6 Years

6 years.  6 short years.  6 very long years.  Sometimes it seems like it all passed in a blink and other times it feels like it has been forever.  Regardless, I can't even remember what my life was like before . . . and I would never want to imagine my life without the last 6 years.

6 years ago, I didn't know those eyelashes that reach to infinity.  6 years ago, I had never heard that high squeal of delight.  I had never felt that hot breath on my neck or smelled that straight from the playground sweaty smell.  I had never had to wrestle through toenail clippings or dress a moving target.  The only loose tooth I ever pulled was my own.  6 years ago I would have never been able to sing the opening song to every Disney cartoon and wouldn't have dared to dance in the living room to those songs.  I had no idea how much TIME or MONEY I had 6 years ago.  I used to be able to leave the house in a matter of minutes with just keys and wallet, until 6 years ago.  Now I have to have a change of clothes, snacks, drinks, wet wipes, and some form of entertainment on hand at all times.  I had never had that huge lump of pride in my throat and chest that I felt the first time he rode his bike with training wheels or swam all on his own without floaties or hit a baseball off a tee.  I have probably cried more tears of happiness and sadness in the last 6 years than I did in my entire 29 years before.  I didn't have to repeat the same things 27 times a day every day 6 years ago.  6 years ago I had never felt such a sense of purpose.  I didn't have anything that brought me so many smiles 6 years ago.

6 years ago I never felt so inadequate. 

6 years ago I never felt so much love.

My heart was only half the size 6 years ago. 

This guy was born 6 years ago and my life has been forever changed.

I love you so much little buddy. 

Who's In Control Here?

Two Weeks in the Life of a 10 Month Old

So we ran into a little issue with Peter's green card, and I'll spare you the long drawn out details by simply saying that Peter is in Augusta. For two weeks. With my family. Without me.

And I am here in Isen, alone with these two little punks plus Kayla. It is the time of year when the farmers are all out spraying cow poop all over the fields. Thick, brown, incredibly foul smelling manure. Clearly I am not bitter at all.

On the bright side, it has given a me clear perspective of how incredible the life of a 10 month old is. In the time that Peter has been gone this is what Lilly has learned:

1. Waving
2. Nearly crawling and definitely shimmying herself across the floor
3. Holding her own bottle
4. Drinking from a sippy cup
5. Eating a whole banana on her own
6. Clapping
7. Trying to pull up

These two weeks have been lonely, but certainly not boring. And since Cooper wakes up every morning between 5 and 5:30 (actually today it was 4:45), I am certainly looking forward to having Peter back home. So, hurry up honey and can you bring me a Zaxby's chicken finger plate? Extra texas toast, no slaw. Thanks!

Cooper's First Bike!

You know that your baby is no longer a baby when it is time for the first big boy bike. Cooper was in love the moment he first laid eyes on his new bike.

When you are looking through the eyes of a little boy, it is amazing how many things there are to remember all at the same time. I find myself continuously yelling out reminders. Things like "watch where you're going!", and "pedal with your feet", and "look where you're going", and "turn", and "look up!", and "brake, brake, BRAKE!!!". That last one still needs a lot of work.

Now chasing after Cooper has taken on a whole new dimension!

Thanks Aunt Tina, Opa, and Oma for this wonderful birthday present!

Here is Cooper's first moments on his new bike. Trying it on for size . . .


It didn't take long at all to go from this . . .


and this . . .

to this . . .

Opa looks proud of his grandson.

And we are proud of our big boy. We love you, Coopi!

Yet Another Birthday Celebration . . .

It seems that turning 4 in our family is such a big deal that one needs not one, not two, but three birthday parties. Cooper is one lucky and loved little boy.

Of course you can't turn 4 without celebrating with Oma, Opa, Aunt Tina, and great Granny. We had a great day together. Here are the pics.

Peek-A-Boo!

This

Could

Go

On

All

Day

Long!

My Superhero

I bought this costume for Cooper's birthday and also for Fasching (Carnival). He's been a little obsessed about it. We have to put on "Siperman" almost every afternoon. There's something about the muscles that makes Cooper a happy boy. And when you look at this happy boy, who could possibly argue with that.

10 month old Girl

This beautiful girl is 10 months old.

I can't quite figure out how 10 months of our lives have flown by so fast. We have our pictures from the last year loaded onto our TV and they shuffle through like one of those digital photo frames. All of those moments that brought smiles, fear, hugs, tears, laughter, and every possible emotion in between. They flash across the screen, and though I can vividly remember every detail of every moment, it still is hard to believe that we went through it all. How did we get from pleading with God to let us hold our baby girl again to here?

Lilly is doing amazing. We started her on baby food a little late because we were a little skeptical of how all that newly repaired plumbing would work. She savored the first bite and has loved every morsel that has passed her lips since. This girl has a relationship with food that her mother knows only too well. Lilly is a meat and potatoes and rice girl, and the chunkier the better. She likes the fruit and sweet stuff too, but she's all about the hearty stuff. I actually have to cut her off at each meal because I don't think she would ever get to the point that she wouldn't want anymore. And girlfriend has some ham hocks to show for it!

She sits and plays with toys most of the day. She has finally in the last couple of weeks learned to go from sitting onto her tummy and now she is starting to shimmy her way around on her tummy a bit. She has two teeth on the bottom and the top two are just starting to pop through. She babbles a lot and makes the most perfect baby noises. Music to our ears. She is very focused on people and constantly watches whoever is in the room. She adores Cooper and Kayla and practically vibrates with excitement when either one of them pay attention to her. And just a couple days ago she learned to wave and clap.

What was once a constantly crying baby who was so hard to keep comfortable has now turned into a blissfully sweet spirit. Always happy, always smiling, and she often serves as a calm respite for me when things get crazy around here.

She is a mommy's girl and although she loves her daddy she is often looking for me when I am not in her sight.

What a difference the last few months have made. All that drama is just a fading memory and we are moving forward with a healthy baby girl. I can't wait until everyone in the US gets the chance to meet our beautiful little miracle. I have no doubt you will be completely charmed by this amazing girl.

Sick Days

We've been hit. The Claus kids have had the stomach virus this week. That is just one of the many perks of Kindergarten.

Lilly was the first to be affected, and then Cooper got the bug. I remember how comforting it used to be to hunker down in my parents big bed when I was sick. But I don't recall having these emergency supplies on hand:


The "Tockie Tockie", as Cooper calls it, is apparently to call for back-up. We certainly needed some later the next day. And the tamborine? I guess it is in case one should feel the need to break out into a little ditty.

I knew that we were in the clear when I found Spiderman in my shower. Take a look at those pecs!

This little lady is feeling much better. Of course, a stomach bug is nothing for her.

Looking forward to a normal, healthy week next week.

The Valentine's Extravaganza

Well, I have really outdone myself. I have done some romantic things in the past for my sweet husband, and let me tell you, I really pulled out all the stops this year.

It took a lot of planning. And creatitivity.

I made tacos.

I know. Pretty romantic, right? Peter is a lucky man. I am thinking of having one of these made for him, because we are going to want to remember this special time.

Nothing says "I Love You" quite like a taco.