Happy 8th Birthday Gabrielle

Today is Gabrielle's 8th Birthday! We had a fun, busy day. In the morning before school Gabrielle opened a small gift of shorts and a t-shirt from us. Chad and I then met Cade and Gabrielle for lunch at school bringing them Subway sandwiches and Jamba Juice smoothies. Chad and I then finished our shopping for Gabrielle, buying her a bike and a shirt and cami from her favorite store, Justice. We also picked up donuts for her class party at 2:00. After school, Gabrielle opened her gift and 'found' her bike in the back of the van. We then went to the Riverbend hospital to visit Grandpa but first went on a walk and bike ride on the new trail by the river. It was a gorgeous sunny day! Next we were off to Cade and then Gabrielle's indoor soccer games (both wins ~ Gabrielle got a goal; Cade said he would try to get 8 goals for Gabrielle's 8th birthday but he managed just 4!). Cade then rushed off to a soccer skills practice (Chad ran out of gas on the way only to be rescued by my brother, David!). I also had an indoor soccer game and then it was a little relaxing at home before another busy day tomorrow: two basketball games for Cade, a soccer and basketball game for Gabrielle, then bowling and Gabrielle's birthday slumber party!

Gabrielle riding her new bike

Elle, Will, Cade throwing rocks into the river

What a gorgeous day!

Chad, Leticia and Genevieve

Sweet Genevieve sleeping away!

Chad on the News & Two Month Stats

Chad was on KEZI news yesterday in its Reduce, Reuse, Recycle segment. Check it out at kezi.com/recycle/91182 .

And, here are Genevieve's two month stats from her doctor's appointment today:

Weight: 10 lb 8.4 oz (45%)
Height: 22.4 in (50%)

Genevieve was NOT happy about her three shots. Of-course her big sis, Gabrielle, was equally unhappy about her two shots for her 8 year appointment! As expected, Gabrielle was in the 95+% for her height at 55 inches. And of-course Cade and Willem had to be measured as well (even though it wasn't their appointment!) and they are 56.75 inches and 48.5 inches, respectively.

We are so lucky to have two healthy, beautiful girls!

The Two Month Mark

Genevieve is two months old today! And after such a short time, it is hard to imagine our family without her. She is such a sweetie and a really great baby. It is fun to see her interact more and more and to imagine how much happiness she will continue to bring our family. Happiness that can be appreciated even more since she slept 9 hours last night!

Genevieve (or Nev-Nev as her brothers like to call her) is drinking every 3-4 hours during the day though we are not really on any real schedule. She sleeps best in our arms in the daytime but also will sleep for a while in her car seat, the swing or sometimes in our bed or the cradle. She is cooing, laughing and smiling quite a bit. She still seems to be struggling with tummy issues often after drinking but is okay if we hold her tight and pat her bottom. At night she usually goes to sleep around 10:30 pm and sleeps until at least 4:30 am though about half the time makes it an hour or two (and if we are very lucky three hours) longer.

We love you sweet Genevieve!

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Brandy, Genevieve, Will, Sandy, Sheri

Here is a picture of some wonderful friends at our favorite coffee spot. I had been struggling to find time to run with a newborn but have been so lucky to have friends who offer to hold Genevieve while I run. And they act as if I am doing them a favor when they are truly Godsends! I feel so much better if I am able to run a couple times a week and thanks to Sheri, Brandy, Sandy and also Amy M., I have been able to!! Thank you!

Don't Play with Doors!

It seems we are always telling our kids not to play with or slam doors. Too many games of chase seem to involve a door being shoved near some one's toes, fingers or face. Well, on Monday, it happened again and a door ended up in Willem's face! The photo doesn't quite do the bruise and scratches justice but you get the picture! Apparently Gabrielle 'accidentally' slammed it!

Our Comedian!

It seems like everyday I pick Willem up from Pre-K, his teachers come up to me laughing about something Willem said or did in school. They report that he is a lot of fun to have in class & that he is 'All Boy'. This week his teachers, Mrs. Zerzan & Mrs. Wheeler, reported that they were cracking up after Willem delivered yet another joke perfectly that went something like this: "Why did the ocean roar? You would too if you had crabs on your bottom"!

Apparently, his class has been learning about various occupations & last week they were pretending to be doctors. Willem was pretty into it & said quite loudly, "so which of you girls wants to be pregnant?" Again, his teacher said they had a hard time not laughing.

Willem is also fun to watch when his class sings songs for the parents. He often thinks the songs are very 'cheesy' as he puts it & it shows in his expressions when he halfway sings the songs & does the dance moves.

Willem playing outside in February 2009

Sweet Willem Age 5 1/2

On a field trip with classmates

Willem doesn't look convinced as he prepares to sing a song in class

Now for a few updates...

Cousin Mariah lost a heart-breaker by two points in the championship of the St. Paul tournament today. She played so well, stealing the ball many times, playing great 'D' & scoring on several lay-ins & free throws. She played in front of a full gym at Marist with a big section of family cheering her on. The game was against O'Hara & for most of the game Mariah guarded our kids' 3rd cousin, Molly! Our kids got a kick out of that!

Grandpa is doing much better. It is great to see him back to his old self. He is still battling painful muscle spasms & a lot of pain as he starts the extensive rehab process but he has improved so much. He is leaving the hospital tomorrow & going into a rehab facility for 2-3 weeks. Please continue to keep him in your thoughts & prayers.

Ficek cousin vs. Konyn cousin

Genevieve (with Uncle Marcus) being a great sport at yet another basketball game!

In Honor of Valentine's Day...

Ten Kinda Random Things I Love...

1. Seeing our FOUR (still can't believe I have four) kids all together.
2. That Genevieve slept 7-8 hours in a row the last two nights!
3. Watching our kids play and enjoy playing sports.
4. The way I feel after a long run. On Wednesday, I did my first six miler in long time (thank you Brandy, Jenn & Keith).
5. Girls Nights Out...or even better, Girls Weekend...or Sisters Weekend!
6. Going out to eat.
7. That I can still can play soccer a couple times a week at age 38 and after four babies.
8. Having a walk-in closet and master bath; I waited 33 years for these things and still love them five years later.
9. Summer and sleeping in.
10. Last but not least, my kiddos and my hubby!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Hope your day was great!

Today, we went to Cade's basketball tournament games (one win, one loss vs. 4th grade teams), watched cousin, Mariah, play an exciting basketball game at the St. Paul tournament; winning in OT! We then went to Saturday evening mass and then dinner at BJ's where we exchanged Valentine gifts. Chad and the kids are now watching Star Wars Clone Wars and, to end the day (and usher in tomorrow!), I have a coed indoor game at 11:10 pm tonight.

Here are some pictures from today and the last few days...

Cade at his basketball game today

Cade at his basketball game today; he had 6 & 8 points in the two games

Cousin Mariah playing hard at the St. Paul tourney. She's such a hustler!

Gabrielle, Grandma and Genevieve at Cade's game

Genevieve on February 11th; 8 weeks old

Genevieve on February 8th hanging with Dad

I love her little yawns!

Genevieve on February 8th; 7 1/2 weeks old

Our Blue-Eyed Girl (for now)

It is always exciting with a new baby to see which traits she will inherit. In the family I grew up in, there was one trait for which we did not have to guess ~ my six siblings and I all have blue eyes (no surprise with our Dutch immigrant parents). This makes it all the more fun for me to see what color eyes our kids will have. From Chad's hazel/green eyes and my blue eyes, we have one very blue-eyed boy in Cade, one green-eyed girl in Gabrielle and one brown-eyed boy in Willem. So, what about Genevieve? So far her eyes are quite blue. This, of-course, could change but my guess is they will stay blue because they remind me most of Cade's eyes when he was a baby and, as you can see in the picture of Cade below, he has very piercing and beautiful blue eyes. I will keep you posted on whether Genevieve's eyes stay that way!

Our blue-eyed (so far) Genevieve (here at 7 weeks)

Blue-eyed Cade

Brown-eyed Willem

Green-eyed Gabrielle (what a great sis!)

Hazel/Green-eyed Chad with Genevieve (at 7 1/2 wks)

Blue-eyed Leticia with Gabrielle

Update on Grandpa

Thank you to all who have had Chad's dad, Gene, in their thoughts and prayers. Gene's surgery on Sunday seems to have gone well. It will be a little while before we know the extent of relief he will get from the surgery but we are hopeful. During tough times like these, it is so nice to see how families come together. Chad's family has been great and so supportive of Dad/Grandpa as well as Chad's mom, Bev, and each other. All of Chad's siblings, including Pat from Idaho, Cindy and Carrie from Portland and Tere from here in Eugene, have been visiting and helping care for Gene. This past week has reminded me of when my wonderful mom, Marian, was sick with cancer five years ago. Though that time brings back some of my very worst memories, it also brings back some of my fondest memories such as how incredibly my dad took care of my mom and of all of us seven siblings being together, supporting each other and even laughing together. That is what the pictures below remind me of...those happy times in very tough times.

Watching funny You Tube videos in the hospital room

Cade, Willem, cousin Andrew, Gabrielle in the hospital cafeteria

Auntie Cindy holding Genevieve

Chad's brother, Pat, with Chad

Say a Prayer for Grandpa

Tomorrow, Chad's Dad, Gene, will undergo a tough surgery in hopes of relieving the significant pain he is experiencing as a result of spinal stenosis. We have been visiting him all week in the hospital. Despite his obvious pain, he always wants to hold or snuggle with Genevieve and give hugs to his grandkids. They really love their grandpa who is such a kind, generous and wise man and a fantastic dad, grandpa and father in-law.
We Love You Grandpa! Be Strong!

Chad, Genevieve and Grandpa in the hospital

Grandpa and Cade fishing in the summer of 2007

Entering the Blogging World

Gabrielle, Leticia with Genevieve, Cade with cousin Jacoby, Willem

My little sis Amber and her little boy Jacoby decided to drive down south to visit us today. During our free time, we decided to set up The Ficek Family blog! Her blog and my friend Julie's blog are my inspiration. Other than blogging, we took a trip to Walmart with 5 kiddos in tow. My kids just love seeing Jacoby. I think they can't wait until Genevieve is big enough to interact like he does at this age. I love it when my sister comes to visit!

Capturing Genevieve's First Smiles

Genevieve's sweet smile

I love this picture of Genevieve focusing on me as I try to get her to smile!

Genevieve first started to really focus on our faces and smiling when she was about five weeks old but it was only once, maybe twice, a day and very hard to capture on my camera. Now that she is seven weeks old, Genevieve is smiling and cooing more and more and I was finally able to get a picture of her beautiful smile!

Genevieve is One Month!

I can't believe it's been a month (on January 18th)! Genevieve has been a great baby. She is still sleeping most of the day and though she prefers being in our arms, she will sleep on her own if she's put down in a deep sleep. Occasionally she will fall asleep on her own but honestly, we don't give her the chance very often! She is usually really awake and alert only twice each day for a couple hours each. Otherwise she is awake to drink (about every three hours or a little less) and then asleep again; it seems like a great effort for her to keep her eyes open! Genevieve loves her nuk and often makes a loud sucking noise when she sucks on it. On the night of January 17th, Genevieve slept 7 hours without drinking though usually she sleeps four or five hours in a row at night (sometimes longer if we put our hand on her head and hold the nuk in her mouth for a few minutes). She is sleeping in the little bassinet between us in bed so she is easy to get for nursing at night and easy to put back to sleep (often with a hand on her head for a minute or two). Sometimes she will lay right next to Mom after the 4 am feeding (after the 4-6 hour stretch). On January 19th (1 day after her one month birthday), Genevieve started really focusing on faces and smiled at Mom! Genevieve's big brothers and sister adore her and say often how cute she is!

Here are few of my favorite pictures near Genevieve's one month birthday...

January 21st

With Willem on January 21st

With her nukkie on January 18th

With her big brother on January 16th

At Aunt Marilyn's Birthday lunch on January 17th (sisters Leticia, Amber, Marilyn with Genevieve)

Another afternoon in the car (with cousin Jacoby)

With Mom on January 18th

Sisters to the Rescue!

My sisters, Amber & Marilyn, with Genevieve

It has been soooo very nice having my sisters here visiting! Marilyn arrived here on the 13th from Nicaragua and will stay for ten days. Amber is visiting on and off from Portland while Marilyn is here. It is fun to share stories, have them to chat with while I nurse and to have the help with Genevieve and Cade, Elle and Will. We always have a great time together and the time we have together is never long enough!

Amber, Jacoby, Genevieve and Leticia ~ Lunch at the Mall

Marilyn & Genevieve ~ January 16

Willem with his Aunt Marilyn playing ball!

Marilyn and Willem Having Fun!

Leah and Genevieve snuggling

Marilyn and her beautiful daughter Leah

Amber squeezed in the back of the van with her nieces & nephews! So funny!