Thankful 2013

This thanksgiving was the first time it really hit us in a big way that Bob's mom was gone. It was our first real holiday without Grandma Betty and we just couldn't get her out of our heads all day. There were some tears and some laughs remembering her and the kids gave Bob lots of special attention once they realized how difficult the day was for him. It was bittersweet to be all together and having fun together all while constantly acknowledging Betty's absence all day long.

The kids were so excited to wake up on Thanksgiving morning. We had a fun day planned and they had been looking forward to it for weeks.

Molly Girl woke up looking gorgeous and even put a big pink bow in her hair. I don't think we are long for the bows and girlie stuff with Molly so I had to get a picture.

Lila, Brendan and untie Meg and Uncle Tim showed up in the morning for our traditional turkey frying and donut breakfast. It is our way of getting to spend some time together on Thanksgiving. Lila and Brendan looked adorable when they showed up but they both got undressed before they ate their jelly donuts! They also love to eat at our kitchen counter - they never want to sit at the table with us!

Annie and Auntie Meg both had riding boots on and they looked adorable!

Bob and Tommy remembering their Mom and celebrating their last holiday together for a while - Tommy is moving to Las Vegas in a week and we probably won't see him for a while.

Papa and Bob matched their shirts totally by accident. They look like twins don't they?

Papa and Ellie

Papa and Annie

Annie is always ready for a picture with two of her favorite guys!

Papa and Molly girl are really excited to see each other!

I love this picture - Molly is such a Papa's girl!

Grammy getting down low to get a big Thanksgiving hug from Lizzie.

Our beautiful Thanksgiving table filled with the people we love and the best food ever!

Aunt Renee and Peter posing for a picture together. I think Peter is starting to look more and more like Renee.

The Littles loved the Turkey cookies that Papa got for them.

Annie chopped off her Turkey head!

Annie hanging with her best guys!

Auntie Carol and Ellie. Ellie always wants to go home with Auntie Carol!

Auntie Ann and Miss Pat enjoying some dessert and some fun.

Uncle Colin and Miss Sue hanging out and having some dessert.

Peter with two of his favorite uncles.

Auntie Eileen and Auntie Renee. We go to see all of our favorite people on Thanksgiving. It was a beautiful and perfect day.

Peter and Ellie having a sweet moment together.

Uncle Colin and his godbaby! She adores him but it always makes her remember how much she misses her Godmama!

Love this picture - just a candid of everyone hanging out together and being thankful for all we have.

My mom loves her Uncle B hugs - we all do! There is something about how long and warm Uncle B's hugs are that make them my favorites! Obviously - Grammy feels the same way!

Grammy gave Lizzie and Ellie a birthday present - very noisy guitars! They all loved them.

Auntie Eileen getting some extra hugs!

The girls begging Uncle Colin for Ring Around the Rosy one more time.

He is really good at it!

The Harding Family had gone to the Macy's parade at 6 in the morning, then had Thanksgiving at Auntie Vicky's house and then stopped over to see us at Grammy's. They were exhausted but we were all thrilled to see them.

Katie and Auntie Karla taking a little rest.

Grammy and Molly girl spending some time together.

Awe - uncle Pat and Auntie Eileen loving on each other. These two were inseparable when they were young!

The littles could not get any closer to Auntie Karla and Katie. they were o excited to have Katie there that they would not back away at all.

All in all a great day - lots of family, friends, food and fun. I could not ask for anything more than to be with the people we love and enjoy being together. Thank you to Grammy for a beautiful meal and for bringing together all of the people we love on one day! We are so blessed!

GNM - ILY!

 



Lizzie Mack 2013

Wow - I can't believe that we are already in November and one of my babies is 5 already! It truly seems like yesterday that I was spending my last few moments rubbing my belly and dreaming of my baby girl. My pregnancy with Lizzie was amazing. Despite some complications due to my Lupus I had incredibly easy pregnancies (save for the ridiculous number of times I had to go to the doctor on their orders). Lizzie was particularly fun because she was so active. I don't know if it was her size (she was huge) or just her activity level in general but lizzie made her presence known at all times. We kind of expected her to come out dancing from the way she constantly moved and we certainly weren't counting on a whole lot of sleep once she got here. When she did get here we were amazed at her low key personality and happy baby personality. She nursed well, slept well, and just generally made life in our house a little bit more joyful! A few weeks later when Ellie came home and Lizzie gained herself a twin we realized that she was the perfect baby to adapt to such a huge change. We tucked Ellie into the bassinet with Lizzie and she immediately reached for her sister (poked her eye) and then settled in for a lifetime of sharing and sisterly love!

 

This blog is about our life - a journal for my kids to see how we lived each day (or week or month depending on how often I blog) and life isn't perfect. I always try to temper my honesty with a bit of protection for the kids but I also don't want them to believe that any of the hard stuff is something to be ashamed of or to hide. This birthday was tough because Peter is spending some time in the hospital to try to work on some of his own issues and to come off of some of his medications in a safe and controlled environment. As any mother knows it is just not right when one of your children is not under your roof each night before bed. I know that Peter needs to be where he is but I miss him and I want to be the one caring for him everyday. That being said, if it is hard on me not having Peter home it is even harder on the girls who just don't understand a life without Peter in it every day. The hospital where Peter is only allows visitors over 12 so the girls have not been able to see him and probably won't for a few weeks. This was hard for both Peter and Lizzie who are used to big sibling celebrations for their birthdays. Lizzie woke up and didn't want to open her presents because Peter was not there. She was sad that she would likely not get to see Peter on her birthday and it just didn't make sense to either of them. Birthdays are big in our house and birthdays are for the whole family! The hospital did make an exception for us and allow us to bring the girls in to see Peter and have cake for Lizzie's birthday during visiting hours and it was wonderful. The joy I felt watching my five beautiful children together and loving being together was enough to get me through whatever the next few weeks might bring! NO matter how hard things get we are so blessed to have our beautiful family!

Lizzie getting her first birthday hug from Annie.

Bob could not have been happier that Lizzie wanted to sit with him to open her presents. This was a jewelry box filled with special treasures from Annie.

Lizzie is the consummate Mama Bear so she desperately wanted a baby that looked real. She was thrilled with her Bitty Baby and all of the clothes, accessories and carriage and car seat that came with it!

She ever got a diaper bag!

The thing I love most about Lizzie is that she was just as happy with the winter hat I found for her at the Dollar Store! She wore it all day and night and then to bed!

Annie was so excited for Lizzie that she got a scooter. It was pink with tassels on the handlebars and we have since learned from Lizzie that it is the fastest and coolest scooter ever! 

Lizzie's breakfast of choice for the morning was Strawberries and Whipped Cream! Her sisters were very happy with her choice and so was her Mommy! We went through three packages of strawberries and didn't even notice how out of season they were because there was so much whipped cream on them.

My sweet birthday girl! I love that face so much!

This was Annie trying hard to keep her eyes open because she was very tired!

Ellie Bean is very confused about how she and lizzie can be twins but not celebrate their birthdays together! It is sort of weird since they usually get a lot of the same gifts and matching clothes but we still feel like each of them should get their own individual day and share their big family party - at least for now!

Peter was thrilled to see his sisters but not so thrilled with Mommy taking a million pictures. I thought the girls might be apprehensive about seeing Peter or going to the hospital but they acted like we were meeting him at a friend's house. They were as natural (and bratty) as they are at home. Peter loved seeing his sisters and we had a really nice visit. The nurses tried to make it as comfortable and fun for all of us as possible.

My five gorgeous kids - how did I get this lucky?

 

Peter even had a present waiting for Lizzie at the hospital and she could not have been more surprised or happy about it! He got her the Sophia the 1st dolls and she instantly took them out and started playing. Pete loved being able to give her a present. His only regret was that Papa did not come so he could wish him a Happy Veteran's Day but we passed on his hugs and kisses!

Cupcake time!

Lizzie loved her green froggy cupcakes - especially when we let her have an extra one!

My firstborn baby looking a lot like a grown up to me! But the ten minute goodbyes and constant need for hugs always remind me that he is still just a little boy. I could not be prouder of how brave he is and how hard he is working at things that come easily to other people.

This morning there was some snow on the ground for the first time so Lizzie took her new scooter out for a spin! She was unbelievably fast and laughing the entire time!

Miss Annie loves when it snows - she and Lizzie could spend hours outside no matter what the weather or no matter how cold they get! It's one of my favorite things about them!

Ellie Bean prefers to stay up on the porch with her Mama in the safety of the warm front door. She and I are very much alike - we like to look at the snow and enjoy a minute of dappling in a snowfall but we like our spot by the fireplace curled under a blanket!

Annie cleaning out the birdbath - she always finds a project and it is usually a messy one!

My girl can not get enough of being outside - even when the bus was a half hour late she refused to come in and warm up.

 

All in all Lizzie had a wonderful birthday. Auntie Beth sang to her at the crack of dawn, Katie, Grammy and Papa, KK, Auntie Karla, Auntie Meg and lots of others called, sang to her or stopped by to see her and she got to spend some time with her big brother. Life is good!

Happy Birthday, Elizabeth Mack Harding - Wheeler - we are so happy that you were born - our sweet Veteran's Day baby!

GNM - ILY!