Happy Thanksgiving!

Katie came home from school this week with this.

It reads:

"I am Thankful for: My bruthr"

I asked which one.  She pointed to Lucas.  I am sure she is thankful for Andrew too, bu this year we certainly have a lot to be thankful for. A new beautiful member of our family!

Getting to Know You...

Lucas was one week old on Thursday.  His first day home was a little chaotic getting into some sort of routine, but the timing of his birth really could not have been better timed. Or, un-timed in his case.

Lucas was due November 26th, my father's birthday.  I was scheduled for a repeat C-section November 22, at 39 weeks and 3 days.  If he was born November 22 as scheduled, I would have been in the hospital for 3 nights and come home on Friday, the day AFTER Thanksgiving.  Just not the best timing.  Instead, he was born on a Thursday, came home on a Sunday and the kids both had a full day of school Monday. It was a perfect way to ease into the craziness of our family.  And, he came when he was ready. I started having contractions 6 days before he was born.  To quote the midwife on the day he was born: "enough is enough - today you are going to have a baby."

The last 11 days have been wonderful getting to know him.  So far, and I hate to compare, but he is a much calmer baby than Katie and Andrew. He is content to be held or put down in a bouncey chair or swing.  He falls asleep on his own and is very alert.

A few things I have learned about Lucas so far in getting to know him...

1) When he wakes up he starts off sounding like a dolphin with a clicking sound.  Then as he wakes up more and more he get a little bit louder and louder, but never a full blown cry

2) He does not like his diaper changed. He knows once his fresh diaper is on, the torture is almost over

3) He already knows my voice

4) He must burp after each feeding or else his belly hurts.  If he doesn't burp, he will NOT go back to sleep.

5) When he nurses, he gets a little excited and makes a little noise as if to say "here I come"

6) He is a love. Just perfect. Tiny and sweet.  

Lucas Alexander

Lucas Alexander
Born November 10, 2011
2:11 pm
7 lbs. 5.6 ounces
21.5 inches long

Halloween

Halloween was very exciting this year.  Last October we went to Disney World and then came up to New Hampshire to Trick or Treat, but this year we were fully immersed in the festivities.  I think it was because kids were older and were able to see the stores getting ready and talk to their friends.  In the Netherlands, of course, Halloween isn't celebrated.

Katie and Andrew's good friends, Jillian and Alaina, came over to Trick or Treat with us.  I think this is the 3rd year( out of four) they have been able to go with us.  Our neighborhood is ideal for this age.  We live in a development with 2 cul-de-sacs. We know all of our neighbors and the streets are well lit and safe.  And, to do both streets, it takes about 1 hour.  Perfect.

 Jillian the Pirate

 Katie was Nala from Disney's the Lion King

Katie LOVES the Lion King.  I would say it is her favorite Disney movie.  She saw it for the first time when she was about three years old and since then has loved it.  She has not wavered.  She was Nala when she was three and insisted that she wanted to be it again this year.  The costume, of course, did not fit anymore, so we had to get a new one.  I have to say, she does make one very cute lioness!

 Andrew the Penguin

Andrew wanted to be a penguin for weeks leading up to Halloween. Actually, probably at least a good 6 weeks!  He had a favorite tee shirt this summer that had penguins on it and I think that is where it started. 

 Alaina the Witch

Grandma was here for pumpkin carving this year since I was put on bed rest a week earlier.  Katie loves to dig her hands in the pumpkin and get all the "goo."  She enjoyed separating the seeds so we could make pumpkin seeds in the oven.  Andrew did not like the "goo" at all and would not touch it.

 Both kids designed their own pumpkin face on a piece of paper first and then Mom or Dad cut it out.  I have to say, I was impressed with their original designs.  They were both unique and both Katie and Andrew were happy with the end result.

Snowtober

We were hit with a Nor'Easter the evening of October 29. A few days before we were supposed to get 1-3 inches of snow. Quickly it changed to 6-10 inches! We ended up with about 6 inches of heavy sticky snow. The kids hadn't had snow like this in a few years since we were living in the Netherlands so they were so excited to get out sledding.

I took this picture from our bedroom window with the longer lens. Couldnt go play in the snow since I am technically on bedrest for the duration of the pregnancy.

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Daddy got in on the fun.

Milestone Birthday

Ned celebrated a milestone birthday last week. He had the chance to celebrate it three times!

First, a family getaway to a great hotel with themed suites. We stayed in the Tree House Room. It was pretty cool. The suite was designed to make you feel like when you walked into the "room" you were stepping into the backyard with a huge tree house. The bedrooms were lofted like you were in the tree and there was a jacuzzi tub on the porch, a porch swing and a play area in the trunk of the tree. It was complete with 3 TV's and a Sony Playstation.

We stayed one night and then in the morning we went to an indoor water park. Fun times!

Second, Ned's parents, sister and brother in law came over to New Hampshire from New York and we went to a fabulous brunch followed by cake and presents.

The Galka Clan

Third, Ned had a surprise getaway to his Alma Mater, Notre Dame. I pre-arranged for him to fly out on Friday afternoon and meet his good buddy, Joe. Coincidentily, two of his other good friends were there as well. They had tickets to the USC vs. Notre Dame game and hung out and toured campus. Really that is all the details I have. I am assuming there were several bars on the tour.

Happy Birthday Ned!

Soccer

We have just about completed a season of fall soccer.

This was Andrew's first team sport and he loved it. All summer he could not wait for soccer to start. Technically he was supposed to be four to be in the league so I had to do a little smooth talking, but it all worked out. He was very focused and interested and actually not that bad. He sticks to the ball like glue and runs his heart out! He was, by far, the shortest child on the team but he didn't know it. He never wanted to sit on the sidelines. He just wanted to play!

This was Katie's second team sport, her first being Tee Ball. This sport certainly went better. She tends to be shy in new group situations, but was very comfortable witih soccer. Probably because her brother was there, but nonetheless, she did a great job. She had a few assists and a couple good blocks. And, she is a very fast runner - must be those skinny legs! That said, they really didnt keep score and often the players scored in the wrong goal! Not exactly a competetive league! But fun!

Andrew at the back of the line, Katie at the front in the blue shorts

What form!

Pow!

A hop kick?

Cute little soccer girl

Labor Day weekend in NY

Labor Day weekend we went to New York to visit Ned's parents and sister, brother in law and a few friends. We were supposed to go the previous weekend, but hurricane Irene ruined that.

Saratoga is always fun. The summer horse races were still going on and the kids loved them. They loved watching the horses, running around like horses and of course eating all the yummy treats there were to offer. And, it was a gorgeous day with lots of people-watching to be had!

Monday it was rainy so we went bowling. Katie had been once years ago and Andrew had never been. We had a lot of laughs. Mostly at our scores and techniques!

Scores:

Andrew 88

Katie 76

Ellen 83

Ned 119

Grumps 117

Grammy 55

Yes, it does appear that Andrew beat me, but I would like to add that he and Katie had bumpers. Even still - it was embarrassing to be beaten by a 3.5 year old! And, Chis technically came in last, but she did have an elbow injury a few months ago. She had a handicap.

The walk...

The roll...

Watching the ball go. Totally professional bowling etiquette I believe.

Grumps and Andrew. Grammy and Katie.

For some uncanny reason, Andrew could get most of the pins down with his technique. It was ridiculously amazing. Watch here. He gets a spare.

Katie didnt have quite a lot of umpf but had strategy.

Kindergarten

Katie is now in her 4th week of Kindergarten and so far so good. When we lived in the Netherlands she completed Junior Kindergarten and almost an entire year of Senior Kindergarten. Both were full day programs. I would equate Junior Kindergarten to a Pre-K US program and Senior Kindergarten to a US Kindergarten program. So, she sort of had a leg up entering in. Which due to her shyness, I was happy about.

She loves her teacher and is making friends easily. We have already have had one playdate outside of school. Almost every day she comes home with something exciting to tell me and all about what she did on the school yard. She likes to look for bugs and worms with a couple first graders. She loves Music class and Art. She does not care for Spanish.

First day at her desk

Ocean City, NJ

We had a great time in Ocean City once again. We go every year. An,d I have been going every year since I was a baby.

The weather couldn't have been better. Every day was a great "beach day." The water was warm and jellyfish-free. Both Katie and Andrew are waterbugs and spend about 80% of their time in the water. The both love to look for sandcrabs, hermit crabs, baby clams, shells and so forth and this year was the first year they were really interested in surfing (really boogie-boarding). At first they needed help getting on to their boards to catch waves and then, just after one day, they were able to hop a wave and ride it in! I was very impressed, but not surprised. Once they set their mind to something, they aim to master it.

Andrew riding a wave in

Katie riding a wave in

Diggin' in the sand

Neither have ever had a fear of the water. They love it!

Andrew, Charlie and Katie

Of course we made a few trips to Gillians Wonderland Pier and Playland amusement rides. This year was the first year Andrew was tall enough to ride the kiddie rides along (have to be 36 inches) and Katie could ride some of the big kid rides with an adult (have to be 42 inches). Both were very excited! Mom and Dad were excited too that we didnt need to go on as many kiddie rides with them!

Charlie and Andrew braving the boats.

Katie and Daddy on the pirate ship - a big kid ride!

Katie (front) with Andrew, Aunt Carolyn and Charlie (2nd row)
Roller Coaster!

Andrew absolutely loves to mini golf. Katie loves it too, but he really has a passion for it. We went 3 times in 2 weeks. He was in his glory.

Kid pictures on the beach. They love each other, right???

Andrew (3 yr 6 mo), Katie (5 yr 8 mo), James (14 months), and Charlie (3yrs 10months)

Andrew and Katie piggies!