Changing Seasons

     I would like to write a more deep or interesting post about what it means to change seasons in life, but really we're all just sick. That's what it's meant for us. Lily got it first, as she almost always does. Then Tomáš, then Rosy. And it hung on. And on. And on. So much so that Lily actually got better (although not completely) and then got something else before it finally took me out. Last night Lily came to our bed and kicked Tomáš out (this is how it goes at our house). He went and slept in her room, she slept ''next'' to me, which means she kicked me in the head and got tangled in my feet all night. Then of course there was one lone mosquito who has managed to survive the colder weather and has taken refuge in our room, to buzz by my ear repeatedly. And naturally our radiators, which have just recently been turned on, burbled up air throughout the night as they adjusted and scared the crap out of me. Add to that a good handful of really upsetting nightmares and as you might imagine, a good night sleep I did not have. So I woke with a sore throat and feeling run down before my day began. Tomáš was asked to work today (a Saturday) to catch up on files, so I was home with the girls and Rosy was as clingy as I've ever seen her. I must have breastfed her 35 times and read 35 books today. Couple that with Lily being in her chatty phase, where she says ''Mommy?'' (which she now says with a British accent because she's seen too many episodes of Peppa Pig) 35 times an hour to tell me some passing thought, and I was feeling a little claustrophobic. I should have realized sooner that Rosy was also fighting off some bug and that's why she was extra needy. Tomáš got home at precisely 4 pm (Liverpool was playing), and it's a good thing, too, because before long I felt totally weak and really cold. I curled up on Lily's mattress and pulled her comforter over me and gave up the plans I had to run to the store. In fact, I gave up the plans I had to run...walk...anywhere. I was in and out of sleep for a little while and then I woke feeling better. Thank God, because Tomáš had plans to spend the night with some friends, and I didn't want him to have to cancel. 

     Whining portion over. In all honesty I cannot remember the last time I was sick. I mean cold sick. I have had the flu twice since living here, but as far as a full-blown cold, that has been since long before I got pregnant with Lily. Isn't that remarkable? I have had a couple of sore throats, but they lasted for a half a day or a day and then nothing more. I attribute it to my special potion I take at the first inkling of sickness. Seems to work for me. Even now (knock knock) I feel much better. Maybe even completely back to normal. I just hope my babies will be soon.   

  

Playing while Lily was at pre-school

Pesky runny noses. Wiping is a full-time job in itself. 

Our bus stop

Kissable cheeks

Jumpy

Our niece Verka got a trampoline for her 9th birthday, and they were generous enough to install it in Babka and Dedko's garden and let all of us jump on it. Lily has been especially excited about this fact. I admit that I was pretty excited too. Tomáš and I both got sick the first time, I assume from a massive toxins dump from our lymphatic system, but it was better the second time. Rosy was scared at first, but when she held my hands and got a taste of flight, she couldn't stop laughing. We got it on video but it's too big to post on here, which is a shame because it's adorable. What are your trampoline memories or current experiences? 

All of us on the trampoline

Pigtails and Earrings

Lily started going to an after-pre-school class at the art school behind our apartment building. I wasn't too excited about her joining an after-school activity so young until I saw her excitement at the prospect. Plus, it's only one hour a week and they do a wide range of things, from art to drama to dance. She loves it. The first week she made a cat out of clay and this week she made a hedgehog out of half an apple with toothpicks stuck in it. Then yesterday Rosy ran up to me excitedly yelling ''apple! apple!'' holding Lily's hedgehog with a big old bite out of it. So I sent Tomáš this SMS 

to which he responsibly replied ''it's all right as long as she didn't eat a toothpick.'' I had to smile. And now the hedgehog has started to attract fruit flies, so I think he might make a quick and quiet exit into the trash while no one is looking. 

Even before the art school, Lily had started drawing a lot more, which just does my heart glad. The other day when I was admiring one of her pieces, Tomáš told me under his breath that I should not expect much out of it or something to that effect and I absolutely don't. That is to say my joy in it is completely from the drawings, that she is drawing. I don't have any lofty ideas about her being the next Alphonse Mucha (although I will not refuse its possibility either) and I will not put any pressure on her to draw well, or better. For me it's just a joy every time she does something new to see what she's come up with, how she sees the world. Before I had kids, I told my friend Eva that I always wanted to have kids that were artistic. Her girls are gifted artists and she said she always wanted kids who were good at sports. I said that I feared mine would be. I was kidding, of course. Kind of. I will be happy with (just about) anything they choose to pursue, as long as they do it from their heart and with joy. But I've got a soft spot for art and creativity, although Rosy's already showing promise in futbal. She's got a mean kick on her that makes her daddy proud. And that makes me smile too.   

We made wrapping paper for last week's birthdays. I asked Lily if that was a robot and she said, ''no. It's God.'' I thought those were His hands but she said they're balloons.  

 

The Magnadoodle. Worth its weight in gold. 

Playing Long Hair again

Pigtails and earrings

Toes

Fingers

Us

What a blessing to have a child with such a zest for life. Up for anything. Always game. If anyone can teach me to be fearless, it will be her. We love you, Lilinka.

Happy Things

Quick picture post...

Lily and her ''range''

New tights

Rosy's friend Jakub (AKA Ah-buk) bouncing bikes off the puffy door ; )

Colors

Playing on the basketball court

 Lily's pics:

It's harder than it looks

Happy Birthday!

I think these babies may have surfaced a time or two on this blog, but it's time to whip them out again for one very special lady's very special birthday today. Happy birthday, mom. Here's to 60 more! We love you!!!

The Stoop

We have been takin' that dishrag full of summer and wringing it out for all it's worth. Tippin' that cup back and pounding on the bottom, sucking with all our might to try and get every last drop. Wearing sandals and tank tops on the farthest precipice of too cold for that to try and soak in all the Vitamin D we can before autumn's inversion sets in and once again our sun goes and hides itself behind sheets, nay, comforters of grey for who knows how long. Ok, enough metaphors that don't quite work. Let me just say this, September has been pretty sweet. And in my book sweet is synonymous with sunny. In the glorious tradition of The Cosby Show and 227, we have taken ourselves a stoop. Yes, just call me Marla Gibbs...or Jackée Harry? (haha that just made me laugh). And speaking of Jackée Harry, what ever happened to TV shows where when the bombshell character came on set the live studio audience whistled and woo-ed? I'm looking at you, Delta Burke. Delta Burxom. And speaking of Delta Burke, I just discovered that she and Gerald McRaney are still married. Mad props for that. And what ever happened to live studio audiences anyway? Ahem, back to the stoop. The apartment building next to us has some unused steps right by our entrance. And it happens to be bathed in sunlight much of the time, so we take a ball and some sidewalk chalk and scooters and I take my coffee and we play. It's so nice. We watch the neighborhood go by and the girls throw pebbles into puddles and Lily makes ''ranges'' (she misheard me when I said flower ''arrangement'') out of clover and plantain leaves, which we put into salt shaker vases. And I'm just really gonna miss it when the snow flies. If the snow flies. I was remembering this morning how last year the snow flew exactly once. And poor little Lily was out there trying desperately to make a snowball, and all she got was muddy mittens. I hope for her sake we can have some good neighborhood night sledding sessions like in years past. But let's not think about that just yet. I'm quite content to sit on our stoop, or the newly-added picnic table by the basketball court behind our flat and watch our two little flowers grow.     

Reverse ladybug

Mama, how do you make a G?

Sweater number two