9 Months Old

Where has the time gone? Baby Ella is 9 months old and right on track according to Dr. Michel. She earned a perfect score on the development questionnaire and he said that "she'll be ready for W & M next year." Though I know he most likely was making a subtle jab at my alma mater (Go Hokies!), I let it go because if it was good enough for Mr. Jefferson, then it is good enough for me. (Notice the pi sign on her shirt.)

Ella by the numbers:
Weight: 20 lbs 4 oz
Length: 28.5 inches
Hair: very long

I now savor a day off. Painting little nails, blogging, kissing chubby cheeks, taking photos, catching up on TV...the possibilities are endless. While I love work, it has placed a damper on my computer activities. The saying, "It takes a village" is correct as we have had to rely on friends and family to watch the kids while I'm at the hospital. I think Julia views it as many fun play dates, especially after spending time with Neil, her new best friend. Usually she doesn't like me going to work, but today she asked if I could go to work and if Neil could watch them. After nonstop interaction, he has set a high bar for other sitters who walk through our door.
I have a non P.C. Julia story to share. We have a wonderful lady who comes to clean our house every couple of weeks. Her name is Tonia and she is Hispanic. The kids just love her and follow her around the house trying to "help" her. Once I found Julia squeezing Soft Scrub on the window sills and her play vanity. Of course it was all over the carpet and bedspread as well, but the room smelled lemon-fresh! After school yesterday we were on our regular route home. When passing Music Today, I stopped at the crosswalk for this couple. As they were walking in front of us Julia shouted, "Look mommy, it's Tonia!" It was so not Tonia. Even though no one could hear us, I wanted to crouch underneath the steering wheel.

All Souls and All Saints

We have enjoyed a wonderful weekend. Friday Lola and Lolo came to town to watch the munchkins while Mike and I (along with +50 other Catholics from C'ville) headed to Lynchburg for the Matt Maher & Michael W. Smith concert. It was a late night, but fun nonetheless.
On Saturday besides napping, trick or treating and pigging out on candy and takeout we did nothing. And loved it. Only Julia went out this year. Cazin was just beside himself after his nap and didn't want to go out for treats no matter how many times we said the words candy and lollipop. I couldn't even get his costume on. He doesn't really get into these special events. Ate Julia was more than happy to share her loot and daddy neighborhood gossip when they returned.

We are proud of our carving, but I did not have the energy to attempt the princess castle as Jujube had requested. Last year's portrait of Cinderella took long enough. I had to place Cazin's mini pumpkin he decorated front and center. Cazin is not a fan of art class so we don't get much artwork sent home.

Being together the past few days has been a huge blessing. I love hearing my children tell me their stories and funny quips. Cazin is in a "very" stage in his vocab. Verwee hungwee, verwee sweepy, shhhh...verwee quiet, etc. Julia told us today that she didn't want to play the violin, but couldn't decide between a harp or tamborine. Then she logically said the tamborine was easier to hold AND she already had one, so that was that. We ended the weekend with Mass and a Red Robin dinner with friends. Enjoy your week!

Oink

We stood in the rain Saturday morning. Mist, drizzle, and pouring rain. And my big, trusty golf umbrella that is usually in the van cargo area was missing. A long line stretched on the sidewalk out to the road at the Health Department for their free H1N1 Flu Clinic. The process left me wet and grumpy (at one point I wanted to grab the syringe out the nurse's hand and administer the shot myself) but I am very thankful to them for offering this service. In the end my children rode home in their skivvies (me, though tempted, did not want to risk indecent exposure) and are immunized with the H1N1 vaccine...well at least they have half the immunity. Let's hope they have enough supply to administer a 2nd dose. We plan to stay healthy this season!

Bibbity-bobbity-boo

It all started with this magical homemade pumpkin pie that my co-worker made and shared with us last night before our evening shift commenced. I mean the real deal. Real pumpkin that she mashed by hand, all natural ingredients, etc, etc. It was de-lish. I have never tempted such a feat. Until we rolled up at Chiles Peach Orchard and saw pie pumpkins ripe for the taking. I probably will have some buyers remorse once I actually start cutting into them, but for now, Kabel's yummy treat is still in my memory bank. Cazin and Julia each picked a pumpkin for themselves; a mini pumpkin and a 30 pounder, respectively. We can't wait till carving time.

Another beautiful, warm fall day in Crozet

Today Cazin was scheduled to have school portraits taken. Smiling to myself as I dressed him this morning, I was predicting a myriad of results. 1. No picture. 2. Crying, blank stare, or "please b****" picture. 3. "I'm ignoring the camera" picture. As I picked him up, Miss Betty confirmed how well I know my child. He wouldn't even enter the room. Downright refused. They tried every trick in the book with all of their fancy toys and even thought about fetching Julia from her class to coax him, but nothing worked. I'm still laughing. At least I got a shot of him in his outfit. My tactic: a "pah-sicle."

Ignite

Our family is trying to switch gears and get back into a schedule this week. Today before I head to work for the evening, we played hooky from school and the kids and I spent the morning chillin' out. We have had some late evenings and the kids are having a hard time waking up. Let's be honest, today was more for my benefit since I have had some late bedtimes this week. Last night I gave a talk at Ignite.242 about "surrender." I was a nervous wreck and it was a slightly terrifying experience, but I was glad that Mike and the Ignite team supported me and challenged me to do it. Speaking is not my forte, but writing the talk really helped me to reflect on 1.) surrending to Christ and doing it well with joy and 2.) my vocation as a wife. It was great to spend an evening in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. AND it was a great morning lovin' on my babies.

Hawaii

I think Hawaii was one of our best vacations. Right up there with Italy. Incredibly beautiful, warm, inviting and domestic! We stayed in Ka'anapali which is located in northwest Maui and would love to return in the near future. Special highlights: canonization of Saint Damien while we were there, Mass on the volcano, first class on the Delta Airbus 330, delicious food, presidential suite, lots of laughter, lots of rest and did I mention lots of delicious food?

First drink of the the trip. The flight attendant brought them even before we sat down.

How dessert is done in first classWe had first class all to ourselves on Hawaiian Airlines, so the flight attendant let Dan test out the life jacket.
We were very lucky that the presidential suite was not booked and that we had more than enough time share points to use toward it.View of L'anai island from our balcony

One of the many pieces of artwork of St. Damien. He was a priest in Hawaii that dedicated his life to serving people afflicted with Hansen's disease, or leprosy when no one else would.Haleakala Volcano & National Park and Mass on the volcanoAfter our hike we visited the lovely town of Paia to shop for some pearls and shaved ice. Many artists live in Paia and I wished I was a lottery winner to buy the artwork displayed in the shops.
The landscape was filled with gorgeous color. We found a row of lei stands on our last day.Pearl Harbor. I am so grateful for the service of the men and women who have fought and continue to fight for our freedom and safety. Being there made me think of my buds from the VTCC who have been called to duty in the middle east especially Ang Riedel (now Jacobson) who is in Iraq currently. Thank you and God bless you!

For more photos, go to our Picasa site. I took both cameras so I warn you, when I have the big SLR in my hands I get a little trigger happy. Our little trio (me, MFS & Fr. Dan) are already planning a trip for next year...we are thinking Greece.

Special thanks to Lola and Lolo for watching the kids for the week. As well as their helpers: Ninang, Auntie Nida & Mama Mer.

That's all, folks

I have no news (and no photos) to blog because I have been working so much. Isn't that sad?! I miss my kids and trying my best to learn as fast as I can so that I can come off nursing orientation and get to my part-time schedule. This week has been as crazy as the others. (3 more days till a flight attendant hands me a drink with umbrella.) The kids are hanging in there as Mike and Kristin continue to shuffle them back and forth to school while I am at the hospital.

Julia: Kind of in a funk. That is the best way to describe it, I guess. A little girl version of PMS. Alternates between being sweet and repentant to crazy and hard of hearing.

Cazin: I'm wondering if he found an old YouTube SNL clip of the Patrick Swayze and Chris Farley Chippendale dance off. The stripping continues. Today he came to me with the neck of his T-shirt around his waist and his jeans hanging off of his tush. No diaper.

Ella: Crawling and wiggling all over. The other day she almost pulled herself to a standing position in the crib. And she can almost go from crawling to a sitting position. And has 7 teeth now. Chomp. Chomp.

I'm so tired I can't think of how to conclude this entry, only how to make it to bed to face my 12 hour shift tomorrow. Good night!