I cry the day I take the crib down

Sept. 28, 2010

I took Miss Marvel's crib apart today.  I couldn't help but wonder if it would be the last time I used that crib.


When I was pregnant with Miss Marvel, I was fairly sure she wouldn't be our last child.  Superman and I were both pretty set on having four kids.  Each child would have a playmate, and four's just a nice, round number.

But then things with health insurance changed.

It would now cost $7,000 for me to have another child. That's the deductible for the maternity plans available to us.

I've started to consider taking a page from C. Jane's home birthing book.  It's definitely cheaper than the hospital...........


Anyway.

I had to take the crib down because Miss Marvel has figured out how to crawl out of it.  She's been getting close for a month or so, crawling up the side and turning her light on and off.  But last night she crawled out.  Twice.  And the mattress was already on the lowest setting.

So we pulled the mattress out of the crib and let her cry it out beside the door last night.

She's my first child to actually crawl out of the crib.  Spiderman was forcibly removed from his crib by the arrival of the Hulk. He was about Miss Marvel's age, but hadn't yet honed his skills as an escape artist.  And the Hulk was perfectly content to stay in the crib until he was 3 and we decided it was time for him to move up.

Over lunch today, Superman and I put up the spare twin bed we had, then I took the crib apart.

And I tried really hard not to cry.

Jan. 17, 2012

This is easier than getting up and retrieving my journal.

And I like easy. I just do this from my phone at night.  Helps me digest the day and clear my head for sleepy-time.

Today the boys didn't want to go to church. Superman and I had to a nice long talk with them about why we go to church. It included things like: it's where we learn about Jesus, it's where God wants us to be, and leaving them home alone for 3 hours would get DCFS called on us.

They went to church. They had fun.

Afterwards, The Hulk wanted to do a temple puzzle.  He said, "I have an idea.  For Sunday Fun, we can always do a temple puzzle, then have Ice Cream Sundays!  I would love that so much that I wish EVERY day was Sunday!" Kind of a 180 from that morning.

Then Spiderman asked me to find Just Dance videos on Youtube for him to "exercise" to. He and the Hulk and even Lil Miss danced to five or six songs. (I need to video that.)

Each of the boys read for 25 minutes tonight.  I missed most of the Golden Globes putting the kids to bed and am still reminding myself that I made the "good, better, BEST" choice.  (Though perhaps the best choice would have been to record it.)

I'm reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe for book club this week. I have never actually read the whole thing and am looking forward to finishing and discussing it with intelligent women.

Highlights

Today:

Spiderman got 100% on his first spelling test.

The Hulk told me how Batman and Luke Skywalker play catch.  Batman throws a Batarang and Luke catches it with the Force.

Miss Marvel sang part of the alphabet song and told a knock-knock joke.  (I've got to get a video of these.)

Superman and I hung out with adults and laughed.


It was a good day.

Spiderman's prayer

"Dear Heavenly Father,
Were thankful for today. We're thankful for our family. And our friends. And our renters. Please bless this food to make our bodies strong and healthy and smart. Heavenly Father, not everyone believes in you. But I believe in you. In Jesus' name, amen."

Twas the week before Christmas

And I decided to write a Christmas letter.
I know. Weird.

'Twas two months before Christmas and all through the house,

Every creature was stirring, one almost small as a mouse.

The Legos transformed into ships from Star Wars,

And babies in strollers were pushed over floors.

The children were running all over the place,

With bits of chocolate or Go-gurt on each little face.

And Mom at the piano bench and Dad in his khaki,

Were quoting Princess Bride and acting quite wacky.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

We sprang to the door to see what was the matter.

Little Eric had fallen and broken his leg,

He was prescribed  a cast, bones fragile as an egg.

2 months before he had broken his arm.

Each time, our trampoline the cause of the harm.

The culprit is gone now, sold for a nice bit of cash,

And hopefully no one else will end up in a cast.

While grandparents visited over the summer,

Mom and Dad went to Vegas, eyes filled with wonder.

The Lion King, Venetian, and Phantom were highlights,

Our quick three-day trip outshone even Twilight.

We returned to find Aubrey cute as a button,

She smiled and we melted right down to nothin'.

She loves babies and shoes and Elmo and dolls,

But as her first word indicates, she loves Daddy best of all.

Eric began kindergarten, finally able to ride the bus.

He's doing well -- most days he gets there without too much fuss.

He's reading and writing and counting each day,

Though all he'd do is play computer games if he could have his way.

He still enjoys Legos and building castles with blocks,

Helping with dinner, and cutting up every box.

Isaac entered a Chinese immersion program this year.

After struggling initially, he now knows there's nothing to fear.

Numbers, colors, and family members are just some of what he knows,

Not to mention writing characters and singing Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.

Like his brother, Isaac loves computer games and Legos,

Though he has also added a love for the piano.

Halloween, as always, was filled with parties and fun.

Our decor, among other things, made this the best one.

We Hosted a Murder with some really fun friends.

Alyssa tried to kill Levi, but got someone else in the end.

Then Alyssa took a break from teaching piano

And flew to Kansas with Aubrey in tow.

She went to see Alex before he headed to war,

Grateful for the chance to hug her brothers once more.

Levi played Mr. Mom exceptionally well,

Cleaning and organizing more than one can tell.

While he considered quitting his job to stay home,

Logic dictated that from Ipayables, he should not roam.

Now December's upon us, with all the busy-ness it brings,

Recitals, class parties, and taking on one too many things.

Alyssa found herself executing much of the ward party,

While Levi stayed home with the kids.  Not fair. Not hardly.

We got a visit from the Jolly Old Elf,

A friend's Christmas party brought the Big Man Himself.

Isaac hopped up next to the bowl full of jelly,

Asking for Battleship, which he saw on the telly.

Santa told Eric he had broken his leg once, too.

Jumping out of a sleigh can be a dangerous thing to do! 

Bionicles were the toys requested by this one.

Lego robots promise hours of fun.

Aubrey wasn't quite sure what to think of St. Nick.

She was ready to get down pretty quick.

Candy canes extended her visit a little,

But as soon as he let go, she was off like the down of a thistle.

2011 has been one to remember, indeed.

Broken bones, a growing girl, and Isaac learning Chinese.

From our family to yours, as the year flies from sight,

Happy Christmas to all! 

And hold your loved ones tight!