Halloween Party at Jaimi's

Jaimi invited everyone over for a pre-Halloween party and since Halloween falls on a Sunday this year, we were excited to have a night out since Sunday is a school night. Makaela picked out a recipe from a parenting magazine (or rather a picture) and we called Grammy Hoffman for her chocolate pudding pie recipe. Makaela got to decorate it like a graveyard and add all the insect gummies. She was very excited about it.

The kids were all decked out in their costumes, but of course, getting a picture of all of them was more difficult. They all looked adorable and enjoyed playing with each other all night long.

As the oldest, we thought Makaela could hold one of the babies, but as soon as Makenzie was in her arms, Makaela wanted no part of the baby holding. This may be interesting when Mia arrives.
The Weidas as a flapper and gangster (Jerrod's costume freaked a few of the kids out) and Mel and Shelley as Dorothy and Tin Man.

The Martins as a butterfly, ladybug and bee

The Weidas as the Big Bad Wolf and the three Little Pigs

The Staffaronis as a family of vampires

Steph and Dylan as Superwoman and Superman

And Makaela and I as Ariel and Ursula.

Makaela got the costume from Uncle Mike for her birthday and she accessorized it with the crown, necklace and flip flops. I was actually painted irridescent purple- Makaela enjoyed "painting Momma". It was a great night and even at 8:30, the kids were giggling up a storm...there is a lot to be said about a sugar high.

Makaela didn't end up going to bed until 11pm. Glad we decided to do this on a Saturday versus the real Halloween night.

Halloween 2010

Even though we had a big Halloween party last night, the kids put on their costumes again and headed out trick or treating. We headed over to the Weida's house and neigborhood for the festivities and it's so funny how big our group has gotten. What used to be a bunch of bar hopping young adults has become a group of parents following after their own young ones. Katie, who celebrated her birthday on Halloween, said that the kids provided more birthday entertainment than was expected. The kids were overly spoiled by all the candy and the moms were all trying to make sure the kids used their manners after hoards of sugar were dumped into their little buckets. Makaela couldn't wait to get home to dive into the candy, so we have a bunch of half eaten candies floating around her trick or treat basket. A few of us commented on how much candy Makaela was able to rack in and I thought it was odd because she had gone to the same amount of houses as the other kids, so I started watching her. After she got candy, she would go and dump it into a bucket in the wagon, so when she went to the next house, her trick or treat basket was empty. I guess people felt bad for her (seeing as she had an empty trick or treat basket) and would give her extra candy. I'm sure it wasn't on purpose, but talk about manipulation skills!

Trying to keep up and munch on her candy at the same time:

Some pictures from Halloweens past of Makaela, her costumes and friends:

2007- my new pumpkin (no other friends had been born yet :-)

2008: Pebbles and Bam Bam

2009: Tinkerbell and the Fairy

2010: Batman and Ariel

Makaela's Last Day at Preschool...for now

Today was Makaela's last day at preschool for the time being. We have decided to pull her out since we are having family come and visit during the month of November for my maternity leave and then most of December will be spent in NY for the holidays. She has also been having some issues with being dropped off- they have been downright miserable and I usually have to run out of school with her in hysterics. It is difficult to say if her behavior is the result of Matt's departure or just the antics that come with her age. Regardless, I think she will like staying home with Mom and Mia (once she arrives).

Anyway, today was Makaela's last day and it was also crazy hair day. Makaela, who doesn't particularly like to get her hair done), sat still and insisted that I make ponytail after ponytail in her hair. She had a total of 5 when all was said and done, although I think she would have wanted more if I had the time.

I have to say that picking her up on her last day of school and cleaning out her cubby made me a bit weepy. She had to go take her face down off the attendance poster, gather up all her artwork off the walls and say bye to all her friends. Even though it didn't phase her (because I don't she she understood that we weren't coming back), I felt so badly about taking her away from all of it. I really like the preschool and my only concern was that with the two girls, I needed daycares to be closer together to make my morning drop off and commute time more manageable. I do have loads of crafts and alphabet worksheets to do with her while she is home on maternity leave with me however. It should be an adventure.

Update on Matt

Last night I got a surprise phone call from Matt. I wasn't expecting to hear from him since I thought the trek over to the middle East would be a bit longer. However, when I heard his account of his travels, it seems like it was long enough. He started out on Monday and took a 4 hour bus ride from Jersey to Baltimore where he boarded a plane. Luckily it was a commercial flight that was totally booked by military, so at least they got to ride in some comfort. Originally we thought he was going on a military plane (no frills whatsoever). The flight was 8 hours and landed in Ramstein (spelling) Air Force Base in Germany. From Germany, he boarded a military flight to Kuwait City which lasted 6 1/2 hours. From Kuwait city, he boarded yet another bus for a 1 1/2 hour ride to his training site in the middle of the desert. There is a 12 hour difference between our locations, but luckily between the email and phone, we have been in contact and I very grateful for that.

Poor Makaela is definitely over her dad being gone though. Today she told me she missed her daddy and wanted him to come home. When I told her he was in Iraq working, her eyes lit up and said, "I like Iraq. I go there on a plane too so I can see my daddy." Poor girl, she is in for another 12 more months of this.

Learning how to NOT love wildlife

I have really tried to encourage Makaela to love wildlife and for the most part, she does. (It is my silly dream that she will become a vet, so that her mommy can retire and raise a whole herd of dogs and get free healthcare for them). Anyway, in the mornings we take time to count the snails on our front lawns, we stop and stare at butterflies on our walks, we catch ladybugs, check out all the lizards and chameleons that live around our home and of course, watch all the Diego (the animal rescuer shows) we can. Today, however, we learned where her threshold for wildlife ends. We spend the early evening cooking a quesadilla casserole and we were all excited for it to come out of the oven to try, when Makaela realized there was a gecko on our oven. It freaked her out to the point that she would not eat the casserole because she was worried the gecko had been in her food. No matter how I tried to reason with her, she would have none of it. I guess she doesn't mind looking at them, as long as they don't come looking for her (and her food).

Halloween cookies for Daddy

Tonight we went over to the Buelows for dinner after swim lessons. Steph graciously cooked for us and the kids played. For desert, they decorated Halloween cookies. Makaela wanted me to take pictures of the cookies because she wanted to show her daddy the cookies she made for him. The bat and the pumpkin are very colorful and full of sprinkles, so enjoy them Matt!

Family of Pumpkins

Today we attempted to decorate the pumpkins we picked at the pumpkin patch. I have never been a big pumpkin carver myself (me and knives don't go well together) and considering that the pumpkins will be left out in 85 degree heat, I thought painting the pumpkins would be better. Makaela agreed because she loves anything that has to do with painting. I was trying to "teach" her how jack-o-lanterns look, instead of her going all "Jackson Pollack" on the pumpkins, but at the same time, I wanted to make sure that I let her decorate them herself instead of being the overcontrolling, meddlesome mom. It was a learning moment for me. She did a great job of making faces on the pumpkins and picking out colors that would represent our family. She was very proud of herself and was tickled that she could display them outside our door. Our front door area is now called the "pumpkin patch".Giving a scary face in front of the Daddy pumpkin, the mommy pumpkin, the Makaela pumpkin and the Mia pumpkin.

Pumpkin Carving Party

Kristen Burchacki invited the gang to the first annual Pumpkin Carving Party held at her place in Honolulu. We were to bring pumpkins to carve and a pupu to share. I was babysitting Jackson prior to the party, so the kids made mini pumpkin and ghost pizzas to share. They had lots of fun getting full of flour and making the pizzas.

These little ones were cracking themselves up as they cleaned their pizza plates

When we got to the party, Kristen had done a great job making it kid-friendly. There was a coloring station so the kids colored all Halloween pictures, there was balloons for the kids to throw and hit and bracelets which Makaela started hoarding.

We never actually got around to pumpkin carving because the kids were having entirely too much fun playing and chasing each other, however, no one seemed to mind. There were too many popcorn balls, carmel apples and fudge squares to keep them sugared up and running. Makaela was so tired, she passed out in the car before we even got to the highway.

Pumpkin Patch

This was Makaela's first time at the pumpkin patch. I am not sure why we haven't gone before, but now with Matt gone, I'm trying to find as many things to keep her busy as possible. At first, she was cranky, but as soon as all her friends got there, she perked up and was great. She "pet" her first rooster there and loved the bunnies as well. If it were up to her, she would have picked out pumpkins for everyone. As it turned out, we got three small pumpkins for Momma, Makaela and Mia and then a big orange pumpkin for Daddy. We haven't decorated them yet and at this point, I think we are just going to glue crafts to them or paint them instead of carving them. Something about rotting fruit on your doorstep is like an invitation to all the geckos and roaches in your neighborhood and I certainly don't want them taking up residence near my doorway.Part of our "pumpkin caravan". Besides us, the Staffaronis, Buelows, Martins, Weidas and Dennis' showed up. Lots of kids and pumpkins!

My little sneak

Matt made it very clear to Makaela while he was visiting that she had to sleep in her "big girl bed" and that she can't sleep in Momma's bed (this was a bit of an issue when Matt left the first time). When I put her to bed at night, she says, "Momma, I no get out of my bed or else my daddy will be mad. I stay here." So, she has been really good about going to bed, however, occasionally in the mid morning hours, I will find a guest in my bedroom. This time, she didn't jump in my bed, but apparently kicked poor Bailey out of his...I don't think Daddy would be too upset over that one.

36 weeks!

Today was my 36 week appointment and the doctor was very impressed by how far I had progressed in terms of getting ready for labor. At first she thought I had gained 4 lbs (she is thrilled when I gain weight), but I told her that I only gained .6 since the last check up according to my scale. I guess her office switched scales (from weighted to digital) so I'm a bit wary of her new scale's accuracy. Oh well, hope that just means that Mia is a nice small baby.

When she checked me she found that I was 3cm dialated and that my cervice was "ripe" (makes me feel all fruity, but oh well). She said that she didn't think I would last another 2 weeks before going into labor. At this point, the Mia is head down, but isn't locked into place yet, so while my cervix seems ready, baby needs to settle in first. I asked her if I could get induced to see if matt could come home, but was told the military wouldn't take 36 week babies for "convienence" purposes. Matt is hoping I go into labor so he has an excuse to come back to Hawaii. He leaves for Iraq on Monday. I am basically going to do lots of walking, running and eating Chinese food and pineapples to get this labor process moving. May even resort to Castor oil again...ugh.

The Joys of Having a Little Girl

Tonight Makaela and I had a good, old-fashioned girls' bonding night...we gave ourselves pedicures. Makaela always feels grown-up after I paint her nails and tonight she was thrilled that we both had flowers on our toes. She has already picked out which sandals she is going to wear tomorrow so she can show her newly painted toenails off.

Skyping with Dad and the new orders

Makaela is not a very good phone person although she is getting a bit better. This is why I am so grateful that skype was invented because Matt just found out today that he is heading back to Iraq later this month to rejoin the guys he trained with. Matt is very relieved that he will be going so we won't have to move to a different state and also so he can meet back up with the guys he bonded with during training. Of course, the downside is still the same as it was initially: Matt missing time with the family and this time, there is no chance he will be able to attend Mia's delivery. We were skyping with Matt tonight and I was thinking how lucky we are that we are able to do this with Matt heading half way around the world. This interaction is so important for Makaela. After I took this video, we were blowing kisses and she told him, "I want to kiss you daddy, in my house." Yep, mom almost lost it with the tears at that moment.

Now, if Tripler will let me skype Mia's delivery, we'll be all set...labor via satellite :-)

Schoolwork

A few months ago I bought the entire "Your Baby Can Read" series and swore I would do it with Makaela daily, but that just hasn't happened. Matt was much better at doing the cards with her than I am (and I'm the teacher, go figure), but I have been working with her daily on letters, numbers and tracing. My motivation is two-fold: part of this comes from hopes that she will read early, thus making her days at school less stressful and the other part comes from my guilt that I need to give her as much quality time as I can now before Mia comes. Her preschool teachers are Montessori trained so they want me to practice the see, associate, and write method of learning the letters, so we have been doing that and she has been doing great. Being the social butterfly that she is (come on, she is mine and Matt's daughter), she has learned to recognize letters based on whose names start with them and her favorite things. So our alphabet recitation sounds a bit like this:

A: A is for Abby and apples

B: B is for Brooke and Bailey

C: C is for cookie monster and the crocodiles

D: D is for Donna and Daddy and Dora

E: E is for Elmo, eggies and ELEPHANTS (she gets very enthusiastic about the letter E"

F: F is for flowers

G: G is for Gavin

H: H is for Makaela Hoffman and Hailey

Once she gets to M, it basically becomes a list: M is for Makaela, Mia, Mommy, Mark, Auntie Monica...

Her tracing has come a long way too. She loves the fact that her new "puter" has a tracing pad with letters and numbers so she traces around dinner time everynight. I'm loving how it is helping her homework. I don't have to help her trace anymore.

Back to swim lessons

Today we started our third round of swim lessons. We signed up for a group class, but when we arrived, we found out that Makaela was the only toddler signed up for the Monday class, so we are basically getting private swim lessons- SCORE!! Here is a video of her warming up before her class and having some wedgie issues.

Makaela was a bit distracted by all the fun water toys, but her instructor was pleased that she had no fear of putting her face in the water.

Avoiding school already

Makaela has been giving me some problems about going to preschool since Matt left. She cries when I drop her off which has been breaking my heart, but when I pick her up, she is fine and chatters about her day. In the car today, she started coughing (in a very fake manner I might add) and said, "I can't go to school today momma. I sick." I explained to her that today was Saturday and school was closed and then I added, "So if you are sick, I guess we can't go to the beach then." She quickly added, "I no sick momma, I fine, see" and gave me the biggest smile she could. Oh, how quickly she changed her tune.

Trouble with Boys

So today I got an incident report from Makaela's preschool. It was dated back when Matt was here, but since I am back to preschool pick up and drop offs, I finally got around to cleaning out her cubby. I was expecting a report that she fell or something, but when I read it, I was shocked. Apparently, a little boy at school lifted up Makaela's dress while they were doing circle time...Bible time to be exact. Not sure what they are teaching at the Christian school, but I found the irony of it quite funny. When I talked to Makaela about the incident and how little boys can't do that, she then told me that this little boy (who shall remain nameless) is not her friend. I was relieved until she continued the conversation with "but Micah is my boyfriend." "Really?", I said to her, "and Micah wouldn't lift up your dress because that would be bad right?" "Yes, he no lift up my dress, he just plays doctor with me." Oh boy, if this is what Christian preschool is like, I better enroll her in a nunnery for elementary school.

"I can do it all myself"

Makaela has been exhibiting some of her newly acquired "big girl" skills. She has started dressing herself (although her PJs usually end up backwards and shoes are on the wrong feet) and one of her talents is now brushing her teeth all by herself. Matt taught her to do it all herself so now our nightime routine involves a little song and dance.

34 weeks!

Today I went for yet another ultrasound to see how little Mia is doing and to check on my placenta. As a wrote a two weeks ago, my doctor was a bit worried that I had only gained one pound from my 28 week appt to my 32 week appt and then yesterday when I weighed myself, I was back down to my 28 week weight.

So, being the over-analyzer that I am, I woke up two nights ago in a panic worried that I would be heading to the ultrasound and not leaving the hospital because doctors would find some strange reason to deliver the baby early. I was in a panic because I didn't have any bags packed, no baby clothes laundered, nor did I have the baby supplies ready to go. Needless to say, this past weekend, I did many loads of laundry and packed the hospital bag, the diaper bag, typed out Makaela, dog, fish and house directions for whichever lovely friend comes to my rescue and so I went to my ultrasound slightly more prepared.

The ultrasound showed that Mia is doing fine. She has definitely slowed down her growing though. At 28 weeks she was in the 63rd percentile for her weight and now she is down to the 40th percentile. This explains the lack of weight gain on my part, but luckily all the fluids are fine and there is enough placenta left to last us through the due date. From the ultrasound she is all cheeks and lips. Makaela had a round head with chubby cheeks and plump lips too when she was born, so I am very anxious to meet my newest little girl.

Makaela in the delivery room- look at those big cheeks and lips.

Saying Goodbye Again

Once again, we had to say goodbye to Matt as he headed back to San Diego to await new orders. This time Matt did a good job of prepping her about his departure, so she knew that he needed to go back on a plane to work. After we dropped him off at the airport, she kept asking me "Daddy is going to see Dora too?" I didn't understand what she was talking about, so after the fourth time of saying that, I asked her why she thought Daddy would be seeing Dora. She said, "Because he is going to see Diego"...she confused San Diego with Diego (from Nickelodeon)...so cute.

Here is video of our goodbye breakfast.