On the Move!

It's official:  Cece is walking (and took her official first steps on January 25 at ~10.5 months old).

She's only taking a few steps at a time and, when she's in a hurry, she'll drop to all fours and crawl to what she wants.

But I was thrilled to capture this on video as it's clear that Cece couldn't be more proud of herself.

Cece and Great Grandma J

Christmas Cookies...in January

Cheers!  Maggie and Cece enjoyed extra attention from GGJ while the big kids were at school.

I'm not patient enough to be a very good baker(!) so we are lucky that Grandma can teach us all of her tricks.

Cece discovers a newfound love for sugar cookies.

Ben at work.

Cate conducts a taste test.

 

Numerous snow days forced us to postpone our annual Christmas cookie baking with Great-Grandma J.  Fortunately, we were able to get it on the books for January.  Everyone got in on the action---even Cece got to nibble on some sugar cookies (lucky 4th child!), while the big kids were more than generous with the frosting and sprinkles.

Double Trouble

Cabin fever got the best of us so we braved the Polar Vortex today and took a quick trip to the library.

Cece had a blast following Maggie down the slide.  Maggie had a blast pushing...I mean helping Cece down the slide.

Baby's First Falafel

While the big kids were at school yesterday Cece and I met Chris for lunch at Oasis.

Cece tried falafel for the first time.  She ate the first two bites enthusiastically and then...declined to eat any additional bites of the falafel.

Given that it took me until the age of 33 to even try falafel, I think she's still ahead of the game.

Cate

One goal that Chris and I have for this year is to spend time with each of our children individually. 

This is definitely a challenging goal in a busy, four child family. 

Cate and I had a rare opportunity to spend some one-on-one time together a few weeks ago.  When asked how she would like to spend our time together, she opted to go to Java House and read.

A girl after my own heart.

I picked her up from gymnastics (which a rarely do) and after a snack and a hot chocolate, we settled down to read.  It was a great opportunity to focus just on Cate without any of the distractions that usually surround us.

I fondly remember reading "Harriet the Spy" as a kid and loved listening to Cate explain the plot and characters to me.

21 Questions

Maggie:  Hey Dad, want to play 21 questions?

Chris:  Sure.

Maggie:  I'm thinking of a boy with two legs and hair like you and a car like you and glasses.

Chris: Hmmm.  Is it me?

Maggie:  YES!  Now I'm thinking of an animal.

Chris:  Does it have fur?

Maggie:  Yes.

Chris:  Does it have two legs?

Maggie:  Yes!  And it jumps like a kangaroo.

Chris:  Is it a kangaroo?

Maggie:  Yes!  How did you guess it?  You are really good at this game.

Quote of the Day

"I wish I was a dog.  Then I wouldn't have to wear a coat.  Or any clothes." - Maggie, age 4.

Cecilia - 10 Months

Likes: walking (with the help of grown-ups or furniture), Sadie's water dish, baths, her "house" (see above photo), standing by the dishwasher, emptying the dishwasher, sitting on the dishwasher, opening the cupboard doors and tossing items onto the floor, playing in Maggie's closet

Dislikes: having her diaper changed, being buckled into her carseat,

Cece is officially on the go and is not happy with anything that constrains her movement.  We haven't brought the walker upstairs yet for fear that she will go flying across our hardwood floors.  This hasn't slowed her down as she turned our bar stools, her music table and her mini piano into makeshift walkers that she pushes across the floor to get where she wants to go.

She continues to be thoroughly entertained by her big brother and sisters.  Ben is the first to do a crazy dance or sing a crazy song in an effort to distract Cece if she is upset or hurt.  The kids have started to pick her up and carry her from place to place.  I try to discourage this (for Cece's sake) although the sight is pretty comical---it's like they're carting around a little puppy.

She might be the only person in Iowa City that will be sorry to see the kids head back to school after all of this cold weather.  Having everyone home not only provides her with lots of entertainment but also increases the chances of stumbling across an open cupboard door or a marker without a lid.

Ben Discovers the Sports Section

Partners in Crime

Birthday Girl!

Maggie woke up to a balloon filled room and our traditional birthday morning scavenger hunt.

Cate and Ben helped me write the clues the night before.  It was all they could do to let Maggie figure out her clues on her own.

Cece LOVES the balloons!  (Kind of a hazardous situation for a little person who puts everything in her mouth.  But Chris and I were an arm's length away and, hey, she is a 4th child).

Fairy wings!!!

Maggie's birthday lunch: A slice of cheese pizza, the small fruit plate and a glass of grape juice at the Wedge.
(And hello to the happy photo bomber Miss Cate!)


Happy birthday to our (sometimes) sweet and (always) sassy Maggie Maggerson.  It just does not seem possible that you are already four!  You've provided us with so much drama, silliness and laughter over these past four years.  You definitely have an oversized personality for such a little person and although your single-minded determination is a challenging trait for a 4-year-old to possess (sigh!), I am positive it will serve you well in the long run.

Well.

This is what 3 looks like. 

Tomorrow morning, January 11, this spunky, sassy girl will be 4. 

Mags with her expertly wrapped birthday present from Uncle Mike.

Cece and Mikey

Mike with my crew. 
I was hoping for the perfect photo--all four kids looking at the camera and smiling--but I think this one pretty much sums it all up.

He's only been gone a few weeks and Ben already wants to know when we're going to visit Uncle Mike.

We celebrated Uncle Mike's new job and impending move to Detroit(!) with a farewell dinner at Mickey's. 

He will be greatly missed at our house as we loved having him so close.  It's widely recognized that he has a special gift for inventing activities for kids that require minimal effort from adults.  He once conceived of a game that kept Cate, Ben and Maggie engaged for 30 minutes, running in circles around him while he laid on the floor and watched Sports Center. 

"I'm going to miss Uncle Mike so much!" I said to the kids.  "I wish Detroit wasn't so far away."

"Mom," said Maggie.  "Don't worry!  We can visit Uncle Mike in his new land!"

This might be a sign we've been watching too many princess movies over winter break.

I Spy...

Art supplies

Reflections on 2013 and Resolutions for 2014

On New Year's Day we went around the table and shared our best memory of 2013 and any goals we had for the upcoming year.  Posting them to this blog will provide a written record of these goals---since I'm sure to lose the paper they're written on within the week.

Chris:
Best of 2013:  Cece being born; going to Italy; helping Cate and Ben with triathlons

Goals for 2014: 1) Be more patient; 2) Find something to do for myself that is a stress reliever

Erin:
Best of 2013: Cece being born; going to Italy

Goals for 2014: 1) Eat 5 servings of fruit/veggies each day; 2) Learn to swim

Cate:
Best of 2013:  gymnastics; triathlons, 1st sleepover

Goals for 2014: 1) Do a pull over on the bar by myself in gymnastics; 2) Learn how to do a back handspring; 3) Do another triathlon

Ben:
Best of 2013: triathlons; biking

Goals for 2014: Get better at swimming

Maggie:
Best of 2013: being with Daddy

Goals for 2014:  1) Ride bike without training wheels; 2) Learn how to play soccer with Daddy as my coach; 3) Brush my teeth 2 times each day

Cece:
Best of 2013:  Obtaining a passport and visiting 3 countries by 2-months of age

Goals for 2014:  1)  Learn how to walk; 2) Start talking

Putnam Science Museum

While waiting to get tickets for the Princess Diana exhibit, Ben and Maggie conduct some experiments.

At the Princess Diana exhibit, which Cate and I thoroughly enjoyed

Cece waiting to be rescued from the lifeboat.

Baby's First Mummy

Look! No Hands!

I Spy

A fort under the dining room table. 

Avacado!!!

Oh Maggie...

Maggie was in the doghouse tonight for various infractions...both Chris and I were very upset with her actions and subsequent behavior.

She was repentant at bedtime, however, telling Chris, "Oh Daddy.  I love you so much I'll never give you away to Goodwill."