Sap to Syrup

This past weekend, Charlie and I went to Holliday Park for a special program called "Sap to Syrup".  We met up with my friend Katie and her son Cole on a very chilly day!  Since it was during naptime, it was a special event around here!

The program included a self-guided tour through the woods, where we stopped at stations to hear all about the process of making maple syrup.  Surprisingly, Charlie was very interested, and enjoyed the walk in the woods.  Katie snapped a few pictures for me on her phone :)

 

At one of the stations, Charlie got to try the hand drill on a fallen log, to make a hole for the syrup to come out.  Charlie was so excited to try the drill (even resulting in a few tears while we waited for his turn) and together we made 2 holes in the log.  We learned that it takes 50-60 gallons of Indiana sap (from the Sugar Maple) to make only one gallon of maple syrup--no wonder it is so expensive!!!  There was a bucket set up with a tap from one of trees, and it was full of frozen sap...too cold.  I didn't know the sap was clear!

After the walk through the woods, we saw sap boiling over a campfire, and the boys got to do a taste test--pure maple syrup (what we use at our house) versus "log cabin" fake syrup.  Cole said he preferred the log cabin (Katie says he's never had anything but the real deal) but Charlie wouldn't pick--he liked both!

Inside for a tasty treat (biscuit, ice cream and maple syrup on top) and a cool craft--coloring a maple leaf and making it into a button.

All in all, a fun event, Charlie even ended up taking a nap after we got home--the fresh air does wonders!  We'll be back next year--hopefully for better "sugaring" weather!

Sam's 2 year checkup

Since I dedicated a post to Julia's checkup, I figured I should do one for Sam too!  This sweet boy is growing way too fast...

I took Sam for his 2 year checkup the same time Julia had her 1 month appointment.  When the nurse called Samuel and Julia (when we were in the waiting room), he raised his hand, said "I'm Sammy!  That's me!" and pointed to himself before following the nurse.  When she asked his age, of course he replied, "I'm two!" and held up 2 fingers.  He was thrilled to step on the scale (they have a lightening mcqueen sticker in the middle of the scale for him to step on, big hit) and marched right into the examination room.  While we were waiting for the doctor, he jumped at least 20 times off the stepping stool (I reluctantly told him he could jump off the middle step...but not the high one.  He rocked it).  He liked watching Julia get examined, then took a little convincing before he let the doctor check him out too.  He proudly told the doctor that he doesn't wear diapers because he goes pee pee on the potty ("And poopies too") and told the doctor that his favorite food was Craisins and trailmix...kind of a surprise on my part- at least he didn't say "Chocolate" since we had come straight from a friend's birthday party!  And the doctor didn't have to ask about words and talking--as Sam talked most of the appointment.  Such a bubbly, outgoing little one!

While I knew a doctor's appointment during naptime would be a stretch, I didn't anticipate shots for both kids.  I accidentally delayed Sam's Hep-B shots further than intended, so he still needed one more, and no time like the present.  He watched Julia get it (and cry for all of 5 seconds) before he climbed up on the table, willingly...and obviously screamed when he got the shot.  I felt terrible as he kept saying "Ouch...boo boo" and crying on and off the whole way home.  I'm definitely going to make sure Julia gets those shots when she's too young to understand what's going on!  So post-appointment, Julia really needed to nurse, Sam was crying from the shot, and we had to hurry back down near our house to pick up Charlie from school--all in the rain--it was a bit of a messy day, but alas, our new normal!

Sam's official stats:  34 inches (50th) and 26.6lbs (25th).  Slightly taller and 2 lbs lighter than Charlie was at 2...I think it's because he never sits still!!!

One month official stats

So, as expected with a 3rd child, we haven't been taking many pictures at all (which is why we splurged for newborn pics this time!).  Julia is such a doll, I can't believe she's 5 weeks old already, time really does fly.  She took her first bottle from Scott around 3 weeks old (and I did manage to get a few pics) and has even had a few real baths (no pics, but video footage of the boys bathing her!).  She has been, thus far, our easiest baby and we just feel really fortunate!

 Playing on the playmat (not the most flattering angle, JJ!)

  Sam wanted to be a part of the photo shoot...

  Count these as her official "one month" pics... 

 

At one month, Julia is 10lbs 5.5 ounces (95th percentile) and 23.5 inches (off the chart!).  The weight is likely skewed a little by her cloth diaper (which weighs 3 ounces dry, I should have taken it off) but her height was a surprise!  She sleeps one 5-6 hour stretch at night, followed by a 3-4 hour stretch, so I'm really only up once...although, depending on the timing of her bedtime feeding, her second waking is sometimes around 5 or 5:30am, a little too early for me to rise!  She takes naps in her crib, sometimes a few hours long, and is generally content.  She started smiling around 2 weeks and now smiles regularly in reaction to voices and cooing.  I haven't been great with a schedule for her, considering we often have to get in the car to transport Charlie or Sam someplace--but she seems content with the lack of consistency.

Julia's newborn pictures

When Julia was a week old, we took her to get newborn pictures--a first for us (unless you count the overpriced hospital newborn photos where you pay a fortune for a few prints)

My brother-in-law's brother, Kelly, is a photographer (http://www.kellyapplegatephotography.com) and invited us to his home so he could take Julia's pictures.  We were there almost 3 hours, as Julia just did not want to sleep even despite the warm temperature of the house and the fact that she normally sleeps all the time...so we weren't able to get a few of the "classic" newborn pics (she did not like for us to position her!)

 

 

   

These pictures were taken on my baby blanket...my original one (made my my grandma) was left in a spring break hotel room when I was a teen, it was devastating.  My grandma made me a replica, so now it is "like new" condition for Julia!  Very special to me, especially because my grandma passed away when Sam was a newborn.

 

 Is that a smile??

 ...more evidence of her "awake time"

Love her foot sticking out...

 Why the face???

  We were pulling her paci :)

 

 We had a great time and I love all the pictures...3 weeks have gone by and I have probably taken 5 pictures of Julia since this photo shoot!  Welcome to the family Julia, better get used to being #3 :)

A post NOT about my kids?!?

This blog was created to keep far away family and friends in touch with our kids...so 98% (ok, 100%) of my posts are about the kids.

This time it's about me...or rather, my girlfriends.  When I had Charlie back in 2009, I didn't really know anyone else with young children.  Surprisingly enough, I met my first "mommy friend", Devin, through the internet (please, you can laugh) while searching for a good daycare in our area.  We met in person after a few months and many emails, and our friendship blossomed...Devin and I used to purposely go places (pool, park, on walks, etc) in attempts to meet more moms...often failed ventures but at least we had time together!  Devin has now relocated to Chicago, but when we chatted last night on the phone we both couldn't believe that it's been 4 years since we met!!! And we're looking forward to our week together in Colorado this summer.

Through Devin, I met my friends Katie and Erin...and over the years the group has expanded.  Each one introduced into the group in their own way (Scott met Sarah on an airplane and asked for her number--for me!!!!  And Erin met Mandy at "Waffle Cone Wednesday" and got her phone number; the list goes on).  I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful group of friends whom I can share the motherhood journey--the good and the bad.  To my point...this week we made time for a "girls night" dinner down at Bru Burger.  We had to schedule it over a month in advance to find a night that worked, but it was worth it--4 hours of chatting, no interruptions from our kids, and leaving me feeling refreshed and ready for whatever my family throws my way. (although, slightly tired the next morning after a "late night" out) 

Between the 8 women pictured, we have 16 children...quite a clan.  Erin captured the picture for us!

Celebrating Sam

Sam's 2nd birthday party is the first time we've done "family only" (plus Maggie, but she's basically family!).  I just didn't want to plan and host with a newborn...

We had to get a Collevechio picture, since our Christmas picture is now outdated.

 Coco and Pops with their 4 grandkids

 

And we remembered to snap a family picture too :)

(Julia even decided to sit up for this one)

  Coco with baby Cole

  Sam, awaiting his birthday cake

  Simple cake with a bulldozer and M&Ms spelling out his name--he and Charlie loved the candies!

 (big brother also helped to blow out the last candle, after Sam's 3 attempts)

 Opening presents--so much fun! (and evidence that my mom was there...my dad too!)

Happy Birthday to my handsome boy!  We love you so much!!!

Happy Birthday Sam!

I know it's a cliche, but it really is amazing how time flies.  I feel like just yesterday Sam was a screaming newborn...and now he's a big brother, and is 2 going on 5!  Despite his first few bumpy months, Sam has grown into such a tender hearted, sweet baby (big!) boy.  Last night when I left to meet friends for dinner, he insisted on not only giving me a hug, but "snuggles...kiss...bumps...knucks....high five" (with both hands).  I can always count on Sam for snuggles and lovin!

At two, for the most part Sam still listens to Charlie's constant bossiness, telling him what game they're playing, what toy he's allowed to play with, where to throw the ball, etc (the list goes on forever).  At the same time, he has learned so much from his brother...overheard last night counting to 19 for Coco, he loves to sing (his current favorite is "Ring Around the Rosie"), and randomly throws out French words (learned from Charlie, not from me this time!).  He recognizes around 10 letters of the alphabet, and associates them with words (it's always "B Becky" "S Sammy" "M Mama" "C Charlie" etc).  And he's been potty trained for months...pretty smart cookie.  Next up--taking away his beloved "suce" (pacifier) that he sleeps with every night...

We didn't have an official "2 year" photo shoot--but I took these pictures just to capture time.  Every night after Scott gives Sam a bath, he puts him in his dino towel and opens the bathroom door.  Sam comes to find me (usually singing or chatting to himself) and says "EAT YOU UP yum" and gives me a big hug before we get his PJs.

Thus far, Sam has taken his big brother role seriously.  He likes to hold Julia (and gets mad when I also try to hold...to make sure she doesn't end up on the floor!)  He thinks he can carry her, and gets mad when we don't let him.  When he's ready for one-on-one attention, he lets us know with a very firm "Put Julia down here" pointing at her bouncy seat.  And he LAUGHS like crazy at her funny newborn faces.

We are so blessed--it is so much fun to watch Sam grow and learn--and we look forward to another wonderful year!