Backlog

Because last week was a blur of activities once we returned from visiting Lola and Lolo, I never got a chance to upload all of the photos and blog about last week's events.

February 18. Ella took her first steps with Julia and Cazin cheering her on. Because of their enthusiastic reaction she tried and tried again. She is surely the baby always reveling in attention. Her Ate and Kuya are happy to oblige her. She is not walking long distances, but we are excited for this new development.

February 19. I decided to take a trip to visit the parents since Mike was busy at a Youth Worker's Retreat in Richmond. Then I found out good friends from St. Louis would be in town so naturally we had to make a pit stop in Richmond for a visit to see the very pregnant Rhoda. We have known Rhoda since she was a college student and it had been great to see her grow as a woman, wife, youth minister and soon a mother. Per daddy's request, we also stopped by the retreat center before heading up to WV. Our trips to WV are always eventful. Because of our long visit in Richmond, we arrived in Martinsburg later than expected. And my lead foot got me in trouble right after I made the last exit. I was pulled over and thankfully I didn't start crying. I profusely apologized to the officer and was only given a warning. Phew! The next day when I looked at the warning slip, I realized that he had written down my vital stats on it. Height, hair color, eye color...it was all correct except for the weight. 137 lbs. That is what he wrote down. 137. I have never been so flattered in my life, I wanted to hunt down the officer and hug him. Let's just say I have always been "big boned" and the last time I weighed 137 was pre pre pre PRE driving age. So I don't know where he got that number, but it sure made me smile the rest of the day.

The parents-to-be: Matej & Rhoda

February 20. During our visit we also hung out with cousins visiting from Connecticut. I don't think I have mentioned this before, but my cousins John and Joy and I had kids around the same time. Girl then boy. They are all born just months of each other. After the initial shyness, the kids were running all over the place fueled by ice cream and popsicles provided by Auntie. John, Nancy and the kids will be moving down to Raleigh, NC very soon.

L-R: Jack, Julia, Katie, Dominic, Alexis & Cazin

February 21. Mike has been pleading with me for months. I have been procrastinating. My mom finally did what I did not have the guts to do. Cut Ella's hair. Her first real haircut. She did it while Lolo and I took Julia to church. And when we returned with lunch I was greeted at the door by my past self. Only fair and blond. (Blondie is my mom's new nickname for Ella). Yes she has the Dorothy Hamill haircut. The same one I wore my entire childhood. My dad exclaimed when he walked through the door, "It's baby Kay!"My work weekend comes way too fast. MFS takes his turn as Mr. Mom and does a good job keeping the kids fairly quiet while I try to catch some zzz's. Yesterday morning Julia climbed into bed and asked, "Mommy, what is your favorite drink?" I blurted out the first thing that came to my mind. "Water."

"Okay!"

About 15 minutes later Julia comes up and informs me that she has already fed Cazin breakfast and that she accidentally spilled some apple juice, but cleaned it all up. Reluctantly I get out of bed and walk downstairs to survey the damage. None. But what was waiting for me was a plate of toasted waffles with syrup and a tall glass of water. All for me. Made by my precious 5 year old. It warmed my heart. Even the bite marks made by Cazin.

We are off to Mass and then I head to work again. Enjoy what is left of the weekend!