Boys Toys

This is what happens when the lone male in our house decides to bring out the toys from his childhood to share with his girls...

Looks like G.I. Jen, er, I mean, G.I. Jane and the girls are headed out to run errands in the Cobra Commander cycle.

Odds and Ends (a.k.a. My Longest Post Ever)

Thanksgiving is fast approaching and our lovely little world is in full swing and I am in a savoring kind of mood, ready to appreciate the beauty and the love surrounding us before I'm too busy to give it a second thought. There are so many moments when I think, "I never want to forget how _____ (child's name) does ______" or "I hope I always remember how this feels," and in minutes I've forgotten to write it down and I'm already thinking about my next chore or someone is calling for me, and that treasured moment is lost. And thankful as I am that being a mother of 3 spectacularly fun girls ensures I experience many such lovely, heart-filling moments, I am so afraid to lose even one of them.

So, on that note, this post is an assortment of the little things that are making me smile, giving me succor and brightening my soul.

Thumb-sucking

I could write an ode to thumb sucking, I appreciate it so, and although I may look back on Madeline's habit and call it disastrous, (as might Uncle Tony, the dentist), right now it is fulfilling so many needs for both Maddie and myself. My poor third child falls asleep in the car or in the Ergo while running errands, far too often for my taste, and when I am busy making meals or helping a sister get dressed for school, that thumb provides great comfort for my baby girl until I can be with her. And although there is a ounce of mommy guilt that she needs the thumb for comfort because she's not getting enough from me, I can't let myself go there right now. And falling asleep sucking her thumb while her biggest sister is reading her bedtime stories? Priceless.

Licorice

Given that I've cut dairy and soy out of my diet, I should be losing some baby weight...but thanks to my friend Tracy, I have found a dessert replacement that seems to be fitting the bill. And since this licorice is cut into small pieces, I eat a couple and don't feel much guilt. Until I sneak back for another couple pieces. And then a few more. Insidious stuff.

Bizarre Weather

I find myself complaining because it's so insanely unpredictable and the girls and I are either sweating through long sleeves or chilled to the bone with goosebumps. However, when I look back at our activities in the past month, I've savored both the pull-on-the-sweater and be cozy for pumpkin patching moments as much as the frolic-in-the-water beach days in the November heat. (Yeah, like those two words could be more of a mismatch, right?) Only in So. Cal could my daughter crab-walk down the beach with her friends on an eighty-degree November day. But I'm really excited to break out my wool coat, tall boots and favorite scarves, so a few more blustery, cool days would be appreciated. The gorgeous orange and yellow leaves we collected last week seem to know it's Fall, so what's the hold-up?

Sisterhood

Never had a sister but always envied my friends with big sisters. (Sorry Matt, but I was looking to share clothes and makeup tips, not guidance on making a free-throw, no offense!) So getting to watch my girls create lifelong bonds is just beyond anything I could've imagined. I know their bonds will be stretched, they might get kinked or knotted, but it's a connection I hope they will always hold dear. And watching my big girls take care of Maddie and learn to be little mommies is pretty darn heart-warming too. I hope they remember all of their baby play; of rocking babydolls to sleep, and breastfeeding and baby-wearing, and they will use it someday to care for their own babies. (Paul is rolling his eyes right about now.

Big Families

I grew up in a small family with little extended family nearby, so marrying into a big, vivacious family has been a huge bonus. I think I fell in love with Paul's family soon after I fell in love with him, and I am thankful my girls get to be a part of the energy of a big family. On a recent weekend, we celebrated the engagement of Paul's cousin, Darcy, which meant my girls got to spend the day/evening with their cousins, second cousins, Aunts, Uncles, Grandma and Great-Grandpa, Leo. I grew up without knowing my Grandpas, so having a Great-Grandpa, and one living nearby, is pretty spectaular in my mind. We are blessed to have SO much family, close-by and ready to love on my girls at the drop of a hat.

Now that I've rambled on about my rays of sunshine, what's warming your days and filling your heart right now?

A Howlin' Halloween

What more can I say? We came, we saw and we conquered Halloween. The kids seriously DUG their Halloween costumes (and have worn them daily since the big event), we parents had a blast hosting our third annual shindig (although I could've done without the neighbor's creepy clowns and dragging shovel that spooked more than a few of us) and the newest superhero to grace this planet made his debut. Oh yes, Diaper Man was in full effect, much to the...chagrin?...wonder?...amazement?...of adults and children alike. And let me tell you, those green tights are a sight to behold...

Hopin' yours was as memorable as ours!

It's All About Timing

Things were looking bright for us Mowad ladies this week. A week off from school for Fall Break meant we had a week of great plans all lined up: get-togethers with friends we haven't seen in awhile, a tea party, a nature hike, a park day with Liv's class and a Halloween parade. I was feeling pretty good at having arranged so much fun for the girls, knowing it would ensure my sanity as well and make for quieter, calmer times at home. And I knew Paul had a major project at work this week that would mean long days and late nights and no help 'til bedtime, so I knew the busier we were, the better.

And then the insidious cold crept in. And by cold, I don't mean the temperature outside. The week began unraveling as I came to realize Olivia was congested, followed quickly with a nasty cough Monday evening. We woke the next morning to Malia's runny nose and I threw my hands up and surrendered to the virus, canceling all plans and realizing that this week had taken a turn for the worse. We were now homebound.

Wednesday morning we opened the door to this little beauty.


Adorned with fantastic drawings by my adorable nieces, Lexi and Brooke, this box was chock full of Halloween goodies, which have kept my girls happily occupied. The pumpkin lanterns have led to lots of imaginative play, including tromps through deep caves and spooky forests. They've dressed up and gone trick-or-treating with their new kitty treat bags, collecting all kinds of odds and ends to fill up their bags (Malia's sack weighed at least 10 pounds by the time she was done...and the girl only weighs 26 pounds, so she was doing some heavy lifting).
We've hung window clings, painted Halloween pictures and read and re-read some great Halloween stories that have us talking about haunted hotels run by a girly little pig and Elmo's pumpkin that looks alot like his fish, Dorothy.


Indeed, I am indebted to my thoughtful nieces and sister-in-law, not only for sending us a package full of fun, but for sending it just in the nick of time. Thanks for the box of goodies! Can't wait to see you in a month!!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...

HALLOWEEN!!

And we Mowads like everything about this time of year (except Fall Break...I mean, didn't we just start preschool less than 2 months ago?)

Is there anything better than half a month of activities leading up to a great holiday? We are busy hitting the Patch (can you ever have too many pumpkins?), donning costumes for dress rehearsals and pulling out the spooky spider webs in preparation for All Hallow's Eve.

And with the brisk, wet weather, even Southern California is in a Fall state of mind. There's a yummy batch of pumpkin bread on the counter, rain boots coated with fresh Patch mud sitting in the garage, and candles and flashlights dotting the house after a night of black-outs.

This year, with life seeming at it's fullest, we decided to go the store-bought costume route, quickly discovering that 2 and 4-year olds have decidedly strong opinions about their costumes and cannot be swayed without massive amounts of bribery (along with massive headaches). Here is a sneak peek of their choices, which are most certainly fitting with their personalities:

Alas, Maddie slept through her dress rehearsal.

Winner Winner Winner!

Yep, we hit the lottery. We hit it big. Really big. But no, we won't be seeing any money from it (unless you count the tax credit), and actually it's a fairly expensive win for us, considering the cost of proms, extracurricular activities, college tuitions and weddings.

It occurred to me the other day that we hit the GIRL lottery. For some people, this is not a big deal, but while attending a little boy's first birthday party last weekend, I met a number of moms that are, to put it politely, obsessed with having a baby girl. As we wandered through this party, we became something akin to celebrities, or maybe professional athletes...well, more like professional girl-makers. With so many family friends in attendance, everyone wanted to see how much our girls have grown and to meet Maddie, but it felt like we got a ton of attention because everyone wanted to have their own daughters and granddaughters. Imagine how my mother-in-law felt, boasting of 5 granddaughters at this party! She certainly won the girl lottery after having two sons. And I can't tell you how many people pretended to abscond one of our girls...Maddie took the brunt of it, being the least mobile and most likely to be held by friends and strangers alike. (And it may have been the first time I didn't get asked, "You gonna' keep trying for the boy?")

So all week I have been using my new perspective to appreciate the girlieness that has taken over our home, and to recognize just how lucky I am, three times over, to win the girl lottery.

In the Blink of an Eye

Whooooosh. It went by in a blink. Gone. Three months. The littlest of the little in baby time. Never again will I experience this phase of motherhood and wow, it's a powerful phase. Exhausting. Emotional. Overwhelming. And frighteningly amazing.

Happy 3 months to the littlest of my littles, Miss Madeline. How you have blessed our lives with your precious little sighs, sweet little gurgles and huge gummy grins. You are so busy already; holding your head up, chattering with your sisters and drooling up a storm. And growing like a weed, hearty and healthy in 6 month clothing and huge diapers...you are my first to tip the scales and I am enthralled simply watching you thrive.

You are intertwined in the fabric of our family and holding firmly onto each of our hearts. I truly couldn't tell you which member of our family is more in love with you, and maybe it's because you were the final piece of our puzzle, the last to fit, just-so, making us all feel complete and ever-so full. What a blessing you are, my love, and how fortunate I am to be your Mama!

(This is one of those mom-views I never want to forget. Especially when she's too big to hold in my lap.)

Who's Your Daddy?

This is Daddy Extraordinare:

This man works his tail off Monday thru Friday, then comes home and makes life pretty darn fantastic for us four Mowad girls. He is a kid-at-heart and knows a hundred ways to make a Saturday morning even more fun. Want some pancakes? His always have chocolate chips in them. Want to slay dragons? He'll make homemade swords for you and your friend. Want to fill up the little plastic swimming pool? He'll make that boring ol' plastic slide in the backyard into a water slide and put the pool at the bottom.

Going to the beach? He'll bring his old boogie board and spin you through the waves. Want a hole? He'll bring his metal shovel and build a moat around a huge sand island. Or he'll build you a Great Pyramid of Egypt and find you the biggest sand crab around to live in the grand edifice.

Got a toy with a hook on it? He'll create a zip line and send the toy careening across the family room. Brought home shells from the beach? He'll drill a hole through them and make them into a bracelet. Bored in the front yard? He'll aim stomp rockets at a target, or better yet, he'll attach the boogie board to his skateboard and pull you around.

Yep, hands down he's pretty much the coolest Dad around. Which makes me wonder when the girls are going to start asking for me to go back to work so that Daddy can stay home with them!

El Gato

Pobrecita!

If you think the second child gets picked on by the older kid, then the third truly has no chance...and in our house it evidently starts young. You sit around, chances are someone's going to make a game either with you, or out of you...and thankfully it seems Maddie has a good sense of humor.

Huh...and we wondered why Malia learned to bite and pinch at such a young age...

Doesn't Get Much Better Than This

As a two and four year old, you can't ask for a much better weekend than the one enjoyed by the little Miss Mowads this past weekend.

Let's start with a little birthday party at the beach, full of many favorite friends, fog turning to perfect sunshine and the usual highlight, cupcakes. The girls dashed and splashed in waves, ran from the nefarious "sea monster" and donned cool sunglasses straight out of fabulous goodie bags.

Thanks to R. Wicks and A. Harris for this pic of Malia

We returned home to the immediate arrival of our best friends, The Kaplans, who came down for an impromptu weekend stay. Olivia and B were off and running before we even said hello. Malia and Baby C enjoyed "holting" Maddie, while the big kids battled with swords built by the "awesome" Uncle Paul. (Yes, this is what happens when the Moms decide to enjoy a little excursion downtown...teaches us for going off for some girl time right?)

Nestled down with cozy blankets and pillows, the kids enjoyed an after dinner movie and popcorn before settling down for the night.


The next morning, kids arose to chocolate chip pancakes and cinnamon rolls (there's that crazy Uncle Paul again), then off we trekked to the park for a reunion with old friends we haven't seen in forever and their fantastic kids. Good times ensued with a dog named Tiki, a kids vs. parents soccer game won by the kids and lollipops and gum supplied by a favorite Auntie named Jen.


And of course, Olivia is already asking when B is coming back to visit and if we'll be seeing any of our friends this weekend. Huh, amazing that by age 4, they already know that the weekends are made for fun...

The Summer of Wonderful

As I was lamenting to my friend, Jen, of how I wish we were having a more exciting summer full of vacations and fun activities, I was downloading pictures off my camera. And, well, the pictures were telling me a different story.

No, they are not pictures of us on a beach in Hawaii or pictures of us posing in front of any amazing landmark. They are not pictures of us boating or camping or enjoying an amusement park. But they are pictures of what has proven to be a very full summer so far. The summer of Maddie. The summer our family became a family of 5. (And honestly, what's more exciting, more breathtaking and more adrenaline pumping than a new baby right?)

And I think the pictures say enough. They surprised me and reminded me that although we'd all love a fabulous vacation and weeks full of family, friends and non-stop excitement, we are having a lovely summer and we need to savor every morsel we are given. Here's a smattering of our joyful moments; I loved them too much to keep to myself.

Life is good with a best friend and a corn dog.

Maddie happy to be with her big sis.

Papa getting some love from Malia.

Grammy got a lot of "baby time" during her visit and loved every minute.

The first of many goofy pictures of the Mowad sisters.

(This one brought tears, knowing this is just the beginning for these three sisters.)

Head Over Heels

Becoming a mother for the third time was such a different experience from the first two. Everything about this pregnancy and delivery was a bit more intense; the pregnancy symptoms, the discomforts, the birth...well, that's what happens with a full-term baby weighing two pounds more than her sisters, right?

I have found that the bonding and love for my baby girl also feels a bit more intense, profound and immediate. Not that I love her more than my older girls, but I think I am appreciating the infancy stage more, possibly because it lacks the tantrum throwing capabilities, along with the whining and sassy-ness that are also noticeably absent at this sweet stage of the game. Plus Daddy has been home longer than with the other girls, which means I've had lots of time to just enjoy a new baby.

And once again, I am in complete awe of the hormones and natural instincts that come into play with a newborn and her mother. Is there anything more amazing than the ways the human body connects the mother and baby, from pregnancy, through labor and delivery and into the postpartum period? The body just knows what to do to ensure mama and baby will form a bond and it seems the less we mess with the body's natural instincts, the more smoothly that bond forms. I know that's not everyone's experience, but I've been fortunate to know it, and it's simply awesome.

So, with that, I introduce the newest love in my life, little Miss Madeline Lauren.

And speaking of bonds, I am incredibly impressed with the bond Malia has developed with her little sister. She wants to "holt" Maddie or feed her (yes, she pulls up her shirt as if something is there to feed the child) or kiss her head and caress her cheeks constantly. She was a born nurturer (she's loved baby dolls from a super early age) and although it can be a little worrisome ("Please don't stand and jump next to Maddie's head!"), she has been incredibly gentle and has adapted to her new baby sister with surprising ease. This was my intense Mama's girl and now all she cares about is Maddie. (I'm taking lots of pictures to remind her how much she liked having a little sister at one time...)

Doesn't Maddie look thrilled?

It's My Party and I'll Cry If I Want To

In fact, I'll cry...

...while celebrating my 2nd birthday with family at Padaro Grill

...while blueberry picking at a local farm

...while attending a birthday party full of balloon animals and bubbles at our favorite park

Seriously? Kid, do you have any idea how cool your life is for a 2 year old? Malia's been throwing herself down on the floor in tantrums for the past year, but lately she's throwing them when she's supposed to be having a blast. Oh how tough it is to be 2!

Four Year Old Thinking

On the way home from ballet today, we had one of those conversations that makes my heart melt and my soul sing. One of those conversations that convince you that becoming a parent is truly the best thing you've ever done. And since she won't say these things to me after age 9 or 1o, I'm trying to soak it up now.


Liv: Mom, what house will I have?

Me: Um, what do you mean, what house will you have?

Liv: What house will I live in with my kids?

Me: You want to know what house you'll live in when you grow up and have your own babies?

Liv: Yes.

Me: I don't know. You'll get to pick it out yourself. When you get married and have kids, you and your husband can find one like Daddy and I did.

Liv: I want to live next door.

Me: Next door to Daddy and I?

Liv: Yeah. Then we could be neighbors.

Me: Then I could see you and your kids all the time. That sounds good to me.

Liv: And I want my house to be turquoise.

Happy Birthday My Baby Girl

Happy 2nd Birthday to a beautiful girl that captured our hearts the instant we met. You make us smile and laugh all day long and you truly have the best sense of humor. You came along and helped us realize we could love two little girls more than anything in the world.

You are generous, perceptive, goofy, loving, and an incomparable cuddlebug. You give the best hugs and kisses, and your smile lights up your face, and our lives. Thank you for two amazing years, can't wait to see how you grow this year!

Be Vigilant

Early detection has caught two very serious forms of cancer (and pre-cancer) in my family in the past month, and I am feeling incredibly blessed that both were caught early and are extremely treatable, so we can get on to living and enjoying life. I am also learning not to mess around when it comes to my health and the health of my family.

My cousin-in-law Darcy is running in a marathon this weekend to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, in honor of her sister Megan, who was diagnosed with Leukemia the day after Olivia was born in 2006. To experience such happiness and horror at the same time was incredibly intense for our family and we are blessed that Megan's Leukemia continues to be in remission.

In recent days, my friend lost one of her dearest friends to breast cancer and to see such grief and know how deeply this woman is missed...it's heartbreaking. And yet breast cancer is considered one of the most "curable" cancers around if caught and treated early. My Mother's surgeon praised her mammogram for finding her tumor before it grew too big, or spread, and remarked that her case is an example of early detection at it's best. I am grateful to advanced technology for saving my Mom's life and I'm grateful that she took the initiative to get her yearly mammogram.

So I ask you this:

Have you done a self-exam recently?

Have you kept an eye on your moles or seen a dermatologist recently?

Have you had an annual physical or other annual male/female test?

Has something been bothering you lately and you keep putting off a doctor's visit?

Please don't hesitate and please be vigilant about all health concerns. As much as ignorance is bliss, ignorance can also be deadly.

I am grateful for vigilance these days. I am simply grateful.

The Best of Motherhood (The Early Years)

May I never forget:

~ My babies sleeping with hands raised next to their dreamy little heads

~ Playing peek-a-boo (which even 4 year olds continue to enjoy)

~ Hearing my girls laugh and giggle together

~ The innocence of a babe sleeping (no matter the age)

~ Kissing the top of their sweet, smooth heads

~ Locking eyes with my newborns and feeling instantly connected

~ Finding my girls laying on their tummies reading a book

~ Great big belly laughs

What will you never forget?

Let the Mania Begin...

If you haven't heard of the American Girl dolls, you must not have a daughter/niece/granddaughter between the ages of 5-10. The American Girl phenomenon is based on a line of historical girl characters and is marketed through dolls, books, accessories, movies, and a magazine. I think most would agree that this is based upon a great idea; enlivening history and encouraging children to learn more about what it was like to be a 9-year old girl during revolutionary time periods such as the Colonial times, The Great Depression and World War II. I even showed one of their movies to my 5th graders when we studied the American Revolution.

However, as a parent (in a single-income household), I have dreaded the introduction of my daughter to the world of American Girl. Why? Because a single doll comes at the exorbitant price of $95. And if you want to get that doll a new outfit, it costs anywhere from $24-34. A doll bed will run you $85. Want the adorable dresser to hold your doll's sweet clothes? Be prepared to pay $350...mind you, that's more than the cost of my daughter's own dresser! So you can see why I dreaded yesterday...

We were invited to the American Girl Store in Los Angeles to celebrate the birthday of P, one of Olivia's closest friends. For true American Girl devotees, this place is called Heaven. All the party attendees brought their American Girl dolls, while Birthday Girl P lent Livy one of her own dolls, Kit. In the beginning, Livy wanted nothing to do with holding Kit. But as we wandered through the store and discovered all the different dolls and their neat accessories and adorable outfits, my girl became enamored.

After wandering the store, it was time for lunch at The Cafe. What a dream come true for little girls! The entire room was decorated in black, white and hot pink. The dolls had special table-side seats to join in the meal. The dolls had tiny teacups and saucers for tea time (hot chocolate) with the girls. The meal of doll-size hot dog and hamburger was a hit, as was the heart-shaped fruit and petite cinnamon rolls.

Dessert was an adorable array of pudding, cake and cookie and even us moms were "yumming" over it. From start to finish, this was all-out girlie fun for all ages and it blew all of us away. I was even finding myself enamored with American Girl!

It was time to part ways with American Girl, but not without some wistful sadness (Malia was determined to walk out with the restaurant's loaner baby no matter what).

The girls wished in the pond as we left The Grove shopping center and yes, my girl wished for her very own doll. Here's hoping it's a short-term wish and we won't be seeing any American Girl dolls on her Christmas wish list!