Visit

We had closure with Gramps by attending his rosary, funeral and burial the last two days. His burial really gave the final note with the gun salute, folding and presenting the flag - since he was a veteran of WWII. Now to change gears, we are excited to have a visit from Nana. The kids love Nana visits because they get spoiled with presents and another person here during the day to show off to. One side effect of having Nana stay with us is a clean house. I have never been a clean/organized person when it comes to my living space and then I married someone who is even worse about it than I am. But, I'm guaranteed assistance in cleaning our space when Nana visits. For about a week before she comes we straighten, vacuum, dust, scrub floors & walls. This visit, though, it's been condensed into fewer hours since we've been busy with other things (see above). I think we're ready and the kids are ready for a visit from Nana!

Goodbye Gramps

Gramps passed away yesterday in the evening. He was very peaceful, from what I heard. I think it's the way most of us want to pass away after spending over 90 years on this earth - peacefully in our sleep. We had spent most of the day at the assisted living facility with family. He passed away very soon after we (Josh, the kids and I) had left. My mom thought he was waiting for the kids to leave before he went. He did love those great-grandkids. He even picked Krista up in church the week before to hold her. His face always lit up when he saw them at church. He will be sadly missed, but he is in a better place now. I just know he's up in heaven playing a mean game of cards and eating cherry pie.

Happy Sad News

I have some Happy news - Gabriel said "mama" the other day when he was playing on the floor. He's not yet at the age to actually associate it with me, but it's a start. He is also starting to reach for people when he wants to be picked up (which is all the time).

I have some Sad news - Gramps Kopf (Great-Grandpa to Krista & Gabriel) had a fall the other night, a pretty major TIA this time. It doesn't look like he's going to pull through this time. Fr. Walsh went out to the nursing home and performed the last rite on him last night. We spent a few hours there this morning with the rest of the Kopf crew this morning. So, please keep him in your prayers during this time. Here's a pic of Gramps holding Krista & Alex at Christmastime:

Krista's Check-Up

Krista, Gabriel and I just got home from Krista's 30mos Dr.'s appointment. "She is perfect," says the Doctor. Here are her current stats:

Height: 37.5" (in the 75-90%)
Weight: 27.4lbs (in the 25-50%)

No infections or problems or current concerns. She did not have to get any shots at this visit. Her next well-child appointment won't be until her 3 year check.

Next month, we have Gabriel's 9mos appointment to look forward to and some upcoming flu vaccines...

Birthday

Today I am 28 years old. So far I have been given many nice Happy Birthday wishes, including a "Happy Birtday, Mommy" from Krista. Josh took me to have donuts this morning before he had to go to work, yum! I've received some nice gifts from family that I appreciate, thanks!

More than that, though, a birthday is a good time to reflect on the year and how things are going. This past year a new member was added to my family - a very loud, roly-poly boy that I couldn't love more. My daughter is becoming a very sweet and compassionate person (with a few toddler/selfish/tantrum moments thrown in). Josh and I are as strong as ever as a couple. We are financially sound, no excess, but not hurting either. Overall, it's been a good year. I can only hope that the years to come match the fun and challenges that this one brought. Happy Birthday to me!

The List

Here's a birthday list for anyone who wants it:

• Citrus Zester
• Regular sized crockpot (mine is huge and I always end up burning what I make, b/c it doesn't even halfway fill the pot up)
• Headphones that I can plug into my computer - something comfortable to wear, no ear buds please!
• Word Games (including Scrabble) for my computer
• Flashlight
• Laptop Case (for the rare occasion I take my computer somewhere)
• Wireless Router
• Laptop desk (right now I hunch over a TV tray, which is not so good on my back)
• Cute wireless mouse
• VHS-Digital/DVD conversion software or hardware
• Free labor to dig up the flowerbeds in a few weeks (we want to put our mulch down)
• Free labor to help us repaint the garage and house next spring
• Free labor to babysit while we accomplish the above tasks! :)

Hands Full

I must look out of control when I'm out in public with my kids. Usually I am pushing Gabriel in the stroller with one hand and pulling Krista by the hand with my other hand. Inevitably, some kind soul will go out of their way to help me out. And I hear the phrase, "looks like you've got your hands full," on errand days quite a few times. I'm not complaining, I really-truly appreciate having nice citizens open doors for me/stroller/toddler. I just don't see myself as having my hands full, although, technically I guess I do!

One Word....

RIBFEST!

The Hole

I look out the front door and see, in addition to our sparse/crab-grassy yard, a big gaping hole. Yeah, last night the water main broke. Luckily it happened at about 7:15 PM before it got dark. Our neighbor across the street spotted the water gushing out of holes that burst through the concrete right in front of our house. Josh moved his car that was parked right on top of the hemorrhaging street and we watched the water as it began to fill the street and part of our yard. The city guy came out around 8 PM and was working on shutting off the water flow. By 8:30 PM the water was flooding into our yard a couple feet, just past our mailbox post. When we looked out again at 9:45 PM, the water was gone and there were big tractors digging a giant hole in the street. The hole is at least 5 foot deep. They were working until at least midnight. This morning there are no workers, just a big digging tractor and the hole with caution tape around it. Here's a couple pics of the scene:

Abiyoyo Feet

One of Krista's newest favorite books is Abiyoyo by Pete Seeger. Josh/Papa bought it for her recently. He had first seen it at B&N when she was a newborn and had wanted to get it since. Anyhow, we have since read the book over and over and over and over again. Now we have several "Abiyoyo" references we use with Krista. When we take off her favorite "blue" shoes, her feet are all gunky and stinky (b/c these are kind of like crocs that she wears with no socks). So she now wants us to smell her feet and say, "Whew, you've got stinky Abiyoyo feet!" She can't get enough of that. If her hair needs combed, she has Abiyoyo hair. If her nails need trimmed, she has Abiyoyo nails. So any reference to poor hygiene equals the giant in the book Abiyoyo. Also, she has a pencil that is her "magic wand" (since she lost her real wand at Target - which she will tell you if you ask her) and she will "Zoop" you with it. So you may see her tap her brother with a pencil and say "zoop!" Which is funny because when the father in the Abiyoyo book does this it makes whatever he "zoops" dissappear.

Ultimate Flip Flopper

You've probably heard this term in the news before - "flip flopper". It's used when a politician suddenly changes his views on some idea or political view, thus flip flopping his view. Well, my son is a flip flopper, too. He is the worst kind of flip flopper. He always flips one way and then flops another. It doesn't matter where he is or what we're doing. Flip. Flop. He does it in his crib. He does it on the floor. He even does it when you hold him. The back arches. The legs and arms swing about. His whole body tenses until he moves to where he wants to be. And then - he flip flops again.

Like Sailors

Today Josh and I got some alone time for a date out. A mere 4 1/2 hour seperation from our children and it was needed. Especially after the last few days of cranky Gabriel, who is teething and not sleeping well through the night, and a sick Krista, who was up all night a couple nights ago being sick, "in my bed, mommy." Even though she was, "so sorry, mommy" (trying to make me feel better when she was just sick) - it was nice having a few adult hours in the day. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!

Josh and I took the time to eat lunch at BW3's and watch a matinee movie (the new Mummy flick, which I advise waiting for on video - if at all). But, we had the most fun cursing like sailors in the car for the fun of it. We unleashed and had no toddler filter on our dirty mouths. I can't believe something so silly and simple was so much fun. I have no problem with the filter, normally, I think it was just the mindset that we were free to do whatever - even if it was only for a few hours.