As was stated in the previous post, our house has been zapped this week with an unfortunate illness. Yesterday was MK's day to shine with a fever. In an attempt to get her to rest, I tried letting her watch tv more than the norm. We set up a special place on the couch just for her. She was allowed to have both of her special sleep blankets with her at all times. Her temp did not spike like the boys did so I didn't give her fever meds hoping that she would slow down a bit. Silly me. I should know better. School has been somewhat on the backburner this week. We have managed to do the equivalent of two days but it has been very sporadic, not really the routine. Yesterday, MK was on her special couch place supposedly resting, C was upstairs in his normal working spot and P was in my room working with me. Every five minutes, MK would walk in, put her two little hands on her hips, click her tongue on the roof of her mouth(this is a new trick she has learned and she uses it in the most appropriate situations being the prissy little girl that she can be) and she would say, "Um, excuse me, but I have a little question" and then her right foot would pop out in front of her, kind of over the side a bit, as this was her way of indicating she was waiting for a response. These are the moments with her that make me just laugh. And wonder. Where in the world does she get the hands on the hip look, the pizzaz, if you will, the ever so present prissiness? It is so present in her phone conversations as well. She will talk to my mom or Ryan's mom, her pinky out, and she will just laugh and then say, "What? I didn't hear you? Oh, ok" and then laugh some more just like she totally gets it. Most definitely her own being. So cute. So expressive.

Poor boys have been sick since Friday. No good for anyone. Pryce is not himself. Colin is not himself. Both cannot shake the high temp thing. Both are camped out on our den couches having a movie marathon. Really, the movies sound fun, but not. Meanwhile, MK is full speed ahead. Keeping in mind that she is the only family member to have had the luxury to get the flu vaccine, we are waiting to see if the sickness overtakes her....hoping not.

MK is friends with a little girl from our homeschool co-op. Her friend's name is SaraKate. They are referred to by their teachers as "the Kates." SaraKate turned four on Saturday and we were honored to be invited to attend her fancy party. The theme was based on the Fancy Nancy book series. MK loves Fancy Nancy and can often be found in her room reading these books to her dolls. MK left our house adorned in her beautiful cupcake smocked dress and she arrived home in the dress coupled with bracelets, hats, boas, hair clips, sunglasses, freshly painted finger nails, glitter make-up on her face....in other words, she was princessed out! The girls took part in a tea party where they were given specific Fancy Nancy instructions on how to sip their tea appropriately, you know, with your finger tipped and all. It was precious! Unfortunately, I did not take my camera but I was able to snap a few pics of the before and after....

This is the before.

I was trying to get Mason-Kate to smile for the picture. I said, "Who do you love? Say, I love mommy!" She gave me this sly little look and proudly said, "I love BOYS!"....either she meant to say, "I love my boys!" or we have a lot to watch out for as she grows up!

This is the after.

Happy 10th Birthday Colin!

March 4, 2000 - Ryan and I awoke, went through our Saturday morning routine of cooking breakfast and reading the paper, not realizing that this would be the last time we would be doing that for awhile. Our goal for that day was to pack a bag for the hospital in anticipation of Colin's arrival. My due date was March 14, ten days away. We ventured out to the mall. I remember two things, one, I was a little miffed with Ryan because I wanted A chicken nugget, not an entire pack, just one. That meant that he would have to eat the rest and he didn't want any so we ended up not purchasing a pack - crazy the things one remembers, right? Two, we went to look for a gown for me to wear in the hospital. After looking for the perfect one and not being able to find it, we decided to leave. I told Ryan, "It's ok, I can come back tomorrow after church and get a gown. I need to get a few other things too." So, we left. No nugget, no gown, no loot for the hospital bag. That evening we had what was to be our last baby shower in Colin's honor. We mingled, I ate the best homemade pizza ever and all was well until we were asked to be seated so that the attendees could pray for us. There was a very large group of people there, our entire Sunday school class and then some. We all sat in this huge circle and the praying began. And it went on. And on. And on. And I desperately needed to go to the bathroom. Desperately. I just remember thinking, "Surely this is the last person who is going to pray for us. Surely they will understand if I, the pregnant lady, needs to get up mid-prayer to go to the little girls room. Surely, surely, surely." And all the while, the praying continued and Colin kicked and kicked and kicked. I managed to make it through the praying and then made a mad dash for the bathroom. Ahhhhhh, that was so much better. About an hour later, as we were packing our gifts up to leave, I had this very strange, piercing pain in my lower abdomen. I sat down for a moment and it mysteriously went away. I went to hug a few friends as we were leaving and the pain came again. I told Ryan, "Something is not right." We got into our car and he said, "What do you mean something is not right?" Well, I wasn't sure what I meant but I did know that I was having these pains. Then, I believe, my water broke. I was in denial that I could possibly be experiencing labor. 48 hours earlier, I had seen my doctor who had told me to begin walking because there wasn't going to be a baby anytime soon. Plus, I just knew I would go past my due date, not sure why I thought this but I did. So, I kept telling Ryan that I was most certain that I was experiencing an uncontrollable bladder as this is common in pregnancies and Colin had been so wild earlier, surely he kicked me in the wrong place or something. All the while, Ryan was timing these mysterious pains that kept occurring. We got home, called the doctor who gave us two options, drink water and call back OR come to the hospital. I believe at this point Ryan suspected labor. I, however, suspected nothing, it wasn't time, I wasn't prepared. Without unpacking the gifts, and without a bag prepared, we drove the longest 30 minute drive ever to the hospital. As we left, I remember Ryan said, "I have your pillow and a toothbrush. You will thank me for these later." And I kept thinking, "No way, we will be in and out of triage in no time. After all, we have lunch plans at one of my favorite restaurants tomorrow with some of our favorite friends. It just wasn't birthing time." Four hours later, in the wee hours of Sunday, March 5, we met our firstborn son, Colin, for the very first time. Ten years ago.

March 5, 2010 - Pryce woke up first, not normal at all. He woke Colin up and said to him, "Mom said that because it is your birthday we can watch tv, lets go." Colin looked at the clock and said, "But Pryce, it is only 5:30am!" to which Pryce replied, "Well, then, lets talk." And so they did. I love their relationship. Later Colin came down as I was decorating to inform me that P did not feel so well. High fever, not good. With a little Motrin intervention, the day went on as planned. Out to lunch with friends, ice cream sundaes, laser tag, Boyscout banquet, friends over for the night, cake, phone calls, presents, emails, texts, lots and lots of celebrating. Colin spent his 10th birthday much like he did his first day of life, he just simply took it all in.....and he (and his parents) got very little sleep! The one downfall that I have seen to him turning ten is that he informed me earlier in the week that he can no longer give hugs in public. So as to not upset me entirely, he came up with a different means of showing his affection in a "cool" way. Now, instead of me hugging him goodbye, he insists that we do "knuckles".....but he will still allow hugs within the home :)

Colin is a sucker for commercials. If it is declared "the best," then he tries hard to convince me to buy it. His most recent ploy has been to sell me on buying Charmin. I haven't taken the bait but I did think it would make for the most perfect gag gift!

There were two gatherings in Colin's honor. One with friends from his co-op class, one with friends from his old school. Laser tag with co-op friends, sleepover with old school friends.

The next morning, this was the scene in our living room at 8:00 AM :) All geared up and ready for combat, they took off outside and did not return for 2 hours!

Three Year Old Language

I love MK's language. Her voice is so sweet and she tops everything off with her own animation. Tonight we were driving home and she kept asking me, "Mommy, why we not go to Krisme Kreme?" Love it....

MK - Krisme Kreme
AKA - Krispy Kreme

MK - Girl Girl Panties
AKA - Big Girl Panties
**Special note here, we are totally trained, night and all! YAY!

MK - Plub-blix
AKA - Publix

MK - Chic A Let
AKA - Chik Fil A

MK - Cupcake Party
AKA - Birthday Party

MK - What's your ploblem?
AKA - What's your problem?

MK - Clone Wars the Clone Wars
AKA - Star Wars the Clone Wars

We changed her seat in the van this week. She is now seated behind the passenger seat in the van due to the fact that she was constantly kicking my seat. She would oblige when I would ask her not to but within minutes the kicking would begin again. Rather than tempt her, we moved her. She is so confused and keeps asking, "What happened to my seat? Why you move me over here?" and she asks with such an insulted tone in her voice.
On a special note, today our friends accepted the referral of a baby girl in China! We are so thrilled for them and their family! Can't wait to update everyone on their journey! She is gorgeous! MK looked at her picture and said, "Who is dat baby? She need her mommy."
Tomorrow I plan to update on Colin's special day! We have been steady celebrating today. As I type, the boys (along with Ryan) are all out playing and hopefully headed home for the evening. We still have to sing, eat cake, do presents and hopefully sleep....

Since MK's arrival, many people have asked me, "Gosh, things are going so well for all of you. Everyone has adjusted and bonded and attached. Do you ever have a bad day with MK? Is she always happy?" And, quite honestly, unless you are family or a very close friend, I put on my happy face and smile to say, "Oh yes. MK is doing great!", because, MOST of the time, this is true. However, there are the days that this is less than true. MK, MOST of the time, is happy, silly, obedient and a joy to be around. She is funny and loves that she has the ability to make others laugh. Above all, she can be so sweet. She can say things that would make anyone's heart melt. She is affectionate to her family, to her teachers and to her baby dolls. She is a cuddlebug, loves to be cuddled up with blankets and her mommy. MOST of the time, these are all true. Along with that side of her comes the strong will that has been ever so present since the moment we first met her almost two years ago. This is one of her stronger qualities and defines a lot of her demeanor towards us, her family, as well as her peers. She has her own mind on how things are going to be and there is little room to negotiate without a full blown scene and/or tears. I struggle today with this, her will. Some of her behavior is totally an age thing. And, as I am often told, some could just be the fact that she is a girl. What I struggle with is how to shape this personality that she has been given? How do I make it a positive in her life and something that she can rely on as she ages? MK is so perfect in so many ways and we do just love her to pieces. We just have to figure out what to do with that ever so present strong will!

The Countdown Begins....

We began the countdown to Colin's birthday on Saturday. This Friday, March 5, he will turn 10 years old and we will have a child in double digits. Yikes. I am thinking that this may be as detrimental to my health as turning 30 was. Double digits. Ten years ago, on this day, we were childless and clueless. Everyone told us the standard, "Just wait, your life is going to change so much." And we smiled and thought we knew it all, everything there was to know about parenting. I mean, after all, I had practically raised several children that I babysat for and Ryan was no stranger to small children being that he already had 7 nieces and nephews. We thought we knew it all :) This week I know I will be busy reflecting on him and how much he has taught us as parents. He is the firstborn, the example, the "experiment" - meaning, we have tried it all on him and, if it worked, we used it with the others; if not, we tried something new and improved, again, on him. He is the one who made us parents first, the one who ultimately made us a family. How special he is to us and how honored we are to be his parents for the past ten years and the years to come. Ten years ago, on the night - or morning technically - Colin was born, we called our parents, both sets, to come join us in the hospital for his birth. They arrived and not too long after, Colin made his appearance. They were all with us for our first child's birth and they were all with us again this weekend to help celebrate his almost ten years of life, just us and the four of them. A very special way to kick off a very special week.

At almost ten, you are capable of lighting your own candles on your birthday?

Our week at a glance. Our week has been one big blur. Seriously. Monday, ENT. 2 1/2 hours later, the ENT, with whom I have never been overly excited about, walked into the doorway of the patient room in which we were ALL (all three children and myself) waiting. He stood there, looked at us and apologized for being late. And then, oooohhhh, and then he said, "Well, unfortunately I am needed in the O R at the Veteran's Hospital at this moment. Do you have any questions or concerns for me?" Keep in mind the door is still open, he is still standing there with MK's chart in his hand UNOPENED. ERRGGG. This momma was not happy.....go back to MK and her initial surgery. Palate repair and tubes inserted. Tubes were inserted first, the ENT comes in and says, "Your six month old son did great." Son? Six months old? What???? We sent our 16 month old DAUGHTER in with him. Incredible. So that was our first impression of this man and we all know how first impressions can be - life long. So back to Monday....do I have concerns? Well, we had seen the audiologist first. She performed a hearing test and MK did not score as well as one would hope. Her hearing is mildly delayed. OK. So, here I am with this dr. who clearly has not even looked at her file and he is asking me if I have concerns???? OF COURSE. But at that moment, my biggest concern was how quick I could get out of his office and into another ENT's office, one who might show a little patient care. That was Monday. It ended on a good note. MK and I went for a girls night out to see the Princess and the Frog. Though she was not so impressed with the movie, she relished in having my undivided attention. She loved that it was just the two of us. She kept asking me, "You so excited? Mommy, you so excited to see da movie with me?" I was. It was good to have some special time with her. And it made me realize that I need to do this more often with all three of them, one at a time. Tuesday came. Speech, home to curl hair for pictures, out the door to IEW (writing), to ballet for pics, lunch, homeschool co-op and then we were home. Phew. Wednesday, my parents arrived in the wee hours of the morning (thank you!) to take care of MK. The boys and I attended the play, Diary of Anne Frank. I actually performed this one in college. My how different things are when you watch them with your own child, or in this case, children. Out to lunch, attended Spanish class and church - day over, phew. Thursday, well Thursday was supposed to be a down day - key word here being "supposed"....today I officially resorted to the fact that there are no "down days" in our lives anymore. Is this a good thing? I do believe so. As busy as things get, as stressed as I get, as chaotic as our lives are, I am so thankful for every minute of the madness.