Joseph's Valet Service

Yesterday was 65 degrees here in Roch-cha-cha! Hurrah for not needing to bundle everyone up to take them outside!

We went outside to play before the rain began yesterday. Nate and I were soaking in some serious Vitamin D and making sure Joseph and Tom stayed in our yard, but I wasn't really paying attention to what they were playing.

Lately, the most frequently asked question at our home has been: "What are Joseph's greatest strengths?" Our answers always have something to do with his sensitivity and meticulous scheduling abilities, but nothing compares to Joseph's organizational skills. EVERYTHING has to be in order. Always.

Here is Joseph, taking every single toy I brought outside and driving it into a lane.

All Tommy wanted to do was ride the tractor. Joseph told him that all vehicles must remain in the parking lot.

Poor Tom...When I heard him crying, I didn't rush to his aid... I took a picture.

I believe Tom's exact words were: "May I please sit in a parked car?!"

Joseph even parked Matt's wheelbarrow. Strong little dude. I held on tight to Nathan in his stroller after that...I know how easy it is to get swept up in the flow of traffic. And I didn't want to have to pay Joseph to get my seven-month-old out of the parking garage.

Three happy boys. God is Good.

Waiting for Dad

The children get really impatient when they feel that Matt has been at work for long enough. Normally around 4 pm, they begin to get antsy. Recently this period of unrest has been starting earlier and earlier. Yesterday it began at 6:30am...and lasted until Matt walked in the door at 5pm. I feel like most of my days are spent just distracting them from the fact that Daddy isn't home. Enter: Anne, the coordinator that you are so lucky you didn't have work your wedding or birthday party.

The table is littered with time-consuming activities. The only issue is that "time-consuming", for a 3-year-old (average age of our children), is about 43 seconds.

Some really "good" ideas I had:

-Drawing a bulls-eye on the sliding glass door with a dry-erase marker so that they could do target practice with their suction cup darts and nerf guns.

- Giving each of the kids a duster and telling them that the one who got rid of the most dust would get a conversation heart.

- Putting a cold bowl of water next to their warm bath so they could play color-changing cars while they bathed.

- Folding socks as a family. We all know how this turned out before.

- Memorizing the alphabet in Spanish...this one was a little tricky because Tommy is still struggling with the English alphabet. :)

- Making a competition out of who could make Nathan laugh the most. This was, by far, the worst of my ideas. Not only do they come from a long line of insane Schwalms who can turn a handshake into a competition, but look at Nate's face...

He's saying: "REALLY, MOM?!?! REALLY?"

Nate the Great

Had Nathan's super-late 6 month appointment this week. They charted him on the 7 month scale, much to my relief...he would have been unfairly recorded!

Height: 28 inches (90th%)

Weight: 21.8lbs (90th%)

Nathan is now moving a great deal of the time and actually LOSING WEIGHT! Nate and Thomas share clothes and diapers, but Matt says that won't be the case for much longer: Nathan is growing faster than Tom.

Eggs

To put it mildly: Joseph loves eggs. He loves cracking them. He loves looking at them. He loves touching them. He loves naming them. He loves hiding them...you know, around the house...regular, need-to-be-refrigerated eggs. He hides them. I find them, without knowing that he hid them in the first place. This is a cool game. Really, it is. Unless I have NO IDEA WHEN he put that egg under the La-Z-Boy. My mom, encouraging the love, dropped off a carton of eggs for Joseph last week. He put his name on it and carried it around the house. He asked to sleep with it. Poor baby cried himself to sleep when I refused. I went to bed and cried myself to sleep with terrible thoughts of my three-year-old running away to the refrigerator section of the grocery store, so that he could live with people who understand him.

Okay, this was the next brilliant plan from Honey. Joseph went to bed happy with his new carton of colorful, plastic eggs.

Until I found Joseph covered in chocolate this morning.

Mom, did you seriously put M&Ms in these?

Let's talk about grandchildren for a minute. Growing up, we were like any other kids. If we drew on the wall, Mom would hand us a wet rag and tell us to wash it off. Fast forward to the first GRANDCHILD drawing on the wall. Mom left the "artwork" up there for a week and honestly thought about putting a frame around it.

Nonna is the same way. The children have two hands, so they need a cookie for each one. Just because one child is having a birthday doesn't mean that EACH CHILD shouldn't get a present. Not that Matt and I are bitter. I'm just saying: "Where's the love?"

The Archives

Thank you, Nikki, for inspiring me to do this blog. I have been going through all our old pictures and videos and enjoying every minute of it. I had some time this morning and thought I would post this one particular video that made me laugh until my sides hurt. There is no sound because it was taken with our old camera, but I think that makes it so much funnier.

Honestly, it is WAY BETTER the 6th time you watch it after 2 hours sleep the night before.

I promise.

Try it, Matt. ;)

6 Months, Per Request

I laughed. I cried. It moved me. For some reason, looking over these pictures was really hard for me. It occured to me this morning how much I LOVE THESE CHILDREN! I just want to go back and kiss those squishy faces and touch that soft skin and experience the crawling and rolling all over again. 6 months is such a special age.

The only reason I don't have a picture of Sarah crawling is because she never technically crawled. She did this sad looking Quasimodo-ish leg drag thing. Disturbing, really. I would carry her all around because I didn't want people to see. Matt always said she knew she was a princess...she didn't want to get her knees dirty. (Side note: Check out the sock lines on those chunky legs! I was so proud of her rolls...this was obviously before I met Nathan.)

Joseph- He crawled early, walked early and has kept me running ever since. My angel boy.

Thomas- Don't let that face fool you. He knows EXACTLY what he is doing. He always has.

Nathan- No words. I just melt when I see this face.

Early Mornings with Dad

Before work this morning, Matt took the time to read the children a book. Sweet moment. I will hold this memory so close to my heart.

We also purchased a new rug last evening. Here is Thomas breaking it in... but only the "railroad tracks". I am so glad he approves.

The Breakfast Table

This is how I found Nate at the breakfast table... when I finally sat down.

Doesn't he look like he is saying grace? Yeah...he's not. He is planning his next move.

This was the next move.

Love those arms. Just love them.

Boys Will Be Boys

Our 35-year-old deck. My foot slipped through one of the boards a few weeks ago, and the deck has been looking pretty sad for some time now. Matt swears it wouldn't have made it through another summer...and it wasn't safe for the children. Whatever. I know what's up. Check out what a "terrible time" he had with Stephen...

This immediate gratification project has led to many others over the past few weeks. They had such a great time with the deck, that the boys moved on to tearing up the patio that was causing water problems for us. Matt pulled up the carpet in the front room, giving us a beautiful hard wood floor. I tore down the last of the wallpaper...making this house officially ours.

While the Cat's Away...

These mice tried so hard to be good. I wanted so badly to be the "cool" parent while Matt was away in Michigan on business, that I promised the children a week of awesomeness. They called my bluff and tried to pull an all-nighter on Sunday (during my incredibly organized sleepover in the front room).

Tommy-Boo and the instigation of a pillow fight.

*The stroller in the background is for Nathan. Sleep is hard for our little teether. Matt and I have exhausted ourselves driving around in the middle of the night to get him to sleep...the stroller saves time and gas. We pace the house with it until he dozes off. Poor baby.

Joseph and his ever-so-practical self..."It's called a SLEEPOVER, guys!"

Sarah and Nate...not wanting Mommy to be lonely at 4am.

The Green Suit

I am still scouring the archives for a single picture of Joseph with this outfit on, but this is what I have discovered so far...

Sarah- 4 months

Tom- 5 months

Nate- 8 weeks

Notice the ages of my little leprechauns. Nathan has always been on the larger side. When he was still fairly new (notice I didn't say "small"), this conversation took place:

Sarah: "Mom, can I sing Nathan a lullaby?"

Mom: "Absolutely! That would be such a beautiful, big sister thing for you to do!"

Sarah (singing, in a VERY deep voice): "I like 'em big! I like 'em chunky! I like 'em round, with somethin-somethin!"

Okay, Moto-Moto from Madagascar 2 wouldn't have been my first choice, but I kinda get what Sarah is thinking.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Grandad! You are our favorite conductor! We love you!

Happy 15th Birthday to our world traveler, Aunt Ellen! You are so special to us, Mel! Hope this year is even better than the last! xxoo

An Evening of Fun

Matt has been busy lately with projects on the house, so we took last night to just play with the kids. Nonna and Grandad came over and brought energy and presents.

Nonna giving Mommy a reprieve.

Studying with a fellow volcanologist.

Labeling the packages is so important. I am glad this concept was not lost on Grandad...he is helping me prevent future arguments.

Firsts

It took almost 7 months, but we finally started Nathan on solids! Here he is enjoying his first sweet potatoes! He actually ended up taking the spoon out of my hand and feeding himself. That is what I get for waiting so long...maybe now we will sleep a bit more at night?

Sliding, instead of crawling.

New Desk

Sarah is working so hard this year with her schooling at home. She is such a studious little thing, and has a desire for everything to be very organized and official...so much like her father. :) We were thrilled to pieces this past week when our dear friends, Mrs. Maureen and Mr. Dan, shared some of their special furniture with us!

All I want to know is: "Who is this 16-year-old and what did she do with my baby?"

Thanks, Maureen and Dan, for our new desk and supplies! We couldn't be happier!

We Have a Mover!

I put Nathan in the middle of the floor, sitting up, with a mountain of toys. I must have jinxed myself, because as I was walking out of the room (to put Tommy on the potty) I sang a little song:"I just put my baby down and I know that when I come back he is going to be right where I left him! I love this part about being a Mom! This is the best stage! Immobility! Immobility!"

Came back 25 seconds later. Panic. Lots of toys; No Nate. Check out where I found my baby...

Is that a smile? I am now in some serious trouble. (*Cue the scary music*)

Four mobile children, four and under.

Table Manners

I know they are still really young, but I feel as though our dinner table is more like a barnyard than a place for us to bond as a family. I, personally, don't like having to correct the children all throughout our meal...I get serious heartburn. So this led me to a brilliant idea: Set up the kids' table in the kitchen and allow them to run their own dinner. When Matt was working late this week, I made pancakes for the children and told them that they would be "dining alone this evening". They set their own table, complete with silverware. I filled a pitcher with water and allowed them to pour their own drinks. It was so beautiful. I loved watching them. Sarah was the queen of the tea party, of course. She even spoke with a British accent. So funny. I allowed Joseph to have a butter knife, and he took such a long time to cut his pancakes precisely that he had a meltdown: he was so hungry, but it had to be done a certain way and he had to be the one to do it. I just soaked in the moment. Tommy was my independent angel. He wanted to be just like the big kids, so he held his fork properly and asked Sarah about the weather. Nate was so confused, but he enjoyed the show. He had a front row seat and LOOOOOOVED when the water spilled all over the table and floor. I have never heard him giggle like that!

Dinner took 45 minutes (an accomplishment because the children can usually only stay in their seats for about 12 minutes...max.) and by the time they were done they were all laughing so hard that they didn't even realize that they had done their own dishes and mopped the floor with all the water that spilled! Matt and I had a peaceful dinner alone that night. I felt so strange not having the kids at the table with us that I started to cut Matt's hamburger into bite-size pieces. I missed the kids, but maybe once a week we will give this a try. It was really nice being able to chew and swallow.

Bathing

Uncle Peter loving on our Nate (and Nate loving on Uncle Peter). Every time Peter would call Nathan his pet name, Nom-Nom, Nathan would go crazy!

Check out our Michelin Man! Love the arms. Love the face. Love everything. It is so nice to have someone else bathe Nathan. Not only do I get a break from the "splash zone", but this view is AMAZING! *Happy Sigh*

Practicing

Sarah LOOOOOOOOVES to babysit for me. While I was cleaning the walls (where did all those fingerprints come from?) the other day, Sarah "watched" Nathan. She got out all the hats, mittens and scarves and dressed him up for an imaginary snow storm. I witnessed the whole episode, and I don't know if I have ever laughed so hard in my life. The walls didn't get cleaned...the afternoon turned into a photo shoot. Here are a couple pictures of my ultra-prepared babysitter and her poor brother. Note Nathan's drool spot (blasted teething) because his bib had been turned around to make a cape!

Uncle Mark

This week, while I was down and out with strep, Mark came to the rescue. I didn't even ask for his help...he showed up on my doorstep with a smile on his face! He babysat, read books to our babies, taught school, did his own school and forced me to nap. He had endless amounts of energy and entertained the children to their hearts' delight! Thank you so much, Markie, for being the Knight in Shining Armor for all 6 of us! And many thanks to the professors of the Schwalm Home Study program for allowing this to be a week full of service projects!

Lessons

This morning was productive. It isn't even 9am and Sarah has completed her school for the day. Is it because she has truly completed all her work? No. Mommy just needs some time to digest the lesson we learned this morning:

Mommy: "Okay Sarah, now you understand the Holy Trinity. Like Saint Patrick showed the people of Ireland with a clover that there are Three Persons in One God."

Sarah: "RIGHT!!! Kind of like poison ivy!"

Mommy (super confused): "Ummmm..."

Sarah (super confident): "Leaves of three, let it be!"

Mommy (trying not to laugh): "Recess!!!!"

Oh, So Tired

When Matt and I were first married, we slept on a twin size air mattress. This is really funny to me now, six years later. As a wedding gift, we received our entire bedroom set...mattress and all. (Thanks Gumma and Gumba!) I never thought we needed a king size bed because we liked eachother, but we HAD to get a mattress to fit the frame! Initially, I thought I would use the other half of the bed for storage, but during my pregnancy with Sarah I discovered how valuable all that extra space was. Now, I LOVE our bed! And when we have to share with the children, all six of us fit comfortably, with room to spare!

We are not getting enough sleep. Mr. Teething Nate has decided that he would like to eat all night long. It's comforting for him. And Mommy never says no. (Why is it so hard to say no? Because he is sooooooo beautiful. And edible. And he might just say my name one of these days and make EVERYTHING worth the effort!) Okay, so the other kids hear Nathan having the time of his life all night long with Mom and Dad and they just can't miss out. These pictures were taken at 4am.

Nathan, paying for it, later that day.

Remember when?

It is strange to think about, but I remember when the dining room table was a log cabin in the middle of the forest. I remember when the best forts were made of couch cushions and blankets. I remember when snow was really ice cream and I could build my own city (to live in by myself) out of Marble Works, Legos, Lincoln Logs and Tinker Toys. During these snowy days, I have been paying close attention to my babies and their AMAZING imaginations. Maybe it runs in their blood. Maybe it is a coincidence. But they play a lot of the same things that I did when I was young. Yesterday I got down on the floor with Joseph, in his aircraft carrier under the table, and allowed myself to be swept away. It was delicious! There were trains on his aircraft carrier. And SANTA CLAUS!!!! Oh, and some planes...but only because it wouldn't have been an aircraft carrier without them.

I have to appreciate every, single moment. Someday my floor will be uncluttered. I won't be the giant who endangers innocent trains when I walk by. I won't be the Abominable Snow Monster in the North Pole. This is a reminder to myself to slow down, get down on the floor, and lower down my expectations...life is complicated enough.