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The boys were dedicated at church on Sunday. The dedication is a promise on our part to raise the boys’ on a Godly path and a promise on the part of our church family to pray for them and us as they grow. We were blessed to have both sets of grandparents, a great grandma, and Uncle B, Auntie B and a very vocal sing songy Ellie present to support us. (Sorry, no pictures yet of the actual event)
Claire and Conor unimpressed by Kieran’s crying.
a rare family photo.
We chose Jeremiah 29:11-13 to be a passage for the boys.
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Wow, its been a while since there has been a significant picture post. So, enjoy the photos of the kids this month.
little something to eat before swim lessons.
washing the car, somebody really likes her ‘hello kitty’ swim suit.
ahh…sweet sleep…with a ball…why not?
‘I look like my dad.’
I’m sleeping on the floor of the garage because I tired myself out after a temper tantrum.
we’re just two guys, hanging out on the table.
sharing a snack with Pooh.
relaxing after kids yoga.
somebody needs his own mouse ears.
today I’m a carhart boy for my dad and my cousin Travis.
Hello, I’m Ranger Smith!
a boot, perfect for holding a sippy cup to drink from.
going out to help dad mow the lawn.
the rocks needed a good washing.
making birdie soup
Claire’s first day of soccer school.
Though we spent much of January and early February battling a nasty cold, we are gaining our groove as a family of five. Surprisingly to me, the week preceding Kieran’s arrival were more difficult for me than just about any day we’ve had since then. I don’t do well with the waiting game and awaiting his arrival definitely falls into that category.
this picture, completely set up by my children, they love holding the baby, in fact, I have to regulate so Kieran doesn’t end up being pass the potato.
Claire and Conor continue to be enamored and loving towards Kieran. They each have their own ways of coping with their transition. Conor hauls off and whaps Kieran from time to time though it doesn’t seem to be malicious. He is also a trifle more mommyish and loves to share my lap with Kieran. On some occasions all three like to share my lap, giving me good reason not to lose my babyweight (thereby decreasing my lap size). Claire fares a bit better, I’m guessing having been through this song and dance before. She does at times resort to baby talk (e.g. Daddy becomes DA…DA…) and temporary bouts of helplessness.
Before Kieran arrived I had a short list of things I anticipated I would not be able to do with all three in tow simply by logistics. I am pleased to report that we have attempted several things on that list and had a successful outcome, not to mention a good time. We’ve braved Target, Trader Joes, Raleys, the park, playdates, walks around town, and the beginning of the kids’ swim lessons.
the kids playing Marine hospital (Claire’s words, not mine). Dr. Claire and her assistant Nurse Conor.
Our mornings can be a little chaotic. I’ve learned to do multitasking that I never thought I would be doing like nursing the baby and pulling Conor’s foot out of the toilet or nursing the baby and taking Conor off the kitchen table, or nursing and chasing after Conor who has run outside at 7am in his pjs…notice a theme? Things seem to go haywire while I am feeding the baby.
In another development, Claire has turned the corner in potty training. I had stopped posting about our journey because the three of us were discouraged and there was not anything going on. Josh and I had backed off but it still did not seem to be important to Claire. So we allowed the whole thing to be Claire directed, if she wanted to wear a pullup, she wore a pullup, if she wanted to wear undies she wore undies. So it has been for months with no noticeable improvement and all of us sad at the issue it had become. Then one day we decided to drop the option (once again of pull ups except for nap and night. That day Claire asked to wear undies at naptime and we have not looked back since. We have an occasional accident but that is all. Its like the experts say. It will click with them one day and for Claire it did with a lot of prayer and some time.
And so it goes. Each day we get our groove and off we go!
My priceless moment of the day? Sharing an apple with Conor while the other two kids are sleeping. In the midst of a good cuddle and some laughter, he discovers a pair of his sister’s socks. As if no longer able to bear separation from her, he nabs the socks and runs off to her room. When I attempt to stop him he turns, looks at me pleadingly and cries “sis!!!!!” (how I can refuse him?) I nod, he continues on to her room but stops at my door (where the baby is sleeping) and whispers “HI!” before going into his sis.
This summer has included quite a bit of spontaneity, as will be evidenced by this and subsequent posts. This plot, hatched by meme, revolved around a last minute overnight trip (which turned into a two night trip) to Monterey – not that I’m complaining. The two night deal seemed to be sealed when our room included a large walk in closet which shouted “little man’s bedroom!” Claire and Conor got a yummy taste of luxury as we stayed on cannery row in a gorgeous hotel with a deliciously comfortable king size bed that Claire made herself right at home in.
doesn’t that look like a great bed to nap in?
she was even generous at times to allow Conor some time on the bed.
The focus of our visit to Monterey was of course the Aquarium. The kids loved the aquarium and I think we were surprised at how much Conor enjoyed himself (especially if he was allowed to toddle around on his own). Claire seems to be taking a page from her father’s notebook pausing at each tank only long enough to utter the words “let’s see something else.” If Claire were tour guide, bathroom breaks would not be tolerated and the only places one would be able to stay long enough to take a breath would be the touch pools and the children’s section.
Overall, I was impressed with how the kids handled themselves in restaurants, with crowds and in the hotel. Of course we had some toddler moments but really, the kids did well.
Great trip, thanks to Meme who made it possible! Claire still weekly asks to go to the aquarium and this time bring daddy who was holding down the fort at home working.
What distinct personalities these little ones are getting!
Claire at almost three (in three months) continues to be both a ball of energy and a little girl content to page through books on her bed. These days, when we leave the house she wants to know if her friends will be there? Friends is a broad term she applies to both her little playmates “Let’s go get ice cream with Decklyn and Mia) and like today “my friend daddy.” She adores imitating people, especially her brother. She likes to imitate his walk and the funny sounds he makes. Claire has begun to blame things on her brother in a it wasn’t me, it was him type of thing. My strong willed mini me can both delight and aggravate me in a matter of moments. “Mommy? Are you sad? I make you a card to make you happy.” There are days where she is not Claire, she is Shouka the whale or Pongo the Dalmatian and you must refer to her as such in order to receive any sort of response from her. Part of her bed time ritual has expanded to accommodate her desire to “read” books on her own. Her little voice can be heard down the hall as she flips pages by night light telling what she remembers of the story. Claire loves playing with her brother whom she has nick named “buddy boy.”
Conor, 13 month old Conor. He is all boy, or at least that is my assessment. Perhaps he will have a different temperament than his big sis but that does not mean this child is no less busy. Josh and I are finding ourselves baby proofing the house all over again because Conor is into things Claire never was. He knows little fear and will throw himself at you if he thinks you’re close enough. Turning by back on the little man means finding him on top of the toilet, in the cabinet, outside eating dirt, on top of the picnic table or tearing about the magazines. Now that he is mobile, his days are spent exploring from a new perspective. His gait makes him look like he just got off a horse. He seems to be drawn to what I would classify as all things boy: dirt, tools and banging things. Claire is often my Conor alarm if I’ve stepped out of the room like yesterday morning I heard her saying “no buddy boy, put that down!” I came running into the kitchen to find Conor’s face painted bright red, like a clown, his entire face. He had absconded with the red stamp pad Claire had been using. I was torn about getting a picture but when I saw he also had ink on his hands and feet and was quickly making his own masterpiece on the carpet and wall, clean up won out. (I am regretting
that decision today).
The mercury is rising, the sun is shining. Hats? Check. Sunscreen? Check. Summer we are excited you are here. When we moved into this place last summer, Conor was just a wee baby and the back yard was a disaster (pretty much no grass and lots of overgrown shrub-trees). Needless to say, it was difficult to take full advantage of our outdoor space. This year has been a different matter, while the yard is far from perfect, a little TLC has gone a long way. We knew Claire was a water baby but it turns out that Conor shares his sister’s affinity for the water. The kids have enjoyed meme and pop pop’s pool, fountains at the park, our baby pool and the sprinklers.
Claire and Pop Pop painting after a swim.
Danville park fountains, not quite as amazing as the one’s we visited last year in Pleasanton but fun nonetheless.
our funny little man.
Claire’s new favorite pastime, casting for “fish” in the back yard.
Dad caught a big fish in the backyard.
*thank you Auntie B for capturing this day with your camera. Love the pictures as always.
Conor’s train cake courtesy of Meme’s cakes.
Claire, so ready to “eat Thomas.”
One of the biggest hits of the party, the ride on train.
The other hit of the party, the sand box.
Conor LOVED the cake. He just about polished the whole thing off. stay tuned for a video of the experience.
Happy Birthday to our darling boy Conor. Its been a year since we first saw your sweet face. I have learned so much from being your mom. We have enjoyed watching your personality come out as the months go by. To date you are a swift crawler, often food minded, love playing with catch, love whacking things, your sister can make you laugh like no other. You light up when dad comes home from work. You love the outdoors and the water. We look forward to seeing the person you become and are so thankful that we get to be your parents.
