Christmas

Well It's been over 2 months since I posted. I promise I plan on going back and back posting some. But here is the Christmas rundown. I hadn't been having the best of times getting into the Christmas spirit this year. I'm going to call it partly because this is the first year I've had 3 kids, and the first time I've had an infant who refused to go to bed on Christmas Eve. Really, he just wouldn't do it. We had not a single present wrapped and were up until 1 wrapping. I didn't make the cherry cookies for Santa like I promised Abby. However we did have some cookie dough in the freezer so it all worked out. Despite Willards objections, the other 2 were absolute angels on Christmas Eve, they were bathed, jammied, cleaned up the room, and in bed in record time. I imagine it had a little bit to do with Abby's wish that she could take a nap and Santa could come early. Ha ha.

The kids had a great Christmas. Santa brought Abby a trumpet and go-fish cards in her stocking. Harvey got a toy motorcycle and a little firetruck in his. Oh and peanuts, candy canes and oranges. Per Pectol tradition oranges were eaten before other presents were opened. For a few minutes it almost seemed like Abby was going to miss presents. I was completely unsure how to handle it, after all as parents we should follow through but it was CHRISTMAS. Fortunately I helped her get through the orange. Crisis averted. Then they opened up the presents. Harvey got a remote control Lightning McQueen. Abby got a remote controlled My Lil Pony scooter toy. Santa also brought them some books of Giant coloring pages. Daddy gave them soem new backpacks, very nice ones. Mommy made some hooded towels. Harvey's was my first attempt and is WAY too big. I will make him another one when I get a chance, fortunately he won't notice. Abby loved hers

I also made the kids some dress ups. But I don't think I have pictures of them yet! I made Abby 2 tutus, we also gave her a new/used dress up dress. One that my Aunt Francy made for me when I was little. And Harvey got 2 super-capes, and a fireman hat. The gifts they gave each other were also big hits. Harvey picked out some dress-up make up for Abby. Abby gave Willie what I told her to- a little toy set of soft rattly animals, they all make different noises and have different textures. And Harvey got from Willie a knight dress up set. With a shield, breastplate and sword. He LOVES it.

Oh and what did Willi get for Christmas? A vibrating teether and a teddy bear. Yes, that is all.

Pictures of Willard

While I am thinking about it and sitting here already I'm going to post some of Willards pics. Because practically none of you have seen him. Well at first he seemed to hate the camera- he cried everytime I got it out.

So I started getting it out when he was asleep. Everytime I look at my sleeping kids I think of a line from one of the Anne books. Anne has gone back to her birthplace and gotten her hands on some of her parents things. Her mother writes in a letter (or journal) describing her baby (being Anne) 'I love her best when she is sleeping and even better when she is awake'. The 2nd one is his 2 month picture. He weighed in at 12 lbs 1 oz the day before.

So after we got out the swing and I bought new batteries for it- yesterdayI finally caught one- A GRIN!!

Now isn't he just the cutest? I have a pictures somewhere of Abby doing the very same thing. She was also cute. (still is, lol)

Haunted House

There is a contest at the library right now for kids 2-5 and their parents to do a haunted house. So we did. Abby had a lot of fun for a WEEK planning what she wanted. It didn't get nearly as elaborate as she would have liked. We founda bag of critters at Walmart for 2$, black spray paint for .96$ and cobwebbing for another 2$. Everything else we found in the house and in the back yard. I used a LOT of hot glue, and burned my fingers plenty. The kids decided where they wanted the stuff to go, they colored jack-o-lanterns and ghosts. So you want to see it now right?

Seeing double?

OK ok so I guess Willard really does look like Harvey. JUST like Harvey. Go ahead, tell me which is which.

Alright so they aren't identical. But I finally got access to Harvey's baby pictures and was surprised how alike they are. The ones where it is the most apparent Abby is holding Harvey and that is just a dead giveaway. At any rate now you've seen my cute babies. Not a fair contest since most of you haven't met Will, but I'll reveal later.

Saying Goodbye

Jeff's Grandpa passed away yesterday. We went to visit him on Labor Day to introduce him to his namesake, our little Willard. But he was already pretty out of it. Last year my Great Uncle Walter passed away suddenly, in January my Grandmother Langford succumbed to pneumonia and went to be with Grandpa. Since then my G.Uncle Albert and Jeff's G. Uncle Pug have also left this Earth. True they have mostly been close to 80, but it is still hard. These have been loving people that have given us so much wisdom and we miss them all.

It's given us a few chances to talk to Abby about death. It isn't easy to explain to a 4 year old. She is definitely a little confused about where they are now- in the groudn or in heaven, but she understands that Jesus made it possible for us all to be resurrected. We will get to talk about it even more at his funeral.

I only have one set of Grandparetns left here, Jeff only has one grandmother. We really need to take this time to cherish them and learn from them while we can. Here is what Jeff sent his Aunt, per her request about his grandfather. It seems appropriate to put here too

Story about Grandpa Pectol – By Jeff Pectol
One of my favorite times with Grandpa was when we lived on the land in the White Mountains of Arizona. He built a cabin for him and Grandma to live in about a half mile away from where we lived. I remember going over there to get cookies and listen to Grandpa tell stories about his time in the Air Force and in the CC camp. I also loved watching him do his bead work; he was a true master. They had an old green Chevy two wheel drive truck that I can remember riding in and getting stuck in the mud on those miles of unmaintained dirt roads that were out there.
If I had to think of one thing that would describe Grandpa it is strength. He could always lift 10 times more than me even into his late 80s. Grandpa always was an example of goodness to me. He was strict and made sure that us boys worked hard when we were working with him. I also knew him to be very loving. He always had a good word to say and I always knew that he cared. I love you Grandpa… Jeff.

The miracle that let us have 3.

I was able to get 3 carseats into our Outback. It supposedly isn't possible, but all 3 are installed properly. I did have to buy Abby a Radian65. It allows a child to be 5 point harnessed to 65 pounds and is only 17 inches wide. The booster seat fit, but we couldn't reach the buckle to buckle her in. 5 point is safer anyhow. Why am I posting this OLD news now? To practice with pictures- see 3 seats in our car?

So this is what 3 is

I get it now. Today was the first day I took all the kids out in the car. It was just to Will's 2 week check. But now I get it. The hands thing. I don't have enough. Especially since it takes 2 hands to hold onto that carseat. I misplaced Harvey continuously. Fortunately the nurses helped him follow me. I nearly fell asleep while driving (Harvey decided to not sleep last night, but Jeff was up with him). So yes, 3 is definitely a challenge. I will need to figure out how to use a sling with ease quickly, and/or remember to take a leash for Harvey. On another note, Will is GROWING. in 2 weeks not only is he back to birth weight, but now he weighs 7 lbs 11 ounces. Thats an addition of 1 pound and 3 ounces. And I got a nap this afternoon, apparently Harvey was tired after not sleeping, and Will is tired after the torturous PKU. Abby is being a great big sister, unfortunately sleep deprivation, back aches, and headaches are making me not the nicest. She's pretty forgiving. If I just remember to hug her occassionally instead of shoo her out of my personal bubble, she's happy. So notes to myself- remember leash, hug Abby, practice sling.