Opposition in All Things

If yesterday hadn't been such a rough day emotionally, I probably would not have appreciated and marveled at how fabulous today was. 

Eerika got to feed the giraffes and enjoy a close encounter with an elephant. We treated my low iron levels with a delicious burger from Monkey Burger for lunch. It was so good and big that I couldn't eat dinner tonight. 

The kids played happily together from the moment that we got home. Saku had minimal amount of tiredness induced whining. Homework got done quickly. We read books like we used to when we had all the time in the world. The kids played in the rain. They sang together. They pretended together. We had a low key meal because Troy wasn't home and it was nice to not spend the time cooking or cleaning after dinner. We had time to build with legos. The kids brushed their teeth after I only asked once. Saku read part of our bed time story from Magic Tree House book.

As I sang to the kids, Eerika fell asleep first! And as I whispered a thank you in Saku's ear for the fabulous day. He said "thanks for being so kind today". The love in that room was so overwhelming. I am thankful for that. 

"Peace on Earth" is playing in their room as Saku wanted to listen to a song about Jesus as he fell asleep. And tonight there is peace in this house and gratitude.

Good thing Mondays like This only Come Few times a Year

I woke up this morning after a great night of sleep, though it was full of weird dreams, and happily rolled over to see Troy, who had also a great night of sleep. Little Ninja was already starting the day with lots of kicking which was fun. He especially likes to move around when I am on my side. At 6:05, it was time to get up so I weighted my side and happily noted that my weight gain under control. I got dressed and made Saku's lunch.

The morning routine of Saku's shower, eating breakfast and heading out of the door went smoothly until he asked if Eerika was going to joy school today. No, today wasn't Eerika's joy school day which made her sad. And the fact that Eerika got to stay home all day and play and Saku does not get to stay home made him sad. 

Saku and Troy loaded into Troy's new SWEET volvo and off they went. Saku had a very sad face as they drove off and we waved and said "I love you" and Eerika said "I love you more".

And the case of Mondays came. I felt a bit weak. Probably due to my low iron. I felt unmotivated. I felt lazy. And I felt bad that I was starting the week with such a "blah" attitude. 

We accomplished two loads of laundry. We painted our nails. Eerika painted mine; left one was quite impressive for a three year old and the right one was what you would expect. We read books in hopes that I would feel a bit better physically.

The fact that I suggested Peg+Cat to Eerika at 9:45 am shows that I was in a desperate need of something. I am not sure what it was. I read my book on the couch while she watched her show. It didn't really cure my situation. But I was able to continue the morning.

The rest of the morning was uneventful and I apologized to Eerika for being so tired today. She is such a happy girl and such a little trooper. We snuggled into our nap when the time came.

Saku got picked up. He had a "excellent day" as he joyfully proclaimed it. But on the way home, the whining and pickering started. It really has been an adjustment to the school schedule of Saku being gone. Then he needs his own space when he comes home. Eerika wants to play with him. Eerika can be a bit rough with her affection. Saku can be very sensitive with his reactions. He is tired and wants to play, but there is a bit of home work to be done.

So I listened to "Family is Of God" a lot as I prepared the dinner. Which took forever when you are boiling lasagna noodles. I am having lots of Braxton Hicks but the feeling of tiredness is gone. 

The fact that today was such a rough day really is a testament that most of my days are so great and I am so blessed that I don't have many of these days.  

Tonight's family home evening will be focused on family and how Heavenly Father wants to treat each other. 

It is an adjustment that the kids have just played happily upstairs for the past hour. It is a good thing. It shows that they are growing up. But it is an adjustment to not have my boy around all day. But at least Eerika tells me about 10 times a day that she loves me. I guess each kid is a "bit easier" at different stages and I am glad that Eerika has mostly smooth sailing while we are weathering the storms with Saku.

But he likes school so that is a victory and a blessing.

A Week in Wyoming

As we drove away from Snake River, Wyoming Saku cried for good 30 minutes. It was sniffling rather than wailing but it showed how sad he was about the fact that he wasn't going to river rafting the next day. And he could watch the videos of rafting for hours. He loves to talk about the different rapids and said that he wishes he had a time machine that would make him six and he could be back in Wyoming again rafting. 

For the past eight years Troy’s family has gone to Snake River, Wyoming to camp and raft down the river. We have come four years, including this year. There were years when we spent all of Troy’s vacation time in Finland or a year when Troy switched jobs right in the end of July.

Troy loves being in Wyoming and going down the river. For me, the rafting is like skiing. When I do it, I like it, but I don’t get super excited or feel the need to do it. And I have to say that I am scared of the possibility of falling into the river. Troy took two falls into the river and it was enough for me to feel slightly panicky. 

The positive side of going down the river is that you get soaking wet and you feel as if you had taken a shower, so the week without a shower didn't leave us too stinky.  And I did go down the river three times and even paddled once.  Saku did one "trial run" and two full runs down the river and he loved it and thankfully, he stayed in the raft each time. Eerika got to float down for 10 minutes, and though she didn't really get upset that that was all she got, she was aware that she didn't get to do the whole rafting thing. She was happy to play with Cambree at the camp site.

Troy went on two bike rides in the canyon 20+ miler and 30+ miler.  I love the fact that he has his bike and he gets the feeling of accomplishment of doing this hard bike rides. I had big plans of walking every day, but ended up only doing two walks. On the other hand, I ate about 4 cookies each day. And Troy’s family had a good cooking set up so we are eating delicious camping meals. I ate too much. Way too much. However, Troy graciously said to me “who cares if you gain 50 pounds, you will be back in shape and running marathons soon”.  I love that man.

We had a great size tent and the kids were awesome about sleeping, but I slept miserably. An air mattress and a big belly didn't  work well or the fact that I really needed to pee in the middle of the night but climbing out of a tent to pee is not fun. Fortunately we went to bed before 10 with the kids and slept until 7:30sh so I got more quantity sleep even if the quality was lacking.

After a week in the woods, we had to get cleaned up and we headed to California for Patrick's wedding. 

Out of Eerika's Mouth

“Do you want to call me princess because I am so beautiful”

“No I want to call you Eerika”

“Ok that’s fine”

As we were going on a walk in Wyoming, I said to Eerika "thanks for coming with us".

Eerika: "I know you didn't want to be by yourselves".

Troy and I had planned to go on a walk by ourselves, but miss Eerika woke up when  I woke up, so it ended up being a walk with the three of us.

After Eerika's nap, I always ask if she had good dreams.

Today she responded with "about ice cream and you".

Nurturing babies

Over the past three days, Eerika has literally become obsessed in taking care of her babies. We have changed diapers, thanks to two cloth diapers that she found in her closet. We have whispered so her baby could sleep. Eerika believes in co-sleeping and snuggles the baby for naps and during the night. We have listened the baby cry and Eerika has reminded us that isi doesn't like crying babies.

I have held the baby through few meals so Eerika could eat. This morning Miia said in the bumbo while Eerika ate and I read books to both of them.

Her baby has come to pick up Saku from school and was in a proper car seat. 

I am not sure where this sudden nurturing has come but it is pretty amazing to watch her take care of her baby. She might get over it in two more days, but for now, there is a little äiti in the house who takes a very good care of her baby. I also like the fact that is all her own doing. We haven't pushed any "girl toys" on her and have been happy when most of her days are spent battling bad guys, but there is a definite sweetness to this new found love of dolls and babies.

Waking up and ready to love her baby right away. Maybe I am modeling something right...

We started our morning with snuggles and books. All three of us.

This will be a common scene in our house in six months, so hopefully Eerika's baby will be willing to share with little ninja.

Satisfied smile after her baby was safely buckled up.

Concentrating while buckling her baby in the car seat.

25 weeks pregnant

I feel like I have been pregnant for a long time and I still have ways to go. People often ask me when I am due, and I feel a bit self-conscious when I say November because I feel like I am big already and I just wonder how much more I will grow. Of course I know how big I was with Saku and Eerika's pregnancy but who knows.

Now I am not upset that I am not. It just has been few years since I have done this much growing in the belly section so it surprises me that I can't see my toes anymore. However, I feel like I am being active and healthy so I guess I will just let the belly keep growing.

I feel great though. And it doesn't hurt that I have been able to start taking little 30 minute "girls' naps" with Eerika each day. I hope she continues to nap forever. And that little ninja will nap at the same time. I obviously haven't had a newborn in the house for a long time since I wish for such things as naps matching up.

Few months ago, Hilary generously let me borrow her maternity clothes. I opened the box and it was as if I walked into a maternity heaven. There were so many shirts and pants. So I haven't had to wear the same thing over and over again. 

I wore heels to church last Sunday. Maybe it is the pregnancy or maybe it is my new calling as a primary secretary and the fact I walk around for the last two hours of church but I decided that I can't wear heels anymore. My feet were hurting way too much by end of the church.

Blooming

Miss Eerika has really bloomed since Saku started school. Maybe it is the extra attention and time that she gets. Maybe it is the fact that she is big kid in the house now during the day and gets to choose most of our activities. 

She has become much more social. She is slower to warm up to people. But now I have watched her strike up a conversation with a random mom at the hot tub and playing games with a girl and her dad at the library.  It felt even better as I could hear the dad pronouncing her name correctly. 

I also feel that her vocabulary has expanded. Or maybe I just really listen to her more now that she is the only one talking to me during the day. 

So here is Eerika in a nut shell.

When you ask her how old she is, she will answer "three and a half".

She loves to go and pick up Saku from school. She also loves it when we have surprises for him after school such a trip to McDonalds for ice cream or a donut. 

She is a water monster. She is very close to swimming all on her own. She loves to swim. It is completely a different girl in the pool than she was in the beginning of the summer. 

She still naps daily, though she can skip it if needed. She is very adaptable girl. I can have her nap for 20 minutes and then wake her up and she will be just fine. Or she can nap for few hours and be even better.  Her nap routine is the same every day: one princess story and one knight story, then I make up a song and then sing real songs until she falls asleep. 

She wants to sleep on our floor every night. Bed time is a bit struggle. She doesn't cry or throw temper tantrums but she keeps getting out of bed and wanting to come to our bedroom. If I promise that she can sleep on our floor after we go to sleep, she usually settles down and "keeps her promise" as she says, which means that she stays in her room.

Her favorite friends are Amber, Brad, Ella and Julia. Yesterday she told Troy that "I wish that Amber, Ella and Julia were my sisters. I like them so much."

She HATES getting her hair done. This is probably the most contentious part of our day when I decide to fight that battle. Also washing or conditioning her hair in the shower is a cause for major tears!

We had her speech evaluated, very casually and unofficially, while we were in San Diego and the verdict was that her speech was fine. I haven't really worried much but I don't worry about those kind of things much so it was good to know that my "not worrying" had been the right thing.

Our days without Saku are very different yet much the same. We read books. We play bad and good guys. We go for a swim.