January 2020 – Bump 2 Bab[y]ies

“Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things”

Gratitude, gratefulness, thanksgiving, contentment; these are a few of my favorite things! Many keep a gratitude journal but I would challenge them to not only recount their grateful moments but to live them! Slow down life just enough to appreciate these moments before they become memories.

As I type this, it is a challenge for me, too! Many of my entries and posts are recollections because life whirls by us. This post is yet another account of my children and their favorite things because I know that too soon, these faves will be likes of the past.

Mr. Theo

He is outnumbered. This describes his life, his challenge but also his greatest gift. He has no one to compete with in our household simply because he was blessed with that Y chromosome. He shines bright- not only because he’s the only boy – but also because his patience, inquiry, maturity are far beyond his 6, well, I’m reminded 6 1/2 years. Here are a few of Theo’s favorite things:

Favorite Color: Orange and Green
Favorite Sport to Play: Baseball
Favorite Sport to Watch: Football
Favorite Team: Chicago Cubs
Favorite Hobby: Building… anything
Favorite Food: Chinese
Favorite Animal: Humans or more specifically homo sapiens
Favorite Memory: Going to the Cubs Convention with Daddy
Favorite Song: Go Cubs Go
Favorite Saying: Why?

Isabella

She will forever be my Bella Bean but has explored a variety of identities this last fall… Isabella, Izzy and has come back to Bella. Bella remains the artistic Princess. She has notebooks filled with doodles, hearts, stars and of course the new love of her life… King Boo, or has she refers to him, “Boo King.” While it’s an odd pairing, it works! Here are a few more of her favorite things:

Favorite Color: Purple and White
Favorite Sport to Play: Cheer
Favorite Sport to Watch: Sportsball
Favorite Team: Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears and 49ers
Favorite Hobby: Drawing and Playing LOL dolls
Favorite Food: Chocolate Mint Ice Cream
Favorite Animal: Bunny, Lamb and well, Ghosts
Favorite Memory: Joining the Siwanatorz fan club
Favorite Song: I want candy by JoJo Siwa
Favorite Saying: “Sto-op, Mo-om.”

Lily

Lily-Love-Bug is exactly that! She is the most heartfelt, helpful and considerate little girl from 6a to 6p. If you catch her outside of her normal business hours, her sensitivities run high and so does her temperament. Lily continues to adore her little stuffed koala, Uti, horses and unicorns. She also loves to entertain with her Y.O.L.O. approach to life.

Favorite Color: Green, Teal and Black
Favorite Sport to Play: Gymnastics
Favorite Sport to Watch: Dance
Favorite Team: Brewers and the Cubbies
Favorite Hobby: Spending time with family and DANCING
Favorite Food: Bananas
Favorite Animal: Baby Koalas and Lions
Favorite Memory: Snuggling with her baby Koala
Favorite Song: Everyday Pop Stars by JoJo Siwa
Favorite Saying: No words, simply places her palm to her forehead and subtly shakes her head

Kali Mae

Kali Mae is a thinker. Her thought life is rich and tough to break into. She is a natural observer and at times is not afraid to share her thoughts and emotions. Other times, she is a tough nut to crack. She is a sweetheart and loves to take care of others. To say Kali loves Minnie Mouse would be an understatement. She plans to one day live next to Minnie in Disney World.

Favorite Color: Yellow, Blue and Pink… are polka dots a color?
Favorite Sport to Play: Cheer
Favorite Sport to Watch: Gymnastics
Favorite Team: Chicago Cubs, Chicago bears and 49ers
Favorite Hobby: Playing Minnie Mouse
Favorite Food: Minnie Mouse Cake
Favorite Animal: Mice and Puppies
Favorite Memory: Opening up her Minnie Mouse presents at Christmas
Favorite Song: D.R.E.A.M. by JoJo Siwa
Favorite Saying: “That’s Weird!”

Ellie

Ellie Rose, known strictly now as Rosie in the household is truly a depiction of the rhyme, “Sugar and Spice and everything nice.” She is super sweet but can also be quite spicy and salty for that matter. She continues to love to move, bounce, dance and flip. She is counting down the days to see JoJo Siwa in concert and acquiring more JoJo bows than there are days to wear them. Her love for animals continues, as well as, the joy she finds in organizing her things… in rainbow order, of course.

Favorite Color: Gold, Silver, Turquoise, and Rainbow!
Favorite Sport to Play: Cheer and Backyard Football
Favorite Sport to Watch: Volleyball
Favorite Team: Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears
Favorite Hobby: Making up dances to JoJo Siwa songs
Favorite Food: Donuts
Favorite Memory: Going out for donuts as a family
Favorite Animal: Kittens
Favorite Song: Everyday Pop Stars by JoJo Siwa
Favorite Saying: “That’s Rude!”

Our favorites come and go. But, our gratitude for these things, these moments and memories never will.

img_20191225_055155

Temperatures drop and the wind chills as households warm up with family, traditions, and celebrations. The holidays are truly magical! Despite being sick, the V5 still had twinkles in their eyes on Christmas morning. The queasiness in their stomachs was cured by the excitement of traveling to family’s homes for delicious food, fun and of course thoughtful gifts.

Before the big day, we were able to visit with all sides of the family!

Bella and I were sad to miss the Vanderwall Christmas this year but enjoyed our special one-on-one Christmas with a long winter’s nap and a short viewing of Olaf’s Holiday Traditions.

img_20191225_150858-animation

The germs cleared and we rung in 2020 fever-free with our annual tradition of yummy appetizers, counting down with Australia and blowing poppers throughout the house!