Sweet Eloise Ann

It turned out that there was a lot of excitement going on while Jon was working in Germany.  Grandma and Grandpa were still here visiting and on Tuesday of that week, we got a text saying that it looked like Aunt Sarah was going to be having her baby that day!  We were of course super excited and a little anxious, seeing as how the baby was over 3 weeks early at the time.

Dear, sweet Eloise (Ella) Ann was born on February 28, weighing in at 5 lbs 3 oz.  Overall, she and the new parents have been doing great.  She is now almost 3 months old and has grown out of her newborn clothes.  She is growing and putting on weight and is more and more interactive, smiling and cooing at her adoring cousins.  What a blessing she is!

 Marie reading to Ella for the first time.

 I was honored to be asked if I would be Ella's Godmother.  Of course, I accepted!  A couple of weeks after Easter, we had a very special ceremony and wonderful family time as we welcomed Ella into the church.

Ella and her fan club (cousins)!

Stevie's Birthday (2 1/2 + months ago!)

Wow.  I guess it's about time that we got those sledding pictures off the front page of our blog.  We've got a lot of ground to cover, so I hope no one minds that these next couple posts are heavy on pictures and light on words!

It's hard to believe that it has already been almost 15 months since we brought "baby Stevie" home from the hospital!  To honor this little guy that is always making us laugh (despite - or perhaps because of - his ornery streak), here are some photos from his birthday(s).  Since Jon was going to be in Germany the week before and flying back on Stevie's first birthday, we decided to celebrate the week before.  We were joined by Grandma and Grandpa Shibata, Aunt Jess, and Grandma and Grandpa Meinhart. 

 

 

 The leftover cupcakes kept quite well in the freezer until the following week.  We of course got them out on Stevie's actual birthday to celebrate again.  Needless to say, mom and dad had so much fun cleaning up all the mess that those were the only two cupcakes that Steve got to enjoy this year!  :)
 

Our mild winter

The winter here in Michigan sure hasn't lived up the hype this year.  We were all bracing for the worst when we were told last fall that it was going to be a bad one.  We really haven't had a big storm that dumped a considerable amount at one time (knock on wood) and have just had a few instances of and inch or two accumulating. 

Now I'm not complaining, but Marie and Joey were getting a bit anxious about how much sledding they were not doing.  Nonetheless, we have been able to make it out to the sledding hill a few times.  Even when there is grass peeking through the snow, the hill is steep enough that you still go down.  Marie and Joey still really enjoy it.  In fact, with the smaller amounts of snow, it has been easier for them to climb back up under their own power instead of making Jon pull them up in the sled.  (Nope, still no tow rope.)  They still enjoy "bailing" out when they come anywhere close to the strategically placed straw bales.  No injuries to speak of...yet.  (Knock on wood again.)  We are not sure why, but Stevie does NOT like sledding.  He doesn't mind the cold or even sitting in the snow, but as soon as we sit in the sled, he starts protesting.  We're really hoping he grows out of that!

Marie is now well into the second half of her kindergarten year.  I attended the (optional) parent teacher conference after the second quarter and her teacher had almost only good things to say.  She continues to breeze through most of the traditional reading and math lessons but it is fun to see her learn new things during her Spanish and religion classes.  She is also learning and growing socially.  It has really been valuable for her to make new friends and be exposed to some other "strong" personalities.  It has also been a good experience for us to learn how to best teach her how to deal with those strong personalities. 

Dare I say that Joey is completely potty trained?  We are still cautious about nap time and bed time, but I can't remember the last time he had an accident.  He has lately been recognizing more letters and numbers and has just recently taken up writing his name by himself.  Though he just turned three 2 1/2 months ago, he regularly talks about when he will get to go to school.  He wants to be just like his sister...he is growing up so fast.

Speaking of growing up fast, there is Stevie.  He will be turning ONE is less than two weeks.  This is such a fun age.  We are really able to see his personality start to come through.  He is learning all the time.  He is so proud of himself and grins from ear to ear when he "helps" us to put something away, shut a door, or turns off a light.  He is now a very accomplished walker and most often chooses that as his primary method of getting around.  He is more of a climber than the other two were.  You know all those stools we have around the house for Joey to be able to reach sinks and counters?  Yeah - going to have to re-think that.  You would also think that with two older siblings, we would have all the necessary cabinets baby-proofed...nope.  We've had to get out that hardware and do some spur of the moment installations.  He definitely keeps us on our toes.  :)

Jon has been busy with work and with his course.  It seems like this semester has been a bit less stressful than last term for him and I'm thankful for that.  This week he is getting ready for a trip to Germany for work.  I think he is excited to go; he has always wanted to go there.  But, perhaps not excited about being away for that long. 

Peg's work has been going well also, though we have been pretty busy (read: on the verge of swamped).  The situation just continues to fit our family and I can't say enough about my employer's flexibility and understanding.  They truly get that my priority is my family and don't make me feel guilty at all about leaving at 2:30 every day to pick Marie up from school. 

We had a short visit a couple of weeks ago from Grandma and Grandpa Meinhart.  Uncle Mark and Aunt Sarah hosted a baby shower / house warming party, so they came up for the event.  They stayed for a few days and as always helped out with the kids, cooking, cleaning, etc.  They really don't get paid enough for what they do.  :) 


Here are a couple of tidbits from the kids before I forget.

I have come to realize that one of the things that I am ALWAYS saying is, "Just a minute."  This was brought to light one day when Joey asked me to do something, though I can't remember what it was.  After my typical response, he replied, "Is that a short minute or a long minute?"

While the whole family was out sledding one afternoon, I was taking my turn while Jon stayed near the top of the hill with Stevie.  Joey and I were trekking back up the hill.
Joey: I want to go with Dad.
Jon: But I'm holding Stevie.
Joey: Well, you could put Stevie in Mom's arms and she could take him in because he might be getting frozen.

Joey (thoughtfully speaking to Peg):  You know, you're kind of like a grown-up.

Marie and Joey frequently talk about when they get older how they will be a mom and a dad.  During baths one night we were all in the bathroom and this was the exchange.
Joey: When I get big, then there will be THREE dads.
Marie: No there will only be two.
Joey: No, three.  Me, Stevie, and Dad.
Marie (very matter of fact-ly): Well, Dad might be dead by then.

I think that's it for now.  Stay tuned...I expect March to be a busy and eventful month with all the birthdays, a visit from Uncle Matt, and also with the birth of our new niece/nephew!  Can't wait!

Grandpa Boeds

 

Cyril L. Boedeker
November 30, 1918-December 11, 2011

As I mentioned previously, we said farewell to my Grandpa in December.  He was 93 years old and lived a full life…enjoying his family and the things he loved for longer than most.  I can't count the number of people that said the thing they remembered most about Grandpa was his laugh or his smile.  I have to admit that is one of the things I remember the most as well. 

Grandpa had his share of hard times, that's for sure, but he always had a song in his heart and in his step.  You might think that is an exaggeration, but it's not.  Even when he didn't have music playing at his house (which was very frequently) he was always humming or singing some tune.  He would very often share a line or two if something reminded him of one of his favorites.  I remember distinctly listening to him sing in church and feeling nervous about dancing with him at my wedding.  He was a MUCH better dancer than me after all.  I've heard stories about how he loved to perform in variety shows when my mom was growing up and can picture it easily. 

Grandpa served in World War II.  As with many veterans, he had an obvious loyalty and love for his country.  He didn't always say it with words, but you just knew it.  I loved seeing that glint in his eye when he talked about being in the service, especially when he talked about meeting my Grandma.  He remembered fondly those days of being young and in love.  They had a military wedding (as I understand it) and then spent the early days apart from each other.  Eventually they settled in St. Louis and continued to have fun while raising their family. 

The one thing that was probably more important to Grandpa than his country and family was his faith.  He was always very active in his church life and generous to the needs of his parish.  Grandpa was not a complainer, but when he was feeling ill or weak, the one thing he complained about was not getting to go to Mass.  The example of faith that he lived and his rosary beads at his chair spoke much louder than his speech. 

Grandpa's funeral was a special time to remember him and to be with family.  The Mass was beautiful and burial service, complete with military salute, was powerful.  It was (and is) hard to say goodbye but easier first because I can imagine that glint again as he was reunited with my Grandma 26 years after her death and secondly because of our hope that we will see him with Jesus when it is our turn. 

Love you Grandpa...