Stella!

Well, my last post turned out to be timely since a few hours later we headed to the hospital.  KLC went into labor that night and gave birth via C-section to our latest addition around 3am on December 23rd. Stella Malinda arrived weighing in at a healthy 8lbs 5oz.

Even though KLC had the 2nd C-section she was trying to avoid, we got clearance to leave the hospital on Christmas Eve because both she and Stella were doing so well.  It was great to be able to wake up Christmas morning with all of the kids who were excited to welcome their new baby sister.

We had a bit of a hiccup over the weekend when KLC felt unexpectedly worse, which warranted a trip to the ER and being readmitted to the hospital to deal with some fluid around the incision and an infection.  The good news is that we live in a society with antibiotics so she's doing much better and will hopefully feel better every day from here on out.

A quick note about the name.  No, it's not a reference to "A Street Car Named Desire".  Stella was KLC's great aunt and her mother's middle name was "Malinda" and "Linda" is my mom's name so it seemed perfect. Stella is a champion nurser and isn't as serious as she looks in this picture, but it gives you an idea of how beautiful our new little one is.  We can't wait to settled at home with her and the other kids.  I couldn't think of a better way to kick off 2014.

 

Due Date

It's been over a month since I've posted anything, but it's hardly for a lack of activity.  In fact, it's been just the opposite.  We've been neck deep in house renovations (the new one, not the old one), school activities, work, and, of course, getting ready for the arrival of baby #4.

Today is KLC's official due date.  There have been some signs that labor will start soon, but as of this morning we're still at the house with the three (current) kids, making waffles and heading out for a trip to the zoo.

Thankfully, KLC has been better about keeping up with her blog this holiday season.  You can see some pics of recent activities and festivities here and here.  What the exact time line is for upcoming events, we know we'll have a very busy and exciting Christmas around here and I'll do my best to keep up with the news on the blog.

The Macarena

For those of you who thought the Macarena was just a bad dance dream from the '90s, I'm here to tell you differently.  It's alive and well and apparently being taught in P.E. classes in NE Seattle.  If you don't believe this good news, take a look at what the twins can do.  We are so keeping this to embarrass them with watch when they are older.  http://youtu.be/BgBBKTQLHks

Intensity Face

Before we get to the title of this post, I need to do some catching up on the past couple of weeks.  First off, we had a very fun Halloween around here.  The twins got to go to a school party, go to a Halloween party at taekwondo, and then hit the streets for trick-or-treating.  They managed to get a haul, but since one twin doesn't even like candy (except to sort, trade, and play with) we gave a vast majority of it away.  Not before I secured a handful of Reese's peanut butter cups for myself ...

Here's a pic of the crew.  Iver was 'dressed' as a pumpkin, but A & J really stole the show with their wizard and robot costumes:

(Despite his expression in this photo, Iver thought it was great that his brother and sister were in costume.  He knew exactly who they were under there.)

This brings me to the unrelated, but worth noting, phenomenon with Iver that we call "Intensity Face."  What is this, you may ask?  Well, it's something that started happening a couple of weeks ago primarily at the breakfast table.  We'd all be sitting there and occasionally Iver would do this thing where he'd open his mouth and shake his head a little while looking at all of us.  Then he'd start laughing.  Then we'd start laughing.  Now, it's at the point where he'll do this to us to get us to laugh.  Or, if we want to make him laugh, we do it first and then he'll do his own version and then start laughing.  It's hard to describe and this video isn't the finest example, but it gives a little glimpse into how Iver's personality is developing at this stage (that is, being a complete ham at times).  Take a look: http://youtu.be/4oqbq4WYchI and http://youtu.be/-f9dtl6Hs3c

Iverese

There's been a lot going on with us these days -- between school, work, pregnancy, owning two houses (and trying to organize work being done on one while contemplating selling the other within a handful of months) -- we're basically at maximum capacity around here.

That said, I'm trying to document what I can.  Right now, Iver is in the midst of "talking" all of the time.  I call this "Iverese" because it is uniquely his language.  He'll talk like this when you're changing his diaper, when he's going to bed, when he's in high chair -- basically all of the time.  It's hard to capture it on video because he wants to touch my phone as soon as I take it out and point it at him.  That said, this little clip (http://youtu.be/cctBbArlKXM) will hopefully give a glimpse at our budding linguist.

My Parent-of-the-Year Moment

If you take a look at this picture, you'll see how sarcastic I was being with the title of this post.  This was definitely not my finest day as a parent.

KLC and I went to an appliance showroom to finalize our decisions of a refrigerator, dishwasher, range, etc for the new kitchen.  We were trying to do this relatively quickly since our architect needed the exact specs to put into the design, and we're anxious to get moving on this so we can get going with a contractor.  Iver was being a good sport about the whole thing about looking at lots of stainless steel things that were not toys, but then got fidgety.  I decided to let him move around on their carpet for a little ...

This is where I should have noticed that they had samples for granite countertops about a foot off of the ground.  This is also where I should have noticed that the samples were not attached to the wall.  Needless to say, Iver motored over to the closest one and pulled it off.  Even though I was about a foot and a half away, I wasn't quick enough to stop what felt like happened in slow motion.

The piece of jagged granite (yes, it wasn't even a smooth piece of rock) fell toward his eye.  We were so extremely lucky that it just grazed the area outside of the eye and didn't touch the eye ball.  KLC were able to get him into his doctor's office right away to confirm that everything was OK.  I'm still having bad daydreams imagining what could have happened.  The good news is that Iver seems totally fine after the experience while KLC and I are the ones apparently more traumatized.

(PS If you come to visit and see Iver wearing a ski helmet and goggles 24/7, you'll know why.)

A Fall of Firsts

In the past week or so, we've had a lot of "firsts" around here.  To begin with, the twins had their first day of school, entering first grade (see KLC's blog for pics: http://hootnhowl.blogspot.com/2013/09/first-graders.html). On her post, you'll also notice that we also had the first visit from the Tooth Fairy to the family, whose going rate is $1 a tooth, by the way.

And, just this past weekend, we got to celebrate Iver's first birthday.  It's hard to imagine that it has been a full year since the little pumpkin came into our lives.  I managed not to get any good pics from the party where Iver got his first taste of cake and ice cream, but I think we'll be able to find something decent to post from the day.

Up next?  Our first double mortgage!  OK, that's not really the news.  Our next big thing is that we're closing on a new house next week.  It's not too far from where we live now, but it's slightly bigger and on a quiet street.  It's a mid-century modern house in great condition.  KLC and I got to meet the owner and his daughter accidentally when we went to look at the house (it's a long story but basically we thought there was an open house, but there wasn't.)

After looking at many houses over the past several months, there was something about this one that just clicked for us.  The owner has been there for the past 50 years -- yes, you read that right -- and it is a truly loved family home.  (As an example of how meticulous they kept the house, the dishwasher from 1972 in the kitchen still works.  I'm happy any time I can be introduced to a working appliance that is older than me.)

Alas, the dishwasher and the rest of the kitchen need some updating, obviously, so we will be embarking on our first renovation.  Unlike other handier members of my family, we won't be doing any of the work ourselves.  Rather we have hired an architect and will be getting a general contractor to do everything we can afford want done before we move in.  So even though we will close on the house in just a few days, we'll be staying in our current one probably through January and then putting this one up on the market.  The housing market in our part of the Seattle has been really good lately for sellers, so we're knocking on wood that this keeps up through the spring!

On The Move

Well, it's happened.  We can no longer take our eyes off the pumpkin because he is officially mobile.  He's been flipping over to his hands and knees from a seated position for quite some time, but he never seemed to want to go anywhere after that.  No more.  The little guy has figured out that he can basically gets wherever he wants to go.  Leave him on the floor before bath?  He heads to the front door (see pic).  If you want to see him in his full moving glory, take a look at the video on You Tube ...  http://youtu.be/L4gfEHH91HY

RV Trip!

About a week and a half after we returned from Massachusetts, we set off for our next adventure of the summer: a road trip to the Oregon Coast in a rental RV.  The main impetus for going to the Oregon Coast was that KLC's mom wanted to have some of her ashes scattered along a particular stretch of beach where they would often vacation as a family when KLC was younger.

Of course, we wanted to honor her wishes, and we decided to do it in a way that we thought she would approve.  Rather than just drive straight there and rent a house or hotel, we chose to rent an RV in Portland and then drive to three different campgrounds along the coast before ending up in Lincoln City where we would meet other family for the scattering.

It was our first (and probably last) time renting an RV.  Especially a 30-ft one.  Somehow we managed to avoid hitting anything or anyone while driving this enormous house on wheels.  We were also able to give the twins a taste of 'real' (aka, tent) camping by using the new tent that my parents got the twins for their birthday last month. Along the way, we went to a maritime museum in Astoria (see the pic of J in the Coast Guard survival ship), explored a shipwreck, visited the Tilamook Cheese factory, and saw some spectacular scenery.

The morning we scattered her mom's ashes, it was clear and blue -- not a given on the Oregon Coast at any time of the year.  There are a group of seals that sun themselves across the bay on a spit of sand at this particular spot.  One of them was bobbing around in the water not far from where we gathered.  I got the feeling it was Ruth giving a wave to say hello and glad we could make it.

Vacation in MA

Last week, we traveled back to Massachusetts to visit with family and friends.  Our goal is to get back East every summer, but with pregnancies and very small babies, this is a little tricky.  Since we didn't make it last summer, we were very excited to get there this year.

There were lots of cousins and new friends to play with and so the twins had a blast.  Iver was his happy self and was thrilled to be held by so many new people.  We (meaning KLC) took a ton of photos on the trip, which hopefully we'll get organized and uploaded soon.  In the meantime, I thought I'd share a couple that I took with my iPhone, which is probably the right vehicle for my photo-taking ability (which is not very high).

Note to self: consider buying the extra seat once the babies get to be about, say, 10+ months old.  Iver was a trooper with the flights, but he's just a little too big to sit on our laps for 6 hours.  And, unlike the twins, we can't give him a video or books to entertain him.  The good news is that he was entranced with the airplane safety card.  I think that kid knows more about how to exit a plane than anyone!

Iver and his Animals

I've written before about Iver's love of Comet.  I may have failed to mention that his obsession also extends to Zeke, our 13-year-old semi-ornery cat.  We do have to remind Iver to be "gentle" with both of the animals because he just wants to grab onto both of them so tightly.  It's a credit to Comet and Zeke that there are very tolerant of this -- even if we don't stop Iver quickly enough before he grabs a tuft of fur ...

Anyhow, I think this video is a good example of Iver's focus and interest when it comes to his pet-siblings ("piblings"?)  http://youtu.be/MFVd6TNJyxw

Super Siblings

It's hard to believe, but the twins are almost 6 years old.  I feel like this past year has been one of such change for them.  They are readers and writers now.  They have friends that they like to spend time with more than their parents (at least sometimes.)  They make up stories and are often really funny.

Perhaps the greatest thing is watching how the twins interact with and love Iver.  The other day, A said to me: "I didn't realize how great it is to have a little brother.  If I knew I would have told you to have one a long time ago."

The two of them are truly fantastic older siblings.  We never worry about Iver not having enough stimulation.  Whenever they are around, the twins want to play with him, read to him, or just make him laugh.  They might not always listen to us or each other, but I know they are always looking out for their little brother. He's really a lucky kid, and we are very lucky parents.

My Four Front Teeth

A few weeks ago, we noticed a couple of little white protrusions coming out of Iver's bottom gum.  We figured this explained the extra wakings at night and occasional crankiness.  Before we knew it, however, those two bottom teeth had found a couple of friends on top.  That's right, our little baby is freaking me out by growing four teeth.

Every time I try to take a picture of said teeth, he moves his tongue over them.  When I try to move his tongue, well, let's just say it's not very productive as far as getting a photo.  Sometimes you can see a couple of them at least when he laughs -- or just looks a little quizzical -- so here's proof that Iver is getting to be a very big boy.

Godspeed, Ruth

The twins and Iver lost a grandmother this morning.  KLC was able to be with her and it was peaceful. For someone with as gentle a soul as Ruth, that makes me very glad.  I am firm believer that we are reunited with those that we love on the other side.  So while we will miss her very much, we look forward to seeing you again one day, Ruth.  Meanwhile, the kids as well as KLC and I will try to live life the way you wanted us to.

Life's Down Side

People get sick.  And people die.  That's part of life and every adult knows this -- even if we don't always want to face it.  Sometimes it just seems like some people are just taken far too early, no matter how much time we've had with them.

KLC's mom is in her final stages of her battle with breast cancer.  I don't use the word 'battle' lightly.  She has done everything she can to fight this terrible disease and be there for everyone, especially her kids and grandkids.  I can't imagine anyone being any braver than she has been, while maintaining her dignity and humor every step of the way.

It's hard because the twins know and love her so much, and Iver is just getting a chance to do the same. Thankfully, we were able to get down to PDX for a quick visit last weekend and it was great.  KLC's mom was able to see them swim at the hotel and watch them run around the park.  I try to be grateful for what we have had, but I just wish that the twins and Iver (and everyone else in her life) would have more time with her.

As things run their course in the upcoming days and weeks, I just want to say that we love you, Ruth.  We are sending you many, many love waves.

Here's a video of Ruth and Iver at Grant Park in Portland last month before we all set out for a few days on the Oregon coast: http://youtu.be/PtZwuL4wUKI

Sitting Up Update

I didn't realize the last post was so long ago, so I wanted to provide an update on Iver's sitting situation. This baby has really started to get the whole sitting up without assistance thing.  He will still topple over from time to time (hence, the fixed radius of pillows and stuffed animals while in his sister's room), but he can independently sit for minutes at a time.  Next up, crawling toward what he wants in front of him?

Iver at the Library

I swear this wasn't even a staged picture to make it look like our 7.5-month-old baby is reading.  He likes to hold books.  He also likes to chew on books.  And, if he has his ultimate way, he really likes to drool and suck on books.  Can't do that with an iPad ...

Sitting Up 10 Seconds (Or Less) At A Time

Iver is still working on being able to sit up on his own unassisted.  He's getting the hang of it, but I'm beginning to think he likes the falling as much as he likes the sitting ...

PDX w/ Grandma

We took a quick trip down to Portland last weekend to visit Grandma Ruth.  Full disclosure: I'm the one who helped the twins fashion their sling shots.  I have no idea why, but this is what you get when you have a courtyard full of sticks and a couple of rubber bands, I suppose.

This is a photo of Iver sleeping, because, well, apparently people can never take too many photos of their sleeping baby -- even if they probably all do look pretty much alike ...

Not Going Bananas for Bananas

Now that Iver is officially 6 months old (no, I can't believe it either), we have been introducing various solid foods into his diet.  For the past few weeks, we have offered him rice cereal once a day, usually in the morning.  Last week, we tried avocados.  This week, it was bananas.  You can see the reaction.  I wouldn't say it's utter disgust, but more like confusion as to why these parents of mine would put this weird substance in my mouth.

The Ultimate Yogi

I used to do yoga very regularly when I lived in Massachusetts, as in three to five times a week.  Now that I'm approaching 40 years old (OK, it's still 8 months away) and I only get to yoga occasionally, I can only dream of certain ranges of flexibility.

This is all heightened by having a nearly 6-month-old who can put his toes in his mouth.  I tried to capture this feat with the iPhone camera, but couldn't quite manage it.  But, trust me, he can do it (like most babies, I'm sure).  Why can't adults retain some this?  Instead I feel creaky when I stand up from a sitting position half of the time.  It's a little scary and pathetic all at the same time.

Family Meal

We just received Iver's new high chair, courtesy of his grandparents, yesterday so we couldn't wait to start him on his feast of rice cereal this morning.  (Full disclosure: we did give him a sampling of it over the weekend while one of us was holding him, which is not the easiest way to feed a baby.)

He's warming up to the idea of semi-solid food.  This morning, I think he was more enamored of his big brother and sister as they assisted in the process before heading off to school.  Let's see how much of a mess he makes once we start introducing bananas and avocados ...

Transforming into Big Kids

It's been a while since I've written about the twins.   The reason for that isn't for a lack of things going on with them -- it's that there is so happening with them.

For starters, they've turned into completely legitimate swimmers.  Somehow we've moved from them kicking while hanging onto the wall in the pool to being able to do the front crawl. (OK, there was a bit of a gradual progression, but it seems like it happened overnight.)

On top of that, these kids are learning how to ski.  Yes, I realize that many kids start even younger, but in just a few weeks of lessons, the twins have apparently learned enough to take their first chairlift and not the wanna-be-rope-tow-that-burned-your-hands "magic carpet".

But the thing that is the most impressive to me is that these two kids have turned into readers over the past few months.  Although they've always loved books, we never drilled them about letters or sounds before they entered kindergarten.  We felt -- and still do -- that kids should be kids and learn at their own pace as much as possible.  

That said, we also have them enrolled in public school, which has very specific standards.  The expectations for kindergarteners must have changed, because I have fond memories of paste when I was school that year -- not deconstructing stories and being to identify sentence structures (no, I'm not kidding.)

Anyhow, the bottom line is that the twins have not only learned their alphabet and sounds, they have begun to read.  And write.  And do some pretty serious math.  I'm proud of them in every conceivable way.  But most of all, I'm happy that they are such good kids (most of the time ...) who can still be kids and enjoy an afternoon in the Seattle version of the sun blowing bubbles.

 

Standing (or Sitting) Guard

When you are hard at work learning the ins and outs of your exersaucer, it's always good to have someone on the look out for you.  Comet has volunteered for this position.  Whether it's when Iver is eating or sitting or, in this case, playing, Comet is often not far away.  Remember, don't try to mess with the baby while he has his guard dog on duty.

Swaddled No More

At our pediatrician's recommendation, we decided it was time for Iver to transition from swaddles to sleep sacks.  This might not sound like a big deal, but it sort of was -- at least to me.  Since the day he was born, we have swaddled him every time he slept (unless he was in the car seat, of course).  He's been a great sleeper so far -- knock on wood -- and I'm sure the swaddling had something to do with it.

But as he's getting older and more likely to roll over (which he hasn't done yet), it's apparently somewhat dangerous to let him stay swaddled in case he flips himself over and couldn't get back.  Hence, the switch to sleep sacks.  So far, Iver continues to be a rock star baby sleeper so I suppose he wasn't the swaddles after all.  Still, I think I'll hold onto them just for me.

 

Crafty Skills

For me, a hat appears only if I order it from the Patagonia catalog or visit REI.  In other words, I have zero skills when it comes to anything useful like knitting.

It's a good thing that our kids have people in their lives besides us.  That's how they end up with interesting scarves, mittens, and hats.  This one is actually intended for his older brother, but Iver couldn't help showing off this adorable robot hat, courtesy of our friend Tasya.  Now where did I put that catalog?

Tummy Time

We are finally getting back into our routine of school, work, and non-holiday festivities.  We had a snow-filled week in Bend, OR, after Christmas.  It was my first trip there and it is a beautiful part of the country.  The downside is that it is a fairly hefty drive from Seattle (7 hours) or even Portland (3-4 hours) where we stopped on the way in both directions.  I have to say that all of the kids were great travelers and even those long drives didn't scare away from going anywhere again, so that says something.

Iver has his 4-month appointment tomorrow, which always reminds me that I should be doing things like giving him tummy time every day.  Even though I fail my maternal duty to devote dedicated time to this on a daily basis, somehow the little guy has been doing the work on his own.  (I'm thinking he's doing baby yoga when I'm not looking.)  The result is that he's starting to push himself up and I think he'll be rolling over any day now on his own.  Since you shouldn't trust me on these things, you can see for yourself: