Claire and the others...

Well, here it is nearly two years later and I am posting again. It's better than the five your gap of last time. Claire is the topic of this entry. Realizing that the youngest child really does get jipped when it comes to baby books, blogs posts, videos and photos. I'm sorry Claire. And the irony is that she is the most photogenic, expressive one of them all and should have the MOST because she is always so adorable and fun to film. Claire Kathryn is almost 20 months old! She is by far my busiest toddler with Carmen following as a close second. Lately she just runs everywhere. She is the only toddler that loves to climb in dryer, throw tp rolls in toilet, get lotion all over herself and the rug. When any of us catch her in the act she says, "Hi!". She loves to say Look! and point to whatever. She also loves throwing food on the floor from her high chair. I need serious parenting tricks to cure her of some really annoying habits (screaming for things and throwing food mainly). She is the light of our life. She loves to say "Peek a boo!" when I force my sleepy eyes open in the morning after she walks in to wake us up. Love her!

The others are growing up way too fast. Carmen just started piano this last week. Really hoping she continues to practice without me having to really yell at her to do it. Asher will be going to kindergarten in the fall. Boo hoo!!!! And Jonas just read Harry Potter book 2 in two days. He's becoming quite a little  reader. The summers are both good and hard. We loved a recent beach trip with Bonnie and Jeff. But since we got back there has been too much tattle tale-ing!

Asher

Ok. Hi Blog. I'm sorry I abandoned you for five years. I had a temporary fling with Facebook. But I've come to my senses and I'm back. Let's see...I think a lot has happened since 2010. I need to write about Asher. He is my third child that was born April 8 2012. He is nearly 3! He was a difficult baby. By far the most. He cried a lot. Constantly. Unless he was being held. He never learned to cry it out, cause I was a softy and caved after 2.5 hours of hurling screams. Currently, he is the worst sleeper of the three. He detests naps and fights through it. Unless he is in the carseat - then he gives in before the engine starts (if it's the right hour). Lately he is obsessed with batman pajamas, cape and mask. It has become part of the evening ritual to dress in this pre-bedtime attire. He still misses his lil buddy Tate from Delaware. He is a terrible bedmate - but I had to sleep with him to get him to stay in the bed when he escaped the pack and play. He has adorable curly blonde hair that I can't bring myself to cut. He loves to be in the mix of it with Carmen and Jonas and really does rile the two up all on his own. He loves trains (uses the Hemmingway twins for their great collection of Thomas trains) and for Christmas he got magnetic cars and a thomas train. He still hates it when any of us sing - no natter the song. I think its because I used to sing to him every night as a ritual...when he was a baby, so he associates it with sleeping. Anyway, he is a joy to have in the family.

Moments this fall

We went to Mackinac Island last month with my mom and sister Olivia. It was so FUN! These are a few of the pictures we took. We are determined to go again. Jonas had so much fun with his Aunt Olivia.

Carmen is a daddy's girl!

At the cider mill...
Six months old! (and two weeks). We call her button because she's as cute as a button and has a cute little button nose.
I thought this was a pretty picture to take at the park.

Summer Days drifting away...

Wow, I can't believe how fast this summer has gone by! We only really have one cool trip to show for it: Lake Michigan. Other than that, we pass our time at parks and in the back yard weeding, playing in the sand box, trying to grow things and swimming. I will try to post more pics of the other activities some other time. Carmen is nearly five months and as adorable as ever. She laughs, smiles easily, sucks her hands and fingers, snuggles every time she is held, does tummy time exceptionally well and is just cute. Jonas is testing every limit lately with spry attitude and spunk. He learned to make his first drip castle on the shores of Lake Michigan. He loves to swim (with his floaties on) and lately his most favorite things are sticks, balloons and balls. But mostly sticks.

Four months old....

Eight Hours are Back - Oh how I have missed them....

I didn't think it could actually happen to me. And I hesitate to even write it because I don't want to jinx it - but here goes: Carmen is sleeping through the night!!!!! Three months old, and she started doing it on her own! She's a genius I tell you. No stressful nights sleep training a crying baby in this house. Yea! She is an absolute gem. An angel. I could not have asked for a better baby. Is she really mine??? I hope she isn't saving all her difficult moments for the teen years. Oh well, if so, I will just enjoy it now.

Has it really only been three months?

I need to get better about importing pictures on a regular basis. I dread doing stuff like that. If blogging didn't require that I get my pics off my camera and on to my computer I would probably blog a lot more. I can't believe Carmen is already 3 months...at the same time, I feel so much older than I did three months ago! I LOVE being a mom of two! But my body feels it. Everyday when I wake up I wonder why my body feels like a combination of getting run over by a semi truck and working out hard(both of which I have not happened) then I remember... I am just experiencing the first three months of parenthood along with chasing a toddler - great combo for being physically exhausted. I am already revisiting the pictures of Carmen in the first few weeks of life just because it is all so hazy! It is hard to appreciate those first few weeks when they fly by and you are in survival mode and then you are trying to still carry on with other things. Anyway, this is what we have been up to since I last blogged...

This is a picture of Carmen on her three month birthday. She has resorted to sucking her two middle fingers since her mommy won't give her the pacifier. Really she won't keep it in, her fingers taste better I guess. Just enjoy it now Carmen because braces are a comin...

Jonas turned 2 years old. He is so much fun. He was delighted to eat ice cream. We ate his favorite meal (hot dogs, peas, macaroni and cheese) and he got to eat ice cream with his two candles on it. He blew out the candles about ten times. Thrilling. Grandma Cox gave him a Thomas DVD and Muppets DVD, Grandma Annie gave him some good winter clothes and Mom and Dad gave him a big blue ball for his birthday! What could be better than that?
Carmen's first smile caught on camera. I think she was about seven or eight weeks here. We were at Del Taco - the closest we can get to feeling like we are eating good Mexican food in Arizona. Perhaps she will be a fan of Mexican food? "Give me some tacos mom!"
Jonas loves to take his stroller on walks...

The Broken Lamp...

As I was reading Jonas his night time stories about 2 weeks ago, I hear this great big CRASH! I asked, "What was that?" (hoping and praying hard that it wasn't what I thought) Todd's reply: I'm sorry! I go out to our front room and my beautiful papi lamp...my favorite thing...was shattered in a thousand pieces all over the carpet! Hear sinking, holding back the tears, hand over my jaw-dropped mouth, I stare wide-eyed and stunned. Get myself together, put Jonas night night, and begin calling my cousins to see if these lamps are still replaceable (I got it in a store we frequent when we go to San Carlos Mexico). Anyway, after helping Todd clean up the pieces I retired what was left of the lamp (the stand) to its graveyard: the garage. It now stands wanting to hold up it's red flower but having empty hands. Jonas is equally touched by my loss. His narrative of what happened has evolved weekly and even daily as follows:

Version 1: "Daddy, lamp, broke."

Version 2: "Daddy broke lamp."

Version 3: "Daddy broke lamp pajamas" (this detail was added since he remembered that the trauma occurred just before bedtime)

Version 4: Daddy broke lamp, mommy cried.

Version 5: Daddy broke lamp. Mommy cried. Sad.

And his latest version: "Daddy broke lamp, carpet." he says as he nods his head.

And with his voice now very soft he then adds, Mommy cried. Sad. Pajamas.

So, Todd and I are both having a hard time getting over the loss of our favorite thing...since Jonas reminds us daily.

My mom and John came to visit for the week. We went to the Henry Ford and Greenfield Village. We had a lot of fun here for the week. One thing mom always teaches me in her visits after I have kids (only two but still) is to not let having an infant keep me from getting out and doing things.

Jonas was afraid to ride on the animals of the merry-go-round. So we had to sit on the bench that was by the horses and he managed. He has many more fears this summer at the village compared to last summer. Probably the fear of heights has emerged from him falling off the chair when he was helping me to do dishes.

Carmen takes after her Aunt Olivia. She loves to sleep. I couldn't resist putting her in the little dolly wicker bed to show how tiny she is.

And this is her yawning...
After his Easter egg hunt in the backyard...
Todd took Jonas to the mall one morning to give me some sleep. When they came home Todd says, "Em I just couldn't resist". He had bought Jonas his first pair of shoes. Black converse - like father like son. Thirty dollars for a pair of shoes on my son that is not yet two. Jonas was just as excited as Todd because when Todd tried to get him dressed after he had his shoes on Jonas just couldn't sit still and ran all around the house in his new shoes. He thought he really looked funny with only a diaper and shoes. In fact, he thought he was hilarious.

I am starting to enter that phase in which it is hard to remember what life was really like before Carmen. I think that is a good sign of adjustment - or a sign of amnesia from so many sleepless nights. Nonetheless it is here. Jonas has been a little more difficult. I have used the crib for his time-out. I usually take out all the stuffed animals and blankets and put him in the crib - because it is the only contained space in our home. I have decided it isn't such a good idea. He is having way too much fun. When I went to get him out of bed for the day (earlier this week) he had thrown everything out of the crib and while jumping up and down in the crib says "Time out? Chimichanga?" I had put him in time-out nearly a month ago for throwing his chimichanga on the floor.

Carmen Olivia Cox

Carmen Olivia was born March 17, 2010 at 3:49 in the afternoon. She weighed 8 pounds 4 ounces and was 21.5 inches long. I FINALLY am posting some pictures. I will let the pictures do the talking...

We blessed her on April 11. This was after church in our backyard.

The hospital picture...
She is an absolute joy. I finally am experiencing a "normal" infant. When she cries, there is a reason, and I can do something about it! She is so sweet, patient, adorable. Jonas is a great big brother and other than the occasional smushing her as an expression of his adoration and love, he goes about his usual business with not a lot of notice that things are all that different...

Nesting is REAL!

Okay,

So I can't believe it, but the "nesting" phase of pregnancy that they talk about is real! I didn't get it with Jonas but with this baby - the phase won't pass! I love it though because I am getting a ton done. I am perfectly content to stay home - clean (deeply) and organize, reorganize, and organize again. I am getting very creative with my new uses of space too! I have got to make room for a baby in our little house AND maintain some room for Jonas to run wild and store his toys. I have just finished putting curtains up in our dining room and our guest room is finally put together in time for my mother-in-law to come and stay. Let's see what else can I do? Seriously, am I going crazy?! I am looking for stuff to clean!

The latest with Jonas:

He said AMEN so loud at church last sunday after the concluding speaker that the whole congregation heard and laughed.

He wants to watch Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day every morning - sometimes twice ... and I let him.

He loves to vacuum with his little vacuum when I vacuum

When I do the dishes he always shouts to ask me if he can "help!"

He still loves his Thomas train that his Aunt Olivia bought him in Arizona. He is also addicted to watching the train crashes on Youtube tht Olivia introduced him to - thanks Liv.

He pushes his baby doll in the pink stroller around the house and even put her down for a nap today in the cradle that is set up in his room for his sister to come.

I am trying to teach him how to answer certain questions. I say, Jonas how old are you or Jonas, what is your name? He usually answers "One" to both unless I coach him on the name. Then he will repeat and say Jonas! The other day I said Jonas what is your name? He said "One!"

No Jonas, what is your NAME?

"Two?" he asks.

After I sing him any song (choo choo song, nursery rhyme, whatever) he says in a really high voice, "yea!"

Well that is about it. Just wanted to write down what he is all about these days so that I can remember it!

There is no better place to be in January than in Arizona! We had a great time. Jonas did very well traveling both ways. And lucky me, I got my flight changed to a direct flight with no additional fees....thank you Detroit weather!! We arrived in sunshine and warmth. We spent just over two weeks seeing all our loved ones and going to the park when we could. Here are just a few pictures from our trip.

Some of my girlfriends threw me a little get together/baby shower. It was so fun to catch up but not long enough! Dale (the male in the picture - is my cousin standing behind his wife Raina - he can't miss a good time!)
Amber Brown's little baby Harrison is so cute. He reminds me of a little linebacker. He is six mo. younger than Jonas but had no problem pushing Jonas around in his little stroller toy! This is the only picture I got of him though! Dang.
Pappy and Jonas did a lot of hangin out...
We threw my cousin Vaughn a little birthday dinner. Happy 30th Vevo! We are about to eat his favorite - pazuki. Yum.
This is Jonas's closest cousin Jack, showing Jonas how much he has missed him!
All of us at Dave and Hilary's house for a last minute family Sunday dinner. So fun to see everyone.
My father-in-law recently moved just south of Tucson (from Ohio) and so he was able to come to Dave's house for dinner. This is Jonas with his two grandpas.
We went out to see Guy and Dana (Todd's brother and wife and kids). We miss them!
Jonas got into my purse and put lip gloss all over his mouth. This picture was taken the next day and I think after his third bath... I was really starting to get worried that my son would permanently look like Jack Nicholson as the Joker in Batman. Luckily, it finally came off. Funny thing is that he was doing all of this while we were eating at Somburros. People at other tables kept telling me, "your son is putting lipstick on his face". I would say, "Ya, when the dad's away the kid can play...no worries I'll just wipe it off when I get home". I was enjoying my dinner and company and thrilled that Jonas was entertaining himself. Then I got home and realized it wasn't coming off! Whew, eventually it did though.

Christmas Day....Jonas got a choo choo train...
But he was more interested in eating the ginger bread house...
We are pregnant! This is us at 31 weeks! We sure are excited.

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and everything else I have missed blogging in 2009......

Jonas cries when Todd has to go to work. In fact, since Todd is usually going "bye-bye" when Todd comes home and tries to give him a hug, Jonas just waves and says "bye-bye". Da-da and bye-bye are synonymous for him. I had to take a picture to capture the fact that yes, Jonas does sometimes cry for his daddy...it is not ALWAYS for mom - thank heavens.

2010 New Years Resolution: To blog about 2009. That way, I can actually meet my goal. Thanksgiving and Christmas wizzed by and now Jonas and I are SO excited to be preparing for a visit in the land of mild and honey (at least in the winter time). That's right - we fly into Phoenix in two days and I am so ready to see the sun shining and maybe even wear some sandals!

But first, lemme meet my new years resolution so that some day when Jonas is old and he wants to see some sign of a mother who was somewhat adapted to "techy" life - I will show him a blog (which will be totally outdated by then). We spent Thanksgiving with one of Todd's classmates from Midwestern University who is doing his residency at the Henry Ford hospital. He and his family were a lot of fun and although I had never met them, it was no big deal. We had a great time visiting and eating delicious food!

Christmas came and went, just like it does every other year. This was our first Christmas alone with just our family and it was nice! Nice and quiet - but nonetheless wonderful to be together and celebrate the blessings in our life.

Todd teaching Jonas how to eat an orange...
We invited Todd's co-resident Yolanda over for Christmas Eve dinner. She was on call so in order to save some time and help her finish earlier (so we could all eat dinner) Todd went to down to the hospital and helped her round on the patients. Yea, they she got to our house and we all ate enchiladas and other "mexican" food and talked all night. It was a lot of fun!
Jonas turned 18mo. so he is finally in nursery! I had to take a picture of his first day.
We finally gave Jonas his first haircut. Literally in the bathtub. We got clumps of hair in our fingers and snipped. It was choppy and sloppy, but it did look a little better. Ah heck, just give it two weeks...

I will have to publish more