Happenings!

To be concise (not normally a strength of mine...no comments needed):

Last 2 weeks = 2 birthdays, 2 parties, 2 more snow days, 2 Doctor's appointments, 2 fish purchased, 4 dental appointments, 24 Valentine's signed, 1 1st grade Valentine's Party, 1 batch of cookies, 1 trip to Urgent Care, 9 stitches, 0 trips ever wanted to take again to Urgent Care, 1 crib set up, 1 bassinet cleaned and readied, 1 changing table received, 2 newborn outfits purchased, 1 Valentine's date, etc., etc....just the normal, ya know?!

To be less-than-concise (my normal way of communicating):

*Robyn is 5! Had a fun party for her with 4 other families and their children. She loved it all - the thought of it, the preparations, the party itself, the presents, the afterglow. And wouldn't you know - the strawberry cake with pink frosting she insisted we have and labored over together - when it came time for cake she wanted "only vanilla ice cream, please." Never ate ONE bite of her cake that day or the next! Silly girl. :) She is a sweetheart. She chose the families to come and enjoyed new Polly Pockets, CDs, and Littlest Pet Shop items.

*Seth is 3! We had the whole Richards' crew and Grandma and Grandpa Vanderwest over last Saturday for a combined party for Seth and Robyn. Seth wanted "rainbow cake" (i.e. Funfetti) and he's all about parties! It was fun to celebrate with family. I particularly enjoyed hosting 20+ people in our new home with little stress/concern about where to seat people, how the house would hold everyone, etc. We love our new home literally every day.

*Purchased an aquarium for Seth. Thought we'd take him to pick out a fish on his birthday.

*BUT, he ended up picking out two fish the day before his birthday as a reward for suffering through the Urgent Care center. I was finishing playing the piano in the first service on Sunday morning, and while Pastor Josh was praying, Ken walked up to me and bent down. I thought, "How sweet! He wants to say good morning and give me a kiss, since we don't see each other on Sunday mornings." Nice thought, but not accurate . . . instead, he whispered, "Seth slipped in his class and his teacher thinks he may need stitches." OH. So, I soothed our whimpering boy and below his chin there was quite a split, and off to Urgent Care we went. The roads were bad, and it was bitterly cold, so I thought, "There certainly can't be that many people out in this weather-I'm sure it won't be too busy." Second time wrong that morning...the parking lot was filled and I had to create my own spot. Well, the majority of the time was quite pleasant and Seth was chipper while we waited and once the ordeal was over. Chipper is not the word that would describe the actual process of getting stitches...I'm not sure I can think of a word to encapsulate the amount of screaming, thrashing, and sadness he experienced. Let's just say, when I was holding him afterwards I thought, "He doesn't have freckles...why are there red freckles/blotches all over his face?" I believe the answer is he broke blood vessels or something else that caused them. A day later, they went away. Well, after that ordeal, what could one do but get some lunch at Arby's, including splitting a shake together, and stop at the Pet Store for an early birthday present (the fish)? Stitches are now out and really didn't bother him much. He wanted the bandaid off right away and I gently explained that removing the bandaid/picking at his "owie" would make us have to go back and "lay on the table where the doctor worked on your owie." His very serious response? "Mommy, I NO TOUCH my owie." Good idea. I guarantee Ken would have been given that responsibility. Our sweet sitter Kristy cut the stitches out for me on Friday and all looks well.

*On a happier note, Nathan carefully signed all his Valentine's and attached a Hershey's Kiss to each one. His party included Valentine musical chairs, ice cream sundaes, and reading Valentine's from classmates. First graders are cute and it's sweet how both genders are friends. I always admire how calm and loving his teacher, Mrs. Vanderlaan, is.

*Robyn also signed Princess Valentine's for her friends and family members. She thought it would be nice to use the extra Hershey's kisses in cookies, and I agreed! (let's just say this pregnancy has given me cravings for sweets from beginning to end!)

*All rooms were unpacked but the Baby's Room, and early this week I told Ken I was experiencing minor stress - we have to get organized!!! So, at 9:30 that night, my dear husband worked to clean and get the crib all together. He is so supportive with pregnancy discomfort and my obsessive-compulsive tendencies! Since then I cleaned the bassinet, Amy brought a changing table over, and a few more hours in there and the room will be ready. All looked good at my appointments and I was told, "If your water breaks, go in."

*We enjoyed being "the two of us" again on a Valentine's date on Friday night. A tasty meal and then errands (including purchasing a boy and girl newborn sleeper, one of which to be returned), topped off with ColdStone Creamery...mmmm....it's a good thing there's not one of those in KC or Sparta! Thanks Fishers for watching the gang...we had Katelyn and Emma over tonight so Fishers could enjoy being a couple.

Did I mention I'm not concise by nature? Hope this wasn't too long. We'll be in touch.