It is only by the sweet grace of Christ that our s

It is only by the sweet grace of Christ that our son, our precious baby boy, is now a year old! He has been a delight to his family, and more so as days pass on. Massimo is a smiley, enthusiastic, charming little man, who gives an easy smile, cheering for his Momma as I walk into the room, and joyously shouting "Hey, Dadda!" upon seeing his Daddy. His sisters can't restrain from heartily embracing him and slathering his person with excessive affection.

The day of his first birthday, little Mo added a new word to his repertoire, "tow truck." His first words of "all done", "pancake" and "hotdog" from 10 months?? have been joined by "Dadda"
Gigi
Sushi

Massimo started pulling himself up to walk at --- He is coasting around furniture with determination and is certain to begin walking soon as he has already made several attempts in the last two weeks with an occasional step. Massimo crawls with vigor and determination through a room, always looking for adventure by opening any door, climbing stairs, and hiding in crevices. He loves to play tag and hide and seek, coyly, with giggles and snorts whilst peering out from behind a chair to flash a smile before bolting to a new spot or going on the hunt for the next person.

I am sure Byron would agree that one of our little son's greatly athletic feats is seen in his gargantuan biceps... This little dude can throw! Our girls never showed real interest in such things, especially so early on, but Massimo can easily chuck a ball across a room. He loves playing ball games with his sisters, but has not taken the humble ground of being gracious to not annihilate them with his raw natural talent. Daddy is okay with that, and has registered Mo for some ball camps and hopes to get him in coaching soon. We are anxiously awaiting to see if Massimo is right or left handed as it will have a major play in how Daddy directs Mo's career.

At 12 months, Mojo has 8 teeth fully in and the ninth painfully breaking through. Sleep has been a challenge since January when the first began to truly irritate him, and all additions have painfully plagued him since. Between his tenth and eleventh month, Massi had what I believe was an infection in his gums over a tooth that has yet to bud, which caused him great distress. Because of his trials, my little buddy and I made it a habit of watching movies, snuggles and play for a couple hours near nightly up until our trip to Hatteras, when suddenly he slept two full nights in a row! It was a miraculous experience after so many months of deprivation.

Thanks to Massimo, I am a near expert on all things related to British period drama.

We may have passed another stretch of teething saga, as a molar is partway in without any complaint till last night. Such blessing for this to have come so far in with no complaint till last night!

Whenever Mo is tired, he reaches for my hair so he can weave it through his fingers, it is his security blanket. The right thumb plugs up his mouth and he nestles his sweet blonde head into the crook of my right arm, curling his body into a position for sleep. At nap time I rock him gently with a song for several moments before settling him into the crib with a light blanket. Nighttime includes nursing and long sleeves to keep him from habitually scratching his arm whilst sleeping.

I continue to cloth diaper and am sad I ever used anything else on the girls. With simple cotton, rashes are few and far between, and heal quickly in a change or two if properly addressed right away. I find my preference leaning more and more towards "natural" parenting as I struggle to find a balance in my own health, I don't want my kids to suffer as I have due to environmental contaminants.

I am daily amazed by this sweet and joyous addition to our family. My face lights up to mimic his and him grips my heart firmly.

On the day of his birthday, Massimo taught himself go blow kisses... He clicks his tongue, then bites his hand with a smile, and readily passes these treats out to us. He also is quick to greet his parents with a genuine kiss (accompanied with a click for the sake of sound effect) and a vigorous hug. Often this is paired with a wiggle, a shout of glee, and an applause. It's the perfect fanfare upon entering a room!

Rainfall

My hearts swells at the joyful squeals of little girls running through the rain
Thunder pealing forth it's awesome call
The stir of the floorboards and pelting rain on the deck and roof
The children circling their Daddy, their earthly protector and source of joy
A stalwart, Godly man who inspires the sweetest affections and total trust
This is no ordinary day
I lie listening, heart pounding, grateful
The trill of delighted screams barely reach me through the menacing bellows of tumultuous and ever beautiful weather
Rain gutters pouring water in the mere moments since this deluge has begun
Their voices obviously enraptured in the incredible scene unfolding around them
Such lovely sounds, my heart is full
The dog opens the door to me seeking comfort and lays nearby
Gods presence is so clearly felt in the great show of creation
It soaks into my soul like the water into the soil outside
A baby's cry, voices rush in, they must be soaked, but off they run again
Sweet memories of this precious time unfolding in my husband's laughter
He delights in his children and they delight in his smile
A squeal, "I can't bear to be cold any longer!"
A soggy baby boy is placed snugly in my arms and the bath is made ready
This is family, this is home

We Love Daddy

I Love Daddy Because:

He is so great and nice! Eliana

He sometimes sleeps. Camelia

He is so wonderful! Gilana 

I love when Daddy:

Plays with me! Eliana

Gives me lots of snuggles. Camelia

Kisses me! Gilana

Daddy-daughter dates are our favorite! (All three)

I like to make Daddy feel special by:

I love him and give him hugs and kisses! Eliana

I love him with all my heart and let him give me snuggles.  I let him do nice things for me and give me candy.  I let him take care of me. Camelia

Bringing him Mommy to give him kisses. Gilana

Massimo loves his Daddy

Massimo was up early this morning to nurse and struggled going back to bed.  After a time, I decided to take him back to bed with me, since he seemed quieted when in my arms.  I put down his bed mat and placed him on top, then settled next to him. At first, it appeared he would drift off to sleep without incident, but then he realized who lay next to him.  With a big grin and a rather awkward lunge, Massimo hoisted himself up to cover his Daddy's face in slobbery and affectionate kisses.  Such is the way of things!  I had to take him out of the room since he couldn't restrain from expressing his love for his Daddy.  Our little son lights up in his father's presence!  He is always quick to strain out of my arms when Daddy returns home from work, or "reappears" in Massimo's presence after an interval away.  Their relationship truly is an extraordinary thing!

Blessed Christmas

As a child, I knew I wanted to get married and have children.  I wanted a man who would love and care for me.  I wanted a fairytale complete with happily ever afters, joy, laughter, musical interludes!  My home-life was rough, but I knew something better was out there.  My faith in God's goodness was simple and resolute; I believed in something I had never seen, but truly believed possible.

Then I met you.  Carefree, joyful, exuberant… seriously exuberant!  You were so much more than anything I expected or hoped my future may hold.  You laugh with abandon, love without shame, give without hesitation.  You scared me with your bold demeanor, yet captivated me.  I fell for you, gradually at first as my guard was high in my desire for "Mr. Right."

Slowly I began to see you as a part of my future… then suddenly you were my future and I desired to dedicate my life to you.  My beloved husband, you are the sweetest gift of my life!

Marriage is happiness!  I will follow you anywhere, trust your leadership, delight in your guidance, seek out your insight, admire your fathering.  Byron, you are an incredible husband and father.  We are well protected and shielded from harm under your diligent leadership.

Together we are embarking on a great adventure.  One where we seek out Immanuel (God with us) that we may grow spiritually strong, faithful, humble, obedient.  You lead gently to a place that can potentially be quite intimidating, but with such fervent desire to serve Christ in all things, that I can't help but become more and more resolved in a desire to be like Christ.  To believe it is possible that the broken pot I am could be beautiful in His eyes, full of grace and delight for our children…

We desire a Gospel life where Christ is magnified, and I am so very proud of the many sacrifices you make and continue to make in order that He is made great in our family.  THANK YOU!  I adore and love and desire so greatly to support you in all, and you make it so easy for me to cherish you!

Sweet husband, as we spend this Christmas packing for our move and enjoying a simple, undecorated and perhaps more purposeful celebration, please know I delight in you.  The children admire and revere you.  I love and esteem you greatly.  I will follow you anywhere and support you in any decision.  I praise God for you and am happy in your company. Thank you for the joy you bring to me. I love you.
Merry Christmas, Handsome!

Eliana at 18 Months

Ellie continues on her mission of utter cuteness.  Take this morning (other than the habitual 6:30 or earlier wakeup), for example.  She calls for attention with a "Mommy! Daddy!" and gives a bounce and a grin upon my arrival.  After an eager and most enthusiastic hug, I lay her down for a diaper change. She clearly instructs me on the order of operations, directing me to "Wipe!" This is proceeded by our little game of keepaway where I must hunt (and obligingly miss) in my attempts to wrangle her feet into her clothes as she taunts me with a coy "no, no, no..."  After a victorious kiss on each foot as instructed by her enthusiastic smacking of lips, we quietly exit the room and leave sleeping Gigi nestled comfortably in her bed despite Ellie's not so quiet shushing of me.

Thankful

I have a great deal to be grateful for on this auspicious day.

Of course the thing that comes first to mind is sleep, since I have experienced a great lack of it for so many months.  Massimo decided to bless me with a full night's rest, not waking me till 6 in the morning.  I am a new person today, near giddy with energy and delighting in the sunshine, my hubby, my girls, this life in general!

Gilana exclaimed delightedly to me this morning that her tooth had "hatched" and she could "feel the whiteness coming out!"  So cute, and sweet, and genuinely innocent in her wonder at this new and long-awaited event.

My Four Month Toddler

We brought little Mojo to the Pediatrician today and discovered he was a whooping 18.5 pounds and quite tall (off the charts) for his age. This is a big dude!  Ironically, his head is only a tad above average.  As it is with every baby, we are continually amazed by how big he has gotten so quickly.

Massimo sleeps only on his belly and refuses to hear of anything else.  He chortles with laughter in his evening tickle-fests with Mommy and Daddy, and is quick to offer a smile--especially to the ladies!  Mojo is a generally happy little man and a delight to snuggle, caress, and just generally breath in.  I love me this sweet baby-man.

I love the quote that "Hours go by slowly, but the years pass quickly!"

It is so true!  In the midst of the trial and joy of childrearing and motherhood, everything can be so overwhelming, but looking back upon the days, months, years…. it all slips away so swiftly!

Camelia, wash your hands

I asked Camelia to wash her hands while I ran upstairs to get the laundry. 

I came back to Camelia stripped down and bathing herself in the sink with the help of Eliana. 

Wow.

Fairy Princesses

In the five minutes the girls have been flitting about the room as fairy princesses, all three have been injured, I have been accidentally punched, slapped, and kicked, and Sushi the dog has been assaulted with a wand. This dress-up stuff is not for the faint of heart!

The Girls

Life has been a blur lately!  So much has happened, and so little remembered.  This will be a fragmented review of the goings on...

Ellie is a firecracker!  She has decided (since we gave away her crib two weeks ago) sleep is no longer mandatory.  She has determined to wake up as often as possible and make as many excuses to be awake as she can muster!  This girl is seriously workin' it!  Any of the following lines will be repeated as long as she can muster:

• Can you come scratch my back, Daddy?
• Daddy, I have to tell you a secret! (What is it Ellie? Big girls play in the back yard....)
• I need to go potty!
• I need you.... I NEED you...
• Mommy!  Daddy!  Mommy! Daddy! 
• To which we reply: Yes, Ellie?
• and she comes back with something like: Sweet Dreams; or I love you so much; or Good Night

Camelia is growing out of her terrible tantrums, but still can be an emotional wreck at the mere mention of an unwanted word.  Words such as "No" and "Come" and "Please help me clean up" can leave her in a state of noxious behavior. She suddenly has attained a great grasp of sketching, and no longer scribbles, but crafts excellent figures with detailed hands and grins upon their curly-headed faces.  It amazes me how abruptly she transitioned from a toddler scribble to the accomplished scrawl of a preschooler.

Gigi is enjoying school and making new friends.  She is rather exhausted at the end of every school day, but still tries to be a helpful, nurturing and loving big sister.  Unless they get ahold of her crayons.  Or her markers. Or are suspected of having had fun at home without her.  Then she is jealous.   But it usually doesn't last for too long before it is time for them to don their fairy princess outfits and frolic about. 

3 Month Mojo

As of today Massimo has such an improved interaction with surroundings, grabbing at toys, my necklace, etc. He also just experienced his first crush. Auntie Lu (Luana) suddenly came into focus and my little boy jolted alert and started some serious flirting. We are in trouble. This boy's smile can light up a room with that dimple-cheeked cuteness!

Giggle

Massimo just gave me a real, genuine, sweet-as-can-be giggle! I am in Momma Heaven!

Trials Can Be Humorous

Life with small children is filled with precious, sweet moments that leave a mother breathless in awe of the beautiful lives which God has bestowed upon her to shepherd and care for. This is not one of those moments. Gilana is wailing in sleep-deprived hysteria whilst Camelia growls derisively "I will never be your sister again!" In the background I hear a startling medley arranged by boisterous little Eliana singing at the top of her lungs, "Happy Birthday to Ellie!!!!" as Massimo screams a harmony in overwrought angst. Given this situation, who do you recommend I join in with?!

Gigi Sings

Apparently Mopsie taught the class some new songs today, here is the result.  Sorry for the poor videography, I'll get better!