Paci Tales

Many of you may know that weaning a paci is not easy.  Finn started to get a rash or some sort of irritation around his mouth, so we decided to take his paci away. Since we took away his only way to soothe himself (it's like we've fed the paci addiction). Finn didn't know how to put himself to sleep.  First he started by asking us to snuggle with him.  That was cute, but we couldn't stay with him for the whole nap/night.  Then, the following ensued:

Finn gets out of bed and runs to the top of the stairs.  "Hey mommy. Hey mommy," he says.
"Yes Finny."
"Mommy, it stinks up here."
"It stinks up there?"
"Yes, it stinks.... Someone pooped in my bed."
Hmmmm. I'm laughing as I run upstairs wondering what could possibly be in his bed.
There's no poop in his bed.  Nothing. 
This repeats 3-4 more times, encouraging either Patrick or I to come up stairs each time. I'm crying I'm laughing so hard by the 4th time.  Each time he says it completely seriously.
More funny stories later. 
Oh and BTW - we gave him his paci back after the emergency room visit.  We decided it was too much to do at once. Suckers!

Birthday x2

Since Lexi's birthday is in September only one week after the new school year began, we promised her a birthday party back in Evanston with all her Etown friends.  We didn't think Lex would want a bday party without Finn, so he came too. The three of us boarded a plane to Chicago and celebrated Lexi's 4th birthday (again) with her best friend Beatrice and all her Etown buddies too. Luckily Gretchen was there to capture some of the birthday moments. 

Loving time with Aunt Keri

Lex and Finn also got to hang out with Nana and Pop-Pop during their visit (pics to follow in a separate post) and meet their cousin Freddie (below). They had a blast.

Emergency

There's a first for everything and Finn had has first trip to the emergency room last Wednesday.  He was walking one way and looking the other way (to see a trolley going down the street) and hit his head on the corner or a brick building.  One bloody shirt and 6 hours later, he was released from the emergency room with no stitches.  They said it was one of the cleanest cuts they'd seen for a head injury.  After the initial tears, Finn never said a word about the incident or about his head hurting. Patrick wanted to keep the bloody shirt to remember the ordeal (which was definitely more stressful for us and the nanny then it was for Finn).  I happily threw the shirt into the wash with an extra dose of Zout to wash it all away. Like Finn, I'd like the memory to be distant. On to more adventures...

Over The Top

Every Grandma is known for something, right? Well, GiGi Lennon (our kids, great grandmother on Patrick's side) is known for supplying a full spread of food no matter what time of day you show up. You will never leave her house hungry. We were lucky enough to see GiGi Lennon briefly during our trip to PA for Kev's wedding. In the eyes of Lex and Finn, it was probably one of their most enjoyable meals ever. She produced all of their favorites in one meal including: waffles, chicken nuggets, french fries, pizza, and cookies. She did actually offer them chocolate milk too, but we had to say no to something.

I can't forget to mention that we only gave her an hour notice that we were coming. She also had all of their favorite toys out for them to play with. Go figure...

We snapped a couple photos on the iPhone to share.

Lexi and GiGi coloring together

Thanks GiGi Lennon for a great visit!

Wedding Extravaganza

With the Lennon and Funari families as big as they are, we've been to a lot of family weddings and had the chance to catch up with and see lots of family in recent months. Here are some pictures from weddings in NC and PA. More pics from visitng Gram Lennon to follow.  We captured them on the iPhone and have to get them uploaded.

Pappy and Heath

Grammy snuggling with Heath

Lexi preparing for Kev's wedding and very excited to attend her first wedding.

All dressed up and ready to go (with help from Grammy and Aunt Colleen)

The Lennon Clan

Time with cousin Ryan

Enjoying the dancing.  Lexi started and ended the dancing....

Watching the fun with Lily....

Heath loving his time with Aunt Colleen

Pics from Patrick and Heath's visit to NC

Funny Things

A couple cute, simple things Finn and Lexi have said recently to share:

"Mommy, mommy," Finn says in the middle of night.  I run in to his room.  "Yes, honey?" 
"I need my backpack." 

"Can we watch the commercials?" Lexi asks after their evening TV show has ended. Are they that desperate?

"Momma," Lex says in the middle of the night.  And then when I'm there beside her.  "Mom, I need a sweater."

Apple Picking

The leaves are already beginning to change here which means it's apple picking time! We look forward to apple picking with the kids every year and this year was no exception.  We learned that "crowded" in Maine is much different than "crowded" in Chicago.  The supposedly crowded orchard had rows and rows of unpicked apples with no one around.  Ahhhhh....the way apple picking should be. We've experienced years where apple picking was more of a treasure hunt to just find a ripe unpicked apple, so this was a nice surprise. We enjoyed the day with the Gilbert/Holsten clan and everyone enjoyed the apples and sunshine!

The apple picking mini crew (minus Heath) enjoying freshly picked apples

Jen and Sam

Swimming

Lexi and I sat through two whole swim sessions at the Y in Evanston. I mean it was supposed to be her swim class, but she never made it past the bench where parents watch from. So we basically made some donations to the Y.

Something had happened between the parent-tot class (where she was such an eager swimmer and always wanted to swim by herself) and the 3 year old (swim on your own) class and Lex decided the water was not for her.

Did she know that deep down I really, really cared and that her not wanting to swim would just eat away at me? Could I have a kid who didn't swim?

So two classes watching from the bench and a full year later, Lexi declares she's ready to swim again. "Yes, mommy, I won't be afraid anymore," she said. So I cautiously sign her up, not getting my hopes up and, honestly, trying not to think about it much so I won't obsess and ultimately make her nervous.

Finn, Heath (his first swim class ever) and Lex all are signed up for Saturday morning swim class at the Y in Freeport, ME. It takes a professional planner to get us all out of the house on time, breakfast eaten, teeth brushed (we think), dressed, swim gear, diapers, shower essentials, snacks, bottle. We manage somehow.

Lexi cries at first, but then she gets in. She swims. She loves it. I try not to cry. Such a sap, but then I realize Patrick feels the same. And just like that, she now loves swimming. It's that simple. Seriously, if I could translate my fears that easily... Hooray for you Lex, hooray!

(Sorry - the quality of these photos with the lighting in the pool is pretty bad)

Heath's first swim class

Beginnings

Apologies, as I am way behind with updates...

The week of Labor Day brought more firsts--Both Lex and Finn started new schools here in Maine. Lex slid right in like she'd been going all along and Finn will probably be running his preschool in a couple of months. He hardly noticed when we turned to leave. Certainly bittersweet for us to see how quickly they adjust and need us less and less. Ultimately, we're happy there seem to be few hiccups for the kids during this incredibly transitional period for us, the adults.

Lex in front of her school pointing to the fountain that sits by the front door

Jumping right into a coloring activity

Finny on his was to his first day of school

Here's Finny outside of his school on the first day.