Leopold was a dear and took Yellow Bird to her gymnastics class tonight. Sasha went with him and Motor Boat, who only took a brief nap today, is sacked out early. Homeschooling my girls leaves me little time alone, usually just at work (if you can call that Me time). It is nice to just be able to sit and relax. The dishes will wait. For now I'm going to veg out.
Dinner tonight will be chili. For all you carnivores (of which I am one) out there, this is veggie chili. Looks good doesn't it. I have to admit that I was as resistant to this vegetarian life style at first but I've grown more accustomed to it over the years. Sometimes I just use a lot of beans and tomatoes but tonight I used tofu crumbles. You would never know if I didn't tell you. They look like ground beef and are easier to use because you don't have to brown them. Also, consider the fact that out of the 5 of us, Leopold is the only one who didn't get the flu with the rest of us (of course he probably will now that I said that). Maybe there is something to this healthy life style after all. But, come to think of it, he never got sick before eating healthy either. But, it can't hurt to be healthier. Give it a try. I bet you like it. BTW, I still eat meat but not nearly as much since I never cook it at home. Only when we go out.
I know this may not seem like much for most 15 month olds but for Motor Boat this is huge. He is eating a little bit every day. 1/2 jar of baby food and drank 1/2 ounce of water. He felt so bad last week I didn't even offer him anything. This week we are back on track. What a big boy. We have a long way to go but hopefully he is on track for getting that tube out once and for all.
The AIM crew gave us a baby shower today. It was so nice and we really appreciate all they did. I have to get on the Thank You notes. I haven't forgotten. The first couple of weeks were spent getting Motor Boat settled in (or maybe me settled in) and then the last two weeks have been given to the flu. 
Leopold cutting the cake.
How adorable. Daddy and Motor can dress alike now.
I'm not sure who enjoyed this toy more, Motor Boat or Yellow Bird.
Lots of presents.
Mouths are so facinating.
Let them eat cake -- even Motor Boat.
Tearing into the presents. The girls had a blast.
So many nice things. Thank you all!
...then just eat them. We were driving and I turned around to find Motor Boat with his sock in his mouth. I cracked up laughing so then it became a fun game and he started laughing. BTW, I didn't take the picture, Sasha did. Just wanted everyone to know that I wasn't driving and taking a picture at the same time.
If you watch closely you can see Motor Boat very briefly stand unassisted. OK, his tummy may be touching the table but he is beginning to let go and stand unassisted for brief periods of time. It won't be long before he is walking all over the place.
Well, Motor Boat is finally home from the hospital and I'm on the mend also. Whoever picks the flu strains that go into the flu shot, please get this one next year. It is a kicker. Last week I started getting what the girls had and then Motor Boat came down with it. He ended up in the hospital. His little system is just so fragile. Leopold took time off from work to be with him since I was sick myself. They had some good bonding time. It was hard to have him in the hospital and not be able to be there with him. But, I'm finally up and about today for the first time. This flu just wipes you out. Still coughing and hacking though. Continue to pray for us, especially Motor Boat, for a continued recovery.
Love you,
Sophie
My vices. I have two big ones. One is a Starbucks venti, non-fat, no water chai latte. The other is sushi. The sushi craving is a rather new one. I always thought sushi was raw fish. It isn't. It refers to the rice. You may know that but I didn't. I don't like the fishy sushi rolls. They are too fishy. Can fish be too fishy? That is kind of like a human being to humany (I know that isn't a real word). But, whether the fish is raw or cooked I just don't like it in my sushi. I also don't like the Philly roll. I love cream cheese but in my sushi it makes me gag. I do however love the crab, shrimp and veggie ones. I eat sushi about two times a week, sometimes more and have starbucks 3-4 times a week. I guess of all the vices to have in the world these are too bad. I just love my Starbucks and sushi. What can I say?
Are a bazillion kisses a day too much for this face? I hope not because he has to be getting at least that many. Between mommy, daddy and his sisters we are constantly kissing him. He doesn't seem to mind too much. Who could resist those cheeks?
Almost 17 years ago the most amazing thing happened. I had the honor and privilege of marrying this guy. To say I've been blessed is an understatement. I love that I get to share this life with him. It is cliche to say this on Valentine's Day but I love you honey. I'm so glad that you chose to marry me. I pray we have many more Valentine's Days together. They keep getting better and better all the time. I love you so much. Sophie
Yellow Bird took this picture of her brother sleeping and thought it was funny and wanted me to post it. So here it is.
Rosy red cheeks thanks to fever.
Feeling better and managing a smile for the camera.
Sasha and Yellow Bird are both sick today. Yellow Bird started running high fevers yesterday and Sasha got sick during the night. Both are miserable. Pray they start feeling better. They are being very careful to not touch Motor Boat right now. Neither one of them want to get him sick. Let's pray he doesn't get it.
I used the time between tubes to snap some tube-free pictures of Motor Boat. What a cutie! Of course this is before I totally upset his world placing the new tube.
I'm hoping that the fact that he hates the tube so much will prompt him to eat and drink when he is a bit older. He is a little too young to reason with now but when he is older maybe it will be some incentive.
I had to replace Motor Boat's feeding tube today. The picture below is blurry but you can see how much he hates it. He is crying and he NEVER cries. Poor thing. 
New tube on other side. Tears in his eyes. I hate that this won't be the only time I have to do this. When I do this at work it is on little babies who can't put up the fight he did and they aren't my child. It is so hard to do this to your own child. Tugs at a mommy's heart.
I went in Motor Boat's room to check on him and this is how I found him napping. He wasn't sound asleep but was drowsy. He stayed this way long enough for me to go grab the camera and get a picture. Yellow Bird says he is trying to copy her and her flipping. Maybe so!
Today was Motor Boat's first day at church. As per his usual jolly self, he took meeting everyone in perfect stride. When we took him up front to have the elders and church pray over him he did that cute baby squeal the entire time. Everyone was cracking up laughing. 
Isn't he so handsome.
Our boy!
Playing in the church nursery.
Having fun!
Yellow Bird has been getting so good at her gymnastics. She loves it and practices all the time. Here are a few pictures of her doing her tricks.
We were able to attend one of Craig Biggio's last games. It was a lot of fun. Leopold's team spirit here got us moved to field level. At each game they have a UPS Moving game where they pick one group of 4 and move them from the nose bleed seats to ground level. Thanks to this face we got picked. It was so awesome. We were on the big screen and everything.
Note to self...when visiting the frozen tundra pack more than little white Keds for shoes. My feet froze to death. Snow was knee deep and these shoes provided little protection. My only explanation is that I'm from the south and truly had no appreciation for how cold it would be. I do now.
Yellow Bird absolutely loved the snow. We all did but she wouldn't stay out of it. She was constantly wet from all the snow. It was a blast but so cold.
Three sisters bridge at Niagra Falls.
Crazy kid. Rolling in the snow.
What a beautiful snow angel.
My girls!
So cold. Did I tell you it was cold? It was sooooo cold.
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