Alex has gone out to meet up with friends to celebrate someone’s birthday. I figured I should try to get a post up, even if it doesn’t have many (or any) recent pictures. I was thinking about what a change it is, having children. Having to decide who gets to go out, who will stay home. What events are worth the money for a babysitter, what events aren’t. Thinking about all the extra money we would have if we didn’t have kids. But then I think about reading stories with Liam, or hearing Dor’s belly laugh when I pretend to eat her cheeks or tummy, and I know. I know I wouldn’t trade this for the world. I can complain about money and free time, but in reality, we have it pretty good. We’re not struggling. I still have time for a social life. And Liam and Dor bring me more joy then I ever imagined was possible. Even through my sadness and grief, I am thankful every day for them. And my heart grows every day because of them. Yes, it breaks a little, too, thinking about mom missing all of this. But I know. I know that if she can, she is watching from somewhere. And I know that she would want us to go on and enjoy every moment that we have. And tell good stories about her, of course.
I was thinking about Alex’s recent post about Liam telling stories. It’s so wonderful to talk to him. He is getting into pretend play, and uses most things he finds as either a phone or a camera. He makes his stuffed animals and other toys do things, sometimes just “for pretend”. Like tonight when he wanted to put a little wooden gorilla into his water glass at dinner. When we said no, he said, “no, just for pretend”. Also, he loves to read. There are several books that he has us read night after night, sometimes multiple times throughout the day as well. And he has started to memorize a few, and will read it to us after we read it. It is amazing how he gets it right. The exact right phrase on each page. Sometimes it’s a summary of what is said on the page, but sometimes it is right on, word for word. I especially love when he reads us “I met a dinosaur”. There’s a line that says “it’s just bones, girl”, and another that says “go to sleep, girl”. and it’s hilarious to hear him say it. He’s such a loving boy, too. Loves his sister, or “my baby” as he calls her. Yesterday at daycare, his class was in the playroom that abuts Dor’s class room. One of Dor’s teachers brought her out to say hi, and he apparently went running across the room saying “my baby!” and giving her kisses.
Dor is also growing every day. She had her 6 month appointment a few weeks ago. She’s tiny, only 13 lbs and 14 oz, which puts her in the 9th percentile for weight. But she nurses well and is taking to her solids. We’ve decided to introduce some higher calorie foods more quickly, so bananas, whole milk yogurt, and avocado are all in her repertoire now. She is recovering from a GI bug she picked up, which has made her go from a poop every few days, to about 12 a day! Her poor bum is so sore. But it’s finally getting better and things are slowing down, so that’s good. Still not sleeping through the night. I’m hopeful it will happen soon. She sits up very well now, and coos and babbles, and even gets some “mmm” sounds that I maintain sound like mama. She claps her hands, has waved inconsistently, and also makes kissy noises. She smiles like crazy. and she loves Liam, maybe even more than she loves Alex and I. She lights up when she sees him, and cackles and everything he does. I cringe to think all the things she’s learning from her 2 1/2 year old brother, who is very independent. But they get along very well.
We were in St. Louis last weekend, to visit family. Grandma (my grandma) has had a decline in health recently, and it was important to us to get another visit in if we could. It was nice to see her, and she is still so sharp mentally. It was nice to visit with the aunts and uncles as well, and Liam cannot stop talking about cousin Bridget. oh, and that he saw an elephant pee and poo at the zoo.
We go to Seattle in two weeks, which will be nice and hard at the same time.
A few pictures from our Thanksgiving in Mahwah NJ with Uncle Bill and Aunt Linda:
You know, it’s really amazing that they allow us to have children…
I love this photo
The Lippmann Family (Alex’s cousins, Quinn, Becky, Alexandra, and Chris)
And, Zombie children
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