Shukuru (aka my mom's dog)

When I proudly showed Adelaide the black and white sonogram of her new sibling, she exclaimed, "Shukuru." My mom's dog is a black cocker spaniel with white paws. The poor baby doesn't stand a chance.

Elias has already said we are going to name it "Elias." And Adelaide walks around the house gagging and saying, "My tummy hurts." In fact, she heard me mention the word doctor to Adam and she started to complain about her tummy. Poor girl seems to have picked up on a lot.

Suri Cruise

I have gotten used to the fact that people liken Adelaide to Suri Cruise. However, yesterday was the third time in just a few weeks that I got that comment. This time it was prefaced with, "I hope you won't be offended, but she looks like Suri Cruise." I'm not offended, but find it ironic considering that day she looked adorable, but everything she had on was a hand me down--not a designer outfit like Suri is known for. I only hope my little girl will steer clear of Scientology.

Wisconsinese

After reading the kids a book in Spanish, Elias asks, "Do we speak English or Spanish?" I said, "Our family speaks English." He thinks for a moment and then says, "No, I speak English and a little Wisconsin!"

My only thought was OOOOOOOH? Bye now!

Can you guess my age?

Thank you fairy godmother for the t-shirts. This was the best attempt at getting them to stand still! Adelaide sends her love...

Our Charleston friends

Since moving to the East Coast, we have had the honor of opening a B and B at our house. We were thrilled that we could sleep our good friends here and have room to spare. We had so much fun together. The highlight for the kids was going to the Please Touch museum and having instant playmates from sun-up to sundown. Elias and Ben got plenty of pirate time and Lauren and Addie got "Polly pocket time." After they left, Adelaide said, "Where are my kids?"

Uncle Nathan and Sleep Bootcamp

Now if we could just install a gerbil cage like this in his room!


While our dear friends were here, who happen to be a pediatrician and child psychologist, respectively, we got some feedback on helping Elias fall asleep at night. As I have said before, bedtime is a hard time for Elias--not because he misbehaves but because he can't help himself unwind. Some nights Adam and I turn out our lights while he is still busy talking to himself. So, Uncle Nathan took on Elias as his project over their three night stay.

The first night, he introduced the concept of staying in bed. We had always allowed Elias to play "quietly" in his room at bed time. However, we now know that hinders him from falling asleep. Some of his night behaviors include getting out of his PJS and changing into all green clothing because he is Peter Pan. Or, as of late, he has been pushing his rocking chair into the closet and taking down all clothes hangers to make into Captain Hook hands. So, the first night involved minimizing distractions and learning to stay on the bed. Estimated sleep time was about 8:45 taking him around an hour and fifteen minutes to wind down.

The second night introduced keeping your head on the pillow and feet under the covers. This worked for a while until Elias found a comb in his dresser which he quickly turned into a sword. But, Uncle Nathan took that away and contemplated taking away the pillows on his bed because he was trying to turn them into a ship. Then Uncle Nathan added an incentive of listening to a book CD when he woke-up in the morning if he did a good job of falling asleep. A few setbacks during that night were Elias new "emergencies" Nathan had told him the only reason he could get out of bed is if he had an emergency. So, every time he had to pee he yelled, "Uncle Nathan I'm having an emergency!" He was asleep by 9pm that night.

The last night, Uncle Nathan smartly realized that the light was keeping Eli up. So, after a short while the light went out and it was much harder to be distracted. The little guy fell asleep at 8:30--his earliest yet. In the morning he was rewarded with putting his CD on.

Last night, we flew solo and we bought a timer. The timer went off and then Elias knew it was time for the light to go out. He fell asleep at 8:30 and slept until 7:30! What a victory. I think the best thing Nathan observed and articulated for Elias is that "Daddy goes to work all day at the church and it's hard work. Your hard work is falling asleep." Elias seemed to resonate with that.

Adelaide's Pride

Our sweet girl has been the proud wearer of pull-ups for almost a week now. She is using the bathroom pretty well and gets accolades from her big brother, father, and mother when she uses the potty. I am trying to snap a picture of her when she receives our applause because she loves it, but also diverts her eyes and acts shy and embarrassed. It really is a sight to behold. She has quite dramatic facial expressions to begin with, so she is just adding on to her repertoire.

Trying to muffle the comments of a four year old

Our house is situated amongst some homes, an apartment building, and our view across the street is of a nursing home and rehab center. At night, I can stare out my third floor window and see people having their supper, or sitting in wheelchairs or easy chairs relaxing. On Halloween, Elias' preschool made a visit to the nursing home to show off their costumes and sing some songs. Afterwards, he asked me, "What is a nursing home?" I explained that a nursing home is a place where some people go when they get older and can't take care of themselves. I said it's a place where you can get extra help from nurses and doctors.
Well, yesterday, Christ Church was hosting an event with members from the Episcopal Church Club of Philadelphia. Many of these people were on the older side, but not of the age of a nursing home. One gentleman was getting his walker out of his car and was slowly making his way to the church door while we were. I reminded Elias to be careful and gentle around this man. He proceeded to walk up to the man and say, "I see you're really old. Why don't you just walk across the street to the nursing home. You can get some extra help from the nurses and doctors." I was absolutely mortified. Luckily, I quickly tried to act as if he had been talking about lunch and said really loudly, "Yes, we're going to have quesadillas for lunch and then we'll take you to the doctor." I think grace was on MY side because I don't think the man heard Elias' commentary. Oh, save us from the time of trial!

Welcome, Catherine and Elizabeth

My brother and his wife welcomed beautiful twin girls yesterday. They join proud brothers and sisters: Alexander, Michael, Clara, Yonas, and Simone. Apparently Michael said that Elizabeth looked like a wrinkled hot dog. I beg to differ!

Elias and his Protestant Side

Recently, Elias and Adelaide's grandparents' dog, Buddy, died. When his grandmother was talking to them about Buddy she said to them, "Will you pray for him?" Adelaide quickly said, "Yes." Elias said, "No." When grandmother asked why, he replied "Because he's dead." So much for going from strength to strength, Buddy.

A pirate invasion!

Elias has always lived in another world, but now he is bringing his sister on board. Yesterday he donned his pirate hat and made sure she had one, too. Then he constructed a "sword" out of recycled newspaper and informed her it was a baby pirate sword just for her. They both had telescopes as well to find distant treasure. The next thing I knew they were drawing treasure maps and going on long trips to find pirate booty. Eventually, they were so tired from their adventures that they took a two second pirate holiday. I really enjoy Eli's imagination, but am more amazed by their co-operation and fun. Adelaide participates wholeheartedly!

All Saints' Day

Sunday afternoon at 4pm was Adam's installation as 20th rector of Christ Church. www.christchurchmedia.org It was a glorious day. Except for the fact that the bishop was late, everything went off without a hitch. The music was stunning, including a piece from the middle and high school "chimes' group. The preacher was insightful, thoughtful, and very engaging. The whole liturgy was a true celebration with incense and all. We had family from all over, including a surprise visitor (who is Eli's godfather) who drove all the way from Charleston, WV to be there. The evening was capped off by a procession of kids dressed as their favorite saint led by a tuba and a sax to the tune of "When all the saints go marching in...." Dinner was served and wine was drunk. How grateful we are to be a part of a diverse and gifted parish and how proud we are of the XX rector. Godspeed Christ Church!

I will try to post some pictures when we get them, but here are some of the kids' saints procession.

All Hallow's Eve

Saturday was a very long day. We were awaiting my mother and grandmother for Adam's installation. Their plane was over three hours late. Elias was asking when it was going to be time to trick or treat from the moment he got out of bed. So, I kept saying, "When Bibi and Meemee get here." Around 6pm they arrived. Before that, Elias sat on our front steps and chased children on the sidewalk with our basket of candy yelling out, "Trick or Treat." He so desperately wanted someone to come to our house. It's a bit tricky to get kids with the location of our house as our house merely looks like an extension of the church. We had carved a pumpkin and lit it up, but even so we surmise that in past years the house did not have trick or treaters. Next year, we'll probably light up the sidewalk and get some little lanterns.

About 7, we managed to sneak out to a few houses. By then, the hook I had made was dilapidated and the swaggering sword and ensemble was entirely put together. But, we quickly dressed Tink as well and got in a few houses before a downpour and the Phillies game. The kids were content, of course.

Adelaide delights in chocolate

This year is certainly the first that Addie has gotten to have candy. She has enjoyed a few "polly-pops" in her short life, but when I handed her a real down home chocolate bar, she went to town. The best part was her brother was at school and she just savored every bite alone.