The Pod

Josh and I have been wanting a bicycle trailer for a long time. Finally, with the help from my Unk' Larry, we now own one!! Josh regularly rides to work in Spring and Fall when weather permits. I, on the other hand, can count on one hand how many times I've been on a bike in the last 5 years. Last year during our trip to Yosemite we rented bikes and I knew that I would love riding our bicycles more when we got home. Since the kiddos are too young (or just not experienced bike riders) to ride their own bikes along side us, we decided a bike trailer was just what we needed! 

I love it!! Our family loves the American River Bike Trail and we walk it fairly often, but how fun to ride BIKES on it! I love the breeze, I love the speed, and I love that it's a fun way to exercise and that the kids can join us. :)  It's the cutest thing riding along side the trailer seeing their two cute little heads bobbin' from side o side taking in the sights and sounds.

Yay for Spring(!) and sunny days along the river.



Mazzy looks as though she's passed out, right? Really she'd blocking the sun from her face, urging us to GET ON WITH THE PICTURE TAKING, ALREADY!!!



Dancin' Feet

These feet were made for dancin'. Be it around our house, barefoot in the grass, or sliding around on our kitchen floor. Ever since you were little, Mazzy, you've loved to dance.  You definitely have your own personal, shall we say, style, when it comes to dance: eyes closed, large swaying movements followed by sharp spastic jets and jabs. Your dad and I are never left without entertainment in our home. Often you'll spark something in your brother, making him shake his booty right along with you.

The time has come for you to be introduced to a more formal dance environment; learning actual steps and movements.

It was a special treat for your dad and I to accompany you to your first dance class. It's not often these days that we get to do things "just the three of us"...sitting in the row of chairs lining the dance studio wall, I sat there with your dad and was overcome with feelings of nostalgia. You're our baby, Goobie. And look at you out there in your pink leotard and tights. Ah, I'm so proud of you little lady. You made my heart swell with excitement for all the opportunities you have in front of you. The most important thing to remember is to enjoy yourself.  Enjoy every unique part about you. Even the spastic dance moves. Oh how they make me smile.

I was so proud of yesterday, Roo. You took it all in, carefully following your dance teachers lead; gracefully and precisely bending your limbs to match the lines of the children beside you. You did great.

Creeger Garden 2011: Seedlings

I took the three kiddos to Green Acres Nursery today to pick out some seeds for our garden this year. They had fun shaking the seed packets while waiting in line. I'd love an afternoon to peruse the nursery by myself...so many fun little projects I dream of starting. 

Reusing yogurt containers as our seedling pots.



Mazzy planting cucumber seeds.

Harlie planting mixed bell pepper seeds.

Mazzy reusing her sunflower tin from last year for her basil this year.

Mmmm.....pesto.

Basil | Cucumber | Bradywine Tomato | Eggplant | Yellow Cherry Tomato | Grape Tomato | Mixed Bell Peppers

Now we just need a lot of sun and some water and hopefully some of these babies will make it into the garden bed.

We are so excited for our garden this year! Hopefully it'll produce edible food. :)



Puzzle Man

Hello Maxton James,

I was very proud of you today. After many puzzle sessions with your sister where you patiently watched her put together your CARS puzzle, you finally mastered it all by yourself. Without any guidance or help placing the pieces together you completed the CARS puzzle all on your own piece by piece. Congratulations little man! As I saw the gleam in your eyes when you placed the last piece into it's place, my heart soared with pride. I just had to take a moment to write down how proud I am of you and your little successes you have each and everyday. Your growing so fast and I love to watch you live and learn.

With every molecule in my body, I love you, Mister Man.

Mama

Mazzy's To-Do List

Mazzy is turning five this summer and I feel that she is old enough to handle a few simple "chores" around the house. The tasks are simple and really take no time at all. I'm hoping the chart encourages her to "help out" more around the house and take pride in her work. She often asks to feed our cat, Piper, and she enjoys making MY bed, so I felt she's appreciate her three new jobs. After completing each job, she'll have the opportunity to put a sticker in a "shape".

After she fills the chart completely her dad or I will take her to get a special treat.

I included 'Acts of Kindness' on the chart for the sole reason of reminding myself to acknowledge acts of kindness I witness from her throughout the day. I also want her to take pride in treating others with respect and kindness.

Potato Project

Since St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner (ya know, Ireland, potatoes) and creating some sort of make-shift garden is on the brain I decided to have the kids grow potato plants. Hopefully we can put them in soil and see what happens.

:)

Beloved Piggy Towel: Then and Now

Winter 2006/07

Winter 2010/11

Animal Day

Yesterday was designated "Animal Day". I had the kids dress in 'animal attire', whatever that meant. It just so happened that the only shirt either Maxton or Harlie had with an animal on it were ones with a canine on the front. So, that got me thinking of a project I could have the kids do. I thought of the 10 year old cotton balls I had buried underneath my bathroom sink and thought POODLE. I found a Google Image of a Poodle and printed them out.

Basically, I just put glue on the print-outs and asked that they take from their mounds of cottonballs and create their own poodle. I added google-y eyes for effect. :) It was fun watching their print-outs come to life with these fuffly poodles of theirs. :)

~Blue Day~

We have Harlie during the days starting last Friday. I decided to have a "theme day" each week. This week's theme was Blue Day. The kids dressed in blue and created their own "blueberry bush" out of pictures of blueberries I cut from Wednesday's ads. They turned out kinda cute if I do say so myself! :) The little ones (Maxton and Harlie) did quite well with the glue.

The Creegers went Christmas Tree a-pickin': Cedar Ravine Tree Farm

Christmas Tree A-Pickin': Cedar Ravine Tree Farm (2010) from Josh & Keri Creeger on Vimeo.

Dear Maxton James,

I never could have imagined just how wonderful it is to be the mother of a son. To be your mother. I feel incredibly lucky to have you in our lives. Your adorable, scrumptious little face and that beautiful "where the heck did that come from?" red hair. Your brown eyes and your incredible expressions you make with them. You made our family complete two years ago, at precisely 9:29am.

You have grown into the most engaging little boy. You are quite the flirt. You love to smile and wave to passer-byers. We have been approached by many kind folks- some strangers, some not-who comment on just how adorable you are, which makes your mama BEAM!

The loves of your life are things with WHEELS. Every Friday morning you wake up around 6:30am to the grumble and screech of the the gween rawrbage truck. I hear you calling from your room for me and I dutifully pick you up from your crib and wait for the garbage truck to make it's way past our house so you can see the flashing lights and wave bye bye gween rawrbage truck. I will be sad when you grown out of this. Your favorite movie is Cars. Kween (Lightening McQueen) is your favorite Cars character. Gus Gus from 'Rella is your buddy. I don't know if my heart will be able to take it when you stop saying Gus Gus while raising your eyes and titling your head down while looking up at me. Your the most expressive little boy.

You just started saying your sister's full name, moving on from Maz to Mazzy just this past week. The way you two play is fantastic to watch and listen to. While just yesterday the two of you were in the tub and I was in the next room folding laundry (yes, not in the bathroom looking over the two of you earnestly -I was within earshot and checked in every 3 minutes or so) anyway, I overheard Mazzy say to you Max, I love you, can I give you a hug? The two of you have always been great friends. Mazzy was so excited to be your big sister and she has loved you and helped take care of you since we took you home from the hospital. To this day she is looking out for you; making sure you're not getting into Mama's plants or digging in places you shouldn't be or writing on my walls (ahem!) or taking a bath in the toilet... the list is endless. Oh! I can't forget to mention your fascination with going head first into anything: the couch, the carpet, the wall, my head. You are sure to cause me to worry with your adventurous spirit many more years to come.

Happy Birthday Maxton. I feels blessed to watch you grow and develop into the most fantastic person. I'm sorry you have a fever, Buddy. Your dad and I have plans for you, don't worry. And your party was last weekend so you didn't miss out on that, thankfully.

Here's a little slide show of your 2nd year. You'll have to forgive me, sweet child of mine, the editing is a little crazy toward the end. Your dad has that gift, not me.

Untitled from Josh & Keri Creeger on Vimeo.

What a fabulous year it was, my love.

Dear Mazzy Kristine,

Your dad and I were sitting on a lumpy mauve futon in our quaint apartment on F Street shortly after we were married and it was then we decided what we would name our daughter if we were to be so lucky to have one in the future. Mazzy. It was settled. You were to be named after a band. Yep. We are those parents.


You came six years later in the summer of 2006...

I awoke at 1:30am on a Wednesday. With a very strong urge to pee, I stepped out of bed and immediately water started rushing down my leg. I was 29 years old and in labor with my first child. Twinges of excitement and a surge of anxiety swept over me. It was time. Time to meet you. I go into the bathroom and take the phone with me. After calling labor and delivery I step into the shower and fret about how I am supposed to drive to the hospital without soaking the seat of the passenger seat. Obviously I was focusing on the important matter at hand, right?

My hospital bag was packed. Check. (It had been packed for weeks since I was put on modified bed rest at 31 weeks.)

It was time to go. As I look down the hall at your dad in an effort to tell him we should leave for the hospital, I notice he's snacking. He's actually eating 1:55 in the morning. You know, so he won't be bothered with feeling hungry later. I shouldn't have been surprised, really. But instead of laughing at him I start to yell something about PRIORITIES!

The drive to Kaiser Morse was quite easy. Barely anyone was on the road at 2:15am. We talked about how excited we were to meet you. We talked about how our lives would be changed forever in just a matter of hours. We were ready as we could be.

My contractions started around the time I was admitted into the hospital. It was 2:30am. I remember sitting in the lobby of Triage when a woman walked in, clearly in hard labor. She would quietly lean against the side of the wall by the admittance desk and wait through her contractions. It was evident that this was not her first baby. Mine had just begun, so this episode playing out right in front of me was fascinating and terrifying to me.

I was at 5 cm at 2:45 and really starting to feel the contractions in a way that told me I needed to ask for that epidural. So I did. The nurse informed me that the anesthesiologist was with another patient, but that I would be next. Phew!

For the next 2 hours I was pretty much trying to deal with the pain with absolutely no success. You see, Mazzy, I missed the birth classes due to being on bed rest with you. Because I knew I wanted an epidural, I wasn't terribly worried about it.

Well...it wasn't pretty. I was writhing in pain, howling like a wild animal and your dad, bless his heart, had no idea what to do. He wanted to help, but couldn't. We both were incredibly anxious and wondering where the heck the pain doc was?!

At around 5am the nurse came to check on me. I was at 10 cm. Still. No. Pain doc.

I wish to this day that I remembered the name of that nurse because she saved me that morning. I was scared. Really, really scared to do this without medication. She knew that. She told them that I was at 8 cm instead of 10cm. I love that woman to this day.

The contractions were overlapping and I was losing it. The anesthesiologist came and they gave me "orders" to remain completely still while she inserted the needle. I was still. I was so very, very still.

Very shortly my body became less tense and I could feel the majority of the pain slipping away. Now, it was time to push. What? I remember thinking. I am exhausted at this point and now they are asking me to push!?

Mazzy, I did not excel at this part. I pretty much sucked. I had to do most of the pushing in my room before they wheeled me into delivery. This was not fun. Finally at 6am I was wheeled into what they called the delivery room. I large circular room with fluorescent lights and metal instruments. Three nurses busily prepared for your arrival. Your dad, right by my side ,stroked my hair and I could feel how excited he was. I mean, he was a total wreck by this point, but really really excited to me you.

And then at 6:22 am you were here. The nurse raised you onto my chest and I just stared at you. The first thing I noticed was your nose, truthfully. It was larger (or more swollen) than I expected. But you were beautiful and pink and mine. Ours. Oh, and your nose is perfect and one of my favorite things about your face. The next thing I noticed were your beautiful lips.

The next few days and weeks were a whirlwind of emotions. Happiness, sadness, frustration, elation, and exhaustion. You changed our lives forever and made us a family.

***

Happy Birthday, Roo. You are four years old today. We are so very proud you. You are bright and creative. You are loving and affectionate. You are friendly and outgoing. Your are dramatic and assertive. You are sassy, and at times a total control freak (like your mother).

Your favorite things to do: Bake, dress up, color, paint, read, play dolls, kick the ball, build forts, play chef, watch your favorite shows, play with your friends and cousins.

You tell us you love us everyday. You adore your brother and take care of him. You include him in your play and smile when he's acting goofy. You are the BEST big sister we could have ever hoped for Maxton. Thank you.

I love you,
Mama

"Just one or two inches, Babe."

I decided to call Josh and tell him that I'd be giving Mazzy her first haircut. I sensed a little concern in his voice and quickly assured him it was just a "trim".

In the meantime I stashed Max in the tub...

Okay, so, maybe it turned into more like two or three, inches. But it's a "trim" nonetheless.

More importantly, her curls have remained intact and have been given more life. Success.

A-Man's 8th Grade Graduation

It was a beautiful day to come together and honor our nephew, Austin, for completing middle school. Next year he will attend Cordova Highschool, where Josh teaches biology, anatomy, and student government. I think the odds are high that Austin will be in at least one of his classes during his 4 years there. We are super proud of Austin and the young man he is becoming, so sweet, kind, handsome and genuine. We love you, Austin. Congratulations and enjoy your summer!!

Thanks again, Wilsons, for a splendid backyard party. The food was amazing as usual!



Note: Yes, Max is in girl clothes. He has issues with keeping the water IN the water table. Harlie was kind enough to lend him a shirt and jammies.

Rainy Days

Lazy Days

Q: How much do we treasure lazy, sunny days at home?!

A: A lot.

Untitled from Josh & Keri Creeger on Vimeo.

Song: Sunshine by Matt Costa. Josh thinks it's weird that I chose a song about death, but I actually think it's more about living.

The 'H' Factor

The kids had the pleasure of having Harlie over to play today. The occasions that I get to watch our neice have been too few and far between for my liking. When Harlie was 5 months old I began watching her part-time while my sister was working. So much has happened since then and my goodness has that itty bitty baby grown into such a lovable and adorable little lady. She is waaay too much fun and has a smile that melts me to pieces. She tends to follow Maxton around. To my dismay he ignores her a little, but Mazzy jumps right in those moments. Maz calls her "Sweetie" and makes sure she is "careful" on the ladder.


Our children are growing so fast and though I miss the cuddly baby stage, I LOVE watching our kids play together and enjoy one another. Soon enough they will be having sleepovers at our houses and whispering in the corner about us behind our backs. ;-) Life is good, and, Erin, if you are reading this, find something to do more often. I like this babysitting gig, alright!!

Pre-School

Mazzy will be 4 years old in August. Josh and I are approaching that time in Mazzy's life when we need to decide if she will be "okay" jumping right into kindergarten without having attended some sort of preschool program. She does very well in her Sunday School classes which is a very shortened version of preschool. I don't doubt that she will love and excel in school; however, I do admit that at times I wonder if keeping her home until kindergarten is the right decision. Only time will tell. :-)

Today Mazzy came up to me with the letters A-D written down on a old tablet of paper belonging to my Grandma Helen. I took the tablet and proceeded to write the whole alphabet out for her to "practice" her ABC's, continuing on with E-Z . I think she did a pretty good job! Now onto lowercase...




In other news, Max is learning how to keep the paint on the paper! :-)



Mazzy has that one down.