Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Switching It Up

I've been playing around with the background of my blog. My Mom informed me that my previous background was too busy and she had a hard time reading it. So I'll try this one. I want something to kind of celebrate spring. Hopefully, Grandma Goodhue can squint through her tri-focals and read it!

No pictures for this Wednesday because my camera lays dormant. We are fighting a wicked bug, and have been since Friday. Tom is seemingly healthy and very helpful. It's hard on a Mom to be sick while all three babies are sick too. Today was gorgeous but all four of us couldn't keep warm and even wore multiple layers out in to the seventy degree weather to catch some sun and hopefully help us feel better.

Granma and Granpa Goodhue are coming to visit on Friday and we hope we are feeling better by then!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Total Slacker

I've been slacking on my blogging. Exhaustion has set in and taken over my life. It doesn't help that Violette and/or Noelle and/or Max keep waking up at night, forfeiting their very tired Mom a full night's rest. When the new baby comes I will be ready for the sleepless nights, that is the upside, at least I keep telling myself!

This past Sunday we took the kids to Blue's Clues Live at the Croswell Opera House in Adrian. Interestingly enough, it is the oldest continuously operating theatre in Michigan and third oldest in the US. The children were very excited and really enjoyed themselves throughout the show. Max became a bit restless, but handled himself well. Violette was even entertained by the characters and music. Popcorn and balloon creations were also used to keep the children occupied before the start and during intermission. All in all in was a great family outing and I'm sure when the next show comes through we will attend.

Wednesday we drove to my Aunt Shawn's house for the day. Noelle and Max will have the privilege of being in my cousin Marie's wedding in June and the kids had to try on their outfits. Noelle was completely in love with her dress and can't stop talking about the responsibility of being a Flower Girl. I was actually in my aunt's wedding when I was just about 2, and we were able to look through the wedding album. Max didn't want to try on his suit, of course, but he will look dashing in it!

After trying on clothing we spent some wonderful time with my Aunt. The kids helped make brownies, a big highlight was they were able to crack their own eggs, something I have never let them do, and played the entire time. Aunt Shawn gave the children some adorable gifts, including a remote control snake. Max was terrified by it when Noelle controlled it, but as soon as he was behind the controls it wasn't as scary. I have never seen Max scared of anything so badly. He would launch himself into the closest adults arms and cling on for dear life. Frankly, we were cracking up!


We all had a wonderful time and by the time we decided to head out the children were exhausted from all the fun. Thanks Aunt Shawn for a great time!

Back on the home front Maximilian is doing wonderful with his potty training. I have been told boys are a bit slower, but not my Max. He jumped right in and has had very very very few accidents and goes even out of the house for hours wearing only underwear with no problems. He was ready for it, and I'm thankful for that many less diapers to change! During the night he is still wearing a diaper, and that will come with time. Overall I am surprised and pleased with the ease, again, of potty training. I am lucking out with my kids and that is completely fine by me!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

She's 1!!!!

Violette Adelle turned 1 today! It was not exactly a happy day. Violette is in mega teething mode and screamed most of the day. This is a rarity, since she is usually such a happy baby. When she wasn't screaming she was biting me or her siblings just to get some relief.

I believe that Max and Noelle were the most excited about today. Max woke up shouting, "It's Vivi's Birthday!". That woke the rest of us before we were ready! Throughout the day the kids would bust into the Birthday Song and it did cause the streaming tears on Violette's chubby cheeks to cease for a few minutes and bring out her adorable smile.

We were able to play outside a good portion of the day. The warm sunshine is welcomed by the kids thoroughly. Violette isn't walking yet, no surprise there, but she is walking behind whatever she can get her hands on, especially when are outside and she wants to avoid crawling on the hard ground. This is something that was unexpected this soon after getting the cast off and we are thrilled about.
During one of Violette's naps Noelle and Max helped me make cupcakes and decorate them. As all babies on their first birthday, Violette loved her cupcake and make a pleasant mess of things!

Poor Violette didn't get wrapped presents this year, but I don't think she minded at all. Yet another first birthday comes to an end. We are utterly head over heals in love with our Vivi and can't wait to see what this next year brings in terms of her growth!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

A Few Words For Wednesday



Yesterday I took Violette in for an x-ray an a visit with her orthopedic doctor. Her x-ray yielded great new bone growth, though the break hasn't completely healed. She no longer has to wear her cast, but the doctor said it would be 2-3 months before she gains complete strength back in her leg. Walking will be awhile off and part of me is sad about it because I don't want her to be behind, but at the same time it gives me a few more months that I get to baby her!

Also we have some exciting news! We are having another baby! I am due in October. It was a bit hairy in the beginning but this past Friday an ultrasound yielded a little kidney bean with a strong heartbeat, a great sign! Max and Noelle are completely thrilled! Noelle throws names out daily that she likes asking, "How about ____? That is a great name for a baby!" She says that little boys can be cute but she wants another little sister. Max wants a brother he can wrestle with!

Granpa Roehrig Visits!

This weekend Granpa Roehrig came and we had a wonderful visit. Granpa loves to get on the floor and is a master of blocks. Building towers and structures keeps everyone busy for hours! Because we now have a great guest room Granpa was able to spend the night and half of Sunday enjoying the children. We all had a wonderful relaxing weekend and forward to the next time we see Granpa!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

We Got A Wii

We finally purchased a Wii and it had been great fun over the past week. Tom wanted a more adult orientated gaming system, but I knew that the Wii would be something we all could enjoy. Noelle loves to play on it and does pretty well. This is her first time ever playing any video game. Tennis and bowling are her favorites and Max cheers her on! Tom and I are both very competitive people, and really dislike to lose to each other. That has made our evenings a lot of fun. Bowling is something Tom can't beat me at and I love holding that over his head. I have to mention that I kicked his butt in boxing as well, but he did win in tennis and baseball. Maybe this won't be good for our marriage!

Swimming continues to be going fantastic for Noelle. When she started lessons only her nose would go under water. Now she frequently jumps under the water and is so proud of herself. Today she went down the big slide, which completely shocked me. Afterward she told me that she was very scared but took a deep breath and went for it. I tried to capture her coming out of the end, but missed. She was sliding so quickly I couldn't believe it!


And I leave you with three butts!

Monday, March 1, 2010

Potty Training Sort Of

Violette is almost a year old, that means I have had almost a year of two children in diapers. Not the most ideal situation for any Mom. Max has been very ready for potty training but citing that he is lazy and just wants to pee in his diaper. This weekend we decided to see what he could do with the use of a little toilet. After much fighting and telling him that it is not okay to pee on his sisters, he actually used the potty most of the day. He was very proud and I'm hoping that encouraging him a little bit every day will result in a fully potty trained child soon enough.

The biggest problem is that he doesn't want to wear underwear or a pullup. It's naked butt, or diaper. I guess a cute little naked butt running around isn't the worst. Although it is very tempting for Violette to, um, explore and chase after Max's different parts and that presents a new challenge all in itself. Children just can't leave each other alone! Violette did discover a new use for Max's discarded underwear - a hat! She has found a new love for trying to put clothes on, usually any clothing item is immediately put on her head, but she's trying!
This weekend we received a wonderful package from Great Grandma. Noelle loved her new clothes and decided that summer needs to get here very quickly so she can wear her new outfits. Trying on clothing is such fun for her and it brings bright smiles to our faces as she hides while putting the outfits on then jumps out posing and strutting her stuff.