A week

We've had quite a week over here.  On Monday, we attended (for the first time!) the annual March for Life downtown.  After I got over the mental hurdle of taking two kids downtown to a huge crowd with a forecast of rain, we actually had a relatively easy time of it, and I'm so glad we went.  James had class that morning, so Lucy, Charlie and I rode the metro and met him there.  I made sure to pack pretty much everything we could possibly need including two rain ponchos, one which I rigged to fit over Lucy's stroller (but we didn't even need it!).  After successfully meeting James and a couple of his fellow classmates, we rode the metro further downtown.  As soon as we got off the metro, we ran into other marchers, so we just joined right in.  Many people have told me about the March for Life and what it was like to be there, but I'm not sure anything could have prepared me for what it was actually like.  The sheer amount of people is overwhelming, but then I realized how peaceful everyone was.  As an introvert, I think I tend to assume that massive crowds are going to pummel me to the ground if I don't watch out.  But I've never been in such a calm and considerate crowd before!  I'm sure it didn't hurt that I had a baby strapped to my chest as well...

Anyway, it was a beautiful and inspiring day.  The kids were wonderful, it only lightly rained for about 10 minutes, and James or I didn't even have to push the stroller most of the way thanks to our wonderful friends who were more than happy to do so.  Here is a picture (that I'm borrowing) to give you an image of how many people there were:

from www.lifesitenews.com

After the March, one of our friends who lives downtown had a little gathering at her house so that people could warm up a little and let the crowds at the metro die down a little.  I am very grateful for this because it was right about this time that Lucy was just done.  She needed some warmth, some food and someone to hold her.  After about five minutes in my arms, so was smiling again and ready to party.

On Tuesday, we had the very first meeting of what we're informally calling "playschool."  Five families (us included) are banding together to have our own little preschool.  We're meeting once a week (we being 5 moms, 5 two/three-year-olds, and 4 babies with one on the way), and taking turns planning lessons.  We had a great first meeting, complete with some gluing, a story, sandbox time, and even some preschool meltdowns.  

Thursday, the kids and I visited James at school to attend a surprise wedding shower for one of his classmates who is getting married next weekend.

On Friday, we had yet another surprise party to go to (James's class is obsessed with surprises).  This was quite the epic surprise party.  It was for two people, Mike and Katherine.  Katherine knew about the party, but thought it was just for Mike.  It was her job to distract him, and then bring him to the party (which was at his house).  She even ended up making a dish for her own birthday party!  Also, Mike's parents (who live in Philadelphia) and brother (who lives in New York) came.  Mike knew they were coming, but thought they weren't coming until Saturday.  He really wanted his classmates to meet his parents, so he sent out this e-mail inviting everyone to a party on Saturday night.  Everyone replied that they couldn't make it (because they knew they were coming to his surprise party on Friday night), and Mike got super bummed out about it.  Everyone was pretty anxious for Friday night to come so that Mike wouldn't be sad anymore!

The birthday buds and Lucy

Carly (the brains behind the party, along with George), Mike's dad, Mike brother and Mike

Lucy, as always, was the life of the party.  She hit balloons with kitchen utensils, she ate lots of cake, and she even danced with the birthday boy.

And then, the day after that, we went to a baptism and post-baptism party.  Whew!  And did I mention that in the midst of all of this, James is trying to finish his PhD application, and finish a paper??  

And after all of that excitement, here is a bit of the everyday:

Lucy wearing some penguin pajamas that Grandma Mary made her last year that finally fit!  She loves them.

My kids are weird.  They don't like bananas.  But Charlie likes peas. 

This revelation was pretty exciting for me.  I don't feel like such a loser of a parent anymore because at least one of my children does not despise all vegetables.  Lucy is still holding strong to the anti-vegetable stance and will not let a single one knowingly pass her lips without bribing.  I say knowingly because I am able to get sneak some in here and there.  I say bribing because every great once in a while she will eat a vegetable in order to get something else (cheese, chips, a sandwich), but not without some dramatics of course.  

 Our friend George gave Lucy this ukulele.  He had it for a while but just never played it, and he thought Lucy would enjoy it.  And of course, she does.  James and she play guitar together all the time now. Here she is strumming along to a song book we got from the library. 

 

Epiphany party

I'm a little behind posting this-- life has been a bit busy!  We've had several random appointments,  James had a conference at school, Lucy started a wonderful little "school" (it's only twice a month), and the kids and I got in a car accident.  Everyone's fine, and it was the other driver's fault, but I forgot how much of a hassle it can be communicating with insurance, getting the estimate, obtaining a rental car (especially with two car seats), and getting it fixed.

Anyway, here are some pictures from an impromptu Epiphany party we had with a couple of friends.  We got crafty/liturgical/goofy and had chicken with side dishes that represented gold, frankincense and myrrh (bread rolls, corn and stuffed mushrooms).  Lucy, of course, had a wonderful time.  One of her favorite things to do when people are over is to try on all their shoes.  This was a particularly amusing pair.

We also made a King Cake.  King Cakes are very popular in New Orleans for Mardi Gras.  Epiphany is the first day of the Mardi Gras season (apparently).  King "Cake" is kind of deceiving.  It's more like a big cinnamon roll shaped in a ring.  It's traditional to hide a little plastic Jesus in the King Cake and whoever finds it is king for the day and has to host the party next year.  Well, I did not hide a baby Jesus in the cake because 1. I did not have one 2. I think biting into a plastic anything would not be the best eating experience.  So, we went a more symbolic route and hid an almond in there.  

Carly and I did a lot of cooking that day!  Lucy is helping us putting on the sprinkles here.

 Charlie really loves our friend George.  As soon as George picked him up this day, he extended his arm to him to play the "bite my hand" game they play.

 In other news, Charlie has started eating solid foods.  We delayed it for a while because of his breathing issues and his development delays.  He's still not sitting up, but I decided to get out his high chair and see how he liked it in there.  He seemed pretty happy and able to keep himself upright in it, so we went ahead with some bananas.  He was very thoughtful about it all, but is enjoying it.  He seems to enjoy squash as well.  I know he looks terribly unhappy in all of these pictures but that is due to the presence of the camera, not his feelings about solids.

 I swear, he's all smiles and giggles until the camera comes out.

To all our Secret Santas

I gotta hand it to you, you guys are tricky.  And sweet.  Very very very sweet.

On December 1, we received a package.  The return address was simply "Secret Santa."  I opened it up and found two Christmas CDs.  December 1 was the day after we received Charlie's diagnosis-- a day that was somewhat difficult.  We were trying to figure out what had changed, and what was still the same, if that makes any sense.  This package was a much greater gift than just the two Christmas CDs (though those were pretty good too!).  It was a reminder that someone cared for us, that someone supported us and would be there when we needed it (without even knowing we needed it at that particular moment).  That was something that had not changed.

The next day, we received another package.  And then more packages came.  And more.  And still more.  Almost every day from Dec 1 to Christmas Eve a package or letter arrived.  Since we live in a basement apartment and don't have a separate mailbox, our landlord usually just brings a package down the stairs if one arrives.  Well, they got quite the workout this past month!  Every package was anonymous.  But every package held a very sweet gift-- always something thoughtful.

To be quite honest, for a while it really drove me crazy.  I wanted to find out who each one of you were so that I could properly thank you.  I even typed in the shipping tracking number of many of your packages to USPS's website in the hopes that it would give me a name.  I even Google-Earthed some of your houses because you put return addresses but no name.  I know that one of you just purchased a house in May in Madison (congrats!), but I have no idea who you are.  I did all this while James chided, "Just accept the gift!"  And finally I did.  The large majority of you have me stumped.  I have to be content with offering many prayers of thanks and blessing for "all of our Secret Santas, whoever they might be."  

I wish I could tell you how much this has meant to us.  Charlie had not even been diagnosed when you must have organized this, but it could not have come at a better time.  Before we even had a chance to ask, "Do we have help and support enough to get through this?" you answered.  Overwhelmingly.  

When I realized what was going on, I started keeping a list of all the packages.  I've added it below in case you are interested.

1.  2 Christmas CDs

2. lemon salt scrub (homemade!), a children's book about Bucky the Badger, a sticker and coloring book

3. throat coat tea, little wooden transportation toys (love them!), M&Ms, and a Christmas carol book

4. Christmas hats for each of us, garland, a disposable camera and a gift card to Walgreens (the idea being a Christmas photo shoot :-))

5. animal scrapbooking supplies, and vegan snickerdoodles (whoa, these were tasty, and a Christmas cookie that is very close to my heart)

6. pajamas for both Lucy and Charlie, hot pink ANTM pants (hysterical) and a tie for James

7. 2 very decadent, very delicious vegan cookies and a $15 iTunes giftcard

8. a game for Lucy: "dancing eggs."  This looks so fun!

9. toffee (I have reason to wonder whether or not this was actually part of the Secret Santa or if this was independent but I am including it anyway.)

10. a special candle for St. Lucy's Day and Lindt chocolates

11. coloring books, slinky, silly putty, play dough, Big Bird book, and 50 First Dates

12. pajamas for Charlie, coloring books and crayons, and The Night Before Christmas picture book

13. three Christmas story books

14. Movie passes PLUS a gift card for popcorn and whatever PLUS $20 for a sitter or dinner

15. hot cocoa and three Christmas books

16. a cooperative board game called "Max." (No joke, I was totally eyeing this online just days before it came in the mail)

17. 5 Christmas picture books (Yes, our Christmas book basket is officially packed!)

18. $15

19. a print of 1 Cor 13:4-8 ("Love is..")

20. a children's book about St. Therese (a promise of it... apparently there was a mix-up in the shipping!)

21. a Target gift card

22. veggie chips, vegan chocolate cookies, and Veggie Tales coloring book

(Do you see a pattern?  I do.  Cookies and books.  You guys know us well!)

We've been truly humbled and honored by this grand gesture.  Christmas truly brought many surprises.  Many members of our family also found beautiful and BIG ways to say, "We love you.  We support you."  We only pray that all of you have felt such love this past Christmas as well.  I think we'll always remember this Christmas as one in which we were physically far from home, but felt our family and friends' love for us as clearly as if they were right there hugging us.

First snow

We had a busy morning full of grocery shopping and thrift store shopping.  We came home and ate lunch.  Then I happened to glance up to our little 1 ft tall window and realized it was snowing.  The first snow of the season.  So, I told Lucy who excitedly ran to our bedroom windows which are a little bigger and we watched it snow.  After about 5 min, Lucy shyly turned to me and said, "Put shoes on?"  She wanted to go outside.

Hi, my name is Jane and I hate winter.  I know, you're all going to give me a lecture about the beauty of the change of seasons and how I wouldn't really like summer if I didn't have winter and how fun snow is and white Christmas and skiing and ice skating and hot chocolate.  That's fine.  But I still hate winter.  Snow is fun for like 5 minutes and then I am totally done with it.  But, I have a 2-year-old and I like to at least TRY to be a fun mom, so I said, "Okay!  Let's get your coat!"  

Unfortunately by the time we put all of our winter gear on, the actual snow had stopped, but there was a dusting on the ground.

 Pensive in a new situation, as always.

 Charlie, not very excited.  It was rather windy, and he kept making surprised noises.

 Lucy was a little sad that it had stopped snowing, but she still enjoyed poking a stick in the snow and looking at our footprints.

Then we went inside and made hot chocolate.  Lucy likes to "have tea" with James or me quite often.  "Have tea" means graham crackers, a few chocolate chips, and some soy milk in a little tea cup.  It's nice quality time with her, and she likes to "cheers" with her tea cup.  Today we found a new tea set that was made in Germany from the thrift store.

By the way, yes I hate winter and yes I lived in Wisconsin for 4 years.  I'll never forget the sensation of stepping outside and feeling the inside of your nose instantly freeze.  I'll also never forget trying for hours (yes, hours) to free my car from a prison of snow and ice because it was routinely covered by the snow plows.  And I think I permanently lost some marbles when it snowed in May (the same month of our wedding).  Okay, I'm done whining!

A whole lotta Christmas

Merry Christmas!  We hope you and yours had a beautiful, blessed, delicious, relaxing, full holiday.  We certainly did!  Here are some pictures of our celebrations.

Our friend Carly came over to decorate cookies with us.  We let Lucy get in on the decorating fun as well.  This is a star, if you can't quite tell.

She wanted to alternate decorating cookies and loving on Charlie, which called for super-vigilance to make sure Charlie did not get decorated.

This is one of my favorites by Carly, which was the last cookie to be eaten.

Lucy is reading a book to Charlie.

Oops, she caught me.

That brings us to the big night.  Christmas Eve!  We had fish tacos for dinner.  It started out as a joke.  We were looking up traditional Christmas Eve dinners and apparently it's customary to have a fish feast (something like 7 different fish dishes, I can't remember).  So, I asked James what kind of fish he wanted and he (jokingly) said fish tacos.  But then it started to sound really good, so we just went with it.  I'm really glad we did.  I fried the fish and everything and it was delicious.  

Then, we decided it was time to open presents.  Now, we don't really talk about presents much with Lucy much so I didn't expect much of a reaction when I said presents (they weren't sitting out, they were hiding in a back room in plain brown boxes).  Well, I couldn't have more wrong.  We asked her if she wanted to open presents, and she started cracking up and in a wild delirium repeating "Open the presents!  Open the presents!"  

So, we got out all the boxes, and decided to first read the nativity narrative and sing a carol.  During the nativity narrative, Lucy got really excited about the angels singing "Glory to God in the highest" and repeated the presents reaction with "Glory to God in the highest."  

Then it was time to "rip 'em" as my brother used to say.

I know, it's a funny looking bunch of presents.  All of our presents were shipped here, and most of them through Amazon.  I was going to let Lucy decorate them, but... I ran out of time.

Oh, by the way, this is our Jesse Tree.  We don't have room for a Christmas tree, so this is our official tree of the year (it's a posterboard taped to our wall).  Each little picture represents a Bible story leading up to the birth of Christ.  We put a picture up and read the corresponding Bible passage every night in Advent.  Lucy LOVES the Jesse Tree and can tell you what each picture stands for, including Melchizedek (which was "Monkey My Duck" for a while).

So, we finally opened the first big box, which had tons of great stuff in it.  And Lucy picked out one book, sat down and pored over it for a good long while.  She is so funny.

Charlie says, "Open another present already!"

One box even had some Grandma Stanley Christmas cookies in it!

Charlie checking out his new truck.

Now here are a lot of pictures of the kids opening their toys, for the grandparents.

(I think that one is from us though.)

Lucy was really excited to get some books that she usually has almost constantly checked out from the library (she cries when we have to take them back).

Lucy was also very excited to get a little set of percussion instruments.  Her face when she opened these and realized what they were was priceless.

She was so overwhelmed with the excited that she covered her face.

Charlie is rolling in the teethers now.  He is enjoying all the textures and colors, contrary to what this picture might suggest.

James and I got a ton of books!  A very English Major Christmas.

After we opened presents, we hung around for a while and then went to midnight mass.  I know you are thinking we are nuts right about now, and I don't think I would argue with you about that.  But!  We had a great time at midnight mass!  Lucy stayed awake for the whole thing and was even well behaved!  She only got upset because she was really looking forward to singing the Gloria (you don't sing it during Advent and she always notices if something is different), but they sang it in Latin and she didn't recognize it.  She kept whining "Ohhh, can't sing Glory to God!" so I had to whisper it to her.  She had finally accepted it when they read the Gospel, which included the angels saying "Glory to God in the highest."  And all was right with the world.  My favorite part was watching Lucy's face light up when she saw the manger scene.  It's something I'll always remember, but probably never be able to describe.

Christmas Day we slept in, ate waffles with strawberries, stayed in our pajamas all day, and ate a huge dinner.  I tried to make Bananas Foster flambe-style, but burnt it.  The timing is a little tricky.  Oh well! It was okay because we were just going to put it on top of ice cream anyway, so we just put other things on our ice cream!

A couple days later, Lucy started playing this game where she arranges blankets very carefully in a laundry basket and then sits in it forever.  Later, it came out that she is playing "baby Jesus in the manger."  We laughed pretty hard.

Later in the week, our church had a living Nativity scene, which is inspired by St. Francis of Assisi.  Several families with babies volunteered to dress up as the Holy Family and they even had animals.

Needless to say, Lucy really enjoyed it.

On New Year's Eve, we decided to carry on the Stanley tradition of fondue!  We had cheese and cheese-like fondue with all kinds of dippers-- bread, crackers, sausage, a huge veggie tray and a huge fruit tray.  Then we had chocolate fondue with strawberries, marshmallows and cookies.  

Please believe me: Charlie smiles at us almost non-stop... until he sees the camera.  I so want to capture that beautiful little smile and often spend a long time trying to capture it, but to no avail.  He just gives me the deer in the headlights look, but who am I kidding, that is cute too.

This is as good as I could get.

We very much missed all of our family and friends back home this Christmas, but have been happy to connect with many of you in one way or another.  Though we're far away, we've been truly blessed by a lot of little (and big) reminders that we are loved.  We hope and pray that all of you are having a wonderful Christmas season!