Dear Rosa,
Let me try to give you the short version of what I have been doing these past 3 years.
A strange combination of events had me, Andrew and the kids shipped to a god forsaken place with no internet access and almost no other ways to communicate with the outside world.
Sounds bad but it was actually pretty amazing.
Andrew got to work on his fishing and animal training skills in the best place in the world and I got to keep Owen away from a very disturbed Connor that started sending me threats about kidnapping him.
We lived alongside a little village and I got to spend 3 years seeing my kids grow with no distractions.
Owen had oh-so-many new bugs to explore and his passion for science grew even stronger.
He is now 13 and I could not be prouder of him. He is my right hand with the others, without a doubt. He wears the big brother title like a second skin and sometimes it's hard to keep in mind he is still a kid.
Ruby is still as serious about dancing as ever. She was upset for leaving her classic studies in her old school but she was very excited to learn all the new exotic dances. By the end of the first year my shy Ruby was already teaching ballet the younger kids over there.
The last two years her and her "students" were even invited to perform in the Season Greeting. They were so adorable.
I mean, she is still that shy little mouse when we go shopping and someone asks her something or if we go to the park and there are kids that she doesn't know. But withing that circle she flourished and she is a confident young lady.
I think Scarlet was the one having more fun of them all. She was as wild as the wildlife over there and I barely saw her in the afternoons after study hours. She made a handful of friends, all as energetic as she is and she had a blast playing in the river or climbing trees or chasing whatever they decided that day.
She is the one that will give me grey hairs prematurely, I'm sure. I keep expecting her to do something extra-crazy like bringing home a poisonous snake to have as her pet or deciding to jump of the roof wrapped in tons of toilet paper and rubber bands to see if she can bounce of the ground.
At first this meant I was going crazy running after her, keeping her feet on the ground instead of on their way up to the top of a tree. Eventually I learned to let her explore her environment her way. As Andrew told me, if she falls, will pick her up and the other kids knew very well what was dangerous and what was safe around their land.
Wolf competes with Scarlet for first place giving me mini-heart-attacks. He is so territorial and competitive. I lost count of how many times he got into fights.
He has an explosive personality and will react strongly to any little provocation.
It's a challenge for me because I have to be quite strict with him. And he does not make it easier for me either.
It's like... I'm called because he punched a kid and I get there and find out that the kid he punched ( and kicked... and sometimes there is some biting involved) was the one that pushed Chance the day before, or the one that bullies Tome (a friend of his), or the one that cut Naoim's hair ( a friend of Scarlet). I'm not going to lie, inside my head I do a little cheer but I can't let him think it's alright to work out these things with violence.
Roderick is going to be trouble when he grows up. I just know it. He is already running around after girls. The thing is... he is this tiny sweet gentleman. He picked flowers to give them, he tag along with their girly games so he could "protect" them from bugs. He opens doors for them.
I blame Andrew for this one. No doubt.
Andrew has this thing about teaching our boys how to properly treat a lady ( honestly I think he worries Conner, Owen's father, is a bad influence and he tries very hard to counter any nasty effects). Roderick takes his words very seriously and he even calls him up when he doesn't open the door for me because he is carrying all the bags from the car. " Dad! The door!"- he says, rolling his eyes and running to hold it for me and the girls.
The Seer of the village took a liking to Chance. She called her "the blessed one" and came around often to spend time with her. "A start shines on her", she said. I guess we really got it right with her name then. Mostly I blame it on the fact that Chance is still the happiest baby I have ever seen. She is always in a good mood. Always laughing and giggling. Her joy is contagious and she is growing up into a delightful little girl.
A hippie, delightful little girl. The Seer's influence did not go unnoticed and she lives in her own magic universe where shooting stars whisper secrets to her and the wind blows news from far lands into her ears. And animals talk to her. Of course.
I don't mind. I wish all my kids would live in that magic world for longer and never turned into grumpy grown ups.
Well... this was a big letter... so, come on! your turn!
Showing posts with label Apple. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Apple. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Friday, November 4, 2011
From Apple's journal #62
*Apple climbs into bed after putting Chance and Roderick in their cribs.
She doesn't bother taking off her clothes, collapsing in the oversize
bed with a sigh of relief.
With her head buried in the pillow she can still hear Andrew finishing up the story he was reading the rest of the kids.
He always deviated from the books. The story could start off by being the little red ridding hood but by the second page he read ridding hood was in fact a ninja and the wolf kept the forest safe for the little animals and chase off any hunters that might come along with the help of a butterfly fairy and a retired pirate.
The funniest part is that he still would turn the pages of the book like he was actually reading.
She smiled as she heard him finish Beauty and the Beast with a "and then Belle and the prince that has no name so it must be Voldemort in disguise went to a furry convention on a cruise to the Bahamas all the rats in their castle lived happily ever after because they left Cinderella taking care of the place".
Those kids would be disappointed when they actually read the real stories by themselves and would beg him to tell his version of it again and again.
Then she heard him putting them to bed. One by one.
Each had his own ritual.
He would tuck Owen and ask if that night he wanted the light on or off. Off, please. Goodnight buddy. Good night dad.
He would twirl Ruby around to her bed, turn on her ballerina music box and tell her to be careful with the pirouettes in her dreams as he kissed her nose.
He would arrange the 12 stuffed animals around Scarlet in her bed and make sure there was some crumbles in a plate by the window for the cookie fairy. Then he would kiss her cheeks and her forehead and whisper "sweet dreams, cookie monster".
Finally he would put down Wolf in his bed, ruffle his hair and pull gently at his ears as the child pulled at his. He would turn on the night light and the mobile on top on the bed and tell him to have fun being naughty in his dreams so that he could be a good boy in the morning.
Apple listened carefully, already knowing the words he was saying by heart and turned around in the big bed, waiting for him to come through the door.*
Come here. With all that's been going on I miss you.
I want you to put me to bed as well.
I don't need a story. I just need your lips on mine and your arms around me.
With her head buried in the pillow she can still hear Andrew finishing up the story he was reading the rest of the kids.
He always deviated from the books. The story could start off by being the little red ridding hood but by the second page he read ridding hood was in fact a ninja and the wolf kept the forest safe for the little animals and chase off any hunters that might come along with the help of a butterfly fairy and a retired pirate.
The funniest part is that he still would turn the pages of the book like he was actually reading.
She smiled as she heard him finish Beauty and the Beast with a "and then Belle and the prince that has no name so it must be Voldemort in disguise went to a furry convention on a cruise to the Bahamas all the rats in their castle lived happily ever after because they left Cinderella taking care of the place".
Those kids would be disappointed when they actually read the real stories by themselves and would beg him to tell his version of it again and again.
Then she heard him putting them to bed. One by one.
Each had his own ritual.
He would tuck Owen and ask if that night he wanted the light on or off. Off, please. Goodnight buddy. Good night dad.
He would twirl Ruby around to her bed, turn on her ballerina music box and tell her to be careful with the pirouettes in her dreams as he kissed her nose.
He would arrange the 12 stuffed animals around Scarlet in her bed and make sure there was some crumbles in a plate by the window for the cookie fairy. Then he would kiss her cheeks and her forehead and whisper "sweet dreams, cookie monster".
Finally he would put down Wolf in his bed, ruffle his hair and pull gently at his ears as the child pulled at his. He would turn on the night light and the mobile on top on the bed and tell him to have fun being naughty in his dreams so that he could be a good boy in the morning.
Apple listened carefully, already knowing the words he was saying by heart and turned around in the big bed, waiting for him to come through the door.*
Come here. With all that's been going on I miss you.
I want you to put me to bed as well.
I don't need a story. I just need your lips on mine and your arms around me.
From Apple's journal #61
Owen is 9 already.
My little man is not so little anymore.
He still daydreams about fire trucks and he still covers the living room with blankets while building his forts but he does not sleep with the light on anymore and he gets ready by himself, choosing his own outfit and taking care of his hair.
Sometimes I can see a glimpse of the man he'll grow up to be in the tenderness he shows his little sisters when they stretch his patience or in the way he helps Wolf when he falls down.
All my children have their strengths... their "special powers". Owen's is definitely his ability to care for others. His kindness and attention. He is the perfect big brother and he embraces his role whole heartedly.
I'm so proud of him and of what he has became and if I do feel a sting of pain for seeing him grow up so fast I must also admit that I can't wait to meet the grown-up version of him.
My little man is not so little anymore.
He still daydreams about fire trucks and he still covers the living room with blankets while building his forts but he does not sleep with the light on anymore and he gets ready by himself, choosing his own outfit and taking care of his hair.
Sometimes I can see a glimpse of the man he'll grow up to be in the tenderness he shows his little sisters when they stretch his patience or in the way he helps Wolf when he falls down.
All my children have their strengths... their "special powers". Owen's is definitely his ability to care for others. His kindness and attention. He is the perfect big brother and he embraces his role whole heartedly.
I'm so proud of him and of what he has became and if I do feel a sting of pain for seeing him grow up so fast I must also admit that I can't wait to meet the grown-up version of him.
From Apple's journal #60
Chance is the happiest baby I have.
She giggles, she laughs, she chortles, she chuckles, she grins. She spends most of her time with huge smile plastered on her face, drooling happily.
She is also the fussiest baby I have.
She refuses to sleep longer than 2 hours, she doesn't eat as much as I would like her to and when she is not dazzling the world with her brilliant good mood she howls, she cries like she is being tortured. Luckily these moments are very short lived... but they are intense and frequent.
She's a master at keeping me from doing anything else so things around the house have been getting kind of sloppy.
Today, for example, I realised that the only clean shirt I had for Roderick was a rather inappropriate one.
I put it on thinking "oh who cares, he can't read it anyway".
I'm tired and my brain a bit sluggish so it took me a few seconds to catch up to reality and understand why the hell was Owen (who can read perfectly) asking me what a blow job was.
I looked at him blankly, hoping I misunderstood what he asked.
He pointed at the babbling baby on my arms and read: " All daddy wanted was a blowjob", then he looked at me and continued: "what's a blowjob mommy?".
I need to go do some laundry. NOW.
She giggles, she laughs, she chortles, she chuckles, she grins. She spends most of her time with huge smile plastered on her face, drooling happily.
She is also the fussiest baby I have.
She refuses to sleep longer than 2 hours, she doesn't eat as much as I would like her to and when she is not dazzling the world with her brilliant good mood she howls, she cries like she is being tortured. Luckily these moments are very short lived... but they are intense and frequent.
She's a master at keeping me from doing anything else so things around the house have been getting kind of sloppy.
Today, for example, I realised that the only clean shirt I had for Roderick was a rather inappropriate one.
I put it on thinking "oh who cares, he can't read it anyway".
I'm tired and my brain a bit sluggish so it took me a few seconds to catch up to reality and understand why the hell was Owen (who can read perfectly) asking me what a blow job was.
I looked at him blankly, hoping I misunderstood what he asked.
He pointed at the babbling baby on my arms and read: " All daddy wanted was a blowjob", then he looked at me and continued: "what's a blowjob mommy?".
I need to go do some laundry. NOW.
From Apple's journal #59
When Ruby was born there were some complications and I was unconscious for the whole thing.
When Scarlet was born I was scared out of my mind.
When Wolf was born I was nervous and a bit heartbroken because Andrew could not be there with me.
When Roderick was born I thought I had no one to take care of my children while I was in the hospital and Andrew didn't make it in time but I was calm and things went smoothly.
Now, with Chance, I had a nanny for my kids that kept bringing me the drawings they were making for me and that made the whole thing into an adventure for them *and* I had Andrew holding my hand all the time.
It was a walk in the park. Nice doctors, nice nurses, plenty of conversation and laughs.
The hours flew by and in a heartbeat I had a beautiful baby girl in my arms and I was ready to go home.
Andrew, on the other hand, looked like he was about to have a heart attack the whole time.
It was his first time and he kept fluffing my pillows, bringing me ice chips. "Do you want anything?" "Do you need anything?" "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Between contractions I looked at him and laughed... I could not help it. He was white as a ghost, his hands were shaking and his voice cracked when he said "good job muffin".
The nurses kept making jokes " oh poor thing... after this he won't be making you any more babies, Apple!".
He must have asked me if I was okay a thousand times.
When it was time to push I think he would have collapsed on the floor if he was not so concentrated in helping me. I don't think anything could have ripped him away from me at that time. If the floor beneath his feet disappeared he would have learn how to float to keep holding my hand.
And when the nurse put Chance in his arms, I'm sorry to say it this way but there is no other way to describe it : he cried like a little bitch. And I love him even more for it.
When Scarlet was born I was scared out of my mind.
When Wolf was born I was nervous and a bit heartbroken because Andrew could not be there with me.
When Roderick was born I thought I had no one to take care of my children while I was in the hospital and Andrew didn't make it in time but I was calm and things went smoothly.
Now, with Chance, I had a nanny for my kids that kept bringing me the drawings they were making for me and that made the whole thing into an adventure for them *and* I had Andrew holding my hand all the time.
It was a walk in the park. Nice doctors, nice nurses, plenty of conversation and laughs.
The hours flew by and in a heartbeat I had a beautiful baby girl in my arms and I was ready to go home.
Andrew, on the other hand, looked like he was about to have a heart attack the whole time.
It was his first time and he kept fluffing my pillows, bringing me ice chips. "Do you want anything?" "Do you need anything?" "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Between contractions I looked at him and laughed... I could not help it. He was white as a ghost, his hands were shaking and his voice cracked when he said "good job muffin".
The nurses kept making jokes " oh poor thing... after this he won't be making you any more babies, Apple!".
He must have asked me if I was okay a thousand times.
When it was time to push I think he would have collapsed on the floor if he was not so concentrated in helping me. I don't think anything could have ripped him away from me at that time. If the floor beneath his feet disappeared he would have learn how to float to keep holding my hand.
And when the nurse put Chance in his arms, I'm sorry to say it this way but there is no other way to describe it : he cried like a little bitch. And I love him even more for it.
From Apple's journal #58
Today was one of those perfect days.
Total bliss.
B is for Beauty
Waking up to a beautiful sunrise. The trees outside are starting to bloom and Nature is taking on it's colours again.
Went to wake the kids and Owen was already up, playing with Wolf. Walking in on them laughing as Owen tickled his little brother.
In the bathroom Ruby was tying Scarlet's hair with a red ribbon while the two of them talked about their kittens.
Walking into the kitchen and there was Andrew, pouring cereals into bowls with one hand, bouncing a smiling Roderick with the other.
L is for Love
Hearing Andrew shout: "kids, mom's up!" and hear them flock to the kitchen and give me good morning kisses.
Being handed a babbling baby by my husband as he pulls a chair for me and kisses my shoulder before pouring me a glass of orange juice.
Not being able to stop smiling because I could not imagine my life being more perfect.
I is for Intimacy
Andrew telling me that we were going out for a breakfast date as soon as Willow got here and whispering in my ear that he missed having me all for himself.
Feeling him getting into the shower behind me and stand under the warm water with his arms around me and talk about those little nothings that make us laugh.
S is for Secret
Sneaking out of the house to avoid disturbing the children busy with their homework.
Running outside giggling like kids and kissing in the middle of the street with the sun on our faces.
Sharing a delicious breakfast on a hidden spot, away from the world while making plans that belong only to us.
S is for Serenity
Falling asleep in Andrew's arms in the fading afternoon with Wolf curled up in my lap and Scarlet's head resting on my leg as the rest of the children watch The Lion King.
I'm going to be cheesy and say it: today was a fairytale .
Total bliss.
B is for Beauty
Waking up to a beautiful sunrise. The trees outside are starting to bloom and Nature is taking on it's colours again.
Went to wake the kids and Owen was already up, playing with Wolf. Walking in on them laughing as Owen tickled his little brother.
In the bathroom Ruby was tying Scarlet's hair with a red ribbon while the two of them talked about their kittens.
Walking into the kitchen and there was Andrew, pouring cereals into bowls with one hand, bouncing a smiling Roderick with the other.
L is for Love
Hearing Andrew shout: "kids, mom's up!" and hear them flock to the kitchen and give me good morning kisses.
Being handed a babbling baby by my husband as he pulls a chair for me and kisses my shoulder before pouring me a glass of orange juice.
Not being able to stop smiling because I could not imagine my life being more perfect.
I is for Intimacy
Andrew telling me that we were going out for a breakfast date as soon as Willow got here and whispering in my ear that he missed having me all for himself.
Feeling him getting into the shower behind me and stand under the warm water with his arms around me and talk about those little nothings that make us laugh.
S is for Secret
Sneaking out of the house to avoid disturbing the children busy with their homework.
Running outside giggling like kids and kissing in the middle of the street with the sun on our faces.
Sharing a delicious breakfast on a hidden spot, away from the world while making plans that belong only to us.
S is for Serenity
Falling asleep in Andrew's arms in the fading afternoon with Wolf curled up in my lap and Scarlet's head resting on my leg as the rest of the children watch The Lion King.
I'm going to be cheesy and say it: today was a fairytale .
From Apple's journal #57
First day of school for my children and I already want to bite someone.
Can you believe that some stupid kid pushed Ruby to the ground?
She came home with a nasty cut on her knee and crying about how she doesn't want to school any more.
I swear if I find who did it we are going to have a looong conversation. What kind of parents raises someone that hits weaker children?
What kind of example does that child have at home to behave like that?
Maybe the parents just don't care...
Maybe there are no parents and that child lives alone.
Maybe there is a lonely child out there, somewhere, just acting out, waiting to be noticed, to have someone who will take care of her/him.
...
Wait.
How did I get to the "by kobe, I want to adopt that child and show her/him a better world" so fast???
Can you believe that some stupid kid pushed Ruby to the ground?
She came home with a nasty cut on her knee and crying about how she doesn't want to school any more.
I swear if I find who did it we are going to have a looong conversation. What kind of parents raises someone that hits weaker children?
What kind of example does that child have at home to behave like that?
Maybe the parents just don't care...
Maybe there are no parents and that child lives alone.
Maybe there is a lonely child out there, somewhere, just acting out, waiting to be noticed, to have someone who will take care of her/him.
...
Wait.
How did I get to the "by kobe, I want to adopt that child and show her/him a better world" so fast???
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
From Apple's journal #56
*Apple got home and Andrew was already there. He fell asleep in the couch waiting for her to arrive.
She put a sleeping Roderick, Wolf and Scarlet to bed and hushed Owen, Mia and Scarlet to their rooms after brushing their teeth.
She came back to the living room and smiled as she looked at Andrew. He was sitting down, his head was hanging to the right, completely lopsided and the magazine he had been reading was on the floor.
She tiptoed her way to him and slowly sat on his lap, facing him, one leg on each side of his.
A gentle rub was all it took to get his attention.*
Hey sleepy head. Don't you want to get your ass to bed before you get a very stiff neck?
*He smiled at her, making a snide remark about how he was sure that position would give him a stiff something and picked her up, carrying her to the bedroom.*
It's good to be home.
She put a sleeping Roderick, Wolf and Scarlet to bed and hushed Owen, Mia and Scarlet to their rooms after brushing their teeth.
She came back to the living room and smiled as she looked at Andrew. He was sitting down, his head was hanging to the right, completely lopsided and the magazine he had been reading was on the floor.
She tiptoed her way to him and slowly sat on his lap, facing him, one leg on each side of his.
A gentle rub was all it took to get his attention.*
Hey sleepy head. Don't you want to get your ass to bed before you get a very stiff neck?
*He smiled at her, making a snide remark about how he was sure that position would give him a stiff something and picked her up, carrying her to the bedroom.*
It's good to be home.
Friday, September 16, 2011
From Apple's journal #55
I'm a chicken.. laying eggs!
So Andrew comes home, starts kissing me and I tell him: baby, it's that time of the month...
He ignores me.
I press on: you know... the "making babies time of the month" and we are out of condoms.
He then says something like "oh.. you should rest for a while before we have another one, right?"
I say that yes... maybe it's better because Roderick isn't even one year old and we buy some condoms.
I tell him I have condoms and he asks me if I think we could make a baby in just one try.
I tell him no, I don't think that's possible.
He laughs and tells me "want to try? If we are that lucky.. we can call her Chance!".
I laugh, he laughs, I look at him laughing, he looks at me looking at him, I drop the condoms and then... well...
Half an hour later we are laying in the kitchen floor, catching our breaths and I say that we are completely crazy.
A week passes and I start to get nervous "should I go pee on a stick? I should pee on a stick.. otherwise in a couple of weeks I'll be even more disappointed because there is no Chance."
So I did.
I'm a chicken... laying eggs. I promise I'll stop when I have a dozen.
So Andrew comes home, starts kissing me and I tell him: baby, it's that time of the month...
He ignores me.
I press on: you know... the "making babies time of the month" and we are out of condoms.
He then says something like "oh.. you should rest for a while before we have another one, right?"
I say that yes... maybe it's better because Roderick isn't even one year old and we buy some condoms.
I tell him I have condoms and he asks me if I think we could make a baby in just one try.
I tell him no, I don't think that's possible.
He laughs and tells me "want to try? If we are that lucky.. we can call her Chance!".
I laugh, he laughs, I look at him laughing, he looks at me looking at him, I drop the condoms and then... well...
Half an hour later we are laying in the kitchen floor, catching our breaths and I say that we are completely crazy.
A week passes and I start to get nervous "should I go pee on a stick? I should pee on a stick.. otherwise in a couple of weeks I'll be even more disappointed because there is no Chance."
So I did.
I'm a chicken... laying eggs. I promise I'll stop when I have a dozen.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
From Apple's journal #54
So this is was my fourth pregnancy... and my third time giving birth all by myself.
I have the worst timing ever when it's time to pop.
Down to two nannies, on on her day off, my husband away.. perfect time to have the baby of course.
Thank god I have the best friend and the best nanny in the world... I was able to focus all my energy in the baby and not worry about the children at home.
I must admit I freaked out at first when my water broke and I realised that I was alone with the 5 kids and had to get to the hospital as fast as possible.
But I'm not a newbie any more... after 3 other pregnancies I'm a professional at this!
I took my deep breaths, I told the little ones that their brother was coming and that we were all taking a trip to the hospital. Then I called Rita asking for help and she sprung into action.
Then I called Rosa and she was already on her way.
In the end all turned out well.
I have one more perfect baby boy. My little Roderick .
...
I just wish you had been here...
I have the worst timing ever when it's time to pop.
Down to two nannies, on on her day off, my husband away.. perfect time to have the baby of course.
Thank god I have the best friend and the best nanny in the world... I was able to focus all my energy in the baby and not worry about the children at home.
I must admit I freaked out at first when my water broke and I realised that I was alone with the 5 kids and had to get to the hospital as fast as possible.
But I'm not a newbie any more... after 3 other pregnancies I'm a professional at this!
I took my deep breaths, I told the little ones that their brother was coming and that we were all taking a trip to the hospital. Then I called Rita asking for help and she sprung into action.
Then I called Rosa and she was already on her way.
In the end all turned out well.
I have one more perfect baby boy. My little Roderick .
...
I just wish you had been here...
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
From Apple's journal #53
I miss my wife and I miss my husband.
I miss having Janina all for myself for more than a few hours in a random city.
I miss having her kids around, competing with mine for the biggest chaos making us in to one huge family.
I miss the scent of her hair, the softness of her skin and the cute hearts the draws on notes.
I miss the way she playfully bites my shoulder and announces proudly that she has bitten the apple.
And I miss Andrew.
I miss his arms around me and feeling safe nestled in his embrace.
I miss kissing him awake in the morning and the way he always smiles when he looks at me.
I miss hearing the kids laugh when he picks them up and makes them fly.
I miss the long baths we share when he comes home from fishing.
I miss having him cuddle me to sleep and rubbing my belly, calling me popcorn because I'm ready to pop.
I miss them!
So when do I get these two huge chunks of my heart back? Hum?
I miss having Janina all for myself for more than a few hours in a random city.
I miss having her kids around, competing with mine for the biggest chaos making us in to one huge family.
I miss the scent of her hair, the softness of her skin and the cute hearts the draws on notes.
I miss the way she playfully bites my shoulder and announces proudly that she has bitten the apple.
And I miss Andrew.
I miss his arms around me and feeling safe nestled in his embrace.
I miss kissing him awake in the morning and the way he always smiles when he looks at me.
I miss hearing the kids laugh when he picks them up and makes them fly.
I miss the long baths we share when he comes home from fishing.
I miss having him cuddle me to sleep and rubbing my belly, calling me popcorn because I'm ready to pop.
I miss them!
So when do I get these two huge chunks of my heart back? Hum?
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
From Apple's journal #52
I always get like this at the end of my pregnancies.
Sleepy.
Lazy.
I spend warm mornings in bed, slow afternoons baking cookies with the occasional nap with Wolf and Bella and I cuddle in Andrew's lap most of the evening watching the kids play.
Having Rosa's children around actually calms things down around here. They get Letty tired!
I would write more... but I have a some nice tea brewing and a book that is not going to read itself.
Sleepy.
Lazy.
I spend warm mornings in bed, slow afternoons baking cookies with the occasional nap with Wolf and Bella and I cuddle in Andrew's lap most of the evening watching the kids play.
Having Rosa's children around actually calms things down around here. They get Letty tired!
I would write more... but I have a some nice tea brewing and a book that is not going to read itself.
From Apple's journal #51
So after a failed attempt today the doctor was finally able to see a little weiner.
Me and Andrew are going to be having another baby boy.
Scarlet was not too happy with the news but Owen was pretty optimistic about it.
On one end we have a "but.. we already have a baby and its a boy...." on the other we have " yes.. now we are tied: 3 girls, 3 boys!".
Mia was just puzzled : "are girls harder to make? Why do my moms have so many boys?"
Ruby was very progressive with her reaction: "can he change his mind and be a girl?".
Wolf wanted to eat.
So, we are all waiting for you Rodrick!
Me and Andrew are going to be having another baby boy.
Scarlet was not too happy with the news but Owen was pretty optimistic about it.
On one end we have a "but.. we already have a baby and its a boy...." on the other we have " yes.. now we are tied: 3 girls, 3 boys!".
Mia was just puzzled : "are girls harder to make? Why do my moms have so many boys?"
Ruby was very progressive with her reaction: "can he change his mind and be a girl?".
Wolf wanted to eat.
So, we are all waiting for you Rodrick!
Monday, September 12, 2011
From Apple's journal #50
*Apple wakes up and feels Andrew's arms around her. She tries to get out of bed to make breakfast but his grip on her tightens. She tries to lift his arm up but it's weighting down on her. A playful laugh lets her know he isn't sleeping at all.
She turns around to face him,ready for her good morning kiss.
His voice is still thick from sleep when he says "'morning, muffin".
She kisses him, momentarily forgetting why she wanted to get out of bed in the first place.
-Mommy... I'm xirty! - a very sleepy Scarlet enters the room, her pillow on her hand and a blanket over her head.
Apple grabs a bottle from the night stand while Andrew pulls the child into the bed.
Letty drinks her water and falls asleep in her dad's arms again. Later on she probably won't even remember how she ended up in her parents bed.
Apple lays her head in her husband's chest and twirls one of Letty's curls in her hand deciding that breakfast can wait.*
She turns around to face him,ready for her good morning kiss.
His voice is still thick from sleep when he says "'morning, muffin".
She kisses him, momentarily forgetting why she wanted to get out of bed in the first place.
-Mommy... I'm xirty! - a very sleepy Scarlet enters the room, her pillow on her hand and a blanket over her head.
Apple grabs a bottle from the night stand while Andrew pulls the child into the bed.
Letty drinks her water and falls asleep in her dad's arms again. Later on she probably won't even remember how she ended up in her parents bed.
Apple lays her head in her husband's chest and twirls one of Letty's curls in her hand deciding that breakfast can wait.*
From Apple's journal #49
Being a mom is not about being a superwoman.
Being a wife is not about always having a smiling face to great your spouse.
Being a friend is not about never complaining and always being a jolly good company.
Everyone needs a break. And everyone needs to be taken care of every once in a while.
So today I abducted Rosa ( her words, not mine) and we both went to a spa to recharge.
The kids were very well taken care of so she had no excuse not to go.
We'll be indulging in several treatments:
I'll be copying their descriptions from the brochure:
Indian Head Massage -30 minutes
Based on old Ayurvedic techniques involving work on the shoulders, neck, scalp and face. A variety of massage movements are used to relieve tension, stimulate circulation and restore joint movement.
Sea and Senses Body (Marine Hot Stones) -75 minutes
Thermodynamic basalt stones are massaged over the body utilising selected pre-blended essential oils to enhance well being. The exfoliating and sculpting techniques are carried out with volcanic and marine stones using spiral movements.
The ultimate treatment for those wanting to de-stress.
Instant Radiance Facial - 60 minutes
Fatigue, stress, ageing and environmental conditions leave the skin clogged up and tired, leaving skin looking dull and lifeless. To restore the beauty of your complexion, we offer you the perfect radiance boosting facial using the brightening extracts of Fresh Tomatoes and Ruscus for glowing skin that looks good enough to eat!
Luxury Manicure
Combining the elements of the express manicure with a luxurious hand and nail exfoliation, mask and heated mitts - the ultimate in hand and nail care.
We'll be home for dinner, ready to face tantrums with kind words, speak softly of love to our significant others and be the cheerful company our friends expect.
And with we'll do all that with awesome nails!
Being a wife is not about always having a smiling face to great your spouse.
Being a friend is not about never complaining and always being a jolly good company.
Everyone needs a break. And everyone needs to be taken care of every once in a while.
So today I abducted Rosa ( her words, not mine) and we both went to a spa to recharge.
The kids were very well taken care of so she had no excuse not to go.
We'll be indulging in several treatments:
I'll be copying their descriptions from the brochure:
Indian Head Massage -30 minutes
Based on old Ayurvedic techniques involving work on the shoulders, neck, scalp and face. A variety of massage movements are used to relieve tension, stimulate circulation and restore joint movement.
Sea and Senses Body (Marine Hot Stones) -75 minutes
Thermodynamic basalt stones are massaged over the body utilising selected pre-blended essential oils to enhance well being. The exfoliating and sculpting techniques are carried out with volcanic and marine stones using spiral movements.
The ultimate treatment for those wanting to de-stress.
Instant Radiance Facial - 60 minutes
Fatigue, stress, ageing and environmental conditions leave the skin clogged up and tired, leaving skin looking dull and lifeless. To restore the beauty of your complexion, we offer you the perfect radiance boosting facial using the brightening extracts of Fresh Tomatoes and Ruscus for glowing skin that looks good enough to eat!
Luxury Manicure
Combining the elements of the express manicure with a luxurious hand and nail exfoliation, mask and heated mitts - the ultimate in hand and nail care.
We'll be home for dinner, ready to face tantrums with kind words, speak softly of love to our significant others and be the cheerful company our friends expect.
And with we'll do all that with awesome nails!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
From Apple's journal #48
*Apple closed the door so that the children couldn't hear the conversation and took a deep breath before stating to answer Connor's message.*
Let's start from the beginning.
I have never spoke a bad word about you to Owen.
Never.
Not even when you took him and didn't let me speak to him on the phone.
Never!
When Owen finally got back to me he was more angry at me because I had a baby and got married without him knowing or being here than at you.
I never, ever told him that it was your fault. You can check that too. I always apologised, told him that I missed him so much. Never did I told him that the reason he was not there and the reason he didn't know about the baby was because of you.
And until Christmas Owen was angry at me. He thought I didn't want him at the wedding because I didn't see him as my son as much as the others.
It broke my heart to see him like that Connor, but I still kept my mouth shut.
Now lets go to the turning point.
On Christmas night we were opening the presents. I warped two presents and gave them to Owen as if they were from you.
Honestly I don't know how in your head that was something that I would do if I was trying to keep you two apart.
After opening the presents Owen wanted to talk to you. You were still blocking my number so I could not call you and let him speak to you.. so I told him to write you a message.
He did.
He wrote:
"Merry Christmas dad.
Mom gave me a hat and a mp3 player and said they were from you.
Thanks!"
Do you remember your answer?
He sure does.
You told him to stop contacting you!
You were the one shutting him out of your life.
He cried the whole night!
His own father told him, to his face, that he would block him if he ever tried to contact him again.
I tried to tell him that you'd probably just had too much eggnog, that you didn't meant it... but the damage was done.
He asked me to change his last name.
When I told him that I didn't thought that was a good idea he burst into tears again, asking me if I didn't want him either.
That was enough for me.
Next morning I filled for the name change.
I didn't ask for your opinion because
number 1- I could not talk to you because you blocked me from all communication and
number 2- because you had just very clearly stated that you didn't wanted any contact with your own son. For me that put you in no position to even have an opinion.
Now about Maynard. Why was he sad?
Owen never broke his relationship with him.
The last time they talked Owen told him he wanted to play more with him
It was Maynard's mom and not Owen or me that ended the relationship.
You can ask her.
Even so, Owen is more than happy to talk to him, play with him, have him in his life if he wants to.
Now tell me.. how am I being unreasonable after all this?
Last time you got custody of Owen you blocked me from speaking to him.
You didn't let him call me to speak to me or his sisters.
You kept him from his own mother's wedding.
You didn't told him he was having a baby brother.
You dragged him around and don't forget kids talk...He spent most of his days alone. He didn't even celebrated Christmas.. or New years... he didn't even had play dates or celebrated Halloween. Nothing!
Do you honestly think after that behaviour I'm going to give custody back to you?
After you told to Owen's face that you didn't want him to contact you or you'd block him from your life?
No way.
But you don't need custody to have a healthy relationship with your son.
You can visit him, he can visit you, you can write to each other, he can spend vacations with you and Maynard. You are invited to every birthday party, every event in his life... even if is something as trivial as wearing a tie for the first time or something like that.
You are *not* blocked from his life. You never were. If you are not present is because you choose not to be.
Let's start from the beginning.
I have never spoke a bad word about you to Owen.
Never.
Not even when you took him and didn't let me speak to him on the phone.
Never!
When Owen finally got back to me he was more angry at me because I had a baby and got married without him knowing or being here than at you.
I never, ever told him that it was your fault. You can check that too. I always apologised, told him that I missed him so much. Never did I told him that the reason he was not there and the reason he didn't know about the baby was because of you.
And until Christmas Owen was angry at me. He thought I didn't want him at the wedding because I didn't see him as my son as much as the others.
It broke my heart to see him like that Connor, but I still kept my mouth shut.
Now lets go to the turning point.
On Christmas night we were opening the presents. I warped two presents and gave them to Owen as if they were from you.
Honestly I don't know how in your head that was something that I would do if I was trying to keep you two apart.
After opening the presents Owen wanted to talk to you. You were still blocking my number so I could not call you and let him speak to you.. so I told him to write you a message.
He did.
He wrote:
"Merry Christmas dad.
Mom gave me a hat and a mp3 player and said they were from you.
Thanks!"
Do you remember your answer?
He sure does.
You told him to stop contacting you!
You were the one shutting him out of your life.
He cried the whole night!
His own father told him, to his face, that he would block him if he ever tried to contact him again.
I tried to tell him that you'd probably just had too much eggnog, that you didn't meant it... but the damage was done.
He asked me to change his last name.
When I told him that I didn't thought that was a good idea he burst into tears again, asking me if I didn't want him either.
That was enough for me.
Next morning I filled for the name change.
I didn't ask for your opinion because
number 1- I could not talk to you because you blocked me from all communication and
number 2- because you had just very clearly stated that you didn't wanted any contact with your own son. For me that put you in no position to even have an opinion.
Now about Maynard. Why was he sad?
Owen never broke his relationship with him.
The last time they talked Owen told him he wanted to play more with him
It was Maynard's mom and not Owen or me that ended the relationship.
You can ask her.
Even so, Owen is more than happy to talk to him, play with him, have him in his life if he wants to.
Now tell me.. how am I being unreasonable after all this?
Last time you got custody of Owen you blocked me from speaking to him.
You didn't let him call me to speak to me or his sisters.
You kept him from his own mother's wedding.
You didn't told him he was having a baby brother.
You dragged him around and don't forget kids talk...He spent most of his days alone. He didn't even celebrated Christmas.. or New years... he didn't even had play dates or celebrated Halloween. Nothing!
Do you honestly think after that behaviour I'm going to give custody back to you?
After you told to Owen's face that you didn't want him to contact you or you'd block him from your life?
No way.
But you don't need custody to have a healthy relationship with your son.
You can visit him, he can visit you, you can write to each other, he can spend vacations with you and Maynard. You are invited to every birthday party, every event in his life... even if is something as trivial as wearing a tie for the first time or something like that.
You are *not* blocked from his life. You never were. If you are not present is because you choose not to be.
Friday, September 9, 2011
From Apple's journal #47
Pregnant?
So, the test says I am.
The doctor says it too.
But.. but.. but... I'm not feeling pregnant at all.
By this time I should have a nice baby bump, start craving some foods and getting sick with others... at least I should start running to the bathroom every 5 minutes.
Nothing.
I feel just as normal as usually.
I'm starting to think that after 3 pregnancies you get one for free and I'm going to spend all the time until the baby is due without any side effects.
And right now I'm probably making a dozen of pregnant women green with jealousy. :) ( Hi Rosa! :P)
Kids
Some of the nannies have been asking me very good questions about the children so I thought I should share with all the information.
How do they get along:
They all get along rather well. Owen is closest to Ruby and Ruby is closest to him except when Mia is around. Then poor Owen gets dragged into girly play. :P
Scarlet is the one who seeks most attention. She was not happy when Wolf was born but now she thinks that " he's no so stinky any more, mommy".
Because I'm not yet showing a big belly neither one of them is that interested in the new baby on the way. From my experience they only get interested when they can feel the baby move.
What should they eat:
I'd rather have them eat healthy most of the time. It can be hard... specially with Letty. But she eats with her eyes... if it's pretty, she'll eat it.
That said, they are kids... so some cookies and icecream once in a while is okay.
Wolf has a big BIG appetite so I recommend small frequent meals.
Routine and habits:
All of them get to pick what socks they want to wear.
They should not see more than one hour and a half of tv in a day. Normally they see a movie before dinner. They take turns picking what they want to see.
Owen is starting to claim his space and sometimes needs a bit of distance from the girls. He may choose a different movie from time to time and watch it by himself.
Bath time is music time. They get clean to their favourite tunes.
They are used to brush their teeth after lunch when they are at home.
Things to look out for:
-Letty likes to pick things and trying to eat them. Random things, Things like the remote or her brother's pacifier.
-Ruby tends to follow Owen everywhere and he doesn't like it when she follows him to the bathroom.He is starting to need his space.
- Wolf is a very quiet baby.He cries when he is hungry but not when he needs to be changed... you have to check him frequently.
-Owen has some daddy issues... he had a bad experience and sometimes gets a bit insecure.If he ever asks to talk to me, call me.No matter what I'm doing or where I am, call me and let him talk to me.
-Mia comes to stay with us a week or so at a time. She is usually with her other mother, Billie. When she is with us she is very polite and acts like a guest for the first day and has to be convinced that she's at home here too.
-Ruby is very shy. She feels unease around people she doesn't know that well. She also gets frightened when there are a lot of people around her. One exception: anything involving dancing... then she could not care less if the room is crowded or not.
-Scarlet likes to steal toys and chew on them.
-Mia will give her food, her toys... anything to any of them if they ask for it.
-Owen will fight anyone that makes fun of Ruby. Sometimes he bites. It's the only situation I ever saw him be aggressive.. but boy... he is very protective of her.
-Scarlet will talk to strangers. To anyone, really.
-Ruby will tell anyone who asks that her daddy is a blond girl with pretty golden hair but that she is allowed to call Andrew daddy too.
So, the test says I am.
The doctor says it too.
But.. but.. but... I'm not feeling pregnant at all.
By this time I should have a nice baby bump, start craving some foods and getting sick with others... at least I should start running to the bathroom every 5 minutes.
Nothing.
I feel just as normal as usually.
I'm starting to think that after 3 pregnancies you get one for free and I'm going to spend all the time until the baby is due without any side effects.
And right now I'm probably making a dozen of pregnant women green with jealousy. :) ( Hi Rosa! :P)
Kids
Some of the nannies have been asking me very good questions about the children so I thought I should share with all the information.
How do they get along:
They all get along rather well. Owen is closest to Ruby and Ruby is closest to him except when Mia is around. Then poor Owen gets dragged into girly play. :P
Scarlet is the one who seeks most attention. She was not happy when Wolf was born but now she thinks that " he's no so stinky any more, mommy".
Because I'm not yet showing a big belly neither one of them is that interested in the new baby on the way. From my experience they only get interested when they can feel the baby move.
What should they eat:
I'd rather have them eat healthy most of the time. It can be hard... specially with Letty. But she eats with her eyes... if it's pretty, she'll eat it.
That said, they are kids... so some cookies and icecream once in a while is okay.
Wolf has a big BIG appetite so I recommend small frequent meals.
Routine and habits:
All of them get to pick what socks they want to wear.
They should not see more than one hour and a half of tv in a day. Normally they see a movie before dinner. They take turns picking what they want to see.
Owen is starting to claim his space and sometimes needs a bit of distance from the girls. He may choose a different movie from time to time and watch it by himself.
Bath time is music time. They get clean to their favourite tunes.
They are used to brush their teeth after lunch when they are at home.
Things to look out for:
-Letty likes to pick things and trying to eat them. Random things, Things like the remote or her brother's pacifier.
-Ruby tends to follow Owen everywhere and he doesn't like it when she follows him to the bathroom.He is starting to need his space.
- Wolf is a very quiet baby.He cries when he is hungry but not when he needs to be changed... you have to check him frequently.
-Owen has some daddy issues... he had a bad experience and sometimes gets a bit insecure.If he ever asks to talk to me, call me.No matter what I'm doing or where I am, call me and let him talk to me.
-Mia comes to stay with us a week or so at a time. She is usually with her other mother, Billie. When she is with us she is very polite and acts like a guest for the first day and has to be convinced that she's at home here too.
-Ruby is very shy. She feels unease around people she doesn't know that well. She also gets frightened when there are a lot of people around her. One exception: anything involving dancing... then she could not care less if the room is crowded or not.
-Scarlet likes to steal toys and chew on them.
-Mia will give her food, her toys... anything to any of them if they ask for it.
-Owen will fight anyone that makes fun of Ruby. Sometimes he bites. It's the only situation I ever saw him be aggressive.. but boy... he is very protective of her.
-Scarlet will talk to strangers. To anyone, really.
-Ruby will tell anyone who asks that her daddy is a blond girl with pretty golden hair but that she is allowed to call Andrew daddy too.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
From Apple's journal #46
Happy Valentine's day!
Ladies first so:
Janina , you have been my steady rock for so long. I know that no matter what happens you are but a phone call away, always with a loving voice to soothe me.
You are my Eva, the one that taught me what love was and took my hand when I knew nothing about it... in more than one way. :P
I love you and I hope you are having a great Valentine's day!
Andrew , a year ago you were down on one knee, asking me to marry you. My answer is an everyday "yes" to our love.
With one more baby on the way you have been adding up to the blessings in my life in so many ways that I can't say this enough: I love you and I'm so grateful you are in my life.
Happy Valentine's day, my loves!
Ladies first so:
Janina , you have been my steady rock for so long. I know that no matter what happens you are but a phone call away, always with a loving voice to soothe me.
You are my Eva, the one that taught me what love was and took my hand when I knew nothing about it... in more than one way. :P
I love you and I hope you are having a great Valentine's day!
Andrew , a year ago you were down on one knee, asking me to marry you. My answer is an everyday "yes" to our love.
With one more baby on the way you have been adding up to the blessings in my life in so many ways that I can't say this enough: I love you and I'm so grateful you are in my life.
Happy Valentine's day, my loves!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
From Apple's journal #45
Yes. A Nanny.
Let's face it... with Wolf being so tiny and hungry all the time there are times that I have to clone myself in order to be everywhere I need to be.
As a result I turn into zombie-mommy and it's not the first time one of my kids leaves the house with a different sock in each foot or with the jacket on backwards.
I hired a nanny because I needed one.
Well, anyway, today is her first day and I'm curious to see how the children are going to react to her.
I told them yesterday that a nice lady was going to come and be with them for a while and that they needed to be polite, obey and be nice to her.
Letty immediately asked if the "nice lady" would give her cookies.
Owen said that I should tell her that he dresses himself and takes baths on his own. He is growing up and starting to claim his personal space.
Ruby was worried that having a nanny meant that she wasn't going to have dance lessons anymore and as soon as I told her that Halie would be taking her to the studio everyday she was happy.
Wolf's opinion was, as it always is, a soft cry for food.
Oh I long for the day when I can start to introduce him to solid food so I can go outside with him and not have to strip in public every two hours. :P
Let's face it... with Wolf being so tiny and hungry all the time there are times that I have to clone myself in order to be everywhere I need to be.
As a result I turn into zombie-mommy and it's not the first time one of my kids leaves the house with a different sock in each foot or with the jacket on backwards.
I hired a nanny because I needed one.
Well, anyway, today is her first day and I'm curious to see how the children are going to react to her.
I told them yesterday that a nice lady was going to come and be with them for a while and that they needed to be polite, obey and be nice to her.
Letty immediately asked if the "nice lady" would give her cookies.
Owen said that I should tell her that he dresses himself and takes baths on his own. He is growing up and starting to claim his personal space.
Ruby was worried that having a nanny meant that she wasn't going to have dance lessons anymore and as soon as I told her that Halie would be taking her to the studio everyday she was happy.
Wolf's opinion was, as it always is, a soft cry for food.
Oh I long for the day when I can start to introduce him to solid food so I can go outside with him and not have to strip in public every two hours. :P
Monday, September 5, 2011
From Apple's journal #44
eads.
It was Ruby's dance teacher telling me to meet them at the hospital.
My little ballerina had a little accident today.
She was doing a pirouette and at the end lost her balance and landed on top of her own foot.
Poor girl... when I got to the hospital her foot was twice its normal size and she had big round tears streaming down her face.
I almost killed three nurses when they told me we had to wait two hours for the x-ray. They wanted to make sure she didn't broke anything.
Two hours for a 4 year old with a injured foot is a small eternity but she was a little angel.
I thought she was crying because it hurt... turns out she was crying because she thought she couldn't dance anymore.
So at the end of the day we went home with a twisted ankle, lots of lollipops and the promise that if she is a very good girl and stays off her feet she can go back to her twirling in a week.
It was Ruby's dance teacher telling me to meet them at the hospital.
My little ballerina had a little accident today.
She was doing a pirouette and at the end lost her balance and landed on top of her own foot.
Poor girl... when I got to the hospital her foot was twice its normal size and she had big round tears streaming down her face.
I almost killed three nurses when they told me we had to wait two hours for the x-ray. They wanted to make sure she didn't broke anything.
Two hours for a 4 year old with a injured foot is a small eternity but she was a little angel.
I thought she was crying because it hurt... turns out she was crying because she thought she couldn't dance anymore.
So at the end of the day we went home with a twisted ankle, lots of lollipops and the promise that if she is a very good girl and stays off her feet she can go back to her twirling in a week.
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