And One Makes Three

I know that we have been delinquent in posting anything about our sweet Caroline (and thank you to those who have "reminded" me--I really do appreciate it). And for those of you who are thinking, "Poor third child," please know that she's probably been held/strapped to me more than the other two combined (mostly for protection) and part of the reason this is so delayed is because I am so in love with her (and have fallen in love again with the other two) that I choose snuggling during the rare times it is quiet enough around here to compose a post. Oh, and I still have mommy brain and the idea of composing a sentence, let alone a post sounds trickier than a #29 bus ride to Navy Pier with 3 3-and-under kids!

I'll get to work on a "Meet Caroline" post shortly (really), but wanted to post a couple of pictures and highlights of life with three.

Our three sweet monkeys. No doubt that life is a bit crazy right now, but we sure do thank God for them and love them to pieces.

Sweet Sisters

Some of the memories that stick out about Veronica and Caroline in these first few weeks are:

• One might think that Caroline's name is Olivia if going by what Veronica says most around her. She very emphatically repeats "O of oo!" while getting closer and closer and showering her sister with kisses (notice the movement in the first photo). She's not saying her name, she's saying "I love you." It melts my heart every time, even as I am trying to protect Caroline from her "love."
• She's pretty sure whenever Caroline is in the touchdown baby position (you know, with the arms as goal posts), that her sister is asking her for a high five. And she is happy to oblige. In fact, she insists on it...several times a day.
• She brings me diapers, blankets, and toys for Caroline--such the helper.

Big Brother

Initial memories of Hamilton with Caroline:

• He uses a very staccato pronunciation of her name: Car-O-Line.
• He asks to hold her about a dozen times a day...and I try to let him as much as possible. He's actually pretty good at it (enough so that I can capture some quick pictures, but not enough for me to be further away than arm's reach).
• That first photo is of him when Caroline got a bit fussy. He's obviously been watching me because I use my pinky to calm my doesn't-want-a-pacifier-but-wants-to-suck baby.
  
• That second photo captures how he looks at her--you can just see the love.
• She's the first thing he wants to see every morning.
• edited to add: How could I forget my favorite Hamilton/Caroline memory thus far. Hamilton loves saying things like, "Baby Caroline, you are so sweet/wonderful/amazing/special." The other day he started in with "Baby Caroline, you are so sweet." Then he got a thoughtful look on his face and added, "But not delicious."
  

More to come!

Veronica and the New Bed

So, I suspect that most of the couple of people who tune in here know that Freeman and I moved into a one-bedroom condo back in 2003 when we got married...and that we're still here (and I should actually do a separate post on that sometime because I am sure we'll want to remember how it all worked out--someday). So, when we started sharing that we were expecting another little baby in early October this year--it wasn't a surprise when the #1 question was, "So, you are moving now...right?" Long story short, after some (ok, a lot of) praying, thinking, discussing, and researching, Freeman and I came back to each other with two realizations. #1-A move was not a good move right now and #2 -We both felt that God was using our situation to teach us more about contentment.

That left us with the challenge of finding sleeping space for all of us in the bedroom. Unfortunately, they don't make toddler-bed sized bunk beds (and Freeman doesn't have experience welding). After playing around with several twin-sized stacking options (trundle, bunk, trundle/bunk), we realized there was no ideal option. But, we knew something would work out--and it didn't have to be ideal to work.

In the end, we found a toddler bed that looked remarkably like Hamilton's and after some excellent planning/moving by Freeman--we now officially have sleeping arrangements for 5!

We also have a toddler who is no longer a little baby sleeping in her own bed. I wish I could capture her little satisfied smile when she wakes up from her nap and walks into the room and announces, "Hi!" But, I did capture a snap of our sleeping sweetie during nap #1 (with her bunny blanket and water bottle--sleeping necessities).

What to Do When Momma's Cleaning the Floor

I had to get the floor cleaned today. I'd like to blame it on the nesting urge, but the reality is that it's been too embarrassingly long since I had last tackled it. The floor was getting sticky enough that it was getting hard to use the dust mop (how's that for keeping it real?). I decided to go full-force and move all the furniture and do as thorough a job as I possibly could--which meant Hamilton and Veronica had some new furniture arrangements to play with.

First, they ate their morning snack under the dining table (the chairs were inaccessible and I asked them to sit there to contain the crumbs to a place that wasn't already clean). It became their hide-out and they played some sort of peek-a-boo game after they were done eating.

Soon, their hide-out was stormed by a floor cleaning momma and they had to find somewhere else to play. No worries, our couches can easily be converted into a ship!

Hamilton wanted his red blanket as a roof and decided that the couch cushion made a perfect seat belt (something he's very interested in since we rarely have the opportunity to use them). Veronica looks a little tired (she's having a mix of caffeine-free, sugar-free iced tea and water).


We turned on some sailing music and they watched me getting the rest of the house done!


They did such a great job that we headed up to our building's roof deck after the floors were all done to enjoy a little "picnic" lunch. (Ok, who am I fooling...I was also motivated by the thought of not having to sweep the floor of breadcrumbs so soon after having just finished).

And now on to naps and rest time!

Impromptu Beach Day

According to Google Maps, the 12th Street Beach is 1.7 miles from our house. Actually, that's the walking distance; as the bird flies, it would be just under a mile. So you'd think that we'd have actually visited the beach at some point. Nope. Part of it is I have a hard time just relaxing for long periods of time (ask Freeman). I like doing things with a purpose. But really, the main reason is I don't know how I would manage two little ones--who almost always want to go in different directions--with Lake Michigan right there.

So, last Saturday Freeman takes Hamilton out for a bike ride while Veronica and I spend some quality time at home (unloading dishes, sweeping--yeah, I am the fun one!). I get a call that they made an impromptu stop at Oak Street Beach and that Hamilton was loving it. So, Veronica and I pack it up and head up to meet them for some fun beach action.

Hamilton playing in the sand as we arrived. He had found a clear plastic cup and turned it into his own mini-lake with sand, water, and things I wouldn't feel completely comfortable touching.

The kids were really excited about going into Lake Michigan. They were fascinated by the waves and sea weed. There weren't too many photos of all of this, though, given that I was always holding onto one of them (and yes, that is a t-shirt and skirt--what can I say).

Hamilton practicing his swimming while Veronica's waiting for the next wave.

We would have probably stayed all afternoon, but off in the distance, we saw this:
Though the beach volleyball crew seemed unfazed, we decided to call it a day and avoid the downpour. Even though our impromptu beach day was cut a bit short, I would call it a success and suspect we'll aim for another one before the season is out. Yay for fun family time!

Fouth of July Parade

One thing I love about our neighborhood is that within 1/3 of a mile, there are 3 playgrounds. Within 1/2 a mile, there are 5 or so. If you take into account parks without the play equipment, you can add another 3 or 4 to the mix. So there is no shortage of places to go and enjoy the outdoors and meet up with friends.

Last week, we made plans to meet up for a playdate with Megan and Ryan at one of the playgrounds. Then we found out there was a small "parade" being planned for a neighboring park space. How fun! My friend, Jessica (Ryan and Megan's mom), was kind enough to bring a scooter for Hamilton to decorate and ride in the parade. The organizing moms were so well prepared with everything from streamers to sparkly paper to festive snacks. So impressive!

The Starting Line

Hamilton--Ready to Go

And They're Off--I was pretty impressed with how well spaced they were (for a while)

Hamilton Upon Return

I just wanted to show how well decorated some of the other "floats" for the parade were. (You are welcome to refer to Hamilton's picture above for a comparison. These girls really put some time into making their bikes beautiful. He wanted some streamers that would fly in the wind--and he was off!)

Although Veronica did not seem interested in the actual parade, she was dressed for the occasion and thoroughly enjoyed the picnic lunch afterward.

Between the Capri Sun and the Strawberry/Blueberry/Marshmallow Kabobs that another mom brought, Hamilton never wanted to leave!

I am not so sure there was much about our nation's history communicated through this activity, but it sure was a fun way to spend a morning.

We ❤ Family

Blessed to have LOTS of family love these last few weeks (plus we got the fabulous news that the Waits are making their way up from TX at the end of July--yee haw!).

Pics in no particular order.

Uncle Sharif!

Veronica-initiated hug with Cousin Kadin

Tanta Mariam

"Oompah, I'd like some more of that yummy chocolate, please!"

Uncle Wan is the only man brave enough thus far to let Hamilton play baseball using his hand as a T while giving him a piggy back ride.

I think her pleas were heard. Can you tell she has him wrapped around her finger?

Checking out GrandDad's watch while at a super yummy dinner at Uncle Julio's.

Too much fun with Grammy and GrandDad.

Hamilton and Sweet Lady Paloma on the tire swing.

Sweet Autumn with Uncle William

Saraina and Joshua exploring the Lincoln Park Zoo climbing structure

I love this picture of Freeman and William talking with Hamilton and Paloma catching rides. We should find a picture of them talking as kids and put it next to this one...many years and children later.

Autumn and Veronica planning their escape

I just thought this one was funny. While Auntie Kia was getting a fabulous picnic spread ready, Freeman was off to the right trying to keep the kids occupied. Hamilton and Paloma were listening intently, but Saraina was skeptical of whatever he was saying. Of course, Kadin was being sure to pose for the photo. Love those kids!

Water!

Yesterday was super hot--in the mid 90s even by the lake (and after some awesome thunderstorms last night, we're in the 50s today, but that's another story).

We celebrated the summer weather by wearing swimming clothes to the Children's Museum and then running around in the fountain in front of Navy Pier.



We rarely go in the Waterworks Room because, well, Momma's mean and doesn't want to have to change clothes before heading out into the snow. This time, I didn't even insist on the raincoats! By the way, can you tell they are related?



I was a little nervous about how the fountain would go over. Hamilton's in a phase where he doesn't like water in his eyes...but he didn't seem to mind.
Water would intermittently spray from holes in the sidewalk. When they would stop, Hamilton would coax, "Spray again!"

"Oh look--a stick!" (Jayme, that one's for you).

The stick was then used to "tag" the water as it shot up from the ground.

Veronica made the mistake of standing above one of the holes and got a surprise spray of water. Between that and being a bit tired from all the excitement at the museum, she was happy to lounge. No fears, though, we strolled through some of the spray and stuck to the shade while watching water boy.

Oh, I didn't mention the best thing (momma-wise) about this fountain. Navy Pier is the last stop on the #29 bus, which takes us straight home. That means that the bus parks for a few minutes right across the street from the fountain. I was able to see a bus coming and know we had plenty of time to catch it--or just wait for the next one.