Caroline

Caroline is a surprisingly funny girl. She is not funny like her big brother who is turning into the class clown and will literally do or say anything to get a laugh. Caroline is funny in her own way. Usually just by making observations, but the way that she says them can make you chuckle. It's probably why I don't write as much about her because some of the stories about Liam when he was her age were so unusual that I couldn't forget them. Remember when Liam started undressing in the library? Or the infamous pooping on the lawn at my grandmother's house? Unforgettable.

But I have managed to remember a few funnies to share about Caroline.

The other day I took Butters outside to brush her and Caroline wanted to come with me. Many have been annoyed by just touching Butters and having a handful of hair in a matter of seconds so it's not very shocking when we brush her it usually looks like a rabbit got ran over by a lawn mower when we are finished. So, anyway during this brushing Caroline was fairly close and the dog hair kept flying onto her pants. Her response, "Seriously????"

Caroline also loves to talk. She also does not like to fall asleep at night. This results in conversations about anything that she remembers throughout the day or sees in her room. Mostly run on sentences and most of what she says makes no sense but her goal is met. Keeping you in her room and keeping herself awake.

Caroline loves to ask you if she can do something and when you tell her no, she will just ask again. And again. And again. With almost an exact imitation of Lil' John the musician. "What????" "Huh???" "Say it louder!" Possibly hoping that our answer will change but unfortunately for her it never does.

We were playing with her little dollhouse today and I was pretending to be the Mama Bear and Caroline was the baby bunny.
M: "Come eat your eggs. I made eggs for dinner."
C:  "I don't like eggs......I like cookie dough."

After lunch:
M: "Caroline, would you like dessert? You could have a cookie."
C: "No, I can't. Daddy ate them all!"
(a very real observation that is almost always true)

M:"Caroline, please help me pick up your toys."
C: "I'm too busy"

Today during lunch:
C: "I sucked my fingers at nap. yesterday. These two."
This is a habit we are having been trying to break for the last week. She has been so good at keeping them out of her mouth but the way she said this statement it was almost like she was in confession. She looked so guilty.

New routines

I am typically a morning person. Liam is also a morning person waking up around 6:45-7:30 on most days.

Currently, I am not a morning person due to a tiny, demanding infant who insists on being fed multiple times in the night. So this has resulted in a new routine for Liam in the morning. He comes into our room and tells me he is awake. I, half-awake, give him my phone so that he can quietly play games until I am forced to wake up. This isn't the norm for us. I don't like for Liam to have a lot of screen time but I also need to catch up on some sleep.

The other day Liam came to get my phone and asked me if the sound was off. (it usually is) He then decided to climb into bed with us and laid down between Evan and I. After a few minutes I was again awoken to the sounds of explosions but not from the sound of my phone; from my "very much a boy" son.

"BOOM!"  "CRASH!" "POW!"

This kid is such a riot.

The worst week

My poor little Lucy has been fighting a cold for about a week. It started last Thursday and since I was certain "it was just a cold that would occasionally lead to her throwing up after eating due to the mucous" I wasn't worried about calling the doctor. She didn't have a temperature, she wasn't lethargic and she didn't seem dehydrated. After a night of her coughing most of the time and her little cry that was so hoarse and sad I finally decided to call our pediatrician. He sent us to the hospital for an overnight stay; where she received a chest X-ray, IV fluids and had to give a urine and blood sample all in the first couple hours of being there. The next day we were told that most likely she had Viral pneumonia. After a three night stay where Evan or I were holding her 24/7 to keep her upright to avoid drainage, we finally got to come home. I am so thankful that she got better and am overwhelmed by the amount of people who were praying for her and us. I am deeply grateful for grandparents who stepped in and stayed with our older kiddos and tried to keep their routine of going to school and being home possible. I am beyond thankful for my little Lucy. Thankful that God healed her and that she will once again be 100%. 

Our week:

Monday-still smiling but sick. 

Tuesday-first night at the hospital. Neither one of us feeling great although I was more of an emotional wreck. 

Wednesday- she's a bit better and even gave the nurses a couple of smiles. 

Thursday- she was about the same in the morning and I was once again an emotional wreck because I felt like she wasn't improving. 

But by Thursday night she was all smiles! The pediatrician called to check on her and told us to take her off the IV fluids to see how she did throughout the night. 

Friday-the pediatrician came in to say her lungs finally sounded clear. He said we could go home. 

It's so hard to contain all of the excitement of being told you can go home. 

Last night was great. We got to sleep in our own bed, Lucy slept in her swing to stay propped up and big brother and sister are ecstatic to have us all back. 

Thanks be to God for healing Lucy! 

Birthday parties!

Last weekend Liam celebrated turning 6! We decided this year to separate the family and friend parties so Liam had a combined party for Evans side with Staley. 

A friend party where he got to invite five boys to go bowling. They all had so much fun! 

Liam aka Kylo Ren

Since supervising 6 boys would require all of our undivided attention Grandpa and Grandma Fink came over to watch Caroline and Lucy. That was so helpful! After his party Liam and Caroline got to leave with them for a sleepover at their house with cousins. SO much fun! 

The next day we joined them and had a great birthday lunch with the family. 

Aunt Emily made Liam a dragon scarf. It is amazing!

Grandma and Grandpa found Harry Potter Legos!!!

Nothing made me laugh harder that day than when we walked into church and saw Eli and Liam wearing matching sweaters. Complete coincidence and I loved it! 

Turning 6 was a huge deal with 3 celebrations. But Liam loved every second. 

Interview with a 6 year old

Favorite color:  Blue
Favorite food:  Peanut butter and honey sandwich
Favorite dessert:  Pumpkin pie with whipped cream on the top
Favorite toy:  My joke box
Favorite stuffed animal:  Bear
Favorite animal:  Tiger
Favorite game:  Trouble
Favorite TV show:  Batman: The animated series
Favorite movie:  The Sandlot
Favorite place to go:  Chicago at the Aquarium (Shedd)
Favorite thing about school: Letter Bag time
Favorite place for vacation:  Wisconsin (Sheboygan) because of the waterpark
Favorite thing to do with Caroline: I like to play with her and her dolls
Favorite thing to do with Lucy:  Make her happy
Favorite thing to do with Mommy:  Do my homework
Favorite thing to do with Daddy:  Go places with him like the children's museum
Favorite book:  Harry Potter
Favorite superhero:  Batman
Favorite shirt: Superman shirt
Favorite pajamas:  My music headphones from Elliott

What do you think you'll be able to do when you are 6?  take the dog out
What are some things you're excited about doing when you're 6?   Learning how to read and read faster.
What are you scared of?  when its really, really dark and the climbing at the Children's museum because its kind of a maze and I'm afraid I won't be able to find my way back down.
What's the best thing about you?  that I love my family
What are you good at?  I'm good at climbing
Who is your best friend?  Levi and Corbin
What do you want to be when you grow up? Police officer

Christmas post

Skittles and a bag of suckers?!?! Santa is crazy!

I love spending time with family at Christmas. The kids had a great time with family as well. We couldn't have asked for a better season. 

6 weeks

While they are very brief we have seen just a couple of smiles. She sure knows when to give them too. Such as after a long night of wanting to eat every 3 hours. Seeing her smile quickly made me forget how tired I really was.