2nd Anniversary

These last couple of weeks we have been experiencing exceptional weather.  Today was no different, other than a little cooler than it has been lately, it was nonetheless a perfect fall afternoon.  The kids and I spent some time outside playing in the leaves.  I would rake the leaves into a pile and they were run through them scattering the leaves far and wide, and the farther and wider the better!  As they would destroy one pile I would be reforming another, just in time for the kids to set their sights on the next one.

It was as I was watching/participating in this fine fall frolic I was reminded of what this last week marked for our family, in particular for our little lady.  It was two years ago this past Thursday that we brought Mary Alice home from Hope Hospital.  I have to admit that Ben and I were not the two remember this date.  We have been so wrapped up in normal life that this special anniversary went past without an acknowledgement.  It is funny how forefront that whole ordeal was at the time and how it has almost faded into the back ground, a mere two years later.  I barely notice the scars, I have gotten used the constant bruising, even the giving of meds twice a day doesn't faze me.  

If I remember correctly, there were times during the hospital stay that I thought the nagging fear of the condition would hang with us forever.  But really they haven't.  Now don't get me wrong, we think about her condition a lot, but not in the frequency with which I anticipated.  I don't look at her and see a congenital heart defect, I see my girl...my energetic, outgoing, large locomotive-loving, reading fiend, Barney watching "I do it myself" baby girl, who loves to talk with anyone that will listen (animate or inanimate) and that includes her Jesus.  Listening to her pray makes my heart so warm, even if it is just thanking Jesus for red sheets on her big girl bed!  I say thank you Jesus for the ability and opportunity to play in the leaves with our Mary Alice, thank you for the joy you have placed in her heart and overflows so often to those she comes in contact with, her mom included!

 (Here she wanted to be a "sad little girl," no real reason for it, she just likes to practice emotion faces!  So this is "sad face.")

These two years have not been long enough to forget the blessing that her life is or the strength that the Lord has given her and us.  These things we will NEVER forget, her smile reminds us daily!!

Trouble...

The moment has arrived!  It just took an brief exodus from his sister. Mary Alice has been with her grandparents for the last few days and therefore Silas has been enjoying the glory that is an only child.  He settled right into being the center of attention.  I think he now understands why his sister needs to be so central, ALL THE TIME!  Since the floor has been his now for about three days, Silas decided to start WALKING!!



Yeah he is not super stable yet but these are the FIRST steps!! So steps have been taken, steps have been documented and steps have been celebrated...the ice cream awaits!

Fairly Awesome Parenting

This summer had some really great parenting moments and some "fairly awesome parenting" moments (and hopefully you find yourself deep in the intended sarcasm by the end of this post).

One day I was upstairs putting Silas to bed. We were rocking in his room as he was finishing the last of his bottle. I heard Mary Alice downstairs start crying, but nothing too out of the ordinary, a second thought was not given. Once Sy finished, we went and brushed his teeth, said some prayers, and put him down (this is a potential 10 min time elapse). As I descended the stairs I heard a few faint whimpers, and as I rounded the corner to the living room I found this (see below). Of course, before rescuing my spawn, I left, found the camera and shot a couple shots. This was clearly an opportunity to not be wasted! Through the whimpers she kept saying, "Mama I fall. Mama I stuck!"

Then a few short days later, I again came down the stairs from putting a child to bed to find the male offspring attempting "extreme rocking cow" moves. I again, left, found the camera, and shot a few shots.

(Yes, he was watching shark week during "extreme rocking cow")

I did eventually move him! Oh, and I did eventually extricate her from the drum!

Almost forgot!

I almost failed to show you Silas' television debut! What kind of mother would I be if I did not acknowledge such a feat in my son's young life? I dare say, I refuse to be that mother!

Enjoy!

View more videos at: http://www.nbcchicago.com.

Big Man-Man

Can you see the pride in this little man's face?! He struggles with inability to control his facial expressions...maternal trait!

R.I.P Summer 2011

It feels as though this summer has been the shortest one on record! Well, actually it IS my shortest summer in a long time. Due to Mary Alice's little stint in the hospital two years ago and Silas' birth last year, I haven't been in attendance for the first day of school in a couple of years! So yeah, it went FAST! I am not going to lie, there were times this summer when I longed for the start of school... I must have been heavily medicated, or else in need of some! I feel as though I have officially fallen into this stay-at-home mom gig and have begun to appreciate it as (dare I say it) a gift.

The start of every school year comes as a swift punch to the gut. I wish I was one of those teachers that was excited to see summer end, excited to meet all the new faces--excited to venture together in the quest for knowledge. What can I say, my life has little to do with pixie dust and unicorns!

I thought in honor of the end, we could bid farewell to Summer 2011 with a bit of a recap/squeeze-together of all those posts that I have been meaning to get to... rolled into one and make it look like it was on purpose.

Summer 2011 started with a bang as we ventured on our first family-of-four vacation. To Aspen we flew (we wont rehash the flight), with family we stayed, and with friends we visited.

Then to MI we trecked (by land) for the first Flippo Family reunion on record. Good times had by all, and once again our daughter ended up naked and monitoring tire pressures... CLASSIC!

We rounded out June with a cruise with friends... sans children! I must say this still ranks #1 on my list of highlights for Summer 2011!

July marked the end of Ben's summer breaks... FOREVER! His academic schedule has come to an end with the start of his internship. July also marked the beginning of ME home with the kids ALL THE TIME, and ALL ALONE! Therefore, there was much swimming to be had with friends. They had fun and I retrieved my sanity.

Summer 2011 introduced us to new genres of Mary Alice. Aqua MAK, who LOVES to swim, jump, be thrown, drive, stick her head under, touch the bottom... and most of these things are done "by myself!" This girlfriend would swim everyday and all day if we let her.

We were introduced to Mimi Pteranodon and most of us wish this was not case. For you see, Mimi Pteranodon is about as loud and shrill of a creature as one ever cares to meet. Well, that is unless you have met Mama Pteranodon!

In addition to greetings, Summer 2011 had some sad farewells. We said goodbye to the Gaba boots, the gold "sparkle" shoes, and the jelly-shoes. This is HUGE news folks! The Gaba boots marked MAK's first true obsession, the sparkle shoes adorned her feet as she took her first steps, and the jelly shoes were the first maternal childhood obsession to be passed down... the first of many I am sure! My little lady is VERY into shoes. In fact, she often introduces you to her shoes before commencing into the more common-place greetings. Let's be truthful, documenting this girls life by the entrance and exit of shoes is more than appropriate.

We have said goodbye to these shoes (maybe we will bronze them), but in saying farewell, we welcomed THESE beautiful kicks into our lives... so, no one is complaining!

(yes those are cork wedge heels, TOMS, and oh so metallic for my "golden goddess")

We also said farewell to 1st birthday parties, and we tried to go out with a bang. Theme: "SILAS: mischeif with food on it!" The first birthday was complete with bugs, snakes, chesse puffs, hot dogs, swimming, and dirt cake! Good times were had by all!

(yeah, he was a big fan!)

We lived in denial and squeezed the last few drops of freedom out of the summer. And there it went... but there are vacation days to be had this year... maybe it's time for another cruise!

Happy 1st Birthday Silas

Dear Silas,

We've made it through your first year of life! Not that this fact is a huge surprise, or even a huge relief, it is just a fact that comes with a sense of accomplishment. I have more than enjoyed (well... for the most part, not gonna lie, little fella) observing your growth and development over these last 365 days.

To observe, let us fully explore this very term, my sweet boy... for you will come to learn that your mama has a great appreciation for terminology, with a particular bent towards scientific terminology. I spend 181 (but who's counting?) days a year dealing with the term "observe" or "observation." I go to great lengths to teach 14-18 year-olds the ins and outs of observations. Silas, son, you will begin your learning trek with this scientifically foundational word earlier than most.

To observe has a couple of defined meanings:

1. to notice or perceive (something) and register it as being significant.

2. to watch (someone or something) carefully and attentively.

Approximately 1 year and 8 months ago I observed a bit of heartburn and a queezy stomach to be something rather significant. I quickly ran a controlled experiment. For, Sy-Man, what follows any observation that leads to a question is a solid hypothesis. If I pee on a stick then I will observe a "-" or a "+". I formed my hypothesis into an appropriate if/then statement ("if (manipulated variable), then (responding variable)" for your continued learning pleasure). Hypothesis is followed by a test or experiment, or in my case a bit of tinkle. After analyzing mydata, which turned out to be a "+", I concluded my/our lives where now changed FOREVER!

I cannot tell a lie, I was unsure the direction this change would take, positive or negative, there were MANY emotions flying high that day. However, I still cannot tell a lie! You, Silas, have made this little family so much better just for being in it! You have breathed a breath of "mischief with food on it" that I would not trade for all the "average/appropriate" number of months or years between children!

I have carefully and attentively watched as you lost your long, dark locks in exchange for your blonde... oh so blonde buzz. I've watched as you have developed your refined taste for all things edible... watched as you rolled over for the first time... as you designed and implemented your own version of crawling... as you learned how to crawl "like a real boy"... as you started pulling to stand and then "furniture walk." Silas, you are so strong, so determined, and so special! You are my bare chested, 100% nothing but boy!

Over the course of this year I have had the sweet pleasure of a front-row seat as your precious personality has started to form. You have been a sweet and sensitive soul from the beginning, you give some of the BEST hugs, kisses, and cuddles! You are an analyst of all things, and you question (maybe not for long) before you act. You look for security, and the moment you sense it, you GO! Your gentleness is counterbalanced with curiosity at your core. Your wheels are constantly, and visibly turning! You are mischief at its finest!

I look forward to more years with my sweet Sy! Your papa and I will continue to pray for you, for the man of God that you have potential to be, for the Godly husband and dad you will make someday. We will continue to pray for that blessed woman that you will one day take for your bride. You were named for a man that took risks for the God he loved, so be bold in your faith, follow the Lord's leading, take risks, cultivate your gentle spirit and lace it with wisdom, curiosity, and faith.

I have observed you and I register you as being significant, and I will be careful with, and attentive to your needs. With the ceaseless prayers of this mama and papa, we will be the parents God has called us to be, FOR YOU!

Love,

Your so very proud, and so thankful to be, mama