Wolfe's, Squared

FOUR children. I'm still struck with disbelief every once in awhile that I have FOUR children. Mike and I have always talked about having four children. That's always been the "goal." But to have them all actually here. Wow. To see them, to know their names, to watch them grow and become. Again, Wow.

All of the sudden the house seems full, busy, chaotic even at times. :) Truly, it never felt this way before. It always felt like we were waiting for last one. Now that he's here, we are complete!

These last four weeks have been a roller coaster, but I expected nothing less. At times I wonder if I can handle it. Other times I'm almost in tears thinking about how the "dream" has come true.
The times when I wonder if I'm actually capable are the mornings. Why are those the hardest?! Usually I'm coming off a night of the less than restful sleep/no sleep, I'm trying to get kids dressed and fed while pacifying a hungry/cranky/ dirty diaper baby. The other hard times are when Caleb is awake. He doesn't know what to do with himself. So all he really wants to do it nurse and look around. He even cries at me when he's using me as a human pacifier and some milk shows up on the scene. He's not hungry, just wants his Mama Nuk.
I'm enjoying these days. I think I'm going into this infancy with, hopefully, a little more wisdom. I know this part doesn't last forever. I've been through worse infancies (read, Lilia!). And I'm just so over-the-moon thankful to not be pregnant and to not have to be pregnant ever again that I'm riding high on those endorphins. Gotta love post pregnancy hormones.

Anyway, here is my brood, all four of my Wolfe Cubs, Praise be to the Lord God up above through whom all blessing and mercies flow. I feel almost embarrased by how lavishly the Lord has blessed me with these children. He even said "yes" to my prayers of 2 boys, 2 girls, 2 dark, 2 light. See how lavishly I am blessed! Thank you, my Lord.


(Here's the 5th Wolfe Cub. :) She goes everywhere with us and her clothes cost just as much as everyone elses.)

The Last Christmas Hurrah

This weekend we had the extended family Christmas. It's arguably one of my favorite parts about Christmas only because we play the Gift Exchange game. It's so fun because people bring really creative and desirable gifts and then people are willing to steal and be ruthless! Which makes for such a fun time. :) This year I scored with a really cozy blanket and Mike took home what we brought. :) A adventure, outdoor gadget set.

Three generations. I'm always noticing how much they all look alike. Strong genes!!!

Santa made an appearance! I'm not sure how they explained to the ones who believe why he was showing up AFTER Christmas. But I don't think it mattered much. :)

Caleb is more awake every day. He was enjoying the Christmas music in this picture. Music, it soothes the savage beast... and cranky babies.This last video is of Sofia dancing to Christmas Music. She's very cute. :) The really impressive part is that her cousin, David, who is 5 years old, is the one that is playing the Christmas music on the piano. What a guy.

I continue to be impressed by David! This summer we camped together and his Dad had bought him a cap gun. His mom and I were sitting by the fire when he runs up to us and says, "Hey Mom!! There are 50 caps in this roll because the box says there are 250 caps and there are 5 rolls of caps!!" Umm, he's just 5... Child genius or poster boy for homeschooling... Gotta love it!

This one's for you, Michele!

As part of the Wolfe family. I know that we all believe in the Lord's mighty hand and how He moves purposely and decidedly in all of our lives. And with that truth in our hearts we know that my SIL in Atlanta is exactly where the Lord wants her to be. But we still miss her, and I know she misses us all especially at this time of year.

So Michele, here is a video of the chaos of Christmas Eve. :) I hope you feel like you were part of it all. You were in so many ways!! Gifts, traditions, old stories and new ones.

We Love You!!!

This one's for you, Mom!

My mother made these outfits for Ruthie! Aren't they wonderful. Sofie was so overjoyed to see all the clothes for Ruthie. The shoes were the icing on the cake. I love the last pictures where Sofie insisted that Ruthie ride her new scooter with her slippers on, in a loungewear outfit. It only makes sense when your 6, I guess. :)Even the dolls ride motorcycles in this family. :)Thanks Mom!!!

Christmas Day

Christmas Morning!!! We woke up to Sofie saying, "Mom, Dad? We're just going to play with our toys from last night, when you wake up we can open presents." What? I was never that nice to my parents when I was growing up! Amazing.

We did commence in the gift opening soon after that. :) And LAAAA!!!! Ruthie was finally opened.John got ice skates. I'm sure that they will be going skating some time soon today.
And Lilia now has enought Calico Critters to last awhile. :) I knew she would love them. She is definetily my roll-playing, tiny treasures child.

Between last night and this morning, the girls are completely outfitted with new dolls (Ruthie and to-be-named Bitty Baby) and matching pajamas for them and dolls. I think they are set!

I bought Mike a indoor, remote-control, helicopter. I just revel in the moments when I get him something that he REALLY likes and he's COMPLETELY surprised with. They are few and far between, he's so hard to buy gifts for, but when I find a good gift, it's all worth it!

Christmas 2008 - The Eve at Mel's

Last night was Christmas Eve and we celebrated at my SIL house. We had a WONDERFUL time. We ate Beef Tenderloin, Pomegranate Salad, and twice baked potatoes. SO YUM!!! Then we had the gift opening extravaganza. The kids were so excited with all their new treasures, and so were the adults! Another Christmas Eve well celebrated.

Here are some pictures from the night:

Lilia and Isabelle were just little pictures sitting in the middle of all of the presents.

John became hard of hearing very early in the night... (The device doesn't let itself get to loud, hearing "friendly")

Sofie continued to be thrilled with the accoutrements for her American Girl doll, even though the doll itself has not made an appearance yet...

John had received a sword and shield from his Aunty Shel last year, and over the course of being played with almost every day, it broke this year. So Aunty replaced the sword for Christmas this year. John was VERY excited.

Lilia got a "whissle". Thanks Aunty Shel... She love's it...

Oldest Cousin, meet youngest cousin. :) Such a sweet moment. I have to say, I'm so impressed with my nephew. How many 14 year old teen boys are excited to see and hold their newest cousin. I think it takes great self-confidance and a loving heart.

The night would never be complete without knife-wielding Uncle John. This knife makes an appearance at every gift giving extravaganza. I don't know what he used to use it for in his younger years. But now it's used to open his daughter's dolly presents and kids toys in general. :)

Winter Days are Here Again

I think that the kids and I are slowly getting used to being a family with four kids. Caleb is starting to let other things pacify him other than being nursed. He actually let me give him a Nuk today and was sweet enough to go to sleep in the newborn Papasan chair.

Lilia is starting to realize that she has to entertain herself when I am nursing. So today she decided to read to her Santa's about the little reindeer Bob.
At one point she had her arm around one of the Santa's as she was reading him the story. But she put the book down when I asked to take her picture.
Yes, I think we are slowly starting to find a new equilibrium in our home... Let see if it lasts. :)

Sofie's Christmas Concert

I know I'm a little late getting this post up. Ya know, been busy. :) 2 weekends ago Sofie's church choir put on a Christmas Show. It was very cute. The directors did a wonderful job of having a performance that was short, not too choreographed, and every child had a special part. Sofie got to be a cow in the Nativity. The Nativity just consisted of kids dressed in costume, standing in their spots, and it was very cute.

So here's Sofie, being an oh-so-cute cow right before the performance was about to begin. (Sofie's the shorter, dark haired girl).

Also, listen to our conversation in the background. The couple that was sitting beside us was making over newborn Caleb and asking if all FIVE (cousin Isabelle was in attendance) were ours. To which we replied that NO WAY that would be just crazy to have FIVE! :)

Blogging, plus 4...

Having a newborn in the house has been eye-opening! Taking care of a newborn isn't hard (in the traditional sense of the word), but it is time consuming. Mike just took Caleb from me right now so that I could have both hands to type and finally get a blog post up!

The kids are all adjusting so well to having Caleb in the house. Even Lilia shows absolutely no jealousy issues and is only excited about "my brudder!" and worries when she doesn't know where he is.

Caleb is almost 3 weeks old and is having longer awake periods everyday and is opening his eyes bigger and bigger each day. I just know this 1st year is going to go by so quickly!!
Sofie's favorite past time is to hold her new baby brother.
Just because I haven't been posting doesn't mean that there isn't anything to post about! We have had some great things to do this Christmas season and have been enjoying this holiday.

This weekend my family battled the snow and the blistering cold and drove up hear for our family Christmas. Thank you so much, all of you. It meant so much to see all my family sitting in MY living room and enjoying each other's company.

We opened presents and ate lots of food. It snowed a lot here on Saturday and you could hear at least one person singing at all times, "Oh the weather outside is frightful, but inside it's so delightful..."

We had a house full of babies this year! My nephew Eli was here. It was so special to finally hold the little (I mean BIG) guy and see how beautiful he is. This is my brother, Joe, babysitting two of his nephews. He was quite good at it!

Lilia was enthralled with her presents! She is at the age where everything she does is cute. Opening presents, modeling her new hat, and yes, even....

having a meltdown when it was her nap time. :)

Sofie got a horse for her American Girl doll that she is going to get for Christmas. This is the least surprised anyone has ever been for Christmas. She's known that she was going to get this doll since this summer. I guess what her doll lacts in surprise, it makes up for in patience.

John scored with two things he can never have too much of. Thomas the Train sets and Lego's.

The only toy I've seen boys and grown men consistently bond over is Lego's. You never outgrow them.
Eli, in true 5 1/2 mo. form, wanted to eat the wrapping paper. He caught sight of that camouflage wrapping paper and thought it looked like the yummiest thing he'd ever seen. He didn't react to any other wrapping paper like that, just the camo paper.

On the 4th Day of Christmas, the Good Lord gave to me...

The precious days of Christmas, #3

Well we caught Caleb in an awake phase for his pictures today. Which produced some really unexpected but great pictures. The outfit was from my wonderful SIL in Atlanta, where they obviously have warmer temperatures. Only in the south would a baby wear a short sleeve onesie that has "My First Christmas" emblazoned on the front. :)

I feel like both photo's need a good title or caption. But lets face it, I'm a sleep deprived mother of 4 who gave birth 10 days ago. This alliteration brain of mine is numb. So if you can come up with a better caption, let me know!

Who you laughin' at!

Put 'em up! Put 'em up! (With the voice of the Lion from the "Wizard of Oz")

Thanks for the cute outfit Michele, I had so much fun with it. :)

Christmas Comes but Once a Year

I (think) I said that I have all these Christmas outfits for Caleb. Today is he is sporting his striped sleeper. Perfect for dining in and enjoying his milk, or is even for dining out and feasting on...well...milk. This ensemble comes complete with burp rag and little stuffed reindeer. (though I don't know where they are and don't have the energy to look for them...)


Now that Sofie isn't sick anymore, she's is making up for the time that she was away from him. This has fast become her favorite past time.

Caleb's 1st Christmas

I've already established that I love Christmas. And my dear, baby Lub has a bunch of "My 1st Christmas" outfits. Here's the 1st one. It's so warm and cozy. Perfect for the cold trip out to the Dr.'s office!

Caleb 1 week birthday!

Can you believe it?! It has been exactly one week ago that Caleb was born. Boy does time fly. Today was my Mom and my 1st outing with all 4 kids. We took Caleb to the Dr. for them to look at his jaundice. It's already starting to fade so there is no worry about it. He's just doing wonderfully and a joy to have. Even the nights aren't completely painful yet. I'm really trying to wring every single joyful thought out of this last baby. He just makes our family so complete.

Sofie has been quite sick this last week. I did let her get close enough to Caleb for this one shot.

He's even been awake a little bit!
I do have to say, though, having a new 4th child does put a cramp in my ability to blog. :) I'll have to get my priorities straightened out once I heal better and not such a novice at juggling 4 kids, homeschooling, housecleaning, errands, cooking, being a wife, etc. etc. etc.

Delivery!

We were sent flowers from the people at Mike's work! Aren't they adorable?! When the woman came to my room to drop them off she just told me that I had a delivery, to which I replied. "Oh, it's not for me, you must have the wrong room." Geesh, you'd think I'd never had flowers delivered before. I have!

I got another delivery today. A big cookie. I had been telling my sweet SIL that I was hankerin' for a cookie. So she sent me one. :) Thanks Michele. And I did have the good graces to NOT try and send the delivery person away this time.

Day Three, Baby Love!

Well today is Day three. We decided to stay in the hospital one more night. So we will be coming home tomorrow. Caleb's billirubin is moderately high. So the Dr. is happy that we're here and can do another test in the morning. Also, Sofie is sick at our house, so I just wanted to wait here one more day to let her get better.

More to come!