Happy 6th Birthday Jack!!

Today Jack turned 6!! 

  

"Jack.... born to rock!... and he loves to "head bang" to hard rock music!"

Amazing to think how much as a family we have gone through since he rushed into the world.... literally did rush right into the world. Labor was less than an hour, and our friend Marj rushed over to take care of Alexandra & Michael. John drove like a bat out of hell to get to the hospital. By then I could not stand up straight if you had offered me a million dollars. Nice nurse came out with a wheel chair, and took me for a leisurely stroll through the hospital. Had I been able to sit up straight I would have had a true face to face with her to explain the situation. Suffice to say by the time I got into the room and the "checked" me they realized I was not faking. The doctor came in and Jack rushed into the world 9 minutes after John raced into the hospital parking lot on two wheels. Jack.... our little man with elf ears and a constant twinkle in his eyes. And, now, he's 6. His ears are a little less elfish, but his twinkle has become a full fledged mischievous young boy. Jack has yet to discover his inside voice, can't sit still for more than a second and lives life with a passion most don't learn in a lifetime. It is inspiring and draining all at the same time! His "drama" is exhausting, and a times discouraging.... but his laughter truly comes from his gut and is contagious. His smile lights up a room, and the twinkle in his eye when he is truly enjoying something is so innocent and so wonderful. He loves life, and enjoys staying busy. He can marvel at the smallest bug in the yard, or the biggest animal at the zoo. Deep down inside he loves us all - but we can most see it when he plays imaginary world with Tommy. When our sofa cushions (or what is left of them) become spaceships, or mountains, or castles, or race cars, or pirate ships or volcanoes. When he can create a world of words that sucks Tommy in and they go on wild adventures. And then when he tries to explain the world with Peter so that he won't melt in the lava, be eaten my sharks or kidnapped by pirates..... of course Peter is just Peter and smiles and laughs but does all the wrong moves.... leading Jack the best he can to carry Peter from danger and give him a good "talking to" as Peter smiles and laughs. Now the three of them share a room and no doubt there will be many more times after the lights are out when Jack will again say goodnight to the dinosaurs under the bed or the angels that watch over them when they sleep. He's a cool kid!  

Today Jack had a Spiderman birthday party at home. As we planned it out, he actually wanted a Star Wars party - know why? because it is what we did last year and he loved it so much he wanted this year to be exactly the same! I did talk him into changing the theme, but all else was pretty close..... his friends arrived around 2pm and played outside. We then did races, obstacle course and water balloon toss/catch (instead of eggs that ended up all over the yard last year). Alexandra did a "guess what is in the gym bag" team game, and Michael egged everyone on for the pinata. By then the cold front started to come in, so the kids came in and tried the "pin the web on Spiderman" - last year we did "pin the light saber on Luke Skywalker". The kids then had a lot of frosting with cake (my cake crumbled and I kept it together with a lot, lot, lot, lot of frosting). The cake was one layer yellow, one layer chocolate and had a Spiderman action figure on the top. Jack loved it!! I used little candy letters to spell out "Happy 6 Birthday Jack" on the cake..... so of course he wanted a slice big enough to get all the letters in his name. And he can spell..... so there was no getting away with it. Thank goodness he only has 4 letters in his name! Then they moved on to present opening - as each kid took turns sitting in the big chair with Jack as he opened the gift they brought. Jack loved all of them - and I was so proud of my other kids for not getting the little green bug of jealousy like sometimes happens. They all were genuinely excited for Jack and wanted the party to turn our great. Well, all but Peter who slept through the whole event. Kids left around 4. I got a paper plates, cups, napkins, and table cloth. So, in about 15 seconds it was all picked up and thrown out (sorry mother earth) and we could just enjoy.  

 

Pi~nata Time!

  

Balloon toss

  

Pin the web on Spiderman  

Race time   

Cake time!! 

 

Sitting in the present opening chair with too little buddies who call him "Jacky"

   

Michael and Jack snuck upstairs with a Bionicle that Jack got as a gift, and now he sits on the book shelf in Jack's room watching over their fantasy world. Right now John is getting the kids through the showers, and we are headed down for a family Wii championship..... the one we have been talking about since Christmas! No doubt John and I will be sore and will need to ice up about every part of our bodies tomorrow. But, until then we will enjoy the rest of the day that we celebrate Jack and another year loving him.  

Love, catherine

Happy Easter!

Where have the last two months gone?? My goodness.... sorry I have been so delinquent. My new job is keeping me very busy - but challenged and very happy! Thank you God!! Kids schedules have been a bit crazy too.  

Alexandra is in 8th grade, and doing soccer for the last time at Corpus Christi. She also has youth group, confirmation and is in the school melodrama. We are very excited that she got accepted into the college prep HS in town - St. Mary's.  

Michael is doing wrestling again this year after some back and forth thought. The first match he lost by quite a few points, so he was not too happy. He came back with a vengeance and has lost only one match since. All others he has won by pinning his opponent in the first period. He's developed this technique that has really boosted his confidence, and clearly works. Since I stress out watching boys wrestle, I appreciate the swiftness of his matches now. His record was finishing the match in 13 seconds - way to go Michael!  

Jack's little heart was broken. His "long term girlfriend" Elizabeth has moved on to someone else.... Jack was devastated. He went through ups and downs expected of teenage crushes - but has come to the conclusion that she will come to her senses one day and come back - he just needs to wait. Oh goodness!!  

Tommy... finally potty trained!! Jack was a nightmare, but Tommy just didn't care. All the best bribing did nothing to curve his lack of interest. When I asked him what he was going to do when it was time to go to college he would say "Take diapers with me!". But then one day he woke up and decided he wanted to wear underwear and has ever since then. It just clicked..... no trial and error, it was just done. Oh thank goodness! Our budget appreciates only having to buy diapers for one.  

Peter.... well, little man is still bear walking about everywhere. He's cut down on wanting to walk now that he is getting faster and faster. But, he pulls to stand on everything, is cruising around on furniture, walls and cabinets. He is still a total peanut (maybe 22lbs) and short.... but tall enough to open drawers and dump them out. Tall enough to reach up on the kitchen counter and pull off bowls and send them flying. His technique should lend itself well to discus throwing, but the bowl shattering on the floor is not a pretty sight. Then again, I was almost brought to tears when he reached over his high chair to the kitchen table and sent flying the ceramic bowl I had hand painted. That deserved angry eyes from me.... but I wasn't able to keep them long as he charmed me with his angel eyes.  

This weekend was a big move!! Peter moved out..... that is, last night was the first time since Peter came home that John and I haven't had a roommate!! The crib, changing table and all his clothes moved down the hall and in with Tommy and Jack. So the three little boys are sharing a room. It's a bit crowded, but with Peter's second birthday right around the corner we felt ready to let him graduate. I think he is glad to have a new space to hang, and hopefully it will allow us to get him into a routine closer to the other boys. Peter is a bit of a night owl often up till 11pm or so. Fingers crossed going into longer days he can still start going down a little earlier. John and I need some couple time!!  

Think that gets us somewhat caught up.

HAPPY EASTER!! 

catherine

Gingerbread bunny house - by Alexandra

Egg decorating with Tio Greg & Tia Brenda.... thank you for organizing it!!

    

Peter's brush with the law

So yesterday was one of those crazy days - things going in every direction. As I mentioned Peter is finally at that height where he can reach up and pull things off tables. He was in the family room and reached up and pulled the phone down.... I was in the kitchen when John figured out the phone was off the hook. I found Peter and the phone - without think I just shut it off and put it away. We sat down for dinner and the phone started ringing, and ringing and ringing - no messages being left. Alexandra suggested we answer - but our rule is no phone calls during family dinner. After dinner John was playing with the boys, I slipped down to get some work done, Alexandra was cooking up a Peruvian dish for dinner tonight when the door bell rung. THE POLICE..... not our favorite 80's band - but rather a true officer of the law. I guess Peter had started off his call to China with 911. The phone calls during dinner was the dispatcher trying to ensure all was OK, since no answer she sent out the police. Oh how embarrassing! I knew something was wrong when I could hear Tommy and Jack getting on Peter's case with just that extra volume and glee like he'd been caught doing something wrong. I came up to make sure all was OK as John was saying goodnight to the good man in blue. Jack and Tommy loudly saying "Peter! you called the police!!!". Peter not understanding a word but enjoying the attention. Fortunately we didn't get in trouble for false reporting or anything. Mental note - keep the phones away from Peter. One of our kids was bound to dial 911 some time..... never thought it would be Peter. Good night - HUGS

Peter... from Baby Bear to Bear Walker

I have been out of touch a bit because the last several weeks have been crazy! Shortly after coming back from Peru I was recruited into a new position at UHC.  It is the spot I wanted to land in three years ago - so a dream come true. I am totally excited!! It is no doubt a huge challenge and phenomenal opportunity. I truly believe God knew I couldn't have taken it on two or three years ago.... but here we are now.... and I am so excited. I completed 99% of my transition work last week - which in itself was emotionally draining - to leave behind people that have helped you grow and become part of your life. But, this is life I guess. So now, on to the new challenges, opportunities and joys. Please keep me in your prayers as I move into this. 

And speaking of challenges and joys - Peter has graduated from "Baby Bear" to "Bear Walker"!! I had mentioned to you that when we had Peter's PT session at The Children's Hospital in Denver - Pat Winders had told us to start working on developing walking skills. Well, late January the special walker we wanted for Peter arrived. Peter took to walking like a duck to water. So if you put your hands under his arm pits or sometimes hold his hands close to his torso he will take steps.... and can walk all around the house. You can tell the concept has clicked and he wants to do it. In addition from one day to the next he mastered the concept of turning and pushing to go down the stairs. We thought he'd never get it - and all of a sudden he just did it. So now he is mobile through all three floors of the house..... nothing is safe! Especially now that he is getting a bit taller and can reach up and pull things off of tables. We have to remember to stop clapping at all that he does because soon he will be a tornado on the loose. 

Anyway - Peter and the walker. It goes a bit fast for him and he tends to just plop. So Tommy came up with the best solution - he sits in the walker and lets Peter take him for walks..... which generally means walking straight until you hit the wall, hit the wall, hit the wall, and hit the wall if you get my drift. Here are the boys! One day he'll learn to turn the thing and then Tommy better hold on tight because I can see this becoming a wild ride some day. 

And then there is Peter's graduation to Bear Walker. As you know Peter has been master of the army crawl for about a year now. I think in his effort to figure out how to actually walk he has figured out the bear walk. So he stretches all his limbs and crawls down the hall like a bear. It is so cool to watch. Then he will push as if wanting to stand - but since he doesn't straighten up his body he just sort of keeps going and lands on this bottom. A couple of times he's pulled up to stand on furniture or the wall and will then let go as if trying to balance himself. Lasts but a split second - but hey! he's trying. His balance isn't great yet - but I think the fact he has the concept and is trying is truly amazingly phenomenal!!! Here's Bear Walker. 

That is about it from this corner of the world right now. 

Love to all, 

catherine

Peru pictures... finally!

About 2am and we are leaving the airport. Our flight to Lima was delayed and we are tired!

Good morning Lima!!

Monday we slept in and then went out walking through Miraflores for over 5 hours....it was great to see all my old spots. 

...and new spots - here is Peter at Starbucks with my mom! He can play with a green straw for hours!!

Outside my old school - San Silvestre. It's changed from the big old wooden doors I used to walk through. I hope next time I can go inside and find those spots with so many fond memories. 

Tuesday we loaded up and headed down to the beach house in the afternoon.....

Introducing Peter to the Pacific Ocean..... I forgot how loud it is for someone seeing it for the first time. I was like music to my ears that washed every last ounce of stress away. I even slept with the window open - so that I could fall asleep to it and wake up to it. I didn't realize just how much I missed the crashing waves. 

  

Wednesday morning was beautiful!! You can see it islands right off the coast that look like a stone whale.

... had breakfast with Grandaddy and then headed down for the morning at the beach

 

Then we headed down to the hot spot of "Asia" beach so that I could have my most yummy chicken in the world at the "Granja Azul"

We got home late to just enjoyed cheese, crackers and a glass of wine while watching the night waves roll in

Thursday we enjoyed our last day at the beach.... Peter enjoyed digging the sand and putting shells in and out of the tub.  Then we headed back to Lima where I got together with some friends. 

     

Friday.... Granny's big birthday!! We started off with lunch at Punta y Sal restaurant - oh yummy yummy cebiche. 

  

The birthday party at the Phoenix club! Granny looked great - she was serenaded by Mariachis that she loves - but of course having Peter there was the best gift...

  

Saturday we did my tourist shopping - the enjoyed another of my favorite dishes for dinner - anticuchos with an Inca Kola, with picarones for dessert.

  

The we took a bus tour of down town Lima at night, and visited the biggest water fountain park in the world....

  

  

 Sunday did a bit more shopping before catching the midnight flight back to Colorado Springs

Good night Lima......  good morning Colorado!!

Catching up with January

Where did the last 3 weeks go?? My goodness.... unbelievable that Peter and I got home three weeks ago this upcoming Monday. Things have been non-stop go since then!! And suffice to say the proof is in the laundry. If I don't do at least a load a day I am messed up - and I have not done a load a day.... so right now I am battling Mt. of Dirty Clothes!!

So to catch up for January.....

a) PERU - I miss it so much!! The food, my friends, my parents, the beach, the sound of the ocean, the warmth....home! Peter and I both had a great time and really could have used a few more days there. My last day there - the day of my planned launch off the side of a cliff attached to a parachute did not happen, there was no wind. So we shall save that for next time.  I am going to attach photos tonight even if I am up till midnight!

b) Michael's birthday - our man is double digits of one - I can't believe he is 11, and to me a spitting image of John in every way. I was glad to be home to celebrate, even if still worn out from the trip. Michael picked Carraba's for dinner - a family favorite. Of course, we left with a collection of pizza dough creatures. 

c) Ice Fishing - the weekend of MLK, John went on his annual ice fishing trip to the Gunnison area. John has been doing this pretty much since we moved to Colorado - but this was the first year Michael went with him. They headed out on Friday afternoon and fished Saturday and Sunday. While John was skunked (did NOT catch a thing!) Michael was more successful actually catching the biggest fish one day - way to go Michael!! They did stay up an extra day this year, and on Monday went skiing - first time for the season. I think Michael came back with a bruised behind, but enjoyed every minute of his weekend with John. 

I stayed in the Springs with Alexandra, Jack, Tommy and Peter. They were wonderful. My relax came when I met my friend Anne for Starbucks and we spent hours walking through the shops checking out all the sale items.... it was glorious!! The kids and I worked on some projects around this house, had too many trips to Wal-Mart, but ended the weekend with a fun afternoon at the zoo.... it was HOT!!

d) Michael - basketball season has started. Michael really enjoys the sport and it really gives him an opportunity to bond with some of his classmates. The first game was even attended by three of the girls as impromptu cheerleaders..... the boys won't admit it, but I think they liked the attention. 

Aside from that, we have been running around like crazy. Work is hectic, school is hectic, and schedules are hectic. Last night we enjoyed dinner with a family who received a pre-natal diagnosis - just like we did with Peter. I think we've made new friends! I really enjoyed their company, and looking forward to meeting their little girl when she comes into the world about a month or so from now. Tomorrow I start back up with the Colorado Springs Down Syndrome Association - and back into figuring out how to improve the opportunities for our kids. Our "Fostering Hope" group from church just got a new family to support - so I must brush off my casserole recipes and start mass producing meals again. I hope they enjoy them as much as the last family did. So, I can see 2009 will continue to fly into full swing. This being Alexandra's last year at Corpus Christi also presents new experiences for us. 

I hear the dryer beeping.... another load should be ready! I am going to cut this off for now and attach pictures shortly. 

God bless, 

Catherine

ps. My friends in Peru talked me into Facebook....so if you are out there look me up! I could always use a new friend!!  John is also out there - in case you prefer to be his friend :-)