"Tienes Amigos! I've got friends" --Dora

These are the first of Zoey's friends. From left to right--Amber (or Brenna--one of the twins), Asher, Zoey, Wisdom, and Gracie. They have all been in nursery together at church their whole little lives. It is interesting, I was just thinking about this at church on Sunday. The awesome power of "extended family" that happens in a good church. There is a really wild character in our church, Ken, who is very sick. During an altar call on Sunday, there were five or six people "laying hands" on him--praying for him while they hugged him or had their hands on him. From the outside, maybe some would see this as some sort of crazy religious thing. From my seat, it was an extended family affectionately coming together to support one of its members. It was really touching to see.

Matty and I were talking about this picture, imagining what could come. It is possible that one of the girls (at least) will go out on a date with Asher. How weird is that? I don't know people from when I was little, but churches tend to stay the same. Pretty odd. Then, Matty had a heart attack thinking of Zoey dating.

Anyway, things are going well. The party was a huge success (whatever that would be for a three year old!). I asked Zoey her favorite part and she liked the "candy falling on our head" from the pinata. She also really liked the party favors--sand buckets with sunglasses and candy necklaces and bubbles in them. They really were a hit. As we prepared, it was like the president was coming. Every detail had to be just right. I was so excited to make it perfect for her, and I am happy that it was. She walked up to Matty during the party and told him it was the best birthday party ever. That's all it takes to make it all worth it.

Enough for now. Ollie has got to eat, Zoey wants to play Candyland, and I will not miss Criminal Minds tonight! By the way, I am the biggest dork. I think Reed is hot.

Amber

"To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else"

This Emily Dickenson quote caught my attention today. I have pictures to upload, scrapbooks to work on, etc. However, it is hard to document everything in the midst of everything. I'm not even sure how I feel about the documentation of everything via this blog, scrapbooks, etc. EXCEPT--I know that I love to do it for myself and for Zoey. (Matty too, in a way--and Ollie later, I am sure) I have looked at my scrapbooks with Zoey over and over again, until she knows the stories that are her life. I know there's some sort of research that says memory doesn't kick in until after three, at least, but by my constant documentation, perhaps I can play God for a bit and fill in the gaps.

I probably want this so much because I feel my own childhood to be so bare. I don't remember enough, and there aren't sufficient pictures and stories for me to get a feel of me or my parents when I was little. I see things in Zoey that my mom now says are just like I was and I am shocked. Not that we are the same, but that no one ever passed on these things. In my family there is a lack of history somehow. Maybe there were just too many kids. I can't tell you the number of times that I have heard, "When you were little, well, no, maybe that was Mark. . . or no, I think it was you..." It is weird, but I guess not uncommon with six kids.

So, I am going to go and work on my scrapbook. I'm finishing Ollie's first days pages and then I'll move on to Zoey's 3rd birthday party. I'll save all the stories from her party for another day when I have the pictures to upload. I'm curious what other people think about these thoughts--so if you are reading this, feel free to chime in:
Why is scrapbooking, blogging, etc so popular right now?
Do we miss something by constantly documenting everything?
Who are we doing this for?
Is there any danger in the continual scripting of the past?

Hmm... I'll see if anyone comments, as I am going to think about this. For example, I took photos of Zoey's party, but we didn't videotape at all, as we were both actually enjoying Zoey and the party. I felt quilty and sad that we won't have any moments of that day caught on the video. Weird. I'll remember the day, we'll have photos, why want more? Back in the fall, there was a MY TURN in Newsweek about a woman fed up with trying to watch everything through a lens. Hmm...

Amber

"If the shelves are dusty and the pots don't shine, it is because I have better things to do with my time"

I HATE housework. I like my life to be a little disheveled. Evidence of more important things to do. However, someone has to spring clean when eleven 3 year olds and their parents will descend upon our house in less than 48 hours. I included this picture of Zoey from the hospital because she LOVES to clean. She loves to dust and scrub--probably because she doesn't have to. She sings a the "tidy up" song while she organizes things.

I know myself better than to think that my whole house will be spring cleaned in a day or two. No, I have been going from room to room--one a day--for the last week. The problem is that Ollie has a Chandler appetite and needs to eat every second or third hour, Zoey wants to play, it's nice outside, Matty and I are two ships passing in the night (so when he is around I drop everything), there's just too much other stuff to do.

I am procrastinating now. I have to clean the kitchen and the downstairs bathroom today. Yuck. However, these are crucial rooms in our birthday party backup plan. Right now we are planning for an outside thing, but the forecast says rain. It will be sad if it rains, but we'll make the most of it. I am praying for a reprieve on the rain until later.

Ollie and Zoey are wonderful distractions from the business of cleaning, but they are both asleep right now so I should go and face the facts: housework is probably why I needed a career. If someone else would clean my house, I could probably entertain myself. However, not being rich, if I ever stayed home it would include full duty of the worst kind: cleaning.

When I was in graduate school I had a list on my fridge: Do laundry. Get groceries. Write paper. I never took it down for two years. Right now my list reads:
Clean house. Feed baby. Play with Zoey. Read.

I kind of like my list.
Amber

"You can kid the world. But not your sister."

My sister, Sissy (the one in Seattle), sent this to me. She is an amazing scrapbooker. In fact, last time I was there, it took DAYS to look through all of her albums. Like me, she has been scrapbooking before there were actually stores for the task. We've been cutting things out of magazines, etc. forever. I love this page that she created. I haven't even printed out the pictures yet, but I am anxious to scrapbook Ollie's life joining ours.

Last night was bookclub, and I had a great time. There were only four of us, but I was thrilled for the company. And, of course, Matty's dessert. We had hand dipped chocolate covered strawberries, pound cake with ice cream, strawberries, and whipped cream. YUM! I am so glad that I decided to go ahead with the bookclub when I thought about it at New Year's. I've always wanted one, and I am glad that people are interested. Plus, it is cool to see who will show up each month. Last night our conversation was pretty off topic, but with Pillars of the Earth, almost anything is actually vaguely related.

Heather's going to email me the new book choice. She told us about it last night and it sounds interesting and LIGHTER. I'm proud of our eclectic choices so far! Anyway, I'm going to feed Ollie. We walked Zoey over to Nana's house (about 5 blocks) and it was beautiful. I think I'm taking his "lunch" to the back porch!

More later. The weekend looks like it will be beautiful as well. Pray for nice weather for Zoey's fiesta birthday party (April 26th). She has gotten lots of responses to her invitations, so I am glad that she will have the big party that she wanted. I can't believe that she will be three. I also can't believe that she is ONLY three.

Amber

"My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it."

Still my little sweet baby girl. This is Zoey--stealing the boppy and Ollie's blanket. Do you think she knows how to make a statement or what? Actually, she is doing VERY well considering the invasion of our house. She calls Ollie her baby, helps change him, etc. but I thought that this picture was very appropriate in the evolution of our household.

I picked the Twain quote because Zoey and I are able to make each other laugh until we are both ready to pee our pants, but also able to jump on the other's last nerve. Even then, I enjoy her so much. Last night she had me so irritated about something (she probably wouldn't sit still for two seconds!) until she looked over at me and asked, very sweetly and clearly to change the subject, "So, mama, how is that apple? It looks delicious. Can we share? Please...." How can you stay irritable with a doll like that? She learned the cute and distracting from her dad.

We are all excited to go to the playground around the corner after nap time. The swings are out! The truest tangible sign of spring is getting to go on the swings. I'm sure that today's little adventure will be repeated every day this summer, but I am excited to take my kids (ahh!) to the park on a beautiful day.

I'm going to run and enjoy the sun :)
Amber

"If you never have, you should. These things are fun and fun is good.

This is a great moment that Matty captured at a recent spring lacrosse game. The Dr. Seuss quote seemed to fit. I remember last spring when there were huge mud puddles everywhere. I encouraged Zoey to stomp in them. When it rains, Matty told her to stick her tongue out and catch the rain. Neither of these recommendations come from us because we are just zany parents. In fact, it is really to the contrary. I grew up in a way that makes splashing in mud puddles brand new to me--last spring was really the first time I ever remember doing it. In my family, especially if you are female, I was all but taught that you'd melt if the rain wrecked your hair. I'm not so much rejecting my upbringing by changing things with Zoey (and now Ollie) than I am trying out a different perspective. So, I love this picture. It reminds me of the way things should be. I hope Zoey and Ollie would both see that "these things are fun and fun is good."

I have to credit Matty completely with my desire to have fun. When we first met, I was VERY serious--an intellectual hippy of sorts--who took herself VERY seriously. I could never laugh at my self or much else. Unless, of course it was deeply ironic :) However, Matty has a great sense of humor (though he warned me on our first date, quite acurrately, that he often has inappropriate humore) and quickly brought out the lighter side of me. Zoey has his sense of humor, and I hope Ollie does too. He has offered her a goofiness that I just don't have naturally in me, and I am thankful that he is this way.

Anyway, Zoey and Ollie are resting up for Toddler Time. I'm taking Zoey tonight because Matty has to work. I can't believe that Ollie is only 8 days old, and I am up and out. But, we took Zoey to see Crash and out to the Olive Garden by her two weeks. Zoey loves Toddler Time and is dying for me to do the March of the Dinosaur with her. She is a dork like me--she loves classes. Soon she will start her tap/ballet for beginners class. Don't worry, I'm not really going to let her do ballet. ("Suck it in!") But, this will let me see if she likes dance classes.

I'm going to run for now. Things are more and more "normal" having two children. Weird!
Amber

"A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on"

This is Ollie, up close. The quote for today is from Carl Sandburg and an interesting one, I think. I like it because it makes me think of the future of my family. Who will Zoey and Ollie become? Zoey, as most people know, already has a unique and quirky little personality. But, what and who will she become? Trivial things like--will she play soccer (currently she thinks so, but because of Dora) or be the softball player Matty and I would both love, will she be the actress she seems destined to be, will she be like us and fall in love to hard and too quickly, will she love school as much as it seems? It is hard to tell. But, with Ollie, it is even more ambiguous. The only clue to what he is like right now is that he is very mellow so far (only crying when I change his diaper) and really likes to eat! Who is "in there" waiting to emerge?

Zoey and Matty are at church, Ollie is chilling out, and I am going to go rest for a bit. My stomach and back muscles are really sore; I did not anticipate the aches and pains. I'm going to rest while I can! More later.

"Most of us become parents long before we have stopped being children"

Both children (how weird is it to write that!) are napping, and I will be in about 5 minutes, but I wanted to include a quick update. We are working the bumps out of a WHOLE NEW HUMAN in our lives, and loving every minute of it. I picked the quote today because I am feeling so darn young--how can I have 2 children? Where are all the grown ups? I look at this picture of me and Ollie (by the way--isn't Matty a phenomenoal photographer as well!? ) and realize that we are the grown ups and I am pretty excited to get to hang out as Mommy, Daddy, Zoey , and Ollie. We have so much to be thankful for! Happy, healthy, still in pajamas (I declared it a "pajama party" day to Zoey and she was psyched), needing a shower, a nap, and my feet to return to "normal." (As it turns out, the swelling has actually gotten WORSE). However, I am blissful and clearly so blessed. Good night--or nap--
Amber

"A brother is a friend given by nature"

We are home, relaxing, and getting to know each other :) More later... like in three years or so when I have time to write again ! Aren't they amazing?
Amber

"I'm kind of a big deal"

Congratulations to Matty, who is "kind of a big deal" himself (I'm probably butchering this line from Anchorman, but that's ok) having just won the 2007 NEW YORK PRESS ASSOCIATION 3RD PLACE FOR BEST COLUMN! This is an amazing accomplishment, and I am so proud of him. This is EXACTLY what I was talking about in my blog before--when he wants something, he goes for it. So, before Ollie arrives and steals the show, I wanted to say WOW!

Thursday's SUN will have the official announcement on the front page. You can also go to thesunnews.net to check out some of his "award winning" columns :)

Yeah Matty!

"The brain 'wants' to see outcomes as connected to preceding events. . ."

This quote from George Will (completely unrelated to having a child) made me think of this picture. This picture of Zoey zonked out is how I imagine Ollie will be. A little meatball :) Well, this is the last blog until he his born, so I'll leave it at that. Nervous...and excited.
Amber

". . . Who, setting his hand to knock At a door so strange as this one, Might not draw back?"

Zoey is so excited for spring, and I know she'll love to ride her bike from Uncle Bob (hidden in the basement until we can get her a helmet and it is warm out). My title today is from Hotel New Hampshire, but in the novel it says it is a Donald Justice poem. I can't decide if I've actually heard of Donald Justice, or if I am making the name up--combining some famous people. Needless to say, it is an ode to my predicament. Ollie is late--due April 2nd. I went to the doctor today and was told that "no progress" was being made. I'm going to be induced Monday, April 7th. I don't mind that much, really, but there is something not quite the same as the surprise. Or, maybe I will be surprised before Monday!

Anyway, the end is near, and we are really excited. No matter what, it isn't really "real" for me unitl I see the baby. My sister talked about this whole relationship with her boys in utero, but as for me, the in utero bit is kind of like there is an alien in there. An alien, who this time around, likes to put his foot in my ribs. Dr. Bruno assured me today that I was having a "good size" baby--8 ish pounds or so. Matty and I keep calling him meatball because we imagine he's going to pop out as a chunky little guy, as opposed to Zoey who had elephant knees and was a peanut.

Well, Matty's games of Candyland and doing a puzzle are nearly over, which puts me on bedtime duty soon. I'm fairly obsessed with Amnesia--the tv show that asks people to remember the minutae of their lives. I always think I'd be great at the game. I tend to dwell in the minutae.

More soon. Pictures of Ollie to follow!
Amber

"Once upon a time, in a kingdom far away, in a place called New York. . ."

The above quote was overheard a few minutes ago, as I was checking my email and Zoey was telling Puppy a story. Can you tell her parents are a teacher and a writer? I was so pleased with her storytelling. The story she continued to tell was about Ollie, who would come out one day and not have any teeth. I can't get enough of this kid!

Well, today is the ONLY day that Matty and I didn't want to have Ollie--who would want an April Fool's birthday? Of course this probably ensures that I will have him at some point today! I'll deal--I'll plan practical jokes for every party. Just get this kid out of here! Actually, things are ok, other than feeling so huge and uncomfortable.


Anyway, that's all for now. I found my East of Eden book and would like to finish it before Ollie arrives. I like to start new books with new occasions of my life. My pre-maternity leave started with Pillars, next went to Hotel New Hampshire, and will now be completed with East of Eden. What an eclectic mix of books?! For the 3 am breastfeedings, I'd like to find a HUGE book to get me through.

Going to put clothes away and then read for awhile. The snow is almost gone, the heat is turned off for the day, and Zoey and I went out without coats this morning :) I'm ready for the next thing.

anxiously awaiting Ollie,
Amber