hospital policy prohibited young children from coming into the recovery rooms, but they love seeing pictures of her and talk about her often.  We can hardly wait for them to finally meet her and for her to be joined by our littlest peanut soon.

The excitement of our niece's arrival put me in full on nesting mode.  I spent the rest of the week working on freezer meals and getting everything ready for baby.  Valerie and Almanzo are getting so excited to meet him.  They ask often when he's going to be here and Valerie said, "I want to meet him now!".

This week was also the start of a new year of Awana.  Valerie began her second year of Cubbies and Almanzo began his very first year of Awana as a Puggle.  They were so excited and talked about it all day.  Valerie was so sweet, telling Almanzo how fun it would be and helping to calm his nerves as we drove there.  He was a little shy when we first arrived, but by the time we picked him up he was all smiles and excited to tell us about his class.  I just can't get over how fast they are growing!