Saint Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day-the day in which our materialistic society binges on chocolates, roses, extra large stuffed animals, and sparkly things. It has become such a marketing ploy; the day they take down the Christmas trees they put up the cupids. I heard on Catholic radio a week or so ago, mention of how this holiday came to be. As the story goes it used to be a pagan holiday in which all forms of sexual pleasure were encouraged and enjoyed by the masses of young adults during that time. The pope of this era decided to attempt an end to it by encouraging young adults to instead choose a saint on that day to which they would pray to over the next year. Somehow as the years progressed, the two concepts morphed into yet another whole idea. The romanticism behind the paganism remained minus (for most at least) the perversity, and the dedication to a saint also prevailed-St. Valentine (although most don't realize this). Anyway, moving on from the general population's "Valentine's Day" over the past several centuries to the microscopic view of my own family in regards to St. Valentine's Day... Since our relationship began in 2008, my man and I have delighted in doting upon the other, whether by innovative love notes, surprise gifts, scavenger hunts, or acts of insanity meant to express our love. This year, despite being married with a baby and one on the way, was no exception. In fact, it may be because of the busyness of our lives that this Valentine's Day took such precidence. My husband has always taken great pleasure in acts of grandiose love with much pomp and circumstance. He feeds into the very desires of the department store cupids at this time of year. If he could he would yearly buy me diamonds, roses, chocolates and a romantic evening for two, that is just the way he is. Praise the sweet Lord for our circumstances financially however, because it provides him with a much better opportunity for creativity. This year I didn't know if he had planned anything. His work schedule has been across the board and unforseen so I knew he couldn't plan much ahead of time. I don't know if it was due to this or to the fact that I felt a duty in some way to show him I loved him this year, more than before, because of all the craziness that is our lives right now and the fact that he has not been my number one priority as he should be. Regardless, I knew to get my creative juices flowing I would need to go to an abundant source-Pinterest. I found a website within there completely dedicated to organizing date nights for hour hubby. After the initial guilt as I perused the pages, I decided to take one of them up. I actuall put two ideas together as one-any attempt to call it my own. I started planning a week ahead of time a treasure hunt for him that would end in our bedroom which would be set up all fancy and what-not. Each clue had a task along with it such as slow-dancing together, sharing favorite memories, etc. I couldn't wait to see how it all played out. Valentine's Day: My husband wakes up at least an hour before me daily, playing with our precious daughter so I can sleep in. Today was no exception. He also found time to make me a breakfast in bed of heart-shaped chocolate chip pancakes (made from scratch!) and OJ. Flowers were on the tray as well of course! After a great start to the day we went about as usual, he going to work, me attacking a long to-do list. I was welcomed by the happy surprise that he got off early! 3:30pm and he was in the kitchen working on the dinner he was making me (yet another surprise) while I put some last minute touches on his gift. A huge gift was that dinner was ready before 5:00pm! I came out of Colette's nursery to find that he had created a picnic on the beach for us! In the middle of this "snowpacalypse" he provided a little relief. He had set up a projector he borrowed from my parents and there was a beautiful video of Hawaii playing with relaxing music. A picnic blanket on the floor with Doritos, wine, cheese, sausage and crackers sealed the deal! He also had a home-made pizza in the oven. Wow, this man is amazing. After dinner, Colette gave us her Valentine's Day gift-she went to bed for the night at 5:30! What a gift! I apologize for the over-use of exclamation points but if there ever was a time to use them incessently the time is now. The next few hours were a lot of fun... ;) Adam loved the treasure hunt and we left the projector up to watch a movie together later. Felt like a real movie theater...which we never get to go to anymore. Wow, the day was great. Honestly, I fell in love with him all over again that day. Sounds cliche that this would happen on Valentine's Day. It is I suppose. But we needed it to be. We needed a nationally accepted holiday about love to force us to focus on that very core of all that our lives are. How had we forgotten it? The day was evidence that each of us was overflowing with a desire to lavish love upon the other. Why did we wait until then? I'm convinced not to let this happen again. What we have is great. No other couple that ever has been or ever will be will know the love that we share. I love you Adam. Thank you, St. Valentine, for reminding me.

To My Little "BB" (Baby Bish)

Oh sweet little one, everyone warned me and mocked me as I plunged into my first pregnancy armed with scrapbooks, calendars, photos, keepsakes and notes that there was no chance my other children would share in such detailed recording of their in-utero and infancy. However, I must also tell you that most of your big sister's keepsakes are still sitting in an unorganized pile waiting to be filed into a book! Anyway, I want you to know that mommy is trying very hard to love you in your own unique way already and even if you don't have a whole lot recorded over the next few months (but I'll try) I don't love you any less. I had to write you a quick note to tell you what you've been like these first few months of your life. Well, you are very different from your sister at this age-see look how unique you are already! I have been a little tired, but nothing like I had been with Cole. Which is a blessing considering now that I have her I can't just take a nap whenever I want! I have virtually no nausea with you, which I also said about Colette, but now I realize how much nausea I did have with her considering I have none now! Honestly little babe, I barely feel pregnant! I am glad we have already gotten to see you twice in these 12 weeks so I can be reminded that your little beating heart is truly dwelling within me. We went to our first appointment with Dr. Flemming last week and daddy, Colette and I all got to see you kick your long skinny legs and wave your arm at us. Even at such a young age, your daddy and I agree that we can already see how different you are from Cole and how you are your own person. You have a bigger head than she did and very long legs! You're definitely not as active as she was either! Well, I'm not tired and I don't have nausea. Do I have any symptoms to remind me of you daily? Yes! And boy are they silly ones that I never had with Colette. I am having super crazy dreams-every night! I rarely dream, let alone so vividly, it is quite a ride. Now don't get offended by this next one, but I am very impatient and get easily angry. I think that it is my hormones leaning in a different direction than the weepiness I experienced last time around. Your poor daddy is so patient with me, I don't know what I would do without him. We absolutely cannot wait to meet you. Dad thinks you're a boy, I have no idea. Either way, you're gonna be the best!

Snowed in!

Okay punkstarooni...I was going to write you a little note telling you how much I love you and what you've been up to these days, but due to the circumstances, there is something else I must speak of! You, in your 6th month of life get to experience what I haven't experienced until now. Southeast Michigan has reached record lows in temperature and is getting hit by a crazy snowstorm. Over the past two days we got 16 inches of snow and the temperature with wind chill is nearing -50! Needless to say, we have been keeping you snug as a bug in a rug at home the past couple days. You and I and dad have been at home doing puzzles, playing games and looking at the snow outside. After cabin fever set in we decided to attempt visiting your Meema and Beeba. It was quite the drive, we almost got stuck in our driveway, but dad toughed it out and we made it! I wish we could've taken you for your first sledding trip, but the temperature made the beautiful snow become a treacherous sight. Hopefully someday soon it will happen. I was supposed to take you and Zelie to Chicago for a little visit to the American Girl Place but the bus was cancelled. I still look back and praise God that it was as I try to imagine what it would've been like trying to hail a cab with you in tow in that cold...

MI renaissance festival

Ah, and here it is. Our second year (and probably last) attending the Renaissance Festival! We found out after last year that there was a fairy house building competition and all entries got two tickets to the festival. Of course Adam, being who he is, dove into planning an extravagent fairy house, while I, being who I am, drooled at the thought of saving 40 bucks! So, what ensued was a great time together in planning and building the house and saving money! Of course it was also lots of fun looking for our house once we got to the festival. But, now that our family is growing, I'm beginning to realize that the festival may be a bit too risque for a family outing. Oh well. We shall see.

Apple Charlie's

Better late than never in posting this, right? We cannot forget the first time our little Colette went to Apple Charlie's! This year was a huge bumper crop of apples. Last year was one of the worst, this year was the second largest in like a hundred years or something. So, as always, we had to go apple picking. We picked a weekend when Micah and Suzanne were visiting and all headed out to the orchard. You got to see the animals, help us pick apples, we got our cider and donuts (but no cinnamon sugar b/c they were out due to the large crowds), fed the fishies and ducks, and danced to the oldies band. It was a good day.

Half a year old!

Oh my goodness my precious girl! Tomorrow you will be six months old! I just cannot believe it. You have grown so much over the past several months. Your physical growth has actually slowed a lot and you're turning into quite the petite little thing, but everything else is progressing beautifully. You are so ready to be a big sister. You sit up, roll over both ways, eat bananas, sweet potatoes, prunes and oatmeal, you laugh and talk and smile, you focus so deeply on the little details around you, you love to jump and bounce, you are just such a whole person unto yourself and it is incredible to see. As you grow older, it has been interesting to watch your personality grow and develop. While you are pretty happy most of the time, you have been becoming a little whiner as of late! Sometimes even when you're sleeping, your dad and I can hear you whining. You love people though-whether I take you to mass, to the mall, grocery shopping, or to a friend's house, you flirt with everyone in sight, dying for attention! Fr. James Mangan, a friend of ours, is very astute in picking out people's temperaments and he is pretty sure you are a melancholic. We are so excited to continue to see the revelation of all that you are! I wanted to post these pictures from when you turned three months too, to show you the change.