Madeleine at 5 Months

I missed 4 months, so here is that brief summary:
In her 4th month, Madeleine had ear infections twice. She still had thrush. She stopped sleeping through the night. Sad. She went through a phase where she only napped about 20-30 minutes at a time. She went to Solana Beach for her first Blake Family Vacation. And on the 4 month mark, she got her first solid food: rice cereal! She loves it.
Okay, on to 5 months. Madeleine loves her mom and dad. A lot. So much, that when anyone else holds her, even in plain sight of her parents, she screams until Andy or I are holding her again, at which point she stops abruptly, takes a deep cleansing breath and then smiles at her previous "captor." She loves to smile, and complete strangers who pass us often comment, "What a smiley baby."
Madeleine has started to "roar" in response to her dad's own "roar." Andy also calls it her growl of affection. [That's how she greets people] She developed an interest in simple toys and manipulates them as well as reaches for them. This new found hand coordination--or "in"coordination--means she often yanks her own binky out. She also is passionate about having a hand to hold she has to sleep in the car.
Just this week, her sleeping has improved to what I deem "sleeping through the night": going to bed around 10 and not waking until about 4 am to eat, then going back to sleep until 8. This month she also moved to her 3 nap a day schedule.
Madeleine is very in to food. Tonight she stared intently at the drumstick ice cream cone that Andy was unwrapping for Avery, and lunging at it. You can really tell now that she focuses on others food and wants it.

Madeleine, you are so cute and sweet! Thanks for tolerating, and sometimes even liking, all the crazy-ness we put you through!

A Day at Home and What We Did Yesterday

Today was one of those catch-up days, wherein I did laundry, cleaned the kitchen, bathroom and family room, mopped, and actually let Madeleine have all her naps at home in a bed! Imagine that. She didn't disappoint--I think she napped for over 2 hours the first time and about 2 hours the second time. I am confident she has not done that since being a newborn. As I cleaned and cooked and cleaned and folded and put away, I listened to Harry Potter Book 7, which I have previously read, but to which I thoroughly enjoy listening. I often listen to BYU Women's Conference or Education Week on the computer, and I really enjoy doing that, but an audio book especially fun, and one that I've already read is great for a day like today, since it doesn't matter if I miss a few lines here and there. I'm going to look into what children's chapter books are available as audio books, since I think Warren would really enjoy listening as an alternative to TV/computer games. He reads well now--you should hear him read the scriptures--and I think having a chapter book available in both text and audio would be fun and motivating.

Warren spent his day trying to build an airplane. Seriously. He kept coming in and asking me if he thought his creation would "fly with all 3 kids on it." After 4-5 times of this, dug deep into my past and did my best to explain what I remembered of potential and kinetic energy from HS physics. So naturally, Warren asked, "Well, would it fly if we rode on top of the car with it on a freeway going a hundred miles per an [sic] hour and all 3 kids jumped off as we were going?" Brilliant. Let me explain the "plane": a 3 foot wooden dowel with several pieces of copy paper taped on each side for wings. Each "wing" had a LEGO or wooden plank (Kapla block) taped to it. Each revision involved taping more paper onto the existing wings in an effort to increase the surface area--a principle I tried to explain from last weeks kite-surfers. In the end, he took it apart and turned his attentions to decorating the car with little pieces of paper that read "Happy Brthday [sic] Dad," since Andy's birthday is tomorrow. Naturally, in an effort to ensure the element of surprise he said, "Dad, don't look outside. Actually, you can look outside, just don't look at the car." Still, not quite a dead giveaway as yesterday's secret give away.

I took the kids to Lewisville Park all afternoon yesterday (12-6) to play on the playground sets scattered amongst the campsites, and to wade/play in the river, which right now is a small creek. It was a warm day and the water was perfect for the kids, who enjoyed finding dead fish, minnows, and crawdads with other children who had come more prepared to find such things (buckets, nets etc.) We had a picnic and we walked all throughout the park. At one point, I had Madeleine tied on to me with Avery and Abigail in Madeleine's stroller as I pushed it. I'm sure we looked a little odd. It was a lovely afternoon. On the way back to town, we stopped off to Safeway to buy some blueberries that were on fabulous sale, and get gas at Warren's favorite place, Chevron. Ever since Andy told Warren that a mechanic told him that it has the best gas, Warren is religious about locating Chevrons. He also checks the feature that displays how many more miles you can drive before running out of gas and starts to warn us at anything under 300. While at Chevron, I saw they had a drive-through car wash, and our car sorely needed it, so we delightedly went through the wash. A well-spent $7. Just for fun, I told the kids, "Let's not tell dad that we washed the car and see if he just notices." So as soon as we got home, Abigail said, "Dad, did you notice anything about how the car is clean?" And then as an aside to me, "See mom, I didn't tell him that we got a carwash!" Abigail is definitely the funniest secret-keeper of all my kids. The best thing is that she really doesn't think she is giving it away. She does it all the time with gifts or surprises.

As an afterthought, I brought a leotard for Abigail along on this trip, and I think it is the most used piece of clothing we brought. She organizes shows on the back platform all the time. Or lessons, which often involve her handwritten signs. She knows how to print all her letters now--I'm not sure how she learned them, as there was no direct effort on my part. Just a lot of reading, occasional "Super Why" viewing on PBS, some beginning handwriting at school and lots of questions from Abigail. I think her desire to know and the subsequent questions were the biggest part of her learning to write so many letters. It really is so cute.

I told the kids that they could play outside or clean inside. Naturally, they played outside (yeah!) Except Avery, who after a while came in and said, "Mom I want to help." It reminded me that she was my little cleaning helper when the kids were in school, and made me smile looking forward to the time we'll have together again soon, just us+Madeleine.

Wish Andy a Happy 30th Birthday tomorrow!

I Don't Know Who Had More Fun and Shiny Objects

yWe belatedly set of our fireworks this week. I'm not sure who was more excited--Warren or Andy. So he (Andy) was pretty let down when the first one didn't rocket into the air as anticipated. However, after a second set of eyes on the less than adequate instructions, he had the second one sailing into the air with some lovely bursts of color.

Avery was also a bit disenchanted with her sparkler. I watched from a distance as she held it in one hand, and then curiosity got the best of her as she took her other hand and pinched her fingers right on the "sparkles". She wasn't hurt, and the whole episode was kind of funny to watch. I think she was just mesmerized and dazzled by the sparkling lights. Grown-ups get that way, too. For example, the day before we left, we had to/got to buy a new vehicle. We researched and found a van we really liked and finally got over the sticker shock (Andy and I think that no car should be over $15K), and were prepared to go and buy it and then we found another one, an SUV that also seats 8. And it was $10k less than the van. It was a great vehicle, and an awesome deal, but we had this shiny, glitzy brochure in our hands about the other one--the van. Both vehicles were great values and both met our needs, but the van had that "sparkler" appeal. If we had seen the SUV first, we'd have bought it in a heartbeat, but with the "sparkles" in our eyes, it was hard to see that was the better option. Thankfully, we didn't get burned. I called my very sensible mom, explained the situation and asked what she would do. She could see the appeal of both, but in the end said, "There is so much stress in life you don't have control over, this is something you do have control over. Which car payment is less stressful?" Well that did it. Gut feelings and good sense prevailed and we now have a Dodge Durango. And I love it. {Thanks mom. I really am so glad to have you to talk so many things over with}

Hood River and the Fruit Loop

Last Saturday we took an excursion to the Hood River area of Oregon. Just the drive there was beautiful, with the tops of peaks blending in mistily with the sky as if a water color painter had smeared the canvas where they met the heavens. Along the way, we stopped to eat a picnic lunch I had packed. Notice the jackets we have on. It was very chilly and windy and the kids enjoyed running around the nearby cabin playing "Narnia" and lightly quarreling over who had to be the White Witch and who was Lucy.
We went on to the fish hatchery, where we saw the biggest fish I have ever seen, a white sturgeon. (How would you like to catch one of these, Sam?) Sturgeon just keep growing, and the ones that live near the bottom of the dam wall are rumored to be 15 feet in length. We also saw great big rainbow trout. The kids kept thinking of my little brother, the Sam I mention above, who loves to fish.
After the hatchery, we went to the Hood River Recreation site to watch the windsurfers and kite-boarding. I had seen windsurfing, but never kite-boarding, and that looked so fun. The surfer has a huge semi-circular kite that he holds as he surfs, and when the wind or whatever is right, he can do huge jumps and flips in the air. Yes, the wind is really that strong. I have never been in stronger, more continuous wind, and this wasn't even a storm. Just normal weather.

After the Hood River, we toured a few stops on the Fruit Loop, a route of several farms and wineries that sell their fruit. We sampled all sorts of cherries at the first one, as well as several jams and preserves. It made me decided I have to make some jam while I am here. That is one of my goals this week. The second place had fruit, but they also had a great bakery and ice cream. Lots of ice cream for a little price. My favorite. We sampled cookies, ate ice cream and bought more cookies and pastries for later. A sweet day.

On this Day Last Year

On this day last year we left France. Fitting then, that Tuesday, Bastille Day, Andy and I spent at Saint Honore Boulangerie in Portland eating quiche, salade nicoise and of course, pastries. It is so fun to eat really good French breads again. Other fun things we've done this week include:
Monday: a trip into Portland with Dianna and Barry for pizza at their favorite place. It was great, so if you're ever on 23rd, stop in. It'll be the place with the line out the door.After pizza, we walked the fabulous historic neighborhoods in Portland, I believe the one we walked was called the alphabet district. I love old homes. And that is an understatement.

Warren found this rock-mosaic stretch of sidewalk, and insisted on several pictures. I love his face in this one. It shouldn't surprise me that Warren appreciated it, he loves patterns and building things. We brought 2 toys with us on this trip: LEGO's and Kapla blocks. Why we even bother with all the other toys at home, I don't know. I think I'm going to start a new system where 3 toys are allowed out per week. Wouldn't clean-up be easier? Though, speaking of clean up, Warren and I have a new game: the Warren-Nephi Game. I ask him for 3-5 minutes where he will do anything I ask cheerfully. Using the principle of "a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down" (inspired by our recent family movie night of Marie Poppins--we know it's your favorite G-ma Lindy!), I make sure one of the required duties is something like, "Go get your ice-cream to eat out of the freezer!" or "Put your shoes on to be ready to play Whiffle Ball." This works a lot better than just cutting in on W's activity and asking him to do things. He gets so focused on his work or play, and I need to make allowance for that. I hope I remember that.Classic Abigail. No one can turn a frown upside-down faster than this girl. I love her resiliency. Last week we went raspberry picking and it got a little warm, but Abigail kept at it. Cheerful. For a 4 year old, she got a nice little bucket full. Enough to split among Warren, Avery and herself and eat all the ride home, and then some. Cheerful little worker bee. And always singing along the way. Today as we picnicked at Aunt Kathy's, Abigail was pouring some lemonade for herself and singing some made-up song about it. I am totally used to this, of course, but Aunt Kathy asked her, "Is that a song that you know or are you just making this up?" I think Avery was feeling the French vibe, too, as she reunited with her favorite French playground toy at Washington Park (I think that was the name.) It was a great park. Actually, I'm beginning to believe that any park in decent weather is a great park. Avery is my independent child. If I say it to her, I must really mean what I say, because Avery will call my bluff every time if I don't. She is becoming so chatty. And she is definitely carving out her own identity. Just this week, she has started requesting everything in blue, "Because blue is my favorite color," or, "because I like blue." I'm inwardly smiling that she doesn't request everything in pink like Abigail anymore. I hope it isn't just a reaction against, but rather a true preference for what she wants.So here I am, a year home from France, and being reminded again that my family is the most important thing. When you have no other priority but being with them, you learn a lot.

Marshmallow Monday

Monday night we had a big fire on the side yard. Yes, we even have a year-round fire permit since Di and Barry live "in the country." The fire was so hot, that the kids hung out in the back of "Reba the Redhead Jeep", who was also blasting country music for us.

Don't you love Avery's shoes? We are always looking for some to wear, these ones ended up on her. Abigail danced for us all--she does that several times a day now. Warren built the fire with the logs.

Earlier that day, and also the next, we went to different parks, just reveling in the ability to play outside in the middle of the day. (With jackets on, even :)

OMSI, July 9

Recently I purchased a membership at the AZ Science Center. It has already paid for itself, since my kids, sis-in-law Kim and I went 2 weeks ago and it got me, all my kids, my cousin and her little friend into OMSI for free here in Portland. (They have over 200 museums/science centers in a network. I really like the AZ Science Center, and it's worth checking out membership if you like field trips.)OMSI was so fun--we didn't even do any special exhibits, just their permanent ones. They have the usual floor filled with fun science principles brought to life, such as this make-your-own paper cup flyer.
But my favorite was the 0-6 Science Playground. It had an indoor sand area, craft room, water play area, native animal learning/play/dress-up area, infant play zone, family bathrooms and (drumroll, please...) a nursing mother's room. I plan to take the kids back again. Afterwards, we walked on the walkway/bike path along the river for a little bit (see the picture above.) I already think Portland is beautiful.

This is how most days end: the bubbliest bubble baths, brought to you by Aunt DiDi. Her mom, my Aunt Kathy, used to do the same great bubble baths for me and my siblings each time we'd visit them in CA, so it was heartwarming to see the tradition repeated. Dianna and Barry, thank you so much!

Small Town 4th of July

Determined to celebrate our first-ever "Outdoors in the Day-time" Independence Day, we headed to downtown Ridgefield (pop. 13,000 or so) to enjoy the festivities. We slept in for the parade, but still found plenty of other classic and inventive slices of Americana.
After a community BBQ, the kids jumped in, climbed on and slid down several inflatable play structures for over an hour. It was bliss for kids who had been in the car for 2 days. After eating snow cones, we headed off for a nearby park, and found this firetruck the kids got to investigate. I think their favorite part was washing their hands in the water that came out the spigot on the side of the truck, and pressing the horn. (The firefighter finally just de-activated it!)
When we got to the park, we stepped right into an ongoing reptile show. It was really entertaining to see so many snakes and to get to hold an alligator. (A small one)
Warren loved having the snakes tail curl around him. Notice Abigail seated safely in the background. She liked to look, but not to touch.
The reptile handler told the kids that this snake smelled like butter popcorn. I actually believed him at first because he listed it off so matter-of-factly with all the other stats.
Next it was on to face-painting. Avery was a kitty--a kitty who laughed every time the brush touched her face, resulting in some pretty disheveled whiskers. Here she is on the prowl. (Sometimes Andy asks Avery if he wants him to hold her like a cat or a girl and you can tell a lot about her mood depending on how she answers. Girl=cranky and insecure. Cat=playful and happy)

Warren loved the park equipment, reminiscent of the zip-lines he liked so much in Paris last year. After the park, we headed off to a fireworks stand and bought some sparklers. We had a family BBQ at my Aunt Kathy's house, but my allergies were too bad to take any pictures, so just imagine lots of good food. My new favorite? Zucchini, sliced and steamed, the sauteed briefly in olive oil, sliced garlic and basil. Sprinkle with seasoning salt to taste. Broccoli is great the same way. And snap peas, sauteed in sesame oil with sesame seeds. Only one other person has ever inspired such a love of vegetables in me, my G-ma Merkley, and she was a gardener too. Someday...

Update

So today we enjoyed another fabulous day of WA weather at a local park. That's what we've done yesterday and today after pumping our systems full of sugar-cereal and bananas. We pack some random odds and ends and head for a park. We play, we eat. We come home for afternoon naps. I read outside on the lawn. Warren and I played cards. I vaccuumed the car while DiDi loved the baby; unfortunately, we've discovered Madeleine is ultra-attached to only me and Andy. That's a little--okay, a BIG--project we will work on. Keep you posted. I make dinner along with DiDi. I wish that I had a helper, or was the helper, in the kitchen each night. We sit around laughing and visiting with my other cousin and her fiancee. The night ends with ice cream. And me. Blogging about nothing special. Just a happy day. On vacation.