Back Tracking....

I had high expectations of writing a lengthy, detailed post about the past weekend (Feb. 18, 19, 20) that included a date night, hands on museum, Just Dance 2, and a lot of great memories. Instead, we were hit with a horrendous ice storm that knocked out power for us and about 100,000 other residents in the outlying areas and has left me just tired.

So, instead, I'm going to just very brief summaries and many pictures:

The Hands On Museum in Ann Arbor rocks. It is huge, and filled with SO many things. We all loved our time there and plan on making many trips back.









We purchased Just Dance 2 for our Wii and the kids LOVE it. We can't help but smile as they bust out their dance moves, it's freakin' adorable!

Our handsome little guy turned 4 months this past weekend too. He's wonderful, and happy, and smiley, and chubby, and just plain awesome! Coordination is exploding and his grabbing skills are expanding, as is his strength. We love him and his extremely soft bald head!
Then the ice storm hit. It was a big one, coating the surrounding area with inches of ice. Yes, it was beautiful, but also dangerous and unforgiving. Power was out ALL around us. It was a long night Sunday, because the children were very used to their night lights and the hum of fans. We did our best to keep the house with warmth and as much light as we could, but it was very long and sleep was minimal.

Monday came and we were still without power. The generosity of friends took us in. They too were without power, but had a fireplace, wood stove, and generator. They also lovingly offered up an extra generator and Tom took it home. Max stayed with Tom that night and I stayed at their house with the girls and Zane.

Uprooting the kids, and the unknown of the situation took it's toll. Monday night, although warm and comfortable, the girls were throwing up. Not a lot and with lack of fevers, I made the assumption it was the situation and not an illness that was affecting them. Needless to say, it was another long night and I didn't sleep well at all.

I called Tom early Tuesday morning, hoping and praying our power had returned. It had not. In case the girls were sick I didn't want to infect our friends any more so I had Tom pick us up. We returned home to a chilly house (but not as bad as it could have been due to the generator) packed up a suitcase and I headed to my Aunt's house in Ann Arbor with all the children.

I was exhausted, dirty, and spent. It was wonderful to just sit back, after a long hot shower, and play with the kids. Our power did return that evening and after a wonderful dinner and some quality time with my Aunt, we returned to our house that was with electricity.

Because we had fabulous electricity back on and our friends did not I invited them to spend the day with us on Wednesday. I was able to wash all the soiled bedding by my children and hang out with the 7 children (all 6 and under) entertained and played well together. It was a nice being able to host our new friends and return the favor.
Today was a day of rest, cleaning, and getting back in things. School was cancelled for Noelle today, but we hung out at home. We are all still a bit tired and working on getting back to normal. It has been adventurous week and we are looking forward to relaxing this weekend!

Wordless Wednesday

Fighting February

The February blahs have set in. No motivation, at each other's throats, and just plain blah. We have also been sick, as most households have been. Nothing serious. Some pink eye, fevers, coughs, congestion, and lots and lots of thick green mucus (tmi, but sorry that is the way it is). We seem to be on the mend as the green mucus has turned more clear and running a bit less. Yes, I just made another reference to mucus as measure of the level of sick. Again, that is the way it is with children, sickness is measured in snot.

A few weeks back we made a day trip in to Sturgis. We had fun and ate great spaghetti (Grandpa Roehrig's spaghetti is my favorite!) while catching up with the family. The children really love visiting Grandpa Roehrig's house and it makes me so happy that the kids love each side of the family equally for different reasons. It makes me giddy, for family is very important!

A big snow storm hit and we played out when the Motrin was in the system and fevers were down. Snow tunnels were dug and many smiles enjoyed. Zane was even able to venture out during one of the warmer days. Few things beat the fun children have in fresh snow!

A big even happened in Noelle's life. She lost her first tooth! Totally MAJOR!!! We noticed that her adult tooth suddenly came through and then her front tooth became very loose. She wiggled it with her tongue and refused to eat anything but soup, pudding, and very soft food. Finally it was hanging by a thread and she asked me to pull it out. Shocked, because she had been very hesitant to show us the progress of the tooth, I quickly took the opportunity. With a quick and gentle tug (it was that loose, I barely had to pull) the tooth was out. The bleeding that pursued was unsettling and she bit down on a wet paper towel and wouldn't open her mouth for hours. Once the bleeding stopped she was excited and thrilled!

Zane continues to grow very big. He is taking a few steps backward with sleeping, due to illness, but I'm not complaining as I cherish a few more times that I get to spend alone with him. He is very happy, smiling ALL the time. We just love him and I can't help but take pictures!

Violette continues to get closer to two (March 17th). The tantrums are becoming daily as words are flowing from her plump lips. She's a cutie, she's a trouble maker, and she's lovable beyond words.

Well that's all for now. I want to write more, but my bed is calling. I'm tired and I'm worn out. It's the February blahs and I'm trying to fight them but the lack of motivation is taking over. Maybe the next few weeks will be better!

An Update Will Happen...

I need to upload and update, but not tonight. Tomorrow it shall be done. We have been fighting the typical February cold. Passing it back and forth and back again, leaving me tired and unmotivated.

If I post this, I will be more motivated to update.

Happy Love Day!

Behind The Camera

I am always behind the camera. I am not, by any means, a photographer, but I love capturing what I can. I want these days to be saved forever, to be looked back upon and cherished. There are very few shots of me with the children, sadly. This situation needed to be rectified. Today, along with the dance party I took pictures of me with the kids. They are not professional, but I'm in them. That is enough for me.

Just Dance

A load of laundry was in need of folding, dishes to be put away, and general pick up tended to, but we danced! The girls dawned dresses and Max put on some cat ears and the music was cranked. The children twirled, hugged, danced with the cat and hula hoop, flew on my feet, and had a grand ol' time. It was a highlight of my day and theirs. The chores waited and we danced.

Cheers To 3 Months!

I was just holding my three month old baby (Gasp! Just writing that is heart wrenching) and soaking in all of his wonderfulness. It seems like just the other day he was held up to me over the curtain in the operating room. The growth of infants is amazing and striking. In three short months he has drastically changed.

Large, rotund, plump, all very good descriptions of Zane. His face is sporting very large, kissable cheeks, which are a routine trait around this house. His body has filled out in all the right spots giving way to mountains of rolls and dimpled joints. Writs, elbows, ankles are thick and lovely.
Calm, and easy going is our Zane. Sleeping through the night and taking the days in stride seem to be his way. At times he gets a bit fussy when I can't pick him up right away, but just a few little cries and that's about it. His entertainment are his siblings. Giggles and smiles light up his face when they are around. He is a content and happy baby.

With size and age comes strength and he is getting very strong. He loves to stand, locking his chubby legs whenever possible The clenched fists are loosening as he tries to reach for things. Coordination has not yet set in, but concentration can be seen on his face as he strives to reach for toys or our faces. We busted out the trusty exersaucer today, cleaned it, and set our fresh 3 month old in the seat. His legs began kicking and smiles started right up. He loved it. I loved that he was content for a long period of time.

I adore him, we all do. Noelle has again stepped up her sisterly roll and holds Zane like it's second nature. Violette enjoys kissing him and being near at all times, especially during diaper changes as she holds his hand and makes him smile. She loves to sit with me as I nurse him, stroking his soft head. Head, not hair, because well, Zane is still lacking in that category, still. Whatever hair that has grown is light as can be and doesn't help his bald appearance. I will always remember my first thought upon seeing him, "where is his hair?" as he had none and so little compared to the other three.

Max holds on to the anticipation of Zane getting bigger. He enthusiastically tells us stories of them playing ball together and racing their cars. It will be a complete joy seeing the boys grow closer with age.

Part of me is looking ahead to the next few months with great anticipation and joy, rolling, sitting, and crawling. The bigger part of me, doesn't want Zane to grow. I want to hold near to me his young age and drink it all in. He's my last child. He is my last baby to cherish.

I can't keep him little forever, so cheers to Zane Michael and his three months of age. May he continue to grow and flourish as he has done so far!


And because, well, four is better than, one, two, or three in our house, I end this post with this picture: