Dear Maggie

My Dearest Maggie,

It has been a long and exciting three months for all of us around here.  Many changes have come our way, but none like the changes you have felt.

I can't imagine what it must be like to be a wee two years old and for all you have ever known to be turned inside out and upside down.  I can promise, as your loving Mommy, I have done all I can to make this transition as easy for you as possible.

But sometimes welcoming great things into your life means making great sacrifices.  And this is just what you have learned in the past months.  On one side you have been blessed with a beautiful adoring baby sister, but on the other side you have had to sacrifice moments with your Mommy.  Moments that we both love and cherish.  I understand because I am making that sacrifice too.

Somehow we are both coming through this and I am so proud of the big sister in you that is emerging everyday.  I prayed very hard that you would never lose your place in this family.  And now, I see that God has blessed you with a new place in this family and you are thriving in it.

You are not only a little sister anymore, you are a big sister too.  Wow, what incredible titles to hold.  And you are proving to be amazing at both {just as I knew you would}.  You have so much to teach and show baby Lucy.  You are her role model, her guide, her teacher,  her second mommy, and soon enough, you will be her best friend.  What a blessed girl she is.

I can tell you take this role very seriously.  You are the first in our family to introduce "baby Lucy" to new friends and neighbors.  You proudly announce, "this is baby Lucy, she is my "sishter", she just a baby".

When anyone who lives in our house enters the room, if Lucy is present, you make sure to tell them, "say hello to baby Lucy".  You do all you can to make your new sister feel loved and special, just as we always try to do for you.

And your day is never complete without "three kisses from baby Lucy" because you are "three years old".

I love the way I can look into Lucy's eyes and remember you as a newborn as well.  I cherish my moments with her, as well as relish in the ones I had with you.  Two for the price of one in some ways.

I can only imagine what the next months and years hold for our family.  I am sure many more days of ups and downs and hopefully lots of happy endings.  But no matter what, I am so blessed to share them with you Maggie.  You are truly an amazing little one, my first born princess, my Magpie, and the only one in this family that is a "big" and a "little".  Lucy and I should be so lucky to call you our own.

Thank you for being you and for reminding me that no matter how bumpy life can get, we can all get through it together.

All My Love,
Mommy

Baptized With Love

My little Lu is a baptized baby.  It was one of those few "fabulous moments" over our Thanksgiving vacation.

In all honesty, it was my favorite day and my favorite moment of the entire five day trip.

Both Jack and Maggie were baptized in our home town in Florida.  It seemed only fitting to do the same for Lucy.  It was the same church Clay and I grew up in {many years apart}.  It was also the same church Clay and I were married in. And happily the same priest who did the honors.

But, the most wonderful part {and I truly mean this} was having both sides of our family there to rejoice in Lucy's special day.  Lucy may not have realized it at that moment through her tiny sleep deprived eyes, but I will be sure to tell her one day.

Much love {and holy water-which she didn't care for} was poured over Lucy on Saturday, November 24th at 3:30...right in the middle of the Florida State/Florida game.  And I note this, only because if you know my husband, that was a giant sacrifice.  A sacrifice of unconditional love.

I was honored that my cousin, Joel, {whom it is so wrong to only give him that title...he is and has been so much more to me throughout my life} and his wife, Catherine, graciously accepted the duty of Lucy's Godparents.  They traveled many miles, from California, just to be with us for this fabulous moment in Lu's life.

For that I am forever grateful.

What a lucky {and loved} baby our Lu is.

Here is the guest of honor.  I told you she was tired.  Pretty much the entire trip at that.  And this was even before the ceremony started.

I would like to claim that the quality of the following pictures is poor because I had to pass off my camera.  But, I'm sure they would have looked this even if I were behind the lens.  I am just grateful to have them.

Lucy handled most of the baptism pretty well, considering all she had been through the three days prior.  I, on the other hand, had to hold back many tears {of joy} as I watched my youngest receive the grace of God's love.  The reminder was overwhelming.

I passed Lucy off to her Godparents for the pouring of the Holy water.  She made it clear that Momma's arms is where she wanted to be.  Monseigneur Hunt even recommended that, "Lucy would like her Mommy now".  Once in my arms she was content again.

Jack was given the all important responsibility of holding the Baptismal candle.  He was clearly terrified of the fire.  But for me, it was another proud moment.

We took as many family pictures as we could following the ceremony.  Clay was anxious to get home to catch the end of the game and Lucy was anxious to get to her crib.  Understandable for both.

This is the Dumbacher crew.  The only one missing was Jon.  That was a tough one to handle.  He was busy trying to graduate from college...one more semester.   But, on a brighter note it was the first time we had all been together since Clay and I's wedding.  Love how Lucy brought us all together once again.

This is the Cibula crew.  The lovely family I married into.  We had a few causalities on this side too due to the game. {no seminole loving family could turn down tickets:}

Here is my Lucy and her gracious Godparents...I promise she really does love them.  I blame it on the exhaustion because normally she is just fine with anyone holding her.

She settled into Uncle Jim's arms for a few moments.  It took a lot of bouncing and walking though.

And speaking of bouncing, Maggie was all over the place.  She was eating up the love of all of her family and cousins.  Poor Jack was just going through the motions.  My little guy was feeling the effects of his Motrin wearing off.

We returned to our condo for the after Baptism party.  Lucy and Jack hit their beds, each asking me to do so in their own way. And Maggie snuggled up with her Grampa to watch the game.  Maggie was certainly the life of the party.  One for three on kids celebrating.  That's life.

Lucy joined the party after a much needed nap.  I actually had to wake her so she could show her face, get a bath, and her last feeding of the day.  I think she may have slept through the night had I not.  She spent a few celebratory minutes in her family member's arms {without crying} and then she was off to bed again.

My Maggie enjoyed the solitary attention, sweet treats {from Santa's visit} and running wild with cousin Halle.  For her it was the perfect way to end a vacation.

For me it was a sigh of relief and joy.  We survived  nearly a week away from home.  And we were coming back with a baptized baby.

Upon returning home, Lucy was back to her angel baby self...graced by God's love.

I love Lucy: 3 Months

Houston...we have a sleeper.

I could end this post right there. Ahhhh.  But, in all fairness to my lovely Lu, I just can't.

Lucy rolled into her third month of life making some serious strides.  In sleep obviously.  But in so many other ways too.  Just when I thought this little babe couldn't bring me anymore joy, she has surprised me, yet, once again.

I have found with all of my babies that each time we hit a three month mark things get more fun...and easier.  I like "easier" right now.  My life surely needs it.

Lucy has taught me to slow down.  Simplify my life.  And I am trying my hardest to do that.  This is really my last baby.  No "maybe"s or "I'm just not sure if we are done yet"s.

I can't take one small giggle or one newborn smile for granted.  I have to soak it in.  Cherish it.  Bottle it up.  And Lucy makes me want to do all of that.

I love Lucy and all that she brings {and takes}.

Eat

"Take" seems like a fitting way to start the "eat" part of this post.  If you are, or have been, a nursing mother, you know where I am coming from.

The "eat" part of Lucy's day takes a lot of my energy and much of my time.  Watching her grow {and me slowly shrink} makes it worth it in every way.

Lucy is eating 5 times a day.  As she continues to become more efficient, her feedings are approximately 15 minutes.  I find as she becomes more excited about her surroundings it is becoming harder to get her to focus on her feedings.  As the day goes on, this becomes more of a challenge.

I nurse in the quiet of her own room for 4 out of 5 of her feedings.  However, she has a door on her room and Jack and Maggie know exactly where it is and how to push it open.  Needless to say, Lucy is a very loved baby.

She takes her first feeding between 7:30 and 8:00 am.  She eats every three hours {sometimes a little over that} and we end her day with a 7:30 pm feeding.

And...there are no nighttime feedings.  Ahhhhh...

Activity

After Lucy's feedings we have her "activity" time.  Her optimal wake time with a feeding seems to still be around 45-50 minutes.

Those minutes after her feedings can be my favorite time of the day.  I am able to spend a lot of one on one time with her after her 7:30 and 1:30 feed.  Maggie is sleeping and Jack is at school.

Some of her favorite activities are still her playmat, walks, and tummy time.  She loves to do tummy time in front of a mirror or in front of a block tower that I have built for her.  I am still amazed at her strength.  She holds her head high and turns it from side to side.  And if it's up to her she will stand any time over sitting in my lap.  I'm wondering if she is going to be a mover.

I have found that she loves any toys with lights {most especially} and music.  I always have music playing in her nursery while we play, but she prefers for me to sing.  I am awful.  But, I am relishing her smile as I belt out Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or her ABCs.  I know all too well that one day she will be saying, "no Mommy, don't sing".

Most recently during her activity time she has squealed...really loud.  I think she is even shocked by her own voice.  It's usually a giant "aaaaaaaa".  And I adore it.  Add a smile to that and this Mommy is in heaven.  If I'm really lucky, I get some soft giggles.  Mmmmm... I love Lucy noise.

Lucy's last activity of the day is always a bath with Maggie.  What once started as a logistic thing has now turned into her favorite part of the day.  She stares wide eyed at Maggie with subtle smiles.  Maggie and I serenade her with Row Row Your Boat, I Have a Little Baby, and the Little Boat song.  Between a bath, singing, and Maggie, I think Lucy would spend the night in her tub if we let her.

It's the getting out part that she doesn't like.  Somehow that's been the case with all of my babies...anyone else?

Sleep

Lucy's activity time is always followed with some zzzz's and sweet dreams.

She takes three two hour naps after her first three feedings of the day and she takes a 45 minute catnap after her 4:30-5:00 feeding.  She is usually up somewhere in the middle of dinner time.  Not always ideal, but it goes with the newborn territory.

As of 11 weeks old Lucy gave me a full twelve hours at night after her 7:30 feeding!  And that my friends is why I like a routine.  For me and my babies a solid routine equals a sleeping baby.  And a sleeping baby equals a much better Mommy.

I don't know that I have smiled bigger or exhaled louder that first morning when I realized that she hadn't woken up in the night hours.  I had just nixed that dreamfeed a few days before and with fingers crossed tight, Lucy followed my plan.

I do love my Lucy.  And now that she is officially a sleeper, I have just a little more energy to love her even more.

Looking Lovely

Lucy is changing physically everyday too.

She is getting plumper everyday {I didn't think that was possible}.  But, more shockingly she is super long too.  We've made the move to mostly 6m clothes.  She's got a few 3-6m items still left in her drawer, but I don't know how much longer that will last.

Her best color?...pink, naturally.  Something about that baby dressed head to toe in pink melts my heart.  She looks absolutely divine.  And luckily, we have a lot of pink around here.

Her eyes are still a stunning grey blue.  They get bigger and bigger each month.  And she has insanely long lashes to match. Those things are going to be trouble {certainly for me, but more likely for Daddy}.

I find the most amazing part of her looks to be how much she and Maggie favor one another. It's absolutely uncanny.  You would never know the difference looking at baby pictures if it weren't for Lucy's....

...Hemangioma.  Yes, my lovely Lucy was blessed with an angel kiss at the top of her forehead.  I prayed that she would be spared.  But, now I see why God didn't answer that prayer.  She needed something to make her her own {not a Maggie clone}.

Because of that beautiful red kiss on her head, you will never hear this Mommy say, "now is this Maggie or Lucy?" while looking at pictures.

And speaking of pictures, here is one more of my lovely {and last} newborn...

Next month Lu will be an official infant.  So as I enjoy my full nights of sleep, I will secretly miss my last days with a newborn.

I love you Lucy.  Cheers to becoming an infant!

Thanksgiving Vacation

I really wanted to title this post...."Thanksgiving Vacation".  But it seems blogger doesn't allow strike thru on the title.

This was a Thanksgiving to remember.

Or forget.

Sure it had it's fabulous moments {as you will see in pictures}.  And of course, it was amazing to see all of our family {and I mean all of them!}.  They certainly made it worth it.

But there are a moments that the camera just didn't catch.  For example Jack's 103 fever, a newborn thrown in and out of the car 62 times a day, the condo that we were originally given until Clay marched down to the office to disapprove, and the time change that my girls did not change with.

Oh, and did I mention how many times I packed a "to go" bag from our already packed suitcases only to come back to the condo an hour later and unpack it all again?

I foresee a lovely Thanksgiving vacation with a six year old, a four year old, and a one year old next year.  No newborns and no icky sick germs allowed.

Yes, this year was a Thanksgiving to remember.

Now for some of those "fabulous moments".

Grammy and Grampa kindly hosted Thanksgiving Day.  We were thrilled to spend the day at their house after Wednesday's long day of travel and a long evening of musical condos {that's my humorous way of saying we moved condos...all night long}.

See...we really are thankful for one another.  And I, personally, am very thankful for Sonja {Clay's cousin} for entertaining our family picture request.  Hugs to you and all your girls at work that keep up with our little Cibula family.  Melt my heart.

 These are the fabulous moments with our family that made this trip worth all of the work.  Gotta love Grammy!

Maggie was larger than life on this vacation {even when her sick brother wasn't}.  Thankful for a  Daddy with big muscles and lots of energy.

Here are our kids with their Cibula cousins, Whit and Larkin.  I can't believe how big they are getting...and I can't believe it will happen to my kids one day too.

And here are our kids with their Dumbacher cousin...little Halle.  I'm waiting to add an "s" to that "cousin" word up there, Uncle Joel and Aunt Catherine!

And if you are wondering why my kids are in their PJs on Thanksgiving...well, that is because after a full day at Grammy's we went to Aunt Scrub's for our evening Thanksgiving.

I packed a bag {one of many} so my kiddos could bathe there and then head straight to their condo beds afterwards.   It worked out well for Jack and Mags {they got a little extra Dumbacher family time in}...not so well for Lucy.  My poor babe....such a trooper.

The next day we had another fabulous moment of our trip with a special visitor...

Yes, you are seeing right {even through the blur-that's called trying to take pictures with a baby on your hip}.

Jolly Santa came and knocked on condo door 801 Friday night.  He showed up right after baths and right before bed time.  {Wow, I am impressed with his timing}.  The kids were completely shocked.

He snuggled in on the couch with my Christmas pj{ed} kiddos.  I had a feeling he was coming so I suggested my little ones put on their Santa jammies...wink wink.

Sweet little Lucy got some one on one snuggle time before she headed off to bed.

Then Santa focused solely on Jack and Maggie.  He kindly brought a bed time story, The Night Before Christmas, which they both intently listened too.  I think they were still in shock and awe at this point.

It wasn't long before Maggie came out of her shell.  Somehow {as only Maggie can do} she talked Santa into reading Pinkalicious {I'm pretty sure that wasn't part of his plan}.

Jack followed Maggie's lead by showing Santa every Superhero and dinosaur toy he brought with him...and there were a lot.

Santa is a patient man.

Santa tucked the little ones in but, not before giving them a sweet candy cane and a gentle hug.  Definitely one of those fabulous moments!

By Saturday, Jack was beyond sick, Lucy was preparing for her baptism later that day, and I was pretty much wiped out.

We bought some time by over doing the children's Motrin with Jack.  It was pretty much our only option until we could get him home and to the DR.

He and Maggie went to the zoo with Grammy and Grampa, he survived, but certainly wasn't himself.

To get him through Lucy's baptism we dug into Mommy's traveling medicine cabinet once again.

{and for an update, I got him to the DR when we returned...Strep...poor kid finally gets a vacation from school and he spends 85% of it sick}

While the kids were at the zoo, Clay and I spent some quality time with Lu.  She loved being in one place for more than two hours.  Lucy could not get enough of her rented Rainforest bouncy seat.  If I weren't positive that I am finished bearing children, I would so have to buy one of these for home.

Oh, and that wall of mirrors at our condo was a huge hit with her too.  {definitely not getting one of these for home though}  She literally giggled herself silly.  Another fabulous moment.

I told Lucy to take one last look at herself because after that...she was going to be a baptized baby.  {and that is a post all in itself}

Again...another fabulous moment.

Until then...

Hope your Thanksgiving was one to remember...for real.

A Thankful Smile

Today...I am thankful for a smile.  A smile that I will never forget.  A smile that warmed my heart.  A smile that made me really happy to be Jack's mommy.

Clay, Maggie and I attended Jack's Thanksgiving Program and Feast.  It was great fun to be in his school {not just outside of it dropping him off}.   To see where he spends the majority of his time these days now that he's a big Kindergarten kid {sniff sniff}.  To watch him interact with his classmates and teachers.  

But, most importantly to soak in that precious smile.  That smile that covered his face when he saw me for the first time.  I will never forget it.  

You see, Jack is my growing boy of few words {key word being boy}.  Emotional words.  Words that explain how he feels, what he is thinking and what's going on daily.  He's more about action.

I've learned to accept this and try my hardest to understand his way of expressing himself.

Well, today I understood.  That one little boyish grin said it all.  He loves me...a lot.  He was touched that I was there, at his school.  He was proud that I am his Mommy.  And he knows that he is loved beyond words.

For that one little smile...I will always be thankful.  {this just might be my favorite Thanksgiving ever}

I love you j bird.

I love Maggie's little fingers in this picture just waiting to cause trouble.

No, my Kindergarten kid was not in trouble here.  He was just sitting along the wall waiting for his classes turn {in awful lighting, as are all these pictures}.

Check out Jack's turkey moves.  Oh, how I wish I had a zoom lens {ding ding ding...Christmas idea my darling hubby}

The best Thanksgiving feast ever.  So envious of Jack's "packed" lunch.

We tried....but, at least it's proof we were there.

My favorite Thanksgiving turkey.  

Indian Princess

Thanksgiving Greetings from our little "Indian Princess".  {and I only call her that because she corrected me when I did not}...

...then I had to bribe her with a gummy bear for her to allow me to take her picture.  Oh, the drama of living with a princess.

Maggie Mouse Turns Three

We celebrated Maggie's third birthday Minnie Mouse style.  I'm not a big character party kind of Mom, but I'm pretty sure I found some ways to make this our own. {and avoid Party City}

I started shopping around for this thing nearly six months before the date.  I know you aren't surprised, but really it was primarily due to the fact that we had a wee one coming at the end of August.  My goal was to do as much as I could {shopping wise} before Lucy's arrival.  Then the next months of being home with a newborn could be for assembly purposes.

All I can say is thank goodness I planned it out this way.  Baby number three and a big boy going to Kindergarten certainly monopolized my time this Fall.

But, the main reason I point this all out to you is because somewhere mid-August, my little Maggie Mouse announced she wanted a "Princess" party.  Hmmm...too late, your Mommy is a serious planner?  I tried that...it half worked.

What finally did the trick is when I pulled out bag after bag after bag of Minnie Mouse party loot.  Maggie was back to her Minnie party loving self.  And she sweetly announced, "when I's 4 I have a princess party".   {Not confident enough to start shopping for that one yet though}

Back to Minnie.

I was seriously shocked at how much stuff you can find out there with that mouse on it.  It's nuts!  Just in the way of food, I was able to find Mickey nuggets, Mickey Pretzels, Mickey crackers, Mickey Cheese, Minnie yogurt, and Minnie bagged apple slices.  Unbelieveable.

We did a black, white and hot pink theme.  Lots of polka dots too.

There were three activity tables {although I think the sand box was the biggest hit}.  The first {and my most fave} was "Maggie's Bow-tique".  I had necklaces, boas, Minnie and Mickey ears, diamond rings, and sparkly sunglasses for the girls to dress up with and take home.  I set a mirror out for them to admire themselves.  It was darling to watch.

Maggie could not keep her hands out of this stuff during the prior prep months.  Every time we went downstairs she was dolled up to the hilt with it.  Come party time she didn't touch it. Go figure...maybe the novelty had worn off. Either way, I was so bummed.  I was really hoping for a picture of her...she was so adorable the other 100 times she put it all on.

The second table was "Maggie's Cookie Corner".  I was shocked at what a hit this was.  The table was full the entire party with waiting guests.  I made Minnie sugar cookies for the girls and Mickey cookies for the boys.  I put out pink, red, black, and white icing and tons of sprinkles. I also had little take home bags available.  Most of the kids ate theirs right on the spot though.  It was a fabulous mess.

The last table was "Clubhouse Coloring".  At this table I had jumbo Mickey and Minnie coloring sheets, Mickey and Minnie crayons and lots of stickers.  This was an easy hit with the kiddos.

For goodies, we did Mickey polka dot crayon rolls for the boys and Minnie polka dot crayon rolls for the girls.  I found Mickey and Minnie crayons at Michaels to stuff them.

We had a great time and especially loved celebrating with all of our friends.  We were in somewhat of hiding since Lucy's birth.  This was a great way to break back into the social scene again.

Maggie felt all the love just as I hoped she would.  And she filled up with even more sweeteness {i.e cookies, sprinkles, lollipops, cupcakes}.  Sweet Three...that's what I'm hoping for anyway!

I'll let the pictures do the talking from here.  But before that, I need to give serious props to Andrea Wood for her fabulous photography and Tracy at Sweet Peach Papiere for the adorable paper products.  Thanks Ladies for making my favorite three year old's day so wonderful!

Three For Three

Perfectly fitting that we have celebrated my favorite three year old's birthday for the past three days.  

Yes, three wonderful years ago this family was blessed with a little slice of heaven.  She has been my sugar, and most recently, my spice.  But, somehow her "spice" doesn't burn a bit.  It's exactly the right recipe for a precious girly girl. And honestly,  it makes me love her all that much more.  

Maggie is the love in my life that makes me smile, laugh {even when I'm not supposed to be...i.e. disciplining}, and absolutely melts my heart every chance she can get.  I honestly can't imagine this family without her.  

I smirk to think that exactly three years and three days ago, I was an anxious mess awaiting her arrival.  The thoughts that consumed me seem so silly now...how will I have enough time for two?  will I love her as much as Jack?  Yes, I really thought that...ridiculous, huh?

Maggie stole my heart on November 9th, 2009 and she hasn't given it back.  

all my love birthday girl...all my love...

Day One

Thursday was Maggie's school celebration.  And guess what she wanted to take for her Birthday snack?...pink doughnuts with sprinkles.  Naturally.

I slipped some apples and yogurt in that snack bag too.  Don't think I wasn't tempted to cut those giant rings of sugar in half.  

Day Two

Friday was the real day...November 9th.  The day my world turned pink.

As a tradition at the Cibula house, we wake the kids every birthday morning with a video camera in their face and a Happy Birthday ditty.  

Maggie very seriously expressed her disapproval of it this year after I turned the camera off.  "I not like when you sing.  I not like that.  I wanted you to stop."  How bad I had wished the camera was still running when she reprimanded me.  There's that spice.

But she quickly cheered up when I got the "reglar" camera out...

...and the birthday gift didn't hurt either. 

By dinner time, I think we had called Maggie the "birthday girl" about 417 times.  She was still digging it, but Jack was slowly getting over it.  Until...he realized the "birthday girl" came with dessert.

Day Three

And then the real party started on Saturday.  Oh, how I love birthday parties.

Maggie Mouse celebrated the most beautiful Saturday of the season with family and friends.  Oh trust me, I have about a million more pictures to share with you.  I am waiting on the ahhhhmazing Andrea Wood to send them my way.  

Until then this will have to do...a smiling Birthday Girl!