Sleeping Beauty

Happy Easter!

The Second Baddest Word

"Mom," said Ben.  "Do you know what the second baddest word is?'

My heart dropped into my stomach.  I could only imagine where this conversation was going.

Two weeks ago Cate meekly showed me her middle finger and said, "Do you know what bad word this means?"

"What do YOU think it is?"  I asked Cate.

"I don't want to say," she said.

"You can tell me.  You won't get in trouble," I said. "I just want to know what you think."

"I don't want to say," she said.

"What letter does it start with?" I asked, hoping that maybe she was thinking of "poop" or some variation.

"F," she replied.

It was clear what word she was referencing and so I calmly talked about how this was a very bad word, a word I didn't want her to say.  Ever.  And a word that I never wanted to hear Ben or Maggie use.  Ever.

I can only imagine the destruction that Ben would leave in his path if he learned that word.

So when Ben asked me about the "second baddest word" I was justifiably worried.  How could I ever hope that he would keep such a word to himself and not share it with every sibling, schoolmate and neighbor in earshot?

"Okay," I said to Ben, bracing for the worst. "What is it?"

"Tookus," was his reply.

It took me a minute to process.

"Tookus?"  I asked.  "What does that mean?"

"Well, today at school Charlie Barnhouse said that he was going to kick me in the tookus.  The teachers put him in time out," he said.

"Yes," I said solemnly.  "Tookus is not a very nice word."

I think we dodged a bullet this time.

Spring is Here!

I hope! Enjoying the first Popsicle of the season!

Artwork by Cate

How Maggie Spent Her Spring Break

Well, we didn't actually go to Von Maur and try on shoes but Maggie did manage to have some fun while Cate and Ben were at soccer camp last week.

Doc McMaggie at the Iowa Children's Museum 

 

(This was about 1-week into Cecilia's arrival and although Maggie adored her sister from the beginning, she was not so happy with me.  I couldn't do anything right for her last week.  I buttered her toast the wrong way.  I selected the wrong socks for her.  And on and on.

 

This picture was taken about 2 minutes before Maggie threw herself on the ground, sobbing, because I put the blanket on her baby the WRONG WAY).

 This girl loves an audience.

 

My friend Adina graciously offered to take Maggie swimming last week, which meant shadowing her as she went back and forth between the hot tub and pool for an hour. 

Playing Go Fish (current house champion)

Baby's First Bottle

In contrast to Maggie, who resisted having a bottle for her entire first year of life, Cecilia had no problem taking one from her dad tonight.

Stomach Flu Blues

Poor Mags has the stomach flu.

The throw-up-ten-times-in-four-hours kind of stomach flu.

At one point this morning she said to me and Chris in anguish, "I just don't know why this happenin' to me!"

The only good thing to come of this is that she can recognize when she is about to get sick and can make it to a large bowl (or toilet) in time, both skills that will serve her well throughout her life.

Poor sweet girl.

A Mötley Crew

Yes they are a motley crew but I think I'll keep them.

Photo taken at Cecilia's one-week check up. She was a model patient (no tears) and is back to her birth weight already.

A Girl After My Own Heart

Me: Mags, what should we do today while Cate and Ben are at soccer camp?

Maggie (shrugs): I don't know. Maybe go to Von Maur and try on shoes?

Cecilia Visits the Library

Overheard

"Ya' got a bubble down there McGee?" -- Maggie to Cecilia after hearing me wonder out loud if the baby needed to burp.

Soccer Camp

Since Baby K was scheduled to arrive on or around Spring Break we decided that it would be best to have something lined up for Cate and Ben to do since school was out and most of our neighbors were gone.

We signed them up for a UI Soccer Camp. 

With Daylight Savings Time last week AND Cecilia's arrival everyone was off-schedule and I was hopeful that three hours a day of running and jumping would help make bedtime go more smoothly.

So far, so good.

Overheard

Grandpa Doug:  Maggie, do you want to try some of my Frosted Flakes?

Maggie:  No thanks.

Grandpa Doug:  Why?

Maggie:  Because I only like frosting.  Not flakes.

Loot

Cecilia took a long nap in her bouncy seat today.

Over the course of two hours she accumulated a bink, a looong drawing from Maggie, Cate's special pink blanket and Moosey (one of Maggie's favorite stuffed animals).

My only regret is that I took this picture before Maggie got out all of the pretend food (e.g., bacon, eggs, strawberries) and started piling those at her feet.

Up Close and Personal

Despite the fact that I worked for a dentist for several years in high school, I think teeth are gross.

Specifically, loose teeth.

It gives me the creeps to watch little kids (mine included) wriggling their teeth.

So tonight when I walked into the bathroom in time to see Cate yank out her front tooth I had to take a deep breath.

She was thrilled as it's the tooth that's been loose for months, and at bedtime was already plotting how to spend her loot from the tooth fairy.

More Baby Love

With his teacher's help, Ben made this little green Chihuahua for Cecilia at school the day she was born.

I felt so sad for him because he had a tough time when he visited us in the hospital.  I think the entire situation was just too overwhelming and he had to leave the room with Chris to collect himself.

Poor guy.

Even adults can't fully comprehend how a new baby will impact their lives and so I suppose it's impossible to expect a 5-year-old to do the same.  Add to the mix having your mom and dad tuck you in but when you wake up, they're not home.  Everyone says, "Are you excited about your new baby?"  And you are...at least you think so, anyway.  Then you walk into a crowded hospital room and are expected to act a certain way when on the inside you are just not sure how to act/feel/etc. 

Like I said, poor guy.

Despite the rocky start to the visit, he was excited about Cecilia and wanted to hold her before he left. 

And, of course, now that she's home he is serenading her with John Denver.

Cecilia's First Doctor Appointment

Because we left the hospital after only one day, Cecilia had her first doctor's appointment last Saturday morning.

She did not enjoy having her clothes taken off to be weighed and measured.

We were pleased that, although she was not quite back to her birth weight, she had not lost any additional weight since leaving the hospital.

Noticing all of the help I had from Cate and Maggie the doctor commented that I certainly will not need to worry about whether Cecilia would be adequately stimulated by her environment.

I already mentioned to Chris and we will probably have to get a sound machine for the baby's room because I suspect it will be hard for her to sleep in a quiet house.

Cecilia

A few weeks before Cecilia was born, Chris and I had our baby name list narrowed down. 

There were three girls' names we liked:  Lillian (Lily), Caroline and Cecilia.

And there were two boys' names we liked:  Samuel (Sam) and William (Will).

We had discussed these names over and over and really couldn't reach a consensus.  We decided that we could be happy with any of these names.

And so we let the kids vote.

Their top choice?  Cecilia. 

(And they liked Will for a boy).

Throughout my pregnancy, Cate and Ben lobbied for a brother.  Maggie, however, was convinced from the beginning that she was going to have a baby sister.

After we decided on a name she would lean her head close to my belly and shout, "YOUR NAME IS CECILIA!"

And, clearly, she was right.

We didn't decide on her middle name (Ann) until we were actually in the delivery room.  We had a little bit of downtime (post-epidural...ahhh) and realized that this baby was going to make an appearance on March 14. 

Chris, iPhone never far from his side, commented, "This baby will share a birthday with my grandma."

Her middle name is Ann and so is Cecilia's.

Party Girl

On Saturday evening we stopped by a friend's annual St. Patrick's Day party for a few minutes. 

Another milestone for the baby book:  Baby's First Party.

Baby Love

I'm not sure there has ever been a baby more loved by her brother and sisters.

 

The first thing they ask when they walk in the door, or wake up in the morning, is, "Where's the baby?"

 

At the first whimper one of them rushes to her side and talks softly or sings a song to calm her down.  (I admit that I'm very hormonal these days but the sight of Ben singing "Country Roads" to his baby sister the other day almost did me in).

 

Both Cate and Ben want to bring her for show-and-tell.

 

They've already given her several nicknames:  Cece, Ceece and Cece McGee (my personal favorite)

 

When Cecilia is awake, there is constant competition for who will get to hold her.

So far I've got diaper changing all to myself.  There was a moment last Friday when Maggie was set to help me with this task.  She hovered over my shoulder, wipes in one hand, diaper in the other.

"I will do it Mom,"  she told me.  "I will change the baby's diaper."

 

"Oh, this might be a stinky one," I said as I started unsnapping Cecilia's onesie.

 

Maggie immediately shoved the wipes in my hand, "That's okay.  You can do it."

 

Admittedly, I was most worried about Maggie's reaction to the new baby.  After all, she has been the "baby" for a lot longer than anyone else around here and still enjoys being the baby if it suits her.

 

Although things may change in a week, so far she has been very sweet and protective of Cecilia.  She is concerned if the baby cries.  She will sit next to her and watch her sleep.  She's given Cecilia her Elmo doll, "to keep forever and ever." 

 

Our first night home from the hospital, Maggie went upstairs to put her pajamas on at 5:00.  She came back down wearing elephant footie pajamas.

 

"Oh," I said.  "Are you tired?"

 

"No," she says. "I want to match the baby."  (The baby is also wearing elephant footie pajamas).

 

"That's nice," I say.

 

"Yeah," says Maggie.  "She is my mini-me."

 

Visiting Cecilia in the hospital

 

Maggie couldn't get over Cecilia's little hands and feet.  "They just so tiny!" she exclaimed.  But she quickly noted that her little baby hands were dry.  "I think she need some lotion," she told Chris.

Cecila Ann

Just born

 

Wide awake at weigh-in

 

Goals for the evening.

Going Home

 

Cecilia Ann joined us, 4 days early, at 1:57am on Thursday, March 14.

We arrived at the hospital at 11pm on Wednesday and she was born just a few hours later.  (Not quite as fast an arrival as Ben, but I can't complain).

She weighed in at 7 lb, 12.9 oz and was 20.25 inches long. 

Cecilia is perfectly perfect and, already, we can't imagine life without her.

Missing Tooth #3

Uncle's Day Out

In preparation for my students' upcoming midterm exam, I held extra office hours last week.  My brother, Devin, graciously agreed to watch Maggie during and this time and so on Friday Maggie experienced her first "Uncle's Day Out." 

She missed the previous one organized by my brothers because the primary criterion for being eligible to attend these special events is that all children attending must be potty trained. 

No exceptions.

Devin picked Maggie up at the business school, and they went to Molly's Cupcakes. Maggie picked out a blueberry cupcake but ultimately decided she preferred chocolate.

So she ate Devin's cupcake.

Then they went to the Old Capital Museum and looked at the "burned bell," which is the bell that formerly hung in the tower and started on fire during a construction accident 10 years ago.

For some reason, my kids are absolutely fascinated by this bell.  In fact, my brothers took Cate and Ben there on a previous "Uncle's Day Out" and Maggie, apparently, wanted to see it for herself.

Maggie loved the entire experience, particularly because it's rare that she gets to do things like this without her siblings.

Thanks again Uncle Devo! 

Not so sure about the blueberry, although the chocolate wafer on top is yummy.

I think I'll just eat Devin's cupcake instead...

 

Finally!  The burned bell

We're An American Band

Rockin' and Rollin' on a Sunday morning with the pots and pans.


(Yes it was loud and a little obnoxious but they loved every minute of it).

"That my Daddy!"

Maggie and I were at the business school today and we walked by a display announcing an upcoming lecture by a UI alum and local entrepreneur.

Not expecting to see any familiar faces at the business school, Maggie was thrilled.

The Artist Reflects

Ben's preschool hosted an "Artist's Reception" this morning which highlighted the artwork that students in his class had made over the winter.

Ben was super excited to show us the pieces he had on display.

Maggie was super excited to eat the donut holes that had been provided for the event.  When I commented that she had probably already eaten seven donut holes, she corrected me.  "No Mommy," she said. "I eat 85."

Here are two of my favorite pieces from the show:

Words can't even describe how much I love this unicycle painting.  It is definitely getting framed and hung prominently in our house.

I asked Ben, "What made you decide to paint a unicycle?"

His response, "I don't know.  I just wanted to."

Artists...

This is a 3-dimensional collage and sculpture piece. 

He used wine corks, Christmas ornaments, book covers and paint to create this masterpiece.

"Ben," I said when I saw it.  "I love it...what is it?"

"It's a money holder," he replied.

Well, of course it is.

Pregnancy Update - 38 Weeks

"MOM!"

"Yes, Maggie?"

"I need help puttin' my shoes on."

"Okay, give me a minute," I say as I slowly lower myself to the ground to tie Maggie's shoes.

"Oh Mommy," she says, giving me a very sympathetic look. "I so sorry you can't bend over."

Costco

It looks like we will be a two-cart Costco family after Baby K's arrival.