Chicago in Nashville!

About six weeks ago, we started traveling almost nonstop, only swinging through Nashville to wash clothes and repack suitcases before the next trip...so I have some catching up to do. In fact, I'm penning this by hand sitting on a beach chair beside the Atlantic Ocean. But I'll get back to that...

In early April, our amazing friends Johanna and Jason, and their two-year-old Marin, and Erica and Craig, and their 18-month-old son, Kai, traveled all the way from Geneva, IL to visit us in Nashville. We had so much fun...getting up early with the kids, staying up late to hang out, and filling every minute in between!

Erica and Craig's flight landed Saturday morning, just in time to put all the kids down for naps and catch up for a few quiet hours. The Pattersons pulled in that afternoon, and all four of the kids were immediately inseparable. Rob flew in from a bachelor party in Vegas a couple hours later, and the party officially started. The boys popped beers, the silliness started, and before long, all the little ones were back in bed (after one of the cutest baths in recorded history). We had a festive southern dinner at home -- shrimp and cheese grits, cornbread and chocolate meringue pie from Dotsons, a local place where all the waitresses call you Sugar.

We all almost died laughing all weekend. There's actually photographic documentation of some of us wetting our pants. Since two of us are pregnant at the moment, I won't disclose who (both of us).

The next morning, Erica, Jo and I left the men in charge to boutique shop in downtown Franklin. Jo found the most fabulous mirror for her mantle, featured in Southern Living magazine. When we got home, we could hardly believe our ears... Silence. Every kid in the house was fed and napping (as in four kids sleeping at once). Talk about amazing dads! While we were gone, the guys "helped" brainstorm hilarious names for Vlach baby #3...Papaya is our current front runner. The guys took their turn in Franklin to watch some March Madness at a Civil War jail-turned brewery. Then our sitter came over and we all shot down to Music Row for some honkey tonkin', live music, and $5-cowboy-hat shopping (which I'm wearing on the beach!).

We could hardly believe our visit was drawing to a close. The next morning, we said our farewells to Jo, Jason and Marin, who got a jump on the road for their brave drive home. Did I mention Jo is crazy pregnant and had a nine hour drive with a two-year-old? Later, Erica, who is a talented professional photographer, took maternity shots of me (more on this soon too), before she, Craig and Kai headed to the airport to start their journey.

 Every second of the weekend was fabulous. But even more, it meant the world to us that our amazing friends made such a long and difficult trip to visit. We love you guys!

Tiny Dancer

Madeline is our little ballerina. It seemed like she started leaping around the house to classical music a few minutes after she learned to walk. So last week, she began ballet lessons at the Ann Carroll School of Dance. I have never seen her more in her element! Her joy and pride actually kept me awake that night...I simply couldn't believe we hadn't signed her up sooner. Well, actually, we did try when she was much younger and she wasn't quite ready to be separated from me -- she cried the whole time. What a turn of events! This afternoon, she boldly ran in, excited to see her teacher, Miss Jen, then casually said, "Okay mommy. You can please go now." And when I had to sneak back in for something, she looked at me with an exasperated expression as if to say, "Really?" I took it as a sign of her growing confidence and independence, so instead of feeling sad, I actually felt triumphant (especially since it gives me hope that Charlie's current separation anxiety won't last forever either).

Last week, Miss Jen couldn't believe Madeline had never danced before and told me she was a powerhouse. She looked adorable in her pink leotard and tights, ballet slippers and chiffon ballet skirt, doing arabesques, plies and arranging her feet into first position with her wiry little arms above her head. Each week, they alternate between tumbling and tap for the last 15 minutes of class -- I just about died watching her do the bunny hop in her little patent leather tap shoes. Charlie kept saying "bang bang bang" since he's been listening to her practice at home.

The best moment of all was when all the little girls were finished with class and standing in line for their turn at the drinking fountain. Charlie broke away from the waiting parents and sprinted down the hall to Madeline literally shouting, "Yeah, Mimi! Yeah Mimi!" at least six times. He was only doing exactly what I wanted to!

Arkansas Surprise!

We had a fabulous trip to visit my grandma, "Big Madeline," in Arkansas with my family the week before last! Andi and Kyle drove from St. Louis, and my dad and Ning rented a beautiful condo overlooking Greers Ferry Lake, where I spent summers every year eating my grandma's fried chicken at the base of Sugar Loaf Mountain, boating with my grandpa and swimming until I had pool blisters on my toes. My dad and Ning surprised us all by flying Mollie in from Denver! We were only sorry that Kenny had to work and couldn't come too.

It was so special to be all together; Madeline and Charlie were in heaven with Papa tickling them and going for adventure walks, Ning hiding magical jelly beans in her purse for little fingers to find, and Aunt Mollie, Aunt Andi and Uncle Kyle's nonstop silly games. My grandma stayed with us at the condo each day until the sun went down; when we first arrived, Madeline climbed into her lap (all dolled up in Ning's jewelry) and cuddled with her for 10 times longer than she'll ever snuggle with me, gently touching her face and laughing -- it was a moment that brought tears to my eyes.

One of the highlights was the festive birthday party Nancy and my grandma planned for Madeline -- my aunt even drove in from Little Rock! Mimi put on one of her new fancy dresses and applied her very own electric pink eyeshadow for the occasion. My grandma ordered a beautiful birthday cake -- Madeline was so excited to see her name in pink icing!

We also spent a morning on a rented pontoon boat and watched Rob and Kyle skip rocks from the shore; both Madeline and Charlie loved steering the boat (and blowing the horn) with Papa. The kids enjoyed going to my grandma's house, playing in her Red Hatter hats and taking golf cart rides while Rob and Ning helped get my grandma set back up on her computer (she loves to email and lost her connection). Rob and Kyle had a blast playing a round of golf; my sisters and I couldn't help but notice a budding bro-mance when they returned, playing with the iPad and eating snacks together on the couch.

The best is the fun we have all together just sitting on the couch with coffee or cocktails (me: virgin), laughing hysterically, catching up or hatching plans. 

The Easter Bunny in Maple's Dog Food?

Yesterday morning, when Madeline went into the garage to fill Maple's food bowl, she immediately came back into the kitchen and said in a calm but small voice, "Mommy, I'm kind of scared." When I asked her why, she answered that something was in Maple's dog food bin. My mind flew to the dead mouse Rob found a few weeks ago and hoped I wouldn't have to try to explain life-and-death in the few minutes before we raced off to her four-year-old check up.

At the bottom of the bin right outside our door was a baby bunny....very much alive and curious about the giant faces that kept peering in at it. Madeline and Charlie were so excited! We gently carried the bin to our front yard, and I carefully tipped it to the ground so the bunny could hop out (trying not to bury the bunny in a landslide of dog food). Then we ran inside and watched the scene from our front door. About five minutes later, Madeline shrieked, "Mommy! The bunny just hopped out!" She proudly told her pediatrician that morning that she saved a baby bunny; Charlie was very proud too, saying, "Baby booney!" all day.

 

Our bunny adventure could not be more timely since Madeline has been very inquisitive about the Easter Bunny lately. In fact, last month, she talked to the Easter Bunny (a preplanned phone conversation with Ning), asking all sorts of practical questions like where does he live, how does he make chocolate bunnies and does he walk on his hind legs? After she hung up, Madeline innocently said, "Mommy, the Easter Bunny sounds just like Ning!" She's been leaving carrots by the front door (just like we leave cookies for Santa) and drawing him pictures ever since. 

Madeline the Monkey's 4th Birthday Party!

Madeline had a blast at her fourth birthday party with 17 of her sweet friends! We celebrated our little girl at our house with a monkey-themed party -- Madeline's choice, no doubt inspired by stories she's heard about her first birthday! She truly is a monkey, with the calluses on her hands to prove it, earned by hanging from monkey bars and tree branches.


The day before her party, Madeline excitedly helped me bake the monkey bread and banana bread for her party. While she slept, I baked her monkey cake and cupcakes. We brought fifteen pounds of bananas home from the grocery store, as well as a box of animal crackers for each kid, and waited for our little guests to arrive for brunch. (Of course, the Bloody Marys and "Jungle Juice" was set up for all the mommy's and daddy's)...

Once again, the weather was a dream -- in the 70's and sunny -- we enjoyed the back deck while the kids ran around the back yard chasing the dog. Madeline wore her flower girl dress from her Aunt Mollie's wedding, while she happily played in the birdbath and lathered herself in chocolate frosting. The moments I love the most are the ones you can never plan: Madeline using a salad server to stuff mass amounts of egg casserole into her mouth from the buffet table (thankfully everyone had already eaten, so we let the birthday girl indulge), and Charlie carefully picking the marshmallow eyeballs off of an entire plate of monkey cupcakes.

This week, we will meet up with my family in Arkansas to visit my grandma, who Madeline affectionately calls, "The grandma with the white hair who's also named Madeline." Since I won't be near a computer on March 19th, the day she was actually born, please forgive my sentimental note that I hope she will read one day:

Madeline May, you burst into our lives four years ago just exactly as we always prayed for -- healthy and perfectly you...full of spunk, personality, strong opinions and gentle innocence. I used to sing, "Isn't She Lovely" to you every morning. Your dad and I love you so much more than you will ever be able to understand until you have your own children. Every day that I get to watch you grow, learn and just be your uninhibited self is a gift from God. Happy birthday, sweet little monkey!

A St. Louis Roadtrip!

Madeline, Charlie and I had a fabulous visit with my sister, Andi, and her husband, Kyle, in St. Louis. With a little help from our new car's DVD system (I love you Dora the Explorer, even if your shrill voice makes me want to poke my eyes out), the McDonald's playground and an bottomless supply of lollipops, we made the six-hour drive with hardly a peep or protest from the kids. They were total rockstars. It gave me great confidence that I could make more solo trips mid-week while Rob works hard to bring home the bacon.

It was so fun to see how Andi and Kyle have decorated their darling bungalow since their October wedding. Andi made delicious meals and won the kids' hearts with squeeze-able yogurts (they eat a box of eight in one sitting) and homemade cupcakes! We traveled on Tuesday and Thursday, so Wednesday was our only full day; we bundled up and visited the park that borders Andi and Kyle's neighborhood -- feeding the ducks, playing on the playground and going for a long walk. We wore Madeline and Charlie out completely -- in fact, minutes after we were home, Charlie passed out face-down on the living room ottoman. Each night when Kyle came home from work, the kids excitement level would ratchet up to new levels, and he was kind enough to indulge them with lots of tickling and silly play. I'm sure the neighbors could hear their happy squeals.

While we were gone, Rob painted our entryway and woodwork -- what a fun surprise to come home to! And boy were the kids happy to see their daddy. We loved our St. Louis visit -- it was so important to me to make the trip before my pregnancy limits travel, and truthfully, while our growing family still fits in Andi and Kyle's charming two-bedroom home. But not to worry -- there will be lots of future visits since the new baby won't know he or she is sleeping in a closet for at least a year!   

Making Lemonade!

This morning, we walked by a lemon display at the grocery store and Madeline suggested that we make lemonade! As we squeezed lemons and dissolved the sugar, I realized I had never made it from scratch before.

The kids had so much fun peeling the stickers off the lemons, washing them and then transferring them between the pitcher and strainer for about 10 minutes like it was the most hilarious game in the world. While it cooled in the fridge, we went outside to play, then came back inside and sipped our sweet homemade treat.

It is truly spring here. The daffodils are in full bloom and we're running around in short sleeves. Last night, we roasted hot dogs with our neighbors well after the sun went down.

The gender differences between Mads and Charlie continue to amaze me. As Charlie rode around on his tricycle (wearing his puppy dog backpack), he stopped to pick up every rock, drag his hands through the dirt and exclaim, "More rocks, mommy!" Meanwhile Madeline layed on her belly in the grass, quietly humming to herself while she picked flowers and clovers.

But then again, maybe they aren't all that different after all; a little bit ago, Charlie told me he has a baby in his tummy. And Madeline's usually the one out there scratching in the mud, climbing trees and out-sprinting the older neighbor boys.