MATINE TURNS 3!

I still cannot believe my little girl is THREE years old already.  Wow, time really does fly.  The last three years with her have been the most exciting, inspiring, rewarding, challenging, and sweet years of my life.

Sweet Matine,

You are truly the sweetest person I know.  Your heart is so big, so honest, so strong.  You make every moment brighter with your enthusiasm for everything!  You choose to see the world as beautiful and fun in every way.  You prefer to laugh, love and hug ... resisting any efforts to ever be cross or not happy.  Even when you fall and scrape a knee you try to not cry or complain and proudly announce when you are "healed" or not sad anymore.   You just want to be happy!  You adore fun, beauty, excitement, people, places, animals.  You take it ALL in with GUSTO and you never cease to amaze me with your wit and curiosity for life.   These days are FILLED with a million and one questions as to why, how or my favorite "what did you say?"  "what are you talking about?"  You are smart and observant beyond your years and I am terrified so many times at what you are processing and understanding.  You have no problem asking over and over about something until you understand it and if you ever hear a word or expression that you don't understand you simply say, "I don't know what that means mom, can you tell me again."  I hope you never lose this quality.  Today I said, "it broke my heart" while talking with Grandpa Scott and you were listening.  You immediately ask me.  "Mom, why did your heart break?"  I know you were taking it literally and were very concerned that I had a broken heart.  When I explained that's an expression used when people are sad about something, you thought about it long and hard and then say, "Expression?  I don't know that word."  You had totally processed all of what I just said but that one word and you couldn't let it go.  I then had to break that down and explain what an "expression" was to a three year old.  You are keeping us on our toes little girl!    You want all people to be included in all you do and you already love your friends and family more than anything.  Princess, in your own words, "you are kind and gentle."  I love you more than words could ever express.  You are my heart and the greatest thing I have ever done or will do in my life.

xoxoxo - Mama

We had a birthday party fitting for a sweet, sweet girl who just loves to sit at a table and chat with friends. What else could a gal that requested a "pink" party want?  We filled the room with pink balloons, vintage dress up hats from Grammie, pretty dresses, flowers, tea sets, tasty treats and 12 of your favorite friends.  I think this over the top party was a success (as we witnessed you literally screaming with joy at the table and running hot laps around the house and yard for 2 hours non-stop).   This one will go down in the memory books.  Everyone kept asking, "how in the world did you find the time and energy to do this with a  10 day old baby?"  Well, let me tell you folks that the secret to ALL my success these days is the energy and time of JimPa, Nona and Grandpa Scott!  Matine has been enlisted to do some heavy lifting around here too!  Thank you guys, you are miracles ... truly.

First, a tea party dress must be picked out.  It must be pink, of course, and have some flowers on it.  Second, you must select a hat.  Pink again is preferred and you can't go wrong if there is a bluebird on top.  She proudly wore her new charm necklace from Aunt Michele (loves it).  Hair had barrettes and a pony tail ("just one").  She just loves to be pretty and adorned from head to toe.

The birthday girl - age 3

Jim Pa, aka "Dapper Dan" arrived early and she was so thrilled to see him sporting his hat and fancy coat.

Oh how they love each other so ....

Every single one of her friends arrived so excited and so cute.  Here is double trouble ... Audrey and Matine.  We are going to have to watch this duo.  Matine just has to have her arms around her friends when she takes pictures.  Not sure where that comes from ... aghem...

Sweet Kiris, Audrey and Matine!  

 The boys looked spiffy too and took right to the yard to play with garden tools and do boy things.

Darling Devin raking our play house yard.  Thanks Buddy! 

Devin's dreamy little brother Justin.  This little guy gets cuter by the day. 

 If you could only have overheard the laughing, giggling and conversations in the the yard.  These kids are hilarious.  At one point Matine was in the middle of the yard, dress hiked up, just peeing.  Yes, she peed at her tea party ... in the yard.  I was so proud!

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 William looking quite guilty at the food table... I love this boy.

Each kid had a place tags, gold chargers, glass plates and "tea cups" with sugary punch.  I tried to provide an assortment of foods (not JUST sugar) but alas, all they ate and went for were the lollipops, cupcakes, cookies and maybe some fruit.  Sorry parents.  I just hyped them all up on sugar and off they went at bed time... Good luck!

Lucas ROCKING my Grammie's vintage hat.  

Kiris, age 5. 

Audrey, age 3

Gray, age 5 (Kiris' twin)

Anders, age 5 (and loving the butterfly cakes)

Finn, age 4 with a cute new haircut.

Zori, almost 3 and ALMOST a big sister

 They all were so cute at the table and felt pretty special.  Matine was at the head of the table and grinning ear to ear the entire time!   At one point she was shrieking with joy.  Until our eardrums about popped and we had to request the b-day girl save that for outside.

The mass of kids at their high tea festivities! 

The shrieking 

 She kept asking me all day, "will we sing Happy Birthday to ME????"  Yes my love, we will!

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 Half of town have adopted JimPa as their surrogate granddad.  Sophia and Sully sure enjoyed his company at the other end of the table.  Please notice Sully's tee-shirt with a tie sewn on to it.  This boy loves casual clothes and he ROCKED this shirt. I thought it was so perfectly "Sully" for such an occasion.

THE TABLE BEFORE IT WAS DEVOURED

Grandpa "Cot" and Nana Jo

oh sweet girl, I am quite certain she is an ANGEL!

As anyone who knows my dad can attest... I can hardly get him in pictures.  He was at this party the entire time but was chatting someone's ears off outside while drinking a beer (beers) ... I can't believe he isn't in more photos.  And as you know, my mom and I are behind the cameras, alas, I have NO pictures of her either...

It was a great party.  We are all still trying to recover.

These are the days ...

Day 2:

Is there anything better than those baby toes? 

Day 3:

A little more time in the hospital and then we came home!

Day 4:

Funny story -  I was in the other room changing August and doing some things and it got really quiet in the living room where Mattie had been playing.  When I came out, I see her propped up on the chair, with our big camera around her neck, pointing it out the window.  She looks excitedly at me and says, "look mom, there's the Easter Bunny and Fez (our cat) in the front yard."   Sure enough, you can see in this picture (toward the front) the bunny and our cat, staring it down, getting ready to pounce on it.  Mattie had been watching, found our camera, turned it on and was even pushing the right buttons AND actually getting the bunny and cat in the frame.  There are about 5 pictures like this that I found on the camera... I was quite impressed and it was oh so cute to see her paying attention to the wildlife in our yard.  I am just glad our old cat isn't agile enough to actually get a hold of the Easter Bunny in front of the 3 year old's eyes!  Whew.

Amy, Eric and Nana Jo were here again on this day.  Consensus is in :  He's a keeper!

August Day 4 - looks good in red. 

Meeting his cousins' Cash and Jhett! 

 Jaqueline came by after work "for a few minutes" and stayed until 8:30 .... she just couldn't put down the snuggly, warm, peaceful baby ... Imagine that! Other friends that visited on this day:  Abby, Levia, Chris (although we were napping when she came by).

Finally getting to meet Auntie Jacqueline! 

Day 5:

He is changing SO much and getting SO alert.  When he is awake, which is not that often, he is 100% engaged and looking at everything.  He NEVER cries when he's awake.  He just nibbles, looks around, chills out and plays with his fingers.  Such a sweet, sweet boy!

Day 6:

Madeleine had already been to the hospital to meet August on that day he was born, but she brought the kids back to meet their new friend.   They were so cute with him!  They had been cleaning their toy room all day and had a box of toys for "Baby August" - cars, trucks, and "boy stuff" that I know he will soon appreciate.  Matine is already wanting to dress him up in princess garb.  We will count on the boys to make sure he gets some boy genes too!   Sophia walked around pointing at him and repeating "baby auggie" over and over, and William was going into detail about how to hold him.  So sweet.

Day 7:  ONE WEEK ALREADY!!!

Morning snuggles with Matine are a MUST.  He has been sleeping in the Amby Bed (a really cool baby hammock that we also used with Matine).  He sleeps ALL night practically.  He has not woken up more than once a night since we got him home.  He has slept through the night COMPLETELY twice now... Please don't shoot me friends.   I am almost embarrassed to say what a good sleeper he is.  

At his 1 week check up he had gained 11 ounces and was again perfect in every way.  Dr. Coleman said not to worry about waking him at all to eat ... if he wants to sleep all night, let him!  He was gaining wait great and has no issues what so ever!  Good, healthy baby!

I love this image.  

Amby Baby. 

Day 8:

This was the first morning we tried to "get out and about."  Mattie had Montessori School for a 1/2 day and I thought I would go into work for an hour or two and see what bills and chaos had ensued in my absence.  It was a bit  much for a day, but I am glad we did it.  I got BOTH kids out of the house, on time without forgetting a thing!  It actually went quite smooth.  Thank goodness I have SOME of my mothers organization skills.  I had most things picked out and ready from the night before, showers had been had night before and it was just a matter of feeding breakfast, nursing and getting dressed and loaded.

Mattie was SO proud to show off her baby brother to her friends and teachers at school.  They all stood in the doorway of her classroom and congratulated her and stared at the new baby.  She politely told me I could "leave August with her at school while I went to work."  I told her not today, but thank you.

August got some attention at the Senior Center (oh yeah, I have to update everyone at some point on my new job as the Center Manager at the Park County Senior Citizens Center!)  I will do that later, babies come first!   The seniors had been anxiously awaiting my delivery and had bets and pools on the gender, size, name, etc.  They loved him and can't wait to see more of him - as he will be going with me to work as long as possible!  Yay for great jobs that you love and are flexible!

Ready for our first car ride and school!  

 Spring arrived!  Nona and Matine have been getting out of the house as much as possible and playing in the yard (thank you Nona).  Matine really really really likes gardening and watering the plants.  She has been a great little helper keeping the yard nice.  She got some new gardening gloves and it sure is nice to be outside.

Just Mattie and I spent a good amount of time eating popsicles and catching up on our chit chat while August took a 4 hour nap!  I think these pictures of her are hilarious.  THIS is the epitome of Matine...

Day 9:

Another pretty day.  Dogs needed some running.  We did our usual morning snuggles and hanging.  I had some more work to do at the Senior Center so we ran by and did a few things and then went to the park to ride our bike and let the dogs swim in the river.  It was good for me to get a bit of a walk in, and then we had lunch with Levia and baby Lucas.   Matine dumped sand all over Lucas head and he did it back to her.  It was definitely a bath night.  We also gave August his first sponge bath!

speed racer. 

Day 10:

I can't tell you what a BEAUTIFUL, sweet boy he is.  He is so peaceful and fun.  He is grinning in his sleep (and sometimes when he is awake) and he loves his long hands up by his face.  He often has his little fist or hand right at his cheek or under his chin.  He loves to be in the chair by the window where it is warm and sunny and bright.   I just can't get enough of him!  I am sparing you the 1000 pictures I have taken and just given you the highlights.  You are welcome.