Snow babies

This has been a very snowy winter! I have especially enjoyed it because I have the excuse of feeding Makenzie and can send the three boys outside to play and sled. I'm trying to ignore the fact that my children are slowing becoming Scottish/British. They no longer sled, but sledge. Just one of the many words that are spoken in the other English. (Xavier told our neighbor he speaks three languages, French and two Englishes.)

Anyways, here are some of the pictures Ulysses has taken. We have the perfect sledding hill right behind our apartment. I think next year the boys will be old enough to send out alone and I'll just watch from the window.

Last weekend, we watched some friend's kids as well. Ulysses had four kids out in the snow for 2 hours. This is Ezekiel trying out the new kind of sledge.

It finally warmed up enough to get some wet snow. All of the kids around had a blast making snowmen. It was really nice to look out the window to a whole neighborhood of snowmen. Unfortunately, someone decided to knock them all down. I hate big kids.

Xavier rolled a snowman all by himself!

Good snowman snow means good snowball snow too! Watch out Daddy!

Even Makenzie got to be a snow bunny

One Month Baby!

One month in and we're all still standing. Of course, it's only been a week since we've actually been outnumbered and most of that we were sick. The boys are back in school and Makenzie and I are trying to figure out what our new normal and schedule will be.

Yesterday, Makenzie had her one month check up. Again, I'm very thankful she's my third and Ulysses and I have both had lots of experience with kids. The language barrier is very frustrating. The family practitioner that we see in town speaks English pretty well, but it's hard to ask questions when you have to come up with two or three different words for everything until both sides are understood.

Makenzie and Dr. Mena

Vital stats: 4.09kg; 52cm length; 38cm head; a slight murmur was heard, but nothing to be concerned about; did not like getting undressed and messed with, but she's perfect!

At home, Xavier and Ezekiel are obsessed with Makenzie. My mom told me my sister didn't walk until very late because my brother was always there to get her anything she might have wanted. I'm afraid Makenzie's never going to move because she has two big brothers that bring her a paci, blanket, toys, and dance around for her enjoyment every time she opens her eyes. Makenzie has been having long crying sessions in the evening and the doctor's theory yesterday was that it was just too quiet after her brothers went to bed.

The boys reading to Makenzie while she has some tummy time during their lunch break

At our church, Xavier goes straight to Sunday School, but Ezekiel stays with us for worship and then goes to class. This week, he was doting on Makenzie and I thought it was cute.

For the boys, I was able to go to WalMart every month and get professional pictures for less than $10. Here, I can't even get a student to take their pictures for less than $50. So, sorry Grandmas and Grandpas, there will not be professional pictures of Makenzie every month to chart her growth. But, a friend of mine took pictures of her daughter with a certain stuffed animal every month to chart her growth for family far away. I bought a Minnie Mouse that I took her picture with at birth and will do my best to take her picture with every month.

I can't believe how fast she's growing. I'm already packing away clothes!

What a Month!

I promise to update and post pictures soon, but I wanted to give my excuses first.

Date Highlights:
3rd - Makenzie born
7th - we came home from hospital
11th - my parents came
12th - Xavier's birthday party
13th - church Christmas pageant
14th - Xavier's birthday
17th - school Christmas program
24th/25th - Christmas
29th - my parents leave
29th - stomach bug hits Ezekiel
30th - stomach bug hits Ulysses
31st - stomach bug hits Xavier and me

For some reason, the last month is a total blur. I'm forgiving myself for not getting pictures or updates posted, hopefully you will too. Thankfully my mom, aka "Flash", was here so there are pictures of Makenzie's first month of life. I will try to do better in 2010!