Here We Grow

Crawfish Season

2012-02-24T11:17:00.001-05:00

Its crawfish season and we are quickly learning that is a really good thing.

This little girl is even a fan.

Pop stopped in the other day for a quick visit. Since we had an extra pair of hands on deck we felt brave and decided to venture out and enjoy a meal outside of the home. Sammy's is our spot. A restaurant we take our family to for local flavors and Southern charm and its just loud enough for us to almost blend in.

Eating out is something we just don't do since we became a family of five. It's way too exhausting.

But we took turns holding babies and peeling crawfish and ended up having a wonderful evening out with minimal damage to the restaurant. All in the name of hot, boiled crawfish.

Bath Time

2012-02-23T13:03:00.000-05:00

What kind of record of Jude's sweet life would this be without the inevitable bath time photos. I can't believe this is the first bath photo we've taken of him but it seems I usually give him his bath when it is just the two of us. So he was safe. Until now.

The days of sink bathes are almost over for this guy. He is getting way too big for our tiny sink and he splashes like maniac. I am sure the sisters would be overjoyed if he were to make an appearance in the bath tub but I don't think he's up for that madness quite yet.

And I would love to include a photo of his hair spiked up or combed over like an old guy here but his hair just won't be styled. The curls rule and take over immediately after the comb leaves his head, lucky for him.

Mardi Gras

2012-02-22T12:23:00.001-05:00

More than a week since my last post, feels like an eternity. We have been relishing in the spirit of the Mardi Gras festivities down here. And before I start, I have to admit that I had absolutely no prior knowledge of anything Mardi Gras. Never been, never even had a desire to go, but here we are. So if this post seems basic in knowledge thats because it is. We have so much to learn.

So little did I know that Mardi Gras really takes up most of the month of February and there are actually Mardi Gras parades taking place the entire month all over the state. Big parades, little parades, wild parades.

Another gem of the season, King Cakes, which began showing up in stores on Three Kings Day and stay until Fat Tuesday. Nyah taught me all about this sweet indulgence as they have been enjoying King Cake at school all month. I finally did my research so I wasn't a bit phased when she pulled a collection of plastic babies from her pocket on her last day of school before her vacation. Vacation? Yes, Mardi Gras is a state holiday. Here is what she looked like when I picked her up from school on Friday.

Read here to learn more about the King Cake tradition. All I know is its dough drizzled with sweet icing and who doesn't like that?

When we asked neighbors and anyone and everyone else where to go and what to do for Mardi Gras the first thing everyone would say was, "DON'T TAKE THE KIDS TO NEW ORLEANS (what ever you do)." I was just guessing to avoid all that encompassed the reputation of Mardi Gras?

So what did we do Sunday? Took the family to New Orleans for the Bacchus parade, of course. We had to see what it was all about. And mind you, we are no newbies to parades. St. Croix's parades and St. Thomas's Carnival are wildly wonderful. No one in the islands seems to be the least bit shy about their love of celebrations.

So we arrived in New Orleans. The crowds were massive and we did our thing, worked our way to the front, and tried not to get taken out by the beads being thrown. Turns out the people on the floats love kids so the girls got more than their fare share of beads. George lovingly caught and adorned the girls with all the beads they could ever imagine.

If there was lude behavior going on, or nudity, we were oblivious. We stayed and danced and celebrated until just after 8 pm when we quickly made our exit. Overall, it was a great time and something we will absolutely do again. Our island babies were right in the mix. They loved every minute.

And I can't end this post without including a photo of the waste. Plastic beads seem to loose their luster after a few minutes and end up on the ground and that makes a whole lot of garbage. I think its all in the chase with the bead business.

So we have officially checked Mardi Gras off our life list, though I must admit, I am still partial to Carnival. The costumes are what its about for me.

Happy Lent!

Sending Our Love

2012-02-14T12:06:00.000-05:00

Sending our love on this day and always in a hand-me-down, thrift store, make the most of what we have and beat this holiday at its own commercialized tendencies kind of way.

Well, all except Jude's overalls. (They fit Aunt Diane and we love them. Thank you!)

So take that Valentine's Day.

Hope you are feeling our love and wishing you a day that turns out exactly the way you want.

Ours? Well, it's off to a great start.

Valentine Paper Chain

2012-02-09T10:44:00.000-05:00

Small disclaimer before I begin this post. I am not a decorator nor that great of a crafter, just in case it isn't obvious.

But with that being said, I try my best to embrace what my kids are into and maybe get a smile out of them in the process. And Nyah's current fascination- Valentine's Day. So I am doing what I can to get into the mood though everyone else around Louisiana seems to be preparing for Mardi Gras. I'm learning.

We have been on a bit of a paper chain kick. Nyah and I made a big one for the Christmas tree out of an old road map.

So when I saw the heart paper chain behind the receptionist desk at the doctor's office, I knew we had to give it a go.

We didn't have any colored paper in the house so I just cut up some old paintings Nyah had created and stapled away.

I put it all together with some decorations Nyah had made at school (which is one of the perks of having a kid in school, by the way, automatic one of a kind holiday decor). And its Valentine's Day a go around here.

And the best part, (besides the huge smile Nyah had on her face when she saw the mantle after school) it didn't cost a penny.

The Backyard

2012-02-08T13:03:00.000-05:00

Though the color of the water in their lives has changed a bit, it still seems to have the same appeal.

Water has such a way of drawing them in. Today, to do some "fishing".

This is the body of water behind our house and up until this point, we had not let them get down and dirty in it yet. There is a steep incline heading to the water where they have the opportunity to build some speed. I have such fear that one might run straight in since we don't have a fence up to prevent this, yet. (And now you know what I think about at night when the lights go out.)

But yesterday after they had had their share of picking ~~flowers~~ weeds to give each other and me, chasing each other, and squinting into the sun, I finally gave in. The worst that could happen is that one would go in and I would just have to stand up and go in after them. Big deal.

How could an island momma have a fear of the water for her children you ask? Well, I don't know. It happens. Maybe because they aren't strong swimmers and I usually don't have all hands on deck since Jude has staked claim to them, and since the water is now in our backyard. Who knows? But this reminds me that I must get around to scheduling those swim lessons. For my sanity.

But I am so glad I dropped my fears for that moment because they had so much fun being kids. Must check myself more often.

The Chase

2012-02-03T14:05:00.001-05:00

There are the funniest little bugs flying around here in Louisiana. They come out after a good rain, fly low to the ground, and look like a big, slow, lanky mosquito. And trust me, I know my mosquitoes. But the best part is, they don't bite. I am sure these bugs have a name and I should look that up, but I won't.

Nyah has been into bugs lately. Not into them as some, but into watching them from a distance and making characters out of them. This morning as I was walking inside, she was low to the ground looking at something and said, "Wait! You're going to step on my prisoner!" She had found an ant.

So, as we were enjoying the warm afternoon yesterday, Ny found one of the mosquito like bugs and began following him, but only mustered the courage to touch him with a stick.

Finally, Elsa caught on to what Nyah was doing, walked over, grabbed the bug, examined it and in just a split second realized her power. She quickly looked at her sister, held the bug out and began chasing a screaming Nyah around the drive way, while George and I looked on laughing.

And this, in a way, sums up the drastic difference in personality of these two sisters. Both so uniquely, both so wonderful.

*And for the record, George and I aren't really that cruel. Nyah soon realized the humor in the situation and joined in our laughter, without loosing much speed.

His Seventh Month

2012-02-01T13:37:00.000-05:00

Look who decided to start sitting unassisted and sprout a tooth all in one week.

Raising kids is such a sight to behold, their advancements, their changes all on the way to becoming their little selves. The future is so unpredictable but I sometimes think of the day when we will be able to say we have three children who are _______. Be it potty trained, college graduates, friends, married, happy, and the list could go on forever.

The pride a parent must experience when children grow in to who they are meant to be, accomplishing milestones and rights of passage along the way, must make parents feel like total champions.

So for this little moment in time, yes, I am celebrating that I have three children who can sit unassisted. I am so proud. Let the checking off begin.

Jude has let a little bit more of his personality out this months. And I think its pretty typical, but he wants me to hold him all the time. If I am within eye sight, he usually has his eyes on me letting out little whimpers for my attention. George is wonderful at distracting him though so the girls can still get some love, we can eat cooked food, and have clean clothes, etc.

He is a full on beast with this teething business. Anything within his reach is in his mouth with a vicious head shake to follow, chins and faces of others included.

I mean look at those puppies, ready to bust out.

And though I would like to report major advancements in his sleep situation, well that is a milestone of our dreams. I try not to dwell on his sleep patterns or lack there of but, well, he sleeps for two hours spurts at the max day and night. That's it. But we are hanging in there. At this point I realize he is waking out of habit or out of teeth growing pain but there is no solution. We are here for him.

He can seriously cover some ground rolling and get to whatever it is he needs. He mimics us when we click our tongues and babbles, "Dada dada dadada," all day long. The moment his diaper comes off his hand heads south and stays there until he is dressed again. Boys. Congrats on that major discovery, Jude.

He is getting sweeter by the minute and his grin absolutely makes our world a better place.

Happy seventh months sweet boy.

Stating the Obvious

2012-01-31T13:05:00.000-05:00

Finally, as promised, George with Jude in ERGO.

On that note, I just have to go ahead and state the obvious. I can think of nothing on this Earth more attractive than a good Dad. I am sure so many Mothers, Grandmothers, Great-grandmothers, etc. out there can agree. It does it for me.

And this brings to my mind a quote I mulled over many times during our Indiana summer. My Mom had it taped to her bathroom mirror, there for the taking. I read over and over, seeing more and more in it each time I took it in.

"A good man leaves and inheritance to his children's children"

(Proverbs 13:22)

We couldn't ask for anything more.

And no, this is not going to become a religious blog, but I did have to ask Elsa to borrow her Bible so I could look this verse up. Thanks for sharing Elsa.

Play

2012-01-29T00:21:00.000-05:00

A few days ago I reorganized and changed up the kids play area a bit. As you know, their "playroom" is in what is supposed to be our dining room but the space works much better as a playroom, for now. Honestly, they just bring whatever is occupying them for the moment to play with next to us anyway, so we're just going with the flow.

I also find they look at books so much more when the books are placed out in the hub of our family hangout space. And I am happy anytime my kids have a book in hand. Because who really wants to have to retreat the isolation of a bedroom to take in a few books? (Me, me!)

So after the change up, they woke up and got right to playing with such Christmas morning vigor. Giving such concentration to things that have been around forever. I guess the change in location, different groupings, or the discovery of that missing piece somehow made their things shiny and new again.

For us, an organized play area is key. Because from watching these little ones day in and day out, it seems to me that play and learning are one and the same. I want to provide them with a clutter free learning environment so they can play, and thus learn, to their fullest potential.

I couldn't help but snap these photos, so early in the morning (one still with no clothes), as they were so intensely playing, because it was really one of the first moments all three of them were fully engaged in play together. They were doing it peacefully without mauling one sibling, which usually happens to poor Jude, or finding the others toy the absolute best thing ever invented, must have it right now or I will loose all control and act completely uncivilized.

They were each doing their own thing, deep in their own thoughts. Though this only lasted a few moments, I hope there will be many more mornings like this to come with these three. Because how awesome would it be to have two other siblings, so close in age, to navigate and discover this world with?

Must rearrange and reorganize more often (and find a more gender neutral rug).

Her Current Read

2012-01-27T10:39:00.000-05:00

Yup, that would be the Bible, as in the Holy Bible. And one Bible won't do. This little girls rolls with two.

She found them on the top of the back of her bookshelf, filled with dust I am sure. She totes them both around like a prized possession. Pauses, sits, and flips gently through the delicate pages, closes the good book and is on her way.

George and I don't know what to make of this, her attraction to a pictureless book. We know she loves to "read" but really? So needless to say, we've been on best behavior.

Wednesday Promises

2012-01-25T12:39:00.000-05:00

And the cycle continues. Mid week arrives and I make a personal vow that I will set aside time for myself when the weekend arrives. Take time do something with empty arms, without my shadows skipping behind.

Doing what? Well, I haven't got that far yet. The ideas of quiet and peace and not being responsible for anyone or anything are as far as my mind wanders. My mind lingers on these little things which sound so enticing each Wednesday.

Then, before I know it, the weekend is the now and I can't resist the fun, the caring, the happiness, the chaos that is our family and it would take an army to pull me away from it all.

And inevitably, Monday morning comes before I am ready and three days into going to the restroom with help, showering with and audience, and preparing dinner with one baby crying on my hip and two girls arguing, I start making empty promises to myself. Again.

It's a vicious cycle, I tell ya, but one I am so blessed to be caught up in.

Homemade Beauty Products

2012-01-20T15:23:00.000-05:00

I have been on a homemade beauty regimen kick lately. And it might not be a kick at all because I am quickly falling in love with these products. Not only because they are natural and cheap, but because they are easy to make and don't require a trip to the store (yes, still avoiding shopping with Elsa) when I run out.

Running across the house in a towel to mix a new batch is perfectly acceptable and something I can do now because we finally have blinds. Privacy at last.

A few of these beauty product were included in the gift sacks I gifted to my mom and sister in law for Christmas. My mom texted me this morning to inform me that she was out and could she please have the recipes to make more. So, I thought I would share with you all.

So here we go.

Eye Make Up Remover
1 part witch hazel
1 part olive oil
(Go a little heavier on the witch hazel to avoid an oily feel.)

I picked up a big bottle of witch hazel (a natural toner) at the local health food store and it has lasted me through numerous bottles of eye make up remover with much to spare. The bottle I use for mixing came from Michael's in a pack of three, but anything will work.

This is by far my favorite of the homemade products and the one I credit with making me look sane at pre school drop off in the morning, especially after one of Jude's all night benders.

I give the mixture a good shake, dab a little on a cotton ball, pass a couple of swipes under my eyes and all of last nights make up is off and we are ready to go. And the best part, absolutely no burning of the eyes.

Sugar Scrub
1 1/2 cup sugar (brown or white)
1/4 cup olive oil
Add a few drops of a favorite essential oil or vanilla to make it smell wonderful. I have been using lavender oil.

Mix ingredients patiently. It takes a little time for the oil to mix with the sugar. Continue mixing and add more oil or water if needed until desired sandy consistency is reached. I keep mine in a Glad container (so chic) because I don't trust myself with glass in the shower. I scoop a little into my hand while in the shower and exfoliate away.

Skin Peel
Sugar
Lemon juice

No real science here. Add sugar into a small container (you don't need much) and squeeze lemon juice in and stir until a sandy consistency if achieved.

Warning: use this sparingly. The acidity of the lemon is strong and you may end up with a red face. I use only once a week, when I can remember.

Detangler
3 parts water
1 part olive oil
A few drops of essential oil.

Mix ingredients in spray bottle.

A friend of mine with awesome curls suggested this mixture to me over the summer, but I only recently adopted it during the whole lice fiasco. At the time I was adding tea tree oil to the mixture to ward off any lice bugs who tried to come home from school with Nyah. I quickly noticed how nice it made Nyah's curls hold without being oily.

Since we are in the clear from lice at school, I have replaced the tea tree oil with lavender oil. In the morning I give it a good shake before spraying it on Nyah and Elsa's curls. But on really rough mornings, I still rely on the ol' detangler.

Hope you give some of these homemade products a try. And if you have a favorite homemade beauty product you use and would like to share I would love to hear about it.

Guest Post with TheBarefootMom

2012-01-19T12:02:00.002-05:00

As I was getting started with this whole blogging hobby, one of my favorite go to bloggers and a major source of inspiration was TheBarefootMom.

If you haven't already discovered her blog on the blog roll to the right of the screen, I highly suggest you check her out. Whether you are an island dreamer or island dweller, she always has something interesting going on. And you might even catch a glimpse of her two beautiful blond babes or her husband, The Fisherman.

I met the bfm while living on St. Croix and she does a perfect job of writing about what life is really like living on an island. She lives the motto that paradise is a state of mind, not a location, a lesson I have been lucky to learn these past few months.

Need even more reason to head on over to TheBarefootMom this morning? Well, I am featured on her blog today where we discuss the transition from life on an island to stateside living, "Life from Bush to Bustle".

This was such a wonderful experience with a one of a kind Mom and I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed preparing it with TheBarefootMom.

So here's to "paradise".

Sending much love to all.

Catching Colds

2012-01-16T10:21:00.000-05:00

Today is just going to be one of those days.

We felt it coming earlier in the week when Nyah woke up one morning with a cough. It never takes the other two long to catch on. Jude's set in yesterday and the sounds of his hoarse cries in the night were enough to break a heart.

So we are snuggled in for the day, eating lots of oranges, and drinking tea (Nyah's new thing), hoping all colds clear up.

It is mornings like this that I long for the beach. Because nothing can clear a kids nose out quite like a dip in the sea.

Practice

2012-01-11T13:32:00.002-05:00

Here is the conversation that went down as Ny and I were taking a walk around the block over the weekend. As the slow deep hum of the motorcycle made its way past this is what was said...

Nyah: Mom, will you buy me a motorcycle?

Me: Um, well, ask Dad. But you know, you will have to learn to ride your bike without training wheels first because motorcycle don't come with training wheels.

Nyah: Oh. Okay then. I will.

So we went with it.

She still needs a lot of practice but loves the idea of riding a bike with no training wheels, like the neighbor girls.

And I just discovered that balance is definitely one of those things better felt than explained. But I am most positive she is feeling it because she breaks out into the sweetest giggle the moment I let go, even if it's only for a split second. And then she looses all control, all balance, and we both end up in a heap of laughter as we turn the bike around to try it again.

Laying Low

2012-01-10T13:07:00.000-05:00

I think I have mentioned this before, but I absolutely love each and every thing about having a baby boy, including ironing his little shirts.

Wait. Did I just use the words love and ironing in the same sentence? Who am I?

Actually, I just trying to catch up on things around here after having an amazingly lazy weekend. As in Nyah and I only left the house once to buy some food. I don't think George did as much. But it was so nice to chill out, enjoy our house, our yard, our neighborhood and give the kids the time to work out their imaginations.

Elsa and Ny breezed by occasionally and watched a little of the Cruzan Christmas Parade with us in between puzzles, running around, arguing, napping, and giggling.

And rest, oh did we rest. Because little dude still isn't sleeping through the night. An hour or two is the longest he can make it so by the weekend we are whipped.

I guess having down time is one of the benefits to not having any friends in town. Wondering if we will ever find them. I guess we will enjoy our rest until we do.

A Moment with Elsa

2012-01-09T12:25:00.001-05:00

Elsa has really started to talk and put sentences together lately. The things that come out of her mouth are usually so funny but occasionally they surprise me. Which is just a friendly little reminder that kids are always listening. Like when she said, "Blush you," on cue, after I sneezed yesterday. And when she told Nyah, "That's a gwate idea!" as Nyah was picking an outfit out for school this morning.

The moment Jude wakes up from a nap and lets out the smallest of whimpers, she is always the first to let us know that, "Jude cwyin'! Jude cwyin'!" and continues until we get him. Not that we let him wail it out in ~~his room~~ our room all alone, but sometimes we have to dry our hands, close our book, stand up to walk into the room, etc. She is all over it though.

And I can't leave out the truth, that her only defense against her sister taking her stuff is to let out a blood curdling scream which takes my eardrums past the point of comfort and into the ringing stage. Lately though, she has let out a, "NO NY-YAH!" which seems to get her point across quite well or at least alerts us to intervene. We are hoping in the future more words come out and less screaming but we'll see.

In the mean time, here is a minute with the big two year old and a preview of her various hairstyles.

Soaking It Up

2012-01-05T14:17:00.002-05:00

It warmed up over the weekend so we headed out to take advantage and soak up as much vitamin D as possible.

And at our house, I guess that means pants and shirts must come off.

Ah, freedom.

Life With Socks

2012-01-04T12:52:00.000-05:00

It is really no small feat getting three kids out the door in the morning, on time especially. Nyah to school and the youngest two and I to the gym. No, I am not on some major New Year's resolution kick off, I have been a regular member of the gym pre resolution season. Promise.

Since Nyah has returned to school and the morning routine is back in action, we have had a few bumps in our quest to get back in the groove.

And I am sure you know what I am about to write. I think it is a complaint of mothers and fathers generations old, but I am just coming head to head with the problem.

Socks.

I am really not into letting things get the best of me, especially inanimate objects, but oh how I loathe socks.

It's the same old story, I wash two, at least I think I wash a matching pair, yet only one makes it out of the dryer and the pile of orphans builds. Then morning comes and no one can find a matching pair, someone cries, I get frustrated as my arm begins to burn from carrying my big boy around as I frantically search for the lost match, seconds away from being late.

And the lost sock always lies the most inconspicuous of places, especially since Elsa can only take about ten minutes in the car before she takes both shoes and socks off and tosses them. This from the girl who didn't wear shoes, much less socks, until she was a confident walker. She can't be tamed.

I guess we are just not a sock, nor shoe family. Next to our door we have a basket where we dump our shoes the moment we walk in the door. Probably an old island habit, but a necessary one I feel, especially when little ones frequently occupy the floor. Shoes are dirty, its a fact.

And though it is so tempting to think back on a time when we didn't own socks and flip flops ("fliddy flops" as Nyah calls them) and sandals protected our feet, I can't let myself go there. Because socks are here to stay.

So my vow today is to, one, stock pile mass quantities of socks in my kids' drawers so a matching pair is always just a reach away. Second, I will put a sock basket next to our shoe basket so each and every sock has a home as soon as they leave a little foot. And finally, I promise to not let the socks get the best of me, allow me to become frustrated ever again, or be the source of my child's tears.

Because socks are too tiny an object to evoke such big emotions.

By the way, if you didn't already click on the link above, click here to watch some of Elsa's first steps. You won't be sorry.

His Sixth Month

2012-01-01T12:15:00.001-05:00

I can't imagine a better day to begin your final six months on the quest to celebrating your first year of life. Happy New Year George Jude.

What a busy month you've had meeting more family and enjoying the company of your Pop for the better part of the month. The two of you have quickly become best friends.

It is so wonderful to watch the bonds you are building with your family members, most who met you for the first time as we celebrated your first Christmas together. Your chilled out personality made it so easy for each of them to get to know you. Your sweet looks, smiles, loving touches to the face resulted in instant love between you and who ever held you. No one could fight it.

You are still a little suspicious of this eating thing but are trying your best.

You newest hobby is giving full blown open mouth kisses, drenching us in drool of course, since your are doing some hard core teething these days. I wish you could bust those guys out so we could all get some sleep, especially you.

You are still growing exponentially and are wearing 9-12 month clothes. You made life easy for us starting wearing the same size diaper as Elsa. One size 4 box for us these days.

I can't wait to enjoy the next six months and forever with you because I know you will start to change and become you more each day. I love the dimples on your cheeks, the flatness of your feet, your curly mohawk, and the way you hold my hand when you nurse. You are my dream boy. Happy half a year sweet guy.

All Things Leading to 2012

2011-12-31T21:56:00.000-05:00

Another year has flown by, gone by, and I think we got by. I can only reflect on the year and realize the true unpredictability of life. Because as much as I like to plan and scribble dates, events, and appointments on my calendar, I realize it can all change in a moment. Everything set in motion by a single phone call, a single birth, a single decision causing everything to play out the exact way it should. How could we be anything but thankful?

And though 2011 brought some unexpected twists and turns, no other year since the birth of Nyah has been much different. A whirlwind to say the least.

The dark haired beauty came after just four hours of labor in the summer of 2007, the year and the season I became the woman and the person I was meant to be. The name Nyah is Swahili for "purpose", and that is exactly what she gave to me. A purpose. Through her I also learned not only my physical strength but mental strength and once I had discovered my true self worth, we were on our way.

The two of us spent 2008 working hard in Indiana, me to make things happen for us and her growing into the strong, bold, precious girl she is, none which could have happened without the help of my family. Though times were good, the inspiration just wasn't there for me.

So, jump to January 2009, we packed our humble belongings in a few suit cases, I gathered my courage, stepped out on faith, and followed our hearts back to Nyah's island of St. Croix. I was content. Nyah was all I needed.

And from there we grew more, connected with the island culture, enjoyed local food and the company of my brother and sister in law. We lived a simple life under the sun.

And then on that hot night in the rainforest, I just happened to run into my old friend George. The thing that neither of us were aware of or ready for prior to that night became a reality. And I am not sure I can put into words just how good things got from there.

My brother and sister in law left the island for new horizons and got married. We moved to town in our first home together, a tiny condo on a hill where Nyah celebrated her second birthday and began attending the most amazing Montessori preschool.

Just before the year ended, we welcomed Elsa Christiana into our lives. The bounciest happiest little girl we could never imagine, not even in our wildest dreams.

And then 2010, the year we found our dream piece of land over looking the Caribbean Sea, at the restaurant where George and I had our first date and where he proposed to me on one of the only dates we went on for the year.

I felt there was such a reason to celebrate life and family, so on June 3,2010, I wrote my first blog post. A hobby that has become such a creative release for me and great way to share our daily lives.

But 2010 wouldn't have been complete without a positive pregnancy test, of course taken in the triage booth of the Juan F. Luis Hospital, the place I was working when I discovered I was blessed with new life with all three of our children. The ultimate secret only I knew for the seconds, the days, the moments I held it, my insides jumping into my throat the entire time, once from fear and twice from excitement.

Twenty-ten ended with us making our love official in the presence of our most loved family and friends, in Las Vegas, of course.

And 2011, the present for but a few more hours has been such a good year, where we enjoyed our island life, stronger friendships, and growing children.

Mango season was the best yet, and then it was time to go. To a different job, to a different life not on an island and I cried. We enjoyed an Indiana summer to the fullest as we assimilate to the mega life on the mainland.

And then in July our big ten pound boy reluctantly came to us in one big push, securing his place as our baby boy, our last. A calm and snuggly Momma's boy.

George left us two weeks later to start his job and find a home for us. I gathered myself and learned to be the momma of three babies alone, but of course, not without the help of my family, especially my Nan.

So here were are, in our new home. A house with screens, a yard, and space, located in a place we never dreamed we would be, Louisiana. Learning and loving and assimilating to a new culture and new flavors. And growing and enjoying each other every step of the way.

I have no major resolutions for 2012, just the same as last year, and the daily goal of being the best person I can be. I do hope to settle in this coming year, appreciate, and be ultimately present with the kids as they grow. And maybe enjoy a year without being pregnant or giving birth. That would be a year for the record books.

Wishing the best to all of you, hoping your hearts are filled to the brim in 2012.

And as always, thanks for the support and thanks for reading.

All my love,
Suz

N'awlins

2011-12-28T23:28:00.001-05:00

Family is gone. The holiday that I wish would never end is over. Actually, we still have Pop and my sister here so we don't really have to get back to reality until the end of the week.

Before everyone left we made a trip to New Orleans to check things out. There is just so much to see and eat there, I feel like we have hardly scratched the surface.

This was our third day trip to New Orleans. Two of our trips we have been rained on, and one of the trips I found my self on Bourbon Street, at night, with my stroller. Not a good look. There aren't enough ear muffs in the world to protect my children's ears from the craziness that dwells there.

So although some of us did get rained on this go around, we only made a quick appearance on Bourbon Street, in the afternoon, so only minimal debauchery was witnessed. So overall I would call it a successful trip.

We are finally getting to know our way around the French Quarter so we can be better tour guides when guests visit.

Nyah now knows New Orleans is a place she likes and asked if she could take her Aunt Nikki there tomorrow. And yes, she is still rocking the costumes.

Though I may grumble about living in Louisiana from time to time, it is wonderful to watch my children explore and new place and culture, take it in and enjoy it. Because New Orleans has a lot of it all.

I on the other hand just want to see Brad Pitt's house, but don't tell anyone.

So though the bulk of the family was gone, I truly cherished every moment with them, every indulgent meal, drink, each day I blew off the gym. And thats what its all about.

It's the Most Wonderful Time...

2011-12-25T16:54:00.001-05:00

Well, the first Christmas in the new house is turning out to be like something I've always imagined. My family is in town and love is all around.

Santa happened to pay us a visit this morning so the kids are on abundance overdrive and loving every minute.

So a game of scrabble as been played, dinner is going low and slow in the oven, chestnuts are roasting on our new gas fireplace, Jude is doing what he does best, melting hearts at every change, George is in NBA heaven, Nyah is on about her twelfth outfit change, and Elsa just got her hands on her first candy cane. It really doesn't get much better than this.

Sending you and yours the warmest and most heartfelt Happy Holidays, from our family to yours.

Gingerbread House-Round Two

2011-12-22T10:47:00.002-05:00

Its that time of year again and it just hit me that I have not done a thing in the way of devising a master plan to conquer the construction of a gingerbread house. If you remember anything about the absolute disaster that was our graham cracker house last Christmas, I knew I had my work cut out for me. Here's a little refresher of the graham cracker house (pre collapse) in case you forgot.

So it was lingering in my mind, how I was going to make this year a success, when I stumbled across a gingerbread house making kit at the local mega store. I grabbed it, thinking it would come with pre cut gingerbread pieces which we could construct ourselves and decorate. But oh no. I opened the box and what to my wondering eyes should appear but a fully constructed gingerbread house, and eight tiny reindeer.

And though I felt a bit guilty that I was cheating, yet again, it actually worked out because Ny got to jump right into the decorating if the house. Because she has little to no interest in the construction of the house. Her main objective is sneaking as much candy as possible.

So overall, this years construction was very low stress with little frustration and though I will be tempted to make this boxed gingerbread house the tradition, I am determined to master the gingerbread house, from scratch, start to finish, top to bottom.

Next year, gingerbread house, next year.