Lately...

Here's a few pictures and updates of the past few months:

• We are adjusting well to being a family of five. Now that Ava's sleeping through the night it seems like we're getting into a groove again. I'm learning to simplify, say "no", and carefully prioritize so that I can give the best to the people who matter most to me. Like my wise friend Sara once mentioned, "I don't have to be the best at everything or even to everyone. I just have to be the best mom and the best me I can be."

• Lately I've been trying to give each of my children 15 minutes of one-on-one, undivided attention, twice daily.  Sounds easy, right? But I'm finding I really have to work to make it happen.

• Matt's in the final stretch of his third year of residency. He's been busy with work, chief responsibilities, moonlighting, auditing classes, fulfilling church responsibilities, and preparing to apply to fellowship programs. We'll all be glad when things slow down a bit for him.

St. Patrick's Day

Ava in her festive green. Skylie was very concerned about getting pinched on St. Patty's Day.

Matt's Birthday
Matt was at a conference all day and night of his birthday. We met up for lunch downtown, though, and afterward the girls and I decked out Matt's car. Skylie and Kaitlyn seemed ecstatic to keep a secret and surprise Daddy.


My memory is fading, but I'm pretty sure Matt and I (and Ava) had a date night in March to celebrate his birthday and get him some dress clothes.

Easter Highlights
Youth temple trip (for me)
YMCA Egg Hunt on Saturday (Matt took the girls, solo)
Finding Easter baskets and eggs on Sunday
Sunday dinner with Dave and Jenny's family

Painting, Painting, Painting...

While Matt was out of town one weekend our bedroom transformed in the wee hours of the night from this:

...to this. 

It took me months to find bedding I liked and even longer to nail down the shade of gray I envisioned. Our bed is the first new piece of furniture we've bought in 8 1/2 years of marriage. And it is oh so comfy! Good things are definitely worth the wait, in my book. When Matt says "I love you" at night I often reply with "I love this bed." 

In April I painted the master bedroom and bathroom, Ava's room, and I repainted the upstairs bath. Pretty sure I was a little crazy to take that on with a two month old. :) But I think* I'm finally done with all the painting projects in our house. Matt, I'm pretty sure, is just glad he's not being woken up at 3 a.m. to the sounds of me taping and painting.

Ava's Blessing in Kansas City
Our niece, Addy got baptized in May so we made the trip to Kansas City for her special day. While there, Matt blessed Ava. My dad, Matt's dad, and Matt's brother, Layne, participated in the blessing.

Ava was blessed that she will:

• Be a conduit for the Spirit for our family
• Learn from her sisters and help them be the best they can be
• Have the Spirit with her
• Grow spiritually, physically, and be mentally strong
• Have a testimony of the Gospel 
• Work toward making covenants, being sealed in the temple as an eternal family, and returning to her Heavenly Father
• Be an example to others

Visitors

We've loved getting to see lots of family and a few long-time friends this past month: Layne and Becky's family; Matt's parents; my parents; my brother, Lee; and we even saw one of my friends from high school (Peter) and his family. It was great to see everyone, but it does make me wish we could be closer to "home"--family and all things familiar. Maybe someday... For now I'm excited to be in Utah for a bit this summer. :)

When A Four-Year-Old Potty Trains Her Little Sis

Skylie: "Mom, I'll do potty training with Kaitlyn.  So you can go take a nap if you want."

Without hesitation, I agreed. (I haven't made any attempts in that arena, yet.)

That was last week.

Today I found Skylie, Kaitlyn, and Skylie's friend in our backyard. Pants off. Going to the bathroom. I guess that's what happens when I relinquish potty training rights to a four-year-old!

Camping at Indiana Dunes

Matt and I prepped ourselves for the possibility of getting no sleep and set off to take our family of four camping for the first time. (Skylie camped out once as a toddler.)

How'd it go?

I loved it! I'm already planning our next camp out.

Friday morning we drove 2 1/2 hours north to Chesterton, Indiana to the beaches of Lake Michigan. The beaches are beautiful and the sand is great! That evening we checked out the marina area in nearby Michigan City, Indiana.

(Please excuse the poor quality pictures and videos. My camera was stolen a few months ago, so we are sporting our not-so-hot camera phone for now.)

This is at the first of two beaches that we played. Not bad for Indiana. The beach in Michigan City looked even better. No rocks.

 

A few videos of my crazies playing in the water. This first one is my favorite.

• We camped at Dunewood Campground--a quiet, lush area one mile from the beach.
• Roasting hot dogs and s'mores, and getting lots and lots of sand off our bodies filled our evening. 
• Four people sleeping on a deflating queen air mattress inside a two-man tent was the toughest part of the trip. But all things considered, it couldn't have gone smoother!

• Saturday we took the kids on a 3.75 mile hike in Indiana Dunes State Park, checked out the nature center, and played on the play areas.
• Rain and cool temperatures prompted us to forgo the beach in the afternoon, but five minutes into our drive home Skylie had fallen asleep. Hiking wore both girls out.

*****

I know the things my kids say are probably only funny to me, but I like to remember them, so here's a funny one from Skylie:

Skylie grew tired on our hike. In an effort to keep her moving I said,"Let's hurry to make sure Daddy and Kaitlyn are okay."

Skylie, unconcerned, "I think they got eaten by a bird."

 She continued crawling through the sand like a dinosaur.

A few minutes later Skylie looked up, pointed at a bird in the sky, and explained, "That bird ate them."

Seems she's not too concerned about her parents since the previous night she nonchalantly remarked to Matt that "If mosquitoes eat Mommy, you'll have to take care of me."

From the Mouth of Skylie

Skylie acting all grown up at dinner: "What did you like best today, Mommy?"

Skylie praying: "I'm thankful for my mommy and my da--actually just my mommy."
(Don't be fooled. She was just milking it for all she could so I'd let her stay up later.)

Skylie talking to Matt: "I don't want you to get eaten by a goose."
Matt: "Why not?"
Skylie: "Because then I wouldn't have a daddy!"

Skylie asked me where Jesus was.
Erin: "He's in heaven with Heavenly Father."
Skylie: "How do I get there?"
Erin: "When you're really, really old you'll die and go to heaven."
Skylie: "But I don't know where it is! How will I get there?"
Erin (kind of stumped at explaining the Plan of Salvation to a three-year-old): Maybe it'll be kind of like flying.
Skylie: "In our car! We'll fly there in our car!"
Erin: "No..."
I then proceeded to compare our spirits to the ghosts she'd recently seen on the movie, Casper. Not my finest teaching moment by a long shot, but it is what it is. Hopefully she's not too scarred!

Mother's Day 2013

I wrote the following last Sunday, May 12:

Today is Mother's Day.

Matt and the kids treated me well today. Matt prepared breakfast and dinner. They showered me with presents--chocolates and a running watch. They also posted this on the kitchen wall:



I am grateful to have them. My family, I mean.

Skylie and Kaitlyn can exhaust me at times, but I do cherish being their mom. Despite all the mistakes I make and the times I fall short, in their eyes I am their everything. Most of the time.

Earlier this week I overheard Skylie telling her friend, "Isn't my mommy so beautiful?!"

Her adoration for me isn't always top notch, though. This evening Matt and I loaded the kids into the car for an outing to the park. I ran back inside to grab something and Skylie suggested to Matt, "Maybe Mom should just stay home."

Matt and I are thankful for the mothers in our lives. Truly, we are fortunate.

Skylie at Three-and-a-Half Years Old

Skylie and her two preschool buddies. Two of my friends and I rotate hosting preschool once a week for these little ladies. Each week whomever is hosting reads a book to the girls then relates the educational activities to the book. This particular day we'd read a Fancy Nancy book. I'd planned to do an art project with them and get them dressed up for a fancy picnic of hot cocoa and other snacks. But these three asked to skip all things fancy and go straight to the food!

Skylie,

At three-and-a-half you are loads of energy! I love your enthusiasm. It is catching and can make the most mundane activity seem like a lot of fun. Once when telling you about an upcoming vacation where we'd go swimming, your eyes got big and you gleefully cried out, "And then we'll WASH OUR HAIR! and BLOW DRY IT!"

Generally, you are a sweet, sweet girl. You are quick to express your love to others, and in small crowds make friends fast. Perhaps your favorite friends are the four-legged kind. You'd chase after any and every dog we came across if I let you. You've learned to ask the owner, "Can I pet your dog?"

You request a lot of my attention. If I need to get anything done while Kaitlyn naps it's best if you have a friend over to play or if you watch a TV show.

You talk about both sets of grandparents daily. We took a trip to see them last month, and yesterday when I asked, "What do you want to do today?" you responded, "How 'bout we go on a trip 'n see Nana and Papa and Nana and Grampa?"

Teasing and making others laugh is one of your favorite past times. You crack me up often without even trying. Once you'd gone to use the bathroom, and when Dad went to check on you he found you reprimanding a paper kitten you'd made months ago. You, standing on top of the toilet seat, reached into the garbage can (which was on the top of the toilet--high out of Kaitlyn's reach). "What are you doing in here!?" you scolded. "You're not supposed to be in the garbage."

You also like:

• Going to a nearby conservatory to see the fish ponds, insects, and flowers
• Reading Dora and Fancy Nancy books and The Pout Pout Fish
• Art, markers, play dough, playing at the park or outside, going for walks, playing with friends, cooking, and playing games on Daddy iPad
• Library story time, preschool, playgroup, picnics, and museums around town
• Marshmallows, chocolate or vanilla milk, cereal, yogurt, and most treats
• Pink and purple
• Asking, "Is that a funny word?" or stating, "I want swee (three) 'cause I'm swee."
• Referring to your tummy as your "tum-tum-tummy!"

We love you, Skylie, and are so glad you're ours.

Love,
Mom

Month 26

The above clip is my attempt to capture Skylie singing, "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" on video. Skylie and I are both usually much better at knowing the words, but we're not much of performers for the cameras. ;)

Skylie,

You are one fun girl. It seems like you're always going 100 miles per hour.

Your friend came over once to play this month, and I couldn't help but notice the differences in your two temperaments.

For example: I asked if you guys wanted to read books. She calmly said, "yes" and obediently walked to bring me one book. You, on the other hand, shouted excitedly, "I do!" and ran back and forth piling book after book in front of me. Similar instances happened all afternoon, partly, I think, because you were in your comfort zone but also because you are simply are so full of life.

Later you two hugged. You were a bit too vigorous at first and knocked her down--twice. She didn't seem to mind and even hugged you again. The two of you looked pretty adorable.

You still love your sister. If I ever am unable to sooth Kaitlyn's crying immediately (like I'm in the shower, changing your diaper, etc.) you'll tell me "Kaityn cryin.' Kaityn cryin'." Or you'll pat her head or try to shove her binkie in her mouth (which you're getting pretty good at). When you first wake you always ask, "Kaitin awake?", and before you take a nap or sleep for the night you have to make sure Kaitlyn is in her bed. You say, "Kaitin' goin' a bed...Kaitin close 'er eyes."

You miss your grandparents and frequently ask, "Gnana and Gampa? Wanna pway a dem."

This month:

• We went to the temple in Louisville Kentucky. You and I played at a nearby park while Daddy attended the temple, then Dad and I switched. Since then you've frequently asked, "I goin' a temple aday?"
• You visited a nearby apple orchard with your daddy and me and later you and I went with friends.You loved playing in the straw, looking at the apple trees, wandering the corn maze, and playing at the playground.
  
• Daddy and I took you to the haunted house at the Children's Museum. (You and I worked hard reading books this summer to earn those free tickets from the library.) You were too naive to be scared or even think it was very cool.
• I gave a very lame attempt to potty train you, and you have used the toilet. I'm just not sure I want to commit to the work of training you quite yet. Soon though--you seem quite interested and ready.

At 26 months you can:

• Count to 14
• Sing lots of songs
• Use the toilet
• Give your sister a bottle (sort of)

Tonight we took a hayride and I asked, "Are you happy?" You replied emphatically shaking your head, "No, I not happy." Then you grinned your silly grin.

You're a happy girl, and you make me so happy, too.

Love,
Mom

Our New Year's Eve Happenings

Tonight Skylie smacked Matt's leg and grinned her cheesy grin.

Matt: "Are you being soft?"
Skylie: Gently patted Matt's leg, kissed it, and patted it again.

Pretty cute!

Even more cuter was at dinner when Matt said, "I love being married to you." And then he added with gusto. "I just love it!" Ah, shucks!

Happy New Year!

Update

I've been meaning to post this for weeks and simply haven't gotten to it.

Matt:

• Finished his ob/gyn rotation at Broadlawns last Friday. He'd been on call for about 2 1/2 weeks straight, but fortunately hadn't gotten called in too much.
• Is studying hard for the second set of boards which he'll take August 17.
• Is preparing for the upcoming year or craziness which will consist of

1. Testing at DMU this week
2. Traveling for four months on three audition rotations (Texas, Michigan, Virginia), and one international rotation (South Africa)
3. Taking boards August 17
4. Flying to Philadelphia in October to take a physical diagnosis exam, something all medial students have to do before graduating (It'll be his last test as a medical student! Hurray!)
5. Applying for 50 some-odd residency programs
6. Flying to residency interviews November through January
7. Matching to a residency program early spring
8. Agreeing with me on the home I pick out :) (BTW: Last weekend we were at a BBQ at friends house. I said, "Matt, isn't it nice to be in a real yard." He responded, "Only ten more years, Erin, and you'll have a yard, too. That's all." I did not agree with him on that.)
9. Graduating med school the end of May

Erin:

• Still working (For those of you who try to remember my work schedule, I'll now be in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays, now.)
• Found sitter for Skylie
• Got our blog printed into a book a few months ago
• Taking Skylie to splash pads, parks, and mall play areas every chance I get
• Trying to forget about the long three months ahead of me while Matt's out of state. I'm coping by focusing on how much less laundry and cooking I'll do. (That's not really working, considering Matt did the laundry last night. And made most of dinner.)
• Love teaching my Primary class and get a kick out of the funny things they say. See example below.

Each week at the beginning of class, I let the kids say one sentence about their week and one sentence about service they did that week. I've never heard so many run on sentences in my life, but that's the only way I've been able to remotely limit how long they chat.

Last week one seven-year-old girl told us about her week and was doing one of those long, "and I did this and I did ...and I did...and... and... and..."

Me: "Thanks (insert girls' name). Who wants to go next?"

Her: "Umm, excuse me. I wasn't done yet."

Kansas City Trip + Mother's Day

My first real Mother's Day was great.

My parents' were spending the weekend in Kansas City to attend my brother-in-law's graduation from graduate school (Hurray!), so Matt and I headed down on Saturday morning and spent Saturday and Sunday with my sister's family, Alec's dad, and my parents.

We played at a park, toured Alec's school, and ate a lot of great food.

Here's a few pictures from the trip. Thanks, Mom and Dad!
I am lucky to be the mama of this little one (with her crazy hair and all).
And I'm doubly-lucky to be married to this great guy.
Skylie tasted avocado for the first time. She's a fan.
I love that Ethan snuggled with me. Skylie liked to visit me whenever I had him on my lap.
Sky tried the slide for the first time. She was indifferent, so Matt and I became the parents at the park looking goofy going down the slide.
I love this picture of Skylie snuggling with her dad. Ethan treated Skylie so well.
Grandpa Zane with Ethan and Skylie
Grandma and Grandpa Zane with Ethan LaBau and Skylie Pitcher
I know I'm biased, but I think she's beautiful. Look at those eyes!

Apparently Skylie thinks she's cute, too. I guess that's what we get for letting her flirt with herself in the mirror while I get ready.

I know Matt wouldn't want me to document this, but it's too funny not to remember.

Laying in bed on Saturday night:

Me: "I'm excited!"

Him: "For what?"

Me: "Tomorrow. It'll be my first Mother's Day."

Him: Big gasp.

Come to find out, he hadn't forgotten about Mother's Day. He'd just forgotten to get some pieces of paper at my sister's home for something he planned on making me. Lucky for him, he found some extras at the motel! It was pretty funny.