This ALL happened the same day

How do you start your day in snow suits and end your day in the latest swim wear fashions? Very easily. Ask them.


We woke up to our first snow of the season so they dressed appropriately and headed out for 10.7 seconds.



After they had their fill of the white stuff, the play quickly turned to princesses and Anne of Green Gables.



The temperature did rise 10 degrees so that definately warrants swim wear.





It really is amazing what their lives accomplish in one day. Most days the house is completely destroyed even though we pick up all day it seems. I love it. It means the house is full of love and happiness. I will be sad when these days are gone. I recently watched Toy Story 3 after much hesitation because every one told me that I would blubber because of the content (child getting older going away to college). I did better than I thought I would because I personally thought the movie was a bit dark for children, but I did get a weak heart at the stark realization that someday the toys, dress up, snow suits, gloves, hot chocolate, plays, babies, all of it will someday be left in the drawer for the last time. Sometimes, it is very funny that I am usually unaware of when it ends and something new begins. That is the #1 reason why I usually don't care a bit about the mess. I am so glad they are home.

Vianney-19 months

To my lovely Vianney.



Vianney. You are just fun to look at. Your hair is white, curly, bouncy, and wild. Your teeth are curved up and out. I love them. It is funny having a baby and having you as a "bigger" baby. You are still a baby. I just had you last year. I am now holding Clairvaux and not you.

You are quickly joining the Big kids and all that they do. I love how they barter and plead your cause for things. "Vianney wants to sit at the table with us."

Watching "Molly, An American Girl" even though you have no interest in movies yet. Yet, you will sit with them. What a good girl.

Sometimes, I get sad when I look at you and watch you. I want to be with you all the time. I want to be with all of you all the time. I know this time is going so fast. I know this time is fleeting. I just want to soak it all up and just sit in the living room and watch you all grow and play. I know there are only 365 days in your little one-year-old life and I selfishly want every one of them to be mine to watch. You are free. Your little life revolves around your blanket, your ghen-ki, your books, your sisters, holding Clairvaux for 3.5 seconds and then you are "dun" and most importantly "Bah-wull." Everyday I say, "I need to get her off that bottle." Tomorrow, right?

As much I love your age, you are going through the challenging stage. Every thing is a bit dramatic. The beauty of having more children is that I know that this is a phase and it will pass. I was much more overwhelmed with my earlier children when they were going through this age then with my later ones. Some days, we say your "fusser" is stuck. It is on repeat. If you know what I mean. I am sure you are just as frustrated with me because I don't meet your every need the moment your little 19 months old self needs whatever the current demand is, but trust me, it is good for you.



I love watching your older sisters with you. They still treat you like a baby and are very sympathetic to your needs.







This was hysterical. I can't remember if you were all nursing or wearing your baby in your "Moby" wraps, but funny. I could document all day the things you do together. Too bad I have to get something done around the house.



You are Zellie's subject especially when it comes to hair. You know how she loves all things hair. You are too small to understand that she is completely manipulating you to appease all her hair styling desires.










Rose has her special way with you. She is gentle with you and doesn't get frustrated. She has a variety of nicknames which range from the following: Chubby, Cindy Irene, Irene, and Louise. Most of us call you Cindy Irene Matouse Boever. It makes no sense, I know, but that's what we call you.




There is something I love about getting you out of bed. I love the excitement you have to be rescued. I love your sweaty hair, stinky binky, and the death grip you have on your blanket. I love that you just want to lay on me for a little bit to wake up.











What are you doing at this age developmentally?
You aren't talking much. Lots of gibberish, but you don't say many clear sentences. Don't get me wrong, you try to tell me all about IT, I just don't understand you. You can say all the kids names, Papa, Mama, and lots of one syllable words, but no sentence speaking yet. I bet you weigh around 23 lbs. You aren't the best eater, but do love taking your Cod Liver Oil. I've noticed you've gotten really fast at going down the stairs forward (meaning walking). You love to throw your diaper in the trash. I know I've not written in your baby book much, but you will have a million more pictures of your babyhood than the earlier kids because of this blog and our new camera.




I was telling my sister the other day that I think this age is cranky for a few specific reasons. One, you are getting less sleep. You still need two naps a day, but I've weaned you down to one so you will sleep when every one else does. Two, I don't think you are eating as well because you are feeding yourself most of the time and when I was feeding you, I usually would stuff you. I am sure you are so confused about the new baby. Just a few months ago, you were the baby and got all the attention, and now it is on Clairvaux. I know it settles down, but I am sure you are adjusting. I will be patient with you if you are with me.






I love you, Vianney. I know your little wonderful world has been rocked these past months with the birth of your new sister, but I love you just the same. We dream for you many big things. We dream for you to grow to know how much God loves you and we love you. I know you might not understand right now why I'm holding Clairvaux so much when just a few months ago it was you, but I promise in the future she will be your best friend.

Clairvaux-Three Months Old

My love.





I love this age. I love every age, but I LOVE this age. I know I always say that. Just tonight, I was kissing your neck and I love that you have to lay there and let me do it. I especially love when you are full from nursing and so you are really relaxed. I kiss your fat neck and you lay there smiling and content with the love being bestowed upon you.



In our home, each child has around 100 nicknames and usually a theme song. We finally have your theme song down. It goes something like this:





Little Clairvaux Boever walking down the street,
She didn't know what to do, so she stopped in front of me
and I said, "Hey Clairvaux, do your thing, do your thing, Yeah!"
"Hey Clairvaux, do your thing, do your thing. Yeah!"




This is usually followed by some crazy dance move.



Your new things this past month have been excessive talking, gurgling, and cooing. It is serious business. Pursed brow, puckered lips, and lots to say. Dominic especially loves it.
Your new #1 fascination: YOUR FEET.

All the time. You are constantly holding your feet.





With most of our other babies, we never left home without the pacifier. With you, it would be your feet. Papa will say, "Do we have everything?" I respond, "Yep, we have her feet...let's go." You hold them in your swing. You hold them in your carseat. You hold them when we are holding you. You hold them in your bed.







You had a bad, bad cough for about 2 months. I took you in three times to make sure you didn't have RSV or Pneumonia. Your cough was crazy deep. When you would cough, I think people thought it was your Papa. I am not kidding. They did three chest X-rays and found nothing. Finally, after being up with you all night because of these crazy coughing fits, our Doctor sent us on to an ENT. They performed a scope on you and found nothing, but wanted to try an antibiotic to clear up all the congestion he saw. I was leary of this, but trusted him and it seemed to do the trick. We no longer have a pack of seals in our bedroom.



Papa and I took just you to Oklahoma this a couple weeks ago. You were so good and I thoroughly enjoyed just holding you for two days straight. It is always delightful to have each child alone. I did nothing, but sit on the couch and hold you. My perfect day.



I realized that I will never tire of having a little one in the home. You bring life. New life and a special sweetness that only a baby can bring.

Lovelies.

Your 1st Halloween. Dominic is St. Isaac Jogues and you are Kateri Tekawitha.

These are a few of my favorite things. Sitting on the couch talking with my mother and holding my sweet sleeping baby.

Halloween 2010

Where have I been? We were gone for almost two glorious weeks visiting my family for Fall Break. I decided to document exactly what we do when we go home so the memories will always be there. After uploading a million pictures, I decided to break the post up into categories. We went trick or treating with a thousand people so every house we arrived at was promptly wiped out of candy. Way too much fun.



We dressed the kids this year as "St. Isaac and the Indians." Dominic was St. Isaac and the girls were the Indians. I even found a baby indian outfit for Clairvaux.



We always eat together with friends before heading out. We had a record crowd this year.



Andrew and Maria arrived in costume. I didn't think much of it until Maria announced who they were. She said, "Andrew is Bob the Builder and I'm...(and she points to her shirt" Under Construction." SCREAM. The room fell silent for a moment and then we all got it. Baby #3 for them is due in June. We are all thrilled. This will be grandchild #18 for my parents with Dominic (age 8) being the oldest.















Nicholas and Christiana "Gramps and Granny" Eldery.