New Americans

In February we added two citizens to this country: baby Helena and Paula (Kirsti's mom). The ceremony was on Friday the 23rd in Spokane. Last weekend we celebrated with dinner. One of the family mottos is "I could eat." Costco had American flag cakes (for President's Day?) with the phrase "God Bless America" that were perfect for the occasion. Nora sang "Happy Citizenship Day" (to the tune of Happy Birthday).

Nap

Helena and Aunt Liisa spend some quality time together. And Nora with Aunt Anja a few years ago.

Three kids

Mark was trying to get a picture of the three together and as you can see, it isn't easy. The session as a whole is very funny, but unfortunately too many pictures to post. Nora and Henry are both very fond of Helena and seem to be doing well with the transition thus far.

Henry's First Haircut

Mark cut Henry's hair this afternoon. It could have been done sooner, but his hair is so fine that the need wasn't too obvious. He was cooperative and didn't squirm until the end. He looks older now.

To Do List: Name Baby- Check!

Helena Judith
February 15, 2008
8 lb. 1 oz.

Andrea came today and took a few pictures of the baby.

You look familiar

The top two pictures are of Nora, I couldn't find one of her wearing that hat. Then Henry, then Little One. Even though she refuses to introduce herself, there isn't much doubt the new one belongs to us.

Little Miss

NuNu arrives and is eagerly greeted by her siblings. Everyone is home now and recovering, we'll share more pictures and details later.

Happy Valentine's Day

Nora loves a holiday. She has been looking forward to this all week. Yesterday we made some cards for her friends at playgroup and Mark brought home heart-shaped balloons for the kids. Henry was a little nervous about his, which we didn't expect. Today Nora wanted to know if there were any Valentine songs.

FYI

Still no change in the whereabouts of the littlest one. Punctuality is important to me, but it does not seem to be a hereditary trait. It shall just have to be part of the training as they grow.

Ballerina

Nora has come a long way since her first class. In the beginning she would just stand and smile because everything was so exciting. Now she points her toes and stomps and gallops and jumps like a pro. A 3 year old pro with 5 months of experience.

T+ 2 days

Nothing to report. The trend of being closer to the due date with each child has not continued, alas.

The due date comes... and goes

"The next morning, of course, Betsy made a list. Lists were always her comfort. For years she had made lists of books she must read, good habits she must acquire..."
-From Betsy and the Great World by Maud Hart Lovelace

The Other Side. I have been here before. Twice. So it should not be a surprise and yet it is. Like Betsy, I have made another list of things to occupy my time until she should decide to make an appearance. The uncertain nature of the end makes the timing so maddening. You want to have everything done, but not too early or it has to be done again.

Cookies

We made some Valentine cookies yesterday since next week will not be a time for extra activities. The recipe is Iola's White Sugar Cookies from America's Best Lost Recipes and is more cake-like than other cookies. Nora used a heart cutter rather than circular and both kids helped apply colored sprinkles instead of plain sugar.

Big Sister

Last night Nora mentioned that she didn't think that Henry should hold the baby until he was bigger. So we explained that we used to let her hold him even though she was the same age he is now when he was born. (In fact most of his early pictures are in her arms because every time she held him she would demand "take a picture.") She wanted to try holding him again and thankfully Henry was amenable. He is two days old in the picture above .

Happy lunar new year!

She will be born in the year of the rat. I was kind of hoping for year of the pig since 1) pigs are more appealing than rats and 2) she would be here by now. However, I will comfort myself with the fact that a Chinese woman that works with Mark says that a person born in this year "has special charm."

And so we wait

I found this little gem while meandering the internet:

"Dilation and effacement are probably the worst ways to judge when birth is going to occur. You can be 3cms dilated and 100% effaced and stay pregnant for a few more weeks.
Or you can be not dilated or effaced at all and have your baby the next day. It's really a bad indication."

Of course, I know this. The difficulty is that they are the few things that can be measured. One still hopes that progress is an indication that labor is approaching. On the other hand, since there wasn't a difference for me between this week and last week perhaps I should be glad that it means so little.

No baby yet

Sighed Mayzie, a lazy bird hatching an egg:
"I'm tired and I'm bored
And I've kinks in my leg
From sitting, just sitting here day after day.
It's work! How I hate it!
I'd much rather play!
I'd take a vacation, fly off for a rest
If I could find someone to stay on my nest!

-From Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss

At least I'm not just sitting, but I wouldn't mind passing the baton to someone else for a while. Not too many days left (we hope).