Stuck

10 months old. I love this age.

He's totally stuck. Can't get down, stuck. He knows how to pull himself up. He enjoys it for a minute or two, shrieking loudly. Then realizes that his little legs are tired and he really wants his blanket and...HE CAN'T GET DOWN! Shrieking turns to moaning which turns to crying. And I just stand there and enjoy every single predictable moment.

The "panic" is really funny when I think about how many times I have witnessed this with my other children.

With Sarah, I ran in the moment the happy shrieking started. I would calmly tell her that all the parenting books said that she had to get some sleep, and I would tuck her in all over again...which was a 30 minute-long process. I was such a thorough mother.

With Joseph, I would go in during the moaning stage. He was having fun during the shrieking, and I had 13 more seconds to complete whatever it was I was trying to complete..probably something silly, like eating.

With Thomas, I would sit outside the door immediately after laying him down. I knew that the moment I put him down, he would stand and get stuck. He knew that I knew. And he also knew how to play me. He would shriek with glee as I would carry him up the stairs to bed. He would moan as I would cross the threshold into his room, thus preparing himself (and me) for the stage that would follow. The panic stage, with Tom, wasn't truly panic. He would fake it, I swear. Too smart. Way manipulative. I loved it most days. He just made me laugh.

With Nate, I obviously don't leave the room. I take pictures. This stage is so short. Time passes too quickly. I invite the other children in to see how funny it is. I tell them about how silly they were when they were Nate's age. They enjoy it, too. I love motherhood. *sigh*

Best Buds

Thomas LOVES spending time with Nathan. They share clothes. They use the same size diaper. They weigh the same. They even have the same sense of humor. Tom-Boo has also recently started asking to sleep with Nathan... "Sleep" being the operative word.

Happy Super-Ultra-Belated Birthday, Matt!

Matt's birthday was before Sarah's, but I am still trying to catch up with posting. I finally came to the conclusion that I could post 4 times a day, and it still wouldn't be enough to tell the story of our lives. 

 Here is the glimpse that I have time and energy to offer...

 Poor Nate. He doesn't even bat an eyelash while he's being tormented these days. Such is the life of the fourth child.

 Patient boys waiting for cake.

Sarah was so funny when Matt was opening his gifts. She felt the need to explain each one to him. Even the fishing lures.

So, Happy Birthday Matt! We are so grateful for the gift of your life! And we always keep in mind that, without you, this train never would have left the station. We Love You!

Happy Birthday, Bean!

June 11, 2006

To our firstborn: 5 years ago, you changed our lives. The world has never been the same since you came into our family. We love you dearly and appreciate every single moment we have with you. You bring us so much joy, and we are so grateful to God for the gift of our princess.

Now, please stop growing.

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Steamtown, USA

Couldn't decide what color the breakdown train was. The boys, settling the debate.

The Big Boy

Steamtown Mall

The train ride. Joseph in his Heaven.


A very important sign posted within our coach car.

Nathan was not keen on the "no spitting" rule.

Lovely.

Uncle Nick and Erika.

Nonna and Aunt Jill

Uncle Mike and Amanda

Trouble-makers...right before finding the bell.

The Clan

Hurray for the trains!

Grandad and Joseph

"Helping"

Okay, Grandad. We get it. You are trying to get us back for all the sleepless nights that Matthew caused when he was a baby.

10pm and still kickin' it with Grandad.

"And the angels have come to tuck Nathan in..."

The fuzzy-blue party animal was up all night with Mommy, who apparently isn't as good company as Grandad. Nathan finally fell asleep at 5am...with Matt.

Fishing

The lake was covered in fog. We truly didn't know which way was back to shore. We were cold and wet. Poppy hadn't caught a fish yet this year. Joseph, Sarah and Thomas were all being so patient. I thought, "Well, this was a nice boat ride. At least they had some good bonding time with their Dad and Poppy."

Then...

My first-born son caught his first fish. (Actually, Poppy landed it for him. I haven't seen my Dad catch a fish with a Spiderman pole, or the like, in about 15 years.)

Yes, he touched it!!!!!!!!

And...My Girl...


I know, as her mother, I shouldn't be laughing. But look at her face! She was giggling and crying at the same time.

The fish is almost landed.

Joseph, who was an expert at this point, kept saying,"Get the net! Get the net! Sarah, you caught my favorite fish!"

That's it?!?!

Daddy was the hero, for sure.

Tom-Boo, pausing the chorus of the alphabet song to say "hello" to Sarah's fish.

We're Back!

Thomas was so funny. He stepped in the puddles like a true gentleman: hands folded behind his back.

If Crocs had a commercial, this could be it.

Yes, that IS an ice cream sandwich with whipped cream and sprinkles. That was Joseph's third round of sprinkles.
When I was a child, we had to share ice cream sandwiches. All of us had to split one. Take a bite, pass it down. When I told this to my children, they didn't even look up from their masterpieces. No pity. I guess I have to dig deeper. (Side note: When I told Sarah the "walking uphill to school both ways" story, she just laughed and said,"Mom, you were homeschooled." You've got to wake up pretty early in the morning to trick that one.)


The child who never eats anything, getting a whole mouthful of something. Maybe they sell broccoli in a can?

I will spare you the details of our sicknesses. We are back into "spring mode" now! Puddle jumping and ice cream parties. To quote Grandad and Nonna:"We have to have dessert!"

Harvesting the Fruits

When people ask what my husband does for a living, I try to give them a very short answer...because even I don't understand completely. "He designs parts for the electric car and fuel cell car from GM."

Matt first started at GM about 4 1/2 years ago. When he was hired for his position, we cried tears of joy. I had been on bedrest during my pregnancy with Sarah and hadn't gone back to work. Matt was schooling full-time and working two part-time jobs. The offer from GM came as a complete surprise. When Matt applied, he felt like the position was way out of his league. This was his dream job: To work for an American car company and make a difference. He sent in his application to get his post-partum wife to stop nagging him. And after he accepted the offer, I DID stop nagging him...about that.

Dream Job. Hard Work. Everything is always so secretive, so Matt is able to share very little with us. Until now.

Here is the Chevrolet Volt, complete with Matt's designs.

Matt brought one home last night, to introduce us to "what Daddy does at work."

The drivers of the future in the car of the future.

So proud.

I had trouble believing that this car could actually exist...until I drove it last night.

Zero-Emission. Battery powered. Amazing.

A dream that became a reality.

Plugging it in for the night.

Thank you, Matt, for all you do! We are so proud of you!

Great Grandma Tona

This Mother's Day weekend was so special. Matt's parents drove down to PA and brought Great Grandma Tona back to Rochester for a few days. It was Nathan's first time meeting her, and he LOVED her! Sarah, Joseph and Thomas were all so excited to have her here. I will never forget this moment...when my children all sat still for a picture with their great grandmother. We love you, Grandma Princess!