Born in Seattle Continued

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Reflections on casts

I (Katie) work in the Children's Ministry department at Bethany. On Tuesday am, I get to set up the program for the MOPS program at Bethany. I float between classrooms, greeting moms, and children. This morning starting like any other, checking on classrooms, bringing materials to teachers, and greeting moms. I brought a volunteer to a classroom of toddlers and stayed for a few mins. until the regular teacher arrived. One mom of twin boys entered the classrooms to drop off. She set down one of her sons. After a few a minute or two she told us that her other son had broken his leg sitting on her sister's lap going down the slide (people don't do that) anyway. I hadn't noticed his full length cast under his long pants. She said he was adjusting fine to the cast and that it was going to be on for another 3 weeks. She was relaxed about the whole thing.
Then she passed her son to me. He was sad to see mom go and was crying for a few mins. It was so strange how "normal" it felt to hold a toddler with a cast on...like, ya, that is what I remember. I connected to his positioning and it just "felt" so normal to hold him. It was the weirdest positive, and also negative nostalgic experience. It made me want to hold more babies with casts but also reminded me of a very hard time in Luca's (and ours) lives. And the horrible casting experience.
Luca was in casts almost exclusively up until he was 2 years old. I am grateful that he doesn't need to be in casts anymore. I am so thankful that he does not have to have surgery this year! What a gift to see both of my kids running around day after day! What a incredible gift!

Luca living life with casts

Above are two pictures of his feet early on! Thank you Dr. Mosca, all those casts and surgeries!

Nothing is slowing this kid down!

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Luca and a husky puppy

We visited Tia in her new house in Issaquah today. Luca had so much fun meeting her new husky puppy named Hazel. He walked her around the yard. He loved holding on her leash. It was the first time I have ever seen Luca bond with a dog and it was pretty tender! He asked Tia if he could take Hazel home. Of course, not... but Luca asked on the way home when we could get a husky puppy (we are not getting a dog).
Tia has another puppy named Callie that Juliette prefers.
Here is the photo evidence:

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Happy 3rd Birthday Juliette!

Juliette is three years old! I can hardly believe how fast the time has gone since she was born! During this last three years there have been days of exhaustion, joy, and everything in between! We are so glad Juliette is a part of the family! She brings joy, humor, beauty, cuddles, energy, and empathy to our family! It has been such a joy watching her and Luca bond with each other and really become playmates these last few months.
We got to go swimming and then had cupcakes to celebrate her birthday on Saturday and she said when we got home, "it was the best party ever mommy". It always makes a mom's heart feel good after trying to celebrate for their child.

Juliette is really into Frozen after watching the movie once. She loves Elsa and Anna, of course. That is what she requested on her cupcake, and for her plates.

Juliette wouldn't be in the picture even though she was standing right next to Scout in this picture.

Seeing this pictures is about how every parent might feel at their child's birthday party...a blur

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Luca's writing celebration

Luca had a writing celebration in his kindergarten class yesterday! Is was precious! All the kids wrote a "how to book" and presented it to the rest of the class and parents. Luca presented his book very comfortably! I don't believe that public speaking is going to be one of the things he struggles in life. I think he wanted his book to be longer just so he could talk in front of everyone! What a kid!
Luca wrote his book about "How to Win a Water Fight" This book was inspired by the epic water fight he had in MN at Auntie Cindy's house last summer! I think that water fight was one of the highlights of his little life as he talks of it very often!

Here are a few pictures of the event and his book

All dressed up!

Juliette continues to enjoy dressing up and was especially pleased with the clip on earrings and princess shoes from Aunt Meagan. She also loves her Juliette bracelet from Aunt Heidi with her name in beads on it! She wears it all the time!
I got the dress at Good Will for $2! SO sweet! I love that place! She is looking big to me and is turning three in a just a few weeks so I guess that is why! Here is to 3 going on 16!

She is bending her head so you can see her earrings better:)

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

We love Tia!

We are so thankful for Tia! I met her several years ago as she volunteered to teach at one of the programs at Bethany, Pioneer Club. She was so amazing with the kids at church, I asked her if she would watch Luca and she started caring for him when he was two. She is the BEST! She we met her she has graduated from college, become an nurse and gotten married to Nate!
Juliette kept telling me today, "I am not going to be sad when you go to work because I get to be with TIA!!! and Kallie! her puppy!, I love Tia" It is such a gift to have Tia in our lives! Thanks again for coming over today! Luca's high was playing with Tia, getting to go to his new chess class after school, and getting to facetime with Nate, Tia's husband! They are the best and we are blessed by them!

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Too much catching up to do

Wow, I have a lot of catching up to do! I don't know what happened to me and blogging but between my trip to Germany, Chris coming to visit, Christmas, my parents leaving and now a lot of time has gone by! Lots of fun pictures were taken and great times were had, but time has just been going without a lot of time for blogging. It is hard to know where to start. I guess I could do a little recap of December and January and then move on.
I got to visit my sister in Germany. By myself for a whole week! It was amazing! The flight alone was the vacation I was craving and then the fun started! Betsy and I got to go to Adoboden together! We made dinner, went sledding and had so much fun! I got to get to know her and Eric's sweet kids, Sophia and Jacob better. I love being an Aunt! It is the best role ever (maybe next to being a Grandma but I will have to wait a while to find that one out for sure). I got to sleep in Sophia's room with her and see Jacob playing away!
We also got to two Christmas Market's in 6 days. Basel is a really cool city, and really expensive! Now I know why we packed P and J sandwiches whenever we went to Switzerland! It was a blast to be back there. I got to go running 4 times! Kandern is an amazing place to run! And got eat delicious food! When can I go back??? I didn't really have jet leg either which was amazing and unexpected. I think it makes up for the three weeks (two weeks there, one week when we got back) I had jet leg with Luca when I took him to Germany when he was two years old...maybe.
The time back in Seattle for Christmas was a lot of fun too! The kids got so excited. John got me and the kids some thoughtful fun gifts. A cool bag to bring my computer to work and a fleece and PJ's. Juliette a jewelry box and Luca skis! Juliette's favorite present would have to be the princess shoes from Aunt Meagan, Molly, Annie! She loves them! Thanks again you guys for picking out the perfect gift!
Luca also attended two days of day camp at a Jewish Community Center which broke up the break. Two weeks without school or a break for the grown ups is a long time! John and I didn't take time off during the break so it didn't feel like vacation exactly but the holiday days were a lot of fun. (and since I had just been to Germany, I felt like I had my vacation!) John had Christmas Day off, which was really nice.
My parents were packing, packing,and getting ready to move! They left about 2 weeks ago. The kids were very sad to say good-bye as were we! I am still trying to remember how I got to run on a regular basis before they came to town. We miss them for sure!
Here are a few pictures from the last 6 weeks or so