Christmas happenings

I am really happy to say we had so much Christmas fun this year, more than I thought we'd be able to manage with a newborn baby. 

First, we got our new ornaments from Auntie Liss. She made each of my girls their own ornament, including Simone. It means so much that Simone is included in our holidays. Our baby girl will always be a part of our family. 

We certainly watched our share of Christmas movies. Sometimes, it's more fun to watch your kids enjoying the movie, than to watch the actual movie. Gabriela introduced us to Christmas With The Kranks this year, and we will be adding that to our annual list of December movies. 

One day we made snicker doodles. Easton was so excited to help every step of the way. And then came the moment of enjoying his hard baking work. He took one bite and declared that he didn't like snicker doodles.  Poor baby. He wanted to make the cookies with the shapes, he said. So sugar cookies it was! Lane helped the kids bake their sugar cookies. 

Gabriela with her artwork. 

We promised Easton some Star Wars snowflakes. Princess Leia has been up since last Christmas. She is now joined by Chewbacca, Yoda, a storm trooper, and Obi wan Kenobi. Easton chose the patterns, I did the initial cutting, and Lane finished them off with the exacto-knife. Teamwork! 

One morning Willow and I got out of bed to find this - little elves polishing and hammering toys they were preparing in their workshop. They played all month with their wooden Santa toy set, their play mobile Christmas toys, and tons of Christmas pretend play including countless games of "Santa's children" and play dough Christmas cookie making. 

I was determined to make Willow a Christmas stocking this year. I sat down one Saturday and just did it! Willow seems pleased with the result. 

We also attended a Solstice party hosted by some homeschool friends of ours who are now our neighbors. We all enjoyed hot cider, delicious stew, setting off candlelit wishes and making beeswax candles. 

Easton can sing tons of Christmas carols after listening to Christmas tunes all month. There were things that we didn't do this year like we normally do, such as walking down Christmas Tree Lane in Alameda. Our house has been a total mess this whole holiday season, but we've managed to create some fun memories, nevertheless. 

Homeschool Christmas Craft Day

I say it so much, but I'm going to say it again. We are so fortunate to have found our homeschool group when we moved. 

I love the friendships, fun, and support we all find in each other. 

Our latest adventure (other than park days and summer pool fun and book club and outdoor movie showings) was a holiday craft fair. 

One mama graciously offered to have it at her house. We had craft stations set up, hot apple cider, snacks to share, Christmas music, and even a holiday photo booth! 

I made eight batches of play dough to share. We added some containers of cinnamon, glitter, food coloring, and essential oils and the kids went crazy mixing their own special blends of play dough. 

The play dough table was a hit. And the only one my kids were interested in. But there was wreath making, Christmas card decorating, cranberry and popcorn garland making, and fabric garlands as well. Since I couldn't interest my kids in making a fabric garland, I made one myself. I love it. 

After making play dough, Easton was happy to play outside the rest of the afternoon with his friends. They dug in the mud, played in the playground and took rides in the tractor. 

Other mamas happily held Willow for me so I could finish my garland. 

Taking photos with her friends!

As if this weren't enough fun, the kids hiked to the park when they were all crafted out and they played outside for rest of the afternoon park day. 

Such a lovely, memorable, creative afternoon was had by all! 

Two months old

It's been another whole month of having our little Willow here at home with us. She is such a delight. We can help but snuggle her all the time. 

Willow has been to some parties over the last month and has shown that she can handle crowds of people and long drives well.  

She still has grumpy fussy days followed by days of restful sleepiness. Today is an "I will only nap on your chest" kind of day. I sometimes worry about the work I need to get done when Willow cries the instant I lay her down on the bed/bouncer/floor/napper. But I'm trying to embrace the opportunities for extra closeness and time slowing down to enjoy my baby. 

Here is Willow sporting her one month acne. 

She has been giving some giant smiles, cooing her way through very in depth conversations, and even giving loud squeals. I am so ready to hear her laugh, as soon as she discovers how. It is possible that I've tried many different silly ways to get a laugh out of this sweetie pie. One day soon. 

Willow can lift her whole upper body up, kind of like upward facing dog yoga pose. She is very interested in everything that happens around her. She has been trying to suck on her hands, but she still has her thumbs tucked tightly in her fists. I am certain that her hands were this way in the womb (like a sign language letter t). She just won't pry her thumb out. This baby girl has some strong legs. She is always extending them and putting her weight on them.

Willow has some of her happiest moments on our changing table. She just coos and smiles and talks her way through, always dancing as soon as her diaper is removed. We call it the "no diaper dance".  She adores her rainbows ribbon and fabric banner and looks up at it every time. 

This month Willow has emerged as her own little wakeful, wondering, engaging self, rather than a constantly sleepy newborn. Look how much personality she has!

A mama in our homeschool group made this quilt for Willow. Isn't it adorable? 

On one of Willow's recent fussy days, I couldn't get her to calm down for anything. Gabriela is always so anxious to hold Willow. She doesn't care if the baby is fussy. Gabriela proudly walked in the room to show me that her daddy had set them both up with the moby carrier. Willow settled down and fell asleep immediately, leaving me with two content little girls.

These big kids can't get enough of their baby sister. Gabriela is always asking to hold Willow and Easton always wants to snuggle with her. He is constantly melting my heart saying the sweetest things like, "i just can't stop snuggling Willow" "Willow, you are the best baby!" And my personal favorite, "I think I fell in love with Willow". They want to read to her, bounce her, snuggle her, sing to her, and hold her nonstop. She couldn't be more loved. But sometimes she has to let them know when she needs more space. 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

The kids wrote their letters to Santa. Easton's was so cute, "Santa, I was good. I didn't even punch my sister". If only that were true, Easton. If only that were true. He has been a very good boy, that much is right, but he could ease up the punching. He asked me to make his name in big letters so he could color it in. 

The kids stringing popcorn and Pom Pom ball garlands. Truth be told, they both got bored of their garland making and decided to read Christmas books and admire the ornaments instead while Daddy strung the lights. I, on the other hand, made a fun garland. 

We discovered a charming little tree farm in Martinez. They had a ton of trees to choose from that were all beautiful, and they have the option of cutting your own tree as well. Everyone was so friendly there. We will be returning next year. 

After walking around a little Easton told us, "and guess what, guys? ...  I am really cold". So while he and daddy went off to get his jacket (you know, the one I suggested he wear in the first place), Gabriela found us the perfect tree. 

Easton insisted on pushing it back to the van. The guy from the farm and Daddy and Mama kept offering to help our four year old, but he was having none of it. Easton was so proud of himself for being strong and independent. 

That eight foot tree was heavy!

Easton is spelling out Simone on one of her special ornaments. 

Decorating the tree is always so fun. Lane and I have always loved getting Christmas ornaments when we go on trips and, over the years, have had a number of ornament exchanges with family members. We have so many beautiful, handmade ornaments  I love telling our kids the story of each ornament as we put them on the tree. We have photo ornaments of our babies and even Willow already has some that are just for her. This year Lane and I both cried as we decorated the tree and hung Simone's ornaments. Even the happy sweet moments are tinged with sadness, and they always will be because our family will always feel incomplete without our Simone. 

The kids made their own paper chain to count down the days before Christmas. We have been listening to Christmas music around the clock, preparing for our homeschool Christmas craft fair, and even made some cookies this week. I am trying to enjoy the moments and make room for the fun instead of worrying about the mess.  Still have to make Willow her stocking and Easton can't wait to make sugar cookies.

After Thanksgiving

The whole Grover family rented a ginormous 6 bedroom house on lovely acreage in the Santa Cruz mountains for the Thanksgiving holiday. We packed up our bags the morning after thanksgiving to spend the day together. They managed to convince us to stay the whole weekend. 

I was a little nervous about such a long drive with Willow. I gave her a new diaper, nursed her, and put her in the car, crossing my fingers. She didn't make even a peep until the moment we arrived.  Thank you for being such a good little traveler, Willow!

As soon as we got there, Gabriela and Easton rushed out of the car and I hardly saw either of them the rest of the weekend, they were so busy playing with Claire and Natalie, Chaney and Beau, and Nolan and Myra. There was lots of wrestling, game playing, Elf watching, dubsmashing and more wrestling. 

I enjoyed a mama break sipping champagne in the hot tub with Meliss, Adie, and Elizabeth. There was some grown up time by the outdoor fire pit, and even some Cards Against Humanity with all the Grover siblings. I am sorry to say that I did not keep my title as reigning champion. 

The ladies all escaped to do some craft fair shopping and treasure hunting at the thrift store while the cousins and uncles adventured off to the Santw Cruz Beach Boardwalk. I must say, I was a little sad to miss the kids' first trip there. But how special that they were able to share this memory with their daddy, cousins, and uncles. Gabriela went on her first real roller coaster, they got giant ice cream treats, and the report was that they were all so happy and well-behaved. 

I didn't really take photos this weekend. Perhaps because I was getting sick. Here are some boardwalk photos Lane sent me. 

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving happened so soon after Willow's birth, I was not willing to make any plans. I was afraid I would be a miserable, blubbering post partum mess. 

So thankful that we had a nice holiday at my pregnant sissy's house only 30 minutes away. 

She came to my house for dinner a few days before to pick up my Cooks Illustrated Thanksgiving magazine. 

Then we had dinner at her house with Nana and Papa the next night. Easton helped Nana make pies. He is always so eager to help in the kitchen.  

I am just so thankful to live as close to my sister as we do. This beats having her in Boston by a long shot. 

Willow celebrated Thanksgiving by wearing her first dress ever. Auntie Kristie actually made this dress for Simone. Simone was such a big baby (at 5 weeks, Willow is still not her size yet), that sweet dress never would have fit her. We are glad that Willow got to wear her big sister's dress. 

Dinner was delicious, as to be expected. We had scrumptious dishes from Uncle Matthew, Auntie Theresa, Nana, Auntie Cynthia and me. Well, I got the free "you just had a baby" pass and was responsible for fruit, cheese, and ice cream. I also made Auntie Adie's creamed corn, a special request for Gabriela.  

Dessert was out of control. We had pumpkin pie, berry pie, key lime cheese cake, and pecan pie. 

So, naturally Easton requested a Popsicle for dessert. He quickly realized the error of his ways and opted for key lime cheesecake and ice cream. Then, as he ate said, "aren't you glad you don't have to tell me to take bites of my dessert?!"

The cousins enjoyed their time together and spent it running around, giggling and playing an epic game of Pie Face. 

I wish I had some pictures, but my favorite part of Thanksgiving was seeing Papa holding his little Willow. He kept asking to hold her, and when she cried, he didn't hand her back. He soothed her and told her she could cry all she wanted. Then, with tears in his eyes, he told me how much she was worth waiting for.  Our little girl is so loved by us all. 

Next time she can get some Nana snuggles too. Poor Nana was just getting sick over Thanksgiving and didn't want to share her sicky germs with Willow. 

One month old

This has been a very healing month for our family, having welcomed Willow safely into this world; our sweet baby girl is finally in our arms to love and snuggle. It's also been bittersweet. When your four year old enthusiastically says, "isn't it so great that Willow didn't die when she was born?!?!" And your seven year old announces how much she enjoys having a baby sister *who lives*, we all miss our baby Simone a little extra.

Willow gets so many snuggles from both Gabriela and Easton. They always want to love on her. Gabriela is learning how to settle down a fussy baby, and Easton is convinced that Willow stops crying when she sees him or hears his voice. 

Willow and the rest of her family are so lucky that Lane was able to stay home with us for three whole weeks. She had a lot of Daddy Moby time during those three weeks. 

This baby sleeps a lot, much to Gabriela's dismay. In three weeks, Willow grew two whole inches! She is a champion nurser. and doesn't really cry at night. 

Willow has had some fussy days though. We think it's because she's gassy. I got some gripe water for her, and she seems to be doing better. Her favorite though is being wrapped in the moby or a sling. She will sleep for hours all tucked in tight next to mama or daddy. 

Willow has given us a few awake smiles, but most of her smiles have happened while she's been sleeping. She even giggles in her sleep, which is strange, since she doesn't giggle or laugh when she's awake yet. But we can't wait to see that!

At her two week pediatrician visit we were referred to a cardiologist because they think she has a slight heart murmur.

After an EKG, and an ultrasound in which they captured more than 70 images of her sweet heart, the pediatric cardiologist  confirmed that Willow has a tiny hole in her heart. He believes it may close up in the next six to twelve months. But, even if it never closes, it's so tiny that she wouldn't ever need medication or surgery for it, and it would have no impact on her physical activity or quality of life. So we are very grateful for that. 

In addition to being our tiniest baby yet (at two weeks, she had Easton's birth weight), and having the most hair, Willow also has the lightest eyes. Right now, they look almost blue. They are definitely lighter than our other kids' eyes, but of course we know her final eye color won't show for another few months. Lane says her eyes will be brown, but I'm wondering if she will surprise us. We have also spotted some dimples on this girl, just like her brother and sister's dimples. Her toes are so long. In fact, her second toes are mich longer than her big toes. 

Willow is enjoying her hand me downs from Simone. Auntie Kristie sewed this adorable dress for Simone, and we love seeing Willow in it.

Willow Virginia, you have given our hearts so much joy. We love you to pieces, sweet baby girl.